Team-by-team guide to the 32 nations gunning for glory at the 2014 World Cup
By Daily Mail UK
Get to know your Lionel Messis from your Islam Slimanis. Everything from red-hot favourite Brazil to what formation the Hondurans are likely to use... here's your ultimate team-by-team guide to the 2014 Brazil World Cup.
Algeria
Population: 37.9million
National dish: Couscous, usually with lamb
National anthem: Kassaman or Qassaman (means We Pledge)
Best World Cup finish: First round in 1982, 1986 and 2010.
Premier League pedigree: Adlene Guedioura (Crystal Palace)
Jubilation: Madjid Bougherra (left) leads Algeria in celebration after qualification against Burkina Faso
Lost for words: Algeria's coach Vahid Halilhodzic reacts to securing his side's place in Brazil
MAGIC MOMENT
Beating reigning European Champions West Germany 2-1 on the first day of the 1982 Finals.
Meet the coach: Vahid Halilhodzic. Former Yugoslavia forward, 61, in charge of the Ivory Coast side that qualified for the 2010 World Cup but was sacked before the tournament.
Meet the captain: Madjid Bougherra. French-born centre back, 31, played in England for Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton then spent three years in Scotland with Rangers.
Star man: Islam Slimani. Tall, powerfully built 25-year-old striker who plays for Sporting Lisbon got five goals in qualifying.
Watch out for: Saphir Sliti Taider. Inter Milan spent £4.8m to buy him the midfielder, 21. Born in Castres, played for French international youth teams, but has an Algerian mother.
One to watch: Islam Slimani (left) netted five goals for Algeria during qualification
Vital statistic Algeria won six of their eight World Cup Qualification games; those two losses came against Mali and Burkina Faso.
Coral odds to win 300/1
Draw danger rating 2/5
Talking tactics: Halilhodzic builds his sides around a solid defence and organisation, then hopes his forwards will come up with something special to pinch a goal
Most likely to: Go through all three qualifying games as 0-0 draws.
Argentina
Population: 41.9million
National dish: Asado – beef cooked on a barbecue
National anthem: Himno Nacional Argentina
Best World Cup finish: Winners 1978 and 1986
World star: Much of Argentina's success will depend on the form of Lionel Messi
Premier passion: Manchester City star Sergio Aguero is also one of Argentina's main attacking threats
MAGIC MOMENT
Diego Maradona’s virtual one-man winning show in Mexico was magnificent, but still doesn’t top the free flowing football played on pitches ankle deep in ticker tape by the 1978 side in front of their own fans.
Premier League pedigree: Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero (Man City), Erik Lamela (Tottenham), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle).
Meet the coach: Alejandro Sabella. Bit of a Yorkshireman – he spent two seasons in his playing days as an attacking midfielder with Sheffield United and then moved to Leeds for a year. Spent years as coach to Daniel Passarella at different jobs, won the Argentina title in his own right with Estudiantes, and took the national job in 2011.
Meet the captain: Javier Mascherano. Former Liverpool and West Ham star often plays as a central defender for Barcelona, but is more often used in his old midfield position for his country. Tenacious tackler who gets the ball to let the others play.
Leading by example: Manager Alejandro Sabella (left) and tough-tackling midfielder Javier Mascherano
Vital statistic No player assisted more goals in the CONMEBOL qualifiers than Lionel Messi or Angel Di Maria (5).
Coral odds to win 11/2
Draw danger rating: 5/5
Star man: Lionel Messi. What more to say about the brilliant Barcelona star, Ballon d’Or winner four seasons in a row, scorer of countless goals? Only that the one thing he still wants is a World Cup winners’ medal.
Watch out for: Marcos Rojo. Tall, powerful left-sided central defender who plays for Sporting Lisbon and at 23 is starting to get more chances in Sabella’s team selections.
Talking tactics: Strong defence, options in attack – but the side is built around getting the ball to Messi as often as possible and letting him do the damage.
Most likely to: Say: ‘Oh, great goal Messi’.
Australia
Population: 22.68 million
National dish: Anything – just throw it on the barbecue
National anthem: Advance Australia Fair
Best World Cup finish: Round of 16, 2006
Premier League pedigree: Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace)
Helping hand: Former Blackburn and West Ham star Lucas Neill (right) will skipper the Socceroos in Brazil
Making his point: Veteran Tim Cahill is still Australia's star man and the biggest goal threat
MAGIC MOMENT
Tim Cahill’s two goals against Japan got the campaign off to a rousing start in Germany.
