England

England have navigated their way through the past 10 World Cup group stages they have been involved in, and Fabio Capello has made the semi-finals their minimum aim in South Africa.

Having failed to qualify for Euro 2008, they’ll be looking to mount a serious challenge and progress past the quarter-finals, where they came unstuck in 2002 and 2006.

Capello’s side will be looking for inspirational Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, scorer of nine goals in qualifying, to provide the moments of quality to see them challenge for the trophy. Chelsea’s double-winning contingent, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole, will arrive in South Africa on a high.

USA

Hosts in 1994, the USA will be contesting their sixth successive finals and will be optimistic of making their way into the last 16.

Bob Bradley’s side will kick off in Rustenburg against England on June 12, and with a large contingent of English-based players, they’ll be looking to pull off a relative shock in their opening game.

With all-time leading goalscorer Landon Donovan available and Oguchi Onyewu, the AC Milan defender, hopeful of making the finals, only Charlie Davies, the Sochaux striker, will be missing from a full-strength squad.

Slovenia

Having finished second in their qualifying group behind Slovakia, Slovenia shocked Russia in their European play-off to ensure their place in South Africa.

Lead by Matjaz Kek, the Slovenians will look to former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Robert Koren to pull the strings and for Milinove Novakovic, the FC Koln striker, to score the goals.

With not many giving them hope of progressing, highly-impressive Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic will have to be on top-form if they are to produce a shock on the World stage.

Algeria

Lead by Rabah Saadane, the North African side will be looking for a good start to the competition, and three points from their opening game against Slovenia is a necessity if they hope to qualify for the second round.

Les Fennecs, who finished fourth in this year's African Nations Cup, boast high-quality European-based players such as Karim Ziani, the Wolfsburg schemer, and Nadir Belhadj, the versatile left-sided player from Portsmouth who will be in the shop window in South Africa.

England


USA

Algeria



Slovenia

Give this group to England and USA. algeria will put up some fight though.

Predicted order of finish:

1. England -- Group favorite, England is in South Africa amid the usual hype and expectation, fuelled by the winter weather over there and the Capello-effect. Under Fabio Capello, a 4-2-3-1 formation has seen England better organized and, largely, brought the best out of a talented midfield that had previously proved difficult to combine effectively. On a good day, England is a high-tempo outfit, pressing to win the ball and getting it forward fast. But the exclusion of Theo Walcott, and less surprisingly Adam Johnson and Scott Parker, robs the midfield of pace and bite, and on a bad day, the more established midfielders can look like they've never met. A major rethink will be necessary if England fails to reach the knockout stages, however.

2. USA -- Bob Bradley's gone largely with 4-4-2 during qualifying, and shows no signs of changing, but 4-2-3-1 would arguably afford his best players room to show what they can do -- like England, the U.S. looks better on the front foot. The U.S. has no breath-taking strikers, but the midfield has stamina and some very nice players of the ball. With a bit of momentum behind it, the team is capable of silky-one touch football that allows it to counter-attack dangerously and midfielders Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan are a dangros tandem. On losing that momentum, however, the U.S. can lose cohesion, and looks vulnerable to counter-attacks itself. Consistency isn't a term that can easily be applied to the U.S.' performances and results, but it will be determined to live up to its Round of 16 billing this time.

3. Slovenia -- Matjaz Kek's side qualified in impressive fashion, defeating Russia in the playoffs, and is probably the only team in the group with a settled starting XI that hasn't been forced on the coach by injuries. Slovenia does the simple things well, stays organized and is tirelessly competitive. There's a lot of movement in the 4-4-2, with attacking fullbacks Miso Brecko and Bojan Jokic and fluid central midfield pair Robert Koren and Aleksander Radosavljevic. Throw in a seriously robust defense and an excellent goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic, and you have yourself the makings of a second-spot contender. However, the creative sparks tend to come from younger players like Rene Krhin (20) and Nejc Pecnik (24), who'll need to keep their heads on the big stage.

