Ivory Coast were handed a tough World Cup draw for the second time running after being drawn with heavyweights Portugal and Brazil in Group G. The 2008 Nations Cup semi-finalists were unlucky on their World Cup debut in 2006 when they had to face Argentina and Holland. They consequently failed to get beyond the first round. In next year's South Africa finals, they will also face an uphill to climb if they are to cause an upset and reach the knockout stage. Along with Portugal and five-time world champions Brazil, Ivory Coast will also meet Slovenia, who reached the football's most prestigious event after beating Russia in a two-legged playoff. Hosts South Africa were unfortunate to be drawn in the same group as one-time champions France, who were not seeded after a stuttering qualifying campaign saw them advance via a playoff victory, albeit a controversial one, over Ireland. Algeria, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1986 after beating Egypt in another controversial playoff in Sudan, will face England, the United States and Slovenia in Group C. Cameroon's fate was not so favorable either as they will play Holland, Denmark and Japan in Group E while Nigeria will tackle Argentina, Korea Republic and Greece. Ghana, who will make their second appearance after reaching the second round in the 2006 tournament, got Germany, Australia and Serbia. World champions and four-time winners Italy, who will be bidding to equal Brazil's record, were handed a relatively easy group. They will meet Paraguay, minnows New Zealand and Slovakia. EURO 2008 winners Spain, widely favorites to win the trophy for their first ever time, should face no difficulty progressing to the next round after being drawn with Chile, Switzerland and Honduras.
The World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 11 next year. The eight groups: Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana Group E: Holland, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
