What?:The event where the 32 teams that qualified for the 2010 football World Cup are drawn into 8 groups of 4 for the group stage of the competition.
Where?: Cape Town, South Africa at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
When?: 7pm local, 4th Decemeber (19:00 UTC+2)
2am - Japan
4am - Sydney
9am - PST
11am - CST
Noon - EST
5pm - Britain (GMT)
Predicted start time of the actual drawing of the teams is 45 minutes after the start.
Watch: live streams, text updates to be posted here
Who?: 32 teams have qualified for the World Cup. They are as followed:
From Asia (AFC): Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea
From Oceania (OFC): New Zealand
From Africa (CAF): Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, South Africa
From Europe (UEFA): Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland
From North and Central America (CONCACAF): Honduras, Mexico, United States
From South America (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
How does it work?*:
The draw is seeded according to the current FIFA World Rankings (more on that later). The 32 teams are divided into 4 pots. The best 7 teams (including the hosts South Africa, to make 8) are in Pot A.
The rest of the teams are sorted into the three remaining pots depending upon their region.
Pot B = the unseeded teams from Europe (UEFA)
Pot C = teams from Asia and North and Central America (AFC and CONCACAF)
Pot D = teams from Africa and unseeded South American teams (CAF and CONMEBOL)
This is done to avoid more than two teams from Europe being in the same group.
At this point one team from each pot is drawn into one of 8 groups (A-H) and the draw is completed.
*There is almost always some irregularity going on so this may not be exactly true but the general format/principle will remain the same
"Tell me more about the teams. I don't follow football/soccer much and would like to know which teams to look out for!"
Algeria
FIFA World Ranking: 28th
Odds to win: 370/1
How they qualified: Beat one of their fiercest rivals, Egypt, 1-0 in a rematch of the 'match of hate'.
Info: Have improved recently with a change to their youth sytem which meant their young players, who learned their trade in France, choosing to play for Algeria at national level.
Group Fear: Not the weakest team in the 32 but close. You would like to have them in your team's group.
Australia
FIFA World Ranking: 21st
Odds to win: 120/1
How they qualified: Won their qualifying group ahead of Japan.
Info: Contain a lot of players who ply their trade in Europe. Unlucky not to have progressed further than they did in the previous World Cup.
Group Fear: They can't be underestimated. Definitely one of the teams to avoid from this pot.
Argentina
FIFA World Ranking: 8th
Odds to win: 12/1
How they qualified: With manager Diego Maradonna at the helm they only just managed to make it through in their qualifying group. They would've preferred a much easier ride.
Info: Twice World Cup winners, they have a group of talented individuals who are performing hit-and-miss under the erratic Maradonna.
Group Fear: Draw them at your peril. Despite their recent poor performances they have some world class players such as Messi and Aguero who can win matches on their own.
Brazil
FIFA World Ranking: 2nd
Odds to win: 6/1
How they qualified: Won their group of course.
Info: Five times they've won this competition and they're playing well enough at the moment to make it six soon.
Group Fear: "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo" will be the sound you're making if they're in your team's group.
Cameroon
FIFA World Ranking: 11th
Odds to win: 100/1
How they qualified: Changed managers half way through the campaign which boosted them enough to win important matches.
Info: One of the strongest footballing nations from Africa, winning the African Cup of Nations 4 times.
Group Fear: Wouldn't be that upset getting them. There are certainly better teams in this pot you'll have been glad to have avoided.
Chile
FIFA World Ranking: 17th
Odds to win: 75/1
How they qualified: Came second in the South American group.
Info: Bookmakers have them as the lead of the dark horses for the title.
Group Fear: A slight threat. You would've preferred someone a little weaker.
Denmark
FIFA World Ranking: 26th
Odds to win: 140/1
How they qualified: Won their qualifying group which contained both Portugal and Sweden (breaking the hearts of blondes everywhere)
Info: Highlight was winning the 1992 European Championship. My friend still goes on about it. They miss the star players of those days (even though they have Bendtner now).
Group Fear: They outmuscled two better sides on paper in qualifying and as such you wouldn't want them in your group here as they are capable provide shocks. There are weaker European teams out there.
England
FIFA World Ranking: 9th
Odds to win: 8/1
How they qualified: Won their qualifying group with ease winning all but one game (a loss to the Ukraine)
Info: Perennial underachievers in major competitions, have performed exceptionally under recent managerial appointment Fabio Capello except against other "big sides".
Group Fear: Although rated highly history shows they are capable of very bad performances when not properly motivated and these times are usually much worse than the other highly ranked sides. Plus everyone wants to beat the English.
France
FIFA World Ranking: 7th
Odds to win: 19/1
How they qualified: Here's how
Info: Crazy manager who uses astrological signs to decide how to play. Despite that they have some great quality players.
