FIFA World Cup Group C

Although they're unlikely to admit to it, there are plenty within the England camp that will already be casting their eyes towards the third and fourth weeks of this summer's World Cup, and which of the big boys they are likely to face in the knockout rounds. A favorable draw for Fabio Capello's team will see it facing USA, Algeria and Slovenia in what appears a clear-cut Group C.

England was the top scorer in the European qualifying section, seeing off closest challengers Croatia in impressive fashion home and away. A great deal of credit must be given to Capello, who has steered the national side back to good health after the shambolic failure to qualify for Euro 2008 under former boss Steve McClaren. English bookmakers have made them third favorites to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time since 1966. Capello was more reserved in his confidence. "We have made the first step and now we go to South Africa," the Italian said. "We have good players, a good team. The future looks good."

As usual, off-the-pitch distractions have played a central role in the run-up to a major tournament. Chelsea defender John Terry was stripped of the captain's armband after news of his extra-marital relationship with a former teammate's ex-girlfriend. Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand - who has injury problems of his own - will now lead the national team at the World Cup. His club colleague Wayne Rooney is England's talisman, however, and will need to continue the form that has put him in the world striking elite in recent months if England is to live up to expectations.

Form at altitude has USA dreaming high

England will need to hit the ground running, because it faces its toughest opponents in the USA first, on June 12 in Rustenberg. The Americans come into the tournament having made light work of qualifying and had unexpected success at the dress rehearsal in South Africa last summer. At the Confederations Cup, Bob Bradley's side beat European champions Spain in the semi-final and only went down 3-2 to Brazil in the final, gaining valuable experience of playing at altitude, and in front of noisy South African crowds along the way.

"With this group, we've got a decent shot at making the second round," coach Bradley said after the draw was made. His squad is workmanlike, but also contains a great deal of valuable top-level experience. Bradley's son Michael plays in midfield for Borrusia Moenchengladbach, while Steven Cherundolo is on the books at Hannover. All-time US top scorer Landon Donovan spent disappointing seasons with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich earlier in his career, but enjoyed a standout recent spell in England alongside his international teammate, goalkeeper Tim Howard, at Everton. Wing forward Clint Dempsey, meanwhile, was an integral member of the Fulham squad that made it all the way to this year's Europa League final.

Outsiders have play-off momentum

Algeria will travel to the southern end of the African continent to contest its third World Cup this summer. The "Desert Foxes" qualified by beating fierce rivals and six-time Africa Cup of Nations winners Egypt in a play-off after the two sides finished dead level in their qualifying group. A 1-0 victory was secured by a stunning goal from VfL Bochum defender Antar Yahia. Another integral part of the squad, Karim Matmour, had a difficult season in the Bundesliga at Borussia Moenchengladbach, but at least he could get a game. Worryingly, Algeria's main creative influence Karim Ziani was frozen out of the VfL Wolfsburg side for most of the season. Despite there being six teams from the continent at the tournament, Algeria coach Rabah Saadane is the only African coach at the World Cup.

Slovenia also qualified through a play-off upset. Matjaz Kek's side overcame the strongly tipped Russia, with the decisive goal also scored by a VfL Bochum player - striker Zlaktko Dedic.

"I think that for a small country with no more than two million people to have achieved this, in this short a time, is unbelievable", said Cologne striker Milivoje Novakovic of his country's reaching the World Cup for a second time. Novakovic will be Slovenia's chief goal threat this summer.

Enthusiasm for the achievement of a team only formed in 1992, after the dissolution of Yugoslavia, has spread all the way to the government. Prime Minister Borut Pahor made good on his promise to clean the players' shoes if they beat Russia in the play-off. The country's Dnevnik newspaper declared: "To Africa with clean shoes."

Slovenia's joy at just having reached the World Cup, though, is a sign that its ambitions go little further. They and Algeria will have a tough job challenging an experienced and steady USA and an England squad so laden with stars that it simply must go a long way in the competition.

Author: Sarah Faupel / tms
Editor: Matt Hermann