Some Insights About the 2010 Soccer World Cup Teams

The soccer world is about to be on stage for the biggest and most popular contest in the world: The 2010 Soccer World Cup. For the first time in its history, the World Cup will take place on the African continent. South Africa will host FIFA's nineteenth World Cup. For a month (6/11-7/11) thirty-two teams will compete for the most cherished trophy in professional sports: The golden world cup. This is the second time that the World Cup will not be held either in the American continent nor the European continent. The only other time the event was held away from either continent is in Korea/Japan in 2002. South Africa will put in display ten different stadiums from ten different cities throughout the country. Although here are issues about security, poverty and protest, the 2010 World Cup will hopefully present the best South Africa has to put forward. Its natural beauty and cultural diversity will be available for the entire world to appreciate and embrace.

Fortunately all of the traditional powers will be present for the event after concerns that countries like Argentina might miss the party. A much improved South African side should also provide a lot of excitement for the locals, especially since they have chosen to play the very successful Brazilian style. The mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is "Zakumi". Zakumi is a yellow leopard with green hair, hence reflecting the colors of the host nation. Will South Africa continue the tradition of the host country qualifying for at least the second round and maybe flirting with an appearance in the Finals? Or will we see heavy favorite soccer world cup teams like Brazil, Holland, Spain and Italy in the Final Four? With gifted African sides like Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria playing on their own soil, the 2010 competition guarantees to be an exciting contest filled with surprises and unexpected results. I am looking forward to a very successful FIFA 2010 World Cup. Why not? Maybe we will witness the crowning of an African nation for the first time in history.

Here are a few of the favorite soccer world cup teams.

Argentina. After struggling to qualify and nearly missing the World Cup for the first time since 1970, Argentina is still one of the favorite world cup teams to win the title in South Africa. With some of the most exciting players in the world in Barcelona's Lionel Messi or Tevez from Manchester city, Diego Maradona should have enough talent to be in the running for the cup. Argentina is scheduled to play Nigeria, Korea, and Greece. No easy task. One remembers what happen to Argentina in 1990. Both Nigeria and Greece are solid world cup veterans that will not be intimidated by the Argentinean style of play. However, Argentina should be able to dominate. Who will be the surprise winner in this group? North Korea? Greece? Argentina? In terms of sheer talent, Argentina is strong enough to win.

Germany. Germany's inferior performance at home in 2006 was not well received by the hardcore fans of the "Die Mannschaft". The three time champions have always been considered a solid threat to the title. The physical style of the Germans usually overwhelms their opponents. The joy of hosting a world cup since the unification of the country, and the pride that was displayed throughout Germany in 2006 was not fully reflected in the play of the national team. Germany started very well, but for whatever reason had difficulty keeping up with faster and more skilled opponents. As a result, despite a beautiful display of Germany's culture, the team managed to finish third. After a fairly easy qualification to the 2010 tournament in South Africa, the Germans will have to deal with Serbia, Ghana and Australia. The Ghanaians are a surprising favorite for this year's competition, but the team that might steal this group is Serbia. The former Yugoslavian republic is going to its first world cup, but will not be intimidated by any of the participants in the group. It will be very difficult to dispose of the Serbians, and this may be the most difficult group in the contest. We are in for some very competitive football as well as very hard physical matches. Watch out for this group and its games.

Brazil. Once again, Brazil is considered one of the favorite team to win it all in South Africa this year. Having been either in the finals or semi-finals of the last four world cups, it is difficult not to assume that the Brazilians will be there once again. Since 1994, Brazil has been in three finals, winning two cups and losing to France in Paris in 1998. With the marvelous pool of talent to pick from, such as Kaka, Ronaldinho, Fabiano, Robinho and Lucio, Dunga's challenge will be to find the right mix and chemistry. Brazil's style has always been beautiful to watch and entertaining. The individual skills has always been spectacular, but at times difficult to merge into a cohesive unit. If Dunga is able to find the right mix of players and have them play together at a high level, Brazil will be very difficult to beat and should defend another title in their home turf in 2014. The "selecao" breezed through the qualifiers and finished on top of the South American group. The only team that has been in their way so far has been France. The French beat the Brazilians in the finals in Paris in 1998, and then beat them again in the quarter-finals in Germany in 2006. If not for the French, we could have been witnessing a four-time world champion defending their title in South Africa.

