World Cup Teams
Best Result: First Round (1998, 2002)
Every host has advanced, a streak that is in serious jeopardy this year; leaky defense and uncertain goalkeeping.
South Africa's national team poses for a team photo before the International Friendly soccer match against Poland at the Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Saturday June 6, 2009.
World Cup Teams - Group A
Best Result: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)
Relying on more European-based players than in the past; should have enough to advance to knockout round.
Mexico's national team goalies Guillermo Ochoa, left, and Oscar Perez, warm-up during a training session at the Waterstone college in Johannesburg, Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Mexico will play in Group A at the World Cup.
World Cup Teams - Group A
Best Result: Champion (1930, 1950)
Diego Forlan could be a difference maker for a team that rarely provides much excitement.
Diego Forlan, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during a friendly soccer match in preparation for the South Africa 2010 World Cup in Montevideo, Wednesday, May 26, 2010. At right, Israel's goalkeeper Dudu Aouate.
World Cup Teams - Group A
Best Result: Champion (1998)
Few elite teams are as unpredictable as the French; getting past first round could be too large a challenge.
France soccer players warm up during a training session in Knysna, South Africa, Tuesday, June 8, 2010. France will play in Group A.
World Cup Teams - Group B
Best Result: Champions (1978, 1986)
Lionel Messi will need to shine if Argentina is to go deep into the tournament.
The Argentina's national soccer team in Buenos Aires, Wednesday, May 26, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group B
Best Result: Second Round (1994, 1998)
Have talent to play impressive soccer, but will have to do it under new coach Lars Lagerback.
Nigeria's Victor Obinna, center, celebrates with teammates Joseph Yobo, right, and Uwa Echiejile after scoring against North Korea during a warmup match at the Makhulong stadium, near Johannesburg, Sunday, June 6, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group B
Best Result: Semifinals (2002)
If there is a breakout player, look for Lee Chung-yong to strike. Could he be the catalyst to advancement?
South Korean World Cup soccer team players control balls during a team training session in Rustenburg, South Africa, Monday, June 7, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group B
Best Result: First Round (1994)
An experienced group; must get a spark offensively on one of their infrequent counterattacks.
Greece's team poses for a photo prior to a test match between the national soccer teams of Greece and Paraguay, in Winterthur, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 2, 2010, ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.
World Cup Teams - Group C
Best Result: Champion (1966)
With Wayne Rooney up front, they have the power to beat anyone; lack a world class goalkeeper.
England's Wayne Rooney, center, celebrates a goal with team mates after scoring against Platinum Stars during a training match at Moruleng's stadium in Moruleng, South Africa, Monday June 7, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group C
Best Result: Semifinals (1930)
Everything seems set up for the United States to advance, but injuries throughout lineup add uncertainty.
U.S. national soccer players training at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, June 8, 2010. The U.S. will play in Group C.
World Cup Teams - Group C
Best Result: First Round (1982, 1986)
With no fear of failure, Algeria will be playing just to reach the next round.
Algeria's national soccer team during a soccer friendly match between Algeria and United arab Emirates, UAE, in Fuerth, Germany, on Saturday, June 5, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group C
Best Result: First Round (2002)
Strong defensively, they won't get blown out by anybody. Can they score enough?
Slovenia squad pose ahead of their friendly soccer match in Maribor, Slovenia, Friday, June 4, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group D
Best Result: Champion (1954, 1974, 1990)
Talented, versatile and relentless; figures to be far too physical for these group opponents.
The German team poses before a friendly soccer match between Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Frankfurt, central Germany, Thursday, June 3, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group D
Best Result: Second Round (2006)
With a never-say-die attitude, the Aussies are capable of giving all three group opponents a run.
Australian national soccer team players, lead by captain Lucass Neill, front, attend a training session in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, June 6, 2010. Australia will play in group D.
World Cup Teams - Group D
Best Result: Semifinals (1930, 1962, as Yugoslavia)
Can they score enough goals to move on? Capable of posting some 1-0 victories, but that's a dangerous way to live.
Serbian national soccer team and staff pose in front of the St. Sava cathedral in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, June 7, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group D
Best Result: Second Round (2006)
In a tough group, Ghana is without Michael Essien, who didn't recover from a long-term knee injury.
Ghana's team poses before the start of their pre-World Cup soccer match against Latvia at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England, Saturday June 5, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group E
Best Result: Runner-up (1974, 1978)
Should romp in this group behind a deep offense. Can they stop some of the more powerful opponents down the road?
