Group E – Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon

Netherlands

Mexico may be known as underachievers in the World Cup, but the Netherlands are historic for their ineptitude.  Despite having a strong domestic league and players who experience success throughout Europe, the Dutch have only claimed one major title (Euro 1988).  The Orange are hoping to change things this year with their stacked roster that went won every game during qualifying.  Their last 4 friendlies have resulted in wins and no one doubts their offensive flair.  The only question for the Netherlands is how much they'll miss Edwin van de Sar, their most capped international and greatest goaltender.

Star Power: Arjen Robben, Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder, (Inter Milan), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Maarten Stekelenburg, Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord)

Japan

To say that Japan is limping into the World Cup may be too harsh.  But they've dropped 4 straight friendlies against cup class opponents by a grand total of 9-1.  They've won 3 Asian Cups in the last 18 years.  Yet the only time they're advanced past the round-robin stage in the World Cup was when they were hosts in 2002.  This draw should prove too tough for them.  Although, their match against the Netherlands should prove to be the ultimate demonstration of dynamic offense vs immovable defense.

Star Power: Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg), Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama), Takayuki Morimoto (Catania)

Denmark

The Danes have claimed a Euro championship in 1992, a Confederations Cup in 1995, plus several Olympic medals.  And although this is only their 4th World Cup appearance, they've always made it to the knockout rounds.  They were a surprise winner in a tough qualifying group that included Portugal, Sweden and Hungary.  Yet, like group-mates Japan, Denmark has struggled of late.  Since many Danes play in the Eredivise, it will be interesting to see if their familiarity with the Dutch players gives them an advantage in their match against the Netherlands.

Star Power: Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax)

Cameroon

The draw provided this experienced squad with the best shot and winning a group.  The top seeded Dutch are traditionally paper lions. And although Japan and Denmark are more cohesive units, Cameroon has the more talent-rich side.  They were only the second African country to win a gold medal in Olympic soccer when they claimed the title a decade ago.  The only question for them is whether Samuel Eto'o will have to carry the team and the nation.

Star Power: Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan), Alexandre Song (Arsenal), Jean Makoun (Lyon), Achille Emana (Real Betis), Geremi Njitap (Ankaragucu), Idriss Kameni (Espanyol)

Best Match: Netherlands v Japan  (June 19)

Who's Advancing: Netherlands, Cameroon

Group F – Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

Italy

The defending champs have the experience and the tradition.  They've won 4 World Cups and only once failed to qualify for the tournament.  The Azzuri are hoping the form they showed during qualification can be regained, as their recent efforts have been second-best.  With champion coach Marcelo Lippi at the helm, it should just a matter of execution for one of the oldest teams in the tournament.  The group stage should be a formality, the question is whether this veteran squad will have any gas in the tank for a tough 2nd round and beyond.

Star Power: Andre Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Gianluigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Fabio Cannavaro (Al-Ahli), Daniel De Rossi (Roma), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)

Paraguay

In a close CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, Paraguay finished 3rd behind Brazil and Chile.  Sadly their strongest striker Salavador Cabanas will miss the World Cup after being shot in the head.  Without him the Guaranies have remained in decent shape, coming away with 2 wins and 2 draw in their last 5 warmups.  As long as the team can remain strong after a tough opener against Italy, Paraguay has the talent to do damage in the knockout rounds.

Star Power: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Oscar Cardoza (Benifica), Justo Vilar (Valladolid), Christian Riveros (Sunderland just transferred fro Cruz Azul)

New Zealand

This will be the 2nd World Cup for New Zealand and they'll be hoping to gain their first point in this competition.  Not much is expected from the Kiwis.  Their qualifying group consisted of Fiji, New Caledonia and a knockout tie with Bahrain.  Other than a fluke win against Serbia, their last 5 friendlies have all been losses.  It could have been a worse draw for New Zealand. Unless they have some tricks hidden up their sleeves they'll become fodder for a goal differential battle.

Star Power: Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Ryan Nelson (Blackburn), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City)

Slovakia

There aren't a lot of name players for this 1st time cup team.  With a lucky draw in Europe, they were able to rise to the top of their qualifying group.  As an added bonus they defeated former countrymen the Czech Republic.  The Czech's had succeeded in World Cup qualification 4 years prior.  Just like Paraguay, Slovakia be hoping that a good result against New Zealand could break any tie and put them through to the next round.

