Group G
This is another tough group for the second-place spot. Brazil should win it by a mile, North Korea should finish bottom by a long way.
So the real interest comes from the choice between Portugal (class players, but can they find some form after an iffy qualifying spell?) and Ivory Coast (a lousy African Nations Cup and a new management team, but Drogba is the spearhead).
Brazil
FIFA ranking: 1
Head coach: Dunga (since July 2006)
Big issue: Dunga has added some European-style organisation to the mix, perhaps at the expense of some flair. Up front, Kaka has yet to hit the heights after his big-money transfer to Real Madrid and Manchester City’s marquee signing Robinho is inconsistent.
One to watch: Kaka (midfield/attack, Real Madrid)
We predict: Quarter-finals
Chances: 9/2
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Tue 15 Jun | 22:30 | Johannesburg |  North Korea |
| Sun 20 Jun | 22:30 | Johannesburg |  Ivory Coast |
| Fri 25 Jun | 18:00 | Durban |  Portugal |
Ivory Coast
FIFA ranking: 27
Head coach: Sven-Göran Eriksson (since March 2010)
Big issue: A real mix of genuine stars and apparent makeweights, but look at 19 goals in their last six qualifiers (and just four against). But will the arm Drogba damaged last weekend allow the talismanic striker to play?
One to watch: Didier Drogba, if fit (forward, Chelsea)
We predict: Second round
Chances: 40/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Tue 15 Jun | 18:00 | Port Elizabeth | Portugal |
| Sun 20 Jun | 22:30 | Johannesburg |  Brazil |
| Fri 25 Jun | 18:00 | Nelspruit | North Korea |
North Korea
FIFA ranking: 105
Head coach: Kim Jong-Hun (since 2008)
Big issue: Watching teams of unknowns play out of their skins is all part of the romance of the World Cup ... But a repeat of their heroics in 1966 is unlikely.
One to watch: Kim Kuk-Jin (midfield, FC Wil)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 2000/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Tue 15 Jun | 22:30 | Johannesburg | Brazil |
| Mon 21 Jun | 15:30 | Cape Town | Portugal |
| Fri 25 Jun | 18:00 | Nelspruit | Ivory Coast |
Portugal
FIFA ranking: 3
Head coach: Carlos Queiroz (since July 2008)
Big issue: Portugal had some trouble qualifying and Ronaldo failed to score in seven appearances. A first-choice XI – including Ronaldo – could only draw 0-0 in a recent home friendly against the mighty Cape Verde Islands.
One to watch: Tiago (midfield, Atlético Madrid on loan from Juventus)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 25/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Tue 15 Jun | 18:00 | Port Elizabeth | Ivory Coast |
| Mon 21 Jun | 15:30 | Cape Town | North Korea |
| Fri 25 Jun | 18:00 | Durban | Brazil |
