Group G provides us with the stereotypical 'Group of Death' of this edition of the FIFA World Cup. It brings together the ever popular 'Samba Boys' Brazil, the stylish and flamboyant Portuguese, the rugged and strong Ivory Coast and minnows North Korea. We therefore, have some crunch games lined up in Group G and endless entertainment is the least one should expect from the 6 fixtures.

Brazil is the most successful team in World Cup history and should be fairly confident of securing the top spot in the group. Brazilian coach Dunga has slowly but steadily built a concrete unit out of a bunch of extremely talented individuals keen to showcase their skills.The magical quartet of the previous World Cup stands no more though, with only Kaka remaining. The Samba kings will be banking on strong performances by Luis Fabiano, Robinho and Kaka, who were instrumental in their Confederations Cup triumph in 2009.

Group E promises to be another close contest, especially the battle for second place. Former European Champions Netherlands and Denmark are locked together in a group that also consists of African giants Cameroon and Asian powerhouse Japan. The Dutch are known to impress in the group stage and then fizzle out when it comes to the business end of major tournaments. You would expect them to have too much quality all over the pitch to really come under threat in this Group. The Danes have never made it beyond the quarter finals and Group E doesn't seem to feed their ambitions too much. Both Japan and Cameroon will also have their work cut out as they attempt to make only their second trip to the knockout rounds. Group E could be hailed as the 'Group of Equilibrium' with all three teams looking equally likely to go through behind the Dutch in second place.

Oranje are top ranked amongst the four teams in Group E and are everyone's favourites to command and conquer the group. With the likes of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie in their ranks one wouldn't doubt their capabilities to go through a third successive major tournament group stage undefeated. Their flair and quality up front may prove to be too much of a match for our potential surprise packages.

The Group that kick starts the first World Cup held on African soil consists of 4 teams of the footballing universe who are desperate to perform extremely well in 2010. Hosts South Africa have a million eyes fixed on their every move and a lot more prayers praying for their success. Les Blues' presence in this tournament hasn't come without controversy and they have a gazillion critics to silence. Uruguay are two time World Cup winners and haven't gone beyond the round of 16 for the last 40 years, the current crop of players seem to have a potential to break that barrier and the country expects. Mexican prayers will be focused towards taking their team beyond the second round which El Tri has reached and exited from in the last 4 editions of the World Cup. Group A does have potential for an upset or two with the inexperienced campaigners having massive reasons to succeed. Lets hope that not only does this group open the tournament in the most exhilarating fashion but also the trend persists with the remaining fixtures.

After a ‘hand ball' from captain Theirry Henry assisted France to secure qualification, a lot of hue and cry was generated over the Les Blues' participation in this show piece event. But keeping all that aside one would have to say that they are definite dark horses. France weren't expected to do well in Germany but went on to play in one of the most controversial finals in the tournaments history. The French have been the most successful of the four teams in recent FIFA World Cups and also possess the best squad on paper. They are clear favourites to win the group and to also go on and face the runners up from Group B.

Four different confederation giants are pitted against each other in Group B of this year's FIFA World Cup. Two time World Cup winners Argentina belong to a group that also consists of Euro 2004 winners Greece, African giants Nigeria and 2002 World Cup semi-finalists South Korea. The Greeks are making only their 2nd trip to these finals with neither a single goal nor a single point achieved to their credit in their only previous appearance. Diego Maradona's Argentina has a galore of stars plying their trade in Europe including Lionel Messi and Diego Milito and despite their harrowing display in qualification one cannot make the grave mistake of underestimating them. The South Koreans and Nigerians will look to add another group stage conquest to their record in this tournament with the unknown Greece side possessing the ability to play party poopers. This is arguably one of the toughest groups to predict and hence, it will ensure that the games are nerve racking and entertaining.

Argentina are favourites to win Group B with the help of charismatic coach Diego Maradona and world class players present aplenty in the squad. They just managed to make it to that final direct qualification spot and disappointed us all with their performances especially defeats to the likes of Bolivia and Paraguay. La Abiceleste are one of favourites to go all the way to the final on 11th of July and one expects them to send a signal of intent by winning all three games against opponents of good quality in Group B.