Decent shot: Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain says that their group containing European champions Greece will not be easy

How Argentina qualified for World Cup 2010: fourth place in Conmebol (South America)

Manager: Diego Maradona
Captain: Javier Mascherano
Premier League players: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Carlos Tévez (Manchester City).

"You have to be prepared for every match — there could be seven — as if they were World Cup finals," said Carlos Bilardo, the technical secretary of the Argentine Football Association.

In the absence of coach Diego Maradona, who was barred from attending the draw ceremony in Cape Town, Bilardo was the most experienced on-the-field official attending the draw for Argentina. Bilardo coached Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning squad in Mexico and is trying to lend behind-the-scenes help to Maradona, who is banned from all football-related activities for two months for his foul-mouthed tirade after a qualifying match.

"Greece is a former European champion," Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain said, speaking from his Real Madrid club headquarters in Spain. "We won't expect an easy opening round."

The consensus on the streets in Buenos Aires was that if the Gauchos play up to their potential, Argentina should advance to the 16-team knockout stage.

"If we play halfway decent, we can do it," said 27-year-old Fernando Rinamado. "From what I can remember, the other teams in the group aren't that great."

Added Rodrigo Suarez, a 23-year-old salesman: "It depends how we play. If we play like we should, we win. If we keep playing like we have, they will be three difficult games."

How Greece qualified for World Cup 2010: European play-off winners.

Manager: Otto Rehhagel
Captain: Giorgios Karagounis
Premier League players: Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Angelos Basinas (Porstmouth).

"Argentina is obviously the favourite in the group," said Greece coach Otto Rehhagel. "All I can do is make sure that our players are 100 per cent fit and ready by the time the World Cup starts. Nigeria, South Korea are also strong, but we have a very good chance of going through if we are at our best."

How the World Cup 2010 draw: live unfolded