4. Algeria -- The designated passionate no-hoper, Algeria is actually inconsistent enough to cause trouble in the group, even if it doesn't escape itself. Algeria is just as capable of being turned inside out by Malawi as it is of doing the same to Egypt, arguably one of the strongest African teams ever. In a straightforward 4-4-2, Rabah Saadane's side looks pacy on the counter-attack, with one or two nippy midfielders. The frontline isn't spectacular though, 35-year-old Rafik Saifi remains its most gifted member and the main threat will come at set pieces. The big test for the Algerians may be endurance -- a considerable chunk of its likely starters haven't racked up too many minutes this season, so the last half hour of games (when they've also been known to lose discipline) will be crucial.


Players to watch

1. Wayne Rooney, England -- There was almost a day of national mourning after Rooney limped out of Manchester United's Champions League campaign; looking back at England's recent history on the world and European stages, England's reliance on the striker is evident. Rooney's application and endeavor lift drooping heads, and he wants to give the opposition defense trouble at every opportunity, even when his teammates have given up. As a goal scorer, he's come into his own this season, drifting around the middle to devastating effect. In addition to his trademark vision in the final third, Rooney now boasts the instincts of a predator in the six-yard box and has developed a much-talked about knack for heading the ball goalward, too. Capello's choice of strikers suggests he has thoughts for one thing: feeding Rooney.

2. Landon Donovan, U.S. -- The names on the U.S. roster are becoming increasingly familiar across the globe, but Landon Donovan remains a class above his teammates. Combining pace, stamina and incisive movement, he's an all-rounder who's already proved he can maintain his high standards in the rough and tumble of Everton's Premiership season. Donovan can sometimes look uncomfortable with his talisman tag, but he remains a terrific foil for the power of Jozy Altidore, and links the front and midfield to good effect. Counter-attack is the U.S. team's best weapon and in Donovan they have the man to do damage to even the best teams -- as his goal against Brazil in the Confederations Cup final testifies.

3. Valter Birsa, Slovenia -- There's a lot to like about 23-year-old Birsa who, having struggled up front for Sochaux in France, has been in impressive form since being switched to midfield, where he now plays for Auxerre. With a left-foot for aesthetes everywhere to appreciate, Birsa tends to play on the right for Slovenia, as an inside-out winger who can drive towards the goalline and launch an in-Player. Slovenia has found its best form since he came into the squad, and though it might be stretching things to suggest that's entirely down to Birsa, he's the epitome of a team player, always willing to put in a shift.

4. Karim Ziani, Algeria -- The crafty winger has struggled for pitch minutes at VfL Wolfsburg this season, but was central to Algeria's qualification and will likely drive its best moves in South Africa. Lithe and adroit on the ball, Ziani can try to do too much in possession at times, but is capable of carrying the ball into dangerous areas and has an excellent cross in his arsenal -- used to set up Antar Yahia's winner against Egypt in the playoff that got Algeria here. In addition to forward-thinking distribution, Ziani shows willing when it comes to tracking back and getting tackles in.

How it'll unfold

There are two potentially decisive encounters in this group. The opening match between England and the U.S. (June 12), a clash between the two favorites to progress, has so much riding on it -- the victor here will be best placed to win the group. Under the weight of massive expectation, England has to win. The U.S. was overwhelmed in its first group game of 2006, going down 3-0 to the Czech Republic having conceded early, but there's no doubting that Bradley's men will be up for the fight here. Having beaten Spain and run Brazil close in Confederations Cup, the U.S. fears no one. England has the edge in most positions, but psychologically the sides are much closer, and neither will want to chase what could easily be a "first goal wins" encounter.

