Group A consists of South Africa, France, Mexico, and Uruguay
This group kicks off the tournament in the Soccer City stadium on the 11th of June when South Africa take on Mexico. Because the host nation is automatically seeded as A1, this group lacks a big name in the seeds so the other teams will look to take advantage of the lack of a giant but underachieving France may feel that they can naturally slot in as the big dog. A mixture of poor form from France and home advantage for the South Africans adds extra uncertainty to this group as all teams are certainly in with a chance of qualifying for the last 16 or even winning this group.
The winner of Group A will then play the runner up of Group B while the runner up of Group A will play the winner of Group B.
France
France are the favourites to win this group but made a hash of qualifying for the finals so wouldn't surprise us if they messed up again. It took a notorious hand ball from Thierry Henry to take France to the finals from a play off against the Republic of Ireland. The laboured qualifying campaign really shouldn't have left them in such position as a play-off bearing in mind the talent of the squad. They finished behind Serbia in their group, casting doubt on the suitability of Raymond Domenech's position as France manager. Nonetheless, France is a team of stars. Frank Ribery, Jeremy Toulalan, William Gallas, Patrice Evra, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka - all huge names in world football who would be welcome in most squads. Such is the wealth of talent in France that Domenech has chosen to leave some massive names sat at home - Real's 35 million Euro man, Benzema, Arsenal's Samir Nasri and veteran midfielder Patrick Viera. This may show the depth of players in contention for a place in the French team but it also highlights the erratic nature of Raymond Domenech who, if France do well, it will most certainly be despite of rather than because of. French fans will have to hope that the energy and occasion of a World Cup can galvanise their team into realising their potential, but they must worry that this has not always been the case - as defending champions they failed to score a goal in the 2002 World Cup.
Star Players
Thierry Henry will always be a threat along with creative midfielders Frank Ribery and Yoann Gourcuff. on the defensive side France have some hard tackling holding players in Jeremy Toulalan and Alou Diarra infront of the experience William Gallas. Goalkeeper is the only area without some special players.
Manager
Raymond Domenech is generally considered an idiot and lunatic - more well rehearsed in astrology than in tactics. He will leave the most after the world cup to the joy of his nation. He is the thorn in the side of this French team.
UK based players
Barcary Sagna (Arsenal)
William Gallas (Arsenal)
Gael Clichy (Arsenal)
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
South Africa
With a Fifa world ranking of 83 South Africa are statistically the second weakest team at the World Cup and probably the weakest host nation yet but a respectable performance in the confederations cup, losing only 2-0 to Spain and 1-0 to Brazil while finishing ahead of Iraq and New Zealand in their group to reach the semi final. They have an experienced manager in Carlos Alberto Parrierra who managed Brazil to World Cup victory in 1994. Only a handfull of Europe based players are in the squad and they are better described as "recognisable names" rather than big names. South Africa were exempt from world cup qualification so are a little less known in term of tournament form so far but may find an advantage in playing in their home country. There is always an extra motivation and degree of support in playing a tournament at home but South Africa may be able to find additional advantage from it. Johannesburg is situated at an altitude of 5751 ft (Ben Nevis is only 4409 ft high) so while many Europe based players may struggle to adapt, players of local clubs The Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will be at home in these conditions. The atmosphere in South African football stadia is very different, rather than the traditional crown noises of songs, chants and applause, Vuvuzelas dominate the sound with something between a swarm of bees and a disorganised orchestra of Kazoos. Europe based players may find this unsettling but the South Africans will see it as a battle cry. This noise was evident at the 2009 Confederations cup so it will probably reoccur this summer. Watching Invictus will show you how home advantage has surged a team of South African underdogs to victory in the past so it would be understandable should South Africa exceed expectation this summer. I am not saying they will win the tournament, but they may give their group a run for their money. Bafana Bafana, as they call themselves, did however fail to qualify for the African Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Star Players
Everton's Steven Pienaar is the most dangerous player in the South Africa setup and West Ham's Benni McCarthy is their all time leading goal scorer with 35 goals to his name. Mountainous defender Matthew Booth (when you think you hear boos it is usually the crowd chanting his name) and Bernard Parker, who has had a fantastic season at FC TwenteTeko Modise is a talented play maker who is rumoured to be on the radar of a number of European clubs as the tournament nears.
Manager
Carlos Alberto Parriera is an experienced Brazilian with a World Cup medal on his CV, this was however with Brazil, a much greater trove of talent and he has won little with lesser teams.
UK based players
Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth)
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham)
Benni McCarthy (West Ham)
Mexico
Mexico are a side that are always there with some intent but never really threaten to topple the favourites. They may fancy their chances to qualify from this group with a mixture of key veterans and the best of the next generation coming through. Manager Javier Aguirre in in his second spell at the helm of his country's team after a fairly fruitful reign in 2001 and 2002 where he took them to the final of Copa America 2001 and in the 2002 World Cup took them to the last 16 having topped their group ahead of Italy. Since then he has enjoyed relative success at Osasuna and Atletico Madrid, elevating the level of each club but eventually getting sacked at Atlectico. The experienced captain, Rafael Marquez, will be a crucial part of Mexico's defense if they are to achieve anything in South Africa but must keep his head as he played a part in Mexico's demise in 2002 when he was send of for a headbutt on Cobi Jones in a winnable game against the USA.
Star Players
Mexico a lucky enough to enjoy the experience of some veterans who have been playing at a high level for quite some time such as Rafael Marquez of Barcelona and also a new group of young exciting players. The Dos Santos brothers, Giovanni and Jonathan (Giovanni impressed particularly in the recent friendly against England), Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez, who has just been signed by Ferguson ahead of the World Cup because the Man Utd manager feared that after the tournament his price would soar.
Manager
Javier Aguirre is an excellent manager with a strong record. You can expect Mexico to be a difficult side to play.
UK based players
Giovanni Dos Santos (Tottenham - on loan at Galatasaray)
Carlos Vela (Arsenal)
Javier Hernandez (joins Man Utd this summer)
Uruguay
Uruguay's best days are behind them. Since winning the first World Cup in 1930 and again in 1950 they have enjoyed little success but there are some signs of a resurgence. After spending many years in the wilderness, some of the worlds most prolific strikers and some organised defenders. Diego Forlan of "He came from Uruguay, he made the scousers cry" fame has scores 63 goals in his last two seasons at Atletico Madrid and is partnered by Luis Suarez who has scored 74 goals in just 94 appearances for Ajax. They may not be the most glamorous strikers playing in Europe right now but by god they're effective - any team with such a ridiculously prolific front two must be taken seriously. Suarez's young team mate at Ajax, Nicolas Lodiero makes up the creative aspect of midfield while Walter Garango of Napoli and Diego Perez of Monaco protect the back four. Uruaguay have a solid centreback and captain in Diego Lugano. The team is mostly comprised of the bigger players from smaller clubs so combine well to make a solid team of evenly spread talent.
Star Players
I could write about their captain at the back of some reasonable midfielders but the players who managers will be worrying about before they face Uruguay are Forlan and Suarez, there records speak for themselves and will worry France, South Africa and Mexico.
Manager
Oscar Taberez gets around. Since he started managing at Bella Vista of Montevideo he has made his way through many of Uruguay's before moving through the rest of South America and onto Europe including stops at Boca Juniors and AC Milan
UK based players
none
So Who Will Go Through?
The outcome of this group depends on two things: whether France turn it on and whether South Africa make use of their home advantage. If France and South Africa can change things for the good they will both progress to the next round, but if they don't, Uruguay and Mexico have been better teams recently and will take the places in the last 16.
