Professional Documents
Culture Documents
THIS MONTH
6 From the Editor
10 The View from Brazil Tim Vickery looks forward
to Brazil 2014 and back to Brazil 1950
14 Ofcials A list of all the referees and assistant
referees ofciating in Brazil
16 Contributors The global contributors behind
this special issue of World Soccer
18 The stadiums A guide to the 12 stadiums that
will host this years tournament
154 The games The 2014 World Cup schedule,
group by group, match by match
THE TEAMS
World Soccers guide to the 32 nalists, with opinions and predictions from our
global network of correspondents, plus detailed squad lists and tactics.
20
26
32
36
40
44
48
52
56
60
64
68
72
76
80
84
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Brazil
Cameroon
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Ecuador
England
France
Germany
Ghana
88
92
96
100
104
108
112
116
120
124
128
132
136
140
144
148
Greece
Holland
Honduras
Iran
Italy
Ivory Coast
Japan
Mexico
Nigeria
Portugal
Russia
South Korea
Spain
Switzerland
Uruguay
USA
SAVE MONEY ON
world soccer
History in
the making
For all its problems, Brazil 2014 offers a stage
for the great players to leave a lasting legacy
6 WORLD SOCCER
World Soccer 7
NEXT MONTH
June Issue
July Issue
l World Cup
interview special
l On sale July 18
Simulated view
Tim
VICKERY
THE VIEW FROM BRAZIL
10 WORLD SOCCER
World Soccer
11
Big occasion...Brazil and Uruguay meet at the Maracana in 1950 in front of a crowd estimated to be over 200,000
Final disappointment...the Brazilian players line up before the 1950 World Cup Final clash with Uruguay
12 WoRlD SoCCeR
Howard WEBB
Nawaf SHUKRALLA
Assistants:
Benjamin WILLIAMS
Australia; int deb: 2005
Assistants:
djamel Haimoudi
AFrIcA
Neant ALIOUM
Daniel BENNETT
ocEANIA
Norbert HAUATA
Tahiti; int deb: 2008
Peter OLEARY
New Zealand; int deb: 2003
Assistants:
Jan Hendrik Hintz (NZ)
ravinesh Kumar (Fij)
Mark rule (NZ)
Bakary GASSAMA
Gambia; int deb: 2007
Djamel HAIMOUDI
Algeria; int deb: 2004
Assistants:
redouane Achik (Mor)
Jean claude Birumushahu (Bur)
djibril camara (Sen)
Abdel etchiali (Alg)
Felicien Kabanda (rwa)
evarist Menkouande (cam)
Marwa range (Ken)
Songuifolo Yeo (Ivc)
Victor carrillo
SouTH AMErIcA
Victor CARRILLO
Nicola rizzoli
EuropE
Felix BRYCH
Germany; int deb: 2007
Cuneyt CAKIR
Turkey; int deb: 2006
Enrique OSSES
walter lopez
coNcAcAF
Joel AGUILAR
el Salvador; int deb: 2001
Jonas ERIKSSON
Sweden; int deb: 2002
Holland; int deb: 2006
Serbia; int deb: 2009
Norway; int deb: 2005
Marco RODRIGUEZ
Mexico; int deb: 1999
Yuichi Nishimura
ASIA
Pedro PROENCA
Portugal; int deb: 2003
Alireza FAGHANI
Nicola RIZZOLI
Ravshan IRMATOV
14 World Soccer
Sandro RICCI
Wilmar ROLDAN
Carlos ALFREDO VERA
ecuador; int deb: 2006
Walter LOPEZ
Guatemala; int deb: 2006
Milorad MAZIC
Nestor PITTANA
Mark GEIGER
USA; int deb: 2008
Bjorn KUIPERS
Assistants:
eric Boria (USA)
Joe Fletcher (can)
Sean Hurd (USA)
leonel leal (cr)
Marcos Quintero (Mex)
Marvin Torrentera (Mex)
Assistants:
rodney Aquino (Par)
carlos Astroza (chl)
Juan Pablo Belatti (Arg)
emerson de carvalho (Bra)
Humberto clavijo (col)
eduardo diaz (col)
christian lescano (ecu)
Hernan Maidana (Arg)
Sergio roman (chl)
Byron romero (ecu)
Marcelo Van Gasse (Bra)
CONTRIBUTORS
Summer 2014
WORLD
CUP
2014
COLLECTORS
ISSUE
736 player proles
Inside story on
every team
Expert analysis
and opinion
PAGES OF
ESSENTIAL
INFO
EDITOR
Gavin Hamilton
ART EDITOR
Gary Payne
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Nich Hills
PICTURE EDITOR
Duncan Bond
NEWS EDITOR
Jamie Rainbow
EDITORIAL SECRETARY
June Hiscock
PICTURES
Pictures copyright: Press Association Images,
Getty Images, Action Images and Reuters
Thanks this issue to
Mike Hughes, Debbie Millett, Peter Neish,
David Preston
EDITORIAL
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street,
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WORLD
SOCCER
WORLD
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16 WORLD
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16
The stadiums
Costing an estimated US$3.47 billion, 12 stadiums in 12 different cities will play host
to this years World Cup fnals. Seven of the grounds are brand new, while the other
fve have been extensively renovated to meet FIFA requirements.
1 Estadio do Maracana
2 Estadio Minerao
18 World Soccer
4 Arena pantanal
RIO DE JANEIRO
BELO HORIZONTE
Estadio Minerao
Capacity: 62,547
World Cup 2014 Matches:
7 Arena Amazonia
BRASILIA
9 Estadio Beira-Rio
CUIABA
Arena Pantanal
Capacity: 42,968
World Cup 2014 Matches:
Jun 13: chile v Australia
Jun 17: russia v South Korea
Jun 21: Nigeria v BosniaHerzegovina
Jun 24: Japan v colombia
5
CURITIBA
Arena da Baixada
Capacity: 41,456
World Cup 2014 Matches:
Jun 16: Iran v Nigeria
Jun 20: Honduras v ecuador
Jun 23: Australia v Spain
Jun 26: Algeria v russia
6
10 Arena Pernambuco
MANAUS
Arena Amazonia
Capacity: 42,374
World Cup 2014 Matches:
5 Arena da Baixada
Estadio do Maracana
Capacity: 76,804
World Cup 2014 Matches:
FORTALEZA
Estadio Castelao
Capacity: 64,846
World Cup 2014 Matches:
NATAL
PORTO ALEGRE
Estadio Beira-Rio
Capacity: 48,849
World Cup 2014 Matches:
RECIFE
Arena Pernambuco
Capacity: 44,248
World Cup 2014 Matches:
Jun 14: Ivory coast v Japan
Jun 20: Italy v costa rica
Jun 23: croatia v Mexico
Jun 26: USA v Germany
Jun 29: 2nd round d1 v c2
11
SALVADOR
SAO PAULO
World Soccer 19
ALGERIA
Modest group raises
Algerian hopes
Fennec Foxes look to nally realise their potential
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 24
May 29
May 31
Jun 4
Jun 6
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Belo Horizonte
335 miles
507 miles
Sorocaba
Curitiba
176 miles
Porto Alegre
GROUP H FIXTURES
Jun 17
v Belgium (Belo Horizonte)
Jun 22
v South Korea (Porto Alegre)
Jun 26
v Russia (Curitiba)
20 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
How he got
the job
Appointed with the
task of reaching the
semi-fnals of the
2013 African
Nations Cup and
qualifying for the
World Cup. Kept his
job despite his
failure to fulfl the
frst part of that agreement.
Past successes as a coach
Won the African Champions League
with Raja Casablanca in 1997, the
French league with Lille in 2000 and
the French Cup with Paris SaintGermain in 2004.
Past failures as a coach
Fired by PSG after the side dropped to
seventh in Ligue 1. Was sacked by Ivory
Coast just a few months before the
start of the 2010 World Cup following
the teams shock defeat by Angola in
the quarter-fnals of the African
Nations Cup.
achievements as a player
Top goalscorer in Frances Ligue 1
in 1983 and 1985 while playing for
Nantes.
World cup experience
Played 60 minutes in two substitute
appearances for Yugoslavia during
the 1982 tournament in Spain.
Relationship with the media
Notoriously testy as he frequently
ignores press conferences.
Relationship with the public
Supporters have a guarded admiration
for the Bosnian, a situation boosted by
their World Cup qualifcation.
Style of management/coaching
Hard-nosed and tempestuous with
frequent touch-line outbursts.
World Soccer 21
algeria squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalkeepers
5
0
27
0
kiTs
4
0
Azzedine DoukhA
Rais MBolhi
Mohamed zEMMAMouChE
USM El Harrach
Age 27 (05.08.86)
Third choice who lacks the
necessary height for international
level but is known as a strong
shot-stopper. captain of his club
and a rarity as an African-based
player in a World cup squad.
USM Alger
Age 29 (19.03.85)
Was the last player cut when
coach rabah Saadane fnalised
his 23-man squad for the 2010
tournament, but could now be
frst choice in Brazil. His form
this season helped his club to
win the Algerian league title.
defenders
12
0
61
4
Essaid BElkAlEM
Granada (Spa)
Age 25 (01.01.89)
Sluggish centre-back with an
imposing presence who has
not had much game time on
loan at Watford in the english
championship this season.
represented Algeria at the
2013 Military World cup.
midfielders
1
0
liassine CADAMuRo
faouzi ghoulAM
Rafk hAlliChE
Napoli (Ita)
Age 23 (01.02.91)
French-born left-back whose
elder brother, Nabil, ran for France
at the 2004 World cross country
championships. Moved from
Saint-etienne to Napoli on a
four-and-a-half year contract
in January.
Academica (Por)
Age 27 (02.09.86)
centre-back who is fnding his
feet again after a series of injuries
curtailed his time at Fulham. Was
sent off in the semi-fnals of the
2010 Nations cup, but played in
all three games at the World cup
fnals later that year.
forwards
17
5
27
2
Sofane fEghouli
Yacine BRAhiMi
Granada (Spa)
Age 24 (08.02.90)
Played in the France side that
reached the euro Under-19
semi-fnals in 2009 before
switching his international
allegiance in February 2013
and making his Algeria debut
a month later.
