Team: Argentina
Where fans will watch here: Tango Sur Restaurant, 3763 N. Southport Ave. (and the basement of El Mercado, the Argentine grocery store next door)., 773-477-5466.
First game: Nigeria, 12:25 a.m., Sunday
Odds*: 9-2
Notable player: Known as “The Bug,” Claudio Lopez buzzed through defenders with deft dribbling skills.
Miscellaneous: A perennial powerhouse (arch rival England still has nightmares about Diego Maradona’s infamous hand ball), Argentina is chasing its third victory.
Team: Belgium
Where fans will watch here: Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St., Chicago. One of city’s premier soccer sports bars, 773-478-4408.
First game: Japan, 3:55 a.m., Tuesday
Odds*: 100-1
Notable player: Mark Wilmots, the inspirational and hard-working captain, started out as a midfielder but now is team’s most potent scorer.
Miscellaneous: The first nation to qualify for six successive World Cup finals without the help of an automatic qualification (as host or as defending champion).
Team: Brazil
Where fans will watch here: The Note, Chicago Samba, 312-647-5168
First game: Turkey, 3:55 a.m., Monday
Odds*: 6-1
Notable player: Ronaldo, a two-time FIFA Player of the Year returning after reconstructive knee surgery, will miss first game.
Miscellaneous: Brazil is the only team to have played in 17 World Cup Finals and the only one to have hoisted the coveted tournament trophy four times.
Team: Cameroon
Where fans will watch here: At home. “The 300 Cameroonians in Chicago go to each other’s houses,” says Cameroonian and soccer fan Cyrille Djinigou.
First game: Ireland, 1:30 a.m., Saturday
Odds*: 33-1
Notable player: Patrick Mboma, African player of the year. Big, explosive and a prolific scorer. Defenders: Watch out.
Miscellaneous: The Lions are in the final for the fifth time–a record for the African continent. Cameroon is the only African team ever to reach the quarterfinals.
Team: China
Where fans will watch here: Dragonfly Mandarin Restaurant & Lounge, 1216 N. State Pkwy. Several TVs in the bar, 312-787-7600.
First game: Costa Rica, 1:25 a.m., Tuesday
Odds*: 750-1
Notable player: Defender Fan Zhyi, 32, Asian player of the year and one of the best headers in the biz.
Miscellaneous: Itinerant coach Bora Milutinovic led four other nations (Mexico, Costa Rica, U.S., Nigeria) to Cup’s second round.
Team: Costa Rica
Where fans will watch here: Los Recuerdos, 2315 W. Fullerton Ave. Formal nightclub featuring salsa, merengue, disco and reggae, 773-278-4479.
First game: China, 1:25 a.m., Tuesday
Odds*: 200-1
Striker Hernan Evaristo Medford Bryan, who is playing against doctor’s orders after knee surgery.
Miscellaneous: On May 30, Costa Rican-born astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz, 52, is scheduled to blast off into outer space with one of his team’s jerseys.
Team: Croatia
Where fans will watch here: Croatian Cultural Center, 2845 W. Devon Ave., “There’s plenty of space, a bar and a nice at atmosphere,” says the consulate, 773-338-3839.
First game: Mexico, 1:25 a.m., Monday
Odds*: 80-1
Notable player: Alen Boksic. Injured in ’98, this is the 32-year-old’s last World Cup chance.
Miscellaneous: Winger Jesper Gronkjaer was injured in practice scuffle with teammate-midfielder Stig Tofting. Fight started when Tofting stuffed ice cubes down Gronkjaer’s shorts.
Team: Ecuador
Where fans will watch here: Mi Ciudad restaurant, 3041 W. Irving Park Rd. Owner, whose family plays soccer, says two TVs will show games for diners, 773-866-2066.
First game: Italy, 6:25 a.m., Monday
Odds*: 150-1
Notable player: Striker Agustin “Tin” Delgado, nation’s first player to sign with English Premier League.
Miscellaneous: Long-time stepchild of South American soccer, Ecuador in first World Cup appearance.
Team: England
Where fans will watch here: The English go to Irish bars to watch soccer, notably The Hidden Shamrock at 2723 N. Halsted St., 773-883-0304.
First game: Sweden, 4:30 a.m., Sunday
Odds*: 9-1
Notable player: David Beckham, of course. The question is, will the second metatarsal of his left foot be ready? A nation holds its breath.
Miscellaneous: The English still feel a sense of entitlement at the World Cup, even if the team’s last victory came 36 years ago. Powerful team has yet to show form likely to please rabid home fans.
Team: France
Where fans will watch here: The Hunt Club, 1100 N. State St.; a hangout for the swanky Lincoln Park French, 312-988-7887.
First game: Senegal, 6:25 a.m., Friday
Odds*: 3-1
Notable player: Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane, star of the ’98 championship, suffered a thigh injury and will miss opening match.
Miscellaneous: Roger Lemerre’s team looked great while winning the UEFA European Championship in June. A likely winner, thanks to an almost impenetrable defense.
