*Group A’ *South Africa’’‘How they qualified;as hostsPre-World Cup form’’
5-6-10, South Africa 1 Denmark 0, Johannesburg 1-6-10, South Africa 5 Guatemala 0, Polokwane 28-5-10, South Africa 2 Colombia 1, Johannesburg 24-5-10, South Africa 1 Bulgaria 1, Johannesburg 16-5-10, South Africa 4 Thailand 0, Nelspruit Player in form Katlego Mphela, has scored 6 goals in the past 4 matches.
Mexico
How they qualified;’’ 2nd in CONCACAF, behind USA, ahead of Honduras & Costa RicaTopscorer in qualifying;Carlos Vela, Jared Borgetti, Fernando Arce, Andres Guardado, Pavel Pardo, Cuauhtemoc Blanco (3 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 3-6-10, Italy 1 Mexico 2, Brussels 30-5-10, Mexico 5 Gambia 1, Germany 26-5-10, Netherlands 2 Mexico 1, Freiburg 25-5-10, England 3 Mexico 1, Wembley 17-5-10, Mexico 1 Chile 0, Mexico City 14-5-10, Mexico 1 Angola 0, Mexico City 11-5-10, Mexico 1 Senegal 0, Mexico City 7-5-10, Mexico 0 Ecuador 0, New Jersey Player in form Javier Hernandez, 3 goals in past 3 matches, recently sealed move to Manchester United.
Uruguay
How they qualified;’’ 5th in CONMEBOL; qualified via inter-confederation playoff, 2-1 agg. over Costa RicaTopscorer in qualifying;Diego Forlan, Sebastian Abreu (7 goals)Pre-World Cup form26-5-10, Uruguay 4 Israel 1, MontevideoPlayer in form’’ Diego Forlan, 1 goal versus Israel, after leading Atletico Madrid to Europa League title.
France
How they qualified;’’ 2nd in UEFA Group 7 behind Serbia, ahead of Austria & Romania; qualified via playoffs, 2-1 agg. over IrelandTopscorer in qualifying;Andre-Pierre Gignac, Thierry Henry (4 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 4-6-10, France 0 China 1, Reunion 30-5-10, Tunisia 1 France 1, Rades 26-5-10, France 2 Costa Rica 1, Lens Player in form William Gallas, back after injury with a goal against Tunisia.
*Group B’ *Argentina’
How they qualified;’’ 4th in CONMEBOLTopscorer in qualifying;Sergio Agüero, Lionel Messi, Juan Román Riquelme (3 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 24-5-10, Argentina 5 Canada 0, Buenos Aires 5-5-10, Argentina 4 Haiti 0, Buenos Aires Player in form Lionel Messi, 47 goals with Barcelona last season, along with the crown of La Liga player of the year.
Nigeria
How they qualified;’’ 1st in CAF Group B, ahead of Tunisia, Mozambique & KenyaTopscorer in qualifying;Victor Obinna (4 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 6-6-10, Nigeria 3 Korea DPR 1, Johannesburg 30-5-10, Nigeria 1 Colombia 1, London 25-5-10, Nigeria 0 Saudi Arabia 0, London Player in form Lukman Haruna, the tricky teenager’s goal against Colombia pushes his case for a starting spot.
South Korea
How they qualified;’’ 1st in AFC Group B, ahead of Korea DPR, Saudi Arabia, Iran & UAETopscorer in qualifying;Park Ji-Sung (5 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 3-6-10, Spain 1 South Korea 0, Innsbruck 30-5-10, Belarus 1 South Korea 0, Austria 24-5-10, Japan 0 South Korea 2, Saitama 16-5-10, South Korea 2 Ecuador 0, Seoul Player in form Lee Chung-Yong, won Bolton’s player of the season and scored a goal against Ecuador.
Greece
How they qualified;’’ 2nd in UEFA Group 2, behind Switzerland, ahead of Latvia & Israel; qualified via playoffs, 1-0 agg. over UkraineTopscorer in qualifying;Theofanis Gekas (10 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 2-6-10, Greece 0 Paraguay 2, Winterthur 25-5-10, Greece 2 Korea DPR 2, Austria Player in form Sotiris Ninis, outstanding against Paraguay conducting Greek attacks, the Panathinaikos youngster is a player on the rise.
*Group C’ *England’
How they qualified;’’ 1st in UEFA Group 6, ahead of Ukraine, Croatia & BelarusTopscorer in qualifying;Wayne Rooney (9 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 30-5-10, Japan 1 England 2, Graz 24-5-10, England 3 Mexico 1, Wembley Player in form Wayne Rooney, injury ruined the end of his league season but he’s back and inspired England to their 3-0 win over local side Platinum Stars with a goal.
USA
How they qualified;’’ 1st in CONCACAF, ahead of Mexico, Honduras & Costa RicaTopscorer in qualifying;Jozy Altidore (6 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, USA 3 Australia 1, Ruimsig 29-5-10, USA 2 Turkey 1, Philadelphia 25-5-10, USA 2 Czech Republic 4, Connecticut Player in form Edson Buddle, grabbed a double versus Australia to press for a starting run.
Algeria
How they qualified;’’ 1st in CAF Group C, ahead of Egypt, Zambia & RwandaTopscorer in qualifying;Rafik Saïfi, Karim Ziani (3 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, Algeria 1 UAE 0, Fuerth 28-5-10, Ireland 3 Algeria 0, Dublin Player in form Madjid Bougherra, his return from injury against UAE helped to end a poor run of results.
Slovenia
How they qualified;’’ 2nd in UEFA Group 3, behind Slovakia, ahead of Czech Republic, Northern Ireland & Poland; qualified via playoffs, 2-2 agg. with Russia, won on away goalsTopscorer in qualifying;Zlatko Dedic (3 goals)Pre-World Cup form4-6-10, Slovenia 3 New Zealand 1, MariborPlayer in form’’ Milivoje Novakovic, fresh from another good season with FC Koln, he scored two goals vs New Zealand.
*Group D’ *Germany’
How they qualified;’’ 1st in UEFA Group 4, ahead of Russia, Finland & WalesTopscorer in qualifying;Miroslav Klose (7 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 3-6-10, Germany 3 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1, Frankfurt 29-5-10, Hungary 0 Germany 3, Budapest 13-5-10, Germany 3 Malta 0, Aachen Player in form Philipp Lahm, the newly appointed skipper looks eager to take added responsibility, scoring a cracker against Bosnia.
Australia
How they qualified;’’ 1st in AFC Group A, ahead of Japan, Bahrain, Qatar & UzbekistanTopscorer in qualifying;Tim Cahill, Brett Emerton (4 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, USA 3 Australia 1, Ruimsig 1-6-10, Australia 1 Denmark 0, Ruimsig 24-5-10, Australia 2 New Zealand 1, Melbourne Player in form Scott Chipperfield, finished off the season with FC Basel on fire, has always added something to the Socceroos side when available down the left.
Ghana
How they qualified;’’ 1st in Group D, ahead of Benin, Mali & SudanTopscorer in qualifying;Matthew Amoah (5 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, Ghana 1 Latvia 0, London 1-6-10, Netherlands 4 Ghana 1, Rotterdam Player in form Kevin-Prince Boateng, after his infamous FA Cup, he made an impressive Ghanaian debut against Latvia. Looks a chance to be a starter.
Serbia
How they qualified;’’ 1st in UEFA Group 7, ahead of France, Austria & RomaniaTopscorer in qualifying;Milan Jovanovic (5 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, Serbia 4 Cameroon 3, Belgrade 2-6-10, Serbia 0 Poland 0, Klagenfurt 29-5-10, New Zealand 1 Serbia 0, Klagenfurt Player in form Milos Krasic, scored against Cameroon as Serbia finished an indifferent pre-World Cup campaign on a bright note.
