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Asociatión del Fútbol Argentino.

Main players: Lionel Messi (FIFA player of the year 2009); in recent World Cups, though, the countries with the Player of the Year have not been successful.

FIFA ranking (April 2010): #9.

Argentina finished 4th in the South America Qualifying, behind Brazil, Chile and Paraguay; more than the aprehension with not qualify, what Argentina felt most, due to Historic rivalry, was to be beaten by Brazil by 3 x 0 playing at home.

Argentina will be in Group B of World Cup 2010, and will play the first three matches against Nigeria (June 12th), South Korea (June 17th) and Greece (June 22nd).

Argentina Team roster for World Cup 2010:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar/Holland), Mariano Andujar (Catania/Italy), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defense: Gabriel Heinze (Olympique de Marseille), Martin Demichelis (Bayern de Munique), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Walter Samuel (Inter de Milão), Juan Insaurralde (Newell’s Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes de La Plata), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma/Italy), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle/England), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfield: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool/England), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Angel Di Maria (Benfica/Portugal), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina/Italy), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes de La Plata), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes de La Plata), Javier Pastore (Palermo/Italy), Jesus Datolo (Olympiakos/Greece), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool/England)

Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Spain), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid/Spain), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City/England), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Diego Milito (Inter de Milão/Italy), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli/Italy)

Coach: Diego Maradona. Maradona is the undisputed best player in History of Argentina. His career as coach, however, has been very controversial; some in Argentina say he is the worst coach ever.

GROUP A

SOUTH AFRICA

Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld/Germany), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Defense: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa/Israel), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth/England), Bryce Moon (PAOK Salonika/Greece), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk/Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfield: Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham/England), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Steven Pienaar (Everton/England), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan/Russia), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Forward: Benni McCarthy (West Ham/England), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (Twente/Holland).

MEXICO

Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara)

Defense: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona/Spain), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart/Germany), Francisco Rodriguez (PSV/Holland), Carlos Salcido (PSV/Holland), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar/Holland), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia)

Midfield: Andres Guardado (Deportivo/Spain), Jonathan dos Santos (Barcelona/Spain), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray/Turkey)

Forward: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista (Guadalajara), Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal/England), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United/England), Guillermo Franco (West Ham/England)

URUGUAY

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio/Italy), Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali/Colombia), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)

Defense: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahçe/Turkey), Diego Godin (Villarreal/Spain), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Martin Caceres (Juventus/Italy), Jorge Fucile (Porto/Portugal), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica/Portugal)

Midfield: Sebastian Eguren (AIK Estocolmo/Sweden), Alvaro Pereira (Porto/Portugal), Walter Gargano (Napoli/Italy), Diego Perez (Monaco/France), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile), Alvaro Gonzalez (Nacional), Jorge Rodriguez (River Plate, do Uruguai), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax/Holland), Jorge Martinez (Catania/Italy), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Peñarol), Ignacio Gonzalez (Levadiakos/Greece)

Forward: Luis Suarez (Ajax/Holland), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo/Brazil), Edinson Cavani (Palermo/Italy), Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield/Argentina)

FRANCE

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique de Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Mickael Landreau (Lille)

Defense: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/England), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/England), William Gallas (Arsenal/England), Eric Abidal (Barcelona/Spain), Rod Fanni (Rennes), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla/Spain), Adil Rami (Lille), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Gael Clichy (Arsenal/England), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon)

Midfield: Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/Spain), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/England), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal/England), Yann M’Vila (Rennes)

Forward: Thierry Henry (Barcelona/Spain), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea/England), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Franck Ribery (Bayern de Munique), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos/Greece), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique de Marseille), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique de Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Rennes)

GROUP B

ARGENTINA

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar/Holland), Mariano Andujar (Catania/Italy), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defense: Gabriel Heinze (Olympique de Marseille), Martin Demichelis (Bayern de Munique), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Walter Samuel (Inter de Milão), Juan Insaurralde (Newell’s Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes de La Plata), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma/Italy), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle/England), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfield: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool/England), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Angel Di Maria (Benfica/Portugal), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina/Italy), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes de La Plata), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes de La Plata), Javier Pastore (Palermo/Italy), Jesus Datolo (Olympiakos/Greece), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool/England)

Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Spain), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid/Spain), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City/England), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Diego Milito (Inter de Milão/Italy), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli/Italy)

NIGERIA

Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyegnugba (Bnei Yehuda/Israel), Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa United), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petach Tikva/Israel), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv/Israel)

