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Nigeria, Yugoslavia, Romania could surprise favorites
The World Cup draw in Marseille, France, on Dec. 4 has all the usual big names and former champions. But the field also includes some lesser-known teams that could upset the balance of power.
Defending champion Brazil appears even stronger than in 1994 and Germany, eliminated in the quarterfinals three years ago, rebounded to win the European Championship last year. But South America has produced a champion just once when the tournament was played in Europe, when Brazil won in Sweden in 1958.
"Brazilians are good, but when it gets cold they start getting homesick," Argentina defender Roberto Sensini said.
France hopes playing at home will help it reach the final for the first time. With an automatic berth, coach Aime Jacquet shuttled in many players during recent exhibition games.
"We lacked imagination and spontaneity," Jacquet said after a 2-1 win over Scotland this month. "I have traumatizedthe team."
Italy, which lost to Brazil in the 1994 final, just made it this time, beating Russia in a playoff for the final European spot. The Italians scored just nine goals in eight games under coach Cesare Maldini.
"The World Cup requires something more," Maldini said. "Certainly we need to improve a lot."
The draw will divide the 32-team into eight first-round groups, with two European nations in each of the seven groups and one in the eighth. Other continents can't have more than one team in a group, meaning the United States can't play Mexico or Jamaica in the first round.
With the field expanded from 24 to 32, only the top two teams in each group will advance to the second round, making the draw even more important.
At least three nations considered outsiders have decent chances to advance far.
Nigeria, which made its first appearance in '94 and nearly eliminated Italy in the second round, is the best bet from Africa. It won last year's Olympic title after beating Brazil and Argentina. With stars such as Tijani Babangida and Nwankwo Kanu, the Nigerians could surprise.
Romania, which has never advanced as far as the quarterfinals, won nine of its 10 qualifying games and has the best record of the 32 teams. For many of its stars, such as imaginative midfielder Gheorghe Hagi, World Cup '98 represents their last chance.
Yugoslavia, banned from the last World Cup because of United Nations sanctions imposed during wars in Croatia and Bosnia, is another title contender. It has stars such as Dejan Savicevic and Pedrag Mijatovic, who scored seven goals in the two playoff games against Hungary. But it may not get a favorable draw.
Unable to play international soccer for 2 1/2 years, the Yugoslavs lost ground in the FIFA rankings and may find themselves in a tough group.
Organizers will seed the qualifiers based on past World Cup performances and FIFA rankings. The Yugoslavs may well find themselves down in the third group, where the United States probably will be, too.
Top seeds will include Brazil, host France, Germany and Italy. England, which failed to qualify for the 1994 tournament, has a chance, too.
While Japan and Jamaica are happy just to be in the World Cup for the first time, South Africa and Croatia are first-time qualifiers who will be disappointed if they don't get to the second round.
South Africa, participating in qualifying for only the second time following decades of international sanctions, has some well-known players, including forward Phil Masinga and defenders Mark Fish and Lucas Radebe.
Croatia qualified in its first attempt and has a roster that includes Robert Prosinecki, Davor Suker, Alen Boksic and Zvonimir Boban.
"I think we have the best players in Europe," coach Miroslav Blazevic said.
NEXT ROUNDS: Round of 16 || Quarter-finals || Semi-finals
GROUP A: Brazil, Morocco, Norway, Scotland
GROUP B: Austria, Cameroon, Chile, Italy
GROUP C: Denmark, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
GROUP D: Bulgaria, Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain
GROUP E: Belgium, Holland, Mexico, South Korea
GROUP F: Germany, Iran, United States, Yugoslavia
GROUP G: Colombia, England, Romania, Tunisia
GROUP H: Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan