Group A Preview

I'll be previewing each World Cup group as we lead up to the tournament. Today, we'll take a look at Group A.

France
France reached the final of World Cup 2006, losing on penalty kicks, but has gone downhill since then. It was horrible at Euro 2008 and qualified for South Africa thanks to a ridiculous no-call against Ireland. To make matters worse, France then got pounded by Spain in March and were involved in a sex scandal involving an underage prostitute. Sacrebleu!
Coach: Raymond Domenech. After a great run in Germany four years ago, he's now roundly hated by the public and he'll be replaced at the end of the tournament. In a classy move, he celebrated France's surprising elimination from Euro 2008 by proposing to his girlfriend on live TV. I say again, Sacrebleu!
Players to watch
Franck Ribery: No one has a more French name than Ribery, who looks like he just got the crap kicked out of him but really got his huge scars from a childhood car accident. Burst onto the scene with an awesome showing in Germany. Since then, he's been one of the top midfielders in Europe, starring at Bayern Munich. Of course, he was also the main guy implicated in the sex scandal, not good for a married guy who could be headed to Real Madrid.
Thierry Henry: One of the top players of his generation is slowing down and his reputation took a big hit when a ball found his hand, then his foot, then his teammate, then the goal in France's win over Ireland. Now in his fourth World Cup, but hardly played this season for Barcelona, and instead will take his aging game to the New York Red Bulls after the Cup. Seems like a nice guy, though.
Yoann Gourcuff: Considered the next Zidane, the 23-year-old has been a star for Bordeaux but has yet to do much for France. Could be the top scoring threat, though, mostly because he's one of the few who are young enough that you don't have to worry too much that he'll drop dead from a heart attack.
Florent Malouda: A really talented midfielder who probably will come off the bench. Solid player for Chelsea and should see time in every match.
Alou Diarra: Center midfielder could also come off the bench but is athletic and could provide a spark. Teams well with Gourcuff at Bordeaux.
Nicolas Anelka: The 31-year-old will team with Henry up front in an old front line (I hate to say that 31 is old, but in this case, it is, I guess). The Chelsea forward scored three goals in qualifying and will be playing in his first World Cup.
Hugo Lloris: The young (23) keeper is starting to attract some serious attention from some top clubs because he's clearly developing into one of the world's best. The Lyon keeper really firms up the back line for the French.
William Gallas: The 33-year-old central defender is still fast and capable as he showed for Arsenal but he's been struggling with a calf injury that could leave France short-handed in the back.

Mexico
An interesting mix of really talented young players with some savvy veterans make this Mexican team as interesting as any team in the tournament. One issue could be fatigue, as this team has played 12 warm-up matches - many against some top teams - leading up to South Africa. Still, Mexico has made it out of group play four times in a row, but never seems to get beyond that. If they do this time, it will be because a solid defense allows El Tri's attacking wings to break free wide.
Coach: Javier Aguirre. Some surprising choices in his final roster may have cost him some respect among the team, but there's no questioning the fact that he turned this team around when it was in danger of not qualifying. He has said he's retiring after the tournament, so look for him to give it his all, which, really, doesn't much matter since he's not playing.
Players to Watch
Rafael Marquez: The captain and the team's best player, he anchors the defense despite losing his starting spot at Barcelona. Still, the guy plays for Barcelona, so that's something, right? This will be his third World Cup and he'll want to finally see what it's like to get out of the Sweet 16.
Giovani Dos Santos: The 21-year-old has flashed some immaturity, but who of us hasn't? A wing midfielder who may move inside, the Brazilian-Mexican who plays for Galatasaray in Turkey could be one of the breakout stars in the tourney.
Javier Hernandez: After starring at Chivas, the forward is transferring to Manchester United, completing what has been a startling surge for a guy few people had even heard of not long ago. Now he could be a starting forward in the World Cup. A true Cinderella story.
Andres Guardado: Only 23 but playing in his second World Cup, the winger scored three goals in qualifying and along with Marquez could be a real leader for his team. Deportivo La Coruna paid the largest transfer fee ever to a Mexican club for Guardado and while he's had some injury issues, he's clearly a developing star.
Carlos Vela: The Arsenal forward struggled in Europe and those struggles have continued and he could see his minutes limited in South Africa.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco: the 37-year-old has starred for so long for his country that he still sports one of his Player of the Game medals from that win at the Alamo. Now, though, he's not the player he once was and if he's on the field much, he could turn into a liability. Plus, he's just not very well liked.
Gerardo Torrado: A really good defensive midfielder who doesn't provide much offense. He stars for Cruz Azul and is a solid player, but needs an offensive compliment inside to really shine.