Defense: Dele Adeleye (Sparta/Holland), Rabiu Afolabi (Salzburg/Áustria), Onyekachi Apam (Nice/France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes/France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscou/Russia), Danny Shittu (Bolton/England), Terna Suswan (Lobi Stars), Taye Taiwo (Olympique de Marseille/France), Joseph Yobo (Everton/England)

Midfield: Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev/Ucrânia), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham/England), Sani Kaita (Alania Vladikavhaz/Russia), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth/England), Haruna Lukman (Monaco/France), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea/England), Ike Uche (Zaragoza/Spain), Kalu Uche (Almeria/Spain), John Utaka (Portsmouth/England)

Forward: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton/England), Victor Anichebe (Everton/England), Ideye Brown (Sochaux/France), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg/Germany), Obinna Nsofor (Málaga/Spain), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim/Germany), Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscou/Russia), Peter Utaka (Odense/Denmark)

SOUTH KOREA

Goalkeepers: Lee Woon-jae (Suwon), Kim Young-kwang (Ulsan), Jung Sung-ryong (Seongnam)

Defense: Cha Du-ri (Freiburg/Germany), Hwang Jae-won (Pohang), Kwak Tae-hwi (Kyoto), Kim Hyung-il (Pohang), Lee Jung-soo (Kashima/Japan), Lee Young-pyo (Al Hilal/Emirados Árabes Unidos), Kang Min-soo (Suwon), Oh Beom-seok (Ulsan), Cho Yong-hyung (Jeju), Kim Dong-jin (Ulsan)

Midfield: Kim Chi-woo (Seoul), Kim Nam-il (Tom Tomsk/Russia), Cho Won-hee (Suwon), Ki Sung-yong (Celtic/Scotland), Kim Jung-woo (Gwangju), Park Ji-sung (Manchester United/England), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton/England), Shin Hyung-min (Pohang), Kim Jae-sung (Pohang), Kim Bo-kyung (Oita Trinita/Japan), Koo Ja-cheol (Jeju)

Forward: Lee Seung-yueng (Seoul), Ahn Jung-hwan (Dalian Shide/China), Park Chu-young (Monaco/France), Lee Keun-ho (Jubilo Iwata/Japan), Lee Dong-guk (Jeonbuk), Yeom Ki-hun (Suwon)

GREECE

Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika).

Defense: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna/England), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa/Italy), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool/England), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika), Giorgos Tzavellas (Panionios), Kostas Manolas (AEK Atenas), Giorgos Galitsios (Olympiakos), Stergos Marinos (Panathinaikos)

Midfield: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Panathinaikos)

Forward: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg/Germany), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucaresti/Romênia), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic/Escócoa), Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos)

GROUP C

ENGLAND

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defense: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Leighton Baines (Everton), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Scott Parker (West Ham), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forward: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Darren Bent (Sunderland), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham).

USA

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/England), Tim Howard (Everton/England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton/England)

Defense: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes/France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas/Mexico), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover/Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford/England), Clarence Goodson (IK Start/Norway), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Milan/Italy), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham/England)

Midfield: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers/Scotland), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro/Sweden), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach/Germany), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham/England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers/Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus/Denmark), Stuart Holden (Bolton/England), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Jos Torres (Pachuca/Germany)

Forward: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal/Spain), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla/Mexico), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessalonica/Greece)

ALGERIA

Goalkeepers: Faouzi Chaouchi (Entente Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Rais Ouheb Mbouli (Slavia Sofia/Bulgária), Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (Mouloudia Algiers)

Defense: Habib Belaid (Boulogne/France), Nader Belhadj (Portsmouth/England), Majid Bougherra (Rangers/Scotland), Rafik Halliche (Nacional/Portugal), Abdelkader Laifaoui (Entente Setif), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio/France), Mohamed Meftah (JS Kabylie), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce/Italy), Hocine Metref (Entente Setif), Antar Yahia (Bochum/Germany)

Midfield: Djamel Abdoun (Nantes/France), Lazhar Hadj Aissa (Entente Setif), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux/France), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton/England), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes/France), Medhi Lacen (Racing/Spain), Khaled Lemmouchia (Entente Setif), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient/France), Mourad Meghni (Lazio/Italy), Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth/England), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg/Germany)

Forward: Amri Chadli (Kaiserslautern/Germany), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Atenas/Greece), Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena/Italy), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach/Germany), Rafik Saifi (Istres/France)

SLOVENIA

Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese/Italy), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova/Italy), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta/Holland), Jan Koprivec (Maribor).

Defense: Bojan Jokic (Chievo/Italy), Marko Suler (Ghent/Belgium), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble/France), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscou/Russia), Matej Mavric (Koblenz), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge/Belgium), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Miso Brecko (Colônia/Russia), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper), Suad Filekovic (Maribor).

