welcome to 2022 qatar world cup champion football

welcome to 2022 qatar world cup champion football asia

is second place from asia host world cup champion, and 2018 in rusia
Foundation year 1960
Affiliated since 1972

Official site
www.qfa.com.qa
info
info@qfa.com.qa

Qatar Football Association
7th Floor, QNOC Building West Bay P.O. Box 5333 DOHA

Phone: +974/4494 4411
Fax: +974/4494 4414

President AL-THANI Shk. Hamad Bin Khalifa
Vice President -
General Secretary AL-MOHANNADI Saoud
Treasurer AL-BOANAIN Ahmed Abdulaziz
Men's Coach METSU Bruno (FRA)
Women's Coach -
Media Officer AL SALAT Ali
Futsal Coordinator AL MANNAI Hamad
Referee Coordinator SAFAR Hani
Jerseys Maroon
Shorts Maroon
Stockings Maroon

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Analysis group H

Latin feel to Group H

Drawn alongside Spain, Chile and Honduras, Switzerland are the odd men out in a Group H with a distinctly Hispanic feel. The favourites to take top spot are unquestionably the European champions although the Spanish cannot afford to be complacent with the ambitious Chileans around. The South Americans will have designs on winning the group themselves, and despite a 12-year spell in the wilderness, Marcelo Bielsa’s troops are being widely tipped to cause a sensation or two. Honduras and Switzerland may have slightly lower profiles but, as everyone knows, there are no pushovers at this level.

The favourites
Spain: The tag of European champions is no guarantee of success, as La Roja know only too well after fluffing their lines at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009. The Spanish were absolutely flawless in reaching South Africa 2010, however, winning all ten of their qualifying matches. And given the fact that they have never lost to any of their three pool rivals, Vicente del Bosque’s men have every reason to be confident about their hopes of progressing.

Chile: Under the tutelage of Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa, the Chileans were the revelations of the ever-demanding South American qualification group, finishing second overall, just a point behind Brazil, and well clear of the continent’s other superpower, Argentina. Humberto Chupete Suazo ended the competition as top scorer and is now aiming to impress the rest of the world with his finishing skills.

The outsiders
Switzerland: Eliminated in the last 16 at Germany 2006, the Helvetians had to work hard on their way to South Africa, topping Greece by one point in a taxing group. German tactician Ottmar Hitzfeld has restored the faith of the Swiss support following the team’s disappointing display on home soil at UEFA EURO 2008. With a posse of exciting youngsters set to burst on to the scene, this could be Switzerland’s time.

Honduras: Catracho fans think the world of Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda after he steered the Central Americans to only their second-ever FIFA World Cup finals appearance. The Hondurans claimed their place after a heart-stopping end to the qualification race, helping the country’s people put their political problems momentarily to one side. The talented Wilson Palacios is just one of the players the fans will be banking on to impress, while veteran Carlos Pavon is intent on ending an exceptional international career in style. Winless at Spain 1982, Honduras have their sights set on putting the record straight.

The players to watch
Xavi (ESP), Andres Iniesta (ESP), David Villa (ESP), Humberto Suazo (CHI), Matias Fernandez (CHI), Alexis Sanchez (CHI), Wilson Palacios (HON), Carlos Pavon (HON), Alexandre Frei (SUI), Blaise Nkufo (SUI), Tranquillo Bernetta (SUI).

The crunch match
Chile-Honduras: This Latin American duel marks the return of both sides to the biggest stage of all and provides them with a chance to see if they can match the expectations their recent exploits have generated.

A look back
Spain 1-1 Honduras, 16 June 1982, Valencia.
Fate has thrown Honduras and Spain together again some 28 years after their first FIFA World Cup finals meeting. Spain 1982 was Los Catrachos’ finals debut and the newcomers almost kicked off with a shock win against the tournament hosts. Hector Zelaya put the Central Americans into the lead after just seven minutes and it was not until well into the second half that Lopez Ufarte pulled the Spanish level from the penalty spot.