Meet the coach: Angelos Postecoglou. Born in Greece, he was five when his family moved to Melbourne. Now 48, he is Australia’s most successful domestic coach and replaced German Holger Osieck last month.
Meet the captain: Lucas Neill. Former Blackburn, West Ham and Everton defender is now 35 and playing in Japan as he aims for a World Cup swansong to his career
Star man: Tim Cahill. A sign that domestic players from Oz are not developing that at 33 the former Everton man remains the most likely to get a goal.
On the road: Angelos Postecoglou is new to the role of Australia manager as they prepare for Brazil
Vital statistic The Socceroos won just three of their eight fourth round matches; fewer than the other three CAF qualifiers for the 2014 WC finals – Japan (5), Iran (5), South Korea (4).
Coral odds to win: 250/1
Draw danger rating: 2/5
Watch out for: Mathew Leckie: Robust, busy striker who is 22 and has been making a name for himself in Germany with Frankfurt.
Talking tactics: Postecoglou is new in the job so his plans are unknown, but his club success has mostly been based on quick counter attacking and the use of wingers.
Most likely to: Hit the Copacabana beach and go surfing.
Belgium
Population: 11.14 million
National dish: Mussels and chips
National anthem: The Brabanconne
Best World Cup finish: Fourth place in 1986.
Premier League pedigree: Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele Nacer Chadli (Tottenham), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Marouane Fellaini (Man Utd), Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne (Chelsea), Kevin Mirallas, Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Christian Benteke (Aston Villa), Vincent Kompany (Man City).
Hair apparent: Marouane Fellani (left) glides the ball past Japan's Hajime Hosogai for Belgium
MAGIC MOMENT
Leo van der Elst tucking away the fifth and winning penalty to knock out Spain in the quarter-finals in Mexico '86.
Meet the coach: Marc Wilmots. Midfield driving force of his country’s team in the 90s, the 44-year-old has been in charge since 2012 after three years as assistant. Has also been a politician spending two years in the country’s Senate.
Meet the captain: Vincent Kompany. Manchester City’s skipper has proved his credentials as a top defender and is the rock on which Belgium’s defence is founded.
Star man: Marouane Fellaini. That haircut and his 6ft 4ins frame means you can’t miss the Manchester United man in central midfield.
Watch out for: Romelu Lukaku: Barely got a game behind Christian Benteke in the qualifying games but if he goes on getting goals for Everton could win the contest to wear the No 9 shirt.
Wing wizard: Chelsea star Eden Hazard will be a vital part of anything Belgium achieve in Brazil
Target man: Everton's loan star Romelu Lukaku vies for playing time with Aston Villa's Christian Benteke
Vital statistic Despite having 10 different goalscorers during qualifying, no Belgian managed to score more than four goals (De Bruyne – 4).
Coral odds to win: 14/1
Draw danger rating: 4/5
Talking tactics: It’s a 4-2-3-1, which means either Lukaku or Benteke gets to play – Wilmots thinks the two strikers are too similar to be in the same team. Eden Hazard gets a lot of the ball to run from the wings.
Most likely to: Shave Fellaini’s hair off for some fun on a night out.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Population: 3.83 million
National dish: Cevapi – a grilled dish of minced meat
National anthem: Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine
Best World Cup finish: Never previously qualified.
Premier League pedigree: Asmir Begovic (Stoke), Edin Dzeko (Man City)
Up top: Edin Dzeko, may not be first on the teamsheet at the Etihad, but he's Bosnia-Herzegovina's main man
V for Victory: A shirtless Bosnia-Herzegovina skipper Emir Spahic celebrates a win over Slovakia
MAGIC MOMENT
Topping their qualifying group on goal difference after a nervy 1-0 away win in Lithuania.
Meet the coach: Safet Susic. Once a creative midfielder who played more than 350 games for Paris St Germain, the 58-year-old had coached in France and Turkey before taking his current job in 2009.
Meet the captain: Emir Spahic. Experienced and craggy Bayer Leverkusen centre half, 33, has also played club football in Russia and Spain.
