Cote d'Ivoire

Ivory Coast enter their second World Cup campaign as Africa's strongest representatives, but unfortunately for Les Elephants they have once again been handed an unenviable task. 

Within their ranks however are a hosts of Premier League and La Liga stars, all of whom contributed to the teams smooth qualification for the tournament and many of whom have have won medals at club level, so Brazil and Portugal shouldn't represent such daunting opposition. 

One of those stars is Didier Drogba, who looks set to miss the showpiece event after fracturing his elbow in a friendly with Japan this morning (June 4th). The national icon is the undisputed king of the team and his presence is needed not only for scoring goals but as motivation and inspiration for others.  

Despite the quality of the Ivory Coast team, continental success has been hard to come by. The Nations cup has only been won once, in 1992, and despite being favourites for the last two installments, the Elephants failed spectacularly, losing 4-1 to Egypt in the 2008 semi and 3-2 to Algeria in this years quarter finals.

Sven Goran Eriksson, the once lauded but now maligned Swede, has been placed in charge for the summer. The former England manager is believed to be earning $2 million for his minimum five game stint in the dug-out, but whether he can make any real impact in such a short space is yet to be seen. The Swede will no doubt try to install some organisation and discipline, but that is not the African way, especially when superstar players are involved or in such a short space of time.   

WORLD CUP HISTORY

The country's one and only foray into World Cup football came in Germany four years ago. Group with Argentina, the Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro, it was billed as the group of death. Two 2-1 defeats ended the Ivorian dream but a 3-2 win over Serbia in the final game brought some redemption.

SCHEDULE- Group G

Portugal           June 15th- Port Elizabeth

Brazil               June 20th- Johannesburg

Korea DPR     June 25th- Nelspruit

This years group is no more favourable than last time. Their first two games, just as in 2006, are against two footballing giants, and failure to get anything from either of those will result in another early exit.

While Brazil will be favourites, Portugal will realise they are in a battle with the African team for second place, and a potential clash with Spain. There is nothing to fear from Portugal, as their results and form have recently been unimpressive, especially since Carlos Queiroz took over from Luis Felipe Scolari.

If Ivory Coast can show confidence in themselves and become the sum of their parts, then they may upset the established order

KEY PLAYERS

The Chelsea goal machine, Drogba, is a handful for anyone when he's in the mood and his 44 goals from 67 internationals is an impressive tally. Their ambitions will be much harder to achieve without him, but the mantle will now need to be taken up by Salomon Kalou, Aroune Dindane or Lille's 22 year old striker Gervinho.

The brothers Toure, Kolo and Yaya, will form the team's spine, with the older playing in central defence and the younger, Yaya, dictating the play from midfield. The Barcelona midfielder will be expected to make more surging, dynamic runs than he does for his club

Didier Zokora has been revitalised in Spain with Sevilla in the last year since his move from Tottenham. With Zakora sitting in from of the back four, Yaya Toure will have more time to roam.

ONE TO WATCH- Boubacar Barry

The Ivorian goalkeeper is an erratic performer but is capable of some acrobatic saves.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

With escaping the group stage a realistic possibility, even without Drogba, a meeting with Spain should await in the next round, which may spell the end of the line, or even extend the fairy tale.  

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

In Germany, the Elephants exited early but were heroic in defeat. Another early elimination, no matter how admirable the scorelines or performances are, will not be well received. A lot of money has been invested in Eriksson to deliver and losing to both of the big guns will be a disappointment.

PREDICTION

The second game, against Portugal, should be the groups defining moment. Victory in Johannesburg would cement second place, but defeat or even a draw may end their adventure. It is too close to call.  

Slovakia

Slovakia enter there first World Cup as an independent nation regarded as one of Europe's lesser lights, but they came through a demanding qualifying group to get there.

Having drawn their neighbours Czech Republic, as well as Poland, Slovenia and Northern Ireland, Slovakia were not expected top make an impact, yet alone actually win the group. 

But win the group they did, winning four out of their five away games in the process, including a final day victory in Poland that sealed a place for the Slovaks in South Africa.