Did you know?
Switzerland’s stars of tomorrow won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 last month, the first time that the central European nation has ever lifted a FIFA title. Just a few days after that historic achievement, the Swiss beach soccer team claimed the runners-up spot at Dubai 2009, continuing the country’s amazing run of success. Will coach Hitzfeld turn to the nation’s young heroes when he selects his squad for South Africa 2010?

The stat
0 - The number of times that Spain have lost to their Group H rivals. The Spaniards have recorded 15 wins and three draws against Switzerland, six wins and a draw against Chile and a solitary draw against Honduras.

Have your say
Who will take the spoils in the all-Roja battle between Spain and Chile on June 25? Click on 'Add your comment' to make your opinion known.(fifa.com)

Analysis group G

Three contenders, two tickets

Group G appears the toughest section. Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire and Portugal have all stated their aim is to win the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup™. One of them – or two, if Korea DPR can evoke a colossal shock – will miss out on a place in the Round of 16. Enhancing the section's appeal is the three heavyweights' penchant for flair, which can be taken for granted given that Kaka, Didier Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, will be parading their genius. We can look forward to 540 minutes of engrossing football.

The favouritesBrazil: The record five-time world champions have regained their unique, irresistible groove under Dunga's tutelage. They will head to South Africa as the Copa America and FIFA Confederations Cup holders as well as the top-ranked in South American qualifying. In Julio Cesar, Brazil have one of the game's best goalkeepers; in Kaka, they have one of its best players. With the likes of Maicon, Robinho and Luis Fabiano complementing them, A Seleção will kick off this examining section as the team to beat.

Portugal: Carlos Queiroz's side may have only scraped through to the finals via a play-off victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but the Africa-born coach has copious talent at his disposal. Much of it will come from Cristiano Ronaldo, a player capable of swinging any match. The likely presence in the Portugal squad of Brazil-born players Pepe, Deco and Liedson will be an intriguing subplot to the meeting between A Selecção das Quinas and A Seleção.

The outsidersCôte d'Ivoire: The Ivorians proved themselves a force to be reckoned with at Germany 2006, when they gave Argentina and the Netherlands serious cause for concern in narrow defeats, before returning home on a high following a defeat of Serbia and Montenegro. The Elephants have, indubitably, come on leaps and bounds since. With the likes of Kolo Toure, his brother Yaya, Solomon Kalou and hulking forward Drogba they coasted through to South Africa 2010 without a single defeat and will look to cement their reputation as a formidable side by reaching the knockout phase.

Korea DPR: The Chollima caused a major shock simply by qualifying for South Africa. They will need a significantly bigger one to reach the Round of 16. Belying the odds is not, however, alien to the North Koreans, who pulled off one of the most colossal upsets in FIFA World Cup history by beating Italy 1-0 en route to the quarter-finals in 1966, where they lost 5-3 to Portugal in a thrilling game. Prolific forward Jong Tae-Se appears to be Korea DPR's best hope of stunning the football world once again.

The players to watchKaka (BRA), Luis Fabiano (BRA), Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Liedson (POR), Didier Drogba (CIV), Jong Tae-Se (PRK)

The crunch matchCôte d'Ivoire-Portugal: Brazil will be expected to win Group G. Korea DPR will be the overwhelming favourites to finish bottom. Therefore, the section's opening game, between the Ivorians and the Portuguese at Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, could well determine which of this pair advances and which suffers first-round elimination.

A look backBrazil and Portugal have won one game apiece in their previous two meetings. The Europeans inflicted a first defeat upon Dunga as Seleção coach, winning 2-0 in London in February 2007, before Brazil beat their rivals 6-2 in a November 2008 thriller.

The stat44 – The number of years that will have passed, by the time South Africa 2010 kicks off, since Brazil last failed to progress beyond the first phase. A 3-1 defeat by Portugal in their final group game at England 1966 condemned A Seleção to an early exit.

The questionsDo you consider Group G to be the toughest pool? Which two teams will progress from it? Which players will illuminate it?