Midfield: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Cracóvia/Polônia), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv/Israel), Rene Krhin (Inter de Milão/Italy), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina/Greece), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucaresti/Romênia), Dare Vrsic (Koper), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse/Holland), Robert Koren (West Bromwich/England), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa/Greece), Valter Birsa (Auxerre/France).

Forward: Milivoje Novakovic (Colônia/Germany), Zlatko Dedic (Bochum/Germany), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent/Belgium), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional/Portugal), Miran Burgic (AIK Solna/Sweden), Tim Matavz (Groningen/Holland)

GROUP D

GERMANY

Goalkeepers: Hans-Joerg Butt (Bayern de Munique), Manuel Neuer (Schalke 04), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)

Defense: Dennis Aogo (Hamburgo), Holger Badstuber (Bayern de Munique), Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Jerome Boateng (Hamburgo) Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Hamburgo), Philipp Lahm (Bayern de Munique), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04)

Midfield: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Sami Khedira (Stuttgart), Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen) Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern de Munique), Christian Traesch (Stuttgart), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburgo)

Forward: Cacau (Stuttgart) Mario Gomez (Bayern de Munique), Stefan Kiesling (Bayer Leverkusen) Miroslav Klose (Bayern de Munique), Thomas Müller (Bayern de Munique), Lukas Podolski (Colônia)

AUSTRALIA

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham/England), Adam Federici (Reading/England), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough/England), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)

Defense: Lucas Neill (Galatasaray/Turkey), Craig Moore (sem clube), Scott Chipperfield (Basel/Switzerland), David Carney (Twente/Holland), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscou/Russia), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough/England), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa/England), Mark Milligan (JEF United/Japan), Jade North (Tromso/Norway), Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazzira/Emirados Árabes Unidos)

Midfield: Tim Cahill (Everton/England), Mark Bresciano (Palermo/Italy) Vince Grella (Blackburn/England) Brett Emerton (Blackburn/England), Jason Culina (Gold Coast), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray/Turkey), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar/Holland), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo/Italy), Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor/Turkey), Richard Garcia (Hull City/England), Nick Carle (Crystal Palace/England), Tommy Oar (Utrecht/Holland), Dario Vidosic (Nuremberg/Germany), James Holland (AZ Alkmaar/Holland)

Forward: Josh Kennedy (Nagoya/Japan), Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough/England), Nikita Rukavytsya (Twente/Holland)

SERBIA

Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Sporting/Portugal), Zeljko Brkic (Vojvodina Novi Sad), Bojan Isailovic (Zaglebie Lubin/Polônia), Andjelko Djuricic (Uniao Leiria/Portugal).

Defense: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea/England), Antonio Rukavina (Munich 1860/Germany), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United/England), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund/Germany), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese/Italy), Jagos Vukovic (PSV/Holland), Ivan Obradovic (Zaragoza/Spain), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio/Italy), Slobodan Rajkovic (Twente/Holland).

Midfield: Dejan Stankovic (Inter de Milão/Italy), Gojko Kacar (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton/England), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart/Germany), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscou/Russia), Zoran Tosic (Manchester United/England), Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev/Ucrânia), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege/Belgium), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea/England), Nemanja Tomic (Partizan Belgrade).

Forward: Nikola Zigic (Valencia/Spain), Marko Pantelic (Ajax/Holland), Danko Lazovic (Zenit St. Petersburg/Russia), Dejan Lekic (Estrela Vermelha), Miralem Sulejmani (Ajax/Holland), Dragan Mrdja (Vojvodina Novi Sad).

GHANA

Goalkeepers: Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professional), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars), Stephen Aholu (Heart of Lions), Richard Kingson (Wigan/England)

Defense: Eric Addo (Roda/Holland), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek/Egito), Samuel Inkoom (FC Basel/Switzerland), John Mensah (Sunderland/England), Jonathan Mensah (Udinese/Italy), John Paintsil (Fulham/England), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim/Germany)

Midfield: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese/Italy), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg/Norway), Stephen Appiah (Bologna/Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese/Italy), Dede Ayew (Arles Avignon/France), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth/England), Haminu Dramani (Lokomotiv Moscou/Russia), Michael Essien (Chelsea/England), Laryea Kingston (Hearts of Midlothian/Scotland), Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios/Greece), Sulley Muntari (Inter de Milão/Italy), Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Al Sadd/Qatar)

Forward: Dominic Adiyiah (Milan/Italy), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda/Holland), Derek Boateng (Getafe/Spain), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes/France), Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim/Germany)