Slovakia have been an improving force in recent years, but have never qualified for a major competition before. More of their players are getting experience in bigger European leagues and now the national team is emerging from the shadow of the other half of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

None since Slovakia became an independent nation of their own, although the former Czechoslovakia did reach World Cup finals in 1934 and 1962.

SCHEDULE

New Zealand    June 15th- Rustenburg

Paraguay          June 20th- Bloemfontein

Italy                  June 24th- Johannesburg

For first timers, the draw has been relatively kind, but as a result expectations may now be unrealistically high. Italy are the current world champions and still a major threat regardless of their issues with form and an unsettled first XI. Paraguay are perennial qualifiers since 1998, therefore will have more experience in that department.

Three points against New Zealand is a must. An early victory will put pressure on Paraguay ahead of their meeting in Bloemfontein, in a game that will surely decide second spot in the group.

KEY PLAYERS

Marek Hamsik might not be a familiar name to a lot of football fans but he should be. The Slovakian captain and Napoli superstar has been a sensation in Italy for the past three years and he has had to fight of interest from elsewhere in the past to remain a Neapolitan. The attacking midfielder is Frank Lampard esque, meaning powerful runs into the box and crucial goals should be expected

Liverpool's Martin Skrtel settled into life as a Premier League player seamlessly when he moved from Zenit St. Petersburg in January 2008. His height, strenght and power will be essential to keeping his back four under control.

Miroslav Stoch may be still blooming but the Chelsea midfielder just spent the last season wowing crowds all over Holland with Twente. The diminuitive winger will be hoping to be more involved at Stamford Bridge next season and a string of good performances in South Africa may help that to happen

ONE TO WATCH- Vladimir Weiss

The Manchester City player is the son of the coach, Vladimir Senior, and spent the last six months on loan at Bolton Wanderers. He is regarded as the future star of the Slovakian team and if he can get onto the pitch, he could produce some much needed magic.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Considering the group the Slovaks have been given, the minimum they should aspire to is a second round place, but a win over the Dutch would probably be too much to ask for in the last 16.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

For a country just happy to be taking part and getting one up on their richer and more famed neighbours to the north east, expectations aren't too high, although surely they should be expecting to at least beat New Zealand. 

PREDICTION

Paraguay have recently recorded a morale boosting win over Greece, but Slovakia have more outstading players and a midfield that can create opportunities, therefore they should reach the second round and be then comfortably beaten.

New Zealand

The All Whites enter this World Cup as major outsiders. The country's main passion is Rugby Union and the country ranks a lowly 78th on FIFA's list.  

It is only their second visit to the finals and qualification has been made easier by Australia's defection to Asia. Without that touch of good fortune and only having to play Bahrain rather than Uruguay, as Australia had to do in 2001 and 2005, New Zealand wouldn't even be embarking on their second campaign.

That said, they will still be there come kick off and beating them will not come easily for any of their opponents.

Last years Confederations Cup performace was poor, only picking up a solitary point against Iraq and didn't even score a goal, conceeding seven in the process. Recent friendly performances have suggested their may be renewed focus and discipline, which will be needed if Ricki Herbert's team are to even score a goal in South Africa this year.

Last weeks defeat of Serbia in Austria will provide ideal confidence leading into the game with Slovakia. 

WORLD CUP HISTORY

The All Whites have qualified just once before, in 1982, but lost all three games heavily to Brazil, Scotland and the USSR.

SCHEDULE

Slovakia      June 15th- Rustenburg

Italy             June 20th- Nelspruit

Paraguay     June 24th- Polokwane

New Zealanders will be relieved with the group they have acquired. They will certainly recognise that it will be a tough campaign but there is no opposition to be scared of among the trio.

Italy were encountered a year ago before the Confederations Cup and the minnows were only narrowly beaten 4-3. The relative inexperience of Slovakia will offer the players hope and Paraguay are probably the least intimidating and most predictable of the South American countries on show.

If Herbert does his homework then the odd point may be achieved.

KEY PLAYERS

Ryan Nelson of Blackburn Rovers is a long time stalwart of the Premier League and will play a major role in keeping his backline organsed and focused. The captain will be at the centre of any success his team have.

