Group Of Death

In every World Cup there is one group that is labeled the Group Of Death. This World Cup it's Group G, Brazil, North Korea, Portugal and Ivory Coast. Brazil is lead by star player Kaka, Portugal has the highest paid player in European soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ivory Coast has Chelsea star Didier Drogba, who will have the cast on his broken arm examined by FIFA officials just hours before the match to determine whether or no he can play.

Brazil is ranked number 1 in the World by FIFA, and by all standards, should probably do very well in the tournament. They reached the quarterfinals and were defeated by France, which was widely considered a huge disappointment. But without names like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, the average soccer fan may not expect them to excel. Portugal did very well in 2006 at the World Cup, reaching the semi-finals where they lost to France.

Ivory Coast didn't make it out of group play in 2006, they lost to Argentina and Netherlands, but defeated Serbia/Montenegro. They know the entire hope of World Cup success is dependent on Drogba, who suffered a broken arm just before the start of the tournament, and has since had surgery in hopes of being fit to play. North Korea did not qualify for the World Cup in 2006, not much is expected of them.

Group G games get underway with Ivory Coast facing Portugal at 10am ET, and Brazil facing North Korea at 2:30pm ET. The first match of the day will feature New Zealand and Slovakia, two teams from Group F, who will kickoff at 7:30am ET.