How Phillyist Explains the World (Cup): The Field of 32 (Part 1)

Group A

Germany: They'll be everywhere, of course, from the stadiums to the central squares and parks where fans will gather to watch games on big screen TVs. Expect the beer, sausages, and liederhosen to be flowing freely. And don't forget about the hundreds of thousands of prostitutes, because prostitution is legal in Germany.

Costa Rica: On this side of the Atlantic, they're known for throwing coins, batteries, and bags of urine at opposing teams at the famously hostile Estadio Saprissa in San Jose. On the other side, they'll be far more peaceful, but just as passionate about their team.

Poland: Thanks to their geographical proximity to Germany, Polish fans are expected to turn out in droves. German security forces might not be too welcoming, however, as a considerable number of hooligans are expected to be among the red-and-white-clad masses.

Ecuador: As almost all South American fans are, they'll be passionate and will have lots of percussion instruments. But they won't have lots of clothing if the weather warms up.

Group B

England: While Philadelphia is where America started to secede from England, the relationship between this city's fans and its teams bears an almost perfect resemblance to the relationship between England fans and their national soccer team -- right down to the violent reputation that both groups have only recently started to shed. The inevitable disappointment when England doesn't reach the final this year will also seem familiar around here.

Paraguay: Good luck hearing them among the din the England and Sweden fans create, but they'll be there.

Trinidad and Tobago: They'll be throwing a nonstop party. Don't be surprised if you see some kilts and bagpipes mixed in with the steel drums, because a lot of Scotland fans are planning on joining the Trinidad and Tobago section for the England game. Yes, the rivalry between England and Scotland is that intense.

Sweden: They will almost all be dressed in yellow, and yes, a lot of them will be wearing viking hats. Four years ago, a Swedish fan held up an effigy of England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, a native Swede, wearing a Sweden scarf. Even the broadcasters couldn't help laughing. Eriksson is still the coach now, and the Swedish fans will still laugh at the English if Sweden's 35-year unbeaten streak against England continues in the final game of this year's group stage. Yes, there's a theme going here.

Group C

Argentina: Four years ago, Argentina was in an economic crisis, and the soccer team's trip to the World Cup was seen as the only way to lift the nation's spirits. Argentina didn't make it out of the group. This year, the pressure isn't there -- if anything, Argentina's fans have been chastened by events of four years ago, and will head to Germany a lot more humble. Which could turn out to be a very, very good thing.

Ivory Coast: You might have seen the commercial on ESPN about how the president of Ivory Coast called a truce when the country qualified for the World Cup, its first ever qualification. The games will definitely be a respite from the brutal civil war that has torn apart the Christian north and the Muslim south, and the players have appealed for a truce. So yes, there are some things in life that are more important than sports.

The Netherlands: Phillyist has a soft spot for the Dutch, and not at all because of their attitude towards marijuana. Dutch soccer is a very special thing: the country invented "Total Football," in which every player on the field could play almost any position at anytime. The current edition of de Oranje, as the team is known, won't reach that level, but we will still be rooting for them. Dutch fans, all of whom will be wearing orange in the stands, have a history of preferring losing with style to winning ugly. With the World Cup taking place in the home of their longtime rivals, the Dutch fans will be at their neurotic, passionate best.

Serbia and Montenegro: Only days ago, Serbia and Montenegro were one country. Montenegro recently declared independence, but the two new countries will compete as one at the World Cup. Expect their fans to be unified as well, even if the team whose abbreviation is "S&M" doesn't do well in what is being called the "Group of Death" by most fans and analysts.

Group D

Mexico: The fans of "El Tri" will be out in force, in part because they always are and in part because their team is really good this year. And you can be sure they'll be just as visible on the streets in the U.S. as they are in Germany.

Portugal: Portugal's fans will be treated to some pretty soccer, but their passion won't reach the level it did two years ago, when Portugal hosted the European Championships and made it to the final before being upset by Greece.

Angola: Similar to Ivory Coast, Angola has had its share of civil unrest in recent years. The difference, though, is that Angola is a lot smaller -- and that no one expected its team to make it to the World Cup. The game against Portugal will be a big deal, because Portugal colonized Angola way back when.

Iran: Iran's fans will be worth watching for two reasons. First, if there are women in the cheering section, that will be quite a feat, because they are banned from attending games at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. Second, there are rumors going around that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will attend the Iran-Mexico game. If that happens, there could be one hell of an international incident. Aside from the growing controversy over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust a myth. Saying that is a punishable crime in Germany.

Next: The other 16 teams.

Photo by Flickr user Cowps