Star man: Edin Dzeko. He may struggle to get a game at The Etihad at times, but some 33 goals in 58 internationals make the 27-year-old an automatic pick for his country.
Making waves: Miralem Pjanic is one of Roma's most gifted players and could help Bosnia's chances
Vital statistic Only Netherlands striker Robin van Persie (11) scored more goals in the UEFA qualifiers than Edin Dzeko (10).
Coral odds to win: 150/1
Draw danger rating: 4/5
Watch out for: Miralem Pjanic: Attacking midfielder cost Roma £10million in 2011. Aged just 23, he’s hugely gifted technically and can work on both wings as well as in central positions.
Talking tactics: Just the one holding midfield man allows two tall strikers with Vedad Ibišević of Stuttgart alongside Dzeko and a fairly direct style.
Most likely to: All dye their hair blond to underline team spirit.
Brazil
Population: 198.7million
National dish: Feijoada – a stew of beans with beef and pork
National anthem: Himno Nacional Brasileiro
Best World Cup finish: Winners 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
Premier League pedigree: David Luiz, Ramires, Oscar (Chelsea), Paulinho, Sandro (Tottenham), Lucas (Liverpool), Fernandinho (Man City).
Fame and fortune: Neymar (centre) is Brazil's talisman, prompting Barcelona to splash out £50million on him
Top of the world: Chelsea's flamboyant defender David Luiz is a regular at the back for the Selecao
MAGIC MOMENT
How long have you got? For those of us of a certain age it would still be Carlos Alberto arriving from nowhere to meet Pele’s pass and smash the final goal of the 4-1 win over Italy in the 1970 final. YouTube it!
Meet the coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari: Brain behind the 2002 triumph was brought back two years ago with one brief – to win the trophy again on home soil. Vastly experienced and successful 65-year-old.
Meet the captain: Thiago Silva. Imposing centre back has won League titles with both Milan and Paris St Germain. Age 29, likely to win his 50th cap at the start of the tournament.
Star man: Dani Alves: Barcelona star sets the template for what an attacking full back should do. Powerful in the tackle, devastating when he gets forward. At 30 he has some 72 caps.
Watch out for: Neymar: Barcelona paid nearly £50million to sign the quicksilver striker who was still 19 when he was named South American Footballer of the Year. Not 22 until March, he’s already got 46 caps and scored 27 goals.
Leading from the back: Brazil's PSG skipper Thiago Silva (left) in action against Chilean Alexis Sanchez
Vital statistic Brazil have lost just two of their last 17 World Cup matches (W14 D1).
Coral odds to win: 10/3
Draw danger rating: 5/5
Talking tactics: Scolari took over a team playing 4-3-3 and has kept the same basic shape but brought in flexibility to rotate players.
Most likely to: Win.
Cameroon
Population: 20.5million
National dish: Ndole - a stew of nuts, ndoleh leaves, and fish or ground beef
National anthem: Chant de Ralliement or The Rallying Song
Best World Cup finish: Quarter finals, 1990
Premier League pedigree: Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea), Sebastien Bassong (Norwich)
Icon: Cameroon will be pinning their hopes on Chelsea's veteran hitman Samuel Eto'o
Surprise package? Cameroon manager Volker Finke (left) will be guiding Sebastian Bassong and team-mates
MAGIC MOMENT
Beating holders Argentina 1-0 in the opening game of the 1990 tournament, and the Roger Milla corner flag celebrations.
Meet the coach: Volker Finke. The 65-year-old German former teacher spent 16 years as coach of Freiburg. Won three out of three since appointed to his first internaitonal job in May.
Meet the captain: Samuel Eto’o. Veteran Chelsea striker has a goal every other game in 112 caps and is the big hope for his country to make an impact.
Star man: Stephane Mbia. Did his best amid the wreckage of QPR’s relegation season but has found his best form since a loan move to Sevilla.
Watch out for: Fabrice Olinga: Just 17 and only 5ft 7ins tall but emerging as a star in Spanish football for Malaga, his nickname is 'Happy Feet'
Cool head: Stephane Mbia (centre) is a rock in defensive midfield for Cameroon
Vital statistic No Cameroon player managed to register more than two goals throughout the qualifying phases.
