Interest is on the way up though. When the United States of America were drawn against England in Group C back in December, more people became aware of the event that is likely to take South Africa by storm for a month this summer. Of course one match will not catch everyone’s attention, but the chance to beat the English at a sport which they call their own could well tempt a lot more people to tune in the day after the opening fixture.
It is also likely that the U.S.A’s improvement on the field will act as another reason for people to be lured into following the competition. Not since the country hosted the tournament back in 1994 will there be as much interest in a sport that has been invigorated since David Beckham joined L.A Galaxy back in 2007.
If you had missed the news, Beckham will sadly be missing for England in South Africa due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained while on loan at A.C Milan. The player will still be present at the tournament though, perhaps more as a political figure as the Football Association (F.A) attempt to woo FIFA delegates ahead of their proposal to host the 2018 tournament.
Although the US have improved considerably over the last few years they are not yet considered by football pundits to have a genuine chance of lifting the Jules Rimet trophy on July 11.
The main contenders for the trophy appear to be five-times winners Brazil who, under their coach Carlos Dunga, possess a gritty resolve which is not usually associated with the Samba stars. European champions Spain are also amongst the bookmaker’s favourites for the tournament.
Spain were often seen as under-achievers on the big stage until the summer of 2008, when they were inspired by midfield kingpins Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, lifting the European Championship trophy.
The Spanish gained many admirers across Europe for their playing style, not least English fans who were still in mourning after their side failed to even qualify for the tournament which was held in Austria and Switzerland.
In strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa, Spain will not be short of goals - especially with such a creative midfield who are never shy when it comes to creating chances for their ruthless forwards. In another sub-plot, Villa looks to be leaving his club side Valencia in the summer, so he will be looking to showcase his talents on the biggest stage of them all.
Of course these two teams are not the only contenders for the trophy, which was first won by Uruguay back in 1930. The aforementioned England will fancy their chances, while old-timers Germany and Argentina will be hoping to still be in the tournament come the final stages.
Argentina, who are now coached by their once talismanic forward Diego Maradonna, found it tough going in qualifying. In fact they only registered their participation in the competition courtesy of a final game win against Uruguay in qualifying.
The Germans may not possess the same big-name match winners as they once did in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but it would be foolish to write off their chances at this stage. That is because fans did a similar thing before they hosted the previous tournament in 2006, before the host nation won many admirers as they reached the semi-finals - losing out to eventual winners Italy in extra time.
Germany also reached the final in 2002 where they lost 2-0 to a Ronaldo-inspired Brazil. They were also losing finalists in the previously mentioned European Championships against Spain.
Italy are the holders of the trophy, and are once again led into the tournament by veteran coach Marcello Lippi, who was at the helm when they won their fourth title in a penalty shoot-out against France four years ago.
The Italians may have an ageing side, but their know-how at this level of football could well prove vital when it comes down to the big games, and after a favourable draw they are many people’s outside bet for the tournament.
Elsewhere, on African soil it is thought that the Ivory Coast and Ghana will prove to be the biggest challengers. No African side has ever won the tournament, and although that is again unlikely this time around, these two sides are improving to a level where they will have what it takes to cause an upset over the four weeks.
Despite being drawn in the “Group of Death” alongside Brazil, Portugal and the Korean Republic, Ivory Coast are still fancied to progress. In Didier Drogba they have a world class striker who may well be giving the managers of the group’s other teams nightmares in the build up to South Africa.
As for the hosts, it is largely anticipated that South Africa will do very well indeed if they are to come through a group containing Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay - who qualified via a play-off against Costa Rica.
Fans will be hoping that if South Africa do depart from the competition early, locals will not grow tired of a tournament that does not involve the host nation. However whatever happens, those four weeks in June and July should not be missed.
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