The defending champions will not for the first time in football history, be the first game in the world cup. I think it's a good thing for the world champions, since they dont have the pressure of doing well on their first game when the whole planet is looking. What say you?
137413
I think it's a great decision.  Since the world cup is every 4 years, just because a team was good enough to win the World Cup 4 years ago does not mean they are good enough to even make it past the qualifying round.  Just look at France in 1998 and then in 2002...two completely different teams.  I can see the host country because that's where a lot of your attendance is coming from and you don't want to alienate the citizens of that country.  Good job FIFA!!!
583498
okay here is my fair and completly unbaised unanalysis...with paraguay losing this morning to the swedes there out of the tournament....and the small but mighty t&t held strong against favored england only to go down 2-0 with less than ten minutes to play...so who is going to come out of group B champs...well you look at the two top teams ,england and sweden, however both team have been quite the underachievers....englands first winning there 06 world cup debut by an own goal (thanks to the captain of paraguay) and barely pulls off the win today against t&t is not really showing much for a team named as one of the favorites to win the cup.... the swedes as well are not doing to good tying with t&T not to say the small island did not put up a fight...but also only pulling off a win against paraguay with a 83rd min goal....if they can manage to beat england tommorrow they can pull off the top spot...however the likely hood of that is small...even playing less that great england has to much star power with player like beckham and rooney back on the pitch there are to strong to give away the top spot to sweden ...england even with there poor showing in the first two games has already secured a second round ticket....although much more will need to come from players like crouch and owen if they expect to go any further.....as for who will come in second well t&t will have to win against paraguay  ....and the swedes will have to lose to england...those result will leave t&t and the swedes tied with four points each and since head to head was a tie it will come down to goals....and although i have a huge heart for the underdog...i do believe the games will go a victory for england over the swedes and a t&t victory against paraguay...considering that t&T hasnt got in the back of the net yet there chances look glim to win that second seed spot by goals...although four goals would put them ahead of the swedes...the swedes would also have to come out score less against england...so all that to say ....its gonna be england with the top spot and the swedes coming in second with 4 points....altough my heartbreaks to say it the loss to england today and the swedish victory over paraguay pretty much closes the tournament door for the small twin islands of trindad and tobago.....
653271
because starting this world cup, the holders have to qualify for the world cup. so, brazil had to play in the qualifying rounds to qualify for 2006 world cup. that is why now on, the hosts will play in the inaugural match. if we were to continue with the holders playing the opening match, then there is a real possibility that the holders may not qualify for the next world cup. just look at Greece, they may not qualify for the next european championship.
514622
Future is looking good and bright. The team has reched its lowest that it can not go any further down from here. Hence, it can look forward to a better performance from here on. If you remember even prior to start of  the last world cup, we were at the lowest and in our first few matches against low placed teams like Holland we won with difficulty, but after that we reached the finals and lost.\n\nHence, its good that we have not peaked at the wrong time, but we should now start gethering momentum to peak at world cup. Hopefully, by that time we will have few changes in our team for better.
675644
Yeah i know, its riduculous verging on maximum stupidity...thats the first theory.\nThe 2nd theory being that maybe these teams have stage fright? Going in front of millions of ppl, fanatic fans, and the rest of us football-crazy ppl around the world is no small feat. Maybe they get the jitterbug and just cant perform?........\nNah, FIFA is just messed up.
310341
If we are considering the current world cup finalist, I dont see it happening. However, judging by the performance of African players in Europe and other parts of the world, it is likely that one of the countries would probably suprise the world soon. The exposure and experience is really helping develop african football. The major impediment however is the FA in the african countries. They either lack knowledge of what it takes to win a crucial competition or are too greedy and selfish/dont really care if their country perform well or not.
666081
I think it is a very smart idea which probably evolved from the idea in the olympics where they needed a 3rd place winner. I think it also adds suspense and action to the World Cup, and whether or not the press approves of it, I think the fans enjoy the extra action which gives a lot of extra enjoyment to the World Cup. I will watch it regardless of who is playing...it will be good no matter what.  As for who will be there, I think it will most likely be Italy and the winner of England/Portugal. 3rd will be Italy, 2nd will be winner of Germany/Argentina (I think Germany, but am not sure) and 1st will be Brazil.
