Okay, so not a lot of us here in America (that were born here, anyway) are really into the World Cup as our foreign neighbors around the globe are and that’s too bad.  However, I’m not going to get into how you SHOULD care about the World Cup because different strokes for different folks.  But, hey, if you’re even a casual fan, I’ll preview the countries involved and the groups that they’re in as they battle for one of the more important and most coveted championships in the world.  In TSTC, I’ll naturally update the goings on in the World Cup, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, here’s the groupings:

*Top two teams in each group advance to the next round.
Group A: Poland, Germany, Costa Rica, Ecuador
Group B: England, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Sweden
Group C: Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia and Montenegro, Netherlands
Group D: Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal
Group E: Italy, Ghana, United States, Czech Republic
Group F: Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Japan
Group G: France, Switzerland, Korea Republic, Togo
Group H: Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia

Brazil has to be favored to win the whole thing and are the defending champions, winning the World Cup in 2002.  And to say something about their consistency, they’ve appeared in the finals three consecutive times and with the firepower of Ronaldinho, winner of player of the year honors everywhere he plays, Adriano, Ronaldo, and Kaka, a fourth consecutive time in the finals is not out of the question.

Argentina will be a strong team, having won the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics and the FIFA World Youth Championship.  They’ll be led by Lionel Messi, a tough competitor that looks unassuming until he jams the ball downfield and puts a deft touch on his kick as it sails over the goalie’s head or in the corner.

England is also a strong team to look out for, despite Wayne Rooney’s broken foot.  Their defenders are deep and able.  Italy is antoher team to watch, but how will they handle the scandal that has to be looming over their heads.  Host country, Germany, has a chance with Michael Ballack leading the way.  But, of course, I’m pulling for my boys - Langdon Donovan, Brian McBride, DaMarcus Beasley, Oguchi Onyewu, and the rest of the U.S. Team!