Group G
Group G features World Cup contender France, along with Switzerland, South Korea, and tournament newcomer Togo. There should be very little drama with who finishes atop the group, but after that, nothing is certain.
France
What you need to know — The 1998 World Champs and 2000 Euro Champs have gone through a dry spell of late. Their qualification was in such jeopardy that Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram, and Claude Makelele were coaxed out of international retirement to help secure a World Cup place. I guess Michel Platini wasn't taking any calls.
Style — Gifted with numerous attacking options, Les Bleus seem to have shifted their concentration to defense, where they have become unusually stingy. They allowed two goals in all of qualifying, part of which can be attributed to their combative midfield duo of Patrick Vieira and Makelele. The midfielder's commitment to defense allows France's wing fullbacks Willy Sagnol and Eric Abidal to move forward and feed star strikers like Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet. They also have creative midfielders like Florent Malouda and Zidane who can feed the frontline, as well.
Achilles heel — Age. Zidane is far removed from the player he was when he guided France to the 1998 title, and no one has really stepped in to take his place. They also have a huge problem in goal, as Fabian Barthez was named the starter ahead of Gregory Coupet. Coupet has been impeccable form for Lyon over the past two seasons, while Barthez is known for committing at least one inexplicable gaffe every game, which often leads to unnecessary chances for France's opposition.
Player you need to know — Thierry Henry. The Arsenal striker trails only Ronaldinho in overall skill level. Anyone who followed the Gunners' Champions League campaign knows Henry stands out above the highest talent football has to offer.
Player you will learn to know — They have plenty of stars, but one of their players who might make an impact is uncapped Marseille creative midfielder Frank Ribery, who will be called upon if Zidane is incapable of rediscovering his form.
Prediction — They have the talent to win the tournament, but something troubles me about this team. They'll win the group, I have no doubt about that, but I'm not buying into the common perception of them being labeled as a slumbering giant. Henry is good enough to take them all the way, but coach Raymond Domenech doesn't allow him the same freedom that enjoys with his club, which stifles the French attack. And with their age, the tight turnaround, and Zidane's less than stellar age, I believe the quarterfinals are as far as they go.
Switzerland
What you need to know — Surprise qualifiers, escaping a tough qualifying group that included France and Ireland before upending 2002 World Cup semifinalists Turkey in a two-game playoff.
Style — They are more dangerous than they look. Switzerland has potential to cause problems in their set pieces, as well as up front with some creative strikers.
Achilles heel — Defense. They had a relatively smooth qualifying at the back, but gave up four goals against Turkey in their second playoff game (Switzerland advanced on the away goals rule), and in the 2004 European championships, they gave up 3 goals in each of their games to France and England.
Player you need to know — Alexander Frei. The Rennes striker had a little bit of a down year for his club, but the past two seasons he had been in terrific form, tallying 19 goals each season. He was also Switzerland's leading scorer in qualifying with seven.
Player you will learn to know — Daniel Gygax. The Lille winger could make a big difference for Switzerland – he has pace and can finish, as he showed against Italy in a recent friendly.
Prediction — They will never have a better chance of advancing to the second round, and they should do it. For once, they appear to be one of the more experienced teams in their group, and despite the country's penchant for expecting failure, which former Swiss teams have been quick to accommodate, they should be marching to the round of 16, but not farther than that.
South Korea
What you need to know — The 2002 World Cup semifinalists have fallen on some tough times of late. They finished behind Saudi Arabia in qualifying, losing to them twice, and will no longer be taken for granted based on their tremendous run at home in the last World Cup.
Style — In 2002, they were known for their stinging pace that they maintained right until the semifinals when, appearing fatigued, were knocked off by Germany. They still attempt to keep that blistering pace, but to varying degrees of success, as recent form would suggest.
Achilles heel — Dick Advocaat. Their Dutch coach is famous for making one of the biggest substitution blunders in any tournament (see Paul Bosvelt for Arjen Robben in the 2004 Euros), and I have every confidence he will be as inept with this team as he was with the Dutch.
Player you need to know — Ji Sung Park. The former PSV dynamo and current Manchester United winger is South Korea's true star, although he has failed to make a significant impact in England.
Player you will learn to know — Young Pyo Lee. The former PSV man who now plays left fullback for Tottenham in North London is dangerous getting forward on the wing and will be relied upon to help spearhead the Korean attack.
Prediction — I don't like the way they qualified, I don't like their current form displayed in friendlies, I don't like their coach and I don't like the fact that they have never won a game in the World Cup not played in South Korea. In addition to all of that, based on their past World Cup success, they won't be taken lightly — all of which translates to a first round exit.
Togo
What you need to know — Another miracle qualifier from Africa, this is their first World Cup appearance. They knocked out 2002 World Cup quarterfinalists Senegal in what could be the most unlikely qualification in the history of Africa. The only other major tournament they have ever qualified for is the Africa Cup of Nations, where they have never made it out of the first round.
Style — They do score goals, and they also allow them, as well. They averaged two goals a game in qualifying (including five in two games against Senegal) and they also gave up the most in the Africa Cup of Nations this winter, conceding seven in just three games.
Achilles heel — This could be the least talented team in the entire tournament, rivaling Trinidad & Tobago. They were extremely unimpressive in Egypt this winter (losing to Congo, Cameroon, and Angola), and their friendlies have been nothing to write home about.
Player you need to know — Emmanuel Adebayor. The current Arsenal striker led all of Africa in qualifying scoring with 11 goals. The lone Togolese star must carry his squad if they are to have any chance of going through.
Player you will learn to know — Kossi Agassa. The Metz backup goalkeeper will either be picking balls out of the back of his net or making some spectacular saves, as the man called "magic hands" figures to get lots of work.
Prediction — If Togo gets out of the group, I might go there to help them celebrate. I know anything can happen, but surely not this.
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