Beyond him, pickings are slim. Shane Schmeltz scored the winning goal against Serbia and has a decent record of 16 goals in 29 games. Those 29 games have been spread across the last seven years however.

Rory Fallon of Plymouth Argyle scored the winning goal with his gead to get the All Whites past Bahrain and into the World Cup, and the  

ONE TO WATCH- Ryan Nelson

The ball will be in his area most of the time.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Winning a game would raise the profile of the game back home and would be an outstanding achievement for such a country, as football is way down the pecking order.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

No goals, three defeats and all the while, conceding many. Last year their opening game was a 5-0 reverse to Spain, the same cant happen again.

PREDICTION

Unfortunately for the All Whites, the worst case scenario may become a reality by the time June 24th comes around. They will surely finish rock bottom of Group F and avoiding three defeats will be a minor miracle.

Paraguay

Paraguay will be competing in their fourth consecutive World Cup in South Africa, but if the last three are any indicator, the second round will be the most they can hope for.

The South Americans finished third in qualifying for the World Cup, but still managed to win more games than table toppers Brazil. Ten wins from the 18 game marathon left them one point behind the Selecao and level with Chile. Qualifying has recently been the forte of Guanaries, but turning outstanding qualifying performances into World Cup results has been a problem. 

The build up to June 14th's opener with Italy has not gone smoothly thus far. Defeat in Dublin was followed up with a draw against Cote d'Ivoire. Greece represent their final chance of a warm-up win.

A rugged defence and strict organisation have been associated with Paraguayan football for generations, just like in Uruguay. Much of the same should be expected in 2010, and for the fourth straight tournament neutral fans will be uninspired.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

This is La Albirroja's eight World Cup appearance, the first dating all the way back to 1930. An admirable record for a country of six million, but early exits have been a common theme. The second round has been reached three times, most notably in 1998, when the hosts France were kept at bay until extra time and ultimately until Laurent Blanc's golden goal.   

SCHEDULE- Group F

Italy                    June 14th- Cape Town

Slovakia             June 20th- Bloemfontein

New Zealand      June 24th- Polokwane

The group will give Paraguayans hope of qualification to the second round for a fourth time. Slovakia are making their first appearance and New Zealand are a small footballing nation making only their second. People back home will be expecting their team to win those games, although they will be much tougher than that.

Italy will surely top the group, no matter what kind of state they are currently in, so second is up for grabs. Paraguay will feel they are capable of filling it.

KEY PLAYERS

  

Despite their historical reputation as a defensive outfit, Paraguay's current stars are all attackers.

Roque Santa Cruz has had a difficult couple of seasons with injuries and loss of form but he is a class act nonetheless, capable with both feet and his head.

Salvador Cabanas was the star of the team during qualification, playing as a traditional playmaker but has tragically been left out of the final 23-man squad. Lucas Barrios, a target man from Borrussia Dortmund, has been preferred in place of Cabanas.

ONE TO WATCH- Oscar Cardozo

He has only managed four goals in nearly 30 games for his country but he has had an amazing season with Portuguese champions Benfica and is on the shopping list of many top European clubs. This may be his moment to shine.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

A second round meeting will probably be with Holland, which will be followed by Spain, even winning that the first of those would be a miracle.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Being knocked out at the group stage is equally as likely for Paraguay as going through, as Slovakia have a strong first XI, but losing to New Zealand would be the ultimate embarrassment.

PREDICTION

The second game, against the European minnows will be a battle for second place. Without Cabanas and therefore any midfield unpredictability, a third place finish may be the end result.

Italy

The reigning World Champions have seen their stock plummet in the consequent four years. So much so that the Italians have rarely received a column inch outside their own country in the lead up to the tournament.

Since that Berlin final, the Azzuri limped into Euro 2008 only to fail spectacularly, and followed that up with another inconsistent qualifying performance for 2010, with a disastrous Confederations Cup campaign occurring in between.

Marcelo Lippi replaced Roberto Donadoni following the quarter final exit in Vienna, hoping to reproduce the magic of the last World Cup. With only one game played thus far in 2010 (0-0 with Cameroon in March) it is difficult to gauge the positives of Lippi's new squad, which is a mix of the old and the new.