16
1
Valencia (Spa)
Age 24 (26.12.89)
creative force with an array of
skills. can be used either on the
right side of the attack or in a
more central role and has a
12m price tag on his head
as he is likely to be sold after
the tournament in Brazil.
28
0
Adlene guEDiouRA
Medhi lACEN
Getafe (Spa)
Age 30 (15.03.84)
Born in Paris to an Algerian father
and an Italian mother. He was frst
called up by Algeria in 2006 but
missed out on the 2010 Nations
cup fnals because his wife was
pregnant. Has since gone on to
captain his country several times.
18
9
4
1
ishak BElfoDil
Ryad BouDEBouz
Nabil ghilAS
Bastia (Fra)
Age 24 (19.02.90)
looks to have patched up his
differences after a falling-out
with Halilhodzic which saw him
sidelined after last years Nations
cup. represented France at junior
level but switched to Algeria to
play at the 2010 World cup.
Porto (Por)
Age 24 (20.04.90)
A late surge of form at club level
this year has put him in contention.
Born in Marseille, he made a
belated start to his professional
career three years ago, at
Moreirense in Portugal, after which
he moved to champions Porto.
World Soccer
27
1
Madjid BoughERRA
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 22 (12.01.92)
did not make the grade at Paris
Saint-Germain before moving to
Italy, where he tried to live up
to his early potential at Bologna,
Inter and livorno (on loan). Made
his international debut last August
after opting for Algeria over France.
22
Second kit
Lekhwiya (Qat)
Age 31 (07.10.82)
Tough skipper who won the league
title in Qatar again this term.
French-born, he played at the
2010 fnals and won the Scottish
Premier league three times with
rangers. Always useful going
forward at set-pieces.
Nabil BENtAlEB
2
0
5
0
6
0
4
0
First kit
20
10
islam SliMANi
Sporting Lisbon (Por)
Age 25 (18.06.88)
Voted Algerian player of the year
for 2013 and moved to europe
from chabab Belouizdad last
summer. Made his international
debut in May 2012 and was
Algerias top scorer in the 2014
World cup qualifers.
El Arabi SouDANi
Dinamo Zagreb (Cro)
Age 26 (25.11.87)
Among the few players in the
squad who originally hail from
a club in Algeria, having spent
six seasons at ASo chlef before
moving to Vitoria Guimaraes, and
then croatia. Scorer of some vital
goals in the qualifying campaign.
TACTICS
4-3-2-1
Safety-rst approach
Zemmamouche
Ghoulam
Mesbah
Medjani
Bougherra
Taider
Bentaleb
Yebda
Feghouli
Soudani
Slimani
1
0
24
1
25
0
Fethi HAREK
Carl MEDJANI
Djamel MESBAH
Bastia (Fra)
Age 31(21.10.82)
Back in the frame six years after
his only cap and set to be the
back-up at left-back in Brazil. His
return to the international scene
comes after a strong season in
France after winning promotion
with Bastia two years ago.
Monaco (Fra)
Age 29 (15.05.85)
Can play in central defence or as
a defensive mid elder. Has spent
this season on loan to Olympiakos
in Greece and then Valenciennes
of France. Born in Lyon, he
captained France under-21s
before switching allegiance.
Parma (Ita)
Age 29 (09.10.84)
Left-back who can also play in
the mid eld and even played as
a makeshift striker for Lecce in
Serie A. Selected for the rst time
by Algeria just before the 2010
World Cup nals, where he made
one appearance.
24
2
9
3
Saphir TAIDER
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 22 (29.02.92)
Has not missed a match for
Algeria since his debut against
Benin in the World Cup quali ers
last year, where he scored. His
elder brother, Nabil, plays for
Tunisia where their father hails
from; their mother is Algerian.
Hassan YEBDA
Udinese (Ita)
Age 30 (14.05.84)
Has played for clubs in France,
Portugal, England, Italy and Spain,
including Ben ca, Portsmouth and
Napoli. Was a world champion at
under-17 level with France in 2001
and played all three games at the
last World Cup nals for Algeria.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Aissa MANDI (D, Age 22, 22.10.91, 1/0, Reims, Fra)
Ali RIAL (D, Age 34, 26.03.80, 0/0, JS Kabylie)
Mehdi MOSTEFA (M, Age 30, 30.08.83, 22/0,
Ajaccio, France)
Ra k DJEBBOUR (F, Age 30, 08.03.84, 33/5,
Nottingham Forest, Eng)
Foued KADIR (F, Age 30, 05.12.83, 23/2, Rennes,
Fra)
Riyad MAHREZ (F, Age 23, 21.02.91, 0/0, Leicester
City, Eng)
4-2-3-1
Zemmamouche
Mesbah
Bougherra Medjani
Yebda
Feghouli
Ghoulam
Bentaleb
Taider
Soudani
Slimani
WORLD SOCCER
23
ARGENTINA
Its not all about attack
for Sabellas men
Goals shouldnt be a problem, but there are defensive worries
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Jun 4
Jun 7
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Vespasiano
Belo Horizonte
15 miles
833 miles
Rio
de Janeiro
272 miles
Porto Alegre
GROUP F FIXTURES
Jun 15
v Bosnia-Herzegovina (Rio de Janeiro)
Jun 21
v Iran (Belo Horizonte)
Jun 25
v Nigeria (Porto Alegre)
26 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Alejandro SAbellA
Age 59 (05.11.54)
Argentina coach since August 2011
World Soccer 27
ARGENTINA SQUAD
123
12
caps
goals
GOALKEEPERS
10
0
3
0
Mariano ANDUJAR
Catania (Ita)
Age 30 (30.07.83)
Veteran of Sabellas Libertadores
Cup-winning Estudiantes side, he
is Romeros understudy but has
impressed in Italy and there is
support from some of the local
media for him to start.
DEFENDERS
8
0
KITS
45
0
Sergio ROMERO
Agustin ORION
Boca Juniors
Age 32 (26.07.81)
A dip in form this season should
not prevent him from being third
choice in Brazil. Played in the
September 2011 friendlies
against Brazil that involved only
local players and was a regular
in the squad during qualifying.
13
0
Monaco (Fra)
Age 27 (22.02.87)
Installed as Argentinas number
one by Diego Maradona, Chiquito
was in goal at the 2010 World Cup.
Lapses of concentration in the last
of the quali ers have raised doubts
about his position, as has a lack of
rst-team action with his club.
18
0
24
2
Hugo CAMPAGNARO
Federico FERNANDEZ
Monterrey (Mex)
Age 30 (03.04.84)
Relatively unknown in Argentina
as he plays his club football in
Mexico, but drafted into the squad
to act as both back-up for central
defence and possibly left-back.
Dependable, but has not stood
out when called upon in quali ers.
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 33 (27.06.80)
Admitted to being surprised when
Sabella called him up for his
debut. Offers defensive cover
for the right-back position should
Zabaleta switch. Having played in
a back three in Italy, he is another
option in the centre.
Napoli (Ita)
Age 25 (21.02.89)
Solid centre-back who was
brought through both at club
and international level by Sabella.
Moved to Napoli in summer 2011
but spent a period last year on
loan at Spains Getafe before
returning to Serie A.
MIDFIELDERS
24
2
16
0
FORWARDS
50
21
Angel DI MARIA
Fernando GAGO
Boca Juniors
Age 28 (10.04.86)
The former Real Madrid man is
struggling to be t after suffering
a left-knee injury in April. With his
range of passing and vision, he is
important in linking defence with
attack and has no obvious likefor-like replacement.
Sergio AGUERO
28
WORLD SOCCER
Gonzalo HIGUAIN
Napoli (Ita)
Age 26 (10.12.87)
Only scored one goal less than
Messi in the quali ers, but played
three fewer matches. Pipita
is the reference point in attack,
proving clinical and effective, as
well as offering a huge work-rate
to test opposition defences.
84
37
29
4
96
2
Lucas BIGLIA
36
21
Ezequiel GARAY
Ben ca (Por)
Age 27 (10.10.86)
Strong, solid centre-back who
didnt play in the Copa America
but proved to be a key gure
in the World Cup quali ers.
Impressive penalty and free-kick
specialist, although hes behind
Messi in the pecking order.
47
0
45
9
Second kit
4
0
Lazio (Ita)
Age 28 (30.01.86)
Neither a straight swap for
Mascherano nor Gago, he has
earned himself a squad place
for bringing work-rate and crisp
passing when called upon. Has
often been employed by Sabella
late in games to shore up mid eld.
Ever BANEGA
Newells Old Boys
Age 25 (29.06.88)
Seen as the heir to Gago, but
injury and inconsistency have
prevented him staking a stronger
claim for a regular place. Moved
back to Argentina ahead of the
World Cup to try to gain extra
playing time.
First kit
Javier MASCHERANO
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 30 (08.06.84)
Mainstay in the national team
who has recovered his form
after passing on the captaincy to
Messi in 2011. Combative and
industrious, he maintains his role
in mid eld despite playing in the
centre of defence for Barcelona.
21
2
Ezequiel LAVEZZI
Lionel MESSI
Rodrigo PALACIO
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 26 (24.06.87)
Captain and star player. When hes
not scoring Argentinas goals hes
most likely setting them up. The
Maradona debate will never be
buried, but leading the side in
Brazil to success could be a
trump card in the argument.
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 32 (05.02.82)
His excellent form in Europe
has won him a place in Sabellas
thinking, even if memories of him
under performing at the 2006
World Cup linger. Strong alternative
in terms of characteristics that he
can bring to the side.
