The World Cup - A Guide To Group C

'Fuleco' the Armadillo is the official Brazil 2014 mascot

Group C - Colombia - Greece - Ivory Coast - Japan

Colombia

The Manager: José Pékerman

• Star Player: Radamel Falcao
• Position: Striker
• Age: 28
• Team: AS Monaco
• Why? A fit Falcao is the best striker in the world. Before his injury hit first season with Monaco, his all-round goalscoring exploits were sensational. His finishing with both feet and sensational striking from the angle are two obvious qualities. However, Radamel's heading and intelligence off the ball will be the match winning traits if Colombia are to reproduce the success of the 1990's.

• One to Watch: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado
• Position: Right Winger
• Age: 25
• Team: Fiorentina
• Why? This pacey and dynamic winger scored 11 goals in 31 Serie A games this season. He's finally had a settled club season in Italy and there is no doubt that he is a game changer when in possession. Great technique and decent turn of pace, the flamboyant Cuadrado could be the key provider for the clinical Falcao up top.

• Wildcard: Teófilo Gutiérrez
• Position: Centre Forward
• Age: 28
• Team: River Plate
• Why? Second top scorer behind Falcao in this World Cup Qualifying for Colombia. Gutiérrez has formed a formidable partnership with the Monaco hit-man. What makes him a wildcard though is that if Falcao doesn’t gain fitness in time, José Pékerman may opt to partner Jackson Martinez and Carlos Baca instead.

Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe).

Defenders: Mario Yepes (AC Milan), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Pablo Armero (West Ham, on loan from Napoli), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Aquivaldo Mosquera (Club America), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Luis Amaranto Perea (Cruz Azul), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo).

Midfielders: Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Macnelly Torres (Al Shabab), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Edwin Valencia (Fluminense), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional), Elkin Soto (Mainz).

Forwards: Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Luis Fernando Muriel (Udinese), Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate).

Fun Fact: If Faryd Mondragon appears in Brazil, he will over take Cameroon's Roger Milla as the tournaments oldest ever player (42 years and 39 days old).

Greece

The Manager: Fernando Santos

• Star Player: Kostas Mitroglou
• Position: Striker
• Age: 26
• Team: Fulham
• Why? Despite his injury plagued and troubled £12m move to the relegated  Fulham, Mitroglou will be vital for this defensive minded team to grab goals. 5 goals in qualifying and 17 in 19 games for Olypiakos up until the turn of the year is a top quality return. It remains to be seen if he can produce this kind of prolific striking in front of goal in the group stages.

• One to Watch: Sokratis Papastathopoulos
• Position: Centre back
• Age: 25
• Team: Borussia Dortmund
• Why? He was at the heart of the defence which only conceded 4 goals in the qualifying stage. With the team being built around the classy Sokratis, the rest of the backline must perform if Greece wants to make another historic tournament run

• Wildcard: Orestis Karnezis
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Age: 28
• Team: Granada CF
• Why? Karnezis started all 10 qualifying games for Greece and only conceded 4 goals, but his loan move to Granada left him on the bench looking for game time. April 12 is a date he won’t forget though. Barcelona had 29 shots on target and Karnezis's goal managed to remain intact after his heroic clean sheet. Granada won 1-0 and pretty much cost Barca the league.

Goalkeepers: Orestis Karnezis (Granada), Panagiotis Glykos (PAOK), Stefanos Kapino (Panathinaikos).

Defenders: Kostas Manolas, Giannis Maniatis, Jose Holebas (all Olympiakos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Giorgios Tzavellas (PAOK), Loukas Vyntra (Levante), Vasilis Torosidis (Roma), Vangelis Moras (Verona).

Midfielders: Alexandros Tziolis (Kayserispor), Andreas Samaris (Olympiakos), Kostas Katsouranis (PAOK), Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham), Panagiotis Tachtsidis (Torino), Ioannis Fetfatzidis (Genoa), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Bologna), Panagiotis Kone (Bologna).

Forwards: Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK), Giorgios Samaras (Celtic), Konstantinos Mitroglou (Fulham), Theofanis Gekas (Konyaspor).

Fun Fact: Man City paid £6m for Samaras in 2006. That was money well spent...

