World Cup: France is favored to advance out of Group A

Editors note: This is the first of an eight-part series leading up to the kickoff of the World Cup in South Africa on June 11. Each day a Deseret News writer will break down one of the eight groups of the first stage of the 32-team tournament.

With France, Mexico, South Africa and Uruguay, Group A has two former winners of the world's most coveted trophy. But unless one is a true follower of soccer and the World Cup, it is doubtful one can name both.

Most will name France as one of the winners, as the French claimed the title in 1998, but one country has even more acclaim. Uruguay won the title twice, once in 1930 and again in 1950.

With that being said, past accomplishments will have no bearing on which two teams will advance to the round of 16 this year.

FRANCE: The way the French even qualified for South Africa will always be remembered. An obvious hand ball by veteran Thierry Henry allowed the French to score and advance against Ireland in a knockout round. But as they say, "You have to be in it to win it."

Led by Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery and Chelsea forward Nicolas Anelka, the French can mount a terrific offensive attack. Henry is getting up in years, but he can still be a world-class goal scorer.

While this team isn't as powerful as it was in 1998 when it won the Cup, it could still be one of the two advancing out of the group stage.

MEXICO: El Tri, as the Mexican National Team is nicknamed, found its form just in time for the qualifying stage. The team has several veterans who played in the 2006 Cup but has been infused with plenty of young talent.

Giovani dos Santos plays for Turkish power Galatasaray and is a dangerous scorer, as is Carlos Vela of Arsenal. But make no mistake, there is a living legend still playing for this squad. American soccer fans may be familiar with Cuauhtemoc Blanco because of his time spent in Major League Soccer with the Chicago Fire, but the exciting playmaker has achieved a cult status for our neighbors to the south. He may not be as quick, but his on-the-ball skills haven't diminished a bit. It isn't a stretch to think this team once again finds a way out of the group.

SOUTH AFRICA: There is no doubt the host nation will enjoy some home-field advantage. Anyone who watched any of last year's Confederations Cup knows that the South African fans are passionate, enthusiastic and loud. Perhaps that extra emotion of having a "12th man" in the stands can boost these underdogs' performance.