Group A - South Africa, France, Mexico, Uruguay

South Africa

The host's group may be the most evenly balanced of the tournament. France, Mexico and Uruguay may be stronger sides, but South Africa will have the home-field advantage to boost their squad.  Since the first round of the World Cup has been a group stage, every host country has advanced to the second round.  Premier League veterans Stephen Pienaar (Everton) and Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth) will not want South Africa to become the exception to the rule.  However the hosts must overcome star-studded squads and the lack of their all-time scorer, Benni McCarthy, in order to survive the round-robin. 

Star Power: Stephen Pienaar, Bernard Parker (FC Twente)

France

It may have taken a slight of hand trick for France to advance to the World Cup, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve to be there.  Despite recently failings against weak competition (China & Tunisia), they still are the most talented side in Group A.  Les Bleus are an All-Europe squad that managed to lose only 1 match in qualifying, and defeated their group champion Serbia 2-1.  They finished 2^nd in the last World Cup and won the title in '98.  

Star Power: Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Eric Abidal,  Theirry Henry (Barcelona), Patrick Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas, Barcary Sagna (Arsenal), Hugo Lloris, Jeremy Toulahan (Lyon), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda (Chelsea)

Mexico

Mexico are historic underachievers in the World Cup, they've never made it past the quarterfinals.  It may be due to the fact that many of their players have little experience outside the Mexican Primera Division. Or perhaps it's part of a North American curse caused by the U.S. Finishing 3^rd in 1930 (seriously, can't even make that up).  Mexico struggled at the beginning of qualification, but new coach Javier Aguirre righted the ship and guided them to their 5th straight cup appearance.  In 6 out their last 7 World Cups El Tri has survived the group stage, and twice, when they were hosts, advanced to the quarterfinals.

Star Power: Gerardo Terrado (Cruz Azul), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Carlos Salcido (PSV), Carlos Vela (Arsenal)

Uruguay

The hosts and champions of the inaugural World Cup have claimed more titles (2) than the rest of this group combined.  But they haven't finished in the top 4 since 1970.  Like Mexico they struggled in qualifying. And like France they were forced to play a final knockout match to secure a birth in this tournament.  Also similar to France, the Uruguayan players mostly perform at clubs outside their national league. While traditionally a physical squad that draws significant fouls and cards, Uruguay features two young strikers who could add the offense it needs to advance.

Star Power: Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Luis Suarez (Ajax), Jorge Fucile (FC Porto), Edinson Cavani (Palermo)

Best Match: Uruguay v Mexico (June 22) 

Who's Advancing: France, Uruguay

Group B – South Korea, Greece,  Nigeria, Argentina

South Korea

South Korea can play defense.  In qualifying they averaged a half a goal a game surrendered.  In their last 6 friendlies they've averaged the same.  Recently they've defeated Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Japan (twice). Less than two weeks ago they held Spain to 1 goal.  Yet, they've only reached the second round once in 7 World Cup opportunities.  That was 8 years ago when they finished 4^th as the host nation. 

Star Power: Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United), Park Chu-Young (Monaco), Lee-Chung-Yong (Bolton),  Kim Nam-Il (Tom Tomsk)

Greece

After placing second in their UEFA group thanks to ten goals from Theofanis Gekas, the Greeks relied on a swarming defense to hold Ukraine scoreless during their final qualifying round.  The last 16 years have seen the greatest success in Greece's international soccer history.  Their first World Cup in 1994, a Euro championship in 2004 and this, the nation's second World Cup ever.  Although they are ranked 13^th in the world by FIFA, they seem to be over matched by this underwhelming group.

Star Power: Theofanis Gekas (Eintracht Frankfurt), Georgios Samaras (Celtic), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Liverpool)

Nigeria

Another defensive side that allowed only 5 goals in 12 games of qualifying.  However, the Super Eagles have a little more flair in attack and tallied 20 goals in those 12 qualifiers, plus 9 in their last 4 friendlies leading up to the cup.  Like many of their continental counterparts, excluding South Africa, Nigeria's roster is stocked with talent from European club teams.  That experience should be an advantage in what will be a very close battle for the second advancement spot.

Star Power: Yakubu, Joseph Yobo (Everton), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg)

Argentina

In a group that specializes in defense, Argentina is the odd man out.  In fact they are the wild card for the entire tournament.  They feature five of the best forwards in the World Cup: Messi, Milito, Tevez, Aguero and Higuain.  But there are serious issues on defense.  By leaving Esteban Cambiasso, Fabricio Coloccini and Javier Zanetti at home, Diego Maradona may have made a severe tactical mistake.  Argentina has the talent to win and the potential to flop in the first round.  Regardless, you will be hearing a lot about Mr. Maradona and his "coaching".