Ivory Coast

The Manager: Sabri Lamouchi

• Star Player: Yaya Touré
• Position: Central Attacking Midfielder
• Age: 31
• Team: Manchester City
• Why? Touré seems to be getting faster and stronger with age and at 31 he is playing the best football of his career. He seems to have no weaknesses to his central midfield game, just strolling to success week in week out with Man City. However, will all the shenanigans with his agent and Birthday cake banter effect his performances?

• One to Watch: Serge Aurier
  
• Position: Full back
• Age: 21
• Team: Toulouse
• Why? A textbook modern day full-back who loves to get forward and is capable of delivering inch perfect crosses for Drogba and co. This highly rated defender is being heavily linked with Arsenal, his boyhood club, after Sagna’s departure.

• Wildcard: Gervinho
• Position: Winger
• Age: 26
• Team: AS Roma
• Why? 'A maverick', 'clown', 'rubbish'. All words previously used to describe Gervinho at Arsenal. Now at Roma he has found form and looks a very decent footballer. His performances in The African Nation's Cup for Les Éléphants were different class. His dribbling was accurate and looked to have a intelligent brain inside that oddly shaped head of his.

Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Sylvain Gbohouo (Sewe Sport), Ali Sangare Badra (Asec Mimosas), Sayouba Sande (Stabaek).

Defenders: Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Sol Bamba (Trabzonspor), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor), Serge Aurier (Toulouse), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), Benjamin Angoua (Valenciennes), Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba (Caykur Rizespor), Constant Djakpa (Frankfurt), Brice Dja Djedje (Marseille), Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro (Toulouse).

Midfielders: Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Cheick Tiote (Newcastle), Serey Die (Basel), Max Gradel (Saint Etienne), Diomande Ismael (Saint Etienne), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover), Mathis Bolly (Dusseldorf).

Forwards: Gervinho (Roma), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Wilfried Bony (Swansea), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow), Lacina Traore (Everton, on loan from Monaco), Giovanni Sio (Basel).

Fun Fact: The mum’s of the players at the team’s core meet up regularly for an awesome feast and fun. They are called the Elephant Mother’s Club. Absentee’s must formally excuse themselves.

Japan

The Manager: Alberto Zaccheroni

• Star Player: Keisuke Honda
• Position: Central Attacking Midfielder
• Age: 27
• Team: AC Milan
• Why? After being deployed as a striker in the last World Cup, Honda will be relishing his chance to prove himself on the world stage in his favoured 'number 10' role this time around. An expert set-piece taker who can also unlock defences with fine intricate passes. Honda will be crucial to Japan’s hopes of advancing out of a tough group. Cue any type of motoring/zooming/engine jokes from Mark Lawrenson...

• One to Watch: Shinji Okazaki
  
• Position: Forward
• Age: 28
• Team: 1. FSV Mainz 05
• Why? After failing as a winger for Stuttgart, Okazaki moved to Mainz 05 at the start of the 13/14 season. He was deployed as a striker and flourished, scoring 15 goals in 33 games helping his club to clinch a Europa League spot for next season. Okazaki though, is still deployed as a winger for Japan but will most certainly come up with a vital goal if needed.

• Wildcard: Yasuhito Endō
• Position: Central Midfielder
• Age: 34
• Team: Gamba Osaka
• Why? Endō divides opinion amongst fans in Japan. Undoubtedly a legend and the most capped Japanese player ever, he is still preferred over younger talent by manager Zaccheroni. A pass master who is trusted with possession and dictating the tempo of the game. There are question marks over Endō and how he will deal with the more muscular midfield's of Ivory Coast, Greece and Colombia.

Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liege), Shusaku Nishikawa (Urawa Reds), Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo).

Defenders: Masato Morishige (FC Tokyo), Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Masahiko Inoha (Jubilo Iwata), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke 04), Hiroki Sakai (Hannover 96), Gotoku Sakai (VfB Stuttgart).

Midfielders: Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Keisuke Honda (AC Milan), Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United), Makoto Hasebe (FC Nuremberg), Hiroshi Kiyotake (FC Nuremberg), Hotaru Yamaguchi (Cerezo Osaka), Toshihiro Aoyama (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Manabu Saito (Yokohama F. Marinos).

Forwards: Shinji Okazaki (Mainz), Yoichiro Kakitani (Cerezo Osaka), Yuya Osako (TSV Munich 1860), Yoshito Okubo (Kawasaki Frontale).

