World Cup 2010: Breaking Down the Groups- Part 1

32 group stage games down, 16 to go. As we head into round three of matches, 30 of 32 teams still have a chance to reach the knockout stages. Those teams range from a 2-0 side in precarious position to an 0-2 side with a very realistic chance to advance. Let's breakdown the scenarios and my predictions, starting with Groups A-D.

Group A
Standings: Uruguay- 4 points, +3 goal differential; Mexico- 4 pts., +2; France- 1 pt., -2; South Africa- 1pt., -3
Match-ups: Uruguay vs. Mexico; South Africa vs. France
The situation: Uruguay are part of the South American juggernaut that has eight wins and two draws in ten matches. Diego Forlan is one of the emerging stars of the Cup with two goals in the win over South Africa. While a draw guarantees both sides advance, Mexico will want to avoid a second round meeting with Argentina, so look for El Tri to go on the attack. If there's any justice, the French collection of prima donnas will get blasted by South Africa. The hosts will likely miss the knockout stages, but a well-deserved win would allow them to finish on a high,
Prediction: Mexico wins to top the group as Uruguay holds on to second.

Group B
Standings: Argentina- 6 pts.; +4; South Korea- 3 pts.; -1; Greece- 3 pts., -1; Nigeria- 0 pts., -2
Match-ups: Argentina vs. Greece; South Korea vs. Nigeria
The situation: 0-2 may seem like a bleak position, but Nigeria are surprisingly in good shape to advance. A win over South Korea coupled with a Greece loss to Argentina will see three teams tie for second at 1-2. Regardless of the scores on Tuesday, Nigeria are ensured of winning the goal differential tie-breaker. Argentina need only a draw to lock-up the top spot, and it's hard to see them failing to capture a point.
Prediction: Argentina take first and Nigeria sneak in behind them.

Group C
Standings: Slovenia- 4 pts., +1; USA- 2 pts., E; England- 2 pts. E, Algeria- 1 pt., -1
Match-ups: Slovenia vs. England; USA vs. Algeria
The situation: It's win and advance for Slovenia, the U.S. and England, while Algeria needs a win and some help from England to move on. Oddly the fourth-place side is the only one entering their match on a positive note. Slovenia coughed up a two-goal lead to the U.S., a match the Americans left thinking they should have won. Meanwhile England are just grateful that the French are in town, otherwise they'd be the poster children for team disharmony and underachievement.
Prediction: A pair of 2-0 wins sees the U.S. and England advance, with the States topping the group on the second tiebreaker, goals scored.

Group D
Standings: Ghana 4 pts., +1; Germany 3 pts., +3; Serbia 3 pts., E; Australia 1 pt. -4
Match-ups: Ghana vs. Germany; Serbia vs. Australia
The situation: A quick look at the standings, and you'd say Group D leaders Ghana are Africa's best hope of reaching the knockout stages. They might, however, face a tougher task than winless Nigeria. The Black Stars will need at least a point against Germany to ensure passage. If they lose, Serbia will pass them with a win over Australia. While a win advances any of the top three teams, only Ghana are assured of moving on with a draw. Australia needs to show that it can play without getting a star player red carded, following the dismissals of Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell in their first two matches.
Prediction: Germany plays like, well, Germany and gets the win to put them on top of the group. Serbia join them in the second round.

World Cup Stadiums in 3D

Thanks to my friend Geoff Goldman for sending this bit of awesomeness my way. Using Google Maps and some dramatic music, I present the 2010 World Cup stadiums in 3D!

World Cup 2010: Group A Preview

World Cup Group A features the hosts, South Africa, along with Mexico, and former champs France and Uruguay. Any of the four sides could conceivably reach the knockout round; France are the weakest of the group favorites, and while South Africa are long shots, home field advantage has inspired past underdogs. Here's a closer look at the group.

The tournament's opening game should tell how much fight we'll see from the hosts. While many think South Africa will become the first home standing nation to be eliminated in the opening round, they've shown improvement in recent matches under veteran coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. They'll need a result in the curtain raiser against Mexico to have a shot of advancing and their top player, Everton's Steven Pienaar will need to lead the charge.

Mexico have been a consistent bet to escape the group stages at recent World Cups, and this version of El Tri is positioned to do the same. Their 2-1 friendly win over Italy this week showed Javier Aguirre's troops are poised for a deep run. The Mexican side blends the youthful talents of Giovani Dos Santos with the veteran savvy of Rafael Marquez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

Depending on your perspective, France's roster is either loaded with veteran stars or filled with guys well past their prime. An inconsistent qualifying run under lame duck head coach Raymond Domenech leaves Les Bleus ripe for an upset. When Franck Ribery isn't busy sleeping with underage prostitutes, he's France's top all-around player and if he can connect with aging strikes Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka, France should advance from the group.

Uruguay hasn't tasted World Cup success since winning their second title in 1950. More recently they've won just one of 14 tournament matches. Europa League hero Diego Forlan and striking partner Luis Suarez give the team a potent attack, but questions surround the midfield and goaltending. Their final match against Mexico could be a battle for a knockout round berth.

Prediction: Mexico tops the group, followed by France. Uruguay and South Africa head home.

Confederations Cup Preview

With less than a year to go before the World Cup kicks off in South Africa, seven nations are joining the hosts for a sneak preview tournament, the FIFA Confederations Cup. The roster is highlighted by reigning World Champions Italy, top-ranked and European champs Spain and perennial power Brazil. In addition to watching how those powers stack up, the event will be a test for the well-scrutinized South African organizing committee. With the U.S., Egypt, Iraq and New Zealand joining the mix, the tournament should answer a number of questions.

How will Spain handle the role of favorites?: Having shed the label of a team that can't win the big game, Spain come into the Confederations Cup as the popular pick. While the group stage should be a breeze, winning the event will likely require topping Italy and Brazil. Victory in the final will install Spain as the top choice for next year.

What can we expect from South Africa?: This is a two-part question posed on and off the field. The expectation is that World Cup hosts should, at a minimum, advance past the group stage. That may be a tall order for the lightly-regarded South African side. They'll need to show progress here to make the knockout stages a realistic goal for 2010. Then there are the issues of tournament organization. Talk of a "Plan B" has cooled in recent months; a well-run tournament will silence some critics who feel the hosts aren't up to the task.

Are Italy and Brazil back?: Italy have hardly sparkled since celebrating a title in Berlin three years ago, but with several World Cup veterans in place, the Azzurri are still among the best in the world. After a disappointing World Cup in '06, Brazil are regaining their old form under manager and former captain Dunga. The meeting between these sides will be the highlight of the group stages.

Are the United States ready for the world?: Advancing from a group that includes Italy and Brazil is a tall order for any nation. Even a draw against either foe would show that the U.S. and their CONCACAF brethren are ready to contend next year. The U.S. needs to defeat Egypt in their final match, a decent opponent, but one that the States should be topping on a consistent basis.