Argentina
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Key players: Gabriel Batistuta, Juan Sebastian Veron - Batistuta will be 32 when the finals come round but his instincts are still second to none. The AS Roma star, who holds the national scoring record ( 55 goals in 75 appearances), scored four goals in the 1994 finals and five more at France '98. Veron joined Man United from Lazio last summer and will be looking to complete a half century of caps at the finals.
World Cup record: 12 appearances (1930, 1934, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998). Best results: Winners (1978, 1986), finalists (1930, 1990). Qualification: 1st in Latin American group with 43 pts (13 wins, 4 draws, 1 defeat, 42 goals for, 15 against).
Spain
Coach: Jose Antonio Camacho
Key players: Raul, Fernando Morientes - Raul (24), has 19 goals in 43 internationals and has terrorised defences across Europe with Real Madrid, where he won Champions League titles in 1998 and 2000. He made his debut for Real at the age of 17. Morientes (25), has been hampered by recent injuries but forms a devastating partnership with Raul at Real.
World Cup record: 10 appearances (1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998). Best results: Semi-finals (1950), quarter finals (1986, 1994). Qualification: 1st in group 7 with 20 points (6 wins, 2 draws, 0 defeats, 21 goals scored, 4 goals against) ahead of Austria, Israel, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Liechtenstein.
Belgium
Coach: Robert Waseige
Key players: Marc Wilmots, Emile Mpenza - Veteran Wilmots just missed out on a German league title with Schalke 04 last season in his second spell with the club. In between-times, he played at Bordeaux. He won the UEFA Cup with Schalke in '97 and has played in two World Cup finals. Mpenza (23), has 11 goals in 31 internationals since his debut in 1997.
World Cup record: 10 appearances (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998). Best result: 4th (1986). Qualification: 2nd in group 6 behind Croatia with 17 points (5 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat, 25 goals for, 6 goals against) ahead of Scotland, Latvia and San Marino. Qualified following play-off victory against Czech Republic (1-0, 1-0).
Croatia
Coach: Mirko Jozic
Key players: Robert Jarni, Bosko Balaban - Jarni, at 33, is at the veteran stage of his career, but the Las Palmas defender is a key element of the national side. He played at US '94 for Yugoslavia, then starred as the Croats came third in 1998. Balaban (23), came to Aston Villa from Dinamo Zagreb in August but is struggling to win a place. At international level he has scored six goals in 12 games.
World Cup record: 1 appearance (1998). Best result: 3rd (1998). Qualification: 1st in group 6 with 18 points (5 wins, 3 draws, 0 defeats, 15 goals for, 2 goals against) ahead of Belgium, Scotland, Latvia and San Marino.
Denmark
Coach: Morten Olsen
Key players: Ebbe Sand, Jan Heintze - Sand apeared at France '98 and plays for Schalke in Germany. He has scored 10 goals in 33 internationals. Before France '98 Sand suffered a testicular cancer scare but he recovered and has had no major health problems since. Defender Heintze (36), of PSV Eindhoven, brings experience to the side with more than 60 caps. World Cup record: 2 appearances (1986, 1998) Best result: Quarter finals (1998). Qualification: 1st in group 3 with 22 points (6 wins, 4 draws, 0 defeats, 22 goals for, 6 goals against) ahead of the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Malta.
England
Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson (Swe)
Key players: David Beckham, Michael Owen - Owen, who turns 22 on December 14th, has been in superlative form, despite a season punctuated by injury. He has scored 14 goals in 32 England games, and is remembered above all for the effort against Argentina at France '98. Beckham, 26, hauled England into the finals with his dramatic last-minute free-kick against Greece.
World Cup record: 10 appearances (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998). Best results: Winners (1966), 4th (1990). Qualification: 1st in group with 17 points (5 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat, 16 goals for, 6 goals against) ahead of Germany, Finland, Greece and Albania.