Fun Fact: There is an Evil Kagawa on Twitter. 

Group D is in the pipeline...

The World Cup- A Guide To Group B

There is always a dreaded group of death and this is it. Spain, the reigning World and European Champions. Netherlands who literally kicked seven bells out of the Spaniards in the 2010 final. Chile who have match winners in every position. Lastly, Australia who are the outsiders but eternal optimists.

Group B - Spain - Netherlands - Chile - Australia

Spain 

The Manager: Vicente del Bosque

'Heads I play for Brazil, tails I play for Spain... Tails never fails.'

• Star Player: Andrés Iniesta
• Position: Inside Forward, Attacking Midfielder
• Age: 29
• Team: FC Barcelona
• Why? Flawless technique, outrageously accurate passing and the ability to glide through challenges. Iniesta is one of the world's best who enjoys the big occasion. Scorer of the winner against the Netherlands at World Cup 2010 and player of the tournament at Euro 2012, he knows what it takes to be the inspiration towards glory.

• One to Watch: Iker Casillas
• Position: GK
• Age: 32
• Team: Real Madrid
• Why? 153 Caps and Golden Glove winner in both the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships, Iker Casillas’ record is astonishing. He hasn't conceded a goal in a knock-out stage since 2006 in either the World Cup or Euro’s. He might be fighting for his place at club level but at international level he is very much still top-dog.

• Wildcard: Diego Costa
• Position: Striker, Centre Forward
• Age: 25
• Team: Atlético Madrid
• Why? A sensational season with Atlético. La Liga winners and Champions League finalists, Costa's goalscoring has been paramount to their efforts. The Brazilian-born Atlético Madrid star is surely going to take a lot of abuse in Brazil. Choosing to represent Spain instead of playing for his birth nation on home soil in a World Cup angered many Brazilian fans. Don’t expect this controversial player to shy away from boo’s though. They will only drive him on.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United).

Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos (both Real Madrid), Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba (both Barcelona), Cesar Azplicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla).

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Jesus Navas (Manchester City).

Forwards: Diego Costa, David Villa (both Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Juventus), Fernando Torres (Chelsea).

Fun Fact: Diego Costa has 2 caps for Brazil and only 1 cap for Spain.

Netherlands

The Manager: Louis van Gaal

• Star Player: Arjen Robben
• Position: Inside Forward
• Age: 30
• Team: Bayern Munich
• Why? The star player with van Persie in this Dutch team. Robben has arguable had his best season yet in Munich scoring 20 goals as Bayern set a record, winning the Bundesliga after only 27 games. Netherlands manager van Gaal was responsible for taking Robben to Bayern Munich in 2009 for 25m euros, expect him to be the main man in Brazil. In previous years he was slightly infuriating with a habit of simulation and petulance. Recently however, his undoubted talent and technique is doing the talking on and off the pitch.

• One to Watch: Jasper Cillessen
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Age: 25
• Team: Ajax
• Why? When you can keep out the likes of Vorm, Krul and Stelkenburg, you know they are at the top of your game. Cillessen kept 14 clean sheets in 25 games for Ajax in their title winning season. Dubbed the new Edwin Van Der Sar, Jasper Cillessen has a world wide audience to prove he is worthy of the title.

• Wildcard: Bruno Martins Indi
• Position: Central Defender
• Age: 22
• Team: Feyenoord
• Why? A complete defender. Extremely strong, good with his head and pacey. Netherlands have been crying out for a classy defender for years and Martins Indi certainly has the potential to be that. His versatility could also prove vital as he can be also be deployed as a full-back. May need to have a stormer of a tournament if CB partner Ron Vlaar replicates some of his questionable performances for Aston Villa this season.

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Michel Vorm (Swansea), Jeroen Zoet (PSV Eindhoven).

Defenders: Daley Blind, Joel Veltman (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, Tonny Vilhena (all Feyenoord), Karim Rekik (PSV Eindhoven, on loan from Manchester City), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem, on loan from Chelsea), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven).

Forwards: Jean-Paul Boetius (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Quincy Promes (Twente), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).

Fun Fact: Robin Van Persie's son is called Shaqueel.