Analysis group F

Holders may feel underdogs' bite

At first glance, world champions Italy look to be clear favourites to take top spot in Group F, though the race for second place promises to be wide open with Paraguay and Slovakia the probable contenders. Paraguay have the benefit of previous experience at football’s top table while the Slovakians were impressive in qualifying. As for New Zealand, Ricki Herbert's men have nothing to lose and will be doing their very best to upset the apple cart.

The favouritesItaly: The reigning champions and four-time FIFA World Cup™ winners are heading into their 17th finals campaign. Although their squad has changed since their 2006 triumph in Berlin, I Nazionale still depend on stalwarts such as keeper Gianluigi Buffon and veteran centre-back Fabio Cannavaro, as well as Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso in midfield and Alberto Gilardino in attack. The Italians will be hoping that they can live up to their billing in South Africa and win consecutive world crowns for the second time in their history.

Paraguay: The Albirroja put in their best-ever qualifying performance to secure a fourth consecutive finals berth, collecting ten wins, three draws and five defeats on the road to South Africa. Paraguay, who are currently 30th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings, failed to survive the group stage in 2006, finishing third in behind England and Sweden. The mainstays of Gerardo Martino's side are forwards Salvador Cabanas, Nelson Valdez and Roque Santa Cruz and goalkeeper Justo Villar. They have already crossed paths with Italy once before at the FIFA World Cup finals, slipping to a 2-0 first-round defeat back in 1950.

The outsidersSlovakia: Currently ranked 34th in the world, Slovakia finished as surprise winners of a tricky European qualifying group containing Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland and Northern Ireland. Although they are competing in their first finals as an independent nation, they contested eight previous finals campaigns under the banner of the former Czechoslovakia, runners-up in 1934 and 1962. Vladimir Weiss, who has been at the helm since June 2008, has fashioned a tight unit and relies on seasoned stars such as attacking midfielder Marek Mintal and centre-forward Robert Vittek. The vast majority of the squad ply their trade on foreign soil, particularly in the Bundesliga.

New Zealand: The All Whites may have breezed through the Oceania qualifying competition but they will be regarded as the minnows of this tournament. To book their first finals appearance since 1982, they showed commendable mettle in a two-legged play-off against Bahrain, drawing 0-0 away and edging the return 1-0. A disciplined unit with a direct, physical game, New Zealand can go the distance against any side, as Italy found out when scraping a 4-3 friendly victory over the Kiwis earlier this year.

The players to watchGianluigi Buffon (ITA), Fabio Cannavaro (ITA), Gennaro Gattuso (ITA), Andrea Pirlo (ITA), Robert Vitteck (SVK), Justo Villar (PAR), Salvador Cabanas (PAR), Ryan Nelsen (NZL)

The crunch matchItaly-Paraguay: The two group favourites will be staking an early claim for top spot when they go head-to-head in their opening match. Nevertheless, Slovakia will have the chance to put pressure on the losers if they can hit the ground running against New Zealand.

A look backItaly-Czechoslovakia, 10 June 1934: In Rome, Italy captured their first FIFA World Cup by battling to a 2-1 extra-time victory over a tenacious Czechoslovakia team. Although the eastern Europeans had opened the scoring late on through prolific winger Antonin Puc, two Azzurri stars of that era, Raimundo Orsi and Angelo Schiavio, struck back to seal victory for I Nazionale.

Did you know?Affiliated to FIFA since 1994, Slovakia played their first official match on 20 April 1994, winning 4-1 against Croatia. The first Slovak Republic (1939-45) also achieved victory in their debut match, beating Germany 2-0 on 27 August 1939.

The stat44 – Italy have won 44 matches at the FIFA World Cup finals, recording 19 draws and just 14 defeats in addition. They have scored 122 goals and conceded 69.

The questionDo Paraguay and Slovakia have what it takes to trouble Italy? And can New Zealand claim a first FIFA World Cup point? FROM FIFA.COM

Analysis group E

Dutch face contrasting challenges

Group E promises to be one of the tightest in the tournament, bringing together European duo Denmark and the Netherlands, Asian contenders Japan, the first country to book their ticket to South Africa 2010, and an African team returning to their competitive best in Cameroon.