In Germany Italy were not expected to triumph, but a good start against Ghana and having one of the World Cup's greatest ever international back-fours gave them the momentum to carry them forward, but a repeat seems unlikely.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Italy are four time winners of the World Cup and one of only two countries to retain the trophy (1938). For all their years of success, including further victories in 1982 and in Germany four years ago, Italy are the only country to have ever lost on penalties in three consecutive tournaments (90, 94, 98). Additionally, the 1966 vintage came home from England only to be met by a barrage of tomatoes having lost to North Korea.   

SCHEDULE- Group E

Paraguay            June 14th- Cape Town

New Zealand     June 20th- Nelspruit

Slovakia            June 24th- Johannesburg

Italy have probably been handed the easiest group of all the top seeds. The defending champions will be expected to sweep aside all three teams with consummate ease.

New Zealand were defeated 4-3 a year ago in a friendly but the World Cup is a different matter entirely. Slovakia are making their first appearance since achieving independence in 1990, but the talents of Marek Hamsik will be known to the Italy squad. Paraguay have had a difficult run up to the tournament, losing to Ireland in Dublin and drawing with Ivory Coast.

KEY PLAYERS

Italy have great players in every department. The Problem however, is that they are not as outstanding as previous generations.

In Toto Di Natale, the Italians are blessed with a quality goalscorer. The Udinese front man had a great season goal wise despite his teams relegation worries. Without his 25+ goals, the north-eastern club would have dropped to Serie 'B'. 

Chiellini has become one of the national team's most important defenders since 2008. The Juventus defender is strong, powerful and tactically astute. The experience of having Fabio Cannavarro beside him for club and country will serve both well.  

Danielle De Rossi will play are more prominent role this time out. Having seen red against the US in Germany, the Roman was banned until the final, where he came on to slot a penalty in the shoot out. Without Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero, De Rossi will take on greater responsibility in the midfield.

Thankfully for Italy, they still produce great goalkeepers and there is still no one better than Gigi Buffon. The former chess champion has been Italian number one since the late 1990s.  

ONE TO WATCH- Giampaolo Pazzini

The Sampdoria hit man has been a revelation this season in inspiring Samp to the Champions League. Was, however, sent off on his debut against Ireland in Bari.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Despite their faults, such as a new lack of defensive stability, an aging midfield and an unproven international strike force, the Azzuri are still capable of winning the World Cup.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Exiting at the end of three games is just not going to happen as their group is too weak, but even a second round exit to a lesser nation would be an embarrassment for Lippi and his squad

PREDICTION

The quarter finals may be as far as can possibly get, where a meeting with Brazil awaits. The memory of last years 3-0 defeat in the Confederations Cup has not yet disappeared.

Cameroon

The Indomitable Lions enter their first World Cup since 2002 in hopeful rather than confident mood, following a tough qualifying campaign and a quarter final exit at this years Nations Cup in Angola. 

For the past few days the focus has shifted to an off the pitch spat between national legend Roger Milla and the country's most famous player, Samuel Eto'o. The former criticised the Inter Milan star over his performances for his country, leading Eto'o to almost quit the squad unless the media backed off.

With the dispute settled and the captain safely in the final 23-man squad, the Cameroonians can move attention back to the football. In a friendly with Slovakia on Saturday May 29th, the Africans fell behind only to come back to secure a 1-1 draw late on. Another disappointing draw was experience a few days earlier against European minnows Georgia.

Paul Le Guen's team secured qualification with a win in Morrocco on the final day of qualifying. Gabon's defeat to Togo saw Les Lions Imdomptables jump into top spot in what was a fortuitous turn of events.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Cameroon's place in World Cup folklore is already secure following their exploits in 1990. On the opening day defending champions Argentina were beaten, and further wins over Romania and Colombia carried the Africans into a quarter final with England. Two Gary Lineker penalties, one to make in 2-2 and another in extra time, ended the fairytale.

No African team had ever reached such a distance, and only Senegal (2002) have matched it since.

SCHEDULE- Group E

Japan         June 14th- Bloemfontein

Denmark    June 19th- Pretoria

Holland      June 24th- Cape Town

The group phase is certainly manageable for a Cameroon squad packed with talented players. While the Netherlands will be clearly the favourites, the other three teams will all be hoping for second place and the four times African Champions have as good a chance as Denmark and Japan.