Chile 

The Manager: Jorge Sampaoli

• Star Player: Arturo Vidal
• Position: Central Midfielder
• Age: 26
• Team: Juventus
• Why? Arguebly the most complete central midfielder in the world at this moment. Arturo Vidal is a vital player for this Chilean team, shared topscorer in the qualifications for Chile with Vargas (5 goals). Recently under went surgery, so his fitness could be in a bit of an issue come the start of The World Cup.

• One to Watch: Alexis Sanchez
• Position: Striker, Winger
• Age: 25
• Team: Barcelona
• Why? With Messi and Pedro's sporadic injury hit season, Sanchez has had a much more prominent 2013/14 season. His end product and crossing has been infinitely better along with a good understanding with Neymar. Deceptively good in the air and an explosive turn of pace, he'll no doubt thrive in the perfect conditions of South America.

• Wildcard: Jorge Valdivia
• Age: 30
• Position: Central Attacking Midfielder
• Team: Palmeiras
• Why? Whenever “El Mago” is fit and focused on his game then he is a class act to watch. A typical number 10, skillful, great vision with a fantastic shot. He might be a new name for some but is very well known in Brazil after spent a total of 6 years there. If Valdivia plays well, Chile plays well.

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica), Paulo Garces (O'Higgins).

Defenders: Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Marcos Gonzalez (Union Espanola), Enzo Andia (Universidad Catolica), Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile), Eugenio Mena (Santos), Mauricio Isla (Juventus).

Midfielders: Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras), Felipe Gutierrez (Twente), Rodrigo Millar (Atlas), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Pablo Hernandez (O'Higgins), Matias Fernandez (Fiorentina), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Arturo Vidal (Juventus), Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), Marcelo Diaz (Basel), Carlos Carmona (Atalanta), Miiko Albornoz (Malmo).

Forwards: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia), Gustavo Canales (Union Espanola), Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic), Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari), Fabian Orellana (Celta).

Fun Fact: In 1989, Chile were losing to Brazil 1-0 in their qualifying match for World Cup 1990 and on the verge of failing to qualify. A flare was thrown at goalkeeper Roberto Rojas by a female Brazilian fan and he was stretchered off and the game was deemed unsafe to continue with the potential of the match being nullified and Brazil disqualified. 

However, T.V cameras spotted that Rojas had hidden a razor blade in his glove and created a cut on his forehead (firework didn't touch him). It transpired that he had been ordered with the whole team's knowledge to take advantage of any 'foul play' by the Brazilians. Subsequently, Chile were banned from the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. Rojas, the Coach and the Team Doctor were banned for life.

The Guile music from Street Fighter makes this video even more laughable. Hadouken!

Australia 

The Manager: Ange Postecoglou

• Star Player: Tim Cahill
• Position: Forward
• Age: 34
• Team: New York Red Bulls
• Why? Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer, Cahill will be participating in probably his last world cup in Brazil. The former Everton favourite and corner flag boxer will hoping to get on the end of any set pieces. At 5ft10, Cahill punches way above his weight and can beat any defender in the air if given half a chance.

• One to Watch: Mile Jedinak
• Position: Midfielder
• Age: 29
• Team: Crystal Palace
• Why? Jedinak has been arguably the most underrated player in the Premier League this season. If Australia are to obtain any points in this group, he'll have to use his strength and composure in midfield to hold the Socceroos together. A classy and dominant force in the centre of the park is what is needed in this transitional period for Australia.

• Wildcard: Tom Rogic
• Position: Central Attacking Midfielder
• Age: 21
• Team: Celtic
• Why? An odd choice for viewers of the SPL. Rogic was loaned straight back to Melbourne Victory after a string of difficult showings off the bench for Celtic. He has got a decent touch and can beat a man. A total wildcard and in a group with so many world class opponents, he'll have to do something miraculous to stand out from the crowd.

Goalkeepers: Mark Birighitti (Newcastle Jets), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge).

Defenders: Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo), Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Curtis Good (Dundee United, on loan from Newcastle), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng Taishan), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow), Bailey Wright (Preston North End).

Midfielders: Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa), Joshua Brillante (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Austria Vienna), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town), Matthew McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), Tommy Oar (Utrecht), Tommy Rogic (Melbourne Victory), Adam Sarota (Utrecht), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory), Dario Vidosic (Sion).

Forwards: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus 8), Matthew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt 1899), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets).

Fun Fact: Tim Cahill's brother was jailed for 6 years for GBH in 2008. He now owns a Frozen Yoghurt shop.

