The 2010 FIFA World Cup also called the Football World Cup; the Soccer World Cup was the 19^th FIFA World Cup the world championship for men’s national association football teams of the members of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport’s global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not held because of the Second World War. The current format of the tournament involves 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation(s) over a period of about a month – this phase is often called the World Cup Finals. The 19 World Cup tournaments have been won by eight different national teams. Brazil won five times, and they are the only team which played in every tournament.

The 2010 World Cup will be remembered largely for the World Cup Finalscreated by the Vuvuzela horns that the crowds play in their thousands, a sound not previously recorded on this scale. The constant drone or hum, likened to a swarm of angry bees, has not been well received by spectators, columnists and players alike, given the noise is great enough to drown out natural crowd dynamics that reflect the activity on the pitch. Such has been the outcry over the use of the horns that FIFA is considering a ban possibly prior to the end of the tournament.

Group A – Franck Ribery and Thierry Henry, France

Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Ribery is, at 27, in the prime of his career. Already with 45 caps and seven international goals, he’s now in his fourth year as a member of the French national team and a key player in France’s pursuit of a second World title.

Henry, now 32, is already a World Cup winner in the French team that defeated Brazil in the final in 1998. Known as the unofficial King of France, Henry is his country’s all-time leading goal scorer and remains an influential figure for the top-ranked team in group A.

Group B – Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, Argentina

Messi is unquestionably the world’s number soccer star and, although still just 22, he’ll be appearing in his second World Cup finals tournament. In the 2006 World Cup Germany, he made three appearances, but two as a substitute and he remained on the bench during the quarter-final exit against the host nation. He won’t be spending much time on the bench in South Africa.

Manchester City gun Carlos Tevez is the other key man for the group B favourites. He, too, is a young veteran appearing in his second World Cup finals and, having already achieved so much in a short career, suggests he may retire should Argentina win the title. Retirement is hard to imagine – winning the World Cup is not so fanciful.

Group C – Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, England

The precocious talent of Wayne Rooney has matured into a world-class football star. Having made his international debut as a 17-year-old, Rooney (24) arrives in South Africa as the pivotal player for England, after scoring nine goals in the qualifying matches.

Group D – Miroslav Klose and Philipp Lamn, Germany

In the absence of their injured captain Michael Ballack, Miroslav Klose and Philipp Lamn assume more importance for Germany in group D. Klose has scored 10 goals in the past two World Cup finals tournaments, while Lamn has been a mainstay of the tight German defensive unit since 2004.

Group E – Wesley Sneijder and Robin Van Persie, the Netherlands

Sneijder, the Dutch midfielder who plies his trade with Inter Milan in Italy, is renowned as one of the most proficient ball-passers in the world – with either foot. And he poses a danger to any side with his unpredictable and successful long-range shots on goal.

Group G – Kaka and Luis Fabiano, Brazil

For the tournament favourites, Kaka stands tall in a team of champions. The Real Madrid midfielder was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007 and was one of the stars of the 2006 World Cup.