FIFA World Cup kicks off in SA

The 19th FIFA World Cup will start this evening in South Africa, and will last for a whole month. 32 nations, Serbia among them, will battle for football's most coveted prize all the way to the big final on July 11. FIFA World Cup kicks off in SA The competition will start with the teams divided into eight groups, and will then continue with the last 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the big final stages. Serbia qualified for the World Cup directly after coming out on top of its European qualifying group, leaving behind France, Austria and Romania. Although Serbia always had high class individuals, as a team, over the years, their performance has been average at best. The national squad, nicknamed Beli Orlovi (White Eagles), seems to have found new strength with the arrival of coach Radomir Antic, who built his career in some of Spain's biggest clubs. Among Serbia's 23-member team are internationals Nemanja Vidic, Nikola Zigic, Milos Krasic, Marko Pantelic and captain Dejan Stankovic. The team left Belgrade on June 8, and is now based in Johannesburg. In order to progress to the last 16, Serbia will have to take one of the top two spots in Group D, where the team will compete with Australia, Ghana, and Germany. The squad will play its first game on Sunday, June 13, against Ghana. Beside Serbia, Greece and Slovenia will also represent the region in the World Cup. Among the favorites to win the top prize are reigning world champions Italy, European champions Spain, and five-time World Cup winners Brazil. The championship kicks off this Friday at 16:00 CET when hosts South Africa clash with Mexico. Visit our Sports Gallery pages for updated photos from South Africa. You can also predict Serbia's luck at the World Cup by voting in our current poll The team arrives in South Africa on Tuesday (Beta)

FIFA World Cup kicks off in SA

The competition will start with the teams divided into eight groups, and will then continue with the last 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the big final stages.

Serbia qualified for the World Cup directly after coming out on top of its European qualifying group, leaving behind France, Austria and Romania.

Although Serbia always had high class individuals, as a team, over the years, their performance has been average at best.

The national squad, nicknamed Beli Orlovi (White Eagles), seems to have found new strength with the arrival of coach Radomir Antić, who built his career in some of Spain's biggest clubs.

Among Serbia's 23-member team are internationals Nemanja Vidić, Nikola Žigić, Miloš Krasić, Marko Pantelić and captain Dejan Stanković.

The team left Belgrade on June 8, and is now based in Johannesburg. In order to progress to the last 16, Serbia will have to take one of the top two spots in Group D, where the team will compete with Australia, Ghana, and Germany.

The squad will play its first game on Sunday, June 13, against Ghana.

Beside Serbia, Greece and Slovenia will also represent the region in the World Cup.

Among the favorites to win the top prize are reigning world champions Italy, European champions Spain, and five-time World Cup winners Brazil.

The championship kicks off this Friday at 16:00 CET when hosts South Africa clash with Mexico.

Visit our Sports Gallery pages for updated photos from South Africa. You can also predict Serbia's luck at the World Cup by voting in our current poll