As the World Cup draws closer, we at BackPageLead start our build-up with our snappy guide to each of the final groups. Today, it's the host nation South African and the rest of Group A.

SOUTH AFRICA

How qualified: Host nation

Population: 49 million

Capital: Pretoria

Team nickname: Bafana Bafana ("The Boys")

Best World Cup finish: First round (1998 and 2002)

Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira (BRA)

Big guns: Steven Pienaar, Tsepo Masilela, Benni McCarthy

Why cheer for them: They're under enormous pressure to make it out of the group stage; no host has ever failed to do so.

Why boo them: As payback for their success in rugby.

MEXICO

How qualified: CONCACAF 2nd place

Population: 111 million

Capital: Mexico City

Team nickname: El Tri ("Three colours" - red, green, white)

Best World Cup finish: Quarter-finals (1970 and 1986)

Coach: Javier Aguirre (ESP)

Big guns: Rafael Marquez, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Carlos Vela

Why cheer for them: Think of the smooth taste of Corona, Sol or Pacifico.

Why boo them: Fans can be annoying and arrogant; team often follows suit.

URUGUAY

How qualified: Beat Costa Rica in playoff

Population: 3.5 million

Capital: Montevideo

Team nickname: La Celeste ("The Light Blue")

Best World Cup finish: 1st place (1930 and 1950)

Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez (URU)

Big guns: Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez, Diego Lugano

Why cheer for them: Perhaps your heritage is Uruguyan.

Why boo them: Just remember the pain of the past.

FRANCE

How qualified: Beat Ireland in playoff

Population: 64 million

Capital: Paris

Team nickname: Les Bleus ("The Blues")

Best World Cup finish: 1st place (1998)

Coach: Raymond Domenech (FRA)

Big guns: Franck Ribery, Thierry Henry, Lassana Diara

Why cheer for them: You know so many of their players from watching the English Premier League.

Why boo them: Because they qualified on an illegal Thierry Henry handball that was never called.