*Group E’ *Netherlands’
How they qualified;’’ 1st in UEFA Group 9, ahead of Norway, Scotland & MacedoniaTopscorer in qualifying;Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt (3 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, Netherlands 6 Hungary 1, Amsterdam 1-6-10, Netherlands 4 Ghana 1, Rotterdam 26-5-10, Netherlands 2 Mexico 1, Freiburg Player in form Robin van Persie, 4 goals in 3 warm-up games, after missing a lot of Arsenal’s season due to injury, he seems fresh and ready for a big World Cup.
Denmark
How they qualified;’’ 1st in UEFA Group 1, ahead of Portugal, Sweden & HungaryTopscorer in qualifying;Soren Larsen (5 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, South Africa 1 Denmark 0, Johannesburg 1-6-10, Australia 1 Denmark 0, Ruimsig 27-5-10, Denmark 2 Senegal 0, Aalborg Player in form Christian Poulsen, a poor pre-World Cup campaign from the Danes, but the Juventus man was good with a goal against Senegal.
Japan
How they qualified;’’ 2nd in AFC Group A, behind Australia, ahead of Bahrain, Qatar & UzbekistanTopscorer in qualifying;Shunsuke Nakamura, Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Yasuhito Endo, Yuji Nakazawa (3 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 4-6-10, Japan 0 Ivory Coast 2, Sion 30-5-10, Japan 1 England 2, Graz 24-5-10, Japan 0 South Korea 2, Saitama Player in form Keisuke Honda, Japan have had some poor warm-up results, but Honda’s form at CSKA Moscow is reason for optimism.
Cameroon
How they qualified;’’ 1st in CAF Group A, ahead of Gabon, Togo, MoroccoTopscorer in qualifying;Samuel Eto’o (9 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, Serbia 4 Cameroon 3, Belgrade 1-6-10, Portugal 3 Cameroon 1, Covilha 29-5-10, Slovakia 1 Cameroon 1, Klagenfurt 25-5-10, Georgia 0 Cameroon 0, Salzburg Player in form Pierre Webo, two goals against Serbia in a bleak pre-World Cup campaign.
*Group F’ *Italy’
How they qualified;’’ 1st in UEFA Group 8, ahead of Ireland, Bulgaria & CyprusTopscorer in qualifying;Alberto Gilardino (4 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, Switzerland 1 Italy 1, Geneva 3-6-10, Italy 1 Mexico 2, Brussels Player in form Gennaro Gattuso, the midfield veteran continues to fight hard for the cause in the centre of the park.
Paraguay
How they qualified;’’ 3rd in CONMEBOLTopscorer in qualifying;Salvador Cabañas (6 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 2-6-10, Greece 0 Paraguay 2, Winterthur 30-5-10, Paraguay 2 Ivory Coast 2, France 25-5-10, Ireland 2 Paraguay 1, Dublin 15-5-10, Paraguay 1 Korea DPR 0, Asuncion Player in form Lucas Barrios, scored a few goals in warm-up games after a surprisingly prolific season at Dortmund.
New Zealand
How they qualified;’’ 1st in Oceania, ahead of New Caledonia & Fiji; qualified via inter-confederation playoff, 1-0 agg. over BahrainTopscorer in qualifying;Shane Smeltz (8 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 9-6-10, Chile 2 New Zealand 0, Nelspruit 4-6-10, Slovenia 3 New Zealand 1, Maribor 29-5-10, New Zealand 1 Serbia 0, Klagen 24-5-10, Australia 2 New Zealand 1, Melbourne Player in form Rory Fallon, the lanky Kiwi scored against Slovenia and was dangerous versus the Australians.
Slovakia
How they qualified;’’ 1st in UEFA Group 3, ahead of Slovenia, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland & PolandTopscorer in qualifying;Stanislav Sestak (6 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, Slovakia 3 Costa Rica 0, Bratislava 29-5-10, Slovakia 1 Cameroon 1, Klagenfurt Player in form Marek Hamsik, the technically-gifted, young midfielder loves the big occasion and has been a star with Napoli in the highly rated Serie A for two years now.