Star Power: Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Robert Vittek (Lille)

Best Match: Paraguay v Italy (June 14)

Who's Advancing: Italy, Paraguay

Group G – Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea

Brazil

Winners of 5 out of 18 World Cups, the Brazilians are often reffered to as the Yankees/Red Wings/Celtics/Steelers of international soccer.  They are a favorite at any tournament, and despite drawing the "group of death", they know they'll remain untouched until the knockouts.  It's been 44 years since the Canariho haven't survived the opening stage.  Even though coach Dunga left some of the best players in the world at home (Ronaldinho, Pato, Marcelo, Adriano), Brazil still has more talent on his bench than most squads have combined.

Star Power: Maicon, Lucio, Julio Cesar (Inter Milan) Daniel Alves (Bacelona), Robinho (Manchester City on loan to Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Kaka (Real Madrid), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Nilmar (Villareal), Grafite (Wolfsburg)

Portugal

Portugal has looked good in their recent warmups.  However the competition they've faced doesn't resemble the likes of Brazil or Ivory Coast.  In the last decade they've experienced some of their greatest performances with a 4th place World Cup finish in 2006, plus a 3rd and 2nd place finish in the Euros (2000 and 2004 respectively).  Superstar, and top 3 world player (in soccer and celebrity dating), Cristiano Ronaldo will be the driving force behind Portugal.  With their other winger Nani ruled out, Ronaldo will be forced to carry the offense.  For a country looking to build on its recent success, surviving the 1st round should be their main focus.

Star Power: Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Bruno Alves, Raul Meireles (Porto), Simao, Tiago (Atletico Madrid)

Ivory Coast

This is the second straight World Cup that the Ivory Coast has drawn the toughest group.  Last time around they were forced to go up against Argentina, Serbia and the Netherlands.  Although they may be the most talented team from the continent of Africa, their fate rests in the hands of a man with a broken arm.  If Didier Drogba cannot play, the Ivory Coast will not survive the group stage. And if he can play... they still may not survive.

Star Power: Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou (Chelsea), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Kolo Toure (Manchester City), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal), Didier Zokara, Romaric (Sevilla)

North Korea

44 years ago, North Korea finished 8th at the World Cup.  They haven't qualified since.  To say that's about all anyone knows about this squad would be an astute observation.  They survived qualification by edging our Saudi Arabia on goal differential. Since March they've played 7 friendlies against decent opponents.  North Korea has lost 4 and drawn 3 of those.

Star Power: ?

Best Match: Portugal v Ivory Coast (June 15)

Who's Advancing: Brazil, Portugal

Group H – Spain, Chile, Honduras, Switzerland

Spain

The defending Euro champs are the most fearsomely talented squad in the World Cup.  Every starter could make a claim at being the best in the world at his position (and most of them would be right).  Everyone knows at this point about Spain's struggles in this tournament.  By only finishing in the top 4 once, they are more tragic than the Dutch (who have 2 finals appearances).  But if one man could guide this talented squad past the ghosts of their failings it's Vincente del Bosque, the coach who twice took Real Madrid to Champions League glory before the Galacticos.

Star Power: Everyone... Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique, Carlos Puyol, Andres Iniesta, David Villa, Xavi, Victor Valdes, Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina (Liverpool), David Silva (Valencia), Jesus Navas (Sevillia), Joan Capdevila (Villareal)

Chile

South America is possibly the toughest qualifying group.  Although usually over half of the teams get into the World Cup, strong teams can slip up due to the level playing field of the competition.  Chile has missed the last 2 cups, but finished 2nd to Brazil in this qualifying.  With an Argentine at the helm, Chile will be looking to do something they've only done twice in 7 attempts, advance to the 2nd round.

Star Power: Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza), Jorge Valdivia (Al-Ain), Matias Fernandez (Sporting), Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas), Pablo Contreras (PAOK)

Honduras

The Hondurans were the last CONCACAF team into the tournament thanks to goal differential.  The draw puts them at the bottom of the group, but luckily no one will be defeating Spain.  As long as Honduras can claim their first ever World Cup victory against Chile or Switzerland, they could be headed into the knockout round.

Star Power: David Suazo (Genoa), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham), Amado Guevara (Motagua)

Switzerland

The Swiss stole a grand opportunity by winning their qualifying group.  It was the weakest in Europe, but nonetheless it got them into their second straight World Cup.  In Germany, in 2006, they survived the group stage.  They have a decent shot of doing that in South Africa, but their recent form has been poor.  German coach Ottmar Hitzfield is a 2-tiem UEFA Champions League winner like his opponent del Bosque, but he'll have his hands full without the talent of del Bosque's Spain.

Star Power: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Alexander Frei (FC Basel), Valon Behrami (West Ham)

Best Match: Chile v Honduras (June 16)