# Who will win the World Cup 2010? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 27, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533 "2010-04-27T16:20:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/21 "2010-04-28T15:58:17Z")
Here’s the latest FIFA rankings for all of the World Cup finals teams: 1. Brazil 2. Spain 3. Portugal 4. Netherlands 5. Italy 6. Germany 7. Argentina 8. England 9. France 10. Greece 11. USA 12. Chile 13. Mexico 14. Uruguay 15. Cameroon 16. Nigeria (tie) 17. Australia (tie) 18. Slovenia 19. Switzerland 20. Côte d’Ivoire 30 Paraguay 21. Algeria 22. Ghana 23. Denmark 24. Slovakia 25. Honduras 26. Japan 27. Korea 28. New Zealand 29. South Africa (hosts) 30. Korea DPR **Group A** 10. France 17. Mexico 18. Uruguay 90. South Africa Total: 135 Range: 80 Spread: 1 **Group B** 7. Argentina 12. Greece 20. Nigeria 47. Korea, Southern version Total: 86 Range: 40 Spread: 8 **Group C** 8. England 14. USA 23. Slovenia 31. Algeria Total: 76 Range: 23 Spread: 9 **Group D** 6. Germany 16. Serbia 20. Australia 32. Ghana Total: 74 Range: 26 Spread: 4 **Group E** 4. Netherlands 19. Cameroon 35. Denmark 45. Japan Total: 103 Range: 41 Spread: 16 **Group F** 5. Italy 30. Paraguay 38. Slovakia 78. New Zealand Total: 151 Range: 72 Spread: 8 **Group G** 1. Brasil 2. Portugal 3. Cote d’Ivoire 4. Korea, Nutbar version Total: 137 Range: 105 Spread: 24 **Group H** 2. Spain 15. Chile 26. Switzerland 40. Honduras Total: 83 Range: 38 Spread: 11 So, first, I acknowledge that FIFA ratings are generally complete and utter bollocks. That didn’t stop me, of course, from using them for a cursory analysis. I’ve assigned 3 values to each group. The first shows the total ranking points (just positions in the rankings added together). A lower total would generally indicate a tougher group. The second shows the range of ratings, subtracting the highest rated team in group from the lowest rated team. The second is the spread between the 2nd and 3rd rated team. A high spread should indicate a high chance that the top two teams would tend to go through (at least in theory). ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/22 "2010-04-28T16:43:24Z")
England: I’m going with them because they’ve got the talisman of the moment (well, not _this_ moment, since he’s hurt…) in Wayne Rooney, and Don Fabio. I think Fabio Capello is the best manager of the 32 for the summer (maybe 2nd behind Lippi), and he’ll know his squad very, very well. If they and Germany both win their groups, England avoids Germany until the semifinal, and Capello gives them the mental strength to win that match. The weather in South Africa won’t be brutal at all (their winter), so England should fair well in that regard. Also, the 2 favorites, Spain and Brazil, fall on the other side of the bracket, meaning England won’t have to beat them both. I did a run through of the whole tournament, and my prediction had England beating Ghana in the 2nd round, Nigeria in the quarters, Germany in the semis, and either Spain or Brazil in the final. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/23 "2010-04-28T16:57:57Z")
> [@El\_Nene](#): > > As far as I can tell, everyone is healthy. Even if they weren’t, only injuries to defenders would give them cause for concern. They are not that deep at the back, especially on the flanks. Up front on the hand, about a dozen attackers and midfielders would have to go down before you’d notice a drop in quality. The cases of Iniesta, Torres and Cesc might actually turn-out to be blessings in disguise – especially the first two, as they always seems to limp along towards the end of the season. Del Bosque seems to be fairly sure that all three [will be available](http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sports/2010-04/28/c_13270549.htm) come list day. As for Senna, not a worry IMHO, good as he was at the Euros (and he was awesome) I think his best days are behind him and his position is well covered with both Xabi Alonso and Busquet and if we need a third holding mid, Bilbao’s [Javi Martínez](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javi_Mart%C3%ADnez) is the latest stud to come down the pike at the position – has many a team, foreign and domestic drooling for him. If anything, I am more worried about Xavi not getting injured in either today’s CL’s semi’s, the very tough four matches left in la Liga and a possible CL final. Definitely a must-have player for us loaded as we are at the position. Defense, you’re correct concerning the flanks, Ramos, Arbeloa (whom I prefer defensively at the position with Ramos in the middle) and Capdevila are key; knocking on wood all three are tip-top when the WC starts. Conclusion: lot’s of real and imagined pressure for La Roja yet again, but as others have mentioned, winning Euro '08 might have gone a long way in killing many a phantom from days past. So yeah, I’m picking us to go all the way. _:::gulp:::_ ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/24 "2010-04-28T17:26:40Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > So yeah, I’m picking us to go all the way. > _:::gulp:::_ Was that the kiss of death? ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/25 "2010-04-28T18:24:36Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Was that the kiss of death? Get otta’ my head, you bastid! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/26 "2010-04-28T19:03:43Z")
> [@mkecane](#): > > England: I’m going with them because they’ve got the talisman of the moment (well, not _this_ moment, since he’s hurt…) in Wayne Rooney, and Don Fabio. I think Fabio Capello is the best manager of the 32 for the summer (maybe 2nd behind Lippi), and he’ll know his squad very, very well. > > If they and Germany both win their groups, England avoids Germany until the semifinal, and Capello gives them the mental strength to win that match. The weather in South Africa won’t be brutal at all (their winter), so England should fair well in that regard. Also, the 2 favorites, Spain and Brazil, fall on the other side of the bracket, meaning England won’t have to beat them both. I did a run through of the whole tournament, and my prediction had England beating Ghana in the 2nd round, Nigeria in the quarters, Germany in the semis, and either Spain or Brazil in the final. Fancy England to do well with Capello definitely capable of tipping things their way in the type of close games you get in the later stages of the WC. The injury / form situation sucks though - it’s a bit of a misnomer to talk about players coming off the treatment table and being fit for the tournament. You really need to be match fit. Defence in particular looks dodgy - Cole is a world class player but is only just back playing after Agent Donovan crocked him. Ferdinand has been in and out of the Utd side all season with chronic back trouble, Glen Johnson (is he the first choice rb?) has missed a huge amount of the season but does at least have some games under his belt. Gerrard is putting the finishing touches to his worst season in a decade (soon to get worse if you believe internet rumours), Lennon is crocked just as he’s turning into a great winger etc etc. No team breezes into the WC without injury concerns, but I just get the feeling that a significant number of key England players aren’t hitting the tournament in the best shape. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/27 "2010-04-28T20:14:35Z")