465422
Yes, that would probably make it more exciting than it already is!! \nMany good teams have not won the world cup, they need the opportunity to shine!
226373
That was totally fantastic. That will sure boost their confidence going into the World Cup. They may not be rated as one of the best in the world to the hierarchy, but they are to us who love and support them. They have heart, they have guts and they have their point to prove.\n\nBehind them all the way so bring it on!!!!!!!\n\nAnd you are right, who cares what people say;\n\nWE WON\nWE WON\nWE WON\n\nHOOOOORAAAAAY
628500
First I'd like to say that I'm NOT a fan of Argentina (they've robbed England twice in The World Cup!!!!)....but as a true football fan, I'd have to say that unfortunately, Argentina has been playing some very fine football recently, and they definitely look like the favourites to win that match. Having said that, as everyone knows, sports can be completely unpredictable at times. I firmly believe that although certain teams/players are favoured to win matches in sporting events, ANY team/player can beat ANY other team/player on ANY given day.....stranger things have happened in the world of sports....Mexico beating Argentina.....unlikely, but not impossible.....it's definitely within the realms of extreme possibility.
582955
Many teams have beat Brazil.  I am referring to teams like Argentina, Germany, Italy or France.  Last time Brazil faced Argentina in a world cup they lost, last time the faced France they lost.  Since then fifa has done everything in their power to avoid those two teams to face each other in the world cup.  That's a fact.  Second, Brazil hasn't faced any of the world powerhouses.  You wanna talk about how many cups Brazil have.  How did Brazil win in 94? It wasn't that "superior" level of play you are talking about.  Getting to the final games by a benevolent schedule, not facing powerhouses, extra days of rest, mediocre rival teams (Japan, Australia, croatia, etc) is not an accomplishment.
616850
absolutely right!\n\ntill now...NO SURPRISES AT ALL...which to be honest...i think it's better :)!\n\nmost coaches are more cautious than ever...and they tend to secure the game...and i don't blame them...many big teams are still living the shocking nightmares of their eliminations in the past tournaments...Italy, Portugal, England, Argentina and Netherlands!\n\nbut i believe the BEST IS YET TO COME...i mean come on...those teams are playing for the WORLD CUP...not just for an honoring participation in WORLD CUP if you know what i mean...big guys are running towards the gold amigo...and to get the GOLD...you need patience, mentality, tactics, plans, good players and A BIT OF LUCK...!\n\ni love the GOALS so far!\n\ni think the refs are performing an OK job till now!
602375
I am so proud of the team especially for making it out of a group whom everyone thought was the group of death. The US coach wrote them off. It shows how you should not underestimate anyone in football. Their game with the US was not as strong as what they showed against the Czechs but that could be because they were aware of the importance of the game and were probably tense. I hope they bring that game back against the Brazilians. And they can make an impression. If they can hold the Brazilians, that will be wonderful, and if they are amazing enough to beat the Brazilians......
600375
You make a great point. Club football is their day to day living. It is about money and they have to live up to their contracts or lose them. Country, well that's about heart and pride and to me it would always come first. Australia has suffered from this problem in the past, with International clubs they play for not releasing them or qualifiers or other International games in case of an injury that would impede or stop them fulfilling their obligations to their contracted club. It's a pretty sad situation. I think it's more of a problem for countries who are smaller or have no political influence in the football arena. It would be really sad to see club football become so important that country meant little or nothing. If that ever happened, goodbye World Cup Soccer. It would cease to exist.
627574
Hmm...it's interesting but by that logic, we wouldn't need to spend 30 days on a world cup. Why don't we just hand Brazil (or a supposed winner) instead of watching teams slug it out for the big prize!? :)
539144
I would consider them leading. The game is not over yet, so I would not say they are "winning" the game. In football/soccer, anything could happen at the last minutes. :-)
605976
I don't think they started off excellent, bu i still think they have very high chances at winning.... after all they've got Ronaldinho Guacho that was voted best player in the world (twice) and Ronaldo ...a dn both are really good... and some other excellent players... Last world cup they started of like this too and they became 5 times champion....