World Cup 2010

Six months before every World Cup there is much hoopla (I really like that word) about who each team will have to play in the group stage. Last Friday the groups were picked for the 2010 World Cup. The Cup is not coming up until June but it is never too early to start making predictions. Here are my thoughts and predictions for the coming summer. I will write a full out prediction in the spring. In case you don't know how the group stage of the World Cup works...each team plays each other once and the two teams with most points (3 points for win, 1 point for tie, 0 points for loss) continue on. Here we go...

Group A

The host country bracket

South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and France.

South Africa is currently ranked number 86 by FIFA. They got automatically because they are the host. While they will have some home field advantage they will not make it out of the group stage.

Mexico is always good but they seem to not live up to expectations. I think that they will do well enough to come in second in their group.

Uruguay will give teams a run for their money but I believe they will just miss out.

France always does well in the World Cup and as much as I hate them, they are a good team. They will be the big dog in Group A but it will not be easy for them to end up as the top team.

Group B

Could be a close one.

Argentina is a really good team with arguably the best player in the world (Messi). They should make it out of first round, but there are good teams in this group.

Nigeria is a team that can surprise its opponents. I also think they will somewhat experience a home field advantage like South Africa. I believe they will also make it out of the group stage.

South Korea could cause some problems but they are the weakest team in the group.

Greece has a pretty decent team but I just don't see them making it out the first round. They could beat Nigeria however.

Group C

USA!USA!USA!

England is definitely the favorite of this group but they are one of the most notorious underachievers. They always have a group of the best players in the world but they can never perform. That being said, I think they will make it out of Group C.

Team USA has ended up in maybe they best spot possible. They should certainly make it out of the group stage and have a chance at winning it. It all depends which USA shows up. Will they be the USA that beat Spain? The USA that scored two goals against Brazil in the first half? Or will the be the USA that then gave up 3 goals in the second half to Brazil? If they play to their potential they could beat England and win the bracket. They should definitely beat Slovenia and Algeria.

Algeria miraculously beat Egypt to make it to the World Cup. They will not make continue the miracle in the World Cup.

Slovenia shocked the world by beating a very good Russia team to make the World Cup and kick the vodka drinkers out. Like Algeria their miracle run should end very quickly in South Africa.

Group D

Should be dominated by Germany

Germany is the heavy favorite in this group. It probably is going to be a battle for second place after these guys. You gotta love a team where one of their best players is a guy named Schweinsteiger. He is arguably one of the ugliest men alive.

Australia is ranked one higher than Serbia. It will be a battle between those two for second place.

Serbia...see above.

Ghana has the potential to surprise the other teams but they are going to have to play very well. Don't think they make it.

Group E

Two good teams...two not so good.

The Netherlands are for sure the favorite in this group. They are also one of the most fun teams to watch because they do not believe in defense at all. The Netherlands are like some other countries, they are very well known for not living up to expectations (see England).

Denmark could try and compete but I think The Netherlands and Cameroon will be too much for them. They could beat Japan though.

Japan does not seem like much a threat. Their main hope is to probably beat Denmark and then tie Cameroon and the Netherlands.

Cameroon is probably going to end up in second place in Group E and make it out. They are pretty good team who should at least win two of their games.

Group F

Italy should have no problem.

Italy is probably my least favorite team to watch. They play boring boring soccer. Unfortunately I will be watching them past the first round as they are easily the best team in their group.

Paraguay could end up in second place. They should beat New Zealand and could pull something out against Slovakia.

New Zealand is the third lowest FIFA ranked team in the Cup (77). The All Whites will probably lose every game, by a lot.

Slovakia needs to beat Paraguay to make it out of the first round. I don't think they will.

Group G

Group of DEATH!!! Every World Cup there is one group of death. In 2010 it will be Group G

Brazil is a great team and should make it out of the first round. They will have some tough games against Portugal and the Ivory Coast.

North Korea should probably just give up. I don't think that they will even play though. As soon as the plane lands in South Africa I think the players will run away as this is their one chance at freedom. They should get totally stomped. I wonder how Kim Jong Il will spin it?

Ivory Coast is a good team but I don't think they are good enough to beat Brazil and Portugal. Drogba is a great player and could do some magic but I think they will be over-matched.

Portugal is a good team with another one of the best (and sexiest) players in the world. Seriously, have you seen Ronaldo's hair? It is like watching a dolphin play a harp while jumping over a rainbow. Awe inspiring. They will be the second team to make it out of the group.

Group H

The Spanish Inquisition. I'll be honest, I don't remember what the Spanish Inquisition was but it had something to do with the Spanish being mean to other people right? No? They were just mean to their citizens? Ahhh whatever.

Spain has been pretty dominate lately (ranked number 1 by FIFA), beating every team except for team USA!USA!USA!. They are definitely one of the favorites to win it all. They should have no problem taking care of the other three teams.

Switzerland is a decent team and should do well against Honduras. Chile will provide and excellent test for them and I think they will prevail. They will lose to Spain however.

Honduras is the worst team in the group and will probably lose every game. Maybe they will pull an upset tie against Chile.

Chile is a good team and are ranked one higher that Switzerland but I think the Swiss will prevail. They will be Honduras but they will lose to Spain, just like Switzerland and Honduras.

So those are my initial predictions. Of course things always change and my predictions usually end up being pretty wrong so we will see what happens. Some teams could also play worse depending on which stadiums they play in. Many of the South African stadiums are at high altitude and that can have a huge effect on teams. Other teams have most of their games near sea level. It will be interesting to see how that effects teams recovery and general endurance.