World Cup Teams – The 32 Who Will Head To South Africa

The teams for World Cup betting in this year’s tournament are making their final preparations as they decide who will go to South Africa in June. Here’s a look at how all 32 teams stack up against each other along with all of the world cup odds for each team to win it.

Algeria (+20000)

The Algerians are making their third appearance in the World Cup, but their first since 1986. Algeria has to win their opening game against Slovenia if they want any chance of advancing past the group stages for the first time, but it’s not likely that they’ll get enough points to get past England or the United States.

Argentina (+700)

Argentina, a two-time World Cup champion, are making their 15th appearance in this tournament, which is good for third place. The Argentineans have as much talent as anyone in the world, led by Lionel Messi, but Diego Maradona is proving he was a better player than he is a coach as he has failed to build the side around Messi. If Maradona can get his act together, Argentina has a great chance to outlast the other World Cup teams.

Australia (+10000)

This is Australia’s third appearances in the World Cup, but they did make it to the second round in 2006 in Germany. The Aussies are in a tough group with Germany, Ghana and Serbia, and they’re going to have to get goals from someone other than Tim Cahill if they want to progress past the group stages again.

Brazil (+350)

The five-time champions are also the only team to appear in all 19 World Cups, and they’re the co-favorites after winning two of the last four. Brazil is in the group of death this year with Portugal, the Ivory Coast and North Korea, but they’ve been playing a more defensive style, while not losing any of the attacking flair for which they are famous. A Brazil win wouldn’t surprise anyone looking at these World Cup teams.

Cameroon (+6600)

This is Cameroon’s sixth appearance in the World Cup, but they didn’t qualify for Germany in 2006. They have a good chance of making it to the second round in their group with the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan, and they have one of the best strikers in the world in Samuel E’to. A win isn’t really possible, but the second round is a solid bet for Cameroon.

Chile (+3300)

Chile showed a lot of people something when they finished second to Brazil in qualifying, and they have decent odds in their eighth World Cup appearance. Humberto Suazo was the best forward in qualifying, but now he’ll have to bring that same skill and focus to the world stage. Chile’s best finish was a third-place result when they hosted the World Cup in 1962, and while they won’t make it that far this time around, a berth in the final eight isn’t out of their reach.

Denmark (+12500)

Denmark have made it out of the group stages in their three previous World Cup appearances, but they’ll have a tough time this year as they’ll have to get past Cameroon and Japan. They also may be bolstered by missing the 2006 tournament as a lot of their players have more experience now. However, the Danish aren’t a good bet to make it past the second round, at best.

England (+550)

This is appearance #13 in the World Cup for England, who won in 1966 when they hosted it. The English have one of the best players in the world in Wayne Rooney, and two more in Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard who can be great when they’re at 100%. The biggest key is new coach Fabio Capello, who has the team focused. England has bowed out in the quarterfinals in each of the last two World Cups, and they’ll make it that far this time, but can Capello take them to the next level against a tough group of World Cup teams?

France (+1100)

The French have appeared in two of the last three finals, winning in 1998 on home soil. This will be their 13th showing in the World Cup, and it’s a controversial one thanks to Theirry Henry’s handball against Ireland. The fact that France needed that win to get it is worrying, and coach Raymond Domenech isn’t exactly a tactical genius. They should make it past the first round, but a second-round exit looms.

Germany (+1200)

The three-time champions are making their 17th appearance in the World Cup, which is tied for second, and they’ve finished in the top three in the last two World Cups. Captain Michael Ballack will surely want a good showing in what should be his final World Cup, and the rest of team is filled with quality. They should top their group, and you can bet on them going to the quarterfinals: the Germans haven’t fallen before that since 1978. A win, though, would be a bit of an upset among these World Cup teams.

Ghana (+6600)

Ghana went to the second round in their World Cup debut in 2006, but this team’s chances hinge on the health of two midfielders: Stephen Appiah, who has yet to play a game this year due to a knee injury, while Michael Essien hurt his knee at the African Cup of Nations and hasn’t played since. These two are the best Ghana have, and without them, they’ll struggle to get out of the first round.

Greece (+15000)

The Greeks are looking to shock the world like they did in Euro 2004, but they haven’t been to the World Cup since 1994 when they lost all three games. They’ll try a similar approach to 2004, when they set up shop in their end and tried to snatch a goal on the counterattack. Their best bet for a win comes against South Korea, but that’s about it.

Honduras (+50000)

Honduras is another team making their second World Cup appearance, and like Greece, it didn’t go so well the first time as they were winless in 1982. Wilson Palacios is a good player, but there isn’t much else in terms of quality from a team that just managed to sneak into South Africa. Book them for a first-round exit.

Italy (+1100)

The defending champions won their fourth title in 2006, and this is their 17th appearance in the World Cup, tied for second with Germany. The Italians should top their group, but they have an aging side led by Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy in Germany. Their age is the reason we think they’ll fall in the quarterfinals against these World Cup teams.

Ivory Coast (+3000)

The Ivory Coast fell out in the group stages in their 2006 debut, and they drew some bad luck by getting into the group of death with Brazil and Portugal. The talent is there, powered by Didier Drogba, but they’re going to need some breaks, and hold at least one of the top two teams to a point to have a fighting chance. If they can get out of the group stage, the Ivory Coast has the ability to get to the quarterfinals.

