Group C - USA

The team that have hosted the World Cup, and still not conquered football. 'Soccer' remains the 3rd biggest sport in the States, but the tide is slowly turning, and manager Bob Bradley really is turning the fortunes of the team around.

The USA squad are, in fact, incredibly attacking. Quick pace, attacking mentality, and a strong defence could make games against the team very difficult.

Capital City: Washington DC
Captain: Carlos Bocanegra
Manager: Bob Bradley
Star Man: Michael Bradley - the coach's son has gone from zero to hero in a matter of months. Now an integral member of the team, he is reminiscent of a young Paul Scholes - a man whose passing accuracy leads the team and could prove to become the man who makes the crucial difference.
Group Games: England (12th June); Slovenia (18th June); Algeria (23rd June)
Adam's Prediction: Will win against Slovenia and Algeria, but lose to England. Runners up in the group, but to lose in the second round. 2nd in Group C.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves) 

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Jonathan Spector (West Ham) 

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (unattached), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Pachuca)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla)

Group C - England

44 years of hurt, and finally, FINALLY, England have a fighting chance of doing vaguely well in the tournament. With a new manager, a new-look team and a new energy around the squad, England could actually go on and do something in this year's competition.

The only problem seems to be fitness. The starting XI is very strong, but should anyone get injured, there isn't a replacement of the same calibre waiting to take his place. It could work against us, and if the teams notice this, targetting could start to occur.

Capital City: London

Captain: Rio Ferdinand
Manager: Fabio Capello
Star Man: Wayne Rooney - Wayne holds 65 million hearts on his shoulders this summer. The team's talisman is the darling of English football, and with him, England are Lions. Without him, they are mere cubs.
Group Games: USA (12th June); Algeria (18th June); Slovenia (23rd June)
Adam's Prediction: Will win every group game, and then the second round. Then scrape through their quarter and suffer heartache again in the semis. 1st in Group C.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham) 

Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa) 

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City) 

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

9 Days To Go!

With just 9 days to go, I thought I'd relay the big football news of the day...

News reached us tonight of Rafa Benitez, manager of Liverpool, being sacked by the club after a poor season. If all the rumours are to be believed, Benitez could walk away with nearly £16,000,000 of spare cash in his back pocket. Even as a poor manager, he has a bloody good agent and negotiator.


We also heard this morning about the official Cesc Fabregas bid from Barcelona. Arsenal could also be walking away with a LOT of money, to spend on some World Cup stars. Yoann Gourcuff of France is a good shout, should Fabregas leave. Its big news, especially when Arsenal rejected the bid.

Anyway, that's the days news so far. And I stress the 'so far' - the Rafa news has only just leaked!

Group B - Greece

Ah, Greece. Euro 2004 Champions. How?! We're still trying to work that one out. It would help Greece to go further in the World Cup, due to their current economic state, but hey, you can't win 'em all. And Greece certainly won't - with Argentina, Korea Republic, and Nigeria in their group, the best they can hope for is a couple of draws, or a win against Nigeria.

With the team aging, and most players being 30+, there is very little pace in the team, and the youngest players are in fact defenders, which doesn't exactly help the cause. But they've shocked us once, maybe they'll shock us again...

Capital City: Athens
Captain: Giorgos Karagounis

Manager: Otto Rehhagel
Star Man: Sotiris Ninis - if all the speculation is right, this little speed bullet could be absolutely massive come July. He's meant to set the world alight, and at only 20, could be snapped up for a couple of million now, or £20m come the end of the tournament. Greece's hopes may rest upon his shoulders. 
Group Games: Korea Republic (12th June); Nigeria (17th June); Argentina (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: Will hopefully beat Nigeria and set up a big game against Argentina, but it could prove too little, too late. 3rd in Group B.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika) 

Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika) 

Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika) 

Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic)

Group B - Korea Republic

Korea Republic, as they will be 'officially' known during the World Cup, or South Korea, as most of us know them, qualify for their seventh consecutive competition, and hope to repeat the 2002 showing of 4th place.

Having picked a very strong squad, with the majority actually based in South Korea and Japan, the team could do well, and having been placed in a relatively simple group, they should be okay for the 3rd week.