A repeat of 1990's opening game victory will surley be needed if Cameroon are to progress, as three early points will lift confidence and provide momentum going into trickier games with European opposition. The groups final game with Denmark may be a winner takes all affair.

KEY PLAYERS

As mentioned, Samuel Eto'o, a three time winner of the Champions League, is the star and captain of the team. He is the top scorer in his country's history with 44 and in the history of the Cup of Nations, as well as being the most decorated African footballer of all time. Goals and victories won't come about with Eto'o alone however.

Jean II Makoun is a dynamic central midfielder who playes with Lyon and previously Lille in France. Alongside him will be Arsenal's holding midfielder Alexander Song, who will be given more freedom to roam than Arsene Wenger allows in London. He can also slot in at central defence if neccessary.

Goalkeeper Carlos Kameni is perhaps Africa's finest. Outstanding keepers are not traditionally the strong point of African football but unlike the continents other representative's, Cameroon have one. The Espanyol shot stopper has been first choice in Catalonia for the past four seasons.  

ONE TO WATCH- Alexander Song

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Qualifiaction for the second round is not unfathomable, and either is a quarter final place if they were to make it out of the group. A potentially weaker than usual Italy will await them in the last 16.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Lose to Japan

PREDICTION

Usurping the two European teams will be the biggest problem, and recent form suggests they wont be able to do it, despite the quality being there.

Japan

Japan kick off their fourth World Cup finals on June 14th with renewed hope following today's (May 30th) narrow yet spirited defeat against England in Graz.

Since securing qualification last Autumn the Japanese have produced some mixed results, including two defeats to biggest rivals South Korea, but today's performance against one of the favourites will buoy them ahead of that first vital fixture with Cameroon.

Draws with China and Venezuela, and losses to Serbia and Korea almost cost coach, Takeshi Okada, his job but the Japanese FA have decided to persist with a Japanese in charge for the first time since 1998, when Okada was previously the boss.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Having played in only the last three tournaments, the football pedigree of Samurai Blue is a short one. Three defeats in France was followed up with an improved performance on home soil, where two victories were recorded in four games. Last time out was a step backward however, picking up a solitary point in a 0-0 draw with Croatia.

SCHEDULE- Group E

Cameroon    June 14th- Bloemfontein

Holland        June 19th- Durban

Denmark      June 24th- Rustenburg

Japan will not be daunted by any of their opposition, apart from the Netherlands. The games with Denmark and especially Cameroon will be targeted as potential victories. A good start will give them some hope of matching their achievement of 2002 but anything less than that will see their tournament end before it really begins.

A good start against Australia four years ago was thrown away in the last ten minutes as Zico's team totally collapsed, Okada's XI can't afford to make the same mistake.

The Japanese are regarded as the weakest team in the group, as only a handful of their squad play away from the J-League. The three time Asian Cup Champions are also the lowest ranked of the four, currently sitting at 45th, ten places below Denmark.

KEY PLAYERS

Ex-Celtic superstar Shunsuke Nakamura is the creative force behind the team. His ability from free kicks will be important to a team devoid of an experienced goal threat up front.

The number 10 will be joined in midfield by a player posing a similar dead ball threat. Keisuke Honda has become an integral part of the CSKA team in his first year in Moscow, and will be hoping to make an even bigger name for himself in South Africa than he did in this season's Champions League.

In attack, Shinji Okazaki is the most prolific striker on offer with 16 goals in 27 games. The home based player is untested at such a level however, and most have his goals have come against weak Asian opposition. 

ONE TO WATCH- Keisuke Honda

Still only 23 and already has a couple of good European years behind him with VVV Venlo in Holland and now in Russia.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

A repeat of 2002s run to the last 16 would be a dream scenario. Any victory would be Soccer Nippon Daihyo's first away from home soil.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Three games, three defeats and another step backwards from the heights of earlier this century. 

PREDICTION

The Japanese will put up a good fight but should be overpowered by stronger opponents, who will all see the Asians as their best chance of three points.