Group H
Spain are everyone’s favourites for the 2010 World Cup
Not least because this group looks the gentlest of warm-ups, but mostly because they really do have some of the very best players in the world and possibly the best all-round squad in the competition.
Chile
FIFA ranking: 18
Head coach: Marcelo Bielsa (since August 2007)
Big issue: Chile is slowly but surely making its way back onto the World Cup scene following its ban in the early 90s, and qualified impressively. But veteran striker Humberto Suazo is a bit injured and may be getting a dope ban too, which won’t help.
One to watch: Alexis Sánchez (midfield/attack, Udinese)
We predict: Second round
Chances: 66/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Wed 16 Jun | 15:30 | Nelspruit |  Honduras |
| Mon 21 Jun | 18:00 | Port Elizabeth |  Switzerland |
| Friday 25 Jun | 22:30 | Tshwane / Pretoria |  Spain |
Honduras
FIFA ranking: 38
Head coach: Reinaldo Rueda (since January 2007)
Big issue: Rapidly emerging as a footballing nation, but maybe 2010 is too soon – and the country is still in turmoil following the constitutional crisis that started last year.
One to watch: Wilson Palacios (midfield, Tottenham)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 1000/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Wed 16 Jun | 15:30 | Nelspruit |  Chile |
| Mon 21 Jun | 22:30 | Johannesburg | Spain |
| Fri 25 Jun | 22:30 | Manguang / Bloemfontein | Switzerland |
Spain
FIFA ranking: 2
Head coach: Vicente del Bosque (since July 2008)
Big issue: Who to omit? Especially from midfield –Fàbregas, Xabi Alonso, Pedro, Xavi, Iniesta, David Silva? And will Fernando Torres be affected by Liverpool’s problems or his knee injury, will Fàbregas be affected by ongoing transfer speculation? (Probably not.)
One to watch: Cesc Fàbregas (midfield/attack, Arsenal)
We predict: Winners
Chances: 4/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Wed 16 Jun | 18:00 | Durban | Switzerland |
| Mon 21 Jun | 22:30 | Johannesburg | Honduras |
| Fri 25 Jun | 22:30 | Tshwane / Pretoria | Chile |
Switzerland
FIFA ranking: 24
Head coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld (since July 2008)
Big issue: Switzerland is small enough for individuals to be really important. They’ve lost striker Marco Streller and defender Christoph Spycher to injury, Arsenal's unloved Philippe Senderos is there despite a lack of first-team games.
One to watch: Xherdan Shaqiri (midfield, FC Basel)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 250/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Wed 16 Jun | 18:00 | Durban | Spain |
| Mon 21 Jun | 18:00 | Port Elizabeth | Chile |
| Friday 25 Jun | 22:30 | Manguang / Bloemfontein | Honduras |
