Group A
South Africa
World Ranking
83
Squad
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Moeneeb Josephs, Shu-Aib Walters
Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa, Matthew Booth, Lucas Thwala, Aaron Mokoena, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni, Tsepo Masilela, Anele Ngcongca, Lucas Thwala
Midfielders: Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Thanduyise Khuboni, Kagisho Dikgaco, Macbeth Sibaya, Surprise Moriri
Forwards: Katlego Mphela, Bernard Parker, Siyabonga Nomvete.
Fixtures
11/06/2010 vs Mexico 1500 BST
16/06/2010 vs Uruguay 1930 BST
22/06/2010 vs France 1500 BST
Verdict
Obviously the biggest thing South Africa have going for them is the home advantage and those horrific vuvuzela's. Throughout this Premiership season Steven Pienaar has proven himself to be a top class midfielder. Looking at the squad the biggest weakness for South Africa could well be scoring goals and also home advantage could build immense pressure on the team. In my opinion despite home advantage I see South Africa struggling in this tournament and wouldn't be surprised to see them come bottom of their group.
Mexico
World Ranking
17
Squad
Goalkeepers: Memo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Chivas), Oscar Perez (Chiapas)
Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmmar), Francisco Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM)
Midfielders: Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna)
Forwards: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista (Guadalajara), Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Javier Hernandez (Guadalajara), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray), Guillermo Franco (West Ham), Carlos Vela (Arsenal).
Fixtures
11/06/2010 vs South Africa 1500 BST
17/06/2010 vs France 1930 BST
22/06/2010 vs Uruguay 1500 BST
Verdict
The biggest strength for the Mexicans could be the young nimble attacking players like Guardado and Vela. Rafael Marquez marshalls an experienced backline. On the evidence of the recent friendly against England, a lack of height throughout the team could cause problems defensively particularly from set pieces. I think Mexico will certainly challenge to go through to the second round but may just come up a little short.
Uruguay
World Ranking
16
Squad
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan-Guillermo Castillo (Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)
Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica)
Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli), Egidio Arevalo-Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Diego Perez (Monaco), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax)
Forwards: Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield), Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo).
Fixtures
11/06/2010 vs France 1930 BST
16/06/2010 vs South Africa 1930 BST
22/06/2010 vs Mexico 1500 BST
Verdict
Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan could form one of the most potent strikeforces in the tournament. Both have been in impressive form throughout this season. The biggest problem for the Uruguayans could be a lack of creativity from midfield, however I believe they just about have enough to edge out the Mexicans to qualify for the second round.
France
World Ranking
9
Squad
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)
Defenders: William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Eric Abidal (Barcelona/ESP), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), Gael Clichy (Arsenal/ENG), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla/ESP)
Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ENG), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)
Strikers: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea/ENG), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos/GRE), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (Barcelona/ESP), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)
Fixtures
11/06/2010 vs Uruguay 1930 BST
17/06/2010 vs Mexico 1930 BST
22/06/2010 vs South Africa 1500 BST
Verdict
Throughout the squad the French have a lot of top quality players, but can they gel together as a team like the 1998 team did. Franck Ribery will have a lot of pressure on him to perform but off the field issues could distract him. The French form in recent weeks has been very poor, however I expect them to come through the group stages. Although having a coach who is arguably worse than Steve McLaren, was for England, anything can happen.