GROUP E

HOLLAND

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (Twente), Michel Vorm (Utrecht)

Defense: Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart/Germany), Edson Braafheid (Celtic/Scotland), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton/England), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburgo/Germany), Andre Ooijer (PSV), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)

Midfield: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV), Otman Bakkal (PSV), Mark van Bommel (Bayern de Munique), Wout Brama (Twente), Orlando Engelaar (PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City/England), David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Wesley Sneijder (Inter de Milão/Italy), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid/Spain), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax)

Forward: Ryan Babel (Liverpool/England), Eljero Elia (Hamburgo/Germany), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Milan/Italy), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool/England), Jeremain Lens (AZ Alkmaar), Robin van Persie (Arsenal/England), Arjen Robben (Bayern de Munique)

DENMARK

Goalkeepers: Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City/England), Stephan Andersen (Brondby), Kim Christensen (IFK Goteburgo/Sweden), Jesper Christiansen (Copenhagen),

Defense: William Kvist (Copenhagen), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn/England), Simon Kjaer (Palermo/Italy), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina/Italy), Daniel Agger (Liverpool/England), Patrick Mtiliga (Malaga/Spain), Leon Jessen (FC Midtjylland), Simon Poulsen (AZ Alkmaar/Holland), Anders Christensen (OB Odense),

Midfield: Martin Jorgensen (AGF Aarhus), Christian Poulsen (Juventus/Italy), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen/Germany), Jakob Poulsen (AGF Aarhus), Michael Silberbauer (Utrecht/Holland), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax/Holland), Christian Eriksen (Ajax/Holland), Thomas Enevoldsen (Groningen/Holland), Mikkel Beckmann (Randers), Thomas Kahlenberg (Wolfsburg/Germany), Jesper Gronkjaer (FC Copenhagen), Mikkel Thygesen (FC Midtjylland), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Brondby)

Forward: Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord/Holland), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal/England), Soren Larsen (Duisburg/Germany), Morten Rasmussen (Celtic/Scotland).

JAPAN

Goalkeepers: Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale), Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata)

Defense: Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F-Marinos), Tulio (Nagoya Grampus), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Daiki Iwamasa (Kashima Antlers), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)

Midfield: Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama F-Marinos), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Junichi Inamoto (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg/Germany), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscou/Russia), Daisuke Matsui (Grenoble/France)

Forward: Shinji Okazaki (Shimizu S-Pulse), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Yoshito Okubo (Vissel Kobe), Takayuki Morimoto (Catania/Italy), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata)

CAMEROUN

Goalkeepers: Guy Roland N’Dy Assembe (Valenciennes/France), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol/Spain), Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor/Turkey), Patrick Tignyemb (Bloemfontein Celtic/South Africa)

Defense: Patrick Abouna (Astres Douala), Benoit Assou Ekotto (Tottenham/England), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham/England), Gaetan Bong (Valenciennes/France), Aurelien Chedjou (Lille/France), Geremi (Ankaragucu/Turkey), Boukar Makadji (Al Nahdha/Omã), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco/France), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor/Turkey)

Midfield: Achille Emana (Betis/Spain), Enoh Eyong (Ajax/Holland), Jean Makoun (Lyon/France), Georges Mandjeck (Kaiserslautern/Germany), Joel Matip (Schalke 04/Germany), Patrick Mevoungou (Canon Yaounde), Marcel Ndjeng (Augsburg/Germany), Landry Nguemo (Celtic/Scotland), Alexandre Song (Arsenal/England)

Forward: Vincent Aboubakar (Coton Sport), Eric Choupo-Mating (Nuremburg/Germany), Paul Alo’o Efoulou (Nancy/France), Samuel Eto’o (Inter de Milão/Italy), Mohamadou Idrissou (Freiburg/Germany), Dorge Kouemaha (Club Bruges/Belgium), Achille Webo (Mallorca/Spain), Jacques Zoua (Basel/Switzerland)

GROUP F

ITALY

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo).

Defense: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan).

Midfield: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (Milan).

Forward: Marco Borriello (Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal).

