WORLD CUP 2009

Paraguay first up for holders Italy

Holders Italy will begin the defence of their world title against Paraguay on 14 June in Cape Town after the draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup took place in the South African city.

Top seeds
Of UEFA's other seeded teams, Germany are in Group D alongside Serbia; the Netherlands are in Group E with Denmark; England were drawn into Group C alongside Slovenia; and European champions Spain find themselves in Group H with Switzerland. Portugal, meanwhile, feature in a testing pool alongside five-time winners Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea.

Host nation
Ballon d'Or winner and FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will try to guide his Argentina side past Nigeria, Korea Republic and Greece in Group B. Finally, 2006 runners-up France will meet hosts South Africa along with Mexico and Uruguay. The final will be held at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium on 11 July.

2010 FIFA World Cup group stage draw Group A Group B South Africa Argentina Mexico Nigeria Uruguay Korea Republic France Greece Group C Group D England Germany United States Australia Algeria Serbia Slovenia Ghana Group E Group F Netherlands Italy Denmark Paraguay Japan New Zealand Cameroon Slovakia Group G Group H Brazil Spain North Korea Switzerland Ivory Coast Honduras Portugal Chile

©uefa.com 1998-2009. All rights reserved.