Group C coming soon.

The World Cup - A Guide to Group A

Seems like only a few months ago that we were enduring the constant 'voovoolzing' of the vuvuzelas in front of the TV. But It's now another World Cup year and Brazil are hosting a sun kissed-samba-soccer-show.

Putting aside the clearly flawed infrastructure to ready the facilities for Thursday 12th June, the violent protests and crime, It's the perfect country for a World Cup. The weather, carnival atmosphere and passion are the perfect formula to host an amazing tournament of football. 

Here is my guide to the groups.

Group A - Brazil - Croatia - Mexico - Cameroon

Brazil

The manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari

• Star Player: Neymar
• Position: Second Striker or Forward
• Age: 22
• Team: Barcelona
• Why? He is the one player at this World cup with the (pundit's classic cliché) weight of a nation's expectation on his narrow shoulders. He has had a solid start to his Barcelona career with the odd moment of magic thrown in with his decent goals ratio however he is transformed when in the 'Verde-Amarela' of Brazil. Playing in Europe has toughened him up a little and with his exceptional technical ability on the ball and range of finishing, he could be just the talisman to bring home a sixth World Cup.

• One to Watch: Oscar
• Position: Central Attacking Midfielder
  
• Age: 22
• Team: Chelsea
• Why? Diminutive in physique but large in talent. He may not have had a great second half of the season for Chelsea however on his day Oscar is a match winner. He'll most likely play in front of two combative holding midielder's with his duty to get on the ball, thread passes to Neymar and Hulk. Being the central creative force for Brazil is a position with a huge expectation for goal scoring and assists. Zico in 1982, Kaka 2006, Oscar 2014..?

• Wildcard: Fred
• Position: Striker, Centre Forward
  
• Age: 30
• Team: Fluminense
• Why? The 2013 Confederations Cup top goalscorer with 5 goals. Plays domestically in Brazil who adds a different dimension to the centre forward role. Seemed like a bit of a spent force while at Lyon in 2009 and after singing a 5 year contract with Fluminense he has banged in the goals warranting his place in the Brazil team. Do not underestimate Fred. He may seem like a bit of a donkey for long periods in matches but he is a deceptively astute finisher and potent poacher.

• Fun Fact: Former World Player Of The Year winner's Kaka & Ronaldinho didn't even make the provisional squad for this World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC, on loan from QPR), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro).

Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (AS Roma), Maxwell, Thiago Silva (both Paris St-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli).

Midfielders: Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Ramires , Willian, Oscar (all Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City).

Forwards: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg).

Standby: Diego Cavalieri (Fluminese) Miranda, Filipe Luis (both Atletico Madrid), Rafinha (Bayern Munich), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Lucas Moura (Paris St-Germain), Alan Kardec (Sao Paulo).

*(Some of the squads are provisional that will need to be cut to 23 before the start of the competition)

Croatia

The manager: Niko Kovač

• Star Player: Luka Modrić
• Position: Central Midfielder
• Age: 28
• Team: Real Madrid
• Why? Modrič has started to show the class week in week out for Madrid in Europe. If Croatia want to progress he will be paramount to their cause. Comfortable and classy on the ball, his passing and intelligence will definitely cause problems for Croatia's group opponents.

• One to Watch: Ivan Rakitić
• Position: Central Midfielder
• Age: 26
• Team: Sevilla
• Why? Compliments Luka Modrić very well, 12 goals and 10 assists this season for Sevilla. Similar to Modrić in style but has a better turn of pace and a better eye for goal. Having just helped Sevilla win the Europa League, confidence will be sky high. 

• Wildcard: Mateo Kovačić
• Position: Central Midfielder
  
• Age: 19
• Team: Inter Milan
• Why? Often compared to Boban and possessing a wonderkid (the last few season's of Football Manager) label is a lot to live up to for any promising footballer. But this magician has been receiving the plaudits since his move to Inter Milan. He has the ability to beat a man and thread the impossible pass in behind the striker. The trio of Modrić, Rakitić and Kovačić is a mouth watering prospect for any football team.

• Fun Fact: Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic will miss the Croatia’s opening game vs Brazil because of suspension.

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Dinamo Zagreb).

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gordon Schildenfeld (Panathinaikos), Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos), Ivan Strinic (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa), Igor Bubnjic (Udinese).

