South Africa 2010 will be the 19th football World Cup. Brazil has won five times, four by Italy and three by Germany. Argentina and Uruguay have claimed two each and France and England one apiece. Both France and Portugal had poor qualifying campaigns but they also have talented squads and if they find form at the right time will be a match for anyone. Like Greece at the 2004 European Championship, the United States will feel they are more than the sum of their parts – and players like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard show star qualities at times.
Australia’s teamwork and battling spirit will be their biggest weapons. Many felt they were unlucky to lose to eventual champions Italy four years ago – and the Aussies can never be ruled out at any sport. North Korea will be the lowest ranked team at this World Cup but mainly because they play so little international football. No-one knows very much about them and, as they did back in 1966, the country could spring a few surprises. Brazil, Spain, Italy and Netherlands are the outstanding favorites. However, neither Spain nor Netherlands have won the World Cup before, while a European team has never triumped away from European soil.
So who do you think will be crowned world champions?