I took Brazil because no European team has ever won outside of Europe. The weather won’t be hot and the time zone is euro-friendly, but why go against history? Argentina is coached by a clown, so Brazil is my choice. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/28 "2010-04-29T11:50:04Z")
Well, I didn’t really know who to go for so I decided to read the thread first, and I’m still undecided. It seems a harder one to pick than it has been for many years, with no team as stand-out favourites. In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to vote for the home team (England), as I just don’t believe it’s possible. I didn’t want to vote for Spain because that’s what most people seem to think. Brazil - again, too predictable a choice. So I went for Germany, as they always seem to be the best side for winning against all the odds. ---
**Author:** ![footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/footballisplayedwithyourfeet)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/29 "2010-04-29T12:11:19Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > Well, I didn’t really know who to go for so I decided to read the thread first, and I’m still undecided. It seems a harder one to pick than it has been for many years, with no team as stand-out favourites. In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to vote for the home team (England), as I just don’t believe it’s possible. I didn’t want to vote for Spain because that’s what most people seem to think. Brazil - again, too predictable a choice. So I went for Germany, as they always seem to be the best side for winning against all the odds. Well actually, I think there is a stand out favorite in Spain. It’s just that many people have doubts because they have never done it before and the whole great 4 plus home teams thing (and also European teams only winning in Europe). But looking at the players and how the national team has played over the last few years there’s few who wouldn’t say that Spain are the favorites. While I voted for Brazil, I actually do think the European teams have a great chance of finally winning on another continent. The temperatures in SA will be nice and mild for the likes of England, Netherlands and Spain; unlike tournaments in Asia or (Latin) America. ---
**Author:** ![Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ian_D.Bergkamp)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/30 "2010-04-29T13:27:11Z")
As much as it pained me to do so, I chose Brazil. It’s not that I don’t like Brazil - I do - but I would love to see a dark horse win the trophy this year. Most of the usual suspects will make deep runs, including England, Spain, Italy, and Germany. I don’t rate Argentina very highly because of Maradona and their poor performances during qualification, but they got a favorable draw and should make it to the quarterfinals. I’m pulling for the US and expect them to make it out of the group stage. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/31 "2010-04-30T14:04:48Z")
I’m surprised that England has so few votes. Even Frenchman Michel Platini thinks they’re one of the 3 teams that can win. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/32 "2010-04-30T16:03:01Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I’m surprised that England has so few votes. The World Cup isn’t being held in England this year. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2010, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/33 "2010-04-30T16:45:00Z")
I voted for Brazil as from top to bottom they have the most talent. My heart however, will be with Portugal. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/34 "2010-04-30T16:46:31Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > The World Cup isn’t being held in England this year. But it is being held in a place that England ruled not too long ago. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/35 "2010-04-30T17:26:45Z")
I picked England, because I misread the question. I thought the question was “Who will come tantalizingly close to the final of the World Cup 2010 but lose on penalties?” ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/36 "2010-04-30T17:30:54Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > But it is being held in a place that England ruled not too long ago. 😉 That narrows it down. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/37 "2010-04-30T22:15:54Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > But it is being held in a place that England ruled not too long ago. 😉 Okay, then, I’ll take the Dutch. The Boers were there first, weren’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Bartman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/38 "2010-04-30T22:39:01Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > I picked England, because I misread the question. I thought the question was “Who will come tantalizingly close to the final of the World Cup 2010 but lose on penalties?” 😃 hahaha Tough choice this year. I picked Brazil, but I think Spain would have also been a great pick. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/39 "2010-05-02T02:07:13Z")
You need to change the parameters of the vote. I want to pick… A) North Korea will make the most shocking and dramatic Cinderella run to the title in World Cup history (as far as anyone in North Korea will be told) B) Argentina will actually win the World Cup. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533/40 "2010-05-02T03:54:12Z")
Well, one of the best things about following sport is that, routinely it throws up true stories that no self respecting writer would consider realistic. So on that basis only one team can win, Greece. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-the-world-cup-2010/537533.md?page=3)