TACTICS
4-3-3
Romero
Rojo
Zabaleta
Garay
Fernandez
Gago
Di Maria
Mascherano
Messi
Aguero
Higuain
16
1
20
0
36
0
Nicolas OTAMENDI
Marcos ROJO
Pablo ZABALETA
Porto (Por)
Age 26 (12.02.88)
Central defender who was a
2011 Europa League winner with
Porto and will join Valencia in July.
Spent this season on loan to
Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro,
whose training complex will be
Argentinas World Cup base.
19
1
53
15
x
x
Maxi RODRIGUEZ
Jose SOSA
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Gino PERUZZI (D, Age 22, 09.02.92,
4/0, Catania, Ita)
Esteban CAMBIASSO (M, Age 33,
18.08.80, 52/5, Internazionale, Ita)
Augusto FERNANDEZ (M, Age 28,
10.04.86, 7/1, Celta Vigo, Spa)
Ricky ALVAREZ (F, Age 26, 12.04.88,
5/0, Internazionale, Ita)
MISSING OUT
Carlos Tevez is resigned to not being
part of the squad in Brazil, despite an
excellent season for Juventus.
5-3-2
Romero
Garay
Fernandez
Mascherano
Zabaleta
Gago
Biglia
Messi
Rojo
Di Maria
Aguero
WORLD SOCCER
29
WORLD CUP
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U18
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12
AUSTRALIA
The bigger picture
Socceroos will use nals to prepare for next year
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 26
End of May
Jun 2
Jun 6
BASE CAMP
Focal point...Australias Tim Cahill (no4)
BRAZIL
1,300 miles
Cuiaba
Victoria
795 miles
Curitiba
1,246 miles
Porto Alegre
GROUP B FIXTURES
Jun 13
v Chile (Cuiaba)
Jun 18
v Holland (Porto Alegre)
Jun 23
v Spain (Curitiba)
32 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Ange PoSteCoglou
Age 48 (27.08.65)
Australia coach since October 2013
Style of management/coaching
Proactive. Likes to attack, sometimes at
the expense of defence. Changed the
A-League with his commitment to
possession football at Brisbane Roar.
Notable backroom staff
His number two Ante Milicic is an
ex-Socceroo who previously assisted
Tony Popovic at Western Sydney
Wanderers. World Cup veteran Craig
Moore works as mentor to the squad.
After the World Cup
Build-up begins for Januarys Asian
Cup on home soil which he will be
expected to win.
World Soccer 33
australia squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalkeepers
8
0
3
0
Mitch lanGErak
Mat ryan
Eugene GalEkovic
Adelaide United
Age 33 (12.06.81)
First choice for his club for seven
years and the most consistent
stopper in the A-league. His
overseas career consists of just
two games for Portuguese side
Beira Mar. Went to the 2010
World cup as third choice.
defenders
5
0
7
0
Jason DaviDson
ivan FranJic
Brisbane Roar
Age 26 (10.09.87)
combined playing with a job on a
building site as a carpenter before
turning pro at 21. Super ft and
very mobile, he has developed
into a fne attacking full-back
whose next step is probably
a move to europe.
midfielders
73
13
oliver Bozanic
Mark BrEsciano
Al Gharafa (Qat)
Age 34 (11.02.80)
deep-lying playmaker preparing
for his third World cup. Both
a creator and a scorer of goals,
his many years of european
experience in Italys Serie A could
be crucial in Brazil. Famous for his
Spartacus goal celebration.
forwards
67
31
35
17
Tim cahill
Josh kEnnEDy
Nagoya Grampus (Jap)
Age 31 (20.08.82)
Appearing at his third World
cup after an eclectic career that
has taken him from Germany to
Japan. Nicknamed Jesus by fans
for his long-fowing locks and
beard which have since been
replaced by a shorter look.
34
World Soccer
ryan McGowan
Matthew sPiranovic
Western Sydney Wanderers
Age 25 (27.06.88)
Tall, rangy centre-back who is
comfortable on the ball and
equally at home in defensive
midfeld. His career stalled after
a bright start in Germany with
Nuremberg. Sister laura plays for
Melbourne Victorys ladies team.
27
2
Matt Mckay
Mile JEDinak
Brisbane Roar
Age 31 (11.01.83)
A late developer who made his
debut in 2006 but had to wait
three years for his next cap. Able
to play anywhere in midfeld or
at left-back, he is a busy, hard
runner and a fans favourite
at Brisbane.
4
3
6
1
17
0
45
1
Matthew lEckiE
FSV Frankfurt (Ger)
Age 23 (04.02.91)
Second striker or right-winger,
his powerful running, pace and
eye for goal earned him a move
to Borussia Monchengladbach
in 2011, but he is now in the
German second tier. once
modelled for lads mag FHM.
Second kit
curtis GooD
Newcastle United (Eng)
Age 21 (23.03.93)
central defender or left-back
who has struggled to break into
Newcastles frst-team. Injury
hampered his loan at dundee
United this season, but he played
at Wembley with Bradford city
in the 2013 league cup Final.
43
4
Lucerne (Swi)
Age 25 (08.01.89)
A central or left-sided midfelder,
he moved to Switzerland last
year and has established himself
as a hard worker and a regular
goalscorer. Previously tried his
luck in england with reading. Son
of ex-Socceroo Vic Bozanic.
First kit
8
0
1
0
Heracles (Hol)
Age 22 (29.06.91)
left-back who can also play
as a left-sided central defender.
Scored an own goal on his
international debut, against
Scotland. His grandmother is from
Hiroshima and his father, Alan,
played for Nottingham Forest.
2
0
kiTs
5
0
Mark MilliGan
Melbourne Victory
Age 28 (04.08.85)
Now a box-to-box central
midfelder, having made his name
as a centre-half, he is set to go to
his third World cup, but yet to take
to the feld. Victory turned down
bids from crystal Palace and Bani
Yas (Israel) for him this season.
x
x
adam TaGGarT
Newcastle Jets
Age 21 (02.06.93)
Pacy and direct, he has put
himself in the frame by winning
the golden boot in the A-league.
He and emile Heskey have
forged a proftable partnership at
Newcastle. Has a knack of scoring
goals from outside the box.
rodrigo Palacio
(Internazionale, Ita)
TACTICS
4-3-3
Ryan
Spiranovic
McGowan
Franjic
Davidson
Milligan
Jedinak
Bresciano
Leckie
Oar
Cahill
1
0
79
8
10
0
Alex WILKINSON
Luke WILKSHIRE
Michael ZULLO
Utrecht (Hol)
Age 25 (11.09.88)
A tenacious and tricky left-winger
who has been converted into a
left-back or left-sided mid elder.
Has spent the past year on loan
to Adelaide United after nding it
hard to secure a starting place in
the Eredivisie.
9
0
13
1
Tommy OAR
Utrecht (Hol)
Age 22 (10.12.91)
Plays centrally for his club
but on the left ank for his
country. Scored the goal
of the tournament at the
2011 Under-20 World Cup
with a 30-yard free-kick
against Ecuador.
21
2
Tomas ROGIC
Dario VIDOSIC
Celtic (Sco)
Age 21 (16.12.92)
Playmaker who, despite his talent,
is the latest to struggle with the
label of best since Harry Kewell.
On loan to Melbourne Victory
this season. Got his big break by
winning The Chance, run by the
Nike Football Academy.
Sion (Swi)
Age 27 (08.04.87)
Attacking mid elder who will be
going to his second World Cup,
although he nearly opted for
Croatia after being left out of the
2008 Australian Olympic squad.
His father, Rado, is assistant coach
to Frank Farina at Sydney.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Brad JONES (G, Age 32, 19.03.82, 4/0,
Liverpool, Eng)
Chris HERD (D, Age 25, 04.04.89, 0/0,
Aston Villa, Eng)
Lucas NEILL (D, Age 36, 09.03.78,
96/1, Watford, Eng)
Trent SAINSBURY (D, Age 22,
05.01.92, 0/0, PEC Zwolle, Hol)
James HOLLAND (M, Age 25,
15.05.89, 12/0, Austria Vienna, Aut)
Brett HOLMAN (M, Age 30, 27.03.84,
63/9, Al Nasr, UAE)
Massimo LUONGO (M, Age 21,
25.09.92, 1/0, Swindon Town, Eng)
Adam SAROTA (M, Age 25, 28.12.88,
4-5-1
Ryan
Franjic
McGowan
Milligan
Leckie
Spiranovic Davidson
Jedinak
Bresciano
Oar
Cahill
WORLD SOCCER
35
BELGIUM
Back in business
The Diables Rouges end a dozen years in the wilderness
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 19
May 25
Jun 1
Jun 7
Jun 10
BASE CAMP
On their way...Belgium players get in the World Cup spirit
BRAZIL
Belo Horizonte
392 miles
Rio de Janeiro
254 miles
GROUP H FIXTURES
Jun 17
v Algeria (Belo Horizonte)
Jun 22
v Russia (Rio de Janeiro)
Jun 26
v South Korea (Sao Paulo)
36 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Marc WilMots
Age 45 (22.02.69)
Belgium coach since May 2012
How he got
the job
Became assistant
to national coach
Dick Advocaat
in 2009 and
remained as
number two under
Georges Leekens.
Past successes as a coach
None.
Past failures as coach
In 2004-05, he coached Sint-Truiden,
the club where he had started his
playing career in 1987. He was sacked
after just six months.
Achievements as a player
Won the title with Mechelen in 1989.
After fve seasons with Standard Liege,
he joined Schalke in 1996 and helped
them to win the UEFA Cup in 1997,
scoring the decisive penalty in a
shoot-out with Internazionale.
World Cup experience
He went to four World Cups as a player
but did not play in 1990 and made just
one appearance in 1994. Was everpresent in midfeld in 1998 and had a
goal disallowed in the 2002 quarterfnal against Brazil.
Relationship with the media
Generally keeps the press on a tight
rein, but this has not been a problem
during his successful period in charge.
Relationship with public
As Belgium have qualifed, with a squad
that plays in Europes major leagues, he
can do no wrong.
style of management/coaching
He demands loyalty and discipline from
his players and in return hes loyal to
those who have brought him success.
