Finally time is nearing the start of the World Cup in South Africa. The worlds favourite sporting event is going to start on the 11 June 2010. It has been 4 long years since the tournament was held in Germany where Italy were crowned World Champions.
Watched by over a billion people from countries across the world, football is truly a global game. There will be 32 nations competing for the golden trophy for all corners of the world. These are the following teams
South Africa, Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria
Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea
Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
Honduras, Mexico, United States
New Zealand
South Africa qualified as the host nation of the tournament. Ghana and Ivory Coast are expected to do well in the world cup.
From the European list of teams, Spain are the stand out team. As current European champions they have the know how to win a tournament and will be well backed in the betting to do well. There is a lot expected from England. The nation expects but whether they will be able to deliver is the question. Germany had a good tournament in 2006 will look to go one better this time.
The south American teams of Brazil and Argentina are the teams to watch in this world cup. The players they have in the squads could walk in to any other countries first team with the probable exception of Spain.
Australia and South Korea will be looking to get past the group stages. Any further progress will be regarded as a job well done.
If Football is to take off in the United States, they will need to get in to the quarter finals at the very least. Amongst the younger generation Football is played by the masses, but it is not taken up as much in college.
New Zealand won the play off against Bahrain to reach the world cup in South Africa. They will be luck to win a game.