With the first FIFA World Cup being hosted on African soil already underway, and after a rather disappointing first day (especially the France v Uruguay game, which ended 0 - 0), I have bought out the famous wall chart and have given it a go at predicting the eventual winner of this year's sporting showpiece tournament.

GROUP A (South Africa, Mexico, France, Uruguay)

  After the poor showing by France last night, I have serious doubts about whether they could go through to the knockout stage let alone winning their groups. South Africa could be a good bet to go through but their poor defending could costs them dear against Uruguay's talented strike force in Forlan and Suarez. Mexico is a technically gifted team and would be difficult to beat so for Group A, I am backing Mexico to win the group with Uruguay also qualifying.

GROUP B (Argentina, South Korea, Greece, Nigeria)

  A very tight group but one cannot look beyond Argentina with the likes of Messi and Diego Milito in their squad so for me the chase is for finishing second in the group. Nigeria is a powerful team and always fun to watch but I think the Korean's stamina and discipline could cause a problem for all the teams. Greece defended their way to the Euro 2004 title but I don't see them repeating it this time round on the world football's biggest stage. So I will go for Argentina winning the group and South Korea to sneak through ahead of Nigeria.

GROUP C (England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia)

  On paper this seems like an easy group for England but the USA did beat and ended Spain's long standing unbeaten record in the last Confederations Cup and Algeria is a bit of an unknown force on their own African soil. It would be tircky for the Three Lions but I will still back them to win this group and the USA qualifying along with them.

GROUP D (Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana)

  ‘Never underestimate the Germans', no matter what shape their team are in, they always do well at the showpiece events and their know-how will get them through the group. I would have gone with Ghana as the German's fellow qualifier but without the injured talisman Michael Essien, Serbia might just nick ahead of them and finish second behind Germany.

GROUP E (Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon)

  I would love the Japanese to go through but judging from their recent form I honestly cannot see that happening in a group containing the Netherlands and Cameroon. The two teams have some of the best footballers in the world such as Eto'o, van Persie etc so I will go with Netherlands as group winners and Cameroon finishing second.

GROUP F (Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia)

  Well done to New Zealand for getting to the finals but the group stage is as far as they will get. Italy is a mature team and defending champions so I back them to win this group and qualify along with Paraguay.

GROUP G (Ivory Coast, Portugal, Brazil, North Korea)

  The so call group of death and it really does seem to be the case. Brazil should win the group but the question is who will qualify with them. Ivory Coast is very powerful and providing Didier Drogba is fit, along with Kalou and Toure, they will be a handful. Portugal obviously has Cristiano Ronaldo and a host of other stars but under Carlos Queiroz, the team doesn't seem to function well enough so I will go for Ivory Coast finishing second and qualify with Brazil.

GROUP H (Honduras, Chile, Spain, Switzerland)

  Final group and simple group I believe, Spain are too good not to go through and win this group and I will go for Chile joining them in the next round by finishing second.