Poland
Coach: Jerzy Engel
Key players: Emmanuel Olisadebe, Jerzy Dudek - Olisadebe, originally from Nigeria, took Polish nationality last year and then moved to Greece's Panathinaikos on a long-term loan deal. He was one of Poland's star players in the qualifying campaign. Dudek has become first-choice goalkeeper at Liverpool following his summer move from Dutch side Feyenoord.
World Cup record: 5 appearances (1938, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986) Best results: 3rd (1974, 1982), quarter finals (1978). Qualification: 1st in group 5 with 21 points (6 wins, 3 draws, 1 defeat, 21 goals for, 11 goals against) ahead of Ukraine, Belarus, Norway, Wales, Armenia.
Portugal
Coach: Antonio Oliveira
Key players: Luis Figo, Rui Costa - Figo is 29, at his peak, and is ready to conquer the world, even if his chief target is the Champions League with Real Madrid. He has 72 caps with 21 goals scored for Portugal, for whom he has now been a regular for a decade. Rui Costa has bagged 18 goals in nearly 60 appearances for Portugal and has starred for six seasons at Fiorentina.
World Cup record: 2 appearances (1966, 1986). Best result: 3rd (1966). Qualification: 1st in group 2 with 24 points (7 wins, 3 draws, 0 defeats, 33 goals for, 7 goals against) Ireland, Netherlands, Estonia, Cyprus, Andorra.
Russia
Coach: Oleg Romantsev
Key players: Viktor Onopko, Vladimir Bestchastnykh - Onopko brings experience at the back with 90 caps. Has spent the past four seasons with Oviedo in Spain. Bestchastnykh started off with Spartak Moscow in their renowned youth academy, then moved to Werder Bremen in Germany. Moved to Spain in 1996 to Racing Santander before returning to Spartak last summer.
World Cup record: 1appearance as Russia (1994), 7 as the Soviet Union (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990). Qualification: 1st group 1 with 23 points (7 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat, 18 goals for, 5 goals against) ahead of Slovenia, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Faroe Isles and Luxembourg.
Sweden
Coach: Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback
Key players: Fredrik Ljungberg, Henrik Larsson - Ljungberg has forced his way into the Arsenal side since arriving from Halmstad three years ago. He has won 30 caps, and has scored two goals. Larsson has been the scourge of defenders in Scotland since joining Celtic in 1997. He has scored 21 times for Sweden in 64 games.
World Cup record: 9 appearances (1934, 1938, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994). Best results: Finalist (1958), 3rd (1950, 1994). Qualification: 1st in group 4 with 26 points (8 wins, 2 draws, 0 defeats, 20 goals for, 3 goals against) ahead of Turkey, Slovakia, Macedonia, Moldova, Azerbaijan.
Slovenia
Coach: Srecko Katanec
Key players: Zlatko Zahovic, Marinko Galic - Zahovic has never played club football in his homeland but is a national hero, having scored 27 goals in 55 internationals. He scored six times in 10 Euro 2000 qualifiers for Slovenia, and notched another three at the finals. Defender Galic has won more than 50 caps and won a Croatian league title in 1997 with Croatia Zagreb before moving on to Maribor.
World Cup record: 1st appearance. Qualification: 2nd in group 1 behind Russia with 23 points (7 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat, 18 goals for, 5 goals against) ahead of Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Faroe Isles, Luxembourg. Qualified following play-off victory against Romania (2-1, 1-1).
Brazil
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Key players: Rivaldo, Edmilson - Rivaldo says he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, but intends to win the Champions League first and follow up with the World Cup. He scored twice at France '98 and was elected the world's best player last year. He scored eight goals in the qualifiers. Edmilson, who made his debut in 1998, can also play in midfield.
World Cup record: 16 appearances (1930, 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998) Best results: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994), finalists (1950, 1998) Qualification: 3rd in Latin American group with 30 points (9 wins, 3 draws, 5 defeats, 31 goals scored, 17 goals against).
Turkey
Coach: Senol Gunes
Key players: Hakan Sukur, Tugay - Hakan Sukur is one of Europe's great predatory strikers, averaging a goal every other game in nearly 60 internationals. He has been in cold storage this year at Inter Milan. Midfielder Tugay Kerimoglu came over from Galatasaray to Rangers but did not establish himself in Glasgow and joined Blackburn Rovers. He played at Euro 2000 but was only on the fringes of the squad.
