SOUTH AFRICA - The hosts will have feverish support and the advantage of knowing the climate and conditions best. On the high veld this should give them the edge in the race for second spot in the group.
Their preparations have been troubled by personnel changes and player unrest. Brazilian coach Tele Santana doesn't really know the squad and will depend heavily on the experience of Everton's Steven Pienaar, who has been in great form of late.
The big shock was the non-selection of record scorer Benni McCarthy. Without the talismanic, but temperamental Blackburn goal-getter, goals may be hard to come by and this just may be their undoing - though FIFA will hope the local boys progress and it won't be a case of banana skins for Bafana Bafana.
IRAQ - Along with New Zealand, the Asians Champions of 2007 must be considered rank outsiders. Little is known about the surprise package, but since their dramatic run to the title in Bangkok where they beat regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia, Iraq have been unimpressive, knocked out of World Cup qualifying early on.
However, having lost winning Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira they have taken on the globe trotting and very experienced Bora Milutinovic. He has overseen no less than 5 nations at World Cups and may be able to galvanise this tight knit squad into another mammoth effort. Technically skilled and well drilled, captain Younis Mahmoud will drive the long suffering Iraqis to inflict a little heartache on their rivals and make things difficult in the group.
NEW ZEALAND - Always written off by global football media this tournament is a super chance for Ricki Herbert's men to show that they belong in this company and register their first ever points at what will be their 3rd Confederations Cup appearance.
Losing skipper Ryan Nelsen is a huge blow, but with a tight game plan and the goal-scoring instincts of Shane Smeltz, the Oceania Champions will be no pushovers. If they limit the damage first up versus Spain, there is no reason NZ can't give the hosts and Iraq a challenge for the coveted second place, where goal difference may just be the telling factor.
Whatever the outcome, this experience will whet the squad's appetite ahead of the all important final play offs in October and November for the 32nd and last World Cup 2010 berth.
Meanwhile, in Group B there will be a titanic clash between defending World Cup holders Italy and the boys from Brazil. Expect both to progress, but who will avoid Spain in the semi?
BRAZIL - The reliable, though much-maligned Dunga is gradually pulling the 'selecao' into shape, after a stuttering run during World Cup qualifying. There is a better balance to the team, with a resolute defence and in-form keeper Julio Cesar bringing stability.
The recent 2-0 friendly win over Italy in London will have boosted the team's stock, as well as a convincing 4-0 hammering of Uruguay this weekend. Strangely, they prefer to play outside Brazil it seems and if the likes of Kaka and Robinho are focussed on the task in hand, they should make it to the final at least.
ITALY - Will always be uncompromising, and with perhaps the best keeper in the world, Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks, the azzurri won't concede many. World Cup winning coach Lippi is giving a few lesser lights their chance and upfront relatively unheralded strikers Rossi, Iaquinta and Quagliarella will get an opportunity to shine, as will Inter's teenage full back Davide Santon.
The inclusion of injury ravaged midfield pitbull Gattuso is a major plus even if he does lack match practice. The Italians may not be the great entertainers of world football, but they are a force to be reckoned with.
EGYPT - The best team in Africa, six times continental Champions and able to call on a host of European based stars, the Pharoahs will feel the draw hasn't helped their ambitions. Whilst playing an exciting brand of football, with the two Mohameds Aboutrika and Zidan scheming through midfield, the African Champions have a huge task to outdo either Brazil or Italy and will need the moody Wigan pair of Mido and Zaki to be in top form. Coach Shehata is well-recognised as a tactical inspiration, but he will be hailed a miracle worker in the football mad nation if Egypt did get through to the semis.
USA - Their recent thumping by Costa Rica is evidence that all is not well in the American camp. With an emphasis on youth, coach Bradley is trying to plan ahead and will use this competition to give the promising youngsters top level experience.
Landon Donovan remains their one true class act, but unless he gets better support from established men like Clint Dempsey and DaMarcus Beasley, expect to see a lot of Everton's Tim Howard as the US struggle for respectability.