PARAGUAY

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Valladolid/Spain), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin/Colombia), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteño)

Defense: Denis Caniza (Leon), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland/England), Claudio Morel (Boca Juniors/Argentina), Julio Cesar Caceres (Atletico-MG/Brazil), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Julio Manzur (Olimpia), Dario Veron (Pumas UNAM/Mexico), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo/Argentina), Antolin Alcaraz (Club Bruges/Belgium), Marcos Caceres (Racing/Argentina)

Midfield: Edgar Barreto (Atalanta/Italy), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul/Mexico), Osvaldo Martinez (Monterrey/Mexico), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg/Germany), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito/Equador), Sergio Aquino (Libertad), Eduardo Ledesma (Lanus/Argentina), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors/Argentina)

Forward: Marcelo Estigarribia (Newell’s Old Boys/Argentina), Jorge Achucarro (Newell’s Old Boys/Argentina), Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City/England), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund/Germany), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund/Germany), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica/Portugal), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca/Mexico), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad)

NEW ZEALAND

Goalkeepers: James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory), Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix)

Defense: Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls/USA), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn/England), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland/Denmark), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town/England), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City)

Midfield: Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Christie (Tampa Bay Rowdies/USA), Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United), Simon Elliott (sem contrato), Michael McGlinchey (Central Coast Mariners), David Mulligan (sem contrato)

Forward: Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle/England), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough/England), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast/Austrália), Chris Wood (West Bromwich/England)

SLOVAKIA

Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Varsóvia/Polônia), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Lubos Kamenar (Nantes/France), Dusan Permis (Dundee United/Scotland).

Defense: Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg/Germany), Martin Petras (Cesena/Italy), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool/England), Lubomir Michalik (Leeds United/England), Jan Durica (Lokomotiv Moscou/Russia), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz/Germany), Marek Cech (West Bromwich/England), Tomas Hubocan (Zenit St. Petersburg/Russia), Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava).

Midfield: Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Timisoara), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Praga/República Tcheca), Miroslav Karhan (Mainz/Germany), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu/Turkey), Mario Pecalka (MSK Zilina), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum/Germany), Marek Hamsik (Napoli/Italy), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City/England), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea/England), Dusan Svento (Salzburg/Áustria), Zdeno Strba (Skoda Xanthi/Greece).

Forward: Erik Jendrisek (Schalke 04/Germany), Robert Vittek (Ankaragucu/Turkey), Martin Jakubko (Saturn/Russia), Filip Holosko (Besiktas/Turkey)

GROUP G

BRAZIL

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter de Milão/Italy), Doni (Roma/Italy), Gomes (Tottenham/England)

Defense: Maicon (Inter de Milão/Italy), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/Spain), Michel Bastos (Lyon/France), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter de Milão/Italy), Juan (Roma/Italy), Luisão (Benfica/Portugal), Thiago Silva (Milan/Italy)

Midfield: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos/Greece), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina/Italy), Ramires (Benfica/Portugal), Elano (Galatasaray/Turkey), Kaka (Real Madrid/Spain), Julio Baptista (Roma/Italy), Kléberson (Flamengo), Josue (Wolfsburg/Germany).

Forward: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla/Spain), Nilmar (Villarreal/Spain), Grafite (Wolfsburg/Germany).

NORTH KOREA

Goalkeepers: Kim Myong-gil (Amrokgang), Kim Myong-won (Amrokgang), Ri Myong-guk (Pyongyang City)

Defense: Cha Jong-hyok (Amrokgang), Nam Song-chol (April 25), Pak Chol-jin (Amrokgang), Pak Nam-chol (Amrokgang), Ri Jun-il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang-chon (April 25), Ri Kwang-hyok (Kyonggongop)

Midfield: An Yong-hak (Omiya Ardija/Japan), Ji Yun-nam (April 25), Kim Kyong-il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong-jun (Pyongyang City), Mun In-guk (April 25), Ri Chol-myong (Pyongyang City), Pak Nam-chol (April 25), Pak Sung-hyok (Sobaeksu),

Forward: An Chol-hyok (Rimyongsu), Choe Kum-chol (April 25), Hong Yong-jo (Rostov/Russia), Jong Tae-se (Kawasaki Frontale/Japan), Kim Kum-il (April 25)

IVORY COAST

Goalkeepers: Vincent Angban (ASEC Abidjan), Boubacar Barry (Lokeren/Belgium), Aristides Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya/Israel), Daniel Yeboah (ASEC Abidjan).

Defense: Souleymane Bamba (Hibernian/Scotland), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart/Germany), Benjamin Brou Angoua (Valenciennes/France), Guy Demel (Hamburgo/Germany), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal/England), Abdoulaye Meite (West Bromwich/England), Steve Gohouri (Wigan/England), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes/France), Kolo Toure (Manchester City/England).