World Cup record: 1 appearance (1954). Qualification: 2nd in group 4 behind Sweden with 21 points (6 wins, 3 draws, 1 defeat, 18 goals for, 8 goals against) ahead of Slovakia, Macedonia, Moldova, Azerbaijan. Qualified following play-off victory against Austria (1-0, 5-0).
China
Coach: Bora Milutinovic
Key players: Zhang Zhyi, Ma Mingyu - Zhang is now at Dundee after a transfer from Crystal Palace where he was described as a defensive rock during several relegation battles and financial turmoil at the London club. Yugoslav coach Milutinovic has described him as the most important player in his squad. Ma is an experienced goalscoring midfielder who, in August 2000, became the first Chinese player to sign for a Serie A club when he joined Perugia.
World Cup record: First appearance. Qualification: Won final Asian group B with 19 points (6 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat, goals scored 13, goals against 2) ahead of UAE, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Oman.
Ecuador
Coach: Hernan Dario Gomez
Key players: Alex Aguinaga, Agustin Delgado - Aguinaga hopes to star in the world stage for the World Cup debutants after an impressive qualifying campaign at the hub of the midfield. He has won more than 80 caps and scored twice in the qualifiers. The 33-year-old made his international debut in 1987. Delgado was joint top scorer (with Argentina's Hernan Crespo) in qualifying and the hopes of a nation are riding on the 26-year-old's shoulders.
World Cup record: 1st appearance. Qualification: 2nd in Latin American group with 31 points (9 wins, 4 draws, 5 defeats, 23 goals scored, 20 goals against).
Saudi Arabia
Coach: Nasser al-Johar
Key players: Sami Al Jaber, Abdullah Sheehan - Al Jaber, an evergreen striker, is national captain and had a brief if unhappy sojourn at Wolves. He scored one of the goals in the 4-1 thrashing of Thailand to ensure the Saudis progressed to their third successive Cup finals. Sheehan's goals in the latter stages of the qualifying tournament gave the Saudis a vital impetus.
World Cup record: 3rd appearance (1994, 1998, 2002). Best result: Last 16 in 1994. Qualification: Won Asian final Group A with 17 points, (5 wins, two draws, one defeat, goals scored 17, goals against 8) ahead of Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, Thailand.
Uruguay
Coach: Victor Pua
Key players: Alvaro Recoba, Dario Silva - Inter Milan star Recoba was last season reputedly the best paid player in Italy, having made his name with Venezia on loan. He was banned for a year (reduced to four months) after being caught up in the false passport dragnet. Dario Silva of Malaga was his country's top scorer in the qualifiers with five goals, and hit the opening goal against Australia in the play-off return.
World Cup record: 9 appearances (1930, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1986, 1990). Best record: Winners (1930, 1950), 4th (1954, 1970). Qualification: 5th in Latin American group with 30 points (7 wins, 6 draws, 5 defeats, 19 goals scored, 13 goals against). Qualified following Latin American-Oceania play-off victory over Australia (0-1, 3-0).
France
Coach: Roger Lemerre
Key players: Zinedine Zidane, David Trezeguet - Zidane, regarded by many as the best player in the world, first laid claim to that title with his two goals in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil. Trezeguet, who has Argentinian origins, made his name at Monaco, with whom he won the league title in 1997 and 2000. He scored once in six matches at France '98 and is in good form for Juventus.
World Cup record: 10 appearances (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998). Best results: Winners (1998), 3rd (1958, 1986), 4th (1982) Qualification: Qualified as holders.
Paraguay
Coach: Sergio Markarian
Key players: Jose Luis Chilavert, Roque Santa Cruz - Veteran goalkeeper Chilavert was, bizarrely, one of the top dozen scorers in the Latin American qualifiers with four goals, owing to his his penchant for taking penalties and free-kicks. Santa Cruz is establishing himself at Bayern Munich, for whom the 20-year-old signed two years ago from Olimpia de Asuncion for £8 million. He bagged three goals in qualifying.
