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France

The history of the World Cup suggests it does not matter how you get to the tournament once you are there. The shadow of Thierry Henry's handball may linger but once Les Bleus kick off against Uruguay that will be forgotten. Nevertheless what will take some shifting is the impression that this is not a classic French side, as anyone who saw them in qualification can testify. Despite Raymond Domenench's success in steering France to the World Cup final in Berlin four years ago, there are many in France and in the dressing room who believe he should have stepped down.

Results & Fixtures Team Analysis

Mexico

For the past five World Cups, they have managed to escape the group stages and, France aside, there is nothing much for El Tri to fear. Having endured an erratic qualification campaign under Sven-Goran Eriksson, Mexico have stabilised under their new coach, Javier Aguirre, who took them on a 12-game unbeaten run. Without question, their most crucial match is likely to be their first, against the hosts, South Africa, in tournament's opening game. If they can draw whatever mild sting the Banfana Bafana possess in Johannesburg, they have every chance of another last-16 appearance.

Results & Fixtures Team Analysis

The Outsiders

South Africa

There is a huge advantage that comes with hosting the World Cup. Since 1966, seven of 11 host nations have reached at least the semi-finals and none has ever fallen at the group stage. To the intense dismay of everyone anticipating a first tournament on African soil, the Bafana Bafana may be the one exception. Optimists will point to the Confederations Cup last year in which South Africa reached the semi-finals but they failed to score in three of their four matches and beat only New Zealand. The noise of the vuvuzelas will be deafening but they are likely to be the sound of a lament.

Results & Fixtures Team Analysis

Uruguay

They may have been the winners of the first World Cup in 1930 but since reaching the quarter-finals 40 years ago, Uruguay's journeys on football's greatest stage have tended to be brief. Their record since 1970, when they reached the semi-finals shows they have won one game out of 14 and they hardly qualified impressively and a 1-0 defeat by Argentina forced them into a play-off with Costa Rica. This was won but as their coach, Oscar Tabarez, pointed out, Uruguay are in South Africa almost in spite of themselves. Their second game, against the hosts in Pretoria, is likely to determine whether the last team to qualify for South Africa goes home early.

Results & Fixtures Team Analysis

Star Players

Thierry Henry (FRA/Barcelona)Vivamus volutpat felis ut neque venenatis vel pharetra nunc pretium. Aliquam blandit, tortor a imperdiet sollicitudin, urna eros posuere nibh; a fringilla libero turpis non risus. Duis euismod, tortor ac mattis suscipit, magna arcu convallis nibh, vel tincidunt velit lacus a velit. Cras lacinia semper diam? Maecenas id tortor dolor, rhoncus imperdiet tellus. Sed hendrerit sem eget mauris hendrerit vitae pharetra tellus commodo. Aliquam erat volutpat. Praesent quis tristique eros. Proin at turpis porta dolor lacinia auctor. Vestibulum semper nunc sed nulla dignissim dictum.There is nobody in this tournament who is coming to South Africa under more pressure. His handball that helped knock out Ireland, not to mention his attempts to explain it, have tarnished the reputation of one of football's great 'good guys'. Here is a chance for redemption.

Steven Pienaar (RSA/Everton) Every tournament host needs a footballer to inspire them – especially when so many odds are stacked against them. Pienaar, brought up in a township outside Johannesburg could be that man.

Rafael Marquez (MEX/Barcelona) Probably the greatest footballer Mexico has ever produced and but for injury he might have won the Champions League twice. Even at 32, his command of central defence is unquestioned.

Diego Forlan (URG/ Atletico Madrid) His trials at Manchester United are long behind him and at first Villarreal and then Atletico Madrid, Forlan has allied the form in front of goal to the work rate that so impressed Sir Alex Ferguson.

William Gallas (FRA/Arsenal) Although Henry took the flak for the "hand of Gaul" goal against Ireland it was his former team-mate at Arsenal who scored it. And Gallas' goal-scoring, especially from set-plays are as vital to France as his defending.

Giovanni dos Santos (MEX/Galatasaray) He will only be 21 when the World Cup opens but the son of the Brazilian footballer, Zizinho. has plenty to prove, having failed to capitalise on his exceptional ability at first Barcelona and then Tottenham.