Coral odds to win: 400/1
Draw danger rating: 3/5
Talking tactics: Finke pioneered the use of two holding midfield men in German football. He likes neat, passing football and often plays without wide men.
Most likely to: Recreate the Roger Milla wiggle as a goal celebration.
Chile
Population: 17.46 million
National dish: Curanto – a stew of seafood, meat and vegetables
National anthem: Himno Nacional de Chile
Best World Cup finish: Third place 1962
Premier League pedigree: Gary Medel (Cardiff)
Star turn: Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez (left), taking on Brazil's Luis Gustavo, is Chile's talisman
MAGIC MOMENT
Two years after an earthquake devastated the country, Chile hosted the tournament in 1962. Legend has it they ate Swiss cheese before beating Switzerland, spaghetti before beating Italy, and drank vodka before knocking USSR out of the quarter-final.
Meet the coach: Jorge Sampaoli. Argentine who quit playing through injury at 19. Started his coaching career with an amateur club.
Worked his way up, winning the Copa Sudamericana with Universidad de Chile before taking his current job in 2012.
Meet the captain: Claudio Bravo. Agile Real Sociedad goalkeeper, 30, has been his country’s undisputed number one for nearly ten years, and worn the armband since 2007.
Star man: Alexis Sanchez: Barcelona paid £23million to sign the 5ft 7ins winger from Udinese in Italy – can play on either wing or as a central striker. Some 22 goals in 64 games for his country so far.
Feisty: Cardiff's Chilean hardman Gary Medel (left) battles for the ball with Brazil striker Jo
Watch out for: Gary Medel. Known as the ‘Pitbull’ in Seville where he got five red cards and 33 yellows in three seasons, he’s been tamed since moving to Cardiff and is now the man who makes the Chile midfield tick.
Vital statistic Chile were awarded four red cards; the most by any team during the CONMEBOL qualifying phase.
Coral odds to win: 40/1
Draw danger rating: 4/5
Talking tactics: Sampaoli goes for a brave ‘basketball’ style of football – we attack you, you attack us. Scored the second most goals in South American qualifying, but conceded most too.
Most likely to: Be involved in a 5-4 thriller.
Colombia
Population: 47.7 million
National dish: Bandeja paisa – a red beans cooked with beef and white rice
National anthem: Oh Gloria Inmarcesible
Best World Cup finish: Round of 16, 1990
Premier League pedigree: None
World class: In Radamel Falcao, Colombia can call on one of the most prolific strikers in world football
MAGIC MOMENT
Marcos Coll scored direct from a corner – known in Latin America as an Olympic Goal – as part of a comeback from 3-0 down to draw 4-4 with Russia, complete with Lev Yashin in goal – in 1962.
Meet the coach: Jose Pekerman: Experienced 65-year-old who led his own country Argentina to the quarter-finals in 2006 before losing on penalties to the Germans (who else?).
Meet the captain: Mario Yepes. Rugged centre back will be 38 by next summer but proved he’s still the leader scoring two goals against Paraguay in the final qualifying game. Currently with Atalanta, previous clubs include Paris St Germain and AC Milan.
Star man: Falcao: Scored 52 goals in 67 games for Atletico Madrid, the 27-year-old striker is now raking in more than £12million a year in wages after Monaco bought him for £55million.
Fancy footwork: James Rodriguez's skill has led to comparisons with legendary midfielder Carlos Valderrama
Vital statistic James Rodríguez created more chances than any other player in CONMEBOL qualification (43).
Coral odds to win: 28/1
Draw danger rating: 3
Watch out for: James Rodriguez. Another signed for big money by Monaco – £40million – when he left Porto in the summer, the 22-year-old creative midfielder is considered the new Carlos Valderrama (sadly without the spectacular hair!)
Talking tactics: Pekerman lost his job as Argentina coach accused of being too defensive, and his mentality hasn’t changed. No side in the South American qualifying group conceded fewer than Colombia’s 13.
Most likely to: Score goals - with Falcao and Jackson Martinez up front, they'll be a handful for any defence.
Captain's example: Mario Yepes will be 38 at Brazil but has proven his worth in solidity and experience
World Cup 2014: Brazil sports ministry and FIFA on racism claims
Costa Rica
Population: 4.8 million
National dish: Casado – rice with black beans
National anthem: Noble patria, tu Hermosa bandera
Best World Cup finish: Round of 16 in 1990.