Team: Germany
Where fans will watch here: Edelweiss, 7650 W. Irving Park Rd., Norridge, 708-452-6040.
First game: Saudi Arabia, 6:25 a.m., Saturday
Odds*: 20-1
Notable player: Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn once saved three penalty kicks in European championship game.
Miscellaneous: The Germans fared better in Cup when there were two Germanys. Go figure.
Team: Ireland
Where fans will watch here: Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St. 773-478-4408. Or Fado at 100 W. Grand Ave., 312-836-0066. Both offer a full schedule of televised games.
First game: Camerooon, 1:30 a.m., Saturday
Odds*: 66-1
Notable player: It’s the one who’s missing: midfielder Roy Keane, kicked off team for insubordination.
Miscellaneous: Coach Mick McCarthy’s serious. He’s limiting players’ visits by wives, girlfriends.
Team: Italy
Where fans will watch here: Bacaro da Nino, 405 Sheridan Rd., Highwood. Italian restaurant featuring Venetian cuisine. Reservations accepted. 847-432-7168.
First game: Ecuador, 6:25 a.m., Monday
Odds*: 5-1
Notable player: Striker Christian Vieri, who scored four goals in 1998 before the loss to eventual champion France.
Miscellaneous: Paolo Maldini and Filippo Inzaghi play for AC Milan, the team owned by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Team: Japan
Where fans will watch here: Joe’s, 940 W. Weed St., 312-337-3486.
First game: Belgium, 3:55 a.m., Tuesday
Odds*: 66-1
Notable player: Midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata is such a popular export that travel agents sell “Nakata tours” to Italy, where he plays for Parma.
Miscellaneous: Asian Cup winners in 2000, Japan will have home-field advantage.
Team: Mexico
Where fans will watch here: La Justicia Restaurant, 3901 W. 26th St.,
773-522-0041.
First game: Croatia, 1:25 a.m., Monday
Odds*: 150-1
Notable player: Cuauhtemoc Blanco, renowned for the “Cuauhtemina,” where he holds ball on both feet and in a coil-like move skips past foes.
Miscellaneous: 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup winner; 13th World Cup appearance.
Team: Nigeria
Where fans will watch here: Fado Irish Pub, 100 W. Grand Ave., 312-836-0066.
First game: Argentina, 12:25 a.m., Sunday
Odds*: 80-1
Notable player: Julius Aghahowa, who wears size 13 shoes, and whose post-scoring somersaults rival any NFL’s endzone histrionics.
Miscellaneous: Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has decreed he expects “nothing less than a quarterfinal finish.”
Team: Paraguay
Where fans will watch here: Julio’s Latin Cafe, Lakeview Plaza, 95 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich, 847-438-3484. Owner Julio Ramirez is a huge soccer fan.
First game: South Africa, 2:25 a.m., Sunday
Odds*: 80-1
Notable player: Roque Santa Cruz, nicknamed the Golden Boy, who has blistering speed and a delicate touch.
Miscellaneous: Regular goalie Jose-Luis Chilavert will miss first two games due to suspension for spitting on opposing players.
Team: Poland
Where fans will watch here: Watra, 4758 S. Pulaski Rd. Nightclub featuring live music, pool tables, darts and Ping-Pong. 773-927-0710.
First game: South Korea, 6:25 a.m., Tuesday
Odds*: 100-1
Notable player: Goalie Jerzy Dudek, who plays for England’s Liverpool team.
Miscellaneous: After becoming Poland’s first black player, Nigerian-born striker Emmanuel Olisadebe was pelted with bananas by racist fans, but has since become a fave.
Team: Portugal
Where fans will watch here: Joe’s, 940 W. Weed St., 312-337-3486.
First game: United States, 4 a.m., Wednesday
Odds*: 14-1
Notable player: Luis Figo, among world’s elite players, but has a reputation for being temperamental and lazy.
Miscellaneous: Portugal’s first World Cup in 16 years.
Team: Russia
Where fans will watch here: Bar at Zhivago’s, 9925 Gross Point Rd., Skokie, 847-982-1400.
First game: Tunisia, 1:25 a.m., Wednesday
Odds*: 66-1
Notable player: Defender Viktor Onopko was born in the Ukraine, but opted to play for Russia following ’92 Soviet Union splitup.
Miscellaneous: Oil company promised $100,000 Porsche to best player in each win. Team brought chef to make borscht.
Team: Saudi Arabia
Where fans will watch here: Juliana Restaurant (formerly Al Khayam), 3001 W. Peterson Ave. Owner says TVs will air all available games, 773-878-5544.
First game: Germany, 6:25a.m., Saturday
Odds*: 500-1
Notable player: Obeid Al-Dossary as No. 1 scorer in qualifications, but final three games were against Vietnam, Bangladesh, Mongolia.
Miscellaneous: Nasser al-Johar, a Saudi native, got coaching job shortly before Cup began after getting passed over twice in favor of foreigners enticed by Saudi princes’ money.
