For football fans across the world, next year's World Cup just drew one step closer as the draw for the group stages was held in Cape Town, South Africa, on Friday.

对于全世界的足球迷来说，随着明年世界杯小组赛阶段的抽签分组结果的公布，世界杯确实离大家更进了一步。该抽签仪式于上周五在南非的开普敦举行。

In a glitzy ceremony featuring South-African born Hollywood actress Charlize Theron and England star David Beckham, the 32 qualified teams were drawn into eight groups of four.

生于南非的好莱坞女星查理兹·塞隆与英格兰球星贝克·汉姆成为了这场华丽的抽签仪式的焦点。32支资格队将通过抽签分为8组，每组四支球队。

Spain and Brazil are placed first and second in FIFA's rankings respectively and are favourites to go all the way in South Africa but many in England feel that next year will be their best chance for success in decades.

西班牙和巴西在国际足联排名中分列首席和次席，它们也成为南非世界杯最可能获胜的热门球队。而许多英格兰球迷则认为明年的世界杯将成为英格兰队数十年来获胜的最佳时机。

England were drawn in Group C alongside the United States, Slovenia and Algeria, none of whom are considered major footballing nations.

英格兰队和美国、斯洛文尼亚、阿尔及利亚同分在了C组，这些与英格兰队同组的球队都不算是足球大国。

England boss Fabio Capello was pleased with the grouping, though cautioned that "every opponent will be strong".

英格兰队主帅法比奥·卡佩罗虽然谨慎表示同组的对手都很强大，但还是对分组结果表示满意。

Former England striker Alan Shearer was less reserved : "Fabio will have a broad smile and quietly, will be very confident."

前英格兰队前锋阿兰·希勒则更为乐观，他认为法比奥可以笑容满面并且自信满满地静候佳音了。

Interestingly, this World Cup is also the first time that both North and South Korea have qualified at the same time, though the sides will not face each other in the group stages.

有趣的是，这次世界杯将是北朝鲜与南韩首次同时入选资格赛，即便两支球队在分组赛中将不会碰面。

And for North Korea, a draw in Group G with Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast makes progressing into the next round look all-but-impossible. The group has been ominously dubbed the "Group of Death" as it has three high quality sides.

对于分在G组的北朝鲜而言，与巴西、葡萄牙和科特迪瓦同组意味着成功晋级简直是不可能的事情。G组不吉利地被称之为“死亡之组”，因为该组共有三支强队。

Next year will be the first time the World Cup has been held in an African country and will also feature a record number of six African teams.

明年的世界杯将是该赛事首次在非洲国家举办，而且参赛的非洲球队创纪录地达到了六支。

Traditionally the host nation have done well, but South Africa, or Bafana Bafana as they are affectionately known by their fans, have struggled 挣扎 recently and are ranked only 86th in the world.

从传统上看，世界杯主办国大多较强，而南非，这支被球迷亲昵地称为“南非男孩”的球队，近来挣扎之后在国际足联的排名中仅排在了第86位。

China did not qualify for next year's event, but with 185 days to go until the big event, you've still got a long time to decide who to support.

虽然中国无缘明年的世界杯，但在这场盛大赛事开始之前，你还是可以用185天的时间来考虑支持哪只球队。

附：2010南非世界杯决赛圈具体分组

A组：南非、墨西哥、乌拉圭、法国

B组：阿根廷、尼日利亚、韩国、希腊

C组：英格兰、美国、阿尔及利亚、斯洛文尼亚

D组：德国、澳大利亚、塞尔维亚、加纳

E组：荷兰、丹麦、日本、喀麦隆

F组：意大利、巴拉圭、新西兰、斯洛伐克

G组：巴西、朝鲜、科特迪瓦、葡萄牙

H组：西班牙、瑞士、洪都拉斯、智利