Group A
On paper, South Africa should be outclassed and France should cruise through
But this group is really difficult to call; France ought to walk it, given their squad, but have not been impressive of late. South Africa has home advantage and is improving. Uruguay has some great goalscorers, Mexico has some great defenders. Maybe this one will be the fabled Group of Death.
France
FIFA ranking: 9
Head coach: Raymond Domenech (since July 2004)
Big issue: Domenech’s last tournament in charge and he’s experimenting with 4-3-3 rather than his more conservative formations. But which France will turn up this time?
One to watch: Florent Malouda (forward, Chelsea)
We predict: Quarter-finals
Chances: 18/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Fri 11 Jun | 22:30 | Cape Town |  Uruguay |
| Thu 17 Jun | 22:30 | Polokwane |  Mexico |
| Tue 22 Jun | 18:00 | Manguang / Bloemfontein |  South Africa |
Mexico
FIFA ranking: 17
Head coach: Javier Aguirre (since April 2009 – also 2001-2002)
Big issue: Mix of old heads at the back and nippy youngsters at the front, and beat Italy 2-1 a couple of days ago, but might not have enough all-round quality
One to watch: Javier Hernández (forward, now Manchester United)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 100/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Fri 11 Jun | 18:00 | Johannesburg | South Africa |
| Thu 17 Jun | 22:30 | Polokwane |  France |
| Tue 22 Jun | 18:00 | Rustenburg | Uruguay |
South Africa
FIFA ranking: 83
Head coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira (since October 2009 – also 2007-2008)
Big issue: This team is on a roll and has some class players that assure it of Dark Horse status. But only North Korea are lower in the latest FIFA rankings.
One to watch: Bernard Parker (midfield/attack, FC Twente)
We predict: Second round
Chances: 150/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Fri 11 Jun | 18:00 | Johannesburg | Mexico |
| Wed 16 Jun | 22:30 | Tshwane / Pretoria | Uruguay |
| Tue 22 Jun | 18:00 | Manguang / Bloemfontein | France |
Uruguay
FIFA ranking: 16
Head coach: Óscar Tabárez (since 2006 – also 1988-1990)
Big issue: Two strikers in top form (Forlán, Suárez) but qualified only after a skin-of-the-teeth play-off against Costa Rica.
One to watch: Luis Suárez (forward, Ajax)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 100/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Fri 11 Jun | 22:30 | Cape Town | France |
| Wed 16 Jun | 22:30 | Tshwane / Pretoria | South Africa |
| Tue 22 Jun | 18:00 | Rustenburg | Mexico |
