World cup 2010 Match Preview: Honduras vs Chile - The American football style

The Chile side coached by Marcelo 'El Loco' Bielsa were one of the genuine revelations of the qualifying stage for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the Argentine strategist's hard-running outfit finishing second in the South American section behind Brazil. Up against them in their opening encounter in Group H are CONCACAF side Honduras, returning to football's biggest stage after a 28-year absence.

The match
Honduras-Chile, Group H, Nelspruit (Mbombela Stadium), Wednesday 16 June, 13.30 (local time)
Referee: Eddy MAILLET (SEY)

In a section containing tournament favourites Spain, the remaining three

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: Spain vs Switzerland - Best Europe win

Spain can expect some chilly temperatures in Durban when they take on Switzerland in what will be their 50th FIFA World Cup™ finals match. The heat will almost certainly be on the Swiss, however, who have yet to beat La Roja in 18 attempts.

The match
Spain-Switzerland, Group H, Durban, Wednesday, 16 June, 16.00 (local time)
Referee: Howard WEBB (ENG)

Having barely put a foot wrong in the last two years, Spain will take the

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: South Africa vs Uruguay - This Belong to Uruguay

Group A looks too close to call after two draws on the opening day, but hosts South Africa and Uruguay should have a clearer idea of their destinies at this FIFA World Cup™ after what promises to be a hotly contested encounter in the heartland of Tshwane/Pretoria. While it is far-fetched to suggest that their Loftus Versfeld Stadium encounter will be decisive, a victory for either side would go a long way to booking a place in the Round of 16.

The match
South Africa-Uruguay, Pretoria (Loftus Stadium), Wednesday 16 June, 20.30 (local time)
Referee: Massimo BUSACCA (SUI)

They may be riding a wave of optimism inside the host country, but

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: Brazil vs Korea DPR - Not Easy for Brazil

It is hard to contemplate Tuesday's Group G match-up between Brazil and Korea DPR at Ellis Park without entering into the realms of cliché – tournament favourites against complete outsiders, David meets Goliath. Yet the first ever meeting of this hugely contrasting pair, the five-time world champions and the lowest-ranked of the 32 qualifiers – the North Koreans are 85th in the world – holds plenty of intrigue.

The match
Brazil-Korea DPR, Group G, Johannesburg (Ellis Park Stadium), Tuesday 15 June, 20.30 (local time)
Referee: Viktor KASSAI (HUN)

On paper there should be only one outcome, with evidence of

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: Côte d’Ivoire vs Portugal - No Time for Mistake for Portugal

Tuesday sees the first meeting between Côte d’Ivoire and Portugal in the history of the FIFA World Cup™, in a Group G encounter that promises both plenty of excitement and goalmouth action. In their second consecutive appearance at the global showpiece, the west Africans will be out to prove that their growing continental reputation is wholly merited. “For this generation of players not to win anything would be a shame,” says Ivorian midfielder, Romaric. Winning a match, their group or even the whole tournament will depend on the answer to two crucial questions: Will Didier Drogba play? And what kind of boost will the arrival of new coach Sven-Goran Eriksson provide?

Standing between Côte d’Ivoire and an opening victory in the competition is

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: New Zealand vs Slovakia - Do Not Underestimate New Zealand

New Zealand and Slovakia have long coveted places at the FIFA World Cup™. The Kiwis last appeared on its prestigious stage in 1982, and were the underdogs going into their play-off with Bahrain in late 2009. The Slovaks were outsiders in a qualifying group also comprising the likes of Slovenia, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and Poland.

But by reaching South Africa 2010, the pair created expectation. And while, given that defending world champions Italy and a capable Paraguay side are also in Group F, a majority view this match as a battle to avoid finishing

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: England vs USA

The opening game in Group C brings together two countries, England and USA, with a history of close relations and comradeship off the field but very little in the way of history on it. Except for one startling exception: the 1950 FIFA World Cup clash in Belo Horizonte which the Americans, seen as a 'ragtag' outfit back home, took a battering ram to convention and upset their fancied opponents 1-0. With Slovenia and Algeria also in the group at South Africa 2010, the Rustenburg game could be pivotal in the fight for qualifying places.

The match
England-USA, Group C, Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium), Saturday 12 June, 20.30 (local time), Referee Carlos SIMON (BRA)

Under their new coach Fabio Capello, England put together a near-perfect qualifying campaign, winning nine of their ten games and scoring 34 goals - six more than Spain, the next best - to top Europe's goal chart with

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: Argentina vs Nigeria

After 16 years, Diego Armando Maradona makes his return to the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. The Argentinian bowed out of world football’s showpiece in 1994 after Argentina's match against Nigeria, a team he now faces as head coach tomorrow in the opening match in Group B.

The Africans, meanwhile, will be looking to avenge the defeat in the final of the Olympic Football Tournament 2008 in China, where La Albiceleste triumphed with a number of players who will be present in Johannesburg. They will be hopeful Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, one of the masterminds behind Argentina’s elimination from

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: Korea Republic vs Greece

"The next game is always the most important." Coaches and footballers alike have been using this old adage to emphasise their focus on an upcoming match for decades. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, the phrase "the first game is the most important" is arguably more appropriate for the likes of Korea Republic and Greece, who go head to head on Saturday.

Considering the strength of the other two teams in Group B, Argentina and Nigeria, this clash could well prove decisive. La Albiceleste are undoubted group favourites, while the other three will all feel they are capable of claiming second spot and a place in the last 16.

The match
Korea Republic–Greece, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth (Port Elizabeth Stadium), Saturday 12 June, 13.30 (local time), Referee: Michael HESTER (NZL)

Although Saturday's clash will be the first time these two sides have met at a FIFA World Cup, there have been two previous encounters between the two nations. History favours

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: Uruguay vs France

The second match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ pits together two former world champions: Uruguay, the winners in 1930 and 1950; and France, who triumphed 1998. With hosts South Africa and Mexico making up what promises to be a tight Group A, the three points up for grabs in Cape Town on Friday could prove crucial. The last meeting between the two was a 0-0 draw in the group phase at Korea/Japan 2002, a result that contributed to the early elimination of both sides.

The match
Uruguay-France, Group A, Cape Town (Green Point Stadium), Friday 11 June, 20.30 (local time)
Referee: Yuichi NISHIMURA (JPN) Stadium: Green Point Stadium

Despite their rich footballing traditions, both teams struggled en route to the world finals, only clinching their places in the play-offs. While La Celeste were squeezing

World Cup 2010 Match Preview: South Africa vs Mexico

The waiting is almost over. The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ begins on Friday when the tournament hosts take on Group A rivals Mexico in the magnificent surroundings of Soccer City in Johannesburg, the first match to be staged at this impressive arena.

No host nation has ever lost their opening game in the world finals. Though this is new territory for the South Africans, the Mexicans have had the honour of opening up the competition on four previous occasions (1930, 1950, 1958 and 1970), although they failed to win any of those games.

The match
South Africa-Mexico, Group A, Johannesburg, Friday 11 June, 16.00 (local time)

Referee: Ravshan IRMATOV (UZB) Stadium: Soccer City Stadium

The Bafana Bafana have never won