The draw for the final tournament of the 2010 Men’s World Cup was kind to the defending finalists, but not the losing semifinalists. 2006 champions Italy face Paraguay, New Zealand, and first time qualifiers Slovakia in Group F, whilst France, who fell to the Azzurri in the 2006 final, were drawn against hosts South Africa, Mexico, and Uruguay in Group A. The Group of Death is widely considered to be Group G, which contains Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d’Ivoire, and Portugal. The tournament’s opening match will be South Africa-Mexico at Johannesburg’s new Soccer City stadium on FRI 11 JUN 2010.
» Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
» Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Rep, Greece
» Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia
» Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
» Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
» Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
» Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal
» Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile