World Cup 2010 preview - group by group

The groups have been drawn and countdown is on for the 2010 football World Cup. Here’s our preview of the eight World Cup groups.

GROUP A

Teams: South Africa (2009 FIFA ranking: 86); Mexico (FIFA ranking: 15); Uruguay (FIFA ranking: 19); France (FIFA ranking: 7)

The World Cup hosts come up against 2006 runners-up France, two-time champions Uruguay and CONCACAF runners-up Mexico.

France are the clear favourites, despite only qualifying for the Cup thanks to Thierry Henry's infamous handball against Ireland. Under-fire coach Raymond Domenech has somehow kept his job after a disastrous Euro 2008 campaign but will be under massive pressure to take his side into the knock-out stages this time around.

South Africa will have a buoyant home crowd and an experienced coach in Carlos Alberto Parreira on their side, but could struggle against the class of Mexico and France. Uruguay only qualified thanks to a play-off win against Costa Rica and are long shots to get out of the group stage.

Prediction: France, Mexico to progress; South Africa, Uruguay to miss out

GROUP B

Teams: Argentina (FIFA ranking: 8), Nigeria (FIFA ranking: 22), South Korea (FIFA ranking: 52), Greece (FIFA ranking: 12)

South American powerhouses Argentina boast a star-studded lineup but have been well below their best under the coaching of national hero Diego Maradona. But with a team featuring arguably the world's best player, Lionel Messi, they should win all three group games here.

Nigeria are back in the World Cup after missing out in 2006, and with the lightning fast Obafemi Martins up front and Chelsea's John Obi Mikel in midfield they'll be confident of progressing to the knock-out rounds. But defensive issues could bring them unstuck. South Korea were the feel-good story of the 2002 Cup on home turf but are not expected to repeat their heroics in Africa, while Greece have the ability to grind out a win that saw them win a shock Euro 2004 title, but may not have the class up front to score enough goals themselves.

Prediction: Argentina, Greece to progress; Nigeria, South Korea to miss out.

GROUP C

Teams: England (FIFA ranking: 9), USA (FIFA ranking: 14), Algeria (FIFA ranking: 28), Slovenia (FIFA ranking: 33)

England cruised through an undaunting European qualifying group and Fabio Capello's men look to have secured another fairly straightforward ride to the World Cup knock-out stages. England's biggest test will come against the USA, who impressed at last year's Confederations Cup and will relish the chance to take down their more fancied rivals.

Algeria have already fulfilled their dream just by making the World Cup - their first in 24 years - and will be a big shock if they get much further, while Slovenia surprised the pundits by ending Russia's qualification campaign but are considered one of the weaker European sides in the tournament.

Prediction: England, USA to progress; Algeria, Slovenia to miss out.

GROUP D

Teams: Germany (FIFA ranking: 6), Australia (FIFA ranking: 21), Serbia (FIFA ranking: 20), Ghana (FIFA ranking: 37)

The big one for Socceroos fans. Australia isn't quite in the tournament's "Group of Death", but they're not far off it. Germany are one of the powerhouses of the world game, specialists at tournaments who boast quality all across the park. Serbia are playing in their first World Cup as an independent nation but they finished above France in qualifying and have three or four real stars, including rock solid Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic. And Ghana are the team most believe will follow Germany through to the final 16, with a strong squad boasting a tough defence and a genuine goalscorer in Asamoah Gyan.

Can Australia make it through? Certainly - it's a World Cup after all, anything can happen - but they'll need to be at their absolute best to pip Ghana and Serbia. The Socceroos showed solid form against their Asian rivals in qualifying, but they'll need to lift to another level here. Mark Schwarzer's hands and Tim Cahill's eye for goal will be as crucial as they've ever been.

Prediction: Germany, Ghana to progress; Australia, Serbia to miss out

GROUP E

Teams: Netherlands (FIFA ranking: 3), Denmark (FIFA ranking: 26), Cameroon (FIFA ranking: 11), Japan (FIFA ranking: 43)

The Netherlands were simply sensational in Euro 2008 - before crashing out in the semi-finals - and were just as strong in World Cup qualifying, winning all eight games. After missing out altogether in 2002, the Dutch made it to the second round in 2006 only to be beaten by Portugal in a game featuring 16 yellow cards and four red cards. They'll be desperate to go further this time.

Denmark also impressed in European qualifying, winning a group that included Portugal, Sweden and Hungary. Japan qualified second in Australia's Asian group but slumped to defeats in friendly matches at the end of 2009 (including a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands) and could struggle, while Cameroon could be a dark horse on their own continent, with Inter Milan goal-scoring machine Samuel Eto'o their key weapon up front.

Prediction:Netherlands, Cameroon to progress; Denmark, Japan to miss out.

GROUP F

Teams: Italy (FIFA ranking: 4), Paraguay (FIFA ranking: 30), New Zealand (FIFA ranking: 77), Slovakia (FIFA ranking: 34)

Italy are the reigning World Cup holders and have been handed a good draw here. Paraguay look their only genuine challengers, with strong performances in South American qualifying including wins over Argentina and Brazil.

New Zealand are in their first World Cup since 1982, but could struggle to get anything out of their group matches. Slovakia are in their first World Cup, and although they have talent in the likes of 22-year-old captain Marek Hamsik they are well short of experience at this level.

Prediction: Italy, Paraguay to progress; Slovakia, New Zealand to miss out.

GROUP G

Teams: Brazil (FIFA ranking: 2), North Korea (FIFA ranking: 84), Ivory Coast (FIFA ranking: 16), Portugal (FIFA ranking: 5)

The 2010 Group of Death. Brazil are giants of the game and finished top of South American qualifying, but under coach and former World Cup-winning captain Dunga they've curbed their traditional attacking style but should still score plenty of goals. They will face a grudge match against old colonial rulers Portugal, who scraped into the Cup after struggling without injured star Cristiano Ronaldo. But a clash between Ronaldo and his Real Madrid teammate Kaka will be one of the Cup's most mouth-watering prospects.

The Ivory Coast are currently the best side in Africa, with Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Saloman Kalou, Barcelona's Yaya Toure and his Manchester City-based brother Kolo Toure ensuring talent across the park. That leaves North Korea, who will be lucky to claim a point against any of their more-fancied rivals.

Prediction: Brazil, Ivory Coast to progress; Portugal, North Korea to miss out.

GROUP H

Teams: Spain (FIFA ranking: 1), Switzerland (FIFA ranking: 18), Honduras (FIFA ranking: 38), Chile (FIFA ranking: 17)

Spain are the world's best team right now following their Euro 2008 success and a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign. Are expected to go into the tournament as favourites, and should have no troubles at the group stage. Switzerland will be confident of joining the Spaniards in the second round, with a skilful Chile outfit their biggest threat. The Chileans finished second in South America behind Brazil, but while they can score plenty of goals they can also be susceptible at the back. Honduras are in just their second World Cup, and their first since 1982, and are unlikely to feature beyond the group stage.

Prediction: Spain, Chile to progress; Switzerland, Honduras to miss out.