Just in: FIFA World Cup final draw

By Enrique Lopetegui
elopetegui@sacurrent.com

The USA has a difficult but not impossible group in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, to be held in June in South Africa. The boys should be able to at least reach the second place and go to the second round, and they could even pass by becoming one of the best third places.

These are the groups:

Group A - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France. (France is favorite only on paper and qualified by a handball; Mexico is tough anywhere, Uruguay unpredictable and South Africa the home team, which makes it hell for everybody else. Anything can happen here, but it's far from being 'the Group of Death').

Group B - Argentina, South Korea, Greece, Nigeria (My prediction: Nigeria and Argentina qualify, in that order... unless Messi wakes up and takes Argentina to the top).

Group C - England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia (England and USA, in that order but watch for the Algerians)

Group D - Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia (This is a tougher group than it seems; I go with Germany on top, followed by Ghana, but don't dismiss Australia).

Group E - Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark (Netherlands, easy)

Group F - Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia (Italy and Paraguay).

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Portugal, Ivory Coast (Brazil and Ivory Coast, unless Ronaldo delivers and takes Portugal to the next round)

Group H - Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland (This is a tough group; Spain should win it, but Chile has a great team and Switzerland has improved a lot; I don't think Honduras has enough in this group)