Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan.
Now that the NBA Finals are winding down and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are over, the world can start focusing on the next big sporting event. That happens to be the World Cup, which begins today in South Africa.
In today’s debate, we are taking a look at the Groups of teams, trying to decide which will be the toughest to win. Now, to be quite frank, this is a difficult debate, but the toughest group to win will be…
wait for it…
wait for it…
Group A!
Group A consists of France, Uruguay, Mexico, and South Africa, and it is the only group to possess three teams ranked in the top 17 of the current FIFA rankings.
The French, currently ranked ninth in the FIFA rankings, certainly have experience and tradition on their side. They have played in two out of the past three finals and four out of the past seven semifinals. They haven’t looked all that impressive in many of their friendlies leading up to the World Cup, but with their experience and their tradition, they have to be considered a slight favorite in this group.
However, by no means do they appear to be a lock.
Uruguay, which is ranked 16th and qualified by sneaking in through the South American qualifying tournament, has very little tradition when it comes to the World Cup. They drew the tough task of facing the big bad wolf, France, in the opening draw, a team which they have not actually scored a goal against since 1966! It will be an uphill battle for sure, but they are not to be taken lightly.
Mexico, which comes in ranked 17th, has advanced to the World Cup for the fifth consecutive time. To prepare for playing in a hostile environment, Mexico scheduled road matches against England, the Netherlands, and Italy. They are going to need to rely on that experience in the opening round. Any guesses on who they drew first? How about host country South Africa?
To call South Africa a soccer powerhouse would be like calling the Cleveland Browns a football dynasty (That is for you Bleacher Fan) – It is just not true (Editor’s Note – At least they WERE a football dynasty. The Atlanta Falcon’s can’t even claim THAT much!).
While not the lowest ranked team in the field, standing at 86th (that belongs to North Korea at 105), South Africa certainly has an uphill battle. However, it will be interesting to see if they get some type of emotional boost in the opening match against Mexico. It is also interesting to note that a host country has NEVER lost its opening round match.
Group A will be the toughest to win.
