World Cup Early Bird Preview

Since everyone else in the world that loves soccer as much as I do is writing something or speaking their mind about the 2010 World Cup now that the draw is set, I might as well offer my opinion. First, let me start off by saying the ceremony drug on way too long and the guy announcing made Charlize Theron look like a complete idiot explaining how the draw worked for about 10 minutes.
Now it's time for the group previews/predictions.
Group A
South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
For just barely making the World Cup, France caught a break just like they did against Ireland on Henry's handball. Unfortuneately for the Irish and many soccer fans, France did not get placed in the group of death but instead got a free pass to the knockout round. South Africa will put a fight, obviously, because they are the host nation. Mexico and Uruguay did a good job qualifying but will have trouble against South Africa because the Bafana Bafana's supporters will be out in full force try to will the host country into the knouckout stage, in which every host nation has qualified in World Cup history.
Advancing: France, South Africa
Player to Watch: Karim Benzema, France, F
Benzema's talent was recognized by several European clubs as the hottest forward on the transfer market this summer and he ended up at Real Madrid, expect Benzema to showcase his talents on the world stage and starting over the aging Thierry Henry.

Group B:
Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Argentina struggled to qualify and it wouldn't be surprising if coach Diego Maradona doesn't get to see the World Cup matches from the touchline. Nigeria is playing on their home contient and should put up a good fight. South Korea and Greece are two sides that should be overlooked. Greece won the 2004 Euro and South Korea made the semis as host in the 2002 World Cup. Players from both sides are experienced in high-pressure matches and should prove some trouble to the favorites Argentina.
Advancing: Argentina, South Korea
Player to Watch: Ji-Sung Park, South Korea, M
Park is a big game player. There is a reason Sir Alex Ferguson puts Park in the starting eleven for many crucial Champions League ties at Manchester United. Park is now the captain of the South Korea side and his leadership on and off the field will be the key to his side's advancement this summer.

Group C
England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
The U.S. got off easy this time around. The past two World Cup draw have not been so generous to Bob Bradley's squad. The English are on fire, Fabio Capello has whipped this team into shape and should be considered a favorite to win the whole thing. After their experience in the Confederations Cup this past summer, the U.S. has the confidence to beat soccer powerhouse countries, like England. In the end, the England v. USA tie will decide first place in the group, Algeria and Slovenia have no chance.
Advancing: U.S., England
Player to watch: Darren Bent, England, F
Bent has been on fire in the Barclays Premier League with Sunderland and has been rewarded with call-ups to the national team. If there is a lack of production from Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe, watch for Bent to ignite the team coming off the bench.

Group D:
Germany, Austrailia, Serbia, Ghana
At first glance you may think that the Germans will go through the group fairly easy but if you look at the group harder, it will be a challenge for the Germans. Ghana has a strong midfield led by Chelsea's Michael Essien and Serbia's back line is headed by Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic, both countries will make Germany work as well as the Socceroos who always play with their hearts on their sleeves and this summer it will be no different.
Advancing: Germany, Serbia
Player to watch: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany, M
In every major tournament you watch with Germany in it you can not miss Schweinsteiger, whether it is his name, his bleach blond hair or his aggressiveness that shows as he is all around the pitch for all 90 minutes. In the 2008 Euro final, Schweinsteiger was everywhere and although the Germans ended up on the wrong side of the tie, number 7 for Germany should have been named MOP anyway because of his style of play and this summer in South Africa will be no different.

Group E:
Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
There are few sure things going into major soccer tournaments but one thing you can always count on is the Dutch scoring machine and then they lose their first match in the knockout round because they get a weak draw. The same will probably happen this summer. The scoring machine this time around features Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie, if he recovers from injury in time. The other three nations are fighting for second place and it will be a great battle. Samuel Eto'o will lead Cameroon and possesses a scoring threat that the rest of the group will fear. After the last games are played on June 24th in this group, the Dutch will advance but the other place is a toss-up.
Advancing: Netherlands, Cameroon
Player to watch: Mark van Bommel, Netherlands, M
van Bommel is the oldest man on the Dutch squad and the most experienced. Someone has to feed the Dutch attack the ball and the Bayern Munich captain is the perfect fit. van Bommel can also defend well so that gives the Dutch an advantage since they will face many counterattacks because of their aggresive forwards.

Group F:
Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
If you win the World Cup, the next time around FIFA rewards with a free pass to the knockout round. Coincidence or not, the Azzurri win walk right through this group with 9 points. Paraguay and Slovakia will fight for second place and the opportunity to knockout the Dutch in the second round. New Zealand is only in the World Cup because Austrailia moved to the Asian region and New Zealand was second-best to them in Oceania, so they rightfully qualified.
Advancing: Italy, Paraguay
Player to watch: Giuseppe Rossi, Italy, F
Rossi has been lighting up goals in La Liga with Villarreal over the past couple years and has a chance to earn a mega contract with one of Europe's top clubs with a good performance. With the weak group, Rossi will be given a multitude of chances to excel in this summer's tournament.

Group G:
Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
The Group of Death this summer will be Group G. The talent alone would scare most nations, Brazil boasts Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho and many other superstars. Of course the main superstar in this group is Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal but the Ivory Coast boasts a boatload of stars in Europe's big leagues like Drogba, Keita, and the Toure brothers. North Korea has no shot in this group, they just get a nice vacation in South Africa and if their lucky steal a point. The other three teams will fight it out and it is really a toss-up which teams advance.
Advancing: Brazil, Ivory Coast
Player to watch: Nilmar, Brazil, F
Nilmar has come onto the national scene in recent months scoring a hat trick against Chile and scoring the only goal in a friendly against England. Like his Villarreal teammate Rossi, Nilmar will be playing for big contract with a major European club by becoming the breakout star of the tournament.

Group H:
Spain, Switzerland, Chile, Honduras
Spain got lucky with their draw. The 2008 European Champions will have no problem beating the other three teams in Group H because of one man:Fernando Torres. Torres has been a goal-scoring machine for Liverpool in the past two seasons and his consistency makes Spain's chances to advance further very likely. Honduras barely qualified, Chile almost lost their spot due to scandal back home, and the Swiss are as good as the major European powers to be a threat but one of those three must advance.
Advancing: Spain, Honduras
Player to watch: Amado Guevara, Honduras, M
Guevara has shown his toughness to MLS fans while playing with Toronto FC and his playing style will surprise his opponents in the group. Guevara will looking to feed the strike force that could surprise many people in Carlos Costly, David Suazo, and Carlos Pavon

Predictions for rest of tournament:
Round of 16:
France over South Korea
US over Serbia
Paraguay over Netherlands
Brazil over Honduras
Argentina over South Africa
England over Germany
Italy over Cameroon
Ivory Coast over Spain
Quarterfinals:
US over France
Brazil over Paraguay
England over Argentina
Ivory Coast over Italy
Semifinals:
US over Brazil
England over Ivory Coast
Final:
US over England in a rematch of their first game in the tournament.