After four years in the making, the tournament where the biggest names and most prodigious talents in the world of football compete for the ultimate prize in their sport has arrived. The road to the 2010 World Cup has been wrought with pre-tournament drama, complete with controversial squad selections and omissions, qualification upsets, and injuries that have been striking players like a plague. The stage is finally set, however, and each nation is ready to exhibit their best game in South Africa. From June 11 to July 11, 32 teams and 736 players will bleed their nation’s colours in an effort to be crowned world champions.
But, in the end there can only be one victor. The Varsity predicts how the tournament will unfold, which players to watch, and which games to see.
Group A: France (FRA), Mexico (MEX), Uruguay (URU), South Africa (RSA)
France’s trek through the early rounds has been far from easy, and less than stellar results in their recent matches reveal that the team continues to struggle with their newly adopted 4-3-3- formation. Still, if Franck Ribéry and company manage to get their act together in time, the talented 2006 finalists should advance to second place in the group. Uruguay, led by the talismanic Diego Forlán, poses the greatest threat to the Europeans and, if their dangerous offense has its way, these young guns will likely top the group. Though historically the host nation has always made it out of the group stages, a solid third place effort from Mexico may stall South Africa’s hopes of advancing to the next round.
Group B: Argentina (ARG), Greece (GRE), Nigeria (NIG), South Korea (KOR)
An eerie resemblance to USA ’94, Argentina, Greece, and Nigeria will be competing in Group B along with the 2002 semi-finalists from South Korea. The star-studded Argentinan squad includes Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, and Angel Di Maria, and is likely to be a lock for the top spot in the group. Second place will be a dog fight between a defensive-minded Greek team and the run-and-gun Nigerians. Look for Greece to come out ahead of Nigeria – who have a huge hole to fill in midfield since losing star Jon Obi Mikel to an ankle injury – and South Korea to finish at the bottom.
Group C: England (ENG), United States (USA), Algeria (ALG), Slovenia (SVN)
Rio Ferdinand will not be suiting up for England in South Africa due to a knee injury, but newly named captain Steven Gerrard will surely lead the confident squad to the top of the group. England’s team appears to have peaked after an excellent showing in a friendly game against Brazil. USA will come out in second place, even if they only manage a draw with England simply from a lack of goal production. Algerian goalkeeper Nadir Belhad is suspended for one game, so expect Slovenia to take advantage and finish ahead in third place.
Group D: Germany (GER), Ghana (GHA), Australia (AUS), Serbia (SRB)
Germany has lost skipper Michael Ballack for the tournament and, coupled with the fact that goalkeeper Robert Enke committed suicide last November, the road looks rough ahead. And although its superstars Lukas Podolski, Mario Gomez, and Miroslav Klose are all coming off poor seasons, there is still no doubt they will finish atop of the group. Ghana has injury woes of their own – Michael Essien is ruled out with knee problems – so expect Serbia and Australia to finish ahead, respectively.
Group E: Netherlands (NED), Denmark (DEN), Japan (JPN), Cameroon (CMR)
The Netherlands have been branded as under-achievers at every World Cup, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t finish at the top of the group. Forward Arjen Robben suffered a small hamstring tear in the team’s last friendly against Hungary, leaving teammates Robin van Persie and Dirk Kuyt to carry the load. Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o should have an outstanding tournament, spurred by criticisms from legend Roger Milla that he’s brought Cameroon nothing in terms of success. Though Denmark will certainly mount a very good fight, expect the team to fall to Cameroon, and underdog Japan to lose all three matches.
Group F: Italy (ITA), Paraguay (PAR), Slovakia (SVK), New Zealand (NZL)
Paraguay will be playing with a lot of heart after leading goal scorer Salvador Cabañas was shot in the head at a bar in Mexico. Expect Roque Santa Cruz and Lucas Barrios to lead the team to the top of the group. Italy’s Andrea Pirlo will not be playing in South Africa, and despite the fact that Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero have been left off the roster, it is expected that Italy will dominate the remainder of their games to finish in second. Slovakia’s only success will come against New Zealand, who have yet to win a game in World Cup competition.
Group G: Brazil (BRA), Portugal (POR), Ivory Coast (CIV), North Korea (PRK)
This tournament’s “group of death” includes the two highest ranked teams in the world, along with an Ivory Coast squad who are continuing to impress. Brazil’s strong up front thanks to the abilities of Kaka, Robinho, and Luis. Fabiano and is predicted to come out in first place. Portugal may have Cristiano Ronaldo but the Ivory Coast has Didier Drogba and, after a successful surgery to fix a broken arm, he will likely be the difference for the team in finishing ahead for the second spot. North Korea will go home without a win, and perhaps without a single goal.
Group H: Spain (ESP), Chile (CHI), Switzerland (SUI), Honduras (HON)
If Spain is ever going to win a World Cup, the team’s chances are not likely to get any better than they are this year. This star-studded team, which includes Fernando Torres, David Villa, and Iker Casillas, needs to keep up their signature passing skills and manage the pressure of high expectations (as well as avoiding further injuries), to capitalize on their considerable potential and top their group without incident. Chile will come in second place, utilizing the offensive prowess of Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez to keep their goal count rising. Expect Switzerland’s Alexander Frei to lead his team to hold third, while Honduras brings up the rear with a few goals, but probably no wins.