Very much a hands-on coach and
happiest out on the training pitch.
Notable backroom staff
Vital Borkelmans was in the 1994
World Cup squad with Wilmots, while
chief physio Lieven Maesschalck has
worked with players from many nations.
After the World Cup
Has signed for four more years, taking
him beyond the Euros and up to 2018.
World Soccer 37
Belgium squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalkeepers
15
0
15
0
Thibaut CourTois
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 22 (11.05.92)
Undisputed frst choice and
arguably one of the top fve in
the world, he stands 6ft 6in and
has an arm span of 6ft 9in. His
sister, Valerie, is an international
volleyball player. on loan to
Atletico Madrid since July 2011.
defenders
32
1
midfielders
Anderlecht
Age 31 (23.05.83)
A great shot-stopper but with a
reputation for being outspoken.
There have been stories in the
press, which have since been
denied, that he once refused to
be in the squad if it meant he
would only be third choice.
laurent CiMAn
Standard Liege
Age 28 (05.08.85)
A centre-back who gets his
place in the squad as reserve
right-back. Versatile defender
who has enjoyed an effective
season with his club side and
Wilmots appreciates his loyalty
to the cause.
20
4
First kit
25
2
57
4
Toby Alderweireld
18
2
silvio proTo
simon MignoleT
Liverpool (Eng)
Age 26 (06.03.88)
First choice for his club but
on the bench for his country.
once criticised by courtois for
suggesting that he should be
number one. Speaks fve
languages and has a degree
in political science.
8
0
kiTs
13
0
12
0
nic loMBAerTs
Vincent KoMpAny
Manchester City (Eng)
Age 28 (10.04.86)
The squads leader on and off the
pitch. Hes invested in a football
club BX Brussels to give youth
a chance, has his own limo service
and dabbles in the music business.
Supports charities in dr congo,
which is his fathers birthplace.
Zenit (Rus)
Age 29 (20.03.85)
reserve centre-back, he was
voted best foreign player in
the russian league in 2012 and
is a big fans favourite at Zenit.
Nicknamed The Mountain, he
speaks four languages and has
a law degree.
55
5
42
2
Second kit
seb poCognoli
Hanover (Ger)
Age 26 (01.08.87)
reserve left-back. His move to
Hanover last year got him a place
in the national squad but rarely
one in the Bundesliga side. A
member of Belgiums olympic
squad in 2008.
48
8
nacer ChAdli
Kevin de Bruyne
steven deFour
Moussa deMBele
Marouane FellAini
Wolfsburg (Ger)
Age 22 (28.06.91)
Infuential in the qualifers and the
teams leading scorer with four
goals. Had a tough time at
chelsea following his 2012 move
from Genk but is fnding his form
again at Wolfsburg. A regular on
the wing or in midfeld.
Porto (Por)
Age 26 (15.04.88)
Standard lieges youngest-ever
captain when he was 19. National
team-mate Witsel was once in
his shadow but defour is now
something of a bit player at Porto.
His qualities are still appreciated
by Wilmots, though.
43
5
forwards
0
0
27
5
0
0
43
9
Michy BATshuAyi
eden hAzArd
romelu luKAKu
Kevin MirAllAs
Standard Liege
Age 20 (02.10.93)
Anderlecht couldnt handle him as
a teenager but he has resurrected
his career at Standard. Known for
his speed, attitude, goalscoring
and inconsistency. An under-21
international.
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 23 (07.01.91)
Undoubtedly talented but has
rarely performed for Belgium.
Famously left the stadium and was
spotted at a burger stall during a
game against Turkey in 2011 after
he had appeared as a sub and was
then substituted himself.
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 21 (13.05.93)
leading scorer in the Belgian
league at 16 and now regularly
among the goals in england but
on loan rather than with chelsea.
Wilmots always preferred Benteke
but his injury now makes lukaku
the main striker.
Everton (Eng)
Age 26 (05.10.87)
After playing in a UeFA cup match
for lille at 16 his career nosedived, but hes now quietly
becoming a key fgure for club
and country via spells at Saintetienne and olympiakos. can play
centre-forward or on the wing.
38
World Soccer
TACTICS
4-3-3
Courtois
Alderweireld
Kompany
Vertonghen
Vermaelen
Witsel
Dembele
Chadli
De Bruyne
Hazard
Lukaku
77
10
46
1
55
4
Thomas VERMAELEN
Jan VERTONGHEN
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 28 (14.11.85)
Vice-captain and centre-back.
One of several players in the
squad who started out with
Germinal Beerschot before
moving to Ajax. Has endured an
injury-hit season at the Emirates,
where he is no longer rst choice.
93
6
23
2
46
5
Dries MERTENS
Timmy SIMONS
Napoli (Ita)
Age 27 (06.05.87)
Discarded by Anderlecht for being
too small, he carved out a career
in Holland, at Utrecht and PSV,
before becoming a favourite at
Napoli. Fast, clever winger who
scores and makes goals.
Club Brugge
Age 37 (11.12.76)
Hugely inuential and respected
by all, he was a member of the
2002 World Cup squad. In 2012,
he covered more miles in the
Bundesliga than any other player.
Second only to Jan Ceulemans in
terms of all-time caps for Belgium.
Axel WITSEL
Zenit (Rus)
Age 25 (12.01.89)
Wilmots trusted lieutenant,
dictating play from his position
in front of the back four. Rarely
makes an error, rarely injured.
Left Ben ca for Zenit in
September 2012 in a deal
worth a reported 40m.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Colin COOSEMANS (G, Age 21,
03.08.92, 0/0, Waasland-Beveren)
Thomas KAMINSKI (G, Age 21,
23.10.92, 0/0, Anderlecht)
Anthony VANDEN BORRE (D, Age
26, 24.10.87, 24/1, Anderlecht)
Thorgan HAZARD (M, Age 21,
29.03.93, 1/0, Chelsea, Eng)
Adnan JANUZAJ (M, Age 19,
05.02.95, 0/0, Manchester Utd, Eng)
Radja NAINGGOLAN (M, Age 26,
04.05.88, 5/1, Cagliari, Ita)
Divock ORIGI (F, Age 19, 18.04.95,
Lille, Fra)
4-4-2
Courtois
Alderweireld
Kompany
De Bruyne
Vertonghen
Vermaelen
Dembele
Witsel
Mirallas
Lukaku
Hazard
WORLD SOCCER
39
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 15
May 31
Jun 5
BASE CAMP
Dual threats...Bosnia strikers Dzeko (left) and Ibisevic
BRAZIL
Salvador
Cuiaba
906 miles
973 miles
223 miles
Rio de
Sao Paulo
Janeiro
Guaruja
GROUP F FIXTURES
Jun 15
v Argentina (Rio de Janeiro)
Jun 21
v Nigeria (Cuiaba)
Jun 25
v Iran (Salvador)
40 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Safet SuSic
Age 59 (13.04.55)
Bosnia-Herzegovina coach since December
2009
World Soccer 41
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SquAd
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeeperS
3
0
28
0
Asmir Avdukic
Asmir Begovic
defenderS
7
1
2
0
ermin BicAkcic
Sead kolASinAc
Schalke (Ger)
Age 20 (20.06.93)
left-back, born in Germany, who
played for their under-20s before
being called up by his parents
homeland. He made his debut
against Argentina and impressed
with his fghting spirit, earning him
the nickname destroyer.
mIdfIelderS
5
1
forwardS
60
33
Senijad iBricic
vedad iBiSevic
Stuttgart (Ger)
Age 29 (06.08.84)
often in dzekos shadow, he was
raised in St louis and made his
name in Germany. In 2008 he
scored 18 goals in 17 matches for
Hoffenheim before injury ended
his season.
Boris PAndzA
emir SPAHic
Bayer Leverkusen (Ger)
Age 33 (18.08.80)
National captain who has the total
respect of his team-mates and
holds the back four together.
Gives his all in every match but
struggles with discipline and is
often booked.
80
25
Haris MedunjAnin
Gaziantepspor (Tur)
Age 29 (08.03.85)
A member of the Holland
under-21 team that won euro
2006, he decided to represent
his homeland three years later. A
creative midfelder for his club, he
is more often used in a defensive
role for the national side.
8
0
33
1
edin dzeko
72
3
34
5
Senad lulic
Lazio (Ita)
Age 28 (18.01.86)
raised in Switzerland, Susic
has used him as a left -winger,
although he can also play in
midfeld or at full-back on
that side of the pitch.
Second kit
Mensur MujdzA
Freiburg (Ger)
Age 30 (28.03.84)
A regular for the national side
at right-back, he is a reliable
performer on the pitch when
ft. He is injury prone and missed
most of this seasons Bundesliga
campaign.
izet HAjrovic
53
20
World Soccer
21
0
41
4
42
First kit
Galatasaray (Tur)
Age 22 (04.08.91)
The scorer of probably the most
important goal in qualifying, to
win 2-1 in Slovakia. Born in
Switzerland, he represented the
country at youth level and was
capped by ottmar Hitzfeld before
opting to represent Bosnia.
Anel HAdzic
Sturm Graz (Aut)
Age 24 (16.08.89)
A possible option for the role
of holding midfelder, having
switching to Bosnia after
representing Austria in youth
games. He made his senior
international debut this year.
jasmin Fejzic
Aalen (Ger)
Age 28 (15.05.86)
Plays in the German second
tier and is competing for a role
as back-up to Begovic.
22
0
1
0
KITS
0
0
zvjezdan MiSiMovic
Guizhou Renhe (Chn)
Age 32 (05.06.82)
He struggles for pace and ftness,
but the German-born midfelder
is fantastic in possession. A key
fgure in Wolfsburgs surprise
Bundesliga win in 2009, he takes
things slowly but can still be very
dangerous.
x
x
edin viScA
Istanbul BB (Tur)
Age 24 (17.02.90)
Fast and mobile, he is often used
as substitute to inject pace. Moved
from Zeljeznicar to Istanbul BB
and stayed loyal to the team after
they were relegated, winning the
approval of the fans.
