Group A is one of the most wide-open groups in the competition, where really any of the teams could quite conceivably go through. This is largely because all of the other groups contain one of the top 7 seeded teams, whereas in Group A hosts South Africa took the place of a seeded team in the draw.
South Africa
With no significant World Cup history, and being a nation more associated with rugby than football, South Afica are something of an unknown quantity.
What works in their favour is of course, being the hosting nation. South Korea established themselves as a World Cup country after an incredible campaign in 2002, when they co-hosted the tournament with Japan. Whether the home advantage in terms of support, a familiar climate, and just maybe some extra leniency from referees (which almost certainly contributed to South Korea’s success) will work for South Africa too remains to be seen, but it is well known that having the home country’s team remain in contention past the group stages is seen to be good for the event as a whole…
Mexico
Mexico had a disappointing 2006 World Cup. Starting out as one of the top 8 seeds, they went out in the round of 16 to Argentina.
A country big on the sport, Mexico have never won the trophy but have a strong domestic league and can be expected to play well.
France
On paper the 1998 World Cup winners and 2006 World Cup finalists should be the easy favourites in this group, however with an unconvincing qualifying campaign it is just as possible that these masters of international inconsistency could bomb out in the group stages like they did in 2002. That year, the defending champions failed to score a single goal.
With big name players like Henry and Anelka in their ranks, France can’t be discounted, but their success in 2006 does not automatically make them a shoe-in for top of the group.
Uruguay
Past masters, Uruguay have won the World Cup twice. Admittedly, this was in 1930 and 1950, so referring to these victories now would probably be as valid as say, going on about England in 1966…
Uruguay didn’t qualify for the 2006 tournament, and didn’t make it through the group stage in 2002 (where once again they were in Group A alongside France, who also went out), so they will be keen to better these performances.
Prediction
Choosing from this group is tricky. Whilst South Africa should, on paper, be the worst team in this group I have a feeling they will get through based on the home advantage, and while France should be the best I can easily see them turning out to be a big disappointment this year.
Perhaps a somewhat odd prediction, I am going to go with this:
1. Mexico
2. South Africa
3. France
4. Uruguay
