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Who'll Rule the World?
By Grant Wahl
Before you scoff at an American magazine's World Cup picks, bear in mind: People
snickered when SI tabbed host France to win its first World Cup four years ago.
This time around the French may be cofavorites (with Argentina) to repeat as
champions by taking the final in Yokohama, Japan, but we'll cast our lot instead
with Italy, a veteran group fully capable of cashing in on the kindest draw
imaginable.
FIRST ROUND (in predicted order of finish; top two from each group advance to
second)
A
FRANCE
DENMARK
SENEGAL
URUGUAY
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B
SPAIN
SLOVENIA
PARAGUAY
SOUTH
AFRICA
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C
BRAZIL
TURKEY
CHINA
COSTA
RICA
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D
PORTUGAL
UNITED
STATES
POLAND
SOUTH
KOREA
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E
IRELAND
CAMEROON
GERMANY
SAUDI
ARABIA
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F
ARGENTINA
SWEDEN
ENGLAND
NIGERIA
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G
ITALY
MEXICO
CROATIA
ECUADOR
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H
JAPAN
RUSSIA
BELGIUM
TUNISIA
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SECOND ROUND -- June 15 to
18
Photograph by AP
Issue date: May 27, 2002
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