*Group G’ *Brazil’
How they qualified;’’ 1st in CONMEBOLTopscorer in qualifying;Luis Fabiano (9 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 7-6-10, Tanzania 1 Brazil 5, Dar-es-Salaam 2-6-10, Zimbabwe 0 Brazil 3, Harare Player in form Robinho, three goals in past two games for the Brazilians, although the quality of the opposition is questionable. But Robinho has a lot to prove in South Africa.
Korea DPR
How they qualified;’’ 2nd in AFC Group B, behind South Korea, ahead of Saudi Arabia, Iran & UAETopscorer in qualifying;Hong Yong-Jo, Jong Chol-Min (4 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 6-6-10, Nigeria 3 Korea DPR 1, Johannesburg 25-5-10, Greece 2 Korea DPR 2, Austria 15-5-10, Paraguay 1 Korea DPR 0, Asuncion Player in form Jong Tae-Se, the hard-working frontman scored against Nigeria and has been in form in Japan’s J.League with Kawasaki Frontale.
Portugal
How they qualified;’’ 2nd in UEFA Group 1, behind Denmark, ahead of Sweden & Hungary; qualified via playoffs, 2-0 agg. over Bosnia & HerzegovinaTopscorer in qualifying;Simão Sabrosa (4 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 8-6-10, Portugal 3 Mozambique 0, Johannesburg 1-6-10, Portugal 3 Cameroon 1, Covilha 24-5-10, Portugal 0 Cape Verde 0, Covilha Player in form Hugo Almeida got two against Mozambique.
Cote d’Ivoire
How they qualified;’’ 1st in CAF Group E, ahead of Burkina Faso, Malawi & GuineaTopscorer in qualifying;Didier Drogba (6 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 4-6-10, Japan 0 Ivory Coast 2, Sion 30-5-10, Paraguay 2 Ivory Coast 2, France Player in form Didier Drogba, scored against Paraguay and had a free-kick deflected against Japan, on the back of a Golden Boot winning season with Chelsea. Ivory Coast will just pray now he’s fit after fracturing his arm.
*Group H’ *Spain’
How they qualified;’’ 1st in UEFA Group 5, ahead of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Turkey & BelgiumTopscorer in qualifying;David Villa (7 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 8-6-10, Spain 6 Poland 0, Murcia 3-6-10, Spain 1 South Korea 0, Innsbruck 29-5-10, Spain 3 Saudi Arabia 2, Innsbruck Player in form Jesus Navas, a livewire on the flank who struck the winner against Korea after a bright season with Sevilla.
Switzerland
How they qualified;’’ 1st in UEFA Group D, ahead of Greece, Latvia & IsraelTopscorer in qualifying;Alexander Frei, Blaise Nkufo (5 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, Switzerland 1 Italy 1, Geneva 1-6-10, Switzerland 0 Costa Rica 1, Sion Player in form Blaise Nkufo, inventive up front against the Italians, the Swiss will need more of his creativity and spirit to get through their group.
Honduras
How they qualified;’’ 3rd in CONCACAF, behind USA & Mexico, ahead of Costa Rica & El SalvadorTopscorer in qualifying;Carlos Pavón (7 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 5-6-10, Romania 3 Honduras 0, Austria 2-6-10, Azerbaijan 0 Honduras 0, Austria 27-5-10, Belarus 2 Honduras 2, Austria Player in form Wilson Palacios, the Tottenham midfielder was reported to have sustained an abductor injury, but says he’ll be fine for Honduras’ opener in a big boost.
Chile How they qualified;’’ 2nd in CONMEBOLTopscorer in qualifying;Humberto Suazo (10 goals)Pre-World Cup form’’ 9-6-10, Chile 2 New Zealand 0, Nelspruit 30-5-10, Chile 1 Northern Ireland 0, Chillan 30-5-10, Chile 3 Israel 0, Concepcion 26-5-10, Chile 3 Zambia 0, Santiago 17-5-10, Mexico 1 Chile 0, Mexico City 5-5-10, Chile 2 Trinidad & Tobago 0, Iquique Player in form Claudio Bravo, the Chilean goalkeeper has barely conceded a goal in the warm-up matches