The 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa promises to be one of the best in soccer history with fantastic teams such as Spain and Brazil favourites to win the coveted trophy.
Let’s look at some of the contenders and the pitfalls they face if they want to reach the final.
Spain have a wonderful team and should cruise through their group but will face a very tricky second round match as they will face Brazil, Ivory Coast or neighbours Portugal. If Spin progress in round two I expect them to reach the final.
Brazil are always one of the favourites but they need to get off to a good start as they are in the group of death with some good teams.
England have some players like Gerrad, Lampard and Ferdinand competing in probably their final big tournament so I expect them to cruise past their group but might face the Germans in the second round and possibly Brazil in the semi finals so it’s a tall order to see them winning the world cup. The fitness of Wayne Rooney is sure to be key.
France were awful in the qualifiers and players such as Henry are past their best so I don’t expect them to go far, especially with their eccentric manager who is not rated even by the French public!
Italy and Holland have decent teams but it’s unlikely either will feature past the semi final stage.
Argentina have the worlds best player in Lionel Messi but will Maradona get the best out of him in his defensive formation? A dodgy qualifying campaign suggests they will not win the world cup?
And outsiders Portugal have a gem in Ronaldo but rarely do one man teams win the trophy?