LONDON - While soccer’s romantics may wish for a long-awaited first for Spain or a historic African victory on South African turf, the 2010 World Cup looks as if it will end with a sixth triumph for Brazil.

Coach Dunga may have alienated some fans with pragmatic rather than typically Brazilian flamboyant play, but next year’s championship should end with another success for the World Cup’s most successful team.

The last six teams sneaked into the competition through the back door of the playoffs on Wednesday, and the fact that France and Uruguay made it means that all seven winners will be in the field of 32 going into next month’s draw in Cape Town.

The level of expectation will grow day by day until the teams arrive in South Africa next June for the biggest event in the world’s most popular sport.

England under Fabio Capello has its strongest hopes yet of a first win since 1966, Argentina hopes the Diego Maradona magic will rub off on its talented but underachieving players and two-time European champion Netherlands is out to show it finally has the ability to win a world title.

While a mouthwatering final appears to be five-time winner Brazil against European champion Spain — the joint 9-2 favorites with British-based bookmakers William Hill — World Cups frequently throw up surprises.

Remember North Korea knocking out star-studded Italy in 1966, Cameroon beating defending champion Argentina in 1990, Senegal’s victory over 1998 champion France?

In the past three decades only one host — France in 1998 — has won the title, and that likely isn’t going to change in South Africa.

Slideshow Teams of the 2010 World Cup Shots of every country heading to South Africa, from Brazil to the United States

South Africa, whose team has been in disarray after poor results over the past few years, is considered to be among the outsiders. But the talented Ivory Coast, which has the likes of Premier League stars Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure in its lineup, is the leading contender on the continent.

For the likes of Brazil and Spain, anything less than the final will be considered a failure.

Under Dunga, often criticized for a lack of imagination and adventure, Brazil now has strength throughout the team and is far more than just a jumble of attacking superstars. Although Ronaldinho is struggling to get back into the mix, Dunga has the likes of Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Robinho to unlock defenses and provide the goals in front of hard working midfielders and solid, reliable defenders.

Spain has its best squad ever with standout goalkeepers and experienced and hugely talented stars such as Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres and David Villa all playing on the save wavelength.

Michael Ballack remains the solid core of Germany’s lineup as it chases its fourth World Cup title but first since 1990. But the team lacks guile while the Dutch, twice runners up, will hope to shrug off their brittle form in major championships and rely on forwards Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben to bring home the title for the first time.

Under disciplinarian Capello, England won nine of its 10 qualifiers and has a solid look and probably its best chance in decades. Although he has the experience and talent of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and John Terry, Capello has a goalkeeper weakness while Rio Ferdinand’s fitness is now suspect.