Going on the (reasonable but probably dangerous) assumption that both Slovenia and the U.S. fail to beat England but fare equally well against Algeria, their meeting on June 18 will be the key matchup in the battle for second place. It may even end the tournament prematurely for one of them. Slovenia and the U.S. have never met on a soccer field, but both sides will set themselves out to be difficult to break down, and both have attackers capable of working moments of magic. However, the U.S. should be confident of creating the better chances. If this match can't separate the two, the U.S.' matchup with Algeria in its final group game gains a great deal of meaning.

Predicted order of finish:

1. England -- Group favorite, England is in South Africa amid the usual hype and expectation, fuelled by the winter weather over there and the Capello-effect. Under Fabio Capello, a 4-2-3-1 formation has seen England better organized and, largely, brought the best out of a talented midfield that had previously proved difficult to combine effectively. On a good day, England is a high-tempo outfit, pressing to win the ball and getting it forward fast. But the exclusion of Theo Walcott, and less surprisingly Adam Johnson and Scott Parker, robs the midfield of pace and bite, and on a bad day, the more established midfielders can look like they've never met. A major rethink will be necessary if England fails to reach the knockout stages, however.

2. USA -- Bob Bradley's gone largely with 4-4-2 during qualifying, and shows no signs of changing, but 4-2-3-1 would arguably afford his best players room to show what they can do -- like England, the U.S. looks better on the front foot. The U.S. has no breath-taking strikers, but the midfield has stamina and some very nice players of the ball. With a bit of momentum behind it, the team is capable of silky-one touch football that allows it to counter-attack dangerously and midfielders Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan are a dangros tandem. On losing that momentum, however, the U.S. can lose cohesion, and looks vulnerable to counter-attacks itself. Consistency isn't a term that can easily be applied to the U.S.' performances and results, but it will be determined to live up to its Round of 16 billing this time.

3. Slovenia -- Matjaz Kek's side qualified in impressive fashion, defeating Russia in the playoffs, and is probably the only team in the group with a settled starting XI that hasn't been forced on the coach by injuries. Slovenia does the simple things well, stays organized and is tirelessly competitive. There's a lot of movement in the 4-4-2, with attacking fullbacks Miso Brecko and Bojan Jokic and fluid central midfield pair Robert Koren and Aleksander Radosavljevic. Throw in a seriously robust defense and an excellent goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic, and you have yourself the makings of a second-spot contender. However, the creative sparks tend to come from younger players like Rene Krhin (20) and Nejc Pecnik (24), who'll need to keep their heads on the big stage.

4. Algeria -- The designated passionate no-hoper, Algeria is actually inconsistent enough to cause trouble in the group, even if it doesn't escape itself. Algeria is just as capable of being turned inside out by Malawi as it is of doing the same to Egypt, arguably one of the strongest African teams ever. In a straightforward 4-4-2, Rabah Saadane's side looks pacy on the counter-attack, with one or two nippy midfielders. The frontline isn't spectacular though, 35-year-old Rafik Saifi remains its most gifted member and the main threat will come at set pieces. The big test for the Algerians may be endurance -- a considerable chunk of its likely starters haven't racked up too many minutes this season, so the last half hour of games (when they've also been known to lose discipline) will be crucial.


Players to watch

1. Wayne Rooney, England -- There was almost a day of national mourning after Rooney limped out of Manchester United's Champions League campaign; looking back at England's recent history on the world and European stages, England's reliance on the striker is evident. Rooney's application and endeavor lift drooping heads, and he wants to give the opposition defense trouble at every opportunity, even when his teammates have given up. As a goal scorer, he's come into his own this season, drifting around the middle to devastating effect. In addition to his trademark vision in the final third, Rooney now boasts the instincts of a predator in the six-yard box and has developed a much-talked about knack for heading the ball goalward, too. Capello's choice of strikers suggests he has thoughts for one thing: feeding Rooney.