Group Fear: They haven't been seeded so alongside Portugal they will be a team to be avoided like the plague from pot 2.
Germany
FIFA World Ranking: 6th
Odds to win: 14/1
How they qualified: Topped their group comfortably without losing.
Info: Three times the winners of this competition they are always a side to be feared. They've reached the semi finals in the two previous competitions and haven't been knocked out in the group stages for over 70 years.
Group Fear: History shows that they just do what it necesary to get through. If they're in your group it'll probably be at your team's expence.
Ghana
FIFA World Ranking: 37th
Odds to win: 70/1
How they qualified: The first team from Africa to qualify. Had two matches spare.
Info: They qualified for their first world cup 4 years ago and impressing watchers by beating the favoured Czech Republic and United States.
Group Fear: Second only to the Ivory Coast in the African region, and considering their last time out, they are not to be sneered at. Looks like a good draw on paper but could easily cause unseeded teams problems.
Greece
FIFA World Ranking: 12th
Odds to win: 130/1
How they qualified: Beat Ukraine in a playoff after coming second in their qualifying group to Switzerland.
Info: Heck, they won Euro 2004 when no one expected them to do anything and they were being offered odds around the same as they are now. Surely nothing like that will happen again...
Group Fear: ...yeah it probably wont. Don't let FIFA's dodgy rankings fool you, Greece are no great side. Getting them in your team's group could only be a good thing in comparison to some of the other European possibilities.
Honduras
FIFA World Ranking: 38th
Odds to win: 920/1
How they qualified: Good question. Technically they automatically qualified by coming third in their group behind the US and Mexico, beating out Costa Rica on goal difference.
Info: Only their second ever World Cup competition, their win over Mexico in the qualification looks like the highlight of their run.
Group Fear: None whatsoever. This is an excellent draw for your team. They don't get much better than this.
Italy
FIFA World Ranking: 4th
Odds to win: 17/1
How they qualified: Undefeated and coming top of their group ahead of Ireland and Bulgaria.
Info: Reigning world champions but were disappointing in the recent Confederations Cup is the reason for their longer odds than normal.
Group Fear: No longer considered one of the favourites but still a match for any side. As far as seeded teams go though you wouldn't mind them too much. Egypt showed last year that they can be beaten by less renowned teams.
Ivory Coast
FIFA World Ranking: 16th
Odds to win: 26/1
How they qualified: Undefeated.
Info: The strongest African side in the competition. They have a host of players who play regularly for top European clubs.
Group Fear: The worst possible draw. They wont be seeded but will be the best side in their pot. Chances are that if they're in your group that this will be the one dubbed the group of death.
Japan
FIFA World Ranking: 43rd
Odds to win: 300/1
How they qualified: Beaten to the top spot in their group by Australia in the Asian Zone, their only real competition.
Info: Have qualified for every subsequent competition since their first in 1998. Did outstandingly well in front of their home crowd in 2002 but failed to replicate that in Germany 4 years later...
Group Fear: ..and are unlikely to do it in South Africa either. Good team to get drawn with you.
Mexico
FIFA World Ranking: 15th
Odds to win: 140/1
How they qualified: Made a meal of it losing to El Savador and Honduras but came second behind the US.
Info: Every year people seem to tip them to do well but they never get much further than getting out of their group.
Group Fear: That said they're consistent qualifiers though so they'll be tough, but not a bad draw considering their recent form and the other available teams in the same pot.
Netherlands
FIFA World Ranking: 3rd
Odds to win: 17/1
How they qualified: Won every match in their group.
Info: The best nation to never win the world cup? Quite possibly. Runners up twice, they always seem to start strongly but fade in the knock out stages (see Euro 2008).
Group Fear: They'll either do great or fail dramatically so it's a bit of a luck draw this one. Best try to avoid them though just to be on the safe side.
New Zealand
FIFA World Ranking 77th
Odds to win: 1000/1
How they qualified: Won the oceanic group and beat Bahrain from Asia in the continental play off.
Info: Only their second ever World Cup (first being in 1982) and predicted to just enjoy the group stage experience. They lack any sort of world class player.
Group Fear: Fearful like a puppy in bubble wrap. If you've drawn this team you should be expecting three points from your game with them.
Nigeria
FIFA World Ranking: 22nd
Odds to win: 130/1
How they qualified: The Super Eagles were undefeated during qualifying, pipping Tunisia to the automatic spot by a single point, thanks to a late winner in one of their final games against Mozambique.
Info: Their squad boasts a lot of players who play regularly in European club competitions. Whilst they have no one stand out player (perhaps Mikel of Chelsea) their squad is filled with good players yet have not been able to prove themselves on the international stage.
Group Fear: Be relatively happy if you draw them in your group. They underachieve on the international stage. It could be a lot worse with the likes of the Ivory Coast in the same pot.