World Cup record: 5 appearances (1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998). Best results: Last 16 (1986, 1998). Qualification: 4th in Latin American group with 30 points (9 wins, 3 draws, 6 defeats, 29 goals scored, 23 goals against).
Cameroon
Coach: Winfried Schaefer (Ger)
Key players: Patrick Mboma, Rigobert Song - Defender Song has just joined Cologne after less than successful spells with Liverpool and West Ham. He won a 2000 African Nations Cup medal but was sent off at US '94 against Brazil. Mboma, who had spells with Paris Saint Germain in the mid-1990s, joined Gamba Osaka of Japan in 1997 and then moved to Cagliari. He played three games and scored once at France '98. Olympic gold medalist last year.
World Cup record: 4 appearancess (1982, 1990, 1994, 1998). Best result: Quarter finals (1990) Qualification: 1st in regional group A with 19 points (6 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat).
Costa Rica
Coach: Alexandre Guimaraes
Key player: Paulo Wanchope, Jervis Drummond - Wanchope was one of the major stars of this year's Copa America, scoring five goals as Costa Rica reached the quarter-finals. The Manchester City forward's goals also helped to book a place in the finals. By then, Wanchope will have fully recovered from ankle surgery. Drummond, who has won more than 30 caps for his country, has for several years been a key element in the Costa Rican defence.
World Cup record: 1 appearances (1990) Best result: Last 16 (1990). Qualification: 1st in final CONCACAF regional group with 23 points (7 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat, 17 goals for, 10 goals against).
Mexico
Coach: Javier Aguirre
Key players: Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Alberto Garcia Aspe, Rafael Marquez - Blanco is a long-established member of the squad who played at France '98 while Aspe is a veteran to whom the Mexicans turned as their campaign threatened to come off the rails. Marquez has struggled to settle in a Monaco side having a poor season under Didier Deschamps.
World Cup record: 11 appearances (1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1978, 1986, 1994, 1998). Best result: Quarter finals (1970, 1986) Qualification: 2nd in final regional CONCACAF group with 17 points (5 wins, 2 draws, 3 defeats, 16 goals scored, 9 goals against).
Nigeria
Coach: Shuaibu Amodu
Key players: Sunday Oliseh, Nwangko Kanu - Oliseh, 27, is a midfielder with Borussia Dortmund and was an Olympic Games gold medallist in 1996. Kanu, still only 25, shot to prominence in winning a Champions Cup with Ajax, but after a move to Inter Milan in 1996 it was revealed he had a heart problem. Fought back and moved to Arsenal, where he has struggled to claim a regular spot. African Footballer of the Year in 1996 and 1999 and won the Olympics in 1996.
World Cup record: 2 appearances (1994, 1998). Best result: Last 16 (1994, 1998). Qualification: 1st in regional group B with 16 points (5 wins, 1 draws, 2 defeats, 15 goals scored, 3 goals against).
Senegal
Coach: Bruno Metsu (Fra)
Key players: Ferdinand Coly, El-Hadji Diouf - Coly (28), is hoping to land a French league title this year with current leaders Lens, for whom he has been turning in some highly-polished performances. The defender arrived at the club from Chateauroux in 1999. Striker El Hadji Diouf has been equally effective this season with Lens, and was probably his country's most consistent player in qualifying.
World Cup record: 1st appearance. Qualification: 1st in regional group C with 15 points (4 wins, 3 draws, 1 defeat, 14 goals scored, 2 goals against) ahead of Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Namibia. Also played a preliminary against Benin.
South Africa
Coach: Carlos Queiroz (Por)
Key players: Shaun Bartlett, Lucas Radebe - Striker Bartlett (29), joined Charlton a year ago after a spell with FC Zurich. He has scored a record 24 goals for his country in 58 games. Radebe, of Leeds, lost the captaincy to Bartlett earlier this year and has also had knee problems. Queiroz relieved Radebe of the skipper's armband following absences due to injuries and club commitments.