Midfield: Emerse Fae (Nantes/France), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Monaco/France), Abdelkader Keita (Galatasaray/Turkey), Emmanuel Kone (International Curtea Arges/Romênia), Gervais Yao Kouassi (Lille/France), Christian Koffi Ndri (Sevilla/Spain), Cheik Ismael Tiote (Twente/Holland), Yaya Toure (Barcelona/Spain), Gilles Yapi Yapo (Young Boys/Switzerland), Didier Zokora (Sevilla/Spain).

Forward: Kanga Akale (Lens/France), Aruna Dindane (Lens/France), Seydou Doumbia (Young Boys/Switzerland), Didier Drogba (Chelsea/England), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea/England), Bakary Kone (Olympique de Marseille/France).

PORTUGAL

Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Braga), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis/Greece), Beto (Porto).

Defense: Miguel (Valencia/Spain), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea/England), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea/England), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille/France), Duda (Malaga/Spain), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica).

Midfield: Pedro Mendes (Sporting), Pepe (Real Madrid/Spain), Ze Castro (Deportivo/Spain), Tiago (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Deco (Chelsea/England), Raul Meireles (Porto), Miguel Veloso (Sporting).

Forward: Simão Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg/Russia), Liedson (Sporting), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen/Germany), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Spain), Nani (Manchester United/England).

GROUP H

SPAIN

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool/England), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), David de Gea (Atletico Madrid).

Defense: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuña), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfield: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal/England), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona).

Forward: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Mata (Valencia), Pedro (Barcelona), Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahçe/Turkey), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool/England), David Villa (Valencia).

SWITZERLAND

Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg/Germany), Johnny Leoni (FC Zurich), Marco Woelfli (Young Boys).

Defense: Mario Eggimann (Hanover 96/Germany), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre/France), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio/Italy), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal/England), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt/England), Steve Von Bergen (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria/Italy).

Midfield: Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen/Germany), Valon Behrami (West Ham/England), Gelson Fernandes (St Etienne/France), Benjamin Huggel (FC Basel), Marco Padalino (Sampdoria/Italy), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany), Goklan Inler (Udinese/Italy).

Forward: Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen/Germany), Alexander Frei (FC Basel), Blaise Nkufo (Twente/Holland), Hakan Yakin (FC Luzern), Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel), Marco Streller (FC Basel).

HONDURAS

Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Ricardo Canales (Motagua)

Defense: Sergio Mendoza (Motagua), Emilio Izaguirre (Motagua), Mauricio Sabillon (Hangzhou Greentown/China), Osman Chavez (Platense), Johnny Palacios (Olimpia), Boniek Garcia (Olimpia), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan/England), Victor Bernardez (Anderlecht/Belgium)

Midfield: Danilo Turcios (Olimpia), Ramon Nunez (Olimpia), Hendry Thomas (Wigan/England), Edgard Alvarez (Bari/Italy), Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards/USA), Amado Guevara (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham/England), Julio Cesar de Leon (Torino/Italy)

Forward: Walter Martinez (Marathon), Georgie Welcome (Motagua), Carlos Pavon (Real Espana), David Suazo (Genoa/Italy)

CHILE

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad/Spain), Miguel Pinto (Universidad de Chile), Luis Marin (Union Espanola).

Defense: Waldo Ponce (Universidad Católica), Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich/England), Gary Medel (Boca Juniors/Argentina), Mauricio Isla (Udinese/Italy), Pablo Contreras (PAOK Salonika/Greece), Ismael Fuentes (Universidad Católica).

Midfield: Marco Estrada (Universidad de Chile), Manuel Iturra (Universidad de Chile), Roberto Cereceda (Colo Colo), Rodrigo Millar (Colo Colo), Jose Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Arturo Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen/Germany), Carlos Carmona (Reggina/Italy), Jorge Valdivia (Al Ain/Emirados Árabes Unidos), Matias Fernandez (Sporting/Portugal), Jean Beausejour (Club America/Mexico), Pedro Morales (Dinamo Zagreb/Croatia), Gonzalo Fierro (Flamengo/Brazil), Charles Aranguiz (Colo Colo), Jaime Valdes (Atalanta/Italy), Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas/Turkey).

Forward: Humberto Suazo (Zaragoza/Spain), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Hector Mancilla (Toluca/Mexico), Alexis Sanchez (Udinese/Italy), Fabian Orellana (Xerez/Spain), Mark Gonzalez (CSKA Moscou/Russia).

What can happen after this first stage?

In the 2006 World Cup, six of the eight seeds finished first in the groups stage. The two seeds which failed were Mexico (outdone by Portugal) and France (who couldn’t beat South Korea and were outperformed by Switzerland). So, it’s quite a good assumption that most seed countries finish first in their groups.