Capital City: Seoul
Captain: Park Ji-Sung
Manager: Huh Jung-Moo
Star Man: Park Chu-Young - should Park perform as well as he could, there could be another move at the end of July to a big club. He's a winger who plays for Monaco, but without his crosses and technical ability, Korea Republic may not go as well as planned. He's also very clever, with an IQ of 150. There's a little nugget for you.
Group Games: Greece (12th June); Argentina (17th June); Nigeria (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: Should fair reasonably well in their group, and progress to the second round. More than likely won't progress from there though. 2nd in Group B.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kim Young-Kwang (Ulsan), Lee Woon-Jae (Suwon), Jung Sung-Ryong (Seongnam) 

Defenders: Kim Dong-Jin (Ulsan), Kim Hyung-Il (Pohang), Oh Beom-Seok (Ulsan), Lee Young-Pyo (Al Hilal), Lee Jung-Soo (Kashima Antlers), Cha Du-Ri (SC Freiburg), Cho Yong-Hyung (Jeju), Kang Min-Soo (Suwon) 

Midfielders: Ki Sung-Yong (Celtic), Kim Bo-Kyung (Oita), Kim Nam-Il (Tom Tomsk), Kim Jae-Sung (Pohang), Kim Jung-Woo (Gwangju), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton), Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United) 

Forwards: Park Chu-Young (AS Monaco), Ahn Jung-Hwan (Dalian Shide), Lee Seung-Ryul (Seoul), Yeom Ki-Hun (Suwon), Lee Dong-Guk (Jeonbuk)

Group B - Nigeria

Nigeria have never gone beyond the second round in the World Cup - the last time they even did that was 1998. And I'm afraid to say I don't think there will be any difference this time around. The lack of raw talent is worrying. Every English-based player is a fringe player, and those who do very rarely make it into the starting line up are inevitably dropped by their teams the next game.

The Nigerian Football federation have set Nigeria the target of semi finals. Unless something incredible happens, I think they may be VERY disappointed.

Capital City: Abuja
Captain: Joseph Yobo
Manager: Lars Lagerback
Star Man: Victor Obinna - if Obinna does well at the World Cup, he could well be on his way for a big-money move to England. Having spent the last season on loan at Malaga from inter Milan, and performing incredibly well, the man's pace and poaching ability could play nicely into a big move come the end of July.
Group Games: Argentina (12th June); Greece (17th June); Korea Republic (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: I hate to say it, but its a distinct possibility that they may not even pick up a point... 4th in Group B.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikvah), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv) 

Defenders: Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Red Bull Salzburg), Elderson Echiejile (Stade Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille), Joseph Yobo (Everton) 

Midfielders: Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), Sani Kaita (Alania Vladikavhaz), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Haruna Lukman (Monaco), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Kalu Uche (Almeria), John Utaka (Portsmouth) 

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton), Obafemi Martins (VfL Wolfsburg), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Group B - Argentina

Based on the group, and side of the draw, Argentina must almost be certain to do well this year. Since Diego Maradona took over, they've had some absolute beating - Bolivia 6-1 Argentina sticks out in my mind. But they've got a youthful team who really do have a lot of attacking flair and pace, and should show why they can be world beaters in these early group stages.

Their players seem to be all those in the shop window - Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria - the list goes on. This will play massively into Argentina's favour - the better they play, the more likely a move will be. But the better they play, the better Argentina play, and the more likely it is that they will get their hands on the coveted trophy. It only takes a second to score, and make yourself a hero....

Capital City: Buenos Aires

Captain: Javier Mascherano
Manager: Diego Maradona
Star Man: Lionel Messi - who else?! The man is a star - there aren't many players who have been hailed by the greats. He is just a fast, pacey, attacking machine, who has a bunch of skill, technique and tactical suave about him. Should Argentina get beyond the quarters, he surely has to be in with a shout for Best Player.
Group Games: Nigeria (12th June); Korea Republic (17th June); Greece (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: Will walk the group. Will then win in second round, and quarters, and very possibly make it all the way to the final, but it'll be tricky once the semis take place. 1st in Group B.


Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Group A - France

France. Possibly one of the greatest footballing nations of all time. They've given us some wonderful moments. I vividly remember last time, and THAT headbutt.....

