After a successful campaign in Asia in 2002, the World Cup returns to a European host country. The Germans came close in 2002 and look to go one step farther in 2006 on home turf. Here are some countries to keep an eye on.

Germany (+772) – Group A

Germany is still trying to wipe the bitter taste of defeat from their taste buds after losing 2-0 to Brazil in the 2002 title game. This time around they’ll have rabid fan support as they try to do what France did in 1998. Take the title on home soil.

2002 German coach Rudi Voller stepped down after disappointing showing at Euro 2004 and former German great Jurgen Klinsmann takes over a talented crew. National captain Michael Ballack missed the championship in 2002 due to suspension and there is a chance he could miss the early stages of 2006 with an injured calf. Ballack is downplaying the inury and says he'll be ready for Germany's first match against Costa Rica, where Germany is a 1 ½ goal favorite.

Another key player from 2002 returning with the Ballack, will be goalkeep Oliver Kahn. Kahn won the Yashin Award as the top goalkeeper in Asia but he may have to yield the goalkeeper position to Jens Lehmann.

The host nation was dealt a blow when Bayern Munich Sebastian Deisler injured his knee, but playmaking midfielder David Odonkor will look to pick up the slack in his place. Ondonkor has yet to pick up a cap and joins a cast of youngsters on the national team. Besides Ondonkor, youngsters Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski hope to provide energy, while gaining some experience in front of the home crowd.

The Germans shouldn’t have much trouble advancing to the Round of 16 as they are in a Group that consists of Poland, Costa Rica and Ecuador.

Italy (+974) – Group E

The Italians won the World Cup in 1982 beating West Germany. Twelve years later they lost to Brazil in the United States. Twelve years have past since U.S. 1994; will the Azzurri make another trip to the finals in 2006?

Paolo Rossi was instrumental for the Italians in 1982 and another Rossi may be ready to step it up in 2006. Roma’s Daniele De Rossi has been making waves in Serie A and could shine on the world stage.

Another thing worth keeping an eye on is the play of goalkeep Gianluigi Buffon. "Gigi" was accused of betting on soccer matches—a no no in Serie A. Will it prove a distraction for Italy's last line of defense? Will he even be allowed to play?

Two other injuries of note include, midfielder Gianluca Zambrotta and Gennaro Gattuso, who both have injured thigh muscles and will miss the opener against Ghana.

The Azzurri are in a Group that consists of Ghana, the United States and the Czech Republic, one this tournament's two Groups of Death.

England (+716) – Group B

The 2006 World Cup will be coach Sven-Goran Ericksson’s swan song with the English side. Will he go out with a whimper or a bang?

England is still one of the favorites, but they are losing face with bettors. When futures lines for the World Cup opened, England was listed at +650 and have since seen their odds raised to +830. It was easy to see why. At the time, the roster featured top rate talent with the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney. The defense was solid too, anchored by the likes of Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole.

Then the British side was dealt a blow. Wayne Rooney suffered an injury to his foot. It was revealed that the injury also involved a joint and the team has moved up Rooney's next scan and so that he could be evaluated as close to the start of the tournament as possible.

Ericksson still named Rooney to the roster, with the hopes that the young striker will be ready in time for the later rounds.

Rooney is working hard to rehabilitate the injury and was seen kicking the ball and moving around during a recent training session and according to reports has been cleared to rejoin the squad, although no official word has come down yet.

Michael Owen injured his foot in a battle with Tottenham in late December, and though he declared himself fit to play he may still be feeling lingering pain.

Still, the English shouldn’t see much competition in the early on. Other teams in England’s group include Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Sweden, with the Swedes posing the biggest threat to Ericksson’s lads.

Brazil (+274) – Group F

What a difference four years makes. Going into 2002, Brazil was smarting from a loss to France in the 1998 title game. Headed into 2006 Brazil is on top of the soccer world after taking the World Cup from Germany in Japan.

Studs like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho return from the 2002 squad and former coach Carlos Alberto Parreira returns to the fold, hoping to repeat the results he achieved with the team at the 1994 Cup in the U.S.

Headed into Germany, Brazil finds itself in a pool with Croatia, Australia and Japan. Though Brazil is clearly the class of the Group, the Croatians may give them trouble.

The days of Diego Maradona may be long gone, but Argentina is still a powerhouse. After a disappointing showing in Asia last time around, the Argentineans want a better showing in Germany.

Young Lionel Messi, who is recovering from a thigh injury, looks to aid veterans such as Hernan Crespo and Roberto Ayala in the team’s effort to knock off rival Brazil and make their first World Cup final appearance since 1990.

If they are careful, Argentina should be the dominant team in a Group that consists of Serbia and Montenegro, the Netherlands and Côte d'Ivoire—which some have dubbed another of this tournament's two Groups of Death.

Next time: World Cup 2006 Dark Horses