Predictions: In the Round of 16, look for Otto Rehhagel’s Greek team to put the defensive clamp down on Uruguay’s offence, advancing to play England, who will overwhelm Serbia. Brazil will squeak out a win against a very tough Chilean team, and will kick off against Italy, who will send the Netherlands home packing yet again. Argentina will eliminate France, setting up a rematch of Germany ’06 while the Americans will lose to the Germans. Spain will trounce the Ivory Coast and get ready to face Cameroon, who will end Paraguay’s campaign.
In the semi-finals, England will advance at the expense of a Brazilian squad, and Argentina will defeat Cameroon, Africa’s longest standing team, setting up a match between two of the most storied rivals in FIFA World Cup history.
On July 11, Lionel Messi will hold the FIFA World Cup trophy over his head for the first time, and Coach Diego Maradona will run around Buenos Aires naked (probably not for the first time).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. Franck RIBÉRY, 27, Bayern Munich, (FW#7, FRA)
Perhaps the only unquestioned and unopposed decision eccentric Coach Raymond Domenech has made this year is to field the formidable Ribéry in the national selection. Having just come off of a solid (though not uncontroversial) season with German giants Bayern Munich, Ribéry, likely playing a left-wing position, will be relied upon to close out set pieces. The team have been struggling with this, but Ribéry will no doubt mean the difference between a first-round elimination and a successful campaign for Les Bleus.
2. Lionel MESSI, 22, Barcelona (FW #10, ARG)
Defenders – along with the rest of the world – will want to keep an eye on Lionel Messi and his left foot. La Pulga’s superstar is on the rise, and there doesn’t seem to be much standing in the way of adding a World Cup title to his growing list of accomplishments. Look for La Albiceleste to coordinate all the team’s efforts towards setting up the ball in the strike zone for the Barcelona phenomenon to put away all the way to championship.
3. Landon DONOVAN, 28, Los Angeles Galaxy (MF #10, USA)
For team USA, whose comfort zone is more in its stable defensive abilities than anything else, a dynamic midfielder like Landon Donovan will be key in changing up momentum and expanding offensive play. Without having to worry too much about the back of the pitch, Donovan will be trying to create opportunities to take the game to his opponents by shifting momentum forward and looking for any shots at goal. Any successful attempts in this regard could shift American expectations of simply advancing from the group stage to possibly coming out on top of the whole affair.
4. Wayne ROONEY, 24, Manchester United (FW #10, ENG)
One of the biggest breakout stars of Euro 2004, Wayne Rooney will be looking to better his national team’s performance in South Africa. With key players like Beckham and Ferdinand left out of the English squad due to injuries, the pressure will weigh heavier on Rooney to pick up the slack, as he managed to do following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. He has played well so far however, having scored nine goals in the nine out of ten qualification matches he featured in. The hopes of England’s long-suffering fans are pinned on Wazza as the English talisman works to carry on his devastating form from first kickoff.
5. Roque SANTA CRUZ, 28, Manchester City (FW #9, PAR)
Having spent most of the latest club season and World Cup qualifying rounds out on injury, Roque Santa Cruz will have his work cut out for him as he works to find his top form in time for Paraguay’s first kickoff against reigning champions Italy on June 14. La Albirroja already boast a strong offense in players Nelson Haedo Valdez and Lucas Barrios and, if Santa Cruz can add to the team’s offensive arsenal and revive his inspired ’07-’08 form for the big stage this summer, Paraguay may have a chance of finishing on top of their group and progressing forward.
6. KAKÁ, 28, Real Madrid (MF #10, BRA)
The success of the beloved “Samba Kings” this year will depend very heavily on the performance of the celebrated Real Madrid midfielder. Brazil fans will be heartened by Kaká’s reassurances that he has fully recovered from the pesky groin injury that kept him out of club fixtures for a good portion of the season. At his vital position in the midfield, look for Kaká to be the team’s fulcrum: manoeuvring set pieces so that the attackers can get their shots to where they belong – safely at the back of the net.
7. Didier DROGBA, 32, Chelsea (FW #11, CIV)
Not only is the prolific striker at the core of the Ivory Coast’s national team, he’s also held in popular regard as the face of African football. Les Elephants have legitimate cause for worry about Drogba’s health after a nasty elbow injury sustained in a recent warm-up match against Japan. Needless to say, his commanding influence on the squad will likely be the difference between the team advancing (likely after Brazil), or losing its chance to an eager Portugal looking to take advantage.
8. Cristiano RONALDO, 25, Real Madrid (FW #7, POR)
Cristiano Ronaldo will be in unchartered territory as he goes into this World Cup as his team’s appointed leader, now responsible for a newer, younger breed of Portuguese talent. Ronaldo remains undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and, as long as he can bring the mesmerizing, lightning-fast moves and mercurial enthusiasm that quickly brought him to forefront of the game, his team will be eager to rally behind him, giving Portugal a real chance at moving forward.
