With the greatest sporting festival in the World now less than 100 days away, those who speculated on buying tickets for the Olympic Football tournament now finally know who they will be watching when the competition begins on Wednesday 25^th July.

Apart from the novelty act of a Great Britain side and the chance to see Brazil and Spain there isn’t a great deal to get excited about. The other European representatives are the footballing powerhouses of Belarus and Switzerland, whilst double gold medallists Argentina are missing, Uruguay being the second South American representative.

The lack of a real box office draw will make the task of selling tickets even more difficult than it already has been. Football is the only sport in the entire Olympic Games which hasn’t sold out, and with the fixtures now released there are going to be some particularly hard sells.

The Team GB games could all go, particularly as all three of their games are part of a double header with the remaining Group A teams. Two matches for the price of one may well tempt fans to the matches, particularly once Stuart Pearce names his 18 man squad.

Brazil visit Cardiff (v Egypt, 26/7), Old Trafford (v Belarus 29/7) and Newcastle (v New Zealand 1/8) whilst Spain are at Hampden Park (v Japan, 26/7), St James Park (v Honduras 29/7) and Old Trafford (v Morocco, 1/8).

The hard sell comes for the remaining games. Those in the Midlands who may have fancied a trip to the Ricoh Arena have slim pickings to watch. Belarus v New Zealand is the opening fixture in Coventry and it doesn’t get much better after that, with the double header on 1^st August featuring Japan v Honduras and Senegal v UAE probably the pick.

After applying for tickets for a host of events in the initial ballot, all I received was tickets for one of the games at Wembley, so in the third round of sales I went for the first day at Old Trafford and have been rewarded with GB’s opening game against Senegal as part of a double header with Uruguay v UAE as the hors d’ouerve.

That match may well see a full house, but I can categorically guarantee that the match I go to at Wembley will not be watched by a capacity crowd and it’s here that the madness of allocating the largest venues to matches that don’t feature the top seeds comes home to roost.

On the 1^st August, the game scheduled to be held at Wembley was between the sides allocated positions 2 and 3 of Group B. That already meant that it wouldn’t be GB, Mexico, Brazil or Spain. The marketing men’s hearts must have shrunk when it became clear that the biggest stadium in Britain would be hosting Gabon v South Korea, a match that would struggle to fill Wimbledon never mind Wembley!

Either of those sides could be GB’s quarter final opponents should things go to plan for Stuart Pearce’s team, with Brazil a potential semi-final foe. If there is still home interest at that stage, then the attendances may rise. If not then empty seats may be the biggest contribution of the most popular sport in the world to London 2012.

1. Highest scoring game

Portugal absolutely slaughtered North Korea yesterday, by bagging 7 goals in 90 minutes, making it the highest scoring game of the World Cup so far. Portugal were poor against the Ivory Coast in their opening group G game last week, but showed the world what they are truly capable of in their second group game. Ok, North Korea are not the best team in the tournament by any stretch of the imagination, nevertheless the Portuguese had to beat what was in front of them, and beat them they did. Goals from Raul Meireles, Simao, Hugo Almeida, Liedson, Cristiano Ronaldo, and two from Tiago sealed an emphatic victory and all but settled qualification into the next round.

2. Ronaldo makes his mark

Cristiano Ronaldo finally made his mark on the world stage this summer in South Africa by guiding Portugal to their first win in the World Cup. The Portuguese captain performed brilliantly against North Korea and showed why he is one of the worlds greatest. The Real Madrid man was simply on his game and showed superb flashes of flair, his abundance of pace and also proved once again that he is a clinical finisher as well. Ronaldo got himself an assist and his first goal of the tournament against North Korea yesterday and if he manages to keep up this standard then surely he will produce more of the same. Ronaldo has arrived, take note.

3. Chile love to attack, attack, attack!

Chile have impressed me with their football style, which is simply attack, attack, attack. The Chileans don’t seem to know anything else other than push forward and grab as many goals as possible; they simply have no fear, which is great to see as a football fan. Chile only managed to beat 10 men Switzerland 1-0 yesterday but even when they took the lead, the Chileans still committed a number of men forward. At times it felt as if Chile were the ones that were losing with the number of men they had in the opposing penalty area. They now lead group H and deservedly so with the football they play, let’s hope they keep it up.

