Winners and Losers From the World Cup Group Draw

Winners and Losers From the World Cup Group Draw

After weeks of hype and suspense, the groups were revealed Friday for the 32 nations that have qualified for next year's World Cup in South Africa.
Some are located inside of the Group of Death while others will most likely have an easy ride onto the knockout stages of the World Cup.
For a recap of what countries are in which group, here is a list of the four nations in each of the eight groups, listed in the order of each of the pots.
 
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C:  England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E:  Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H:  Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
 
Now that you know who is in what group, here is my list of the winners and losers from each group, and why I rank each country as a winner or loser.
 
Group A:
Winner: France
After getting into the World Cup on a handball by Thierry Henry, France will get "rewarded" for what happened by getting an easy draw in the World Cup.
Loser: South Africa
The hosts appeared that they could have had a group that they could manage their way through to get onto the knockout stage, but have Mexico and France in their way from doing that.
 
Group B:
Winner: Argentina
After barely qualifying for the World Cup, Diego Maradona's men will be rewarded with an easier draw then expected. 
Loser: South Korea
After a fourth place finish in the 2002 World Cup and barely failing to advance in the 2006 World Cup, South Korea could find themselves in trouble with Greece or Nigeria.
 
Group C:
Winners: England and the United States
The United States were expected to be a team that could be in a Group of Death but they should be able to make it through to the knockout stages.
England were dominant in qualifying and they shouldn't have a serious problem with any side except for the Americans.
Loser: Algeria
Considered by many to be an emerging power in Africa, Algeria find themselves against two clear opponents that should beat them, and Algeria could also have problems with Slovenia.
 
Group D:
Winner: Germany
Without question, they have an easy draw and as long as they handle Australia, they will finish in first.
Loser: Serbia
After winning their group in qualifying, Serbia now have another uphill task in order to make it to the knockout stages.
 
Group E:
Winner: Netherlands
It will be a tough group for the Dutch, but they should be able to advance onto the next round as one of the top countries in the world.
Losers: Cameroon
After winning their qualifying group, Cameroon now have to deal with Denmark and Japan, both of which could beat Cameroon, along with the Dutch.
 
Group F:
Winner: Italy
The defending World Cup Champions were given an easy draw, and appear to be all but through onto the knockout stages.
Loser: New Zealand
Despite making their first World Cup appearance since 1982, New Zealand will have to deal with Italy and the potentially dangerous Paraguay in this group stage.
 
Group G: Group of Death
Winners: The Viewers
With the depth of these sides, it will be a very intriguing group to watch but no one but the viewer wins this.
Losers: North Korea
The North Koreans will have to face the Ivory Coast, Brazil, and Portugal in the World Cup, making advancement extremely hard.
 
Group H:
Winner: Spain
The popular favorites in this World Cup, Spain will have an easy draw with their eyes already on the knockout stages. 
Losers: Honduras
After finally making the World Cup, Honduras now has to deal with Spain along with quality sides in Chile and Switzerland.
 
Biggest Winners: Germany, Italy, and Spain
All three sides have easy draws and with their great football, expect a deep run in the World Cup from these three countries.
 
Biggest Losers: South Africa and North Korea
Both now find themselves in sticky situations from their group draw, and South Africa must produce now that they have to deal with Mexico and France, both of which could eliminate the host.
 
Finally, I will want to wish all 32 countries that have made it to the World Cup good luck next summer, as some nations will have a great run in the World Cup, some nations will be bitterly disappointed and one nation will win the ultimate prize in sports: the FIFA World Cup trophy.