World Cup record: 1appearance. (1998) Qualification: 1st in regional group E with 15 points (5 wins, 0 draws, 0 defeats, 9 goals scored, 2 goals against), ahead of Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Malawi. Also played a preliminary against Lesotho.
Tunisia
Coach: Henri Michel (Fra)
Key players: Adel Sellimi, Zoubeir Beya - Freiburg's Sellimi has won more than 70 international caps and has been in the Bundesliga for three seasons. The 29-year-old previously played for Club Africain Tunis. Midfielder Beya (30), has won more than 50 caps and joined Besiktas in Turkey in the summer. The midfielder played at France '98.
World Cup record: 2 appearances (1978, 1998). Qualification: 1st in regional group D with 20 points (6 wins, 2 draws, 0 defeats, 23 goals scored, 4 goals against) ahead of Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Madagascar, Congo. Also played a preliminary against Mauritania.
United States
Coach: Bruce Arena
Key players: Joe-Max Moore, Claudio Reyna - Moore has been chancing his arm in England with Everton but the midfielder is not a regular. He arrived at Goodison Park from New England Revolution in 1999 after spells in Germany, and is closing in on a century of caps. Reyna has been blowing hot and cold at Glasgow Rangers, but the club have rejected a bid for the midfielder from Sunderland.
World Cup record: 6 appearancess (1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994, 1998). Best result: Semi-final (1930) Qualification: 3rd in final regional CONCACAF group with 17 points (5 wins, 2 draws, 3 defeats, 16 goals scored, 9 goals against).
Germany
Coach: Rudi Voller
Key players: Oliver Kahn, Michael Ballack - Keeper Kahn is at the peak of his career with European and world champions Bayern Munich. He made his full German debut in June 1995 in a win over Switzerland and now has 41 caps. Ballack was the hero of the play-off against Ukraine, scoring in both legs. He has scored six goals in 21 matches for Germany.
World Cup record: 14 appearances (1934, 1938, 1994, 1998 as Germany; 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990 as West Germany). Best results: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990), finalists (1966, 1982, 1986). Qualification: 2nd in group 9 behind England with 17 points (5 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat, goals for 14, goals against 10) ahead of Finland, Greece and Albania. Qualified after play-off victory over Ukraine (1-1 and 4-1)
Italy
Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni
Key players: Paolo Maldini, Francesco Totti - Maldini, son of former coach Cesare, came to prominence at Euro '88 and has been a rock in defence since. Last year he set an Italian record when winning his 113th cap and now has 117. Totti (25), has scored four goals in 23 internationals since his debut in October 1998 in a home win over Switzerland. Trapattoni says he will make Totti the heart of his team.
World Cup record: 14 appearances (1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998). Best results: Winners (1934, 1938, 1982), finals (1986, 1994), 3rd (1990). Qualification: 1st in group 8 with 20 points (6 wins, 2 draws, 0 defeats, 16 goals scored, 3 goals against) ahead of Romania, Georgia, Hungary, Lithuania.
Japan
Coach: Philippe Troussier
Key players: Hidetoshi Nakata, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi - Nakata helped AS Roma to the Serie A title last season before being offloaded to Parma in the summer. Japan's highest profile player has never had an easy relationship with coach Philippe Troussier and missed last year's Asian Cup triumph. Kawaguchi is Japanese captain and goalkeeper whose shotstopping skills inspired his country to the Asian Cup in Lebanon.
World Cup record: 2nd appearance; 1998 1st rd. Qualification: Automatic as co-hosts with South Korea
South Korea
Coach: Guus Hiddink
Main players: Lee Dong-Sook, Jae Won Sim - Lee is known as the 'Lion King' for his flowing red mane of hair and is pretty savage if presented with a chance in front of goal. He was leading scorer at the 2000 Asian Cup even though he came into the tournament carrying an injury. Jae is one of the few Koreans playing in European football. The 24-year-old defender was loaned for a season from Hyundai Pusan to Eintracht Frankfurt in August.
World Cup record: 5th appearance (1986, 1990, 1998, 2002) Qualification: Automatic as co-hosts with Japan.
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