Flawless during the qualifiers and allying sturdiness with their traditional stylish play, the Oranje lie third in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking and are suitably ambitious. However, Denmark, Cameroon and Japan are all dangerous opponents boasting plenty of major finals knowhow.

No African team boast more FIFA World Cup™ experience than the Indomitable Lions, and coach Paul Le Guen has turned the side’s fortunes around as they gear up for their sixth appearance on the global stage. Samuel Eto’o and Co have rediscovered their confidence and love nothing better than testing themselves in high-profile events. As for Morten Olsen’s Denmark, the Nordic aspirants reached at least as far as the Round of 16 on each of their three previous tilts in 1986, 1998 and 2002, while Japan will travel to South Africa on the back of a solid qualifying campaign.

The favourites
Netherlands: Eight games, eight wins was the tally achieved by Bert van Marwijk’s troops in Group 9 of the European Zone, the former Feyenoord coach having yet to drop a point in a competitive match. Difficult to break down at the back and blessed with enviable attacking talents, the Dutch have made no secret of ther intention to return home with the Trophy. “We have a mission: to be champions of the world,” assistant coach Frank de Boer told FIFA.com, and the team are unlikely to be haunted by their failed campaign in 2006 or the disappointment of their UEFA EURO 2008 bid. The core of the line-up has changed and so have the methods behind the scenes, but the philosophy remains familiar.

Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions have played more games and notched up more points than any other African side at a FIFA World Cup finals. Le Guen looks to have all the right tools to do that proud tradition justice, with deadly marksman Eto'o the focal point of a team also featuring the likes of Jean II Makoun, Achille Emana and Alexandre Song. Their strong finish in qualifying served as a timely reminder that Cameroon remain a powerhouse of the African continent.

The outsiders
Denmark: With the wily Olsen at the helm, Denmark have worked their way back to world football’s top table. Absent in 2006 before missing out on UEFA EURO 2008 as well, they sewed up their fourth finals participation with surprising ease, finishing first in a section that also contained Portugal and Sweden. Jon Dahl Tomasson and his colleagues have been reaping the benefits of stability, not to mention the experience gained by key players in some of Europe’s leading leagues.

Japan: Back in the Japan dugout after leading the side at France 1998, Takeshi Okada had to rebuild the side and bring through a new generation of players. Through to the main event for the fourth time, the Samurai Blue travel as winners of three of the last five editions of the AFC Asian Cup, and they proved in qualifying that they can harbour serious hopes of progression to the Round of 16. Eliminated after the group stage in 2006, Japan will look to two players tasting success in Europe to improve on that showing in South Africa: Shunsuke Nakamura and youngster Keisuke Honda.

The players to watch
Arjen Robben (NED), Dirk Kuyt (NED), Nicklas Bendtner (DEN), Jon Dahl Tomasson (DEN), Shunsuke Nakamura (JPN), Keisuke Honda (JPN), Samuel Eto'o (CMR), Jean II Makoun (CMR), Alexandre Song (CMR)

The crunch match
On 24 June, Cape Town will host the meeting between Cameroon and the Netherlands, a game which already looks set to be crucial on the road to the Round of 16.

A look back
Denmark-Netherlands, 22 June 1992: This semi-final contest at the 1992 UEFA European Championship pitted surprise late entrants Denmark against Marco van Basten and the holders in Gothenburg. The Oranje were heavy favourites to prevail but quickly found themselves struggling and needed Frank Rijkaard’s 86th-minute leveller to take the match into extra time. The scoreline remained locked at 2-2 and the victors had to be decided on penalties, with Denmark keeping their cool to bury every effort and Van Basten failing for the champions. That sent the Scandinavian side through to the showpiece match, where they famously came out on top.

