Argentina is the reigning Olympic and youth champions, but that doesn't do much to ease the angst of the team's supporters.
It is time, after all, to replace the memories of Maradona and the 1986 title with fresh ones, proving the Argentinians are not far off South American kingpin Brazil.
With the presence of Argentina, the Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro, many see this as this year's Group of Death.
In Holland, there is hope that it will reverse the trend of being seen as World Cup underachiever. And with an unbeaten run of 12 games in qualifying, there is some justification.
Serbia and Montenegro will attempt to solidify its reputation as one of the world's foremost defences, its only real hope of moving on.
The Elephants of Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will attempt to follow Senegal as the latest African upset nation.
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IVORY COAST
Saturday vs. Argentina, 3 p.m.
June 16 vs. Netherlands, noon
June 21 vs. Serbia/Mont., 3 p.m.
FIFA RANKING 32nd
Recent World Cups have been marked by the magic upset powers of fellow African nations Cameroon and Senegal. Because of the teams they defeated to get here, the boys from Cote D'Ivoire still have that potential. Unfortunately the competition is steep ... Qualifying play was highlighted by a 12-11 penalty kick win over heated rivals, Cameroon ... Chelsea striker Didier Drigba and Arsenal defender Kolo Toure are well known to followers of the Premiership ... Can players leave behind political strife at home?
CUP ODDS 85-1 GROUP 9-1
Nothing-to-lose attitude only adds to the competitiveness of tough group. May not advance, but can make matters difficult for others.
COACH
Frenchman Henri Michel led his country in the 1986 Cup.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
African nation makes World Cup debut.
BIG GAME
June 10, vs. Argentina. A chance to prove themselves against a force in the opener.
WHO TO WATCH
DIDIER DROGBA, STRIKER
Has been a star for European power Chelsea since 2004 and now gets the chance to prove himself for his country.
Learned to play the game in France where he was raised, but that hasn't diminished his popularity in the country of his birth. Before transferring to Chelsea, Drogba was the 2003-2004 French player of the year and has playmaking ability to match some of the tournaments tops stars.
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ARGENTINA
Saturday vs. Ivory Coast, 3 p.m.
june 16 vs. Serbia/Mont., 9 a.m.
June 21 vs. Netherlands, 3 p.m.
FIFA RANKING 10TH
The struggle to emerge from the shadow of Maradona hit a low point four years ago when Argentina failed to advance to the round of 16. The sense of desperation wasn't eased after a tough draw for 2006 ... Actually has finished third in its group in three of the past four Cups. This after making the final in '78, '86 and '90 ... Known for its depth and a strong midfield, any one of Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez (the Olympic star in Greece) or Luciana Figueroa could lead the boys in blue stripes.
CUP ODDS 10-1 GROUP Even
Arguably a serious contender to take it all, the team must be focussed enough to take care of early business.
COACH
Jose Nestor Pekerman took over in 2002.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Two-time champs are entering 14th Cup final.
BIG GAME
June 21 vs. Netherlands. Quite possibly a need-to-win-to-get-in contest.
WHO TO WATCH
Lionel Messi, Midfielder
Though he's only an 18-year-old, Messi has big cleats to fill given he's already being compared to the legendary Maradona. That said, the midfielder has emerged as an outstanding player for Spanish power Barcelona. Though he joined the national squad only toward the end of qualifying, he quickly impressed his coach. "He's a phenom, a joy," Pekerman said. "He's going to show us some wonderful things."
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SERBIA/MONTENEGRO
Sunday vs. Netherlands, 9 a.m.
June 16 vs. Argentina, 9 a.m.
June 21 vs. Ivory Coast, 3 p.m.
FIFA RANKING 14TH
Eight years after the former Yugoslavia most recently qualified for the World Cup, the country makes its appearance under the flag of Serbia and Montenegro ... It isn't likely to be involved in any dazzling shootouts -- consider that the Serbians surrendered just one goal in 10 qualifying matches ... Sounds like they aren't afraid to play for a draw, either: "If we play the way we did in qualification, we can stay unbeaten," coach Ilija Petkovic said.
CUP ODDS 80-1 GROUP 9-1
As great as the defence was in qualifying, the team will be put to the test here and will be in a real fight to advance.
COACH
Ilija Petkovic took over three yeas ago.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
First World Cup. Appeared in seven as Yugoslavia.
BIG GAME
June 16 vs. Argentina. Defence meets firepower. What will prevail?
WHO TO WATCH
Mateja Kezman, Striker
Made news in 2004 when he took the money and ran to Chelsea but left after a year, frustrated at his lack of playing time.
Kezman was a star dating back to the days of Yugoslavia and hopes to continue that run.
Coach Petkovic has hinted that he would like to open up the attack for the Cup and if that's the case, this might be his guy.
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NETHERLANDS
Sunday vs. Serbia/Mont., 9 a.m.
June 16 vs. Ivory Coast, noon
June 21 vs. Argentina, 3 p.m.
FIFA RANKING 3rd
You've heard of the best golfer never to win a major? The Dutch carry the yoke of being the best European country never to win a World Cup. The constant harping from home is that it lacks not in talent but all important unity ... Ten wins and two draws, including a pair of wins over well-regarded Czech Republic in qualifying, were a good sign. Dutch were certainly inspired after missing out completely four years ago in Japan and South Korea ... Keeper Edwin van der Sar is one of the best in the Cup.
CUP ODDS 10-1 GROUP 7-5
Should score even without Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, the Dutch league's top scorer who wasn't chosen for the squad. In tough to continue run of first-place finishes at group stage.
COACH
One of the country's all-time greats, Marco Van Basten.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Eighth Cup appearance but first since 1998.
BIG GAME
June 21, vs. Argentina. This is one of the most attractive first-round matchups.
WHO TO WATCH
Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Forward
Incredibly, the current star of this generation of Dutch players, Van Nistelrooy is making his first appearance in the World Cup.
A star for Manchester United, Van Nistilrooy showed how bad he wants it by scoring seven goals for his side in Cup qualifying.
Van Nistilrooy has also proven himself in international play, leading the Dutch to the semi-finals of Euro 2004.
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