Football - World Cup Teams

Click on the country to get the team information

Group A - In Korea

France* have a good chance of repeating their victory in 1998, though the group stage might prove a little more awkward than some pundits are claiming. Merde! Player to watch: Henry

Denmark must feel good after beating Iceland 6-0 in their last qualifying match. Copenhagen's symbol of the 'Little Mermaid' may be a useful talisman should they get past the group stage in Korea and progress to rainy Japan. Player to watch: Sand

Senegal is the surprise package from Africa. It's their first time to appear in the World Cup Finals. Some French speakers in this country, so they should be able to understand the last word in the France section above. Player to watch: El Hadji Diouf

Uruguay strolled the play-offs against (un)fancied Australia. Twice winners of the tournament, including the first World Cup Finals held in Uruguay itself. Player to watch: Recoba

Group B - In Korea

Spain* perennial under-achievers Spain will be looking to improve on their past record. The Spanish Primera Liga is one of the most exciting domestic football leagues in the world, but can this quality be reproduced at international level? Player to watch: Pep Guardiola

Paraguay second highest scorers in the South American qualifiers (after Argentina), Paraguay will have to play their first two matches without their charismatic goalkeeper Chilavert due to suspension. Player to watch: Ayala

Slovenia first-timers at the Finals for this team from the former Yugoslavia, they unexpectedly beat Romania to claim their place in the sun/rain. Player to watch: Zahovic

South Africa nicknamed "Bafana Bafana" appeared in the last World Cup in France, but only managed two draws and one defeat. According to FIFA, they are the best team in Africa. Player to watch: Bartlett

Group C - In Korea

Brazil* four-time winners of the World Cup have been going through the worst period in their history as far as results go - and a lot of people who are not Brazil nuts have written them off as potential winners this time. Player to watch: Romario (*but he did not make the final squad)

China FIFA were desperate to have the world's most populous nation on board, and they were in a ridiculously easy Asian qualifying group. How good are they? They themselves probably don't know. Player to watch: Sun

Costa Rica this small Central American country has come up big in qualifying. They will also come up against big boys Brazil on 13 June. Can they pull a surprise? Player to watch: Wanchope

Turkey tipped for greatness due to their reaching the quarter-finals of the European Championships in 2000, they are expected to reach the second round. Player to watch: Hakan Sukur

Group D - In Korea

South Korea* who knows why they were seeded? No, nor me. This is their sixth appearance in the World Cup Finals, but they have never won a match. Guus Hiddink, ably assisted by Jan Roelfs, has been brought in to manage them this time. Player to watch: Hwang Sun-hong

Poland a nation with a long footballing tradition which has been out in the cold over recent years, at last has a chance to show what it can do. Player to watch: Olisadebe

Portugal attractive, even stunning, football is expected after their unlucky dismissal from Euro 2000. A good outside bet to win the tournament. Perhaps. Player to watch: Figo

USA Claudio Reyna and Ernie Stewart up front with two goalkeepers well-known to those familiar with the English game: Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller. However the rules of the game allow for only one goalkeeper per team on the pitch at any given time. Player to watch: Stewart

Group E - In Japan

Germany* is a team lucky to have been seeded, according to those not fully acquainted with the vagaries of FIFA's algorithms. Still, they dealt with the awkward Ukrainians very well, especially after losing 1-5 to England in Munich. Player to watch: Ballack

Cameroon the "Indomitable Lions" (doesn't exactly trip off the tongue, does it?) are back. If they can limit the number of fouls they commit, they might even make it to the knockout stage. Player to watch: Mboma

Ireland good players in all positions. If they can be tough enough to get past the group stage and find a four-leaf clover, the sky's the limit. Player to watch: Harte

Saudi Arabia on hearing the draw, certain British and Irish TV football commentators were laughing their heads off when considering the Saudis' chances against Ireland. Player to watch: Sami Al Jaber

Group F - In Japan

It's de rigeur to have a "Group of Death" in every World Cup, and this is considered to be the most competitive group this time round.

Argentina* the bookies' favourites to win the World Cup. And would you bet against a bookie? Even injury should not stop the juggernaut, as they will be taking 22 very good players. Player to watch: Riquelme

England injury to Owen and/or Beckham could well put paid to England's chances of going anywhere but home. Player to watch: Sheringham

Nigeria can the "Super Eagles" soar like -er- eagles? Good youth teams in the past may be translated into a solid team this time, but then maybe not. Player to watch: Kanu

Sweden Henrik Larsson plus a solid, hardworking outfit capable of stifling any team with their aggressive pressing all over the pitch, with quality players in Coventry goalkeeper Magnus Hedman, Barcelona defender Patrik Andersson, Arsenal's Fredrik Ljungberg and Celtic's Hendrik Larsson. Player to watch: Larsson

Group G - In Japan

Italy* a traditional quality defence with firepower up front, Italy were unlucky not to win Euro 2000. If they can overcome self-doubt, no doubt they will do well. Player to watch: Doni

Croatia finished third at the last World Cup in France and unbeaten in their qualification matches this time round mean it will be no mean feat to defeat them. Player to watch: Boksic

Ecuador finished second in the South American qualification group behind Argentina. Like the fauna on Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, they are unafraid. First timers. Player to watch: Delgado

Mexico struggled in qualifying games and star player 'Cry Baby' Blanco has quit the national team because he wasn't given a direct flight from Spain to Mexico. Player to watch: Blanco

Group H - In Japan

Japan* since the World Cup started in 1930, the host country has won the World Cup 6 times in the sixteen times the tournament has been held: better than one-in-three. South Korea are in with a good chance, then. Player to watch: Ono

Belgium the sole representative from the Low Countries has for the sixth consecutive time (a record) reached the heights of the World Cup Finals, beating the Czech Republic en route. Player to watch: Strupar

Russia in their previous guise as the USSR they reached the World Cup Quarter Finals three times and the Semi-Finals once. Russia holds four northern islands claimed by Japan. Player to watch: Karpin

Tunisia fourth time lucky for the plucky North Africans? Somewhere between 'Impossible' and 'No'. Player to watch: Ali