Online Extra: Are you ready for some futbol?

By James Kelley

The FIFA World Cup, the biggest sporting event in the world, begins next month. Surprise, surprise, the United States has as good a chance to do damage as a lacrosse player.

From June 11 to July 11, 32 nations will vie for soccer’s golden trophy, which is not actually a cup. You don’t need to know the difference between Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo to enjoy it.

The tournament is wide open, but not because of mediocrity like the 2010 NCAA basketball tournament. The final won’t be a mid-major against an overrated big name.

The World Cup format is as follows: about 200 teams try to qualify for 32 slots. FIFA then seeds the top seven teams plus the host country. The tournament uses a drawing to divide the teams into eight groups of four.

From there, the top two finishers from each group advance to the knock-out stage, a 16-team single-elimination bracket a la the NCAA Big Dance.

The United States is primed for the tournament. The Yanks made it to the final of the Confederations Cup last year, which features the six continental champs plus the WC host and the defending WC champion. The Confederations Cup is essentially the World Cup dress rehearsal, and the USA almost won.

After getting brutal draws since 1990, the United States received a dream draw in Group C this year. The group includes the worst-seeded team (England), the worst European team (Slovenia) and the worst African team (Algeria).

England and Slovenia didn’t even qualify for Euro 2008, their continental tourney. Algeria placed fourth at the ‘10 African Cup of Nations. Egypt won it, and the USA beat the Pharaohs 3-0 in the Confederations Cup.

USA will likely have difficulties, though. Five possible starters have had serious injuries in the last seven months, including Charlie Davies and Oguchi Onyewu. They were both badly hurt in Washington D.C. for a meaningless qualifier after the USA had already clinched.

The USA vs. England match-up is obviously sexy, but it’s also interesting because most of the top American players play in England.

One storyline to keep an eye on is the English sex scandal. Former Three Lions captain John Terry allegedly slept with the partner of teammate Wayne Bridge.

The United States has had scandal as well. In ’98, former USA “captain for life” John Harkes was kicked off the team after allegations that he banged the wife of teammate Eric Wynalda. The Yanks then went 0-3, including a loss to Iran.

Another must see colony/mother country tilt will be Brazil vs. Portugal. The big names will be there, including Kaka, Júlio César, Deco and top player Cristiano Ronaldo. (Ronaldo and Ronaldinho are not expected to be picked for Brazil’s team).

Nigeria and surprise qualifier North Korea are also in the Brazil-Portugal group. North Korea said it will censor the results. By June 29, after three losses, your average North Korean will wonder if the team went to the World Cup.

Although watching the Italian defensive style of play is like watching paint dry, Italy is another team to keep an eye on. The Azzurri feature American Giuseppe Rossi, who ditched the Jersey Shore to play for Italy.

Other American traitors are Ramón Núñez (Honduras) and Neven Subotic (Serbia).

The other local team, Mexico, well assuming that crazy law doesn’t actually go into effect, has a tough draw in Group A. El Tri will have to deal with South Africa and France.

El Tri struggled to qualify, using four managers and more than 80 players over 18 games. However, after Mexico brought in Javier Aguirre to manage, the team rose from fifth to second and nabbed one of the region’s three automatic qualifying slots.

South Africa is certainly the worst host ever, but the host team has always made it to the second round.

France, which would have won in ‘06 had Zinedine Zidane not head-butted an opponent, has strong talent. However, the French were lucky to qualify, as they stole a World Cup slot from Ireland on a hand ball so obvious even a Pacific-10 ref would have seen it.

The player to watch is Argentinean Lionel Messi. He could easily lead Argentina to the World Cup title if only the team had a better coach. Manager Diego Maradona has the reputation of someone who could have a heart attack before the Final.

Other contenders are Germany, Holland, Brazil and Spain. The Spanish Armada was unbeaten in 35 games until the USA beat them in the Confederation’s Cup last year.

No team besides Brazil has won a World Cup away from its home continent. Perhaps one of the traditional African powers such as Cameroon or Nigeria could break through on its home continent.

Complete 2010 FIFA World Cup Schedule