Argentina and Brazil have the toughest group. Feel bad for Ivory Coast to be in Group G with Brazil and Portugal, but with all the good teams from Africa advancing, something like this is bound to happen.

France got lucky again, but I'm kind of happy that South Africa's group isn't as weak as it could've been.

Spain and Italy have the easiest opponents.

And finally, U.S. draw is much better than four years ago. And facing the seed in the first game is normally a good thing and easier to get at least a tie from.

Portugal vs Brazil will likely be the most anticipated and most watched match in the starting stage.


England vs USA will be an interesting matchup...

Spain has an easy group. But our first cross is against the Brazil group, so it's going to be tough.

The thing is that they will play each other last, and if they win their first two games respectively, that game will no longer matter. I'm actually more interested in the Ivory Coast/Portugal match.

We, as always, got an easy group. We'll win that, put the US out of its misery in the first elimination round and then we'll see how it goes

Predictions:

Group A - France, Mexico
Group B - Argentina, Nigeria
Group C - England, U.S.
Group D - Germany, Australia
Group E - Netherlands, Cameroon
Group F - Italy, Paraguay
Group G - Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire
Group H - Spain, Chile

We could be looking at another Germany vs. Argentina clash in the quarterfinal; same on Brazil vs. Netherlands. Although Spain got the easiest group IMO, their road after the group stage will be tough as hell. They will be playing G's runner up, which could be Côte d'Ivoire/Portugal or even Brazil, then Italy (or Netherlands if they slip to E2) in the quarter, then Germany/Argentina in semi, and finally Brazil/England/Netherlands in the final.

Overall, the groups are more reasonably balanced than the last couple of times, and it looks to be harder for some non-favorite to make a run to the semifinal, as Turkey, Croatia, and South Korea have done in the past. The weakest groups where there is only one outstanding team or traditional powerhouse (e.g. F and H) have more stacked groups on the opposite side for the second round, so I don't see a U.S vs. Mexico type of second round game this time around.

60 days to go

Yeah I am looking forward to it.

I have to say they have build some truly beautiful stadiums. Respect.

Looking at the schedule, I'll be having one busy June and not enough sleep.

3 days left

I love the World Cup!. When the national team plays, the country just stops working and no one is to be seen on the streets.. A total ghost town. and when a goal is made, Screams in every single house , cant wait!.

Getting my schedule and clock set up.

So.. Any Predictions for the final match

Brazil vs Spain- 3-2

Easy choice..

Spain certainly looked pretty good in their final warm-up game.

I am pulling for Brazil NOT to win. Because I'm pretty certain they will win in four years anyway when playing on home soil.

I'm thinking Brazil vs. Argentina 1:2

I say it will be between: Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and maybe Portugal.


No chance this year for : Germany, Italy, Netherlands, England.

South Africa might survive the group matches.

I don't know how. The group is very strong.

I am here for the underdog. Or do you want to see South Africans freak out and chop the legs and arms of the French player and burning the stadion and cars?

How do you think folks about the security? I mean there is that bad joke......


Public Viewing Areas Germany 2006





Public Viewing Areas South Africa 2010

Public Viewing Areas in Switzerland 2008

http://www.hochparterre-schweiz.ch/files/images/2009/11/mob2466_1258104663.jpg

Since the MExico vs South Africa is at 7:00am, There going to allow showing the opening game in schools and working places, just to decrease nonattendance.

opening game prediction...

South Africa 0 - Mexico 2.

Yeah, prediction time! We should do something similar to last time and keep the scores.

Day 1

South Africa 2 - Mexico 1
Uruguay 0 - France 3

South Africa 1 - Mexico 1
Uruguay 0 - France 1