2. Landon Donovan, U.S. -- The names on the U.S. roster are becoming increasingly familiar across the globe, but Landon Donovan remains a class above his teammates. Combining pace, stamina and incisive movement, he's an all-rounder who's already proved he can maintain his high standards in the rough and tumble of Everton's Premiership season. Donovan can sometimes look uncomfortable with his talisman tag, but he remains a terrific foil for the power of Jozy Altidore, and links the front and midfield to good effect. Counter-attack is the U.S. team's best weapon and in Donovan they have the man to do damage to even the best teams -- as his goal against Brazil in the Confederations Cup final testifies.

3. Valter Birsa, Slovenia -- There's a lot to like about 23-year-old Birsa who, having struggled up front for Sochaux in France, has been in impressive form since being switched to midfield, where he now plays for Auxerre. With a left-foot for aesthetes everywhere to appreciate, Birsa tends to play on the right for Slovenia, as an inside-out winger who can drive towards the goalline and launch an in-Player. Slovenia has found its best form since he came into the squad, and though it might be stretching things to suggest that's entirely down to Birsa, he's the epitome of a team player, always willing to put in a shift.

4. Karim Ziani, Algeria -- The crafty winger has struggled for pitch minutes at VfL Wolfsburg this season, but was central to Algeria's qualification and will likely drive its best moves in South Africa. Lithe and adroit on the ball, Ziani can try to do too much in possession at times, but is capable of carrying the ball into dangerous areas and has an excellent cross in his arsenal -- used to set up Antar Yahia's winner against Egypt in the playoff that got Algeria here. In addition to forward-thinking distribution, Ziani shows willing when it comes to tracking back and getting tackles in.

How it'll unfold

There are two potentially decisive encounters in this group. The opening match between England and the U.S. (June 12), a clash between the two favorites to progress, has so much riding on it -- the victor here will be best placed to win the group. Under the weight of massive expectation, England has to win. The U.S. was overwhelmed in its first group game of 2006, going down 3-0 to the Czech Republic having conceded early, but there's no doubting that Bradley's men will be up for the fight here. Having beaten Spain and run Brazil close in Confederations Cup, the U.S. fears no one. England has the edge in most positions, but psychologically the sides are much closer, and neither will want to chase what could easily be a "first goal wins" encounter.

Going on the (reasonable but probably dangerous) assumption that both Slovenia and the U.S. fail to beat England but fare equally well against Algeria, their meeting on June 18 will be the key matchup in the battle for second place. It may even end the tournament prematurely for one of them. Slovenia and the U.S. have never met on a soccer field, but both sides will set themselves out to be difficult to break down, and both have attackers capable of working moments of magic. However, the U.S. should be confident of creating the better chances. If this match can't separate the two, the U.S.' matchup with Algeria in its final group game gains a great deal of meaning.

England World Cup 2010 Squad


Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth);
Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa);
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City);
Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

USA World Cup 2010 Squad
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton);
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United);
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Pachuca);
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla)



Slovenia World Cup 2010 Squad


Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam);
Defenders: Miso Brecko (FC Cologne), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz), Bojan Jokic (Chievo), Marko Suler (Ghent), Suad Filekovic (NK Maribor), Elvedin Dzinic (NK Maribor);
Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Robert Koren (Unattached), Valter Birsa (AJ Auxerre), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan);
Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (FC Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (VfL Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional Funchal), Tim Matavz (Groningen).


Algeria World Cup 2010 Squad

Goalkeepers: Faouzi Chaouchi (Entente Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Rais Ouheb Mbouli (Slavia Sofia),
Defenders: Habib Belaid (Boulogne-sur-Mer), Nader Belhadj (Portsmouth), Majid Bougherra (Rangers), Rafik Halliche (Nacional), Abdelkader Laifaoui (Entente Setif), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce), Antar Yahia (VfL Bochum);
Midfielders: Djamel Abdoun (Nantes), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santanader), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient), Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth), Karim Ziani (VfL Wolfsburg);
Forwards: Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens), Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena), Karim Matmour (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Rafik Saifi (Istres)

Go team USA
God bless America and no one else

I just dont like england.they should just fail and give the usa a chance.