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Top Five Teams To Win 2014 FIFA World Cup

Although it might be too early to speak about the possible threats to the defending champions Spain, but let us discuss about the possible teams who could lay their hands on the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil, known to be the paradise for football, is all set to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Let us discuss about the teams who would be the potential challengers for the 2014 World Cup and also speak about the defending Champions Spain, who have been winning each and every single thing in the past.

Brazil: The 5 times World Champions would be looking for their 6th World Cup Glory when they host the 2014 World Cup, having the home advantage on their side. However, a team like Brazil does not require an added advantage like this to win anything major. They can win it anywhere and everywhere, but with millions of Brazil hearts cheering for them, the Brazilians seem to be the most dangerous side this time around. With Upcoming future like Neymar and Pato, Brazil look more composed and would surely see themselves in the latter stages of the tournament. Brazil should surely make it to the last four in the tournament and it would be quite a disappointment if the Brazilians fail to at least make it to the Semi-Finals stage.

Spain: At the moment, one can call them the 'UNSTOPPABLE'. The only thing they know at present is to win and they are doing it on a regular basis, time and time again. They won the Euro Cup, then the World Cup and then the U-21 European Championship. Others were just mere spectators as they grabbed everything that occurred; be it a friendly match or a major tournament like the World Cup and the Euro Cup. By far, the stand out performers in the past 3-4 years. They have the perfect mix of players which a team requires to win any major tournament. Players like Villa, Sergio Ramos, Casillias, and Iniesta etc. makes the Spaniards the favourites to retain the World Cup.

England: Well it is indeed hard to say but the England team has been the biggest disappointment in the recent past, despite being rated as one of the strongest team in the world with only quality players filled in. Having the likes of Ferdinand, Terry, Lampard, Gerrard, Beckham and many more greats, England have failed to achieve anything out of such an extremely talented team. Every single player in the side is regarded as the best when playing club football, but when you talk about playing together, they just fail to showcase the same. Young sensations like Wilshere and Caroll have stepped in, which might turn the tables for the English Side this time. But the people and fans are starting to lose confidence in the side as they have failed on several occasions despite being blessed with one of the most prolific and composed squad ever. Despite the recent poor showing by the English team, yet one can put their money on England to be the top contenders for the 2014 World Cup, with some real magic like talents breaking into the team.

Argentina: Yes! They have Lionel Messi. Yes! They have Carlos Tevez too, the two known to be the most dangerous players across the world of Football. Who doesn't know what Messi does for Barcelona and Tevez have done for United and is doing for City. Both can be defined similar to Michael Jackson's song as 'Dangerous'. But again, all the heights are achieved at club level. There is no doubt about Messi's potential, but then when it comes to International matches, the Messi magic just doesn't work the way it does for Barcelona. As a team, Argentina has struggled too in the recent past. Struggling in the qualifiers to make it to the 2010 World Cup, losing friendlies against mediocre teams and even when they win, the win just looks an average and a very hard-fought one. But with the likes of Messi and Tevez in the team, one can never write off the Argentinians. They must surely see themselves in the last four with Messi and Tevez looking in fine touch with a much balanced team than before.

Germany / Portugal: The Germans would surely miss the services of the former Germany Captain; Ballack, who announced his retirement after his fallout with the national team coach. But the kind of performance the Germans showed in the last World Cup was truly outstanding. The Germans has always been the side to watch out for and with the likes of Muller and Ozil and bagging a lot of experience with the current captain, Lahm, the team looks in great touch and should surely be one among the top four at least to challenge Spain.

Talking about the Portuguese side, they have Ronaldo with them, one of the most prolific wingers of all time and his speed was just unmatched. Manchester United winger, Nani too is playing his best football of his career so far. The current Ronaldo-Nani combination can singlehandedly do wonders for the Portuguese.

Although, despite stating the favourites for the coming World Cup, the underdogs like Mexico and Uruguay too can slowly creep up and might snatch the World Cup from the noses of the top favourites. You never know what is in store for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Find out everything you need to know about 2014 FIFA World Cup at The Sports Mirror.