Every four years, the international football world gathers for the spectacle that is the World Cup. Football-crazy fans from the southern tip of South America to the northern coasts of Europe and everywhere in between will live and die with their country’s successes or failures. Can anybody dethrone the powerful Brazilian squad? Can the USA repeat its miraculous quarterfinal run of four years ago? Can host nation Germany overcome the pressures of playing on its home soil to bring the Cup home?

Brazil – FIFA World Ranking: 1st

Qualified for World Cup: finished T-1st in South American Zone

Sports Interaction odds to win World Cup: +300, 3/1

When you talk about international soccer, the first name that usually comes to mind is Brazil. The five-time Cup holder and defending champion is the odds-on favorite to win the championship once again. Brazil is loaded with superstars at virtually every position and should cruise through the Group F matches. Ronaldo (91 caps/58 goals), Ronaldinho (62 caps, 27 goals) and Adriano (31 caps/22 goals), are just a few of the offensive weapons at Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s disposal. A veteran defense featuring goalkeeper Dida (85 caps) and anchored by Roberto Carlos (120 caps) and Cafu (137 caps) will be difficult to penetrate. Brazil is primed to show the world that once again, it is the master of The Beautiful Game.

Croatia – FIFA World Ranking: 23rd

Qualified for World Cup: finished T-1st in European Zone Group 8

Sports Interaction odds to win World Cup: +6700, 67/1

Croatia will most likely be fighting Japan for second place in Group F. Coach Zlatko Kranjcar’s squad features a veteran defense whose players average 50 international matches of experience. Striker Dado Prso (28 caps/9 goals) is a team leader on offense, and fellow striker Bosko Balaban (26 caps/9 goals) will need a return to good form to assist Prso. Midfielder Darijo Srna (36 caps/9 goals) is an emerging talent who could be the key to Croatia’s successes in Germany.

Australia – FIFA World Ranking: 42nd

Qualified for World Cup: finished 1st in Oceanic Zone

Sports Interaction odds to win World Cup: +15100, 151/1

Coach Gus Hiddink brings a wealth of international coaching experience to the Australians, having led the Netherlands to the 1998 World Cup semifinals and Korea Republic to the final four in the 2002 World Cup. Australia’s most famous footballer, Harry Kewell (19 caps/6 goals) leads the offensive attack along with veteran striker Mark Viduka (32 caps/6 goals) and attacking midfielder Brett Emerson (46 caps/11 goals). Australia is going to need all the magic Hiddink can conjure up if it is to escape Group F.

Japan – FIFA World Ranking: 18th

Qualified for World Cup: finished 1st in Asian Zone Group 2

Sports Interaction odds to win World Cup: +10100, 101/1

Japan, coached by Brazilian Zico, is looking to improve upon its 2002 World Cup campaign when it reached the round of 16. Striker Naohiro Takahara (41 caps/17 goals), who stars for German club Hamburg, is solid front-liner and will be expected to contribute early and often. Fellow striker Atsushi Yanagisawa (56 caps/17 goals) and midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura (59 caps/15 goals) are experienced international players. Japan is coming into the World Cup brimming with confidence after drawing 2-2 with defending champ Brazil in the FIFA Confederations Cup in June.

World Cup Group F Preview: Brazil and Australia to advance into the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Related: FIFA World Cup Betting Tips, World Cup Picks, World Cup Soccer Stories and Rumors

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 8th, 2006 at 5:45 am and is filed under 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2010 World Cup Betting Tips and Picks, Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Japan, Soccer News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.