But anyway, that was 2006. France have to try and go one better this time, and win the competition, rather than finish as runners up. Possible? You betcha.

They have the best chance of the group of qualifying as Group A winners, and should Group B go how I predict, could walk straight into the quarter finals. They have luck on their side so far. Leaving key players out the squad, like Benzema, probably won't help if they are to progress any further, but Domenech will have done what he sees fit.

Capital City: Paris
Captain: Thierry Henry
Manager: Raymond Domenech
Star Man: Yoann Gourcuff - this man is tipped to impress this summer, and impress big. If the recent rumours are true, Gourcuff, should he have a good tournament, will be off to Arsenal to replace Cesc Fabregas. Not bad for a kid who was on the fringes at AC Milan for years. His pace and passing accuracy could prove to be big factors in France going far. 
Group Games: Uruguay (11th June); Mexico (17th June); South Africa (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: Win the group, win the second round game, and win the quarter. Then we'll see what happens then... 1st in Group A.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda(Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux) 

Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux), Gael Clichy(Arsenal), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon) 

Midfielders: Alou Diarra(Girondins Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) 

Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille)

Group A - Uruguay

The first ever winners of the World Cup, Uruguay, are in a tough group for them, and are bound to go out at the first hurdle. Even with some world-class strikers, the defence doesn't hold up, and against the likes of South Africa, Mexico and France, could find themselves on the end of a major whitewash.

Capital City: Montevideo
Captain: Diego Lugano
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Star Man: Diego Forlan - the former United man, who is the most capped player in the squad, leads the front line again, in the hope of impressing. He may begin to tire quickly, as at the age of 31, he is getting slower, but this could lead to him creating chances for others.
Group Games: France (11th June); South Africa (16th June); Mexico (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: Could very possibly finish without a point. Big goal difference deficit should leave them at the bottom. 4th in Group A.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan Castillo (Deportivo 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: Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo), Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield).

Group A - Mexico

Mexico, who qualify again for the World Cup, are in prime position to perform well this year. Having not gone further than the knockout phase of the tournament since 1986, Mexico now need to regain the footballing hearts of their nation, and with a potential mouth-watering tie against the USA in the quarters, everything could go well for the Mexicans this year.

Capital City: Mexico City
Captain: Rafael Marquez
Manager: Javier Aguirre
Star Man: Andres Guardado - the speedy winger is expected to be big this year in South Africa. His long shot could be something we're talking about come the group stages, and it should ignite them to get further in the competition. 
Group Games: South Africa (11th June); France (17th June); Uruguay (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: Should comfortably qualify, and may play Argentina in the second round. Could make for an inetresting tournament. 2nd in Group A, and to again go out in the second round.

Full 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).
 

Group A - South Africa

For the first time ever, the World Cup heads to Africa, and South Africa have the privilege of hosting the event in 2010.

Having qualified automatically, the team officially announced their squad on Deadline Day - 1st June. Based on this, I highly doubt they'll progress from their group - it looks far too difficult for them. But hey, that's what the World Cup is all about! Remember South Korea in 2002?!

Anyway, here's their factfile.

Capital City: Cape Town
Captain: Aaron Mokoena
Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Star Man: Steven Pienaar - the Everton man seems to hold the team together, and with the way South Africa play, he really does fit in nicely.
Group Games: Mexico (11th June); Uruguay (16th June); France (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: They may scrape a win against Uruguay, but I don't reckon they'll do too well. 3rd in Group A.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United) 

Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Anele Ngcongoa (Racing Genk), Siyabonga Sangweni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Steven Pienaar (Everton), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Forwards: Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente)

World Cup Wonder

300510 World Cup
Originally uploaded by Adam9309

Ladies and gentlemen, and those who have followed on from Day Dedication, welcome to World Cup Wonder. This is going to be my take on everything connected to the World Cup.

We'll have team previews, a South Africa lowdown, things for the women, maybe even a competition or two. And then, obviously, we'll have the game lowdowns, and guess who is going to attempt to cover every single game? Yep, this idiot.

It happens once every four years, and they play for THAT trophy. Probably the most recognisable piece of silverware in the world.

So, we're under way. Squads are announced today, and its all looking rosy. Happy days.

Welcome aboard to the month that will take over the world.