ASHOOR
Their preparations have been troubled by personnel changes and player unrest. Brazilian coach Tele Santana doesn't really know the squad and will depend heavily on the experience of Everton's Steven Pienaar, who has been in great form of late.
The big shock was the non-selection of record scorer Benni McCarthy. Without the talismanic, but temperamental Blackburn goal-getter, goals may be hard to come by and this just may be their undoing - though FIFA will hope the local boys progress and it won't be a case of banana skins for Bafana Bafana.
IRAQ - Along with New Zealand, the Asians Champions of 2007 must be considered rank outsiders. Little is known about the surprise package, but since their dramatic run to the title in Bangkok where they beat regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia, Iraq have been unimpressive, knocked out of World Cup qualifying early on.
However, having lost winning Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira they have taken on the globe trotting and very experienced Bora Milutinovic. He has overseen no less than 5 nations at World Cups and may be able to galvanise this tight knit squad into another mammoth effort. Technically skilled and well drilled, captain Younis Mahmoud will drive the long suffering Iraqis to inflict a little heartache on their rivals and make things difficult in the group.
NEW ZEALAND - Always written off by global football media this tournament is a super chance for Ricki Herbert's men to show that they belong in this company and register their first ever points at what will be their 3rd Confederations Cup appearance.
Losing skipper Ryan Nelsen is a huge blow, but with a tight game plan and the goal-scoring instincts of Shane Smeltz, the Oceania Champions will be no pushovers. If they limit the damage first up versus Spain, there is no reason NZ can't give the hosts and Iraq a challenge for the coveted second place, where goal difference may just be the telling factor.
Whatever the outcome, this experience will whet the squad's appetite ahead of the all important final play offs in October and November for the 32nd and last World Cup 2010 berth.
Meanwhile, in Group B there will be a titanic clash between defending World Cup holders Italy and the boys from Brazil. Expect both to progress, but who will avoid Spain in the semi?
BRAZIL - The reliable, though much-maligned Dunga is gradually pulling the 'selecao' into shape, after a stuttering run during World Cup qualifying. There is a better balance to the team, with a resolute defence and in-form keeper Julio Cesar bringing stability.
The recent 2-0 friendly win over Italy in London will have boosted the team's stock, as well as a convincing 4-0 hammering of Uruguay this weekend. Strangely, they prefer to play outside Brazil it seems and if the likes of Kaka and Robinho are focussed on the task in hand, they should make it to the final at least.
ITALY - Will always be uncompromising, and with perhaps the best keeper in the world, Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks, the azzurri won't concede many. World Cup winning coach Lippi is giving a few lesser lights their chance and upfront relatively unheralded strikers Rossi, Iaquinta and Quagliarella will get an opportunity to shine, as will Inter's teenage full back Davide Santon.
The inclusion of injury ravaged midfield pitbull Gattuso is a major plus even if he does lack match practice. The Italians may not be the great entertainers of world football, but they are a force to be reckoned with.
EGYPT - The best team in Africa, six times continental Champions and able to call on a host of European based stars, the Pharoahs will feel the draw hasn't helped their ambitions. Whilst playing an exciting brand of football, with the two Mohameds Aboutrika and Zidan scheming through midfield, the African Champions have a huge task to outdo either Brazil or Italy and will need the moody Wigan pair of Mido and Zaki to be in top form. Coach Shehata is well-recognised as a tactical inspiration, but he will be hailed a miracle worker in the football mad nation if Egypt did get through to the semis.
USA - Their recent thumping by Costa Rica is evidence that all is not well in the American camp. With an emphasis on youth, coach Bradley is trying to plan ahead and will use this competition to give the promising youngsters top level experience.
Landon Donovan remains their one true class act, but unless he gets better support from established men like Clint Dempsey and DaMarcus Beasley, expect to see a lot of Everton's Tim Howard as the US struggle for respectability.
ASHOOR