Premier League pedigree: Bryan Oviedo (Everton), Bryan Ruiz (Fulham)
Craven star: Fulham's gifted Bryan Ruiz will be Costa Rica's talisman at the World Cup
MAGIC MOMENT
Hernan Medford’s goal three minutes from the end clinched a 2-1 win over Sweden in the last group game of 1990 to qualify from the knockout stages in a group that also included Brazil and Scotland.
Meet the coach: Jorge Luis Pinto. A 60-year-old Colombian who is in his second spell in charge of Costa Rica. Has also managed his own country and 15 different clubs in a 30-year career.
Meet the captain: Bryan Ruiz. Fulham fans have seen only glimpses of the creative potential of the 28-year-old attacking midfield man, but his performances were key for his country’s qualification.
Star man: Keylor Navas: Just 18 when he made his debut in senior football at home – his talent in goal was rewarded with lucrative moves to Spain where he now plays for Levante, and was a key part of their first ever qualification for the Europa League.
Safe hands: Keeper Keylor Navas is one of Costa Rica's top talents, displaying his quality for Levante
Vital statistic Costa Rica entered the CONCACAF qualification process in the third of four rounds. They progressed from the third round and in the final round of qualification finished in second; the top three automatically qualify.
Coral odds to win: 750/1
Draw danger rating: 2/5
Watch out for: Joel Campbell: Arsenal signed him in 2011 but couldn’t get a work permit at first, so the pacey, skilful forward has been on loan since in Spain and now Greece with Olympiacos.
Talking tactics: Solid defensively, they let in just seven goals in their qualifying campaign – the least of any side in their section. Going forward they are built around creating space for Ruiz to act as playmaker.
Most likely to: Forbid their players to swap shirts – their FA will be one of the poorest at the tournament.
Secret Weapon: Costa Rica's Joel Campbell celebrates, and is on Arsenal's books
Croatia
Population: 4.26 million
National dish: Sir – small milky white cheeses delivered fresh from the farm to market.
National anthem: 'Lijepa nasa domovino' (Our Beautiful Homeland)
Best World Cup finish: Third in 1998
Premier League pedigree: Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Nikica Jelavic (Everton), Mladen Petric (West Ham)
At the heart of it: Luka Modric (left) displays the same playmaking power for Croatia as for Real Madrid
MAGIC MOMENT
Davor Suker won the golden boot with six goals at France '98, but the sweetest was among the three that stunned ten-man Germany in the quarter-finals.
Meet the coach: Niko Kovac: Promoted from Under 21 coach after Croatia only just sneaked into the play-offs, the 42-year-old won 83 caps but has no previous management experience.
Meet the captain: Darijo Srna. Legend of Ukrainian football after a ten-year career and more than 400 games at Shakhtar Donetsk, he’s got 110 caps. Right back who takes set pieces.
Star man: Luka Modric. Real Madrid midfielder needs no introduction after four dazzling years at Spurs, will drift between the lines and thread incisive passes.
Watch out for: Mateo Kovacic: Creative teenage midfielder was just 16 when he made his debut in Russian football for Dinamo Zagreb. Moved to Inter Milan last summer for £14million.
Having a Party: Darijo Srna (left), Mario Mandzukic (centre) and Nikica Jelavic celebrate reaching Brazil
Vital statistic Croatia were the only team of the eight that featured in the play offs to have kept clean sheets in both matches.
Coral odds to win: 100/1
Draw danger rating: 3/5
Talking tactics: A tough holding midfield man in his playing days, Kovac likes his teams to take no prisoners and like Slaven Bilic before him, isn’t afraid to use a good old-fashioned 4-4-2.
Most likely to: Get the most red and yellow cards in the tournament.
Ecuador
Population: 15.5 million
National dish: Ceviche – raw fish marinated in citrus juices
National anthem: Salve oh Patria
Best World Cup finish: Round of 16, 2006
Premier League pedigree: Antonio Valencia (Man Utd)
Key man: Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia is a hero in Ecuadorian football folklore
MAGIC MOMENT
Agustin Delgado caps a man of the match display at Hamburg in 2006 with a goal in the 3-0 win over Costa Rica which took them to the knockout stages in a finals for the first time.