TACTICS
4-4-2
Begovic
Mujdza
Spahic
Bicakcic
Kolasinac
Salihovic
Pjanic
Lulic
Misimovic
Dzeko
11
0
Ibisevic
12
0
Ognjen VRANJES
Elazigspor (Tur)
Age 24 (24.10.89)
Solid defender who Susic has
used most at right-back. After
Borac Banja Luka and Red Star
Belgrade, he tried his luck at
Sheriff Tiraspol, and Krasnodar
and Alania Vladikavkaz of Russia
before moving to Turkey.
6
0
Avdija VRSAJEVIV
Hajduk Split (Cro)
Age 28 (06.03.86)
Hard worker who compensates
for lack of quality with a ghting
spirit. Often criticised by the
public, he got his chance under
Susic after Mujdzas injury as the
only proper alternative on the
right side.
40
4
46
8
Ervin ZUKANOVIC
Gent (Blg)
Age 27 (11.02.87)
Versatile defender who can
play on either ank or as a
centre-back. Started his career
in Bosnia with Zeljeznicar but
moved abroad in 2008.
20
0
Miralem PJANIC
Sejad SALIHOVIC
Adnan ZAHIROVIC
Roma (Ita)
Age 24 (02.04.90)
Raised in Luxembourg and began
his career in France, he turned
down both countries to represent
his homeland. The Little Prince is
Bosnias most creative player and
will be key to the teams success
this summer.
Hoffenheim (Ger)
Age 29 (08.10.84)
Raised in Berlin, where he ed during
the war, he joined Hoffenheim
when they were in the third tier and
has now been with he club for eight
years. A cool penalty-taker who
can play on the left as a full-back,
winger or defensive mid elder.
Bochum (Ger)
Age 24 (23.03.90)
Once a rst choice for the position
of defensive mid elder, he lost
his place in the squad after
leaving Dinamo Minsk for
German second-tier side Bochum.
Can also play at right-back.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Dino ARSLANAGIC (D, Age 21,
24.04.93, 0/0, Standard Liege, Blg)
Toni SUNJIC (D, Age 25, 15.12.88,
5/0, Zorya Luhansk, Ukr)
Muhamed BESIC (M, Age 21,
10.09.92, 7/0, Ferencvaros, Hun)
Tino-Sven SUSIC (M, Age 22,
13.02.92, 1/0, Hajduk Split, Cro)
MISSING OUT
Elvir Rahimic of CSKA Moscow
con rmed that Susic has explained to
him that he will be excluded from the
team because of his age (38) and the
fact that he is not playing enough in
the Russian league.
4-2-3-1
Begovic
Spahic
Mujdza
Bicaksic
Kolasinac
Medunjanin Salihovic
Pjanic
Misimovic
Lulic
Dzeko
WORLD SOCCER
43
BRAZIL
Only victory will do
Pressure on the hosts to succeed will be huge this summer
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 26
Jun 3
Jun 6
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Fortaleza
1,556
miles
Brasilia
814 miles
Sao Paulo
314 miles
GROUP A FIXTURES
Jun 12
v Croatia (Sao Paulo)
Jun 17
v Mexico (Fortaleza)
Jun 23
v Cameroon (Brasilia)
44 WORLD SOCCER
Teresopolis
Rio de Janeiro
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
A pragmatist, but can also be instinctive
and surprising. He had always favoured
4-4-2 with a big target man, so it was a
shock when his previous spell in charge
of Brazil was characterised by the use
of a back three. A skilled and sensitive
man-manager.
Notable backroom staff
His faithful assistant is Flavio Murtosa
and his co-ordinator is Carlos Alberto
Parreira, a World Cup-winning coach in
his own right. The physical preparation
specialist Paulo Paixao is credited with
playing a vital role in the 2002 triumph.
After the World Cup
Unclear. In 2002 he quit just after
winning the tournament.
World Soccer 45
brazil squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeepers
78
0
9
0
KITs
6
0
Julio CESAR
JEFFERSON
VICTOR
Botafogo
Age 31 (02.01.83)
lithe, athletic and an excellent
shot stopper, he is now established
as second choice with his form
in this years libertadores cup
leading to some calling for his
promotion. However, not always
entirely comfortable off his line.
Atletico Mineiro
Age 31 (21.01.83)
The hero of his clubs libertadores
cup triumph last year, he was
briefy Brazils frst choice in their
frst few games after the 2010
World cup. Would seem to be
ahead of diego cavalieri in the
race to be the third keeper.
defenders
74
5
11
2
First kit
30
4
34
0
Second kit
1
0
Dani ALVES
DANTE
David LUIZ
MARCELO
MARQUINHOS
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 31 (06.05.83)
Took over from Maicon as rightback after the 2010 World cup,
where he also featured in midfeld.
Quick and skilful, he strikes the
ball well and is a threat when
joining the attack. out of contract
this summer.
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 27 (22.04.87)
exuberant centre-back introduced
after the last World cup. Prone to
recklessness, he often features for
his club in central midfeld. Has
been tipped to move to Barcelona
this summer.
mIdfIelders
6
1
17
1
29
9
23
2
25
5
FERNANDINHO
Luiz GUSTAVO
HERNANES
OSCAR
PAULINHO
Wolfsburg (Ger)
Age 26 (23.07.87)
Was not well-known to the
Brazilian public before his
introduction on the eve of the
confederations cup proved
such a turning point for the team.
Tall holding midfelder whose
distribution is simple and effective.
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 29 (29.05.85)
Versatile midfelder who can strike
the ball beautifully off either foot.
Made his debut in 2008 but took
a long time to consolidate his place.
Has been Paulinhos understudy,
but the rise of Fernandinho could
push him back further.
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 22 (09.09.91)
The hero of the 2011 Under20 World cup Final who was a
revelation when promoted to the
senior side. His slight frame belies
his versatility; he can skip across
all sectors of the pitch, marking,
organising, creating and scoring.
forwards
32
16
FRED
Fluminense
Age 30 (03.10.83)
Tall, technically profcient centreforward who scored at the 2006
World cup but later went a little
off the rails. can be injury-prone
and was laid off after the
confederations cup where he
had been one of Brazils heroes.
46
15
5
33
8
World Soccer
47
30
89
28
HULK
JO
NEYMAR
ROBINHO
Zenit (Rus)
Age 27 (25.07.86)
Barrel-strong fgure who can
feature all across the front line but
usually plays wide on the right for
Brazil, showcasing his capacity to
track back and mark, and also to
cut inside and unleash his
booming left-foot shots.
Atletico Mineiro
Age 27 (20.03.87)
lanky left-footed centre-forward
given a surprise recall on the eve
of the confederations cup. Was
frittering away his promise with
nightlife excesses, but has rebuilt
his career. Top scorer as his club
won last years libertadores cup.
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 22 (05.02.92)
Brazils poster boy and great
attacking hope. outrageously
skilled, capable of improvisation at
pace and a crisply effcient fnisher
off either foot. Superb from freekicks, the hopes of the host nation
are piled on his slender shoulders.
Milan (Ita)
Age 30 (25.01.84)
one-time wonderkid who never
quite fulflled his promise but who
was recalled last year and tried
out in the false nine role. can
also play wide, and his versatility
should win him the fnal attacking
slot ahead of Bernard.
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Cesar
Luiz
Silva
Alves
Marcelo
Gustavo
Paulinho
Oscar
Hulk
Neymar
Fred
7
0
2
0
45
2
MAXWELL
RAFINHA
5
1
41
4
Thiago SILVA
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 29 (22.09.84)
A non-playing reserve in the
2010 squad who has matured
into the teams captain and the
defensive linchpin. Quick, classy
and comfortable in possession.
Not the most vocal of leaders,
but quietly commands respect.
x
x
RAMIRES
WILLIAN
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 27 (24.03.87)
Recalled after the Confederations
Cup. Not a great passer of the
ball, but a lithe runner with great
stamina. Has a tendency to dive
into tackles and pick up cards
he missed the 2010 quarter- nal
against Holland through suspension.
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 25 (09.08.88)
Like Fernandinho, the move from
Ukraines Shakhtar Donetsk to
England has given him extra
visibility at home. Was once an
orthodox no10 for Corinthians and
has since learned to operate all
across the attacking mid eld line.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Diego CAVALIERI (G, Age 31, 01.12.82,
3/0, Fluminense)
DEDE (D, Age 25, 01.07.88, 9/1,
Cruzeiro)
HENRIQUE (D, Age 27, 14.10.86, 4/0,
Napoli, Ita)
MAICON (D, Age 32, 26.07.81, 66/6,
Roma, Ita)
LUCAS Leiva (M, Age 24, 09.01.87,
25/0, Liverpool, Eng)
BERNARD (M, Age 21, 08.09.92, 10/1,
Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukr)
KAKA (M, Age 32, 22.04.82, 85/27,
Milan, Ita)
Lucas MOURA (M, Age 21, 13.08.92,
4-3-3
Cesar
Luiz
Silva
Alves
Ramires
Oscar
Marcelo
Paulinho
Fred
Gustavo
Neymar
WORLD SOCCER
47
CAMEROON
Indomitable Lions
fearing the worst
Problems on and off the eld for the former pride of Africa
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 20
May 26
May 29
Jun 1
Jun 2
Jun 4
BASE CAMP
Joy or despair?...Cameroon face a tough test in Brazil
Manaus
BRAZIL
2,731 miles
Brasilia
874 miles
GROUP A FIXTURES
Jun 13
v Mexico (Natal)
Jun 18
v Croatia (Manaus)
Jun 23
v Brazil (Brasilia)
48 WORLD SOCCER
Natal
1,320
miles
Vitoria
There is a culture of
performance in this country.
Cameroonians are mentally
strong despite all the dif culties
back at home and they always
seem to come to the fore at
World Cup tournaments.
