Arsene Wenger's guide to the teams

13 April 2012

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gives his form guide to each of the teams competing in the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Group A    Group B
Group C    Group D
Group E    Group F
Group G    Group H

GROUP A

France:

Senegal: They were surprise finalists in the African Cup of Nations and I believe they could also surprise here by qualifying from this group. Most of their squad play in France. Their star player is El Hadji Diouf who plays for Lens. Diouf is a big star in Senegal. His power makes him comparable to Thierry Henry although he scores fewer goals. But anything Lens have achieved this season is down to him.

Uruguay: There has always been a big football culture in Uruguay but nobody counts them as a top team. However, any European side finds it hard to beat a South American team. They slow you down to their pace, put you where they want you and then they make a scrappy game. But they keep the ball, all their players dive and they break you rhythm. Uruguay can do that very well. Their most dangerous player is Alvaro Recoba, who is extremely dangerous. With him every free-kick from 30 yards out is half a goal. Diego Forlan should benefit from his move to Manchester United but Recoba is the man to watch.

Denmark: I always compare them with Sweden because you know they can be beaten 1-0 but it is going to be tough. You are always given a game and will not score easy goals. You have to fight for everything you get. Jesper Gronkjaer of Chelsea could make a big impact because in Euro 2000 I thought he was a revelation. But he seems to be frequently injured, which is a great shame. And watch for Jon Dahl Tomasson of Feyenoord. He's had a good season.

GROUP B

Paraguay:

South Africa: For me, they are an unknown quantity because you always expect more than they deliver in the big competitions. They were a disappointment at France '98 and it seems to me that African teams have the quality but still have to learn how to cope with a competition like the World Cup which is played out of Africa. I thought they were better placed to handle the differences than other African sides but they appear to have the same problems.

Spain: They always look good in qualification and always disappoint when it comes to the real business of the tournaments. They have great players like Raul and technically they are up to the top level, but they lack the power and mental strength. They always seem to go out unluckily.

Slovenia: They have been a revelation to me. Anything they do will be outstanding. They could pull off a surprise as Croatia did in the last World Cup although I don't think they will go as far as third place. Croatia had better players, but Slovenia manager Srecko Katanec has done really well.

GROUP C

Brazil:

Turkey: They won't last long at these finals. Although they have the quality at club level they have struggled to harness that ability into a national side.

China: A bit of an unknown quantity but I don't think they have enough experience to survive in the World Cup. It is a new football country and they don't have enough quality to get the vital goals, win the important free-kicks or force the crucial corners.

Costa Rica: They are almost like the Africans of Central America with explosive players and plenty of tricks. In Italia '90 they produced some remarkable results - beating Sweden and Scotland - and could surprise again with unpredictable players like Manchester City's Paulo Wanchope.

GROUP D

South Korea:

Poland: Although they are a surprise package I don't see them going very far because they lack technical quality. If they start well they might make the next round but a lot depends on Liverpool No1 Jerzy Dudek. Striker Emmanuel Olisadebe will also be a key man.

USA: There is not much of a football culture in the United States and in this group you cannot really look further than Portugal and Poland going through or maybe South Korea who have the advantage of being at home.

Portugal: They have experience and talent with players like Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Nuno Gomez and Fernando Couto. They have a side that is at the top of what I would call their art. But they always seem to be unlucky and are eliminated by penalties or wonder goals. Their big chance lies in the fact that this tournament is the last opportunity for their big names.

GROUP E

Republic of Ireland:

Cameroon: This team will be the surprise of the World Cup and their German manager, Winfried Schafer, will have them organised and ensure their discipline is good. You

could call them the Germans of Africa. Other African teams have more flair, but Cameroon have power. They are more solid, more reliable and can survive in major competitions as they proved in the Olympic Games and African Cup of Nations. Watch out for striker Samuel Eto'o, who is their big star.

Germany: Not one of the favourites, but it is dangerous to write them off. Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn was the No1 in Europe last year and they will always have that winning mentality. They are not in Japan just to do their best - they are there to win. Given a chance they will grab it.

Saudi Arabia: Good technical ability, but not enough power for this level. Lack the strength in depth to produce anything more than the occasional surprise result.

GROUP F

England:

Sweden: This is definitely the nightmare group. Sweden are Denmark with Freddie Ljungberg and Patrik Andersson. In defence they have Celtic's Johan Mjallby, who is a winner and will fight for the cause. They are clearly dangerous, especially with a goalscorer like Henrik Larsson.

Argentina: My second favourites after France. An Argentine player who loses a game doesn't sleep all night. Outstanding players such as Kily Gonzalez, Claudio Lopez, Pablo Aimar and Juan Veron.

Nigeria: There is a big question mark against them because they need stability. There's no question that the potential is there, but their tournament will be determined by preparation, organisation and spirit. They are supremely unpredictable. Capable of anything.

GROUP G

Italy:

Croatia: It seems they're past their peak and won't emulate their third place in 1998. That was a one-off.

Mexico: They have good players and showed their ability at France '98 as they drew with Holland and were unlucky to lose 2-1 to Germany. Difficult opponents but I can't see them in the final stages.

Ecuador: I don't know a lot about them. However, they had some very good results in qualifying, including a win over Brazil, so they must have something about them.

GROUP H

Japan:

Belgium: They will definitely reach the quarter-final but then go home. Striker Mbo Mpenza has electric pace and a lot of movement. They are a solid team but lack outstanding individuals.

Russia: Could be the joker in the pack. Always a formidable unit with good technique and Egor Titov is great in midfield. But often punished for giving too much space.

Tunisia: Good technique, good stamina, good passing - but a lack of aggression and a lack of power. I don't fancy them to go through. They have good players but not good enough to be a real force.

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Africa

Argentina

Brazil

Croatia

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Latin America

South America

Uruguay