Italy

The Italian national football team is the current world champion of soccer, having just won the 2006 World Cup. Italy is second in the world for overall wins of the World Cup, just one win behind Brazil. The national team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation which controls all league soccer in Italy.

The national team had its first match against France in 1910 and defeated them 6-2. In addition to their four World Cup wins they have also a gold medal from the Olympics, a European Championship win, and two Central European International Cups. 

In 2007 Italy was ranked number one through FIFA, but this has fallen to number three since the UEFA Euro 2008. 

Australia

The Australian national football team (the Socceroos) is the team that represents Australia in international competitions. In the 2006 World Cup held in Germany the Socceroos were placed in the same group as Brazil, Croatia, and Japan. Before competing with Brazil a British newspaper claimed that several people on the Australian team had taken bets, which is against FIFA regulations. Though some of the team members had made bets, it was amongst themselves and therefore did not break any rules. Australia went on to defeat Brazil and Croatia, but lost to Italy via a penalty kick. Australia is currently ranked 38th according to the FIFA world rankings and is currently competing for a spot in the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa.

Indomitable Lions or simply Cameroon

Cameroon

If South Korea is the most successful Asian soccer team, from the "Black continent" the only team that stood strong in front of the European and South American big names, is without doubt Cameroon. Their first appearance on the soccer world stage was 1982, when the FIFA world Cup was expanded from 16 to 24 teams. It turned out to be a wise decision. Cameroon left the 1982 World Cup in the first stage, but they haven't lost a game, even though they faced teams like Italy or Poland. But their main success was yet to come! At the 1990 "Copa del Monde"(FIFA World Cup held in Italy). They started by defeating the world cup holders Argentina, and made it all the way thorough the quarterfinals, where they lost to England after a dramatic game in extra time. By all means Cameroon was one of the most applauded and loved teams at the 1990 World Cup. While, they haven't repeated the the 1990 performance, they are currently ranked the 12th in the world. Not bad right!!

Asian soccer

Let's now take a look at the Asian soccer.
South Korea is said to be the most successful soccer team in Asia. Since its debut, 1948 Summer Olympics, South Korea qualified for 7 times to the FIFA World Cup. By far, they hold the best record for an Asian soccer national team to a FIFA World Cup Finals, the 4th place. Even though it was more than controversial, the way the official referees called some decisive plays in favor of South Korean team, they made their way through the semifinals by defeating both Italy and Spain. It is to be mentioned that the tournament was held by South Korea & Japan.But without doubt, Southern Korean's soccer team results in the past 10 years represent a clear progress and improvement for the Asian soccer. They are currently ranked 53rd in the world (according to FIFA rankings ) and they held a strong lead in the FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifying round

Manchester United

Manchester United is a very popular soccer team amongst soccer fans. They have won many championships in Europe, and are known for many of their great players. They became the first European club to win the European Cup in 1968. Red and Gold are Manchester United's team colors and they are known as the red devils. Since the 1990's they have became one of the richest soccer teams in the world and are one of the top two teams in Europe. Soccer fans cant deny that Manchester United is a great team and today have some of the best players including Cristiano Ronaldo.-Timothy Menjivar

France

France has several soccer teams which are all managed by the French Football Federation. Their biggest team, which competes within FIFA, is the France National Football Team, also known as Les Bleus (The Blues). The national team is currently ranked 12 in the FIFA rankings though they actually made it to the finals in the 2006 World Cup. France was defeated in the final round by Italy with a score of 5-3. 

Despite doing very well in the World Cup, France did not make it into the quarterfinals of the Euro 2008 cup. This marked the end of ten successful years of competition. Although they did not do well in the most recent Euro Cup they have qualified for the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa.

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is host to several soccer teams. Association soccer in South Africa is somewhat complicated. The South African Football Association (SAFA) is the association that governs all soccer in South Africa. Soccer is composed of several leagues, its number one league being the Premier Soccer League, and its number two league is the National First Division. From there each league is made up of several teams which are called clubs. The sixteen best clubs in South Africa make up the Premier Soccer League. 

South Africa has competed and done very well in tournaments around the continent of Africa and in tournaments around the world. They are members the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which hosts tournaments all over the African continent.

South Africa is currently ranked number twenty in the CAF and eighty-five in the world. Though they are not ranked very high on the global scale South Africa is holding the FIFA World Cup in 2010.