North Korea
FIFA World Ranking: 84th
Odds to win: 1000/1
How they qualified: Information is scarce for some reason...
Info: No footage of the North Korean team will be shown in their homeland if it paints them in a negative light. So basically nothing will be displayed because from all accounts they're the worst team of the 32.
Group Fear: Zilch. Easy wins. Great team to have in your group.
Paraguay
FIFA World Ranking: 30th
Odds to win: 95/1
How they qualified: 3rd in South American zone.
Info: They beat Brazil and Argentina in the qualifications so they're no slouches.
Group Fear: You managed to avoid all the African teams and Chile so this is a good result.
Portugal
FIFA World Ranking: 5th
Odds to win: 23/1
How they qualified: Underachieved in their group, scraped through to win via playoff.
Info: Technically gifted players but haven't been playing great under Quieroz.
Group Fear: Alongside France they are the top unseeded European team. Would be a disaster to draw them.
Serbia
FIFA World Ranking: 20th
Odds to win: 80/1
How they qualified: Won their group ahead of France.
Info: Returning to the World Cup as simply "Serbia" they managed to win their qualification group despite losing twice, once to eventual group runners-up France.
Group Fear: Behind France and Portugal in pot 2, you would ideally want to avoid them too.
Slovakia
FIFA World Ranking: 34th
Odds to win: 300/1
How they qualified: Won their group ahead of the Czech Republic, Poland and Northern Ireland.
Info: This will be their first ever major competitive competition as an independent nation.
Group Fear: Despite wining their qualification group they're thought to be pretty weak. Not a bad draw.
Slovenia
FIFA World Ranking: 33rd
Odds to win: 280/1
How they qualified: Finished in the playoff spot in their group ahead of the Czech Republic, Poland and Northern Ireland. Beat Russia in the playoff. Cryshavin.
Info: Impressed a lot of people with their style of football during qualification.
Group Fear: You wouldn't mind at all seeing Slovenia drawn in your group rather than France or Portugal.
South Africa
FIFA World Ranking: 86th
Odds to win: 120/1
How they qualified: Automatically as the host nation.
Info: The lowest rank team ever to host the world cup they are also the lowest rank team in the draw. Their automatic pot A seeding will give them much needed help.
Group Fear: The best possible group to be in would be South Africa's. They are miles weaker than the alternatives in the same pot.
South Korea
FIFA World Ranking: 52nd
Odds to win: 500/1
How they qualified: Won their group ahead of North Korea (bet those were some entertaining matches)
Info: Recently went on a 27 match unbeaten run allbeit against no top quality opposition.
Group Fear: Practically none. Again you would be much better off drawing against an Asian side than one from North America.
Spain
FIFA World Ranking 1st
Odds to win: 6/1
How they qualified: Won every game of their qualification group, topping the table.
Info: The best strike partnership, midfield, and goalkeeper arguably in the world right now. Despite never wining the World Cup their recent victory in the European Championship means this team are able to overcome such obstacles. They will go into the tournament as favourites.
Group Fear: Avoid at all costs. You wont know whether to cheer or cry as they run rings around your team. They will destroy you.
Switzerland
FIFA World Ranking: 18th
Odds to win: 220/1
How they qualified: Automatic qualification from their group finishing ahead of Greece.
Info: An improving side in recent years but still far off the mark. Finishing ahead of Greece is nothing to write home about.
Group Fear: Hardly any again. One of the better teams to be drawn against from the European pot B.
United States
FIFA World Ranking: 14th
Odds to win: 100/1
How they qualified: Winners of CONCACAF.
Info: Shook the footballing world by beating the seemingly unstoppable Spanish in last year's Confederation Cup. They will enjoy returning to South Africa.
Group Fear: Without doubt the worst team to be drawn against from pot 4. Avoid at all costs.
Uruguay
FIFA World Ranking: 19th
Odds to win: 150/1
How they qualified: Beat Costa Rica in a playoff. Just.
Info: Arguably the weakest of the South American sides in the draw and lucky to go through in the playoff due to a contentious key refereeing decision.
Group Fear: Considering the alternatives you would happily have them in your group.
Phew. So who is in charge of doing all this on the day?
Jérôme Valcke will be in charge of events. He is the General Secretary of FIFA.
He will be assisted by Charlize Theron.
And they will both be joined by a bunch of other "high profile" names apparently.
What haven't you told me?
The show is likely to be quite long (over an hour at least) and the actual good part, the draw, isn't until the end. Before that you have lots of welcoming of people and random marketing things which are all very tedious but hilarious too. We may even get some kind of "show" involving dancers which is the time I go make myself a cup of tea, I suggest you do the same. Then Jerome will explain how the draw will work for about 10 minutes whilst we all scream "get on with it!".