Did you know?Olsen will be celebrating ten years in charge of the national side next summer. None of his 31 counterparts can claim more experience than that, and Frenchman Le Guen only took over the Cameroon job in July this year.

The stat
76 – Between them, the four teams in Group E have contested 76 FIFA World Cup finals matches. The Netherlands have the most impressive pedigree of all thanks to their 36 outings.

The question
Can Le Guen take Cameroon further than the quarter-finals, where they ultimately came unstuck in 1990? Click on 'Add your comment' and tell us what you think.Forom Fifa.com

Analysis group D

Germany face early test of mettle

'Group of death' may be a well-worn tournament standard but it is an epithet that could apply to this section. Germany, who share the record for most FIFA World Cup™ finals with Brazil, will cast a shadow over their rivals' preparations given their tradition of high achievement at this level. Yet the semi-finalists from 2006 were hardly alone in taking the fast lane to South Africa, with Australia, Ghana and Serbia all reigning supreme in their qualifying pools. The first two of those sides also gave eye-catching performances four years ago and are unlikely to stand on ceremony here, while Serbia's talent production has never been in doubt.

The favouritesGermany: Joachim Low's team are not top seeds for nothing. They showed their form in a clinical and unyielding Group 4 qualifying campaign in which the seven-goal Miroslav Klose, Michael Ballack and company accounted for Guus Hiddink’s Russia. Given also their seemingly effortless march to the last UEFA European Championship final, in 2008, you can expect another show of class from the seven-time FIFA World Cup finalists and three-time winners.

Ghana: As the first African team to reach the 2010 finals and their continent's only representative in the knockout rounds of the last FIFA World Cup – when they made an impressive tournament debut – Ghana arguably merit the tag of second favourites in this pool. Coach Milovan Rajevac's Black Stars easily navigated the final round of African qualification, losing a goal and a game only after the job was done. The midfield trio of Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah could make them a match for anyone.

The outsidersSerbia: Radomir Antic's men were last out of the hat in the Group D draw but should not be taken lightly. The White Eagles beat France to pole position in their qualifying section, earning Serbia's maiden FIFA World Cup appearance as an independent entity with a 5-0 thrashing of Romania. Any side boasting the talents of Nemanja Vidic, Dejan Stankovic and Milan Jovanovic deserves respect; add the historical pedigree of a nation with ten previous FIFA World Cup appearances (as Yugoslavia, and Serbia and Montenegro) and you have definite dark-horse material.

Australia: It took the Socceroos 32 years to regain the world stage they had first trod in 1974. But, four summers on from their impressive showing under Hiddink in Germany, the Australians make a quick return to the elite tournament. Now under the tutelage of another canny Dutchman, Pim Verbeek, this pragmatic and strong-willed outfit made smooth progress through their debut Asian qualification competition after the decision to leave the Oceania group. They finished well clear of Japan in the final stage.

The players to watchMiroslav Klose (GER), Tim Cahill (AUS), Matthew Amoah (GHA), Michael Essien (GHA), Milan Jovanovic (SRB), Marko Pantelic (SRB)

The crunch matchGhana-Australia: With Australia starting their campaign against Germany, this match will be central to the hopes of a Socceroos side who, like Ghana, will realistically be targeting second place. It is a game the Black Stars won’t want to lose either, given they finish off against Germany.

A look backAustralia-West Germany, 18 June 1974: Hamburg's Volksparkstadion was the stage when the countries met at the 1974 tournament. It was their second outing of the group stage and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the hosts prevailed by 3-0 against the upstarts from Oceania. Wolfgang Overath, Bernd Cullmann and Gerd Mueller scored for the eventual champions. For Australia, there would be the consolation of a point against Chile in their closing encounter.

The stat4 – Germany have contested four penalty shoot-outs at the FIFA World Cup, winning them all.

Did you know?
Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer may have been born in Sydney but his parents are German and he played for Dynamo Dresden and Kaiserslautern after leaving his home country to try his luck in Europe.

