World Cup 2010

After all the glitz and glamour off the field, the game of football (soccer, to some) awaits. Below are my humble predictions as to the group stages, which will consequently make up the round of 16.

Hosts South Africa tackle Mexico in the inaugural game, so waka waka and wave your flags and may the best team win.

Group A - France and Uruguay are my two teams to go through in this group. South Africa and Mexico to miss out.

Group B - Argentina are one of my favourites to take out the Cup, with Messi at the helm. Nigeria will be the other team to progress. The Korea Republic and Greece will have to wait another 4 years.

Group C - England and the USA will be too strong for the other group members, Slovenia and Algeria.

Group D - Germany will be pretty hard to beat and will take one place. Serbia and Ghana will fight out the other spot, and I feel Ghana, pretty close to home will grab the other spot. Australia may cause some headaches for the others, but not enough damage to advance to the next round.

Group E - The Dutch and the Danes will get a second bite of the cherry in this group. Cameroon can cause upsets and Japan can fluster their opponents, but Denmark and Holland are in a league of their own.

Group F - New Zealand will not win a game, and Slovakia will struggle against reigning champions Italy and the very unassuming Paraguay. Italy and Paraguay will be there for the second half of the tournament.

Group G - Labelled as the group of death, this group is a very tough one. Korea DPR will surely play their best football, but it won't be near enough to match the likes of Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast. Brazil and Ivory Coast to progress.

Group H - Spain will grab one spot, and they may even take the cup. The other spot will go to the Swiss. Chile and Honduras can ready themselves for 2014.

Remember, anything can happen on the football field.