Now that the Olympics are over, it is time to focus on the largest sporting event in the world. South Africa will host the 2010 World Cup in just 100 days, and the world is already starting to pay attention. It is the first time such a large event will take place in an African country, and many believe this will be the ultimate test for the entire continent to prove it can handle the grand stage, and the dream of hosting future events in Africa will depend on the success of the 2010 World Cup. That is one of many questions people are asking heading into this year’s World Cup, and FPP would like to take a moment and focus on just a few questions facing.
1. Can Spain maintain their position as the world’s best?
Spain is ranked number 1 in the world heading into the World Cup. This group proved a number of doubters wrong in Euro 2008 as this highly talented team finally brought home a major championship. Spain are clearly the favourites heading into this competition, but they will have to be at their best in order to win the nation’s first ever World Cup.
Assembling a talented roster is not a difficult task for manager Vincente del Bosque. This squad is absolutely loaded with talent at every position. The combination of Fernando Torres and David Villa up front is one of the best in the world, and will take advantage of any weaknesses in the opposition’s defense. The likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, and Cesc Fabregas will make up the best mid-field in the world. Their skill should ensure Spain dominates the time of possession, which should allow them to dictate the pace of play. If the opposition is able to gain possession and apply some pressure, it does not hurt that Gerrard Pique and Carlos Puyol will headline the defense, with the best goalkeeper in the world, Iker Casillas, ready to shut the door on opposing attackers. No country in the world can match Spain’s talented roster.
Everyone knows that talent alone will not win a World Cup, especially in a single elimination tournament which almost always results in upsets. Spain’s history at the World Cup also does not evoke very much faith in their ability to carry their number one seed heading into the tournament right through to a championship. Spain did prove they are capable of winning at Euro 2008, and they have to be considered the big favourite heading into South Africa.
2. Will England break through and make a legitimate title run?
England is looking to make a statement after failing to qualify for Euro 2008. That disaster resulted in a number of compelling changes in English football. The biggest change took place at the top where Fabio Capello was brought on as manager, and the early results would have to be considered positive. England breezed through the qualification stages for the World Cup, and that success has many thinking this could be the year for England.
The road to winning the World Cup will not be as easy as qualifying, but they should not have a problem making it through the group stage. England’s problems in the past have not been advancing past the group stage, but getting through the knock-out stage when penalty kicks decide the outcome. England has the talent to compete with the best in the world, but that talent has struggled to score from the spot in recent years, and the team’s weakest position is found in goal, which does not bodewell if their fate is once again going to be determined by penalties. Penalty shot troubles are just one of the headaches facing Capello as he leads England to South Africa. Team unity has become a concern for this squad due to the recent scandle involving former captain John Terry and Wayne Bridge. The British media is not going to allow this issue to die, and England will have to get off to a good start against the United States to show everyone they are all on the same page.
It is hard to base a team’s success on just one player, but if England is going to make a serious run at the title then Wayne Rooney will have to be one of the best players in the tournament. Rooney is currently having his best season, and if he brings that hot scoring touch to South Africa then England might be able to score enough goals to win in 90 minutes, and avoid the penalty shoot-out altogether.
3. Who will emerge from the ‘group of death’?
Every World Cup contains the dreaded ’group of death’, and this year’s version is no different. Group G is the 2010 ’group of death’ this time around as Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, and Portugal will face off for the right to move onto the knockout stage. This is the group most people will be watching.
North Korea is the odd man out in this group. Little is known about this squad, and virtually everyone is picking them to finish last given the high calibre of competition they will be facing. Meanwhile, Brazil is currently the second ranked team in the world and most are expecting this talented team will make it through to the knockout stage. Brazil may be the favourite, but this squad will have to bring their best effort to South Africa, because the remaining two teams in Group G have the potential to upset the Brazilians.
Those other highly skilled teams making up the ‘group of death’ are Cote d’Avoire and Portugal. Portugal managed to squeak into the competition after a horrendous qualification campaign by defeating Bosnia. Portugal is still ranked fifth in the world, and feature one of the most talented squads, but this team did not gel very well in qualification, and many are wondering if they can get everything back on the right track in time for South Africa. Cote d’Avoire does not have the same level of talent as Portugal throughout their line-up, but it does contain some of the best football players in the world. Any squad that features Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure, and Emmanuel Eboue to name a few has a chance of beating anybody on any given day. Portugal and Cote d’Avoire will face each other on June 15th, and that match should decide which of these two teams makes it to the knockout stage, and which team heads home utterly disappointed.
4. How will the United States fare in 2010?
Many football fans in North America will be watching the United States team with interest. Team USA have taken significant strides in recent years, moving to 14thin world rankings. Despite the rise in the rankings, the United States enters South Africa looking to prove themselves after a disappointing result in Germany 2006. USA soccer fans are desparate to see this group to take their game to the next level, and South Africa will provide them an excellent opportunity.
The United States landed in group C, which should ensure this team makes it through to the knockout stage. Their first match does see them taking on mighty England, which could easily result in a loss, but their their next two matches are against much weaker competition in Algeria and Slovenia. If the United States does in fact fall to 0-1 with a loss to England, they will be facing a lot of pressure to win their remaining two games, but that should not be a problem for this squad. How far the United States can move on after that will depend largely on their competition, and how well goalkeeper Tim Howard can play. Team USA will not be intimidated by anyone, but victories in the knockout stage are a lot tougher to come by, and could be asking too much of Bob Bradley’s team.
5. Is South Africa ready to host the world?
FIFA president Joeseph S. Blatter has stated that South Africa will be ready to host the world 100 days from now. Many are still questioning just how successful this World Cup will be. Some are worried that the violence which plagued the African Nations Cup could find its way to South Africa. Others are worried that the host group could have trouble selling all of the tickets for the event due to tough economic times found throughout the globe. Issues surrounding violence are a concern for any nation hosting the World Cup, and any international event being held over the last couple of years faces the uncertainty that comes along as a result of the economic crisis.
The issues facing South Africa are no different then the issues facing any other host nation leading into this type of event, and based on past performances, this World Cup will be remembered for all of the right reasons. When the world converges on South Africa, the celebration of sport will take over, and the party will not stop for 31 days. There is always a nervousness felt throughout a country on the verge of hosting any major world event, but once the footy begins the euphoric atmosphere that comes along with hosting the greatest sporting event in the world will grip not just South Africa, but the entire world, and South Africa will ultimately prove they are worthy hosts.