June 11th, Opening match – South Africa and Mexico

The group stage for the 2010 World Cup has been drawn, with the World Champions Italy getting a comfortable draw in Group F with Paraguay (threat for 1st place), New Zealand and Slovakia. The hosts South Africa got a very difficult road ahead of them, maybe impossible, with Mexico, Uruguay and the real problem and group favorites – France. The best and most interesting group is probably Group G, with Brazil, the Ivory Coast and Portugal (North Korea aren’t really candidates for qualification).

Group A

South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group B

Argentina, Nigeria , Korea Republic (South Korea), Greece

Group C

England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D

Germany, Australia, Serbia , Ghana

Group E

Netherlands, Denmark , Japan, Cameroon

Group F

Italy, Paraguay , New Zealand, Slovakia

Group G

Brazil, Korea DPR (North Korea), Ivory Coast, Portugal

Group H

Spain, Switzerland , Honduras, Chile