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Niko Kranjcar (Queens Park Rangers), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan), Milan Badelj (Hamburg), Ivo Ilicevic (Hamburg), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka), Mario Pasalic (Hajduk Split), Sammir (Getafe).

Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina), Duje Cop (Dinamo Zagreb).

Mexico

The manager: Miguel Herrera

• Star Player: Javier Hernández
• Position: Forward
• Age: 25
• Team: Manchester United
• Why? Chicharito (Little Pea) is the predator that Mexico need if they are to progress out of Group A. A bit part player at Man Utd the last few seasons, however his goalscoring record at international level is pretty good. Mexico will be hoping for his intelligent movement in and around the box to get the goal needed for success.  

• One to Watch: Carlos Peña
  
• Position: Midfielder
• Age: 24
• Team: León
• Why? Known as Gullit, due to being a look-a-like of the ex-Netherlands International Ruud Gullit. He organises the midfield whilst being solid in defence and attack. A relative unknown as he plays his football in Mexico, Peña has the qualities to stand out and a move to a decent European team on the back of a some sexy football is almost a certainty. 

• Wildcard: Giovani dos Santos
• Position: Forward
• Age: 24
• Team: Villarreal
• Why? The Yellow Submarine player will have extra motivation playing in the birth place of his footballing father (Zizinho). After a fine season in La Liga, Gio's trickery and speed on up top and out wide will hopefully live up to expectation. On his day he is a fantastic little player, confidence is key for him though. Never quite did it for Spurs, for Mexico he's a different animal.

• Fun Fact: Carlos Vela is in self exile after admitting that he is not mentally strong enough to compete for Mexico yet.

Goalkeepers: Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca).

Defenders: Miguel Layun (America), Carlos Salcido (Tigres), Paul Aguilar (America), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (America), Diego Reyes (Porto), Rafael Marquez (Leon).

Midfielders: Juan Carlos Medina (America), Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon), Luis Montes (Leon), Hector Herrera (Porto), Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul), Carlos Pena (Leon).

Forwards: Oribe Peralta (Santos), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Raul Jimenez (America), Alan Pulido (Tigres).

Cameroon

The manager: Volker Finke

• Star Player: Samuel Eto’o
• Position: ST
• Age: 33
• Team: Chelsea FC
• Why? Cameroon’s captain in Brazil, Eto’o’ has many critics in his homeland for perhaps not performing as well for country as he does for his club. Still though, Eto’o’ is the all-time leading scorer for Cameroon. He can still be one of the deadliest strikers in front of goal, however his ageing legs might have caught up with him to make any real significant impact this time round.

• One to Watch: Vincent Aboubakar
  
• Position: Forward
• Age: 22
• Team: FC Lorient
• Why? He is rapid. Second top scorer in Ligue 1 behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic is impressive. This could be his real chance to prove that he is next big African talent.

• Wildcard: Joël Matip
• Position: Centre-Back, Defensive Midfield
• Age: 22
• Team: Schalke 04
• Why? He plays centre back for Schalke 04 but plays as a defensive midfielder for Cameroon. Not ideal for the world's toughest tournament although his versatility could actually help prevent being picked apart by Brazil and Croatia. He is a bit of a beast too, so watch out for him at set-pieces. 

• Fun Fact: Alexander Song has 17 sisters and 10 brothers.

Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Konyaspor), Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Guingamp), Sammy Ndjock (Fethiyespor), Feudjou Loic (Coton Sport).

Defenders: Allan Nyom (Granada), Nounkeu Dany (Besiktas), Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Aurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille), Jean-Armel Kana-Biyick (Rennes), Henri Bedimo (Lyon), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (QPR), Gaetang Bong (Olympiakos).

Midfielders: Enoh Eyong (Antalyaspor), Jean Makoun (Rennes), Joel Matip (Schalke 04), Stephane Mbia (Sevilla, on loan from QPR), Landry Nguemo (Bordeaux), Alexandre Song (Barcelona), Cedric Loe (Osasuna), Edgar Salli (Lens).

Forwards: Samuel Eto'o (Chelsea), Eric-Maxime Choupo-Moting (Mainz 05), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy), Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient), Pierre Achille Webo (Fenerbahce), Mohamadou Idrissou (Kaiserslautern), Fabrice Olinga (Zulte Waregem).

Group B will be with you shortly...