Japan (+25000)

The Japanese have qualified for the last three World Cups, and their best finish was the second round when they co-hosted with South Korea in 2002. However, they’ll have to put in the effort of their lives to get out of the first round this year in a group with the Dutch, Cameroon and Denmark. Shunsuke Nakamura is a good player, while Keisuke Honda is still young. They won’t make it to the round of 16.

Mexico (+6600)

The Mexicans are headed to their 14th World Cup, and they’re hoping to get past the second round after falling there in the last four World Cups. Their best appearances came in 1970 and 1986, when they were the hosts. They’re in a weak group with France, Uruguay and South Africa, and they can even win this group. But the second round should mark their demise again as they are a young squad.

Netherlands (+1400)

The Dutch are making their ninth appearance in the tournament, and while they’ve never won, their losses in 1974 and 1978 are barely remembered because of the “total football” style they played. This Dutch team is explosive with Arjen Robben on the wing, and they should easily top their group. If the Netherlands don’t make it to the quarterfinals this year, at least, it will be a disaster.

Nigeria (+8000)

The Nigerians are back for their fifth appearance after missing out in 2006, and they should be able to join Argentina in the second round. They’re a balanced squad, but they’re missing that one special player that can change a game, which is why they should fall out in the second round against these World Cup teams.

New Zealand (+50000)

New Zealand is making their second World Cup appearance after going winless in 1982, and they’ll be hard pressed to earn one in this event. They’re not a pretty side, but New Zealand will make you work. They share a group with Italy, who beat them in a scrappy 4-3 friendly this year. They won’t make it out of the group stages.

North Korea (+50000)

The North Koreans haven’t been here since 1966, when they went to the quarterfinals, but they won’t even make it out of the first round this time. They were drawn with Brazil, the Ivory Coast and Portugal, which means they’ll be lucky just to snatch a point. Save your money for other World Cup teams.

Paraguay (+5000)

Paraguay is in the World Cup for the eighth time, but they’ve never made it out of the second round, and they were eliminated in the group stage in 2006. They played well in qualifying and should have enough to get to the second round, but no further. Paraguay is loaded with forwards, but they could struggle at the back.

Portugal (+2500)

This is only Portugal’s fifth time in the World Cup, but third in a row with a best result of third in 1966. Cristiano Ronaldo needs to step up his game after going goalless in qualifying. It’s very bad luck that they ended up in the group of death, but if they can get out of that, they’re a darkhorse to win it all.

Serbia (+6600)

Serbia is making their 11th appearance in the World Cup, and their third since Yugoslavia split up, and they could sneak into the second round if Ghana’s injuries catch up to them. They beat out France to win their qualifying group, and in Nemanja Vidic, they have one of the best defenders in the world. Look for them to make it to the second round for the first time since 1998.

Slovakia (+25000)

The Slovaks are here for the ninth time, but the first time under the Slovakia banner (the rest were under the Czechoslovakia flag). They are a disciplined team that doesn’t try to be fancy, and they’re a tight-knit group. Their best bet to make it to the second is to beat Paraguay in the group stage, but that’s not likely with these World Cup teams.

Slovenia (+20000)

This is Slovenia’s second showing in the World Cup after falling in the first round in 2002, but they have a decent chance to get their first World Cup win against Algeria. However, it doesn’t look good against England and the United States. Look for a first-round exit here.

South Africa (+15000)

The hosts are here for the third time, but first since 2002. They could snatch a win against Uruguay, as proven by close losses against Brazil and Spain in the Confederations Cup last year. However, the first round is as far as they’ll go unless they can beat Mexico in the opening game.

South Korea (+20000)

This is South Korea’s eighth appearance here, but seven have ended in the first round. Their best showing was a fourth-place result when they co-hosted with Japan in 2002, and if they can get past Nigeria, they should make it to the second round, but they’ll have to use their quickness.

Spain (+350)

The tournament co-favorites are making their 13th appearance, but their best showing is a fourth-place result way back in 1950. The health of Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas are concerns for the Spanish, who won Euro 2008. There is still plenty of skill in the side, though, and a run to the semifinals should be the lowest expectations for Spain, who have the talent to win it all.

Switzerland (+15000)

The Swiss, making their ninth World Cup showing, is in a group with Spain, but their best chance to get to the second round will come against Chile. Switzerland is still a young team, and they make get nervous on the world stage, and that could be their downfall in a first-round exit, taking a step back from their second-round result in 2006.

United States (+8000)

The Americans are also here for the ninth time, and their match against England may be the most anticipated of the tournament. Even if they lose to the English, the Americans have enough to get past Algeria and Slovenia in their group, but they won’t get much further.

Uruguay (+6600)

Uruguay wraps up the World Cup teams with their 11th appearances, and they won the first World Cup on their soil back in 1930, and then again in 1950. Since 1990, they’ve qualified just once, and that ended in a first-round exit in 2002. They’ll also be looking to take out the Mexicans to get to the second round, but like many sides, they’re too young to make a serious splash.