The questionNo European nation has lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy on another continent. Can Germany or Serbia achieve a historic first? Click 'Add your comment' to make your opinion known.from fifa.com

Analysis group c

England hope to avoid US repeat

England go into their 13th FIFA World Cup™ as not just Group C's main attraction but as overwhelming favourites to finish top. Yet they may not have things their own way. The USA have upset England before and they will be hopeful of making progress – the Americans have a depth of quality and experience that puts them in a different league from the college kids who travelled to Italia 90 with the Stars 'n' Stripes two decades ago. Slovenia, making their second FIFA World Cup appearance, and Algeria, their third, complete the section – but will be determined to do much more than make up the numbers.

The favouritesEngland: The Three Lions have never won the FIFA World Cup on foreign soil but travel to South Africa believing the adventure will go beyond the quarter-finals this time. Confidence is high after an impressive qualifying campaign from Fabio Capello's side who finished as 34-goal top scorers in the European Zone, winning nine of ten matches. Wayne Rooney hit nine goals and can have a galvanising effect – indeed, while his World Cup bow four years ago ended with a red card against Portugal the same thing happened to Diego Maradona and look how he responded. Add the Capello factor – the Italian has brought discipline and focus – and England will expect to win this group and prosper.

USA: The United States contest their sixth successive finals and will fancy their chances of advancing from the group stage for the first time since their quarter-final run in 2002. Bob Bradley's team can also take heart from their efforts at the FIFA Confederations Cup on South African soil in 2009 – they stunned Spain in the semi-finals and led Brazil 2-0 in the final before succumbing 3-2. They will hope centre-back Oguchi Onyewu will have recovered from his knee injury in time to join a squad that will again look to Landon Donovan for attacking inspiration in his third FIFA World Cup.

The outsidersAlgeria: The North Africans are back on the world stage after a 24-year absence following their play-off victory over Egypt. Rabah Saadane's side – who had eliminated Senegal in the second African qualifying round – boast top-level European experience in their ranks, including midfielder Karim Ziani at German champions Wolfsburg and pacy left-back Nadir Belhadj at English club Portsmouth. Antar Yahia, the match-winner against Egypt, will face Bochum colleague Zlatko Dedic in an opening match against Slovenia in Polokwane that both countries will consider their best chance of three points.

Slovenia: Matjaz Kek's team were surprise play-off winners over Russia, Dedic's second-leg strike earning them victory on away goals after a 2-1 reverse in Moscow. Their first major tournaments as an independent nation came at UEFA EURO 2000 and Korea/Japan 2002 but their current squad lacks that know-how, though captain Robert Koren needs no introduction to England as he plays his football at West Bromwich Albion. Their main attacking threat is Milivoje Novakovic, based in Germany with FC Cologne, who hit five goals as they finished second behind Slovakia in their qualifying group.

The players to watchWayne Rooney (ENG), Frank Lampard (ENG), Landon Donovan (USA), Tim Howard (USA), Karim Ziani (ALG), Robert Koren (SVN).

The crunch matchEngland-USA: England will aim to stamp their authority on the group in what, on paper, looks their trickiest test in the pool opener in Rustenburg on 12 June. The countries' historical and cultural ties will make it eagerly anticipated on both sides of the Atlantic.

A look backEngland-USA, 29 June 1950: In their first tournament England suffered their biggest upset on the world stage when Joe Gaetjens' first-half goal earned a ragtag American team a 1-0 victory in Belo Horizonte. One newspaper in Britain assumed the 0-1 score had to be wrong and printed that England had won 10-1.

Did you know?Algeria have never met England but held Northern Ireland 1-1 when facing another British team at Mexico 1986.

The stat
10 – England have negotiated the group stage successfully on their last ten FIFA World Cup appearances.

The question
At first glance, England and USA look strong favourites to advance but could Algeria or Slovenia spring a surprise? Both did so in their qualifying play-offs but repeating it in South Africa may prove difficult. Click 'Add your comment' to make your opinion known.from fifa.com

Analysis group B

Group B stirs ghosts of '94

The Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ has pitted two-time winners Argentina against Nigeria, Korea Republic and Greece in Group B. It is a section that stirs memories of the 1994 finals in the United States – and one that appears, on paper at least, to be difficult to predict.

