TODAY'S TEAM: UNITED STATES
Each day between May 10 and the day before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on June 11, FoxSoccer.com analyst Jamie Trecker will preview each of the 32 teams playing in South Africa and tell you everything you need to know about each nation represented at the world's greatest sporting event.
| 32 TEAMS IN 32 DAYS | |||
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Day
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Team | Preview | |
| 1 |
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North Korea (PRK) May 10 |
Back in the World Cup for the first time since their magical run in 1966, North Korea takes aim at the powerhouses in the Group of Death. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 2 |
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New Zealand (NZL) May 11 |
The Kiwis are in South Africa to prove that they're not just here to make up the numbers, but only time will tell if the All Whites have what it takes. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 3 |
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Algeria (ALG) May 12 |
The Desert Foxes won an impressive playoff against Egypt to reach the World Cup, but facing off against England and the U.S. is a different story. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 4 |
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Slovakia (SVK) May 13 |
Long in the shadow of their footballing neighbors in the Czech Republic, the Slovaks have ridden a wave of success to South Africa. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 5 |
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Honduras (HON) May 14 |
Back for the first time since 1982, the Central American upstarts Honduras are good value to create a surprise or two in South Africa. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 6 |
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Greece (GRE) May 15 |
It's usually defense first for the 2004 European champions Greece, but Otto Rehhagel has his team firing on the offensive side as well this summer. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 7 |
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Japan (JPN) May 16 |
Asian heavyweights Japan have been World Cup regulars since 1998 and are looking to reach the second round for only the second time since then. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 8 |
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Slovenia (SVN) May 17 |
The small European nation stunned the world by beating heavily favored Russia in a playoff to reach the World Cup, but they'll want more this summer. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 9 |
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Switzerland (SUI) May 18 |
There's nothing neutral about Switzerland's desire to show the world that they are a force to be reckoned with in international football. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 10 |
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South Korea (KOR) May 19 |
The Asian Tigers once again represent Asia's greatest opportunity for World Cup success as they look to match their terrific run co-hosting the 2002 event. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 11 |
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Nigeria (NGA) May 20 |
The Super Eagles are back with a new generation of stars looking to make some big waves in the name of Africa this summer. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 12 |
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Cameroon (CMR) May 21 |
Led by superstar Samuel Eto'o, the Indomitable Lions provide all kinds of threats to the three teams in their group at the World Cup. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 13 |
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Chile (CHI) May 22 |
Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa has transformed the Chileans into a free-flowing, high-scoring squad that's capable on its day of disrupting the world's best. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 14 |
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Australia (AUS) May 23 |
Football is slowly but surely taking over in rugby and Aussie Rules-loving Australia, and this current squad of Socceroos has the grit to push it over the top. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 15 |
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Denmark (DEN) May 24 |
While Sweden usually carries the Scandinavian torch at the World Cup, Denmark has come on strong under the steady influence of Morten Olsen. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 16 |
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Ghana (GHA) May 25 |
With Michael Essien bossing the midfield, the Black Stars are sure to be one of Africa's biggest threats to make a run towards a first World Cup title. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 17 |
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Uruguay (URU) May 26 |
The Celestes once again took the hard road to the World Cup by winning a playoff against Costa Rica, but the two-time world champions are always good once they get here. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 18 |
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Ivory Coast (CIV) May 27 |
You can't talk about the Ivory Coast without including star striker Didier Drogba, and he's just the man who could take the Elephants to the top of the world. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 19 |
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Serbia (SRB) May 28 |
The clinically effective White Eagles come into the World Cup for the first time as an independent nation, but they're loaded with experienced internationals. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 20 |
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Paraguay (PAR) May 29 |
A fallen comrade is all the motivation the Paraguayans need to go a step further in South Africa than they did in a very impressive World Cup qualifying campaign. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 21 |
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Portugal (POR) May 30 |
One of the world's best, Cristiano Ronaldo looks to hoist Portugal on his more than capable shoulders to surpass their lofty fourth place finish in Germany four years ago. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 22 |
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South Africa (RSA) May 31 |
The World Cup hosts reached the semifinals of last summer's Confederations Cup on home soil, but a tough group means they'll be more than content with just reaching the second round. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 23 |
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Mexico (MEX) June 1 |
Javier Aguirre turned El Tri's fortunes around during qualifying, and Mexico will be on the march towards continuing that hot streak in South Africa. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 24 |
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France (FRA) June 2 |
Champions at home just twelve years ago, the French are loaded with talent from top to bottom, even though they made a mess of things in qualifying. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 25 |
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The Netherlands (NED) June 3 |
The Clockwork Orange cruised through qualifying and, with a roster full of talented superstars, there's no reason to believe they'll be slowing down. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 26 |
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Germany (GER) June 4 |
Three-time World Cup champions, Germany has all the tools to add a fourth World Cup title to its resume this summer. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 27 |
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Argentina (ARG) June 5 |
Who will take the biggest spotlight in South Africa this summer -- the world's best player Lionel Messi, or the world's most controversial figure Diego Maradona? FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 28 |
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Spain (ESP) June 6 |
You can drop the underachiever label on Spain after their glorious 2008 Euro victory, but La Furia won't be satisfied until it adds its first-ever World Cup trophy. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 29 |
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Brazil (BRA) June 7 |
You can't have a World Cup without Brazil and Dunga has put a team together that is more than capable of adding a sixth world title to the nation's list of past glories. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 30 |
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Italy (ITA) June 8 |
With most of its World Cup winning team from 2006 intact, there's no reason that the Azzurri can't be the first squad to repeat in almost fifty years. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 31 |
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England (ENG) June 9 |
Looking to raise its first World Cup trophy since 1966, the Three Lions will be powered by star striker Wayne Rooney into the latter stages of the tournament. FULL PREVIEW ... |
| 32 |
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United States (USA) June 10 |
After a disappointing 2006 World Cup, the Americans will seek inspiration from Landon Donovan to once again prove that football is alive and well in the States. FULL PREVIEW ... |
