Despite a stuttering start to their qualification campaign, in the end Mexico ensured their attendance of South Africa and a 5th World cup in a row (in 1990 they were banned for fielding an ineligible player) with a Bobby Cox Jersey 4-1 demolition of El Salvador in the Azteca Stadium. Qualification was gained through a second place spot behind the USA.Mexico coach Javier AguirrePrevious coach and managerial mercenary Sven Goran Eric son was ousted early on in the campaign and replaced by a sure pair of hands in Javier Aguirre who opted to choose a balance of Mexican league stalwarts and European based stars. More emphasis was put on a fluid and attacking style and a creative input from Giovanno Dos Santos and Cuauhtmoc Blanco. This helped to open opposition defences and placate groaning fans.In January Mexico were drawn into Group A alongside South Africa, Uruguay and France for the finals in June as a result they will face a hard task to ensure progre sion.The first game for Mexico, is on June 11th in Johannesburg and the first game of the tournament, are hosts South Africa. On paper Mexico are the far superior team and should have more than enough to cope with the limited South African team. However the Austin Riley Jersey crowd will be a partisan in Jo-burg and the world will be watching the opening game in anticipation; the pre sure will be on Mexico to win and the onus on them to attack.Also, historically the opening World Cup game provides a shock. Remember Argentina vs Cameroon in 1990 and France vs Senegal in 2002?Despite this Mexico should record a win if they can handle the pre sure and concentrate on matters on the pitch.Next up are the mercurial French on June Fred McGriff Jersey 17th in Polokwane.Henry's infamous handballFrance ensured qualification via Thierry Henrys hand in a play-off against Ireland. Under the guidance of Raymond Domenech France scraped through qualification under-performing with a team full of 1st rate stars including Nicholas Anelka, Frank Ribery and Karim Benzama. However, Laurent Blanc has been touted to replace the erratic Domenech for the tournament and he may provide the direction and control that seems to be lacking.If France can gel and play to their full potential Mexico will find it very difficult. Frances main strength is in their attack and support from midfield. Although Henry is ageing he still po se ses the guile to open defences, Ribery is gathering form at Bayern Munich and although largely un-used at Real Madrid Benzame is a definite threat. Their main weakne s may be in the age of the squad, with an average of 29 Kurt Suzuki Jersey but this also provides experience also several of the players are previous World Cup winners.On other consideration may be the weather conditions as South Africa in June will be Ronald Acuna Jr. Jersey far colder than expected which in turn may favour the European teams.Mexicos last group match will be against Uruguay in Rustenburg on the 22nd of June.The Uruguayans stumbled to South Africa via play off with Comnebols Costa Rica after a poor end to their campaign. Their best player and captain is Athletio Madrids Diego Forlan who can dazzle with amazing finishing and skill, he will most likely to be partnered with Ajaxs Luis Saurez.Mexico and Uruguay are pretty evenly matched in regards to players and share the same playing style. Depending on the previous results it may be this game that decides both teams progre sion to the next round.Mexican fans celebrating after Gold Cup succe s