Cristiano Ronaldo in the “Group of Death”

Cristiano Ronaldo will have the chance to earn that   paycheck on a world stage come next summer as his Portuguese team has been thrust into the so-called "Group of Death" at the FIFA 2010 World Cup. 

Brazil, Portugal and Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast will be battling in the dreaded Group G.  It's the most competitive group to be featured at next year's World Cup.

While Brazil is almost always considered a favorite by default and would at first appear to be the biggest threat in this group, Cristiano Ronaldo and team Portugal may be fearing the Ivory Coast much more.

Atletico Madrid winger Simao Sabrosa told the London Sun:  "Brazil is a terrific rival but they are not invincible. The key will be Ivory Coast. The Africans are a real force and I don't only mean Drogba.

"It would be a big error to underestimate them.

"Their presence makes it a real squeeze to get into the next round. Whoever wins the group will receive a great morale boost for the rest of the World Cup."

Gambling911.com's own star reporter, Jenny Woo, was raised in the Ivory Coast. 

"As a child frolicking naked in the waters of the Ivory Coast I learned early on the significance of soccer in this African country," Woo said. 

The Ivory Coast is considered the power house coming out of Africa and quite possibly the best team to represent the continent. 

NordicBet.com has made Côte d'Ivoire a 25.00 (24/1 odds) long shot to win the 2010 World Cup. Those living outside the US can open an online betting account here at NordicBet.com.   US customers looking to place a bet on the 2010 World Cup can do so here at Sports Interaction.

Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com