World Cup 2010: The Draw

A short time ago the draw for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was made in Cape Town, conducted by FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke.

Draw assistants were Ethiopian marathon runner Haile Gebrselassie, South African cricketer Makhaya Ntini, South African rugby captain John Smit, South African defender David Booth, South African women's player Simphiwe Dludlu, and a man who needs no introduction...David Beckham.

Oh, and actor Charlize Theron played the role as Valcke's glamorous assistant who had no idea what was happening, despite going through a number of rehearsals.

The Groups are as follows:

Group A

1 South Africa

2 Mexico

3 Uruguay

4 France

Group B

1 Argentina

2 Nigeria

3 South Korea

4 Greece

Group C

1 England

2 USA

3 Algeria

4 Slovenia

Group D

1 Germany

2 Australia

3 Serbia

4 Ghana

Group E

1 Netherlands

2 Denmark

3 Japan

4 Cameroon

Group F

1 Italy

2 Paraguay

3 New Zealand

4 Slovakia

Group G

1 Brazil

2 North Korea

3 Cote D'Ivoire

4 Portugal

Group H

1 Spain

2 Switzerland

3 Honduras

4 Chile

England has been handed a very favourable draw against the USA, who they have a good record against, Algeria, who they've never played before, and Slovenia, who they beat in a friendly earlier this year.

Without doubt the game of the group is England vs. USA, arguably the best time to play the USA, who proved in the Confederations Cup earlier this year just how dangerous they can be.

England's dream could see them face France in the quarterfinals and Brazil in the semifinals.

The Group of Death comes in the form of Group G as Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, and Portugal face off.

Spain, Italy, Argentina, and the Netherlands are all favourites to qualify from their group, while France should also qualify from Group A and Germany from Group B.

But this is the World Cup Finals, and anything can happen.

Early betting odds are:

Spain 4/1

Brazil 11/2

England 13/2

Argentina 10/1

Italy 12/1

There are just 188 days until the opening game between hosts South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

Game on!