The favouritesArgentina: Despite their inconsistent showing in South American qualifying, the potential of Diego Maradona's squad remains vast given the plethora of world-class talents at his disposal. The greatest challenge for this relatively inexperienced coach will be knitting these proven individuals into a cohesive and reliable unit, something he has been unable to do thus far. That said, La Albiceleste's big names and status as former winners make them favourites to top the section.

Nigeria: Though lacking as many household names as in previous FIFA World Cup outings, coach Shaibu Amodu can call on a balanced squad made up of experienced performers and up-and-coming starlets. Having shown they were made of stern stuff in African Zone qualifying, when snatching a berth from Tunisia's hands in the final round of matches, the Super Eagles will feel confident of competing for a last-16 berth, the furthest they have gone at a finals to date.

The outsidersKorea Republic: Under the steady guidance of coach Huh Jung-Moo, the South Koreans were less than imperious during the qualifying phase, though they did end up topping their group in the final round. Clinching a ticket to South Africa means they will become the Asian team with most appearances at the global showpiece, though doubts remain over their ability to transfer their regional dominance on to the biggest stage of all. With their experience and all-action style they could make a serious challenge for a top-two place, though a repeat of their run to the 2002 semi-finals would appear beyond them.

Greece: The archetypal 'hard nut to crack' under Otto Rehhagel, the 2004 European champions return to world football’s top table for the first time since their debut in 1994. Solid at the back and clinical up front, King Otto's well-drilled charges will be determined to avoid a repeat of that American adventure, which brought three straight defeats. What is more, confidence should be high in the Greek camp after they edged out 2006 quarter-finalists Ukraine in the European Zone play-offs.

The players to watchLionel Messi (ARG), Javier Mascherano (ARG), Carlos Tevez (ARG), Juan Veron (ARG), Park Ji-Sung (KOR), Park Chu-Young (KOR), Obafemi Martins (NIG), Aiyegbeni Yakubu (NIG), Georgios Karagounis (GRE) and Theofanis Gekas (GRE).

The crunch matchArgentina-Nigeria: Both these big-name sides only clinched their tickets to South Africa with wins in their final qualifiers and their meeting in Group B's opening encounter could well shape their respective fates. History is currently on the side of the Argentinians, who won both previous group meetings between the two nations at FIFA World Cup finals: 2-1 at USA 1994 and 1-0 at Korea/Japan 2002.

A look backGreece-Nigeria, 30 June 1994In the countries' final Group D match at USA '94, goals from Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi earned Nigeria a 2-0 win over Greece, sealing top spot in the section ahead of Bulgaria and Argentina. The Super Eagles went on to push eventual finalists Italy all the way in the Round of 16, going down to a 2-1 defeat after extra time. Greece, for their part, headed for home after failing to score a single goal in their three games.

Did you know?Maradona will make his FIFA World Cup coaching bow against Nigeria, the same team he faced in his last finals appearance as a player at USA '94. It that same campaign on American soil he registered his eighth and final FIFA World Cup goal and his last in an Albiceleste shirt, in the 4-0 win over Greece. He was subsequently sent home from the tournament after failing a drugs test. El Diez will also have fond memories of playing against Korea Republic, who were beaten 3-1 in Argentina’s opening match of their triumphant 1986 campaign.

The stat25 - The combined number of FIFA World Cups that the four teams drawn in Group B have taken part in. Argentina lead the way with 14, followed by Korea Republic with seven, Nigeria with three and Greece with one.