Meet the coach: Reinaldo Rueda. Colombian trained as a PE teacher then became a University professor, only played amateur football – but this will be the second country he has led to a World Cup finals after previous success with Honduras.
Meet the captain: Antonio Valencia. Winger started life playing barefoot on a field near his house in the Amazon rain forest, and ended up a Manchester United star. Eight goals in 69 caps for his country.
Star man: Edison Mendez. Vastly experienced free kick specialist, the 34-year-old won his first cap in 2000. Attacking midfielder known for pace, accurate passing, and long range shooting.
Watch out for: Felipe Caicedo: Burly Lokomotiv Moscow striker didn’t make much impact at Manchester City, but moving to Russia has improved him and he will spearhead the attack.
Forgotten man: Former Manchester City forward Felipe Caicedo celebrates after scoring against Chile
Vital statistic Ecuador claimed just one win in their last six qualification matches (D2 L3).
Coral odds to win: 150/1
Draw danger rating: 2/5
Talking tactics: Like to get the ball out side with Valencia and his opposite winger encouraged to hug the touchline and get crosses in for Caicedo.
Most likely to: Dedicate any success to the memory of striker Christian Benitez who tragically died from a heart attack aged just 27.
England
Population: 53.01 million
National dish: Roast beef... or is it curry nowadays?
National anthem: God Save The Queen
Best World Cup finish: Winners, 1966
Premier League pedigree: The whole squad.
Talisman: Keeping star striker Wayne Rooney fit will be paramount to any England World Cup success
Making his point: Liverpool star Steven Gerrard will be at the heart of the England midfield as captain
MAGIC MOMENT
'Some people on the pitch, they think it’s all over . . . it is now!'
Meet the coach: Roy Hodgson: Rich coaching experience at both club and international level, at 66 it is now or never to be an England hero or just a nearly man.
Meet the captain: Steven Gerrard: Having one of his best seasons for Liverpool so far, but will be 34 in Brazil and must stay fit.
Star man: Wayne Rooney: Has always had injury or other issues at major tournaments, but he’s settled again at Old Trafford under David Moyes and England hope for big things this time.
Watch out for: Ross Barkley: Everton youngster has been compared to the young Paul Gascoigne – could he take a tournament by storm like Gazza did in 1990?
England expects: But can Roy Hodgson shake off his critics and deliver a memorable campaign?
Safe hands? Joe Hart has been dropped by Manchester City, but is still England's No 1
Vital statistic England had 12 different goal-scorers during qualification.
Coral odds to win: 25/1
Draw danger rating: 3/5
Talking tactics: Hodgson was always a solid 4-4-2 man, but has found an adventurous spirit in his last couple of qualifying games. Will he be brave enough to take that to Brazil?
Most likely to: Get knocked out on penalties...
France
Population: 65.7 million
National dish: Cassoulet – simmered white beans and meat
National anthem: The Marseillaise
Best World Cup finish: Winners 1998
Premier League pedigree: Hugo Lloris, Etienne Capoue (Spurs), Mathieu Debuchy, Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko, Loic Remy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle), Patrice Evra (Man Utd), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri (Man City), Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud (Arsenal).
Wing wizard: In Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, France have one of the planet's most exciting players
World Cup 2014: Zidane says a difficult draw is good for France
You Bleu-tie: Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema and Blaise Matuidi (L-R) celebrate qualification against Ukraine
MAGIC MOMENT
Emmanuel Petit’s late goal crowning a 3-0 win over Brazil in front of 75,000 in the Stade de France in the 1998 final – two days before Bastille Day.
Meet the coach: Didier Deschamps. France’s 1998 World Cup winning captain, as a club boss he won a League title in charge of Marseille and took Monaco to the Champions League final.
Meet the captain: Hugo Lloris. Tottenham keeper has worn the armband since previous manager Laurent Blanc gave it to him before Euro 2012.
Star man: Franck Ribery. Contender for the Ballon d’Or alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, his glittering wing play has helped Bayern Munich win the Champions League and three Bundesliga titles. UEFA’s Player of the year in 2012-13.
Watch out for: Paul Pogba: The boy who walked out on Manchester United because he wanted more game time is now blossoming at Juventus. Aged 20 he brings composure on the ball beyond his years.
