Italy
World ranking: 5th
What do I need to know? The squad features nine returning players from 2006, when the Azzurri lifted the World Cup. But the reigning champions have been underwhelming since then, and history is against them, says David Legge in AFP. "No country has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962."
Key player: Team captain Gianluigi Buffon, "one of the world's top goalkeepers," whose stellar performance in the final penalty shoot-out in 2006 helped Italy win.
Key game: Italy vs. Paraguay, June 14

Germany
World ranking: 6th
What do I need to know? The Germans traditionally perform well in the World Cup, but key injuries make this year's "young team... totally unpredictable," says Nesha Starcevic at AP. If they win their group, and the U.S. comes second in theirs, they will meet in the second round.
Key player: Miroslav Klose, the top scorer at the 2006 World Cup, who will need to raise his recent level of play or risk losing on-field minutes to Brazilian-born teammate Cacau, says Starcevic.
Key game: Germany vs. Australia, June 13

Argentina
World ranking: 7th
What do I need to know? Argentina may surpass even Brazil in "dynamic creative talent," says Michael J. Agovino in The Atlantic. But coach Diego Maradona — a "disaster" and a "maniac" — "has no idea" how to manage his team's best strengths.
Key player: Lionel Messi, the 5'7" striker whose mesmerizing runs at Barcelona have made him a YouTube star. Often cited as the best footballer in the world.
Key game: Argentina vs. South Korea, June 17

England
World ranking: 8th
What do I need to know? The English, with some of the most passionate fans in the world, have an underwhelming World Cup history (they last won it in 1966). Check out Saturday's Daily Mirror and The Sun for the British tabloids' unique, jingoistic take on the Cup — and on their American competitors.
Key player: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United's pug-faced striker, who will be crucial to England's hopes if his notorious temper can be kept in check, says Bruce Jenkins in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Key game: USA vs. England, June 12

Cameroon
World ranking: 19th
What do I need to know? No African team has ever progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the tournament, and some predict that Cameroon — which reached that stage in 1990 — could be the one to finally win it all. Pele himself is predicting an African champion in 2010.
Key player: Samuel E'to, "one of the world's great strikers," helped Inter Milan win the Champions League last month and is key to Cameroon's hopes. 
Key game: Cameroon vs. Holland, June 24
 

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