World Cup Talking Points

2010 is a big year for major sporting events...we already had the Olympics and now less than 5 days away is the World Cup. The most watched and played sport takes centre stage for a month in South Africa.

Here are some tips on players and teams to make you sound like you follow the beautiful game year round...

Best Teams:
Brazil - The number 1 ranked team in the world by FIFA. They are always a force in the World Cup and this year should be no different. They lack the true goal scorer of past years, but don't count them out.

Germany - Along with Brazil, you can almost always count on them making a deep run in the tournament. They are big and strong team with good touch around the net.

England - This may be a pipe dream for a squad that hasn't lifted the trophy since 1966, but the Three Lions put out their best team on paper this year. If they can avoid any more serious injuries (Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham out for the tournament) than they could find a way to be in the finals.

Spain - Now that the team that always had the knock of not being able to win the big tournament has shaken the monkey from its back by winning the European Championship in 2008. They feature some of the biggest names in soccer who play for the biggest clubs. Although, they will face a big 2nd round game vs. the second place of the "group of death" they are looking like a team to beat.

Players to Watch (club team in brackets):
Lionel Messi - Argentina (Barcelona) - the best player in the world has phenomenal touch on the ball. If he gets into space, he has the ability to make 3 or 4 defenders miss and score goals.

David Villa - Spain (Barcelona) - Villa was the top scorer in the 2008 Euro Championship and turns his great season with Valencia into a huge off-season transfer to Barcelona. Villa has a knack for scoring goals and that is why odds makers have made him the favourite to win the golden boot. Look for him on SportsCentre.

Wayne Rooney - England (Manchester United) - The English bulldog is the key to the attack of England. He came into his own this season with the club, learning to score with his head, as well as his feet.

Arjen Robben - Netherlands (Bayern Munich) - The Dutch squad always play great soccer, but have the same monkey on their back as Spain - never being able to win the big tournaments. Robben is coming off a year with his club team where he led them to the league and cup championship and lost in the Champions League final. If he can bring that winning attitude to the Dutch locker room, along with his great shot and hustle, the Orange could do some damage.

Kaka - Brazil (Real Madrid) - The leader of the Brazilian squad and the former "best player in the world", he has taken a back seat in that conversation for the past year and a half. With Brazil being such a strong team overall, look for Kaka to stake a claim to the title once again. The creative midfielder will not only create goals for others, but has a shot to seal the deal as well.

Jozy Altidore - USA (Hull City) - Although, most fans of the American squad will say Landon Donovan will be the deciding factor if the USA can make it out of the group stage, it may well rest on Altidore right foot. The striker finished the season on a sour note getting red carded in the last game of the season as his team was relegated. He likely won't return to Hull City, but he could find a new club very easily by scoring some goals and leading the US team.