Here’s a breakdown of the eight World Cup groups with percentage chances of advancing to the second round.

GROUP A. The 2002 World Cup opens with an intriguing matchup: France vs. Senegal, or France vs. France, as the French are calling it. Almost all the Senegalese players live in France.

Senefs El Hadji Diouf (Lens) and Henri Camara (Sedan) could give the aging French defense fits.

Bad luck for the Danes: They’re grouped with France for the third time in four years.

Chances: France (90%), Denmark (45%), Uruguay (35%), Senegal (30%).

GROUP B. Spain is taking first things first.

Four years ago, many picked the Spaniards to take the World Cup. They lost their opening game to Nigeria, 3-2, and never recovered.

“After what happened in the last World Cup, we can’t be considered favorites,” insists star Raul.

Paraguay may actually be better than its ’98 team, but star Jose Luis Chilavert is suspended for the South Africa and Spain games. Ouch!

Chances: Spain (95%), Paraguay (40%), Slovenia (35%), South Africa (30%).

GROUP C. After all the problems in qualifying, Brazil should look forward to the finals.

The Brazilians will have a taste of home on the subtropical island of Jeju, where they’ll be based.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is talking like the six months between qualifying and the finals is enough time to sort out Brazil’s problems. We’ll see.

Turkey is the darkhorse European team.

Bora Milutinovic faces his old team when China meets Costa Rica. In 1990, he led the Ticos to the second round. They have a shot of duplicating that feat this time.

Chances: Brazil (90%), Turkey (50%), Costa Rica (40%), China (20%).

GROUP D. On paper, the United States has a great draw. According to FIFA’s seeding formula, the Americans (13th) are the highest-rated team in the group. Portugal (14th) and Poland (28th) haven’t been in the World Cup since ’86; South Korea (25th) is yet to win a game.

U.S. chances? Claudio Reyna has to be healthy. The back four and defensive midfielder Chris Armas have to hold up. One of the young attackers – Clint Mathis, Josh Wolff or Landon Donovan – has to break out. A tall order.

Korean sidebar: Fans are bemoaning the fact the Korea games will be played in the three stadiums with running tracks, negating the home-field advantage.

Chances: Portugal (85%), Poland (45%), USA (35%), South Korea (35%).

GROUP E. Germans are talking like they’re already into the second round. Have they watched their team lately?

Ireland cannot be underestimated. Mick McCarthy’s team is solid all across the park.

German Winny Schaefer leads Cameroon against his home country in the finale. Don’t bet against the Lions.

Chances: Germany (70%), Ireland (65%), Cameroon (60%), Saudi Arabia (5%).

GROUP F. The proverbial Group of Death.

England has been tipped as Europe’s hottest team, but it got no break with the draw.

Argentina is the odds-on favorite to win the World Cup. Sweden is unbeaten against England since 1968.

Nigeria is at its best when there’s no pressure – which will certainly be the case here.

Chances: Argentina (70%), England (60%), Sweden (50%), Nigeria (20%).

GROUP G. “I was quite happy as I was watching the draw unfold in the England-Argentina group,” says Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni, a master of understatement.

The Mexicans have little chance if they can’t convince Cuauhtemoc Blanco to play. The nucleus of Croatia’s third-place team from four years ago is either gone or on the way out.

Chances: 5%), Croatia (40%), Mexico (35%), Ecuador (30%).

GROUP H. Japan has a better team than South Korea and got a better draw.

Belgium, in its sixth straight World Cup, may be the weakest European team. Russia could pose a tougher test to the co-hosts.

Chances: Japan (75%), Russia (55%), Belgium (40%), Tunisia (30%).

by Soccer America Managing Editor Paul Kennedy