Claude le Roy, ex-Cameroon coach
CoaCh profile
World Soccer 49
cameroon squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeepers
11
0
7
0
Guy-Rolland Assembe
Nancy (Fra)
Age 28 (28.02.86)
Back-up at the last World cup
fnals as well as this years. limited
appearances in ligue 1, having
spent most of his career in
the second tier with Nantes,
Valenciennes, Nancy and now
on loan at Guingamp.
defenders
20
0
Henri bedImo
Gaeten bonG
Olympiakos (Tur)
Age 26 (25.04.88)
Former France under-21 who
spent his formative years at Metz.
right-sided defender who has
made only one international
appearance in the last year
because of a lack of game time
after moving to Greece this year.
mIdfIelders
enoh eyonG
forwards
22
2
Vincent AboubAkAR
eric-maxim CHoupo-motInG
Lorient (Fra)
Age 22 (22.01.92)
In fne form this season, fnally
living up to the billing as the
future etoo when he frst arrived
in ligue 1 after the last World
cup. Hails from the mainly Muslim
town of Garoua in northern
cameroon but is a Protestant.
Mainz (Ger)
Age 25 (23.03.89)
German-born with a cameroonian
father, he received FIFA clearance
to play at the 2010 World cup after
playing for Germany at Under-21
level. Started at Hamburg, who
sent him to Nuremberg on loan
and then let him go free to Mainz.
50
World Soccer
Aurelien CHedjou
Galatasaray (Tur)
Age 28 (20.06.85)
central defender, and occasional
defensive midfelder, who joined
Galatasaray for a reported 6m
last summer from lille, where he
won league and cup honours in
2011. Played one match at the
2010 World cup in South Africa.
jean-Armel kAnA-bIyIk
Rennes (Fra)
Age 24 (03.07.89)
Born in Metz when his father,
Andre Kana-Biyik, who played
at two World cups for cameroon,
was competing in ligue 1.
represented France at junior level
before switching to cameroon and
making his debut last year.
13
2
joel mAtIp
stephane mbIA
benjamin moukAndjo
Schalke (Ger)
Age 22 (08.08.91)
Born in Germany to a
cameroonian father who was a
professional player. Plays either
centre-back or defensive midfeld
and competed at the last World
cup as an 18-year-old. Brother
Marvin also plays for cameroon.
Nancy (Fra)
Age 25 (12.11.88)
Tricky left-winger who made his
international debut two years ago.
Moved from the Kadji Sports
Academy to France aged 18,
playing for rennes, Nimes and
Monaco before settling at Nancy.
jean mAkoun
23
9
Second kit
5
0
47
3
19
0
Rennes (Fra)
Age 31 (29.05.83)
right-sided midfelder who got
two goals in the vital qualifying
win over Tunisia to book a place
in Brazil. Made his name at lille
before a 15m move to lyon in
2008, then Aston Villa and now
rennes.
First kit
29
1
11
0
68
5
Antalyaspor (Tur)
Age 28 (23.03.86)
Marco Van Basten signed him for
Ajax but his successor, Frank de
Boer, rarely used the defensive
midfelder. Was suspended, with
etoo, by the cameroon federation
for eight months for his part in a
player revolt over unpaid bonuses.
Fethiyespor (Tur)
Age 24 (25.02.90)
Made his debut in Finkes frst
away match: a 0-0 draw with
Ukraine. Born in cameroon,
he grew up in France and was
a junior at lille but, as a Turkish
second-division regular, he does
not inspire much confdence.
Lyon (Fra)
Age 30 (04.06.84)
left-back who narrowly missed
out on selection for the last World
cup fnals. Went to France aged
15 and won the ligue 1 title with
Montpellier two years ago.
benoit Assou-ekotto
32
2
sammy ndjoCk
Charles ItAndje
Konyaspor (Tur)
Age 31 (02.11.82)
Made several key saves in the
play-off against Tunisia. Born in
Paris and a former France junior
international, he left liverpool
after angering fans when caught
on camera laughing during a
Hillsborough memorial service.
28
0
KITs
1
0
37
6
113
55
samuel etoo
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 33 (10.03.81)
Has won a record four African
Footballer of the Year awards,
three champions league titles,
and titles in Spain and Italy. He
played at the 1998, 2002, and
2010 World cups, scoring three
goals in seven games.
mohamadou IdRIssou
Kaiserslautern (Ger)
Age 34 (08.03.80)
recalled after a two-year hiatus
following the 2010 World cup
as cameroon continue to look
for someone to partner etoo in
attack. He has played for the last
14 years in German club football.
52
18
Achille Webo
Fenerbahce (Tur)
Age 32 (20.01.82)
left home to begin his search to
become professional at Nacional
in Uruguay in 2000 before
moving to Spain in 2003. A
traditional centre-forward, he is
now in Turkey where he helped
Fenerbahce to the league title.
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Itandje
Bedimo
Nyom
Chedjou
NKoulou
Song
Aboubakar
Eyong
Makoun
Moukandjo
Etoo
44
0
13
0
6
0
Dany NOUNKEU
Nicolas NKOULOU
Marseille (Fra)
Age 24 (27.03.90)
First-choice centre-back who is
among the best up-and-coming
defenders in European club
football with a value of some
10m. Made his debut for
Cameroon aged 18 and played
at the last World Cup nals.
Galatasaray (Tur)
Age 28 (11.04.86)
Moved to Europe after playing for
Cameroon in the World Under-17s
in 2003, but was almost 24 when
he won his rst senior cap, against
Italy in 2010. Galatasaray signed
him on a four-year deal in 2012 but
loaned him to Besiktas in January.
43
0
37
3
Landry NGUEMO
Bordeaux (Fra)
Age 28 (28.11.85)
Started his career at Nancy in
France followed by a loan spell
in Scotland before moving to
Bordeaux in 2011. He is a keen
falconer and owns a white-tailed
eagle he calls Mr George in
honour of George Weah.
Alexandre SONG
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 26 (09.09.87)
The only player to feature in all
eight quali ers, making up for
an 18-month exile from the side
following a bust-up with Etoo at
the 2010 nals. His uncle, former
captain Rigobert Song, is now the
teams administrative manager.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Frank BAGNACK (D, Age 19, 07.06.95, 0/0,
Barcelona, Spa)
Samuel UMTITI (D, Age 20, 14.11.93, 0/0, Lyon, Fra)
Christian BEKAMENGA (F, Age 28, 09.05.86, 3/1,
Laval, Fra)
Jean Marie DONGOU (F, Age 19, 20.04.95, 0/0,
Barcelona, Spa)
Edgar SALLI (F, Age 21, 17.08.92, 7/0, Monaco, Fra)
Jacques ZOUA (F, Age 22, 06.09.91, 5/0, Hamburg,
Ger)
Allan NYOM
Udinese (Ita)
Age 25 (10.05.88)
Paris-born right-back who has
been on loan at Granada for ve
years from Udinese. In France
he only played in Ligue 2 at
Arles-Avignon before Udinese
bought him and then sent him
to Spain to gain experience.
4-3-3
Itandje
NKoulou
Chedjou
Bedimo
Nyom
Song
Aboubakar
Makoun
Etoo
Matip
Moukandjo
WORLD SOCCER
51
CHILE
All-out attack could
spring surprise
Sampaolis exciting side only know how to play one way
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 19
May 30
Jun 4
Jun 7
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Cuiaba
854 miles
Belo Horizonte
Rio de
Sao Paulo
363 miles
52 WORLD SOCCER
Janeiro
272 miles
GROUP B FIXTURES
Jun 13
v Australia (Cuiaba)
Jun 18
v Spain (Rio de Janeiro)
Jun 23
v Holland (Sao Paulo)
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
His enthusiasm for dynamic, hightempo pressing in the opponents half
of the feld has convinced the players
that they can take on anyone. He is also
a live-wire on the touchline and
moaning at referees got him sent
off several times with La U .
Notable backroom staff
His long-term assistant is compatriot
Sebastian Becaccece. Nicolas Diez,
another Argentinian, is also on the
coaching staff.
After the World Cup
His contract takes him up to the 2015
Copa America, which Chile will host.
World Soccer 53
chile squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeepers
78
0
7
0
Claudio BRAVO
Johnny HERRERA
Universidad de Chile
Age 33 (09.05.81)
A Sampaoli stalwart at La U
and recalled when the coach took
over the national team. Has had
legal problems with drink-driving
charges he was found guilty of
killing a woman in 2009 while
speeding, but was spared jail.
defenders
27
2
KITs
4
0
13
0
Christopher TOSELLI
Universidad Catolica
Age 25 (22.06.88)
one of the graduates of the
Under-20 side that came third
in the World Youth cup in 2007,
in which he went 492 minutes
without conceding a goal. Now
maturing into a potentially
top-class keeper.
First kit
64
3
45
2
59
5
Marcos GONZALEZ
Osvaldo GONZALEZ
Mauricio ISLA
Gonzalo JARA
(unattached)
Age 34 (09.06.80)
Supplier of central defensive
height for Sampaoli both at La U
and now the national team. Was
released this year by Flamengo of
Brazil, who judged him to be too
slow. Spent the frst two years of
his life in Brazil.
Universidad de Chile
Age 29 (10.08.84)
rugged defender, nicknamed
rocky, who is best suited to the
right-sided role in a back three.
offers little going forward and was
part of Sampaolis La U team.
Juventus (Ita)
Age 26 (12.06.88)
Flying right-back with terrifc lung
power who is given full licence
to storm forward as much as
possible. Quickly promoted to
the senior ranks after starring in
the 2007 under-20 side. everpresent at the 2010 World cup.
mIdfIelders
19
2
Charles ARANGUIZ
Internacional (Bra)
Age 25 (17.04.89)
Yet another to have made the
jump from Sampaolis La U to
the national team, he is an allrounder, combining technique,
intelligence and lung power. The
midfelder most likely to pop up
in the opposing penalty area.
forwards
24
2
Fabian ORELLANA
Celta Vigo (Spa)
Age 28 (27.01.86)
little right-winger who could
sneak into the squad as an option
off the bench. Scored a famous
goal that beat Argentina in 2008
the only time chile have got the
better of their neighbours in the
World cup qualifers.
