Whatever the draw, Brazil is the favorite to win
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-05 09:34

Group A: Germany, South Korea, Poland, Ivory Coast.

Group B: Italy, England, Saudi Arabia, Australia.

Group C: Argentina, Portugal, Serbia-Montenegro, Togo.

Group D: Spain, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Trinidad.

Group E: Brazil, Japan, Costa Rica, Switzerland.

Group F: France, United States, Iran, Angola.

Group G: Netherlands, Sweden, Paraguay, Ghana.

Group H: Croatia, Mexico, Tunisia, Ukraine.

At first glance, there doesn't appear to be any overbalanced group, although Brazil seems to have received a relatively easy first round compared to Argentina. Group H could be troublesome for either European side or Mexico, and Germany doesn't have any walkover, either.

Regardless, the real draw likely will provide surprises _ and theories of how it was rigged.