Football: 2010 World Cup Groups

2010 World Cup Groups

The 2010 World Cup tournament starts with a round-robin four-team group format, with each team playing the three other teams in the group once. 3 points are awarded for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. The top two teams from each group advance to Round 2.

In case of a tie in points between two or more teams in the same group, the three main tie-breakers, in order, are overall goal difference; overall goals scored; and the result between the tied teams.

The eight groups are summarized below, with the schedule of games and a brief Overview of general expectations for each group.


Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France

June 11: South Africa vs. Mexico
June 11: Uruguay vs. France
June 16: South Africa vs. Uruguay
June 17: France vs. Mexico
June 22: Mexico vs. Uruguay
June 22: France vs. South Africa

Overview: Hosts South Africa have every chance to progress out of Group A and into the knock-out stages of the 2010 World Cup. France are lucky to be at the World Cup following an unconvincing qualifying campaign and their controversial victory in their play-offs over Ireland. Traditionally, Mexico and Uruguay do not travel well on their World Cup campaigns, and they are likely to falter under the pressure of home support for South Africa -- allowing France to possibly sneak through the group. Likely Top Two: South Africa and France.


Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

June 12: Argentina vs. Nigeria
June 12: South Korea vs. Greece
June 17: Greece vs. Nigeria
June 17: Argentina vs. South Korea
June 22: Nigeria vs. South Korea
June 22: Greece vs. Argentina

Overview: Argentina have the talent, but under coach Diego Maradona they are tactically inept. They struggled to qualify, and Argentina has rarely done well in the World Cup away from the American continent. Nigeria's preparations have been shambolic but they should benefit from home-continent advantage. Greece scrambled through the qualifications via the play-offs, and are unlikely to travel well. It may be a shock, but expect Argentina to struggle and South Korea, always a compact and hard-working team, to possibly emerge as the strongest team in this Group. Likely Top Two: South Korea and Nigeria.


Group C
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia

June 12: England vs. USA
June 13: Algeria vs. Slovenia
June 18: Slovenia vs. USA
June 18: England vs. Algeria
June 23: Slovenia vs. England
June 23: USA vs. Algeria

Overview: England, under Fabio Capello's guidance, should have too much talent for the rest of this group. But the competition is more difficult than it looks. On their day, the USA will outwork any team and they have no shortage of talent. Algeria overcame African champions Egypt in a tough play-off series to qualify, and will be on their home continent. Slovenia will play a compact, organized game that is difficult to break down. Any one of these three could make it out of the group, but the USA may have the edge. Likely Top Two: England and USA.


Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

June 13: Germany vs. Australia
June 13: Serbia vs. Ghana
June 18: Germany vs. Serbia
June 19: Ghana vs. Australia
June 23: Ghana vs. Germany
June 23: Australia vs. Serbia

Overview: Germany have an abundance of talent and experience and should have no difficulty progressing out of this group. Ghana are a strong side and will make the most out of being on their home continent. Australia and Serbia will not be push-overs, but they are unlikely to be good enough to challenge the top two. Likely Top Two: Germany and Ghana.


Group E
Holland
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

June 14: Holland vs. Denmark
June 14: Japan vs. Cameroon
June 19: Holland vs. Japan
June 19: Cameroon vs. Denmark
June 24: Denmark vs. Japan
June 24: Cameroon vs. Holland

Overview: Holland are the class of this Group and should progress, leaving the other three teams to battle it out. Japan is likely in the weakest position, with no track record of success. Between Denmark and Cameroon, the advantage goes to Cameroon due to the home continent advantage. Likely Top Two: Holland and Cameroon.


Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

June 14: Italy vs. Paraguay
June 15: New Zealand vs. Slovakia
June 20: Slovakia vs. Paraguay
June 20: Italy vs. New Zealand
June 24: Slovakia vs. Italy
June 24: Paraguay vs. New Zealand

Overview: Although Italy notoriously start their World Cup campaigns slowly, even they are unlikely to struggle too much in this group. New Zealand have done well to qualify, but are not expected to make much of an impression in South Africa. The opportunity is there for Slovakia or Paraguay to step into the knock-out stages, and Slovakia is likely to benefit from the favourable time zone to progress. Likely Top Two: Italy and Slovakia.


Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

June 15: Ivory Coast vs. Portugal
June 15: Brazil vs. North Korea
June 20: Brazil vs. Ivory Coast
June 21: Portugal vs. North Korea
June 25: Portugal vs. Brazil
June 25: North Korea vs. Ivory Coast

Overview: Brazil should coast through the group stage, as they always do. Portugal are a shadow of the side that they used to be under Felipe Scolari, and they struggled to qualify for the tournament -- they will likely find the going tough. North Korea will work hard but they simply do not have the international experience to compete. Ivory Coast should come through the group, perhaps relatively easily, to progress with Brazil. Likely Top Two: Brazil and Ivory Coast.


Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

June 16: Honduras vs. Chile
June 16: Spain vs. Switzerland
June 21: Chile vs. Switzerland
June 21: Spain vs. Honduras
June 25: Chile vs. Spain
June 25: Switzerland vs. Honduras

Overview: Spain are the current European Champions and one of the top teams in the world, and should qualify out of this group relatively easily. Switzerland rely on a compact defensive style, while neither Chile nor Honduras have a recent history of achievement or happy travels. Switzerland may sneak through by frustrating their opponents and benefiting from the favourable time zone. Likely Top 2: Spain and Switzerland.


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