The questionHe was a FIFA World Cup hero for Argentina as a player but how will Maradona fare as a coach on football's greatest stage?(from fifa.com)

Analysis group A

No easy pickings for Bafana Bafana

Though most neutrals will hope to see South Africa go far in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Bafana Bafana may be hard-pressed to escape from a Group A filled with experienced campaigners. The hosts will open the tournament against Mexico and then have to go through two-time champions Uruguay as well as 2006 runners-up France to keep local supporters happy and make the second round. Les Bleus, who won the competition on home soil in 1998, appear to be group favourites, but Raymond Domenech’s side only reached the finals through the European play-offs, squeaking past the Republic of Ireland. Uruguay also qualified via a play-off, a transcontinental affair against Costa Rica, while Mexico finished second in CONCACAF behind USA. For South Africa, the lowest-ranked African team at the time of the draw, the road will be rough, yet with experienced boss Carlos Alberto Parreira back in charge, there is cause for optimism that the side can continue the record of every FIFA World Cup host getting at least to the second round.

The favourites
France: An up-and-down qualifying campaign saw the French lose out in their group to Serbia by a point. Their away form was poor, from going down 3-1 to Austria in their first match to drawing at Romania and Serbia. They also struggled to get past Ireland in the play-off, with only William Gallas’s extra-time goal avoiding penalties or worse. However, nobody will underestimate a side that has veteran, emerging and world-class talent through the spine of the team.

Mexico: 2010 will be El Tri’s fifth successive finals appearance and they exited each of the last four events in the second round. Opening the tournament against the hosts will be no small task, but a budding crop of youngsters such as Giovani dos Santos and Carlos Vela may give the side enough pep to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986. Mexico, who were a seeded team at Germany 2006, went out to Argentina in the second round yet only after Maxi Rodriguez’s extra time Goal of the Tournament.

The outsiders
South Africa: It has been a tumultuous few years for South Africa, but a creditable performance at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the prelude to this summer, has set expectations high going into Group A. Their semi-final loss to Brazil in that event, and subsequent single-goal, extra-time defeat by Spain in the third-place match, show that the hosts can compete at the highest level. And though they have fallen at the group stage in their two FIFA World Cup appearances, they have lost just two of their six finals matches. All eyes will be on dynamic England-based midfielder Steven Pienaar to create chances.

Uruguay: Having advanced to the finals for a third time via the play-offs, Uruguay will be contesting their 11th FIFA World Cup. Yet while the Celeste have one of the richest histories in world football, coach Oscar Tabarez has built a relatively young side that relies on a core group of players. Tabarez has been at the Uruguay helm before at a FIFA World Cup, having led the team in 1990 when they succumbed to hosts Italy in the second round.

The players to watch
Steven Pienaar (RSA), Aaron Mokoena (RSA), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (MEX), Rafael Márquez (MEX), Giovanni dos Santos (MEX), Thierry Henry (FRA), Nicolas Anelka (FRA), William Gallas (FRA), Diego Lugano (URU), Diego Forlán (URU)

The crunch match
Mexico-Uruguay: Come their final group match, Mexico and Uruguay may be fighting for a spot alongside France in the second round, as they face off at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium on 22 June. The pair last met when Mexico beat Uruguay to finish third in the Copa América in 2007.

A look back
France-South Africa, 12 June 1998: France opened their second FIFA World Cup as hosts against tournament debutants South Africa in Marseille. With both sides having points to prove, the night belonged to Les Bleus who registered a momentum-setting 3-0 victory en route to lifting the trophy.

Did you know?
Mexico’s Javier Aguirre also coached Mexico at the 2002 finals where they lost in the second round to USA. The former Mexican international midfielder took over midstream in the qualifying campaign, in April 2009, from Sven-Göran Eriksson. He had also come to the rescue after poor results in 2001.

The stat
5 – Carlos Alberto Parreira will equal Bora Milutinovic's record of coaching five different teams to FIFA World Cups when he leads out the hosts. Parreira, who won the event with his native Brazil in 1994, has also managed Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in the finals.

There is also a curious historical slant to Group A which will interest the hosts. Back in 1966, when England staged the finals, Alf Ramsey's team were joined in Group 1 by Mexico, Uruguay and France.

The question
Can South Africa overcome the odds and survive Group A? Click ‘Add your comment' to make your opinion known. (fifa.com)