Who will the 14th-ranked United States take on in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa? Here are the groupings, announced in Cape Town this afternoon (FIFA ranking in parenthesis) with the aid of actress and South African native Charlize Theron (above):

Group A:
South Africa (86)
Mexico (15)
Uruguay (19)
France (7)

Group B:
Argentina (8)
Nigeria (22)
South Korea (84)
Greece (12)

Group C:
England (9)
United States (14)
Algeria (28)
Slovenia (33)

Group D:
Germany (6)
Australia (21)
Serbia (20)
Ghana (37)

Group E:
Netherlands (3)
Japan (43)
Denmark (26)
Cameroon (11)

Group F:
Italy (4)
Paraguay (30)
New Zealand (77)
Slovakia (34)

Group G:
Brazil (2)
North Korea (52)
Ivory Coast (16)
Portugal (5)

Group H:
Spain (1)
Switzerland (18)
Honduras (38)
Chile (17)

The United States had a terrific draw. England is a mercurial club in world competitions despite having some of the best talent in the world. Algeria and Slovenia are arguably the teams you would hope to get for the best chance of American advancement to Round Two. The Americans will begin play on June 12.

The States will play England on June 12 in Rustenberg, Slovenia on June 18 in Johannesberg and Algeria on June 23 in Tshwane/Pretoria.

Group G is inarguably the Group of Death, featuring the Nos. 2nd, 5th, 16th and 52nd ranked clubs in the world. The Irish will be displeased to learn that France has a relatively easy ride to the second round in Group A, as South Africa only qualified for the tournament as a host nation. Argentina should also be pleased after barely qualifying despite having an absolutely-loaded roster. They should make Round Two with precious little sweat.

Germany and Serbia are your Group D favorites, with Group E looking tricky. First look would think the Netherlands and Cameroon would move on, but Denmark is a tricky club and the Dutch have struggled in big-time competition, especially when favored. Italy and Slovakia would be the favorites to advance from Group F, though contending with the style of Paraguay should prove challenging.

Group H is a quietly vicious group. Expect Spain to come out alive, but any one of the other three could advance. Honduras is the type of team that will step on your throat to get the ball, while Chile has both flash and panache. Switzerland isn't flashy, but you can't sleep on them.

Any questions, Email: nick@wgr550.com For live, in-draw thoughts, head to twitter.com/NicholasMendola. This is my favorite time for sports.