Paraguay first up for holders Italy
Friday, December 4, 2009
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Holders Italy will begin their FIFA World Cup defence against Paraguay on 14 June, while Portugal were drawn against Brazil and Ivory Coast in Friday's ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa.
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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.
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