World Cup 2010 - Football - Soccer

World Cup boss says 'we will deliver'

World Cup supremo Danny Jordaan has hit out at critics of South Africa's preparations for this year's finals as he promised the most financially successful... Full story

Terry claims support of team-mates

John Terry says his England team-mates showed their desire to draw a line under the Wayne Bridge affair by giving the deposed captain their full support before... Full story

French fans jeer captain Henry

France captain Thierry Henry said he understood why fans were jeering him after persistent booing from the home crowd during the 2-0 loss to Spain in a World... Full story

Two-goal Crouch spares England's blushes

England has kick-started its World Cup build-up with a 3-1 victory over Egypt at Wembley Stadium, despite being outplayed by the African champions in the... Full story

Robinho helps Brazil kill off Ireland

Brazil warmed up for the World Cup in impressive fashion as the South Americans defeated the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in this morning's (AEDT) friendly in... Full story

Hiddink tipped to coach Ivory Coast

Reports in the Dutch press suggest former Socceroos boss Guus Hiddink will coach the Ivory Coast at this year's World Cup in South Africa. The Russian... Full story

Zidane would 'rather die' than apologise

France legend Zinedine Zidane says he would 'rather die' than apologise to Marco Materazzi for his infamous headbut of the Italian defender in the 2006 World... Full story

World Cup Groups

Group A

Preview

South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France

Group B

Preview

Argentina
Nigeria
Korea Republic
Greece

Group C

Preview

England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia

Group D

Preview

Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Group E

Preview

Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Group F

Preview

Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Group G

Preview

Brazil
Korea DPR
Cote d'Ivoire
Portugal

Group H

Preview

Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

Download the official match schedule

Group-by-group Preview

The groups have been drawn and countdown is on for the 2010 football World Cup, but which countries have a realistic chance of progressing from the group phase and which are making up the numbers.

Make sure you're in-the-know when the so-called experts start the inevitable chatter.

Check out our quick preview

2010 World Cup Features

The 2010 World Cup contenders

The eight nations most likely to take out this year's World Cup. Who's your bet?

The men in the Socceroos' way

Australia will face three tough teams in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup. Here are the key men who stand in the Socceroos' way.

The World Cup players to watch

Who will be the young guns setting the football world on fire come June?

Five memorable World Cup moments

A perfect Samba goal, a Hand of God, and an inexplicable headbutt feature in the most memorable World Cup moments of all time

The biggest World Cup upsets

Anything can happen in a World Cup. Here are five of the best David-and-Goliath moments from the world's grandest sporting tournament

Best players never to play in a World Cup

They wowed the football world but never got to strut their stuff on the biggest stage of all.

Previous World Cups

Germany 2006

Winner: Italy
Runners-Up: France
Third: Germany
Fourth: Portugal

adidas Golden Ball: Zinedine ZIDANE (FRA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Miroslav KOSE (GER)
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Gianluigi BUFFON (ITA)
Best Young Player Award: Lukas PODOLSKI (GER)
FIFA Fair Play award: Spain, Brazil
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Portugal

Korea/Japan 2002

Winner: Brazil
Runners-Up: Germany
Third: Turkey
Fourth: Korea Republic

adidas Golden Ball: Oliver KAHN (GER)
adidas Golden Shoe: RONALDO (BRA)
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Oliver KAHN (GER)
FIFA Fair Play award: Belgium
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Korea Republic

World Cup Stadiums

Durban Stadium
City: Durban
Capacity: 70,000 Built: 2009

A newly built world-class arena which will host one of the Cup semi-finals. Features a 350m arch, 106m above the pitch.

Ellis Park Stadium
City: Johannesburg
Capacity: 62,000 Built 1982

Sitting in the centre of South Africa’s largest city, the stadium was first built as a rugby stadium in 1928 before being demolished and rebuilt in 1982. Hosted the historic 1995 Rugby World Cup final, won by South Africa.

Free State Stadium
City: Bloemfontein
Capacity: 45,000 Built: 1952

Given a new look and 7000 new seats for the 2009 Confederations Cup, where it hosted the USA’s shock win over Spain in the semi-finals.

Green Point Stadium
City: Cape Town
Capacity: 70,000 Built: 2009

The new, multi-purpose venue sits by the ocean in Cape Town. Will host one of the World Cup semi-finals.

Loftus Versfeld Stadium
City: Pretoria
Capacity: 50,000 Built: 1906

One of the country’s oldest stadiums, which has been used fro sporting events since 1903. Has gone through a string of upgrades since 1948.

Mbombela Stadium
City: Nelspruit
Capacity: 46,000 Built: 2009

A new stadium, the first top football venue built in the city. Its name comes from the siSwatis language, meaning “many people together in a small space”.

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
City: Port Elizabeth
Capacity: 48,000 Built: 2009

Features a unique, eye-catching roof structure and a view overlooking North End Lake. Will host eight World Cup matches, including the third-place playoff.