World Cup Team Preview by Mckinleys - it's concise and features ALL the best teams. How did they compare?

World Cup Teams

Spain

The pre-tournament favourites, and I believe rightly so. An impressive European championship win in 2008 proved that they can perform at the highest level, as in the past they have been the great underachievers in the game. They have strength oozing from every part of the pitch, and in Villa and Torres they have probably the more formidable strike force in the competition. I predict they will go as far as the final of this competition, and if the nerves hold up they could match the French team of 1998 and 2000 by simultaneously holding both the World Cup and the European Championship trophies.

Key Man

The strikers are fantastic and the defence is very solid, but the man who pulls all the strings is Xavi Hernandez. One of the best players in the world right now without any question. If he stays fit, Spain is going to be hard to beat.

Star Rating 5/5

Brazil

As always Brazil are a major contender, but to me this team does not have the style and flair of their predecessors, and amazingly in my opinion their strongest asset is their fantastic defence, which not something you usually associate Brazil with. Obviously when everything clicks they are a match for anybody, and it would just be typical of Brazil to click just at the right time. 

Key Man

Lucio is Brazil’s number one defender, and if he can keep it sure and steady at the back I think Brazil will go deep into the tournament.

Star Rating 4/5

Argentina

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that player for player this team is on another planet. However, I just don’t feel Diego Maradona is a tenth of a manager as he was a player. This team struggled to qualify and just don’t appear to be as good a team as they should be. That being said any team with the magician Lionel Messi in their ranks always stand a great chance of going far. Anyone who has watched him for Barcelona this season will have seen him destroy opposition’s defences, and when he is on his game he is almost unplayable.

Key Man

For the reasons stated above it have to be Lionel Messi. If Messi doesn’t play to the best of ability though, I can see it being another disappointment for the men from South America.

Star Rating 3.5/5

England

I can’t really write this preview without being biased towards England. So many times in the past they have fell short where it mattered and left me broken hearted, but forever the optimist I truly believe this could be the year we bring it home. We have had some injury setbacks, most notably David Beckham and captain Rio Ferdinand, however we still have a very strong team who can beat any team on their day. With Wayne Rooney raring to go, we have a real chance. Maybe one weakness we have is that our manager doesn’t seem to be able to settle on just what our best starting eleven is.

Key Man

This has to be Wayne Rooney. He is coming into the tournament on the back a fantastic season, and wants to prove he is right up there with the Messi’s and the Ronaldo’s of this world.

Star Rating 4.5/5

Netherlands / Holland

Similarly to Spain and sadly England, Holland is another one of those teams who have underachieved for far too long. They always have great expectations and play a fantastic brand of attacking football, but when it matters again they fall short. This time however I really believe this could be their tournament if everything comes together. One blow in the preperations is the injury to Arjen Robben, who is a major doubt for the tournament at the time of writing this. One major plus for this team though is that Robin Van Persie has been injured for most of the season, but is now back and raring to go. He doesn’t have a long hard season behind him like the rest of the big players in the tournament, and has looked deadly sharp in the friendly games so far.

Key Man

No surprises after the preview that Robin Van Persie gets my vote. He also has a great shot of tournament top goal scorer, as I expect them to go far.

Star Rating 4/5

Germany

Germany is a team that have given me a lot of bad memories over the years from the 1990 shootout to the aptly named Kuntz sickening us at Euro 96. However this year I really expect very little from them and wouldn’t be surprised at all if they had an early exit. People have written them off before and they have come good but surely not this time.

Key Man

Bastian Schweinstieger, a revelation this season since being moved to the centre of midfield he can be very dangerous if given time and space.

Star Rating 2/5

Italy

Italy hasn’t had the best preparation for this and losses in friendlies to much weaker opposition will have the Azzuri worried. However they have a very weak group and can play themselves into form for when it really matters. Four years ago I was very surprised to see them win and again I am unsure of their chance but they are a team for the big occasion.

Key Man

Antonio Di Natale, Serie A top scorer with 29 goals this season. This man is a fine goal scorer and one of the only real flair players in the Italy squad, so watch out for him.

Star Rating 3/5

France

The luckiest team alive even to be here, if Thierry Henry hadn’t stopped that ball with his hand it would be Ireland in with a chance of progressing from group A. They have a relatively winnable route to the quarter finals then will come up against England who I think will prove too strong for the men from France.

Key Man

Yoaan Gourcuff. Frances old team needs the young blood to perform and Gourcuff especially. A lot of people think the Bordeaux playmaker is the natural successor to Zinedine Zidane, who I rate as the best player I’ve ever seen. If he lives up to expectations France could surprise.