Star Power: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Diego Milito, Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez, Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)

Best Match: Nigeria v South Korea  (June 22)

Who's Advancing: Argentina, South Korea

Group C – England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia 

England

One way to judge the caliber of a national team is to examine where its players perform during the club season.  If many play in leagues better than their domestic, it could be a high-caliber squad.  And although the entirety of their roster remains home during club seasons, the English Premier League  is currently the top division in the world.  Does that fact make England the top team in the World Cup?  Possibly.  Regardless they are a squad to be feared.  Italian coach Fabio Capello has won club titles in Spain and Italy, plus a UEFA Champions League title.  But no manager has ever won a World Cup without representing his home country.

Star Power: Frank Lampard, John Terry, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Gareth Barry (Manchester City)

United States

There was a time when the United States only fielded amateur players.  There was also a time when the United States didn't qualify for the World Cup (1954-1986).  But in the last two decades things have changed for America.  They have a domestic league that's not broke, many of their players play professionally overseas, and they've finished second in a major international competition (2009 Confederations Cup) .  The United States dominated in CONCACAF qualifying, this World Cup could be the defining moment in soccer's rise in America.

Star Power: Tim Howard (Everton), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jozy Altidore (Villareal)

Algeria

Algeria is known as the roughest African team on the pitch.  Luckily for the United States, who's just looking to survive the 1st round, they play Algeria last.  However prospective champion England will need to watch their backs against this hard-hitting side.  More than likely Algeria will struggle in what's only their 3rd World Cup.  They've dropped 4 of their last 5 friendlies against cup caliber competition.

Star Power: Madjid Bougherra (Rangers), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach)

Slovenia

Slovenia clinched a surprise invitation to their 2nd World Cup when they defeated Russia on away goals.  They were a defensive juggernaut in qualifying, surrendering only 4 goals in 10 games.  However, their group was fairly weak and their recent friendly victories have come against suspect opponents.  Though Slovenia has only participated in FIFA competitions since 1996, they've never survived the 1st round in a major tournament.

Star Power: Milivoje Novakovic (Koln), Samir Handanovic (Udinese)

Best Match: England v United States (June 12)

Who's Advancing: England, United States

Group D – Serbia, Ghana, Germany, Australia

Serbia

The White Eagles dominated a tough group on their way to the World Cup.  While besting the likes of France, Austria and Romania they allowed only 8 goals in 10 games.  Their defense is fearsome and could be the best in the tournament.  Other than a recent fluke against New Zealand, their form has remained dominant.  They are a rising nation on the global soccer scene and this World Cup could be their coming out party.

Star Power: Marko Pantelic (Ajax), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Milan Jovanovic (Liverpool just transferred from Standard Leige)

Ghana

Milovan Rajevac helped manage Ghana to its 2nd straight trip to the World Cup.  He also guided them to the African Cup of Nations final this year.  Unfortunately for the Serbian coach, Ghana's draw will put his career at odds with his home. In 2006 The Black Stars made the most of their first cup experience by winning 2 games in their group and advancing.  This time around the road will be rougher.  Without Chelsea star Michael Essien, Ghana may fall to the bottom of one of the tougher round-robins in South Africa.

Star Power: Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese), Stephen Appiah (Bologna), Derek Boateng (Getafe)

Germany

A power in Europe and the world, Germany will be looking to claim their 4th World Cup title.  Much like England, all of the German players spent last season in their domestic league.  This gives them an advantage in terms of quickly adapting to their teammates' styles (Plus almost half of them play for Bayern Munich). Drawing this tough of a table would discourage many contenders, but more than likely the German's will be motivated since Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng seriously injured their captain Michael Ballack during the FA Cup final in England (funny story, Boateng's brother Jerome plays for Germany).  Additionally the team's first choice goaltender committed suicide last year, and their second choice sustained a serious rib injury.  Despite the setbacks, Germany is skilled enough to run away with this group and possibly the World Cup.

Star Power: Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Koln), Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen)

Australia

Surprisingly the Socceroos have only participated in 2 prior World Cups, including 2006 when they survived the 1st round.  If they're going to advance passed these brutal opponents, they'll need all the help from Mark Schwarzer they can get.  He's the best goalie in this group and on the short list with Lloris, Iker Casillas, and Julio Cesar, for best of the competition.  But clean-sheets can only get you so far.  Without goals it could be a tough road for Australia, and they lack top-tier forwards.

Star Power: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Tim Cahill (Everton), Brett Emerton (Blackburn), Mark Bresciano (Palermo)

Best Match: Germany v Ghana (June 23)

Who's Advancing:  Germany, Serbia