54
World Soccer
59
5
Jean BEAUSEJOUR
Wigan Athletic (Eng)
Age 30 (01.06.84)
The son of a Haitian father, he
can fll any position down the left
fank. Scored the winner against
Honduras that settled the side in
chiles opening game of the last
World cup.
25
5
Mauricio PINILLA
Cagliari (Ita)
Age 30 (04.02.84)
A teenage prodigy who seemed
set on frittering away his talent in
a series of nightclub escapades.
Has been far more disciplined in
recent seasons, and would seem
the best option for the role of
penalty-area target man.
19
0
43
1
Basle (Swi)
Age 27 (30.12.86)
Sampaolis representative on
the feld, frst with La U and
now with the national team. Has
taken time to fnd his feet, but
is now established as the sides
deep-lying organiser, combining
intelligence and passing ability.
28
11
65
22
Gary MEDEL
Cardiff City (Eng)
Age 26 (03.08.87)
Another 2007 Under-20
graduate who was fast-tracked
into the senior side. Pitbull
made his name as a combative
but talented central midfelder,
snappy in the tackle and crisp
in his distribution.
60
14
Marcelo DIAZ
Carlos CARMONA
Atalanta (Ita)
Age 27 (21.02.87)
Aggressive, defensive midfelder
who featured more under Marcelo
Bielsa but whose presence might
be important against Spain and
Holland. captained chile to third
place at the 2007 Under-20
World cup.
Second kit
Matias FERNANDEZ
Fiorentina (Ita)
Age 28 (15.05.86)
Argentinian-born attacking
midfelder, at his best launching
powerful surges. Powerful shot
and dangerous from long-range
free-kicks. Has not fulflled his
youthful promise, and was more
important under previous coaches.
x
x
Alexis SANCHEZ
Eduardo VARGAS
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 25 (19.12.88)
The star of the 2007 under-20s,
he has matured into the star of
the senior side. A dribbler of
dazzling ability who is also an
effective goalscorer. Happy in a
central role as well as his more
customary position on the right.
Napoli (Ita)
Age 24 (20.11.89)
Skilful, fast and dangerous, he can
be highly strung and his career has
been marked by ups and downs.
Joint top-scorer in qualifcation,
most of his best moments have
come under Sampaoli. Joined
Valencia on loan in January.
TACTICS
4-3-1-2
Bravo
M Gonzalez
Medel
Mena
Isla
Diaz
Vidal
Aranguiz
Valdivia
Sanchez
23
3
Vargas
18
1
11
0
16
1
Felipe GUTIERREZ
Twente (Hol)
Age 23 (08.10.90)
Slightly built, left-footed attacking
mid elder who can operate either
centrally or in a wider role. May
well have a role to play when
Chile opt to pack the mid eld.
Francisco SILVA
Jorge ROJAS
Eugenio MENA
Santos (Bra)
Age 25 (18.07.88)
Classy left-back who was
promoted to the Universidad de
Chile rst team when Sampaoli
took over, and became an
important part of a successful
side. Established himself in the
national team during the quali ers.
Universidad de Chile
Age 30 (23.06.83)
Left-footed centre-back. Not the
quickest or the strongest, but a
good reader of the game who is
his clubs captain and defensive
organiser, commanding the high
defensive line. Happy in a back
three or a four.
Osasuna (Spa)
Age 28 (11.02.86)
Tall defensive mid elder who,
because of Chiles lack of
defensive height, was tried out in
the back line in the March friendly
against Germany and did so well
that he would appear to have
made sure of a squad place.
53
8
56
4
Jorge VALDIVIA
Palmeiras (Bra)
Age 30 (19.10.83)
Skilled playmaker whose career
has been dogged by problems
with tness and discipline.
Sampaoli seems to trust him
and Chile hope that this will
be his nest hour.
Arturo VIDAL
Juventus (Ita)
Age 27 (22.05.87)
Rapidly promoted from the 2007
Under-20 side, he was seen as
a edgling centre-back before
becoming a feared mid eld
powerhouse. Joint-top scorer in
quali cation and now at the peak
of his powers.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Pablo GARCES (G, Age 29, 02.08.84,
1/0, OHiggins)
Miiko ALBORNOZ (D, Age 23,
30.11.90, 1/1, Malmo, Swe)
Enzo ANDIA (D, Age 21, 16.08.92,
4/1, Universidad Catolica)
Jose Pedro FUENZALIDA (M, Age
29, 22.02.85, 22/1, Colo Colo)
Pablo HERNANDEZ (M, Age 27,
24.10.86, 1/2, OHiggins)
Gustavo CANALES (F, Age 32,
30.03.82, 1/0, Union Espanola)
Carlos MUNOZ (F, Age 25, 21.04.89,
11/3, Baniyas, UAE)
3-4-1-2
MISSING IN ACTION
Forward Junior Fernandes broke
a leg in April while playing for Dinamo
Zagreb, on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
Bravo
Medel
Isla
Jara
M Gonzalez
Diaz
Mena
Aranguiz
Vidal
Sanchez
Vargas
WORLD SOCCER
55
COLOMBIA
Long wait over for
Los Cafeteros
Sixteen years after their last nals appearance,
Colombia are back in the big time
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 31
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Cuiaba
973 miles
Brasilia
544 miles
Belo Horizonte
305 miles
56 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
Meticulously prepared and incredibly
knowledgeable about the game.
Favours a high-pressing and
possession-based approach.
Notable backroom staff
Assistant Nestor Lorenzo played for
Argentina in the 1990 World Cup Final
and was part of Pekermans staff at
the 2006 fnals. Also includes Gabriel
Wainer, who is the teams tactical guru.
After the World Cup
Unknown. Pekerman has refused to be
drawn on talks to extend his contract,
which runs out after the World Cup.
World Soccer 57
123
12
caps
goals
45
0
goalkeepers
colombia squad
49
0
Faryd Mondragon
Deportivo Cali
Age 42 (21.06.71) 49/0
Brought back into the national fold
by Pekerman, he will break roger
Millas record as the oldest player
to play in the fnals if he appears
this summer. Was frst choice at
colombias last fnals, in 1998,
and sat on the bench at USA 94.
defenders
4
0
kits
0
0
Camilo Vargas
david ospina
Nice (Fra)
Age 25 (31.08.88)
one of the stars of the qualifying
campaign. Fearless, reads the
game well and has superb
refexes. His sister, daniela,
is a volleyball player.
53
1
Santa Fe
Age 24 (01.09.89) 0/0
A key player in Santa Fes run to
the libertadores cup semi-fnals
last year. Began his career as a
striker but switched roles because
he was considered too fat.
First kit
12
2
77
0
97
6
santiago arias
pablo arMero
Luis perea
Carlos VaLdes
PSV (Hol)
Age 22 (13.01.92)
Impressive as cover for the
injured Zuniga in friendlies against
Holland and Belgium late last year,
but very much the back-up option.
NapolI (Ita)
Age 27 (02.11.86)
rampaging wingback who is
the preferred choice down the
left. Questions remain over his
defensive input and he has lacked
playing time at Napoli and on loan
at West Ham United. lost half a
thumb in a childhood accident.
midfielders
49
6
27
3
29
1
49
3
abel aguiLar
Juan Cuadrado
Fredy guarin
Toulouse (Fra)
Age 29 (06.01.85)
A steady choice as a link between
defence and attack, but often
comes unstuck against the
stronger sides. Played in the
same under-11s side as Falcao.
Fiorentina (Ita)
Age 26 (26.05.88)
Blessed with an endless repertoire
of tricks and skills, and enjoying
a rich run of form in Serie A.
Is sometimes guilty of overelaborating, but has a chance
of starting on the right wing.
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 27 (30.06.86)
Used sparingly by Pekerman who
isnt convinced by his tactical
discipline, but remains a useful
attacking option from the bench.
Will have to sit out colombias frst
group game, against Greece,
through suspension.
forwards
9
2
52
20
Carlos BaCCa
Sevilla (Spa)
Age 27 (08.09.86)
ditched a life selling fresh fsh
on the streets of Puerto colombia
to make his colombian top-fight
debut at 23. Moved to europe, to
Belgium, two years ago and has
been in imperious form in his frst
season in la liga.
58
World Soccer
radamel FaLCao
Monaco (Fra)
Age 28 (10.02.86)
The teams big star is a real
concern following a cruciate
ligament injury in January.
revitalised under Pekerman, El
Tigre is a national hero and the
countrys joint-second all-time
leading goalscorer.
29
11
Second kit
Mario Yepes
Atalanta (Ita)
Age 38 (13.01.76) 95/6
Highly respected former Milan
and Paris Saint-Germain central
defender who is the national
teams captain. First called into
the side 15 years ago and set to
make his World cup debut after
three failed qualifying attempts.
21
4
7
1
James rodriguez
Monaco (Fra)
Age 22 (12.07.91)
colombias creative motor and
vital to the teams chances of
progressing in the tournament.
Married to goalkeeper ospinas
sister.
27
7
Teoflo guTierrez
Victor iBarBo
Cagliari (Ita)
Age 24 (19.05.90)
compared to Faustino Asprilla due
to his strength and explosive turn
of pace. Is usually employed as a
left-winger, he likes to run at
defenders and cut inside.
Jackson MarTinez
Porto (Por)
Age 27 (03.10.86)
could emerge from Falcaos
shadow if the Monaco striker
is ruled out of Brazil. Has an
incredible goalscoring record at
club level but has so far failed to
impress for his country.
TACTICS
4-2-2-2
Ospina
Yepes
Perea
Armero
Zuniga
Valencia
Sanchez
Rodriguez
Cuadrado
Gutierrez
Falcao
21
0
52
1
x
x
Cristian ZAPATA
Camilo ZUNIGA
Milan (Ita)
Age 27 (30.09.86)
Regular squad member who was
the back-up option to Perea in
central defence during qualifying,
but is expected to play a bigger
part in Brazil alongside Yepes due
to concerns over the sides lack of
pace at the back.