Let’s make the assumption that France will finish first in group A (the seed of his group is South Africa, but just because they are the host country – France is clearly superior; in 2006, the host which became seed was Germany, which clearly deserved it), and all other seeds finish first in the other groups.

So, the leaders of the groups stage would be, from 1A to 1H: France, Argentina, England, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Brazil and Spain.

If this happens, and given the match schedule above, in the round of 16 Brazil would play against the 2nd of group H, probably Switzerland or Chile.

If all the seeds get past this round of 16, we would have the following matches in the quarter-finals: France x England, Netherlands x Brazil, Argentina x Germany, Italy x Spain.

If Brazil wins Netherlands, then the next match would be against France or England in the semi-final, and the final match would be Brazil against Argentina, Germany, Italy or Spain.

However, Brazil is said to be in the Group of Death, which means that there are plausible chances that we finish 2nd in the group. If that happens, the situation changes completely.

Brazil and Spain, the two main favorites to win the World Cup, would face each other very early in the tournament, right after the group stage (one of these teams would go home three rounds before the final). If Brazil wins, then next would probably be Italy in the quarter-finals, Argentina or Germany in the semi-finals and the final would be against France, England, Netherlands or Portugal.

The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final matches comprise a total of 13 matches, which will sure be very thrilling.

How does this winning relate to the chances of Argentina? Let’s take a look at past editions of the World Cup to try to find a correlation.

In 1993, FIFA player of the year was Italian Roberto Baggio. Baggio was certainly the most important player of the Italian team which finished runner-up in the 1994 World Cup.

In 1997, best player was Ronaldo (still active, but won’t be in the Brazil team 2010). In 1998, Ronaldo was the star of the Brazilian team, but had just average performance, and suffered an until today unexplained breakdown right before the final match, against France.

In 2001, best player was Portuguese Luís Figo. Much thanks to Figo, Portugal was one of the favorites to win the Cup 2002. However, Portugal was probably the greatest failure, finishing the event in 21st.

In 2005, best player was Ronaldinho (another one who won’t go to South Africa). Brazil was the absolute favorite to win in 2006. Ronaldinho and the entire team under performed, and Brazil lost.

So, there is not much correlation between a country having the best player in the World and winning the World Cup. Add to this that Messi hasn’t been showing in the Argentina team the same excellent performance he has in Barcelona (newspapers from Argentina wonders why doesn’t Messi perform in the national team?).

Now, another comparison can be made. In 1982, Argentina had hopes in a young player, Maradona, who failed; in 1986, the same Maradona, practically alone, led Argentina to the championship. In 2006, Argentina had hopes in a young player, Messi, who failed; Messi in 2010 aspires to become a new Maradona.

The movie below compares goals by Messi and Maradona.

Now that the Qualifying is over and all countries to participate in World Cup 2010 are defined, it’s time to start talk about bettings, odds, and favorites to win the World Cup.

FIFA just announced the ranking of the best countries in the year so far. Do betters agree with FIFA?

The table below shows who are favourites, according to betters of Ladbrokes, the most traditional betting house in England (table is online today, November 23rd; bets are accepted till December 4th).

According to them, Spain is the main favorite to win the World Cup, with odds of 4:1 (betters make US$ 4 for each US$ 1 they bet). Brazil is second, with slightly higher odds of 9:2 (or 4.5:1). Other relevant candidates to winning are, in order: England, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Holland, Portugal and France. Countries with the highest odds (not shown in the table above) are North Korea (350:1), Honduras and New Zealand (both with 500:1).

Below, the current betting odds at William Hill, one of the major houses in the United States. Among the top ten favorites, the only difference between Americans and British betters is at 8th and 9th position, where France and Portugal switch positions.

Below, the odds at Sports Betting, another major American house; also, no change among the top favorites:

A few remarks about these odds: all but one ex-champions are among the favorites (the only exception is Uruguay); Spain, the top favorite so far (Spain is also favorite according to other parties, such as Goal and Eurosport), is top of the FIFA rankings, current European champion, and qualified to the Cup winning ten out of ten matches (in a group which included also Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Estonia and Armenia); Brazil, as usual, is among the top favorites (not surprisingly, as Brazil finished first in the Qualifying, with three rounds in advance); Argentina had a very difficult time to secure a slot in the Cup, but also, as usual, ranks among the favorites.

How accurate are these odds? In 2006, the absolute favorite was Brazil, but the team failed long before the finals; the same happened in 2002, when France was favorite, and in 1998, when Argentina was favorite.

The History of World Cups show that not always the favorite wins, and one of the “usual suspects” take the title.

