Spain:
Games: vs. Switzerland (June 16, Moses Mabhida, Durban); vs. Honduras (June 21, Ellis Park, Johannesburg); vs. Chile (June 26, Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria)

How they qualified: Spain had possibly the easiest European qualifying group and did not hesitate to dominate. Going 10-0 in group five, they scored 28 goals while only conceding five, making their run to the World Cup likely the most impressive of any of the 32 teams.

World Cup History: It is as confusing as any story heading into South Africa this summer. Why hasn't Spain, a perennial European and world powerhouse, been able to reach further than the quarterfinals since coming in fourth in the 1950 World Cup. Despite this fact, they are currently the number one team in the world according to FIFA and have the highest of expectations heading into next summer. This will be their ninth straight appearance and 13th overall. In 2006, they lost in the round of 16.

Player to Watch: Talent piled on top of talent, Spain will be fielding a team of stars this summer. 22 year old Cesc Fabregas, recently named Goal.com player of the week, will be a key to Spain's success by controlling the center midfield in South Africa. Playing for Arsenal of the English Premier League, Fabregas has scored 9 goals and contributed 10 assists in 15 games so far this season. With other midfield stars Xavi and Andres Iniesta in Spain, Fabregas may have to fight for a starting spot. His play in the EPL thus far has given him an edge. He is a superb technical player and can determine the pace of any game from the midfield. His vision and creative abilities make him a force to be reckoned with throughout every game.

Prediction: 2-0-1, runners-up after losing to Brazil in finals

Switzerland:
Games: vs. Spain (June 16, Moses Mabhida, Durban); vs. Chile (June 21, Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth); vs. Honduras (June 25, Free State, Mangaung/Bloemfontein)

How they qualified: The Swiss managed a nice run in qualifying to win European group two, going 6-1-3, finishing one point ahead of Greece. A slip up against Luxembourg early in qualifying looked disastrous, but wins against second place Greece at home and on the road solidified their spot in South Africa next summer.

World Cup History: Switzerland has reached the quarterfinals three times in their history, but has gone no further than the second round since 1954. They have have appeared at the World Cup eight times but went 28 years, from 1966 until 1994 without qualifying even once. In 2006 they were eliminated in the round of 16.

Player to Watch: Alexander Frei leads Switzerland in all-time goals with 40. He scored five goals in six world cup qualifying appearances. He plays for FC Basel of the Swiss Super League where he has scored 10 goals in 14 games this year. He has also scored 5 goals in 6 UEFA Europa games for Basel this year. Though his lack of athleticism sometimes brings about periods of un-involvement on the field, Frei is a born goal-scorer as he always seems to be in the right position and rarely does not finish a goal in his reach. With an excellent performance in qualifying, he seems primed for a nice run in South Africa next summer.

Prediction: 1-1-1, lose to Brazil in the round of 16

Honduras:
Games: vs. Chile (June 16, Mbombela, Nelspruit); vs. Spain (June 21, Ellis Park, Johannesburg); vs. Switzerland (June 25, Free State, Mangaung/Bloemfontein)

How they qualified: Honduras finished third in Concacaf qualifying behind the US and Mexico. They were 5-4-1, and qualified over Costa Rica because of a superior goal differential. It came down to the last day of qualifying for Honduras as they beat El Salvador 1-0 and Costa Rica blew a second half lead over the United States allowing Honduras to take over the 3rd Concacaf spot in South Africa next summer.

World Cup History: Honduras has appeared in only one ever World Cup. In 1982, they lost one game and tied two others, failing to advance out of group play. They tied the hosts Spain, the best showing of their only three World Cup games.

Player to Watch: 25 year old Wilson Palacios is a talented young midfielder that adds to a Honduras team sitting quite under the radar. Playing for the Tottenham Hotspurs of the English Premier League, Palacios has started 18 league games thus far this season. He is hard working in the midfield and is relentless in winning tackles. A strong force in the midfield, he can own the field at times with his athleticism. Honduras needs a superior performance in the South Africa from this midfielder if they hope to compete with the World's best.

Prediction: 1-2, do not advance from group play

Chile:
Games: vs. Honduras (June 16, Mbombela, Nelspruit); vs. Switzerland (June 21, Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth); vs. Spain (June 25, Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria)

How they qualified: Despite having more wins in South American qualification than winners Brazil, Chile finished second in front of Paraguay because of a better goal differential. Chile had a big win against powerhouse Argentina, and despite the retirement of striker Marcelo Salas in the middle of qualification, they were consistent throughout and are primed to make a run in South Africa next summer.

World Cup History: Chile has qualified for the World Cup eight times, but after an unfortunate incident in 1994 which caused their disqualification, they have only appeared seven times, their last in 1998 when they lost in the round of 16. In 1962, as hosts, Chile had their best showing as they lost in the semifinals and finished with a victory in the third place game.

Player to Watch: Humberto Suazo, who scored ten goals throughout qualifying for Honduras, is an incredible goalscorer who possesses all the abilities a team can ask for up front. His powerful shot is as deadly as his bad attitude. Nonetheless, Suazo is a hot commodity who may be asked to make a move to Europe with a good performance in South Africa. Currently playing for Monterrey of the Mexican First Division, he has 21 goals in 37 total games so far this season.

Prediction: 0-1-2, do not advance from group play