Four years ago I wrote an introduction to FIFA’s World Cup 2006 after being threatened with legal action from the editor for not ever writing any sports features. That many years down the track and I’m being rather preemptive as hell has no wrath like when this editor is scorned.
In my very humble opinion, World Cup 2006 saw England fall into Group B with a fairly easy bunch of countries. World Cup 2010 I don’t see being too different although I do see one other team which could potentially be a threat.
Okay, how did the teams draw you may be asking. Let’s waste no more time and get straight down to it.
World Cup 2010 Group Tables
FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group A Table
1. France
2. Mexico
3. South Africa
4. Uruguay
FIFA World Cup 2010 Fixtures for Group A
Friday, 11 June 2010
South Africa v Mexico, 15:00
Uruguay v France, 19:30
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
South Africa v Uruguay, 19:30
Thursday, 17 June 2010
France v Mexico, 12:30
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
France v South Africa, 15:00
Mexico v Uruguay, 15:00
The Verdict: I see Mexico taking this group followed by France.
FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group B Table
1. Argentina
2. Greece
3. Nigeria
4. South Korea
FIFA World Cup 2010 Fixtures for Group B
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Argentina v Nigeria, 12:30
South Korea v Greece, 15:00
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Argentina v South Korea, 19:30
Greece v Nigeria, 15:00
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Greece v Argentina, 19:30
Nigeria v South Korea, 19:30
The Verdict: I see Argentina topping this group (I knew you thought I was going to say that). Second I see Greece. Sorry Nigeria and South Korea but I am sure we’ll see you next time.
FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group C Table
1. Algeria
2. England
3. Slovenia
4. USA
FIFA World Cup 2010 Fixtures for Group C
Saturday, 12 June 2010
England v USA, 19:30
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Algeria v Slovenia, 12:30
Friday, 18 June 2010
England v Algeria, 19:30
Slovenia v USA, 15:00
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Slovenia v England, 15:00
USA v Algeria, 15:00
The Verdict: Okay, so we see England face Algeria. I don’t see this as being a struggle, this should be a walk through Hyde Park and a nice 3 nil win. Slovenia. This should be a warm up and I see England winning 2 nil. And finally, versus USA who have been known to beat England on the odd occasion. I see England winning 2-1. England will win this group with USA second.
FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group D Table
1. Australia
2. Germany
3. Ghana
4. Serbia
FIFA World Cup 2010 Fixtures for Group D
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Germany v Australia, 15:00
Serbia v Ghana, 19:30
Friday, 18 June 2010
Germany v Serbia, 12:30
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Ghana v Australia, 12:30
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Australia v Serbia, 19:30
Ghana v Germany, 19:30
The Verdict: Sadly Australia won’t make it through this group, only Germany followed by Ghana. I see this World Cup being a huge boost for African football and being on home turf African nations will step up to the plate.
FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group E Table
1. Cameroon
2. Denmark
3. Netherlands
4. Japan
FIFA World Cup 2010 Fixtures for Group E
Monday, 14 June 2010
Japan v Cameroon, 15:00
Netherlands v Denmark, 12:30
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Cameroon v Denmark, 19:30
Netherlands v Japan, 15:00
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Cameroon v Netherlands, 19:30
Denmark v Japan, 19:30
The Verdict: Netherlands will show their might and top this World Cup group with Cameroon following in the distance.
FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group F Table
1. Italy
2. New Zealand
3. Paraguay
4. Slovakia
FIFA World Cup 2010 Fixtures for Group F
Monday, 14 June 2010
Italy v Paraguay, 19:30
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
New Zealand v Slovakia, 12:30
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Italy v New Zealand, 15:00
Paraguay v Slovakia 12:30
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Paraguay v New Zealand, 15:00
Slovakia v Italy, 15:00
The Verdict: I am surprised you’ve made it this far down the page. You really must have trust in my football knowledge. The Azzurri will thump their dominance all the way back to the Med with only Slovakia managing just a scrape into second place.
FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group G Table
1. Brazil
2. Ivory Coast
3. Korea DPR
4. Portugal
FIFA World Cup 2010 Fixtures for Group G
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Brazil v North Korea, 19:30
Ivory Coast v Portugal, 15:00
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Brazil v Ivory Coast, 19:30
Monday, 21 June 2010
Portugal v North Korea, 12:30
Friday, 25 June 2010
North Korea v Ivory Coast, 15:00
Portugal v Brazil, 15:00
The Verdict: North Korea and IC would have unfortunately for them drawn too hard a card on this occasion and Portugal will top the group followed by Brazil.
FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group H Table
1. Chile
2. Honduras
3. Spain
4. Switzerland
FIFA World Cup 2010 Fixtures for Group H
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Honduras v Chile, 12:30
Spain v Switzerland, 15:00
Monday, 21 June 2010
Chile v Switzerland, 15:00
Spain v Honduras, 19:30
Friday, 25 June 2010
Chile v Spain, 19:30
Switzerland v Honduras, 19:30
The Verdict: Honduras? Going home. Spain will win the group with Chile in second spot and Switzerland wishing for better luck.
So there are my predictions, like them of dislike them they are inevitable so just let them play out. I may change them closer to the date depending on player fitness and team performance. That’s what I do.