Star Rating 3/5

Portugal

A team with many individual great players, Portugal are one of those teams who don’t mould into a team of the quality of the individuals. Cristiano Ronaldo is without doubt one of the very best players in the world but I don’t think even he can guide this team deep into the competition.

Key Man

Cristiano Ronaldo, has to play to the best of his ability in every game as Portugal are in possibly the hardest group. Star Rating 2.5/5

Ivory Coast

Over the last ten years or so it has been clear that the Ivory Coast is becoming a major force on the world stage. With players such as Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba they can worry most teams in the tournament but may still be a little bit short due to being drawn in the group of death. Drogba has injury concerns and I have concerns over the manager so I can see them packing after the group stages.

Key Man

Didier Drogba, if he is truly fit and ready to go they will battle hard with Portugal for that runners up spot in the group stages, he has no fear of anyone and can cause major problems to any defence.

Star Rating 2/5

Serbia

Serbia is another team emerging as a big force and unlike the Ivory Coast they have landed in a much friendlier group. I can see them giving Germany a good battle for top spot, with a solid defence they will be a tough nut to crack.

Key Man

Nemanja Vidic, The Manchester united defender is one of the best centre half’s in the world and he will have to be at his very best as they may have to play England in the second round.

Star Rating 2/5

Mexico

Mexico has a vibrant young team full of skill and flair and has beaten Italy and gave England a few headaches in the friendlies leading up to the tournament. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Mexico progress and if they play to the best of their ability against France they have a shout of getting to at least the quarters.

Key Man

Rafael Marquez will marshal the back line and allow the youngsters to do their thing up front. If he can keep it tight at the back Mexico can score goals against anyone.

Star Rating 2.5/5

USA

The USA are most certainly a better team than in recent years but still look like also ran’s, though they do stand a great chance of qualifying from the group stages. There are now many American players in the European leagues, which is really helping them take the next step.

Key player

Landon Donovan is a very talented player and has bags of experience, therefore has to be at his best to help his team progress.

Star Rating 1.5/5

Chile

During the qualifying for the tournament, Chile were very impressive securing second place in the Conmebol region. They have a great coach and a young squad of players who can be very dangerous when in full flow.

Key Man

Humberto Suazo, a man with a keen eye in front of goal who always seems to pop up at the right time. Star Rating 2/5

Cameroon

The indomitable lions are back and have a great chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. They have in Samuel Eto’o a striker who can score goals against anyone, demonstrated by his 9 goals in qualifying; his confidence should be sky high. However I don’t see them progressing further than the second round.

Key Man

Has to be Samuel Eto’o, his pace can give defenders nightmares, I can see him playing a big part.

Star Rating 1.5/5

Paraguay

I would love to see Paraguay progress in this competition, they have had some tragic news in the build up, their striker Salvador Cabanas was recently shot and remains in a serious condition and he will constantly be in the thoughts of the players. With this in mind I think they will do it for him and qualify from the group before parting in the second round.

Key Man

Roque Santa Cruz. Although he hasn’t been getting as much football as he would like, he is still a world class striker who will relish the big stage.

Star Rating 2/5

Uruguay

Uruguay qualified late by winning a two leg qualifier against Costa Rica and now I think they may have to book an early flight home. Two time winners of the World Cup in the distant past they rely too heavily on the goals of Diego Forlan, who needs more support from the rest of the team.

Key Man

Diego Forlan is a prolific goal scorer and will no doubt bag a couple of goals but I don’t see it being enough to help them qualify.

Star Rating 1.5/5

Ghana

Ghana are a tough team and coming off the back of a great cup in 2006 when they were the only African side to reach the second round expectations will be high. They certainly have a chance of progressing but to me they will be disappointed as I see Germany and Serbia progressing from group D. With the influential Michael Essien missing it is going to take something special to get through the group stage.

Key Man

Hard decision following Essien’s exit from the squad, but for me Sulley Muntari is the man to take over the mantle in midfield. The Inter Milan midfielder has had a good season in Serie A and will no doubt need to play a big part for Ghana if they are to do anything in this tournament.

Star Rating 1.5/5

Nigeria

Nigeria is certainly not the force of old and has struggled in the last few years and I think that may continue here. The golden generation of the late nineties haven’t really been replaced and I fear they may be on the plane early.

Key Man

Former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins has electric pace and will need to be right on top of his game for Nigeria to progress. Having seen him in action though being a Newcastle fan myself, he needs to be consistent, as during his time at Newcastle he was a very inconsistent player.

Star Rating 1.5/5 

South Africa

No team will have as much pressure on them as South Africa, the tournament hosts. Never has a home nation failed to make the second round, but sadly I think that may change here (sorry Digi!!). I would love to see South Africa progress but I think they have been unlucky to have drawn two strong teams in France and Mexico. Hopefully I am wrong and the Bafana Bafana can have a glorious run.

