Who will win the 2010 FIFA World Cup
It’s the tournament that unites the whole world. Even more than the Olympic games, the FIFA World Cup of soccer final brings the world to a standstill every four years. On July 11, 2010 people from around the globe will converge on the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa and around television sets in the remotest corners of the planet to see which nation will raise the most coveted trophy in international sports. Just who will lift the FIFA World Cup trophy is the question on the minds of even the most casual of soccer fans, many answering with a twinge of cultural pride. From the 32 teams who will start the tournament on June 11, 2010, however, there are only a few favourites.
Europe
At 4 to1 odds to win the championship, La Roja d’España (Spanish Reds) are considered the favourites to be the last team standing at the end of the month long FIFA World Cup tournament. Since winning the 2008 European Championship, Spain has been unstoppable, and for good reason. From a strong back line to a deft scoring touch up front, the Spanish have everything it will take to hold both the European and World champion titles at the same time.
Coming out of Europe slightly behind Spain are perennial bridesmaids, England. At 5 to 1 odds, the English look poised to make a strong run to win the FIFA World Cup. With the 2010 tournament probably being Beckham’s last shot at the title, there will be a sentimental push from the rest of the boys. Still, one has to wonder if they have the legs to take them all the way. Other favourites out of Europe such as Italy (11-1), Germany (12-1) and Holland (14-1) are all in a position to pull off an upset. Even at 15 to 1, much maligned France could find themselves holding the trophy aloft, much to the delight of journalists who will have a field day with the story line.
Latin America
When talking about who will win the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, you have to include five-time champion Brazil in the conversation. Second only to Spain in the pre-tournament rankings at 5 to 1, Brazil must be strongly considered to win an historic sixth championship. Although the fortunes of most countries ebb and flow as younger players replace old veterans, Brazil consistently fields a contender generation after generation. Not only are the Brazilians a good bet to win in Johannesburg, their offensive minded style of soccer is also fun to watch.
Although they squeaked into the tournament, with bookmakers making Argentina 9 to 1 odds to come out on top, the fabled blue and white stripes could also possibly take their place in the sun once again. After the powerhouses of Brazil and Argentina, however, it will take a fair number of upsets for another Latin American team to grasp the trophy, with Chile topping the list of other South American contenders at 40 to 1 shots.
Africa
With the 2010 FIFA World Cup taking place for the first time in Africa, there are some sentimental soccer folks yearning for a champion to come from the Dark Continent. Full of surprises, the African contingent is usually good for one or two upsets in both pool and playoff play, but the African sides will be hard pressed to make it to the finals amongst the traditionally strong sides from Europe and South America. Côte d’Ivoire has to be considered the African nation best placed to become underdog champions, with odds of 25 to 1 of winning.
The Rest of the World
The USA lead the rest of the world, at 66 to 1, it what seems to be a futile effort to unseat soccer’s reining royalty. If you are one of those people who believe that miracles really do happen or just want to join the party, you can always back one of the nations who are happy just to say they made it to South Africa. At 2000 to 1, enigmatic North Korea have the longest odds to be FIFA 2010 World Cup Champions, just ahead of New Zealand at 1500 to 1.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of World Cup fever. Whether it’s flying a flag from your radio antenna or painting your face in your favourite team’s colours, there are hundreds of different ways to show the world who you want to win the World Cup in South Africa. Even the most hard core of soccer fans, however, will recognize, though maybe not publicly, that certain nations are favoured to win the FIFA 2010 World Cup more than others. Those in the soccer know will tell you that you’re better off putting your money on soccer juggernaut Spain or on perennial favourites, Brazil. For those who like a long shot with a chance of paying out, you will want to look to traditional powerhouses such as England, Argentina, Holland and Italy. If you really love an underdog, then Côte d’Ivoire is probably your best bet. Who will win the FIFA 2010 World Cup is a question that only the players can answer on July 11 in Johannesburg.
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