England captain Rio Ferdinand will miss the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in the team's first training session in South Africa.

Tottenham centre-back Michael Dawson will fly out later on Friday as Ferdinand's replacement, while Steven Gerrard will take over as captain.

More to follow.

bandely:

England captain Rio Ferdinand will miss the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in the team's first training session in South Africa.

Tottenham centre-back Michael Dawson will fly out later on Friday as Ferdinand's replacement, while Steven Gerrard will take over as captain.

More to follow.

yeah, he is out and that is real bad news for england

Sauron, I'm waiting you o!

switch47:

yeah, he is out and that is real bad news for england

Yeah, it is a big blow for them, but Dawson had been called up to replace him, and they have either King or Carragher to pair with Terry in the defence.

World Cup 2010: Rio Ferdinand's Injury Has Sent Fabio Capello's Plans Up In Smoke - England Legend Terry Butcher
Former captain fears disaster,

Former England captain Terry Butcher has warned Rio Ferdinand's withdrawal is a "hammer blow" to the nation's World Cup hopes.

Ferdinand, 31, was provisionally ruled out of the tournament after picking up knee ligament damage in the team's first training session since arriving in South Africa. As skipper, he was expected to lead the push to bring the trophy back to England for the first time since 1966.

Although Tottenham Hotspur's Michael Dawson has been drafted in by manager Fabio Capello, Butcher insisted there is no natural replacement for the Manchester United player.

"It's a massive blow. He's the captain of his country and as a centre half he's at the heart of the defence. He's a leader," Butcher told Sky Sports News.

"He'd been quoted saying there are no excuses for this World Cup and making amends for previous debacles and it's a hammer blow. All Capello's plans are now going to be up in smoke really."

If it is the same Team USA that almost conqured Brasil then England are not going to find things funny! i say USA 1st, England 2nd

yomola:

If it is the same Team USA that almost conqured Brasil then England are not going to find things funny! i say USA 1st, England 2nd

Well, USA is a strong contender, but I don't see them topping the group, they might as well lose to Slovenia.

Well i won't be surprised if it happens that Algeria and USA/Slovenia qualify ahead of England in that group, because England has had a lot of problems both on-field and off-field.

USA beat them at the 1950 World cup, it would be fun if they repeat it again

Here are the old clips from the match
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYFl6oOad3E&feature=player_embedded

my predictions

England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia

we never can tell sha, slovenia can pull a fast one one on USA. i don't see any team stopping England tho.

England wont make it out of this group and if they do, they'll struggle. These guys are a congregation of average players, no beef. Algeria will be the surprise package in this group. Slovenia, well, England finds it hard against Eastern European teams. They lost to Romania in '98 and Euro 2000. They lost to Russia and Croatia en route to Euro '08 which they eventually didnt qualify for even though they got their pound of flesh against Croatia in the world cup qualifiers. They can beat the Yankees tho but Algeria and Slovenia will give them a run for their £.

thxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Algeria would be a surprise package.

My boldest predictions would be that Switzerland and Mexico would make huuuuuuuuuge impacts at this world cup. I also think that south africa would do fine.

davidif:

Algeria would be a surprise package.

My boldest predictions would be that Switzerland and Mexico would make huuuuuuuuuge impacts at this world cup. I also think that south africa would do fine.

Me think Serbia!

Latest Results

England 1 - 1 USA

Algeria 0 - 1 Slovenia

davidif:

My boldest predictions would be that Switzerland and Mexico would make huuuuuuuuuge impacts at this world cup. I also think that south africa would do fine.

ha ha ha ha ha, i was right.

davidif:

ha ha ha ha ha, i was right.

You tried jare.

bandely:

You tried jare.

ha ha ha, once again i was right.

USA dey chop cain

Whose idea was it to label this group the 'Group Of Champions'?

Come on England!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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