The following countries will play the finals of the World Cup 2010:

South Africa: host country, only pre-qualified country (until 1994 2002 – rectified, thanks to the commenter who pointed the mistake – the previous winner was also qualified  - France, winner of 1998, was the last one to benefit from this).

From Africa: Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon.

From Asia/Oceania: Japan, Australia, North Korea, South Korea, New Zealand.

From North and Central America: Honduras, USA and Mexico.

From Europe: Netherlands, Spain, England, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Serbia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Portugal, Slovenia, Greece, France.

From South America: Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.

In World Cup finals, Brazil has already played against: Cameroon (1994), Algeria (1978), Japan (2006), New Zealand (1982), Australia (2006), USA (1994), Netherlands (1974, 1994, 1998), Spain (1934, 1950, 1978, 1986), England (1958, 1970, 2002), Italy (1938, 1970, 1978, 1982, 1994), Germany (1974, 2002), Switzerland (1950), Denmark (1998), Portugal (1966), France (1958, 1986, 1998, 2006), Mexico (1950, 1954, 1962), Chile (1962, 1998), Argentina (1974, 1978, 1982, 1990)  and Uruguay (1950, 1970).

Brazil also played against Yugoslavia (1930, 1950, 1954, 1974) and the Czech Republic (1938, 1962 and 1970), which later would  split and give origin to Serbia, Slovenia and Slovakia. Considering also these split-ups, none of the countries is making a first appearance in the World Cups finals.

All previous World Champions will be in South Africa. Also, all major football countries will be there, (see this comparison between countries in the Cup versus FIFA rankings).

The 32 teams will be divided into eight groups; the draw will occur on December 4th 2009. The draw will be conducted in such a way that all groups will have stronger, strong, weak and weaker countries (as per FIFA judgment).

After the draw, this blog will recall past performances of Brazil against their first three adversaries.

Brazil finished the Qualifying in first place (with 34 points), followed by Chile, Paraguay and Argentina (see full table here); these four countries are qualified for the 2010 World Cup. Uruguay, who finished fifth, will face a play-off against Costa Rica, the winner also being qualified to the Cup.

Brazil played the last match against Venezuela, in Campo Grande, in a 0 x 0 draw. Brazil had already secured presence in the Cup by beating Argentina a few weeks ago. Coach Dunga used the two last matches to experiment with new players.

The most dramatic situation was Argentina’s. Los hermanos had to win two tough matches to go to the Cup. First, they faced Peru; at 85 minutes, Peru scored a goal to equalize the score; only with a goal at 92 minutes, with Palermo in off-side position (that the referee overlooked), could Argentina add two extremely valuable points to their tab.

The video below shows Palermo’s goal. Notice that there is a Peruvian player between Palermo and the goal line, but the goal keeper is not there; so, as there is not at least two adversaries between him and the goal, Palermo was off-side.

Thanks to those two extra points, Argentina had one leading point when playing the final match, against Uruguay; Uruguay had to win to qualify. Instead, Argentina won by 1 x 0, much to the relief of coach Maradona.

Does that mean that Brazil is a favorite and Argentina an underdog for the 2010 Cup? Probably not.

Both in1994 and 2002, the Brazilian team left for the Cup without much hope of winning, and ended up being the Champion; on the other hand, Brazil was THE team to beat in 2006, and the campaign was one of the biggest fiascos in Brazilian history.

That’s what the Argentinians are hoping for. In 2002, much like Brazil in 2006, Argentina had a constelation of stellar players, including Verón, Riquelme, Batistuta, Sorin, Ortega, which some (including Time) considered favorite to win the Cup, but didn’t get past the first stage. Argentinians and Brazilians know that, leaving to the Cup with a low profile (and less pressure), there are good chances that the team performs well.

Brazil won easily by 3×1. By request of Maradona, the match happened in Rosario (the same venue where Brazil and Argentina tied a match in the World Cup 1978, which Argentina eventually won), in a stadium smaller than the ones of the capital Buenos Aires; Maradona intented to put more pressure on the Brazilian team, by having the crowd nearer to the Brazilian players.

Brazil qualified to the finals of the World Cup with three rounds yet to go; this is the best performance of the Brazilian team in more than twenty years. Argentina will have to struggle hard and win their three remaining matches, to secure a place in South Africa.

The Brazilian team:Júlio César; Maicon, Luisão, Lúcio and André Santos; Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Elano (Daniel Alves) and Kaká; Robinho (Ramires) and Luís Fabiano (Adriano).
Coach: Dunga.

The early qualification should provide for a tranquil preparation until the World Cup. Besides this good campaign in the Qualifiers, the Brazilian team under the command of Dunga won the Confederations Cup last June and had won the America Cup in 2007. So far, so good.