Wesley Sneijder of The Netherlands reacts after scoring during the friendly soccer match Netherlands versus Hungary at Arena stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday June 5, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group E
Best Result: Quarterfinals (1998)
Keeper Thomas Sorensen has to be steady, maybe even spectacular, because they don't figure to fill the net often.
The Danish team before a friendly soccer match played in Aalborg, Thursday, May 27 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group E
Best Result: Second Round (2002)
Never won a World Cup game on foreign soil, and it will be tough for them to change that.
Japan's national soccer team poses for a group photo before an international friendly test game between the national soccer teams of Ivory Coast and Japan at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, Friday, June 4, 2010, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
World Cup Teams - Group E
Best Result: Quarterfinals (1990)
Dangerous, with the brilliant Samuel Eto'o capable of carrying them to the top of this group.
Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o, center, with teammates, during their team training in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, June 4, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group F
Best Result: Champion (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)
Defending champions are an aging contingent that should emerge from this group, but might not have freshness to get much further.
Italy's national soccer team before an international friendly test game between the national soccer teams of Switzerland and Italy at the Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, June 5, 2010, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
World Cup Teams - Group F
Best Result: Second Round (1986, 1998, 2002)
Injuries have caused havoc with the attack although Christian Riveros is capable of sparking the offense; allowed only 16 goals in qualifying.
Paraguay's team poses for a photo prior to a test match between the national soccer teams of Greece and Paraguay, in Winterthur, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 2, 2010, ahead of the World Cup in South Africa. Back row from left: Dario Veron, Enrique Vera, Justo Villar, Victor Caceres, Roque Santa Cruz and Paulo Da Silva. Front row from left: Lucas Barrios, Aureliano Torres, Claudio Morel, Christian Riveros and Carlos Bonet.
World Cup Teams - Group F
Best Result: First Round (1982)
Lack star power and raw talent; getting through to the second round would be a major achievement.
New Zealand squad pose ahead of their friendly soccer match in Maribor, Slovenia, Friday, June 4, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group F
Best Result: NA
Won't put many balls in the net, but if they can outscore Paraguay, advancement is possible.
Vladimir Weiss, left, from Slovakia and Junior Diaz, right, from Costa Rica challenge for a ball during a friendly soccer match between Slovakia and Costa Rica in Bratislava, Slovakia, Saturday, June 5, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group G
Best Result: Champion (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
It's never wise to discount the Brazilians; plenty of talent to win its sixth world title.
Brazil's national soccer team poses for a picture prior to the friendly match against Zimbabwe, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
World Cup Teams - Group G
Best Result: First Round (2006)
Probably best of the six African nations in field. Need to stomp on opponents offensively because defense is suspect. Ivory Coast soccer players pose before their friendly soccer match against Paraguay in Evian, French Alps, Sunday, May 30, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group G
Best Result: Quarterfinals (1966)
Little mystery how they will play: pack it in at the back, venture ahead on counterattacks, and keep score as low as possible.
From left, North Korea's Ri Kwang Hyok, Jong Tae Se and Kim Kum Il challenge for the ball during a team training session in Tembisa near Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday June 8, 2010. North Korea will play in Group G.
World Cup Teams - Group G
Best Result: Semifinals (1966, 2006)
Need Cristiano Ronaldo to find form if they are to make it back to the semifinals.
Portugal's Hugo Almeida, right, celebrates with his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring against Mozambigue during a warm-up match at the Wanders stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Portugal will play in Group G.
World Cup Teams - Group H
Best Result: Semifinals (1934)
Should carry unmatched confidence into the event; lots of pressure on them, but this group looks like they can handle it.
Spain's team prior to a friendly soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Innsbruck, Austria, Saturday, May 29, 2010.
World Cup Teams - Group H
Best Result: Quarterfinals (1934, 1938, 1954)
Not a lot of vitality in this squad; keeper Diego Benaglio needs to be stingy for the Swiss to avoid a quick trip home.
The Swiss Team pose for a group picture before an international friendly test game between the national soccer teams of Switzerland and Costa Rica at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, Tuesday, June 1, 2010, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
World Cup Teams - Group H
Best Result: Semifinals (1962)
Don't expect them to falter so badly. They can score - 32 goals in qualifying - and are pretty deep up front.
Chile's national soccer team players run during a team training session at the Ingwenyama Conference and Sports Resort in Nelspruit, South Africa, Tuesday June 8,2010. Chile will play in Group H.
World Cup Teams - Group H
First Round (1982)
Advancing from first round will require a major upset. Leaky defense must be patched to have any chance of beating Spain or Chile.
Honduras's soccer team before a friendly soccer match between Honduras and Azerbaijan in Zell am See, Austria, Wednesday, June 2, 2010.