As far as the other groups go, here are the schedules, sites and comments for each (FIFA Ranking as of 12-01).
Group A -- France (1) v. Senegal (67), Seoul, 5-31; Uruguary (24) v. Denmark (17), Ulsan, 6-1; France v. Uruguay, Busan, 6-6; Denmark v. Senegal, Daegu, 6-6; France v. Denmark, Incheon, 6-11; Uruguay v. Senegal, Suwon, 6-11.
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Group B -- Spain (7) v. Slovenia (27), Gwanju, 6-2;Paraguary (14) v. South Africa (34), Busan, 6-2; Spain v. Paraguay, Jeonju, 6-7; South Africa v. Slovenia, Daegu, 6-8; South Africa v. Spain, Daejeon, 6-12, Slovenia v. Paraguary, 6-12.
With Spain's recent struggles to emerge from the Group Stage, this group is somewhat wide open. If Paraguay comes in playing well as they did in France, Spain may not be able to afford a mistake against Slovenia or South Africa.
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Group E -- Germany (11) v. Saudi Arabia (30), Sapporo, 6-1; Ireland (18) v. Cameroon (38), Niigata, 6-1; Germany v. Ireland, Ibaraki, 6-5; Cameroon v. Saudi Arabia, Saitama, 6-6; Cameroon v. Germany, Shizuoka, 6-11; Saudi Arabia v. Ireland, Yokohama, 6-11.
What a great group. This should be some wide open, fun soccer to watch. Hopefully Ireland and Germany don't pack it in and ruin everything. This group depends on which Germany shows up -- the one that got spanked by England or the one that spanked the Ukraine.
Group F (the Group of Death, Part I) -- Argentina (2) v. Nigeria (40), Ibaraki, 6-2; England (10) v. Sweden (16), Saitama, 6-2; Sweden v. Nigeria, Kobe, 6-7; Argentina v. England, Sapporo, 6-7; Sweden v. Argentina, Miyagi, 6-12; England v. Nigeria, Osaka, 6-12.
This contains the Match of the Group Stage -- England v. Argentina, with all the history behind it. Between that matchup, the irony of England's Sweedish coach v. Sweden to open the group and the Nigerians who seem to throw out at least one upset a world cup, this is definitely the most intriguing group. Argentina is the favorite, and if England can maintain the form they had in Germany, they should advance as well. But "should" is not "will." It will be VERY interesting to see how this group comes out.
Group G (the Group of Death, Part II) -- Italy (6) v. Ecuador (37), Sapporo, 6-3; Croatia (19) v. Mexico (9), Niigata, 6-3; Italy v. Croatia, Ibaraki, 6-8; Mexico v. Ecuador, Miyagi, 6-9; Mexico v. Italy, Oita, 6-13; Ecuador v. Croatia, Yokohama, 6-13.
This group is as closely balanced as any group in '02. Based solely on the FIFA Rankings (and while I don't have a lot of faith in them, what else can you use?) they average just below Group F. Unless Italy completely blows by Ecuador, the key game here is going to be Mexico-Croatia, especially for Croatia, who play Italy in Matchday Two. Like Uruguay in Group A, if Croatia doesn't win against Mexico, they could find themselves two and out real quick. Mexico, IMHO, needs Blanco to be successful.
Group H -- Japan (35) v. Belgium (20), Saitama, 6-4; Russia (22) v. Tunisia (28), Kobe, 6-5; Japan v. Russia, Yokohama, 6-9; Tunisia v. Belgium, Oita, 6-10; Belgium v. Russia, Shizuoka, 6-14; Tunisia v. Japan, Osaka, 6-14.
'Wide open' is what I call this group. Japan is inexperienced enough to allow even Tunisia into the mix, whereas Belgium and Russia have not shown themselves strong enough to hold anyone back. Due to the location (Far East) I think you will see Japan and Russia have the most success in this group.
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In order of interest, I think the following groups will be fun to watch: Group F, G, E, B, A and C. Just one fellow's opinion here, but I think that Costa Rica might make it to the second round. Groups F and G have the potential to produce some incredible football. Group E is just going to be fun to watch with all of the teams outside Germany likeable (as in, not good enough that there are that many of those who don't want them to advance.)
Here are a few links that are pretty comprehensive -- FIFA and MLSnet.
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