The early going could be tougher than expected for the defending champions, as each of the three other teams in the group could spring a surprise.

France: One of the criticisms leveled at them is that they've been run like a little club, with loyalty sometimes rewarded over talent. Maybe so (indeed, it's surprising that guys like Franck Leboeuf, Christophe Dugarry and Youri Djorkaeff are still in the mix), but it has also yielded a close-knit unit which, in addition to Zidane, can count on the man-mountain, Patrick Vieira in front of the back four and a stellar striking tandem in David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry.

Uruguay: A tough and gritty team, embodied by stopper Paulo Montero, one of the hardest men in the game. The Uruguayans had a difficult time in qualifying, but they have the kind of side that tends to rise to the occasion.

On the spot Alvaro Recoba (Uruguay): Talent aplenty, but lacks consistency. If he hits his stride in June though, look out. When he's hot, he's the kind of player who can carry a team.

Senegal: Great team spirit and a genuine threat in quicksilver striker El Hadji Diouf. Coach Bruno Mustu must replicate the success his side found at the African Nations' Cup, where they lost the final on penalty kicks.

Denmark: Jon Dahl Tomasson has quietly developed into one of the best deep-lying strikers around, but he'll need plenty of help from his teammates, many of whom have underachieved of late.

On paper, one of the weakest World Cup groups, with Spain favored and the other three sides fairly evenly matched.

Spain: Despite a tendency to disappoint in big competitions, Spain should coast to the second round. Raul, of course, is the real deal and there is plenty of experience in Jose Camacho's team. The weak spot is at the heart of the defense, where Fernando Hierro and Miguel Angel Nadal are 34 and 35 respectively.

Paraguay: A blend of veterans (Jose Luis Chilavert) and kids (Roque Santa Cruz, Diego Gavilan), overseen by the oldest manager in the World Cup (Italian Cesare Maldini, who is 70). Like all Maldini's teams, it will be difficult to break down, but goals are also hard to come by.

On the spot Juan Carlos Valeron (Spain): Raul needs a foil, and the Deportivo man is coming off a tremendous season. If he can take some of the pressure off Raul, Spain can go far.

Slovenia: A population of just 2 million makes it the smallest nation in the competition, and they're probably just glad to be there. But look out for playmaker Milenko Acimovic and remember: they've been written off before.

South Africa: Disappointing of late and probably better four years ago, their fate will depend how well they combine flair and discipline. Look out for striker Sibusiso Zuma.

Brazil and Turkey look a notch above the competition.

Brazil: Awful in qualifying (by its standards anyway), but before you write off Felipe Scolari's men, bear in mind what a fit pairing of Rivaldo and Ronaldo can do. We all like fairytales, and Ronaldo returning to his best just in time to deliver Brazil's fifth World Cup is something beyond Disneyesque. Furthermore, this is one of the deepest teams in the competition, and there are plenty of other guys who can win matches single-handedly such as Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho.

Turkey: A resurgent nation will rely on veteran striker Hakan Sukur and budding superstar playmakers Yldiray Basturk and Emre Belezoglu. Turkish soccer has made great strides in recent years and this is the time to collect dividends.

On the spot Rivaldo (Brazil): He's coming off a difficult season, riddled with injury and controversy, but Brazil, now more than ever, needs his vision and talent on the pitch.

China: Coach Bora Milutinovic is enjoying his fifth World Cup with five different nations and is a savvy coach, but leading a side with little latent (apart from midfielder Li Tie and defender Fan Zhiyi) and even less experience will be tough.

Costa Rica: Paulo Wanchope is a threat, albeit an inconsistent one, but it's hard to see these guys getting far.

More wide open than it first appears. It's not unthinkable that any two of these teams can get through.

Portugal: The darling of Euro 2000, and despite the fact that its two biggest stars -- Luis Figo and Manuel Rui Costa -- have endured lackluster seasons, hopes are high. The team still desperately needs a striker who can score consistently at international level (Pauleta? Nuno Gomes? Anyone?).

United States: A veteran squad punctuated by some talented relative newcomers, none so more than Clint Mathis. There are overall concerns of quality (and lack thereof), but Bruce Arena is an accomplished coach. The loss of defensive midfielder Chris Armas to injury is a big blow.

On the spot Manuel Rui Costa (Portugal): Figo needs help and he's the man to do it. Long injury layoff last season only increases his desire.

Poland: Breezed through qualifying thanks to the goals of Emanuel Olisadebe, but at its best is hoping that Jerzy Dudek, one of the world's top five goalkeepers, can perform miracles at the back, while somebody scrounges a goal at the other end.

South Korea: Never gone past the first round of the World Cup, but veteran coach Guus Hiddink and its co-host status ought to provide a boost.

Cameroon is solid as anybody and Germany should make it, but don't discount Ireland, which knocked out Holland in qualifying.

Germany: German soccer is slowly waking up from its slumber of the late 1990s, but the comeback trail is still long, especially since top defender Jens Nowotny will be unavailable. To do well, Rudi Voeller will have to find some scoring punch up front, the team's only glaring weakness.

Cameroon: A tough, veteran team with a very solid defense and a potentially lethal striking duo in Samuel Eto'o and Patrick Mboma. They also have plenty of experience and will spring a few surprises.