South Africa
No host country has ever failed to advance out of group play, but that could come to a crashing halt this time. Bafana Bafana will have the crowd on their side, but the team simply isn't that talented and is in a tough group. Couldn't someone have pulled some strings and put them in a group with, like, New Zealand or something? Come on, FIFA!
Coach: Carlos Parreira. Now in his fifth World Cup, he won the title in 1994 with Brazil. He only took the team over recently but has started to change the lineups, putting in more experienced players. If he gets this team out of group play, he'll be considered a legend.
Players to Watch
Siphiwe Tshabalala: How can you not root for a guy who's last name is Tshabalala? The midfielder plays for the Kaizer Chiefs. ...seriously! Gotta like this guy!
Katlego Mphela: The forward scored twice against Spain in the Confederations Cup and could break out here.
Steven Pienaar: The team's best player, he's clearly the top offensive player and the guy everyone will pay attention to. Originally played at Ajax before moving on to Everton, he's South Africa's most experienced player.
Reneilwe Letsholoyane: That's a lot of name! Another Kaizer Chief who looks like a midfield starter and is a popular local player.
Matthew Booth: Featured in Sports Illustrated because he's a tall (6-foot-6), bald, white guy on a team that has no other white guys, much less tall, bald, white guys. Not a very good player but certainly noticeable.
Teko Modise: A midfielder who plays for the Orlando Pirates, a South African team. That's all I've really got on him, but it's pretty cool that he plays for the Orlando Pirates. I want to go to an Orlando Pirates-Kaizer Chiefs game one day.

Uruguay
Because Uruguay has won two World Cups, it considers itself a power. But the last time it won a World Cup was 1950, and it's only won one game in the tournament since 1970, so clearly, that ship has sailed. But keep on rockin', Uruguay! This is actually a pretty good team, though it finished fifth in qualifying and only got in by beating Costa Rica in a playoff. These guys can score a lot and should at least be entertaining.
Coach: Oscar Tabarez. In his second stint as national coach, he's coached for 30 years, including a top Boca Juniors club in the early 90s. Tabarez likes his offense and he's started to work in some younger players to what has been a veteran team.
Players to Watch
Luis Suarez: The 23-year-old forward has already been named the captain for Ajax, where he scored 35 goals last season. He could play in the center or on the wings. Either way, he could be a breakout star.
Diego Forlan: One of the world's top forwards, he can score and pass with anyone, as he showed in Spain this year. Forlan led Atletico Madrid to the UEFA Europa League title, scoring twice in the semifinals and final. He has led La Liga in scoring twice and scored seven goals in qualifying and is a contender for the Golden Boot.
Diego Lugano: The captain of the national team leads the Uruguay defense and is considered one of the top backs in South America. After starring for Sao Paolo, he now plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Sebastian Abreu: The 6-foot-4 forward played in the World Cup in 2002 and provides some physical play up front. He scored the clinching goal that sent Uruguay to South Africa.
Cristian Rodriguez: A good, young leader but he's suspended for the first two games for throwing an elbow in qualifying. Gotta hold it together better than that, Cristian.
Fernando Muslera: Keeper has been the biggest weakness for Uruguay, but this guy's the starter until he proves differently. He's been decent over the last four games but could be replaced if he slips up, so don't slip up.
Nicolas Lodeiro: The 21-year-old midfielder creates for the forwards, just as he does for Ajax. But he only made his national debut in the playoff against Costa Rica, so he could be overwhelmed, maybe. Maybe not. Who knows with kids these days?