Brothers in arms: Manchester United's Patrice Evra (left) embraces France manager Didier Deschamps
Leader: Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris is France skipper and set to be one of the tournament's top keepers
Vital statistic Franck Ribéry attempted more dribbles (107) than any other player in European qualification.
Coral odds to win: 20/1
Draw danger rating: 4/5
Talking tactics: Deschamps has been a cautious manager with a heavy emphasis on defence – until he suddenly inspired a brilliant play-off victory when he found his side 2-0 down. Will he follow the new path in Brazil, or go back to what he knows best?
Most likely to: Fall out with each other and all go on strike after a bad first game.
Germany
Population: 81.9 million
National dish: Sauerbraten – a pot roast of mainly beef but other meats can be used
National anthem: Das Deutschlandlied
Best World Cup finish: Winners 1954, 1974, 1990
Technique: Arsenal's record signing Mesut Ozil is also an integral part of Germany's playmaking power
Stalwart: Germany's Philipp Lahm could be named in the World Cup Dream Team for the third time
MAGIC MOMENT
Franz Beckenbauer, captain of the 1974 winning team, lifting the trophy as manager after triumph in Italy in 1990
Premier League pedigree: Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea),
Meet the coach: Joachim Low. Appointed assistant by Jurgen Klinsmann after Euro 2004, he stepped into the top job two years later and has produced a vibrant side that’s true to the traditions of a proud country.
Meet the captain: Philipp Lahm. Long-serving Bayern Munich full back with 104 caps was named in the Team of the Tournament by FIFA after both the last two World Cups.
Star man: Mesut Ozil. Brilliant eye for a killer pass, the man who became Arsenal’s record buy this summer made more assists than any player in Europe in his time at Real Madrid.
Watch out for: Toni Kroos. Bayern Munich midfielder already has more than 40 caps at the age of 23 and looks like he’s maturing just in time to take a World Cup by storm.
Guardian: Manuel Neuer is a fantastic No 1 for both Bayern Munich and the German national side
Tipped: This could be Toni Kroos' (left) big chance, eluding England's Jordan Henderson
Vital statistic No side attempted more passes than Germany during the European qualifiers (7588).
Coral odds to win: 5/1
Draw danger rating: 5/5
Talking tactics: It’s a 4-2-3-1 system with the emphasis on keeping the ball on the floor, attacking with pace, and picking off the right pass to create chances in the 18 yard box.
Most likely to: Win a penalty shoot out
Ghana
Population: 25.37 million
National dish: Fufu - yam mashed into a pulp served with peanut soup and meat
National anthem: God Bless Our Homeland Ghana
Best World Cup finish: Quarter finals, 2010
Star striker: Asamoah Gyan of Ghana (left) makes his way past Sunzu Stoppila of Zambia
MAGIC MOMENT
Asamoah Gyan smashing the winning goal in extra time against USA to set up a meeting with Uruguay, memorable for Luis Suarez’s handball that stopped what would have been the winner.
Premier League pedigree: Michael Essien (Chelsea), Derek Boateng (Fulham), Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal).
Meet the coach: James Kwesi Appiah. Stepped up last November after five years as assistant to first Claude Le Roy then Milovan Rajevac and Goran Stevanovic, the 53-year-old is the first black African to manage a side to qualification.
Meet the captain: Asamoah Gyan. Big striker left Sunderland to earn a fortune in the UAE with Al Ain, the 28-year-old wants to bury the memory of his penalty miss against Uruguay in 2010.
Star man: Kevin-Prince Boateng. Former Spurs and Portsmouth midfielder retired from international football but was convinced to come back last year and was key to qualification.
In action: Ghana's Derek Boateng (left) storms past Burkina Faso's Charles Kabored in qualifying
Vital statistic Ghana failed to score in just one of their eight qualification games for Brazil 2014.
Coral odds to win: 100/1
Draw danger rating: 3/5
Watch out for: Frank Acheampong: Anderlecht bought the 20-yeaar-old for a record fee from Thai Premier League side Buriram United. Just 5ft 7ins, great skill and devastating change of pace.
Talking tactics: Appiah has a family home in London and is a huge admirer of Arsenal’s style, so expect the ball to stay on the ground.
Most likely to: Spend the most time practising penalties after losing their 2010 shoot-out.
Big name: Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien (left) is still one of Ghana's top players
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