On the spot Rigobert Song (Cameroon): Inconsistent at club level, a star when he dons the Cameroon jersey. The "Indomitable Lions" will need all his experience and drive in this World Cup.

Ireland: Impressive in qualifying, but it's worth remembering that Roy Keane is only human (though sometimes he appears superhuman). Apart from the Manchester United captain and his namesake, Robbie Keane, the rest of the squad is made up of role players who will need to raise their game.

Saudi Arabia: Nawaf Al-Temyat is an exciting talent, but his teammates need to come up big if the Saudis are to have a chance.

Probably the toughest group, with three potential World Cup winners

Argentina: Marcelo Bielsa has a squad brimming with talent and, with France, they are considered the favorites. Look a little closer and a different pattern emerges. Striker Hernan Crespo and midfielder Diego Simeone have struggled with injuries for much of the year, while Juan Sebastian Veron, Claudio Lopez and Kily Gonzalez have endured disappointing seasons. They can win it all... but only if raise their game to the next level.

Nigeria: Plenty of talent, it just needs a little stability and consistency. Festus Onigbinde has a tough job, but there is little question that if the Super Eagles are up for it, they can beat anybody. Look out for centerforward Julius Aghahowa, a star in the making.

On the spot Sven-Goran Eriksson (Lazio): As a foreigner leading the country that invented the sport, he is expected to deliver instant results in very tough circumstances.

England: David Beckham and Michael Owen are legitimate talents, but there are still plenty of holes, particularly at the back and on the left of midfield. Have also been hit hard by injuries to Steven Gerrard and Kieron Dyer.

Sweden: Tricky opponents who will live or die based on Henrik Larsson's performances, though Freddy Ljungberg is definitely on fire.

Italy and Croatia look a notch above the fray, though Mexico and Ecuador could step up if one of the two favorites falters.

Italy: Have lost just one World Cup game in the ninety minutes since 1986 which goes a long way towards explaining how tough they are to play against. Water-tight at the back with goalkeeper Gigi Buffon and defenders Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini, there's plenty of punch up front as well thanks to Francesco Totti and Christian Vieri (provided he stays healthy). The midfield however, is distinctly mediocre and the Azzurri could pay the price.

Croatia: An aging corps of stars (Alen Boksic, Davor Suker, Robert Prosinecki) will be looking for one last stab at glory. Keeping the legs fresh and the egos intact will be top priority for coach Mirko Jozic.

On the spot Christian Vieri (Italy): Italy need him to stay healthy, something he hasn't managed to do lately. His size, strength and mobility are crucial as is his uncanny ability to find the back of the net.

Ecuador: Qualified brilliantly for its first World Cup, but it will need to continue to overachieve if it is to get past the first round.

Mexico: Mexican soccer has seen better days and it looks like their struggle will be all up hill. Still, the squad has prepared very well for this tournament

Co-host Japan has a tough draw in a very balanced group. Russia has the talent, but Belgium has caused upsets before and even Tunisia is in with a shot.

Japan: Worked very hard to field a competitive team and, this time around, it may just turn a few heads, particularly if striker Atsushi Yanagisawa and playmaker Hidetoshi Nakata find their stride. Together with wide man Shini Ono they form a very dangerous front three, the key will be how the team holds up at the back.

Russia: Boast a highly underrated goalkeeper in Ruslan Nigmatullin and a trio of talented, if inconsistent front men in Marat Izmailov, Vladimir Beschastynkh and Alexander Mostovoj, but coach Oleg Romantsev has struggled to find the right mix.

On the spot Hidetoshi Nakata): Japan expects the world of him, but he has failed to deliver at club level for the past two years. This is his World Cup, but only if he can turn it up several notches.

Belgium: As usual, will defend in numbers. Prey upon opponents' mistakes and cause a few upsets along the way. Always tough.

Tunisia: Has changed three coaches in the past eight months, hardly a recipe for success. Instability could offset the considerable talent base.

PREDICTION: Russia, Japan advance

The second round matchups obviously depend on how the group stage finishes, but if my predictions are correct, Cameroon should edge Paraguay, with France topping Nigeria and Argentina winning the South American derby over Uruguay. Italy and Brazil should dispatch the U.S. and Japan rather handily. Russia vs. Turkey and Portugal vs. Croatia will be tight, but Russia and Portugal should get the job done. Germany vs. Spain could go either way, but given the former's overachievement and the latter's tendency to underachieve, Ballack and Co. are the slight favorites.

In the quarterfinals, Brazil vs. France will be a great match and, since I'm a romantic, I'm going with Ronaldo to make the difference. Italy's experience and grit should get it past Cameroon, while Germany could prove too strong for Portugal. Argentina should roll past Russia without too many complications.

In the semifinals, Brazil vs. Argentina will be another epic match, with the Selecao edging it, on the strength of Ronaldo. Germany's surprising run will end as well, as Italy's defensive solidity ought to make the difference.

If my crystal ball is correct (and, frankly, there's no reason to think it is...) then Italy will face Brazil in the final, a rematch of 1994.

This time though, there might just be a different ending.