Napoli (Ita)
Age 28 (14.12.85)
A constant conundrum for
opposition defences with his
explosive speed and power down
the right, he is also an option as a
left wingback and played there for
Napoli before being sidelined with
a knee injury last year.
39
3
43
0
15
0
Carlos SANCHEZ
Macnelly TORRES
Edwin VALENCIA
Elche (Spa)
Age 28 (06.02.86)
Adds bite and energy to a mid eld
that is sometimes overrun by
stronger opposition.
Al Shabab (Sau)
Age 29 (01.11.84)
Brought back by Pekerman to
inject new ideas and loosen the
creative dependency on Rodriguez .
Wonderful passer but lacks pace.
His move to Saudi Arabia has cast
doubt over his suitability. Named
after a local baseball star.
Fluminense (Bra)
Age 29 (29.03.85)
One of Pekermans most trusted
players and a sure starter if hes
t. Extremely reliable and effective
in helping to paper over the cracks
that plague Colombias creaking
defence.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Eder BALANTA (D, Age 21, 28.02.93,
1/0, River Plate, Arg)
Aquivaldo MOSQUERA (D, Age 32,
22.06.81, 30/1, America, Mex)
Alex MEJIA (M, Age 25, 07.09.88,
8/0, Atletico Nacional)
Juan Fernando QUINTERO (M, Age
21, 18.01.93, 3/0, Porto, Por)
Luis MURIEL (F, Age 23, 18.04.91)
5/1, Udinese, Ita)
Adrian RAMOS (F, Age 28, 22.01.86,
23/2, Hertha Berlin, Ger)
MISSING OUT
Atletico Nacional defender Stefan
Medina, an outside contender for
a squad place, is likely to miss the
tournament after an ankle injury
sustained in April ruled him out for
two months.
4-2-3-1
Ospina
Zuniga
Cuadrado
Yepes
Perea
Aguilar
Valencia
Rodriguez
Armero
Ibarbo
Bacca
WORLD SOCCER
59
COSTA RICA
Tough draw dents
Ticos dreams
Pintos side are up against three previous world champions
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 16
Jun 2
Jun 6
Jun 7
BASE CAMP
Fortaleza
BRAZIL
Recife
Mainstay...goalkeeper Navas
1,474 miles
1,325 miles
Belo
Horizonte
305 miles
Santos
GROUP D FIXTURES
Jun 14
v Uruguay (Fortaleza)
Jun 20
v Italy (Recife)
Jun 24
v England (Belo Horizonte)
60 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
World Soccer 61
123
12
caps
goals
51
0
goalKeepers
20
0
KITs
0
0
Keylor Navas
Patrick PemBertoN
luis torres
Levante (Spa)
Age 27 (15.12.86)
One of the teams main stars. Fantastic since taking over the starting
spot at levante in la liga, to the
extent that he could move on
elsewhere after the World Cup. He
makes few mistakes and also
provides leadership off the pitch.
Alajuelense
Age 32 (24.05.82)
long-time second choice who has
been the best keeper in the
domestic league for the past
decade. A lack of height has
limited his chances and hes more
spectacular than safety frst.
Cartagines
Age 29 (16.03.85)
due to the form of Navas and
Pemberon he has been
consistently called-up into the
national squad but is yet to win a
cap. Solid and reliable but will only
see action in Brazil in case of an
extreme emergency.
defenders
26
1
60
1
10
0
Johnny aCosta
Junior Diaz
Alajuelense
Age 30 (21.07.83)
Central defender who has a good
aerial presence although he is less
comfortable with the ball at his
feet. Played seven matches in the
qualifers and, while world-class,
might end up starting because of
the absence of alternatives.
Mainz (Ger)
Age 30 (12.09.83)
A physically imposing central
defender or left-back, he has
been plying his trade abroad for
almost a decade. Currently
playing in the Bundesliga, his
experience will be essential for the
national side.
mIdfIelders
51
4
oscar DUarte
Club Brugge (Blg)
Age 25 (03.06.89)
Young and very solid right-footed
central defender who seems to
have earned a spot after a fairly
successful campaign in Belgium
with Brugge. He was born in
Nicaragua but moved to Costa
rica aged seven.
Second kit
46
1
24
1
61
14
53
2
First kit
Cristian gamBoa
roy miller
Rosenborg (Nor)
Age 24 (24.10.89)
Usually plays at right-back, but
can also operate in midfeld. Moved
to europe from a very early age
and is now a starter at rosenborg.
Fast and intelligent, although he
still has defensive faws, he seems
back to full ftness after a leg injury.
9
1
39
7
michael BarraNtes
Christian BolaNos
Celso Borges
Diego Calvo
Carlos HerNaNDez
Aalesund (Nor)
Age 30 (04.10.83)
Veteran defensive midfelder who
is locked in a battle with the
younger Tejeda for a starting spot
in Brazil. Offers more experience
and solidity but less speed and
vision. Named the best midfelder
in the Norwegian league in 2011.
Copenhagen (Den)
Age 30 (17.05.84)
Quick and technically profcient
right-winger who hasnt managed
to fulfl his immense potential. On
the fringes of the starting line-up
after a good Champions league
campaign but his inconsistency will
probably see him on the bench.
AIK (Swe)
Age 26 (27.05.88)
One of the most prominent
members of the team and
essential to Pintos system. Its
surprising that he hasnt been able
to move to a bigger club than
Swedens AIK but a good World
Cup could change that.
Valerenga (Nor)
Age 23 (25.04.91)
A very fast winger who has
improved tremendously since
moving to Norway. Scored some
important goals for the national
team in the qualifers although he
is still on the fringes of the side.
forwards
38
8
31
9
93
31
61
12
x
x
randall BreNes
Joel CamPBell
Bryan rUiz
alvaro saBorio
Cartagines
Age 30 (13.08.83)
Seems to still be in pole position
for the fourth attacking spot
despite a disappointing club
season. Scored the goal against
Jamaica that ensured qualifcation
for the fnals and was one of the
teams top strikers in the qualifers.
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 21 (26.06.92)
The next big thing in CONCACAF
football and has the tools to
become a top striker. On loan to
Olympiacos, he hasnt managed to
secure a work permit in the
Premier league yet but a good
World Cup can change that.
Fulham
Age 28 (18.08.85)
The team captain and its most
talented player, he plays the
second-striker role. On the
rebound from a disappointing stint
in england with Fulham, he has
been one of the best players for
PSV this year.
62
WOrld SOCCer
TACTICS
4-4-2
Navas
Salvatierra
Bolanos
Duarte
Borges
Diaz
Umana
Wallace
Tejeda
Ruiz
Campbell
26
0
26
1
Bryan OVIEDO
Everton (Eng)
Age 24 (18.02.90)
If he makes it to the World Cup it
will be one of the feelgood stories
of the nals. Suffered a leg
fracture just as he was breaking
into the Everton side and seemed
to be out for a long period. His
speed and positioning will be key.
11
0
Osvaldo RODRIGUEZ
Herediano
Age 23 (17.12.90)
Solid mid elder who has had a
good season with Herediano
despite not being a starting
regular, which has put his
national-team status in doubt.
If he makes it to Brazil it will be
as a sub.
80
1
Michael UMANA
Jose SALVATIERRA
Alajuelense
Age 24 (10.10.89)
First-choice right-back who
overcame what seemed to be a
recurrent season-ending knee
injury to regain his spot in the
national side. If his injury doesnt
recur, he will offer pace and
solidity to the back line.
21
0
Saprissa
Age 31 (16.07.82)
Solid central defender who has
been in the international fold since
2006. Hes one of Pintos more
trusted men and a dressing-room
leader, so the coach expects him
to exert his inuence on and off
the pitch.
16
3
Yeltsin TEJEDA
Rodney WALLACE
Saprissa
Age 22 (17.03.92)
Has broken into the starting XI
thanks to his solidity and
ball-recovery skills but also
because of a lack of choices in his
position. Has a lot of potential but
the World Cup might have arrived
a little early for him to be at his best.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Waylon FRANCIS (D, Age 23,
20.09.90, 1/0, Columbus Crew, USA)
Giancarlo GONZALEZ (D, Age 26,
08.02.88, 33/2, Columbus Crew, USA)
Kendal WATSON (D, Age 26,
21.01.88, 2/0, Saprissa)
Kenny CUNNINGHAM (M, Age 29,
07.06.85, 13/1, Wellington Phoenix,
Aus)
Jairo ARRIETA (F, Age 30, 25.08.83,
17/4, Columbus Crew, USA)
5-4-1
Navas
Umana
Duarte
Oviedo
Salvatierra
Ruiz
Borges
Diaz
Tejeda
Bolanos
Saborio
WORLD SOCCER
63
CROATIA
Brazil rst up...again
Hopes high for better nale after repeat of 2006 opener
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 23
May 31
Jun 3
Jun 6
BASE CAMP
Manaus
2,866 miles
BRAZIL
Recife
500 miles
1,202 miles
Mata de
Sao Joao
Sao Paulo
GROUP A FIXTURES
Jun 12
v Brazil (Sao Paulo)
Jun 18
v Cameroon (Manaus)
Jun 23
v Mexico (Recife)
64 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Niko KovAC
Age 42 (15.10.71)
Croatia coach since October 2013
Style of management/coaching
Insists on maximum preparation and
requires all his players to do their
defensive work. Not overly prone to
experimentation.
Notable backroom staff
His brother, Robert, is his assistant.
After the World Cup
Has a contract until the end of the
qualifying campaign for the 2016
European Championship.
World Soccer 65
croatia squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeepers
0
0
109
0
KITs
6
0
Lovre KaLinic
Stipe PLetiKoSa
Danijel SuBaSic
Hajduk Split
Age 24 (03.04.90)
Giant Split-born youngster who