Key Man

Steven Pienaar is without doubt the classiest player in the team and if he can show the form he does for Everton then South Africa may just surprise a few.

Star Rating 1/5

Denmark

Denmark surprised many with the ease in which they qualified for the tournament and again a lot of people are writing off their chances now. They have a few injury doubts including star striker Nicklas Bendtner, if he is fit they have a chance without him I think they may bow out at the first hurdle.

Key Man

Nicklas Bendtner if he is fit his goals may fire them into the second round, however without him I think there chance is very minimal.

Star Rating 1.5/5

Australia

Australia over achieved at the last world cup qualifying for the second round and only falling to a late goal from eventual champions Italy. The task at this year’s cup is even tougher having been drawn in a very tricky group D. I don’t see good things happening and a first round knockout seems on the cards.

Key Man

Tim Cahill is a quality player who can score goals at important times and if Australia are going to qualify he will have to.

Star Rating 1.5/5

Greece

Greece have always been a hard working team willing to give there all and that paid off big style back in the 2004 European Championships, however that was six years ago and I don’t think they will shock the world again. They have a few decent players but lack world class players and that can only end with an early exit.

Key Man

Both Giorgios Samaras and Angelos Charisteas are going to have to be on top form for Greece to have any chance.

Star Rating 1.5/5

Switzerland

The Swiss have been drawn in a group with one dominant team in Spain, whilst second place is up for grabs by the three other teams, however I have a fancy that Chile will prove to strong but Ottmar Hitzfeld’s men will certainly have different ideas.

Key Man

Captain and all time top scorer Alexander Frei, he seems as good today as he was 10 years ago and will have to play a major part for Switzerland to progress

Star Rating 1.5/5

South Korea

Eight years ago South Korea amazingly progressed to the semi finals when they were the joint hosts. I don’t see anything like that happening again, though I’m sure they will battle hard. I see them bowing out in the group stages without winning a game.

Key Man

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji Sung pulls the strings for the Asian tigers but I don’t believe they have enough quality players to progress.

Star Rating 1/5

Slovakia

Slovakia is a team who will try to grind out results more so than trying to blow the opposition away. They lack any top class players except maybe defender Martin Skrtel and will struggle in my opinion to contain both Italy and Paraguay.

Key Man

Martin Skrtel needs to keep it tight at the back and hope Marek Hamsik can provide the goals.

Star Rating 1/5

Japan

Japan was very dominant in securing their place at this year’s world cup but may struggle against classier opposition. I can only see them struggling in all three games and being another team set for an early return flight.

Key Man

Shunsuke Nakamura is a high quality player who is famed for his fantastic free kicks. Opposition will be wary of making challenges around the edge of the box with this guy in the team.

Star Rating 1/5

Slovenia

I was shocked to see Slovenia overcome Russia in the playoff to get here but would been even more shocked if they progressed far into the tournament. I see them having another playoff with the USA to see who can grab second spot though I feel they will fall a little short this time.

Key Man

Milivoje Novakovic is a big threat in attack and with Slovenia having one of the stingiest defences in Europe, USA will have to guard against complacency in the group match.

Star Rating 1/5

Algeria

Algeria will be pleased just to be here after overcoming Egypt in a playoff but I’m afraid this is as far as they go. Without doubt the outsiders in group C but they have a history of shock wins at World Cups, most notably when defeating Germany in the 1982 group stages.

Key Man

Rangers midfielder Mahjid Bougherra will have to be at his very best during the tournament to keep Algeria in matches but I really don’t see them having any chance.

Star Rating 0.5/5

Honduras

In recent years Honduras have been making big strides and qualifying for their second World Cup is a fantastic achievement and with many players playing at a high level week in week out I don’t think Honduras will be the whipping boys everyone seems to think.

Key Man

Evergreen striker 36 year old Carlos Pavon will be a big danger in front of goal and he will be assisted by the likes of the talented David Suazo. If Chile isn’t careful Honduras will give them a big fright.

Star Rating 1.5/5

North Korea

Perhaps the unluckiest team of all. being drawn in the group of death alongside three very strong teams has almost certainly ended any hopes they had of qualifying for the knockout stages. I see nothing but three heavy defeats though I’m sure they feel differently.

Key Man

Mun In-Guk is a quality midfielder but against tough opposition I don’t see him getting as much of the ball as he needs.

Star Rating 0/5

New Zealand

Qualified for the tournament due to Australia qualifying in the Asian region. If it was rugby i’d rate them as the favourites, but this is football so they have to be the complete outsiders. Will do very well to avoid three defeats.

Key Man

Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen is the only player of note in the squad and I can’t see him being able to do much on his own.

Star Rating 0/5

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