4. Fabregas still can’t start

For the second game in a row, the Arsenal captain has not been able to start for his country. Fabregas did not come off the bench in Spain’s first match against Switzerland, but did manage to get some playing time last night when they met Honduras in the Ells Park stadium in Johannesburg. With his first touch of the ball the 23-year-old midfielder nearly bagged himself a World Cup goal by rounding the Honduran goalkeeper and placed a low shot destined for the back of the net, unfortunately for Cesc it was cleared off the line. Fabregas came on for Xavi in the 65 minute, and showed some great skill and touches for the remainder of the time (no wonder Barcelona are interested in acquiring his services). However, despite his 25 minute contribution last night, it seems that the creative Spaniard looks all but certain to be taking his regular place for his country…on the bench. Will he ever start for Spain in this World Cup? Surely he will.

5. All one-sided games

The three matches yesterday were easy to predict before even a ball was kicked. It was obvious that Portugal were going to win, ok maybe not 7-0 but a win nonetheless. Chile were going to grab all 3 points because of the style of football they play and evidently they did. it was all Chile even before Behrami got sent off in the first-half. Finally, Spain v Honduras? Please, it was one-way traffic for 90 minutes…Spain battered them. All three games were by far one-sided.

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1. Chile are amongst the dark horses

Chile kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Honduras. Although, the score line doesn’t suggest it was a great game, the Chileans certainly played one. Chile absolutely hammered minnows Honduras in the first of the group H matches. The South Americans flair, strength and speed proved all too much for the Central American country, and inevitably Chile grabbed all 3 points when the final whistle blew. Yes, it was their first match and, people will argue that it was their weakest opponents in their group, but the Chileans look strong and should be taken very seriously in this World Cup. With the likes of Mark Gonzalez, Artudo Vidal and wonder-boy Alexis Sanchez pulling the strings, they could cause any defence in the tournament a problem. Chile did not end up second behind Brazil (by a point) in their qualifying campaign for nothing guys. Definitely keep an eye on them from here on in, as they look to be amongst the dark horses…they might just spring a surprise this summer.

2. Spain remind me of Arsenal – bags of creativity, no end product

Arguably, Spain are the most talented and forceful team in South Africa this summer. The likes of Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, David Villa and David Silva is something quite frightening to be put up against wouldn’t you say? However, with all the Spaniards creativity and technique comes no end product at times…in a sense they remind me of how Arsenal play the game, a thousand passes, yet no goals. Undeniably, Spain acquire a fantastic squad, all 23 men are world-class players and are established in their own right. The European champions play some mesmerizing and beautiful football, probably the best in the world and credit to them, but at times it’s so frustrating to watch because they don’t finish off majestic team moves…are they Arsenal in disguise?

3. Spain CAN be beat!

Switzerland undoubtedly shocked the football world and certainly rocked the World Cup yesterday when they grabbed all 3 points from the Spaniards, proving that the European champions CAN actually be beaten. The Swiss showed the world how the best team in the world can suffer just like any, all that’s needed is a concoction of desire, determination and most importantly discipline. They never proved to be a threat to the Spanish, many in fact thought that Spain would have walked all over them in score line terms, but they didn’t. Switzerland did not play good football, they were in fact on the ropes throughout the 90 minutes. However, Switzerland’s plan to frustrate and hit the Spaniards on the counter proved effective, and as a result, beat the favourites to win the cup. The result in general proves that any team in the world can suffer defeat, including the mighty Spain.

4. Itumeleng Khune – The first goalkeeper to see red

South Africa’s own Itumeleng Khune was officially the first goalkeeper in the four week tournament to receive a red card. The Bafana Bafana shot-stopper received his marching orders after bringing down Uruguay’s Luis Suarez in the penalty area late on in the second half. Quite a few players have already seen red at this years World Cup, although the 22-year-old is the first in his position so far.

5. ‘Bafana Bafana’ down for the count?

