2010 FIFA World Cup: First Match Day Preview

The stage is set for the greatest football tournament to begin.  

The teams have been picked, the fans have travelled, the hosts are excited and there is a buzz in the air all around the world.

The hype around this year's world cup has been huge. There is a flag on every other car and shop window. 

South Africa vs. Mexico

The hosts, South Africa, kick off the tournament against Mexico in the opening game on Friday.

South Africa is having football fever and are ready to become the first African country to stage the World Cup.

Soccer City in Johannesburg is the starting point for the tournament. Both sides are looking to get their Group A campaign off to a positive start.

Both teams are going into the game on a high. The South Africans are on a 12-game unbeaten run, while Mexico has been uplifted by their recent friendly win over defending World Cup champions, the Italians.

South Africa has midfielder Steven Pienaar to give the side the creative edge, while Portsmouth's Aaron Mokoena is the captain of the team.

As Benni McCarthy was left out of the squad, Katlego Mphela is most likely to be the main form of attack for the hosts.

Mexico has been boosted by the return of their star duo Rafael Marquez and Guillermo Franco.

Barcelona player Marquez trained for the first time in South Africa earlier in the week, and could go straight into the starting XI.

Carlos Vela of Arsenal is set to be given one of the attacking positions. This leaves the Mexican coach Aguirre to decide who will partner him upfront: Franco, or Javier Hernandez from Manchester United.

My Prediction: 1-1

France vs. Uruguay

France and Uruguay are the other half of the group and are the second game of the tournament. Both sides will be looking to get the edge in the game, to boost their chances of finishing top in the group. 

France, who were runners-up four years ago, will be hoping to silence their critics after reaching the final in a controversial manner. Henry and the French team cheated their way to a play-off win over the Republic of Ireland after the striker set up the winning goal by handballing.

Raymond Domenech, the French coach, will quit after the finals, so he is hoping to bow out on a high.

Uruguay, who reached the finals via the play-offs as well, are hoping to reach the knockout stages for the first time since Italia 1990.

The teams have met before in the 2002 World Cup, but it ended in a goalless draw.

Despite a minor knee injury, Arsenal defender William Gallas is poised to start the game. Franck Ribery has also shaken off a knee problem and will start.

Nicolas Anelka is expected to start in attack, having played in three of France's warm-up games.

This means Thierry "Handball" Henry, the only surviving player from the 1998 winning team, will have take his place on the bench.

Atletico Madrid ace Diego Forlan has recovered from a minor foot injury from training, to give his national side a big boost.

Uruguay boast one of the best striking partnerships in South Africa with the former Manchester United man, Forlan, and Ajax hot-shot Luis Suarez.

My Prediction: 2-1