In less than a year, South Africa and the world will be hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is the first time that an African country hosted the World Cup. The FIFA World Cup for 2010 has not started and already it is making history after upsets and surprises.

Brazil will win the 2010 World Cup since it is the football [soccer] capital of the world and has won previous World Cup titles. It also recently defeated the United States of America in order to win the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup. Its victory catapulted Brazil into first place in the FIFA Coca Cola Ranking with 1,672 points and overtaking Spain. While Brazil is considered the favourite to win the 2010 World Cup, there are countries that will surprise the war. 

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea [otherwise known as North Korea] surprised the world by earning a berth in the 2010 World for the first time in four decades. North Korea played against Italy in the 1966 World Cup and defeated it. The arrival of North Korea to the 2010 World Cup was secondary to a draw against Saudi Arabia 0-0 and a draw between the Republic of Korea [South Korea and Iran 1-1. 

North Korea will probably not advance since it is in 83rd place with 393 points. It would be interesting what would happen if the two Koreas were to confront each other in the football field.

The US Soccer Team is a team that should not be underestimated. The experts wrote off the US Soccer Team in the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup only to be surprised when the team defeated Egypt and Spain. Even though they won second place, they were able to give Brazil a headache in the first half of the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup Finals.

The United States of America is currently in 12th place with 983 points and is almost behind the big giants Spain, Brazil, Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Greece, and Croatia. It remains to be seen if the US Soccer Team will be in South Africa taking into account the Gold Cup and other classifications.

The US Soccer Team has come a long way from the 1994 World Cup and is becoming a factor in the 2010 World Cup and beyond.

South Africa may be another surprise since it has the home team advantage. While South Africa did not win the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup, they play with their heart and soul. The underwriter is taking into account the FIFA Coca Cola Ranking which places South Africa in 70th place with 474 points.