It looks as if the World Cup 2010 hosts, South Africa, could be on their way out of the tournament after suffering a devastating 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Uruguayans last night. Many would want the South Africans to stay in the competition for the atmosphere and colour of the games, but then again, is this a blessing in disguise to get rid of those annoying vuvuzelas? Bafana Bafana are on the count of 9, although, not necessarily knocked out, many will feel that they have taken a major blow and are reeling big time. They now face a gargantuan battle to progress into the last 16…can they do it? Here’ hoping.

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The favourites
The underachievers
Fallen giants
Surprise Nations

The so called “Favourites”

Brazil- It’s rare to enter a WC without Brazil being amongst the group of favourites, and this is no different. After their poor showing in Germany 06 this Brazil team under guidance of coach Dunga will see anything but lifting the Jules Rimet trophy as a failure. Starting from the top down you can justify their place in this group. They have arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Julio Ceaser. A defense spearheaded by the no nonsense Lúcio, with their usual gut busting full backs in the form of Douglas Maicon and Michel Bastos. A midfield where Kaka is given freedom to roam and Gilberto Silva he task of protecting the back 4. An attack where the likes of Robhino or Luis Fabiano can cut through a defense without hesitation. The only doubt cast over this squad was the decision by Dunga to leave Pato, Ronaldinho, and Adriano behind.

Strengths: Goals from every area of the field bar the goalkeeper.

Weaknesses: Weaknesses at the back with attack minded defenders.

Spain- Labelled a perennial under achiever, Spain head to South Africa playing the best football in the nation’s history. They won Euro 2008 in an almost effortless fashion and although the WC will pose a tougher test, you wouldn’t put it past them to go all the way. They went on a 35 game unbeaten streak. They eased through qualifying. They have one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Iker Casillas. They have possibly the best front 2 heading into this tournament in Fernando Torres and David Villa. And are spoilt for choice in midfield with names, like Xavi, Inniesta, Fabregas, Senna, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets just to name a few. So what’s stopping them from going all the way? Nobody but themselves.

Strengths: Clinical forwards, and an army of talented midfielders.

Weaknesses: Consistency. They have never maintained consistency throughout a WC.

Argentina- So far Diego Maradona’s spell as Argentina’s coach can only be described as eventful. Saying that they scraped qualifying by the skin of their teeth would be exaggerating, but they did cut it fine. Despite not beating Brazil in their 2 games and getting hammered 6-1 by Bolivia, they still head to South Africa with one of the best squads. Maradona has mixed and matched youth and experience. With players like Juan Seba Veron with bags of experience, and the likes of 22 year old current world player of the year Lionel Messi. By looking at this squad you can already see where they’re strongest. They have an abundance of fire power. With the likes of Messi, Tevez, Higuain, Aguero, and Diego Milito, once can’t help expect a bagful of goals from this team. Their only weakness here is Maradona’s indecisiveness. He’s so far used 78 players during his spell as coach and is not any closer to knowing his best XI.

Strengths: An embarrassment of riches up front

Weaknesses: Left out 2 big names in Cambiaso and Zanetti. Still doesn’t know best XI

Click here to see the underachievers

Brazil will head into the tournament in South Africa next summer as one of the favourites, as a team of skilful players is led by one of the world’s greatest footballers, Real Madrid’s Kaka. Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano was their top scorer with 9 goals, and most of their players either play in Spain’s La Liga or Italy’s Serie A. Chile, who feature a lot of footballers that play in South America, won 10 of their matches and were helped by top scorer Humberto Suazo. Paraguay also won 10 of their matches and one of their players to look out for is Manchester City’s Roque Santa Cruz. Argentina only qualified after a 1-0 win in their final match in Uruguay. Despite an abundance of talent, most notably Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, they were far from impressive but will still be a major threat next summer led by legend Diego Maradona.

Uruguay were the 32nd nation to secure their place in South Africa after a nervy 2-1 aggregate playoff win against Costa Rica. Costa Rica finished 4th in CONCACAF section of the FIFA 2010 World Cup qualifying, which features teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean. In the 4th and final round of qualifying, 6 nations were battling it out for 3 automatic 2010 World Cup spots. USA finished top of the group, thanks to 6 goals from their top scorer and Hull City striker Jozy Altidore. The other spots were claimed by Mexico who are captained by Barcelona’s Rafael Marquez, and Honduras who last qualified for a FIFA World Cup back in 1982.