The 2010 World Cup

[Jaffa Cake]

The 2010 World Cup – how exciting! Six months from now, the 32 qualified nations will gather in South Africa to contest the most sought after prize in international soccerballing.

Six months? Aren't you starting this thread a bit early?

Ah, but you see – the draw for the finals is being made very shortly. In about an hour or so, we'll all know which teams will be facing each other in the various groups, and we can look at the schedules and try to plot a course through to the final for our favourite nations, while working out which team will likely be the ones to put England out on penalties at the quarter final stage.

I'll update this opening post with the Groups as they're drawn – but which country do you want to win next summer? And if you're not cheering for your home nation, what made you pick the country you're pledging your support to?

The Groups

Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France

Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

Group C
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia

Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Group E
The Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

 

[Drumjim85]

what's all this soccer nonsense....

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The Yanks are Comin'!

 

[pjlander]

GO USA! Hoping Dempsey and Altidore show up and impress the FIFA world with their skills next summer!

USA! USA! USA!

 

[Jaffa Cake]

The Yanks are Comin'!

We know that – question is, how long are you planning on staying before you're goin'?

 

[swiftaw]

ESPN here in the US bring out the big guns for their studio analysis team for the world cup draw today: Alexi Lalas, Efan Ekoku, and Steve McManaman.

Edit: and now they trot out John Harkes

 

[pjlander]

Anyone blowing their Vuvuzela horn?

Are they going to ban those things from the games?

 

[Tilpots]

USA, USA!!!

Haven't seen the draw yet, but the USA could shock some folks. Let's hope they get a decent grouping.

 

[swiftaw]

Interestingly it is the first time since 1986 that the four semifinalists from the previous world cup all qualified.

 

[Fizzoid]

Edit: and now they trot out John Harkes

Trot out? Where's the red carpet, the man's a Wednesday legend!

 

[swiftaw]

Getting close to draw time now. Charlize Theron is looking lovely.

 

[Fizzoid]

Getting close to draw time now. Charlize Theron is looking lovely.

As ever!
Will she be speaking in her American accent I wonder?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

We know that – question is, how long are you planning on staying before you're goin'?

That depends on the next couple hours...

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Getting close to draw time now. Charlize Theron is looking lovely.

Apparently, during the rehearsal she drew out 'France' but read the team as 'Ireland'. Ho ho.

 

[swiftaw]

Apparently, during the rehearsal she drew out 'France' but read the team as 'Ireland'. Ho ho.

A sense of humour too, all in one package.

 

[Tilpots]

Apparently, during the rehearsal she drew out 'France' but read the team as 'Ireland'. Ho ho.

Brilliant! I was thinking the same thing...

 

[Jaffa Cake]

A sense of humour too, all in one package.

Beauty, a sense of humour and clearly possessing a knowledge of soccerball. Rather like Miss Jaffa Cake, in fact.

 

[swiftaw]

USA in England's group

 

[Mintin8]

USA in England's group

Should be good

 

[Fizzoid]

Let the Mac Rumors fighting begin!

 

[swiftaw]

Biggest one-sided match, Italy vs New Zealand or Brazil vs North Korea?

 

[Fizzoid]

England
USA
Nigeria
Slovenia

Probably in that order after the games are played as well

 

[CarlisleUnited]

England
USA
Nigeria
Slovenia

Probably in that order after the games are played as well

I wouldn't be surprised if Nigeria go through ahead of the USA. Group A and G are probably the toughest.

I stand corrected, I was tricked by Fizzoid, Algeria will finish bottom.

 

[Fizzoid]

D'oh!
Think Slovenia might get 3rd then

 

[Jaffa Cake]

From my point of view, England have drawn two teams who feature current Hull City players – Jozy Altidore's United States, and Kamel Ghilas' Algeria.

Brazil vs Portugal should be tasty.