Who will Win the South Africa Football World Cup?

It is but fitting that the FIFA Football World Cup 2010 will be hosted for the first time by South Africa where football – or soccer, as many locals fondly call it – is the most widely played sport. Transcending race, color,politics, language and all other sectarian considerations, sport unites the country and more so, football.

This besides, South Africa offers - efficient transport, advanced telecommunications, vibrant tourism and all required sports infrastructure and above all, a nation renowned for its passion for this exciting game.

As all the football playing nations, the worldwide sporting circles, the critics and commentators, the frenzied fan and followers of the game are anxiously waiting for the commencement of the tournament with great anticipation, speculation is already rife in the media as to who will win the world football championship (2010 FIFA World Cup).

Who will win the South Africa Football World Cup? This is the big question tormenting everybody’s mind. But it is difficult to answer this question unless you are a soothsayer as there are many imponderables in football as in all other games.

If you look at the contenders and study the composition of various teams, you may come to the conclusion that Brazil and Spain will be hot favorites. But the fact is Brazil is in a very tough group with the Ivory Coast and Portugal likely to provide stiff opposition. But with an enviable World Cup track record and having some of the outstanding players in the world like the amazing Kaka and the dexterous Robinho, Brazil will be looking forward to a place in the Final.

Spain has an equally powerful team and has players such as Torres, apart from star players from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Arsenal. Spain no doubt has players of caliber, but has often underachieved in previous tournaments. Still, they are the Euro 2008 winners and so they might well be able to throw some surprises and become strong contenders for the finals. The all-time great Pele, who is an authority on the game, opines that "Spain is the best team in the world today" and they will covet the crown. German soccer legend, Lothar Mathhaus, concurs and says decisively that Spain will emerge world champion.

England is an enviable team with renowned players like Gerrard, Rooney and Lampard. Though in a seemingly easy group, England has a record of struggling their way up to the quarter final stage. They are bereft of a top class goalkeeper - but if all their players strike form, England may be hard to beat. According to Marcello Lippi, the great footballer of Italy, "England has great players and Fabio is a great coach and they can succeed".

Germany appears not to have any star players but the Germans should not be under-rated as they remarkably rise to the occasion when the crunch comes. They are in a tough opening group and a clash with England could prove formidable for the Germans. But Germany is still a cohesive team that combines well to score goals. Some of the German players have the right type of experience and know how to overcome their opponents. One of the football greats of Germany, Lothar Mathhaus remarks “If you win against Germany, you can win the tournament. But it is not easy to win against Germany"

Portugal has some of the most versatile players in the world including the indomitable Ronaldo and there is no dearth of passion and pride in the Portuguese team. One cannot rule out their emerging as the dark horse. When in the field, Portuguese play with such passion as if there is no tomorrow.

Argentina has the outstanding player of the year Lionel Messi and there is a host of other top stars with the legendary Maradona as coach. Argentina is a football crazy nation and they still have the players, the adroitness and the characteristic Latin flair to go for the title - though many believe Argentina’s chances of claiming the cup may be a distant dream.

France would need a massive shake-up to be considered a serious contender. Many critics agree that the French will find it tough to reach the final. Nonetheless, France is a force to reckon with on its own day, and many of their players have the will to conquer.

Italy is the defending world champion – they have a reputation for starting the tournament in a modest way and then forging ahead dangerously. But the fact is their team is getting older and craving for rejuvenation. If their forwards play well and if dame fortune aids them, then they might as well retain the World Cup. Italy coach Marcello Lippi has stated categorically that he will be going to South Africa with only one thing in mind, to bring home the world cup.

If a miracle happens and such upsets are not uncommon in world tournaments, teams like Ivory Coast and possibly Holland could make it to the finals. The Netherlands was a lead football nation in the 70s and 80s and still could provide a few upsets, and may travel farther than expected in the tournament.

All pictures : from fifa.com