Team: Senegal
Where fans will watch here: Le Village African Restaurant, 4754 N. Broadway, 773-784-4272.
First game: France, 6:25 a.m., Friday
Odds*: 100-1
Notable player: Midfielder Khalilou Fadiga may be distracted by pre-Cup investigation he shoplifted a $230 necklace during final training days.
Miscellaneous: A surprise finalist. The nation’s president Abdoulaye Wade has cut short a state visit to Europe to watch the games, including opener against France, its onetime overlord.
Team: Slovenia
Where fans will watch here: Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St., 773-478-4408.
First game: Spain, 6:25 a.m., Sunday.
Odds*: 100-1
Notable player: Some say Slovenia is a one-man team and the man is Zlatko Zahovic, who averages a goal every other game.
Miscellaneous: The smallest country to reach the finals since Northern Ireland 16 years ago; Slovenia’s national sport is skiing.
Team: South Africa
Where fans will watch here: Sedgwick’s Grill, 1935 N. Sedgwick, 312-337-7900.
First game: Paraguay, 2:25 a.m., Sunday
Odds*: 350-1
Notable player: Striker Shaun Bartlett, whose wedding was attended by Nelson Mandela.
Miscellaneous: With coach Jomo Sono admitting that his team is building for the long term, South Africa is not expected to survive the first round.
Team: South Korea
Where fans will watch here: Joe’s, 940 W. Weed St., 312-337-3486.
First game: Poland, 6:25 a.m., Tuesday
Odds*: 150-1
Notable player: Seol Ki-Hyeon, 23, scored a remarkable hat trick against Belgium in a Super Cup game.
Miscellaneous: This is South Korea’s sixth appearance in the finals, but they have never won a game there.
Team: Spain
Where fans will watch here: Cafe Iberico, 739 N. LaSalle St. Chef Dario Lagor expects all four televisions to be given over to soccer, 312-573-1510.
First game: Slovenia, 6:25 a.m., Sunday
Odds*: 8-1
Notable player: Raul Gonzalez, 24, on his way to becoming Spain’s all-time leading scorer; finished third in FIFA’s world player of the year.
Miscellaneous: Spanish players have been promised $300,000 each for winning Cup, which is $100,000 more than defending champion French players will get for finishing first.
Team: Sweden
Where fans will watch here: Swedish counsel is going to Sedgwick’s Grill, 1935 N. Sedgwick St., Chicago. Wall-to-wall TVs, 312-337-7900.
First game: England, 4:30 a.m., Sunday
Odds*: 66-1
Notable player: Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has opponents most worried.
Miscellaneous: Swedish native Sven-Goran Eriksson coaches England, Sweden’s opener. Early-morning beer sales specially approved in Stockholm.
Team: Tunisia
Where fans will watch here: Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St., Chicago, 773-478-4408.
First game: Russia, 1:25 a.m., Wednesday
Odds*: 500-1
Notable player: Striker Adel Sellimi, 29, joined first pro club at age 10.
Miscellaneous: Coach Henri Michel quit in March because he thought situation was hopeless. Team now has interim co-coaches.
Team: Turkey
Where fans will watch here: Internet Cafe , 1814 W. Irving Park Rd. Open for all games, any time. No alcohol but they do a mean chicken sandwich. 773-755-4022.
First game: Brazil, 3:55 a.m., Monday
Odds*: 100-1
Notable player: Haken Sukur, who plays for InterMilan, is widely regarded as the most accomplished Turkish player of all time.
Miscellaneous: Domestic Turkish soccer is improving, and Senoal Gunes’ national team is also on the rise. The team is highly experienced. Could be a spoiler for flashier teams.
Team: United States
Where fans will watch here: Soccer City Palatine, 545 Consumers Ave., Palatine. Big screen plus a more televisions in a bar overlooking indoor fields, 847-394-9860.
First game: Portugal, 4 a.m., Wednesday
Odds*: 250-1
Notable player: Claudio Reyna, one of the best players ever to come out of this country.
Miscellaneous: In the 1998 World Cup, U.S. flopped, finishing last in its group. This year the goal is to make it into the second round and to generate some excitement back home.
Team: Uruguay
Where fans will watch here: Cafe Iberico, 739 N. LaSalle St. Chef Dario Lagor expects all four televisions to be given over to soccer, 312-573-1510.
First game: Denmark, 3:55 a.m., Saturday
Odds*: 66-1
Notable player: Alvaro Recoba, called a “left-footed genius,” especially deadly from 30 yards or more outside the goal.
Miscellaneous: Their coach quit midway through the qualifying rounds, and then there have been charges of “indiscipline” in training camp.
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*Odds to win it all. Sources: London Sun, Associated Press, Tribune reports. Compiled by Mike Conklin, Lou Carlozo, Chris Jones, Judy Hevrdejs, Heidi Stevens.
Note: Games will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, Univision (WGBO-Ch. 66), Telefutura (WXFT-Ch. 60); all times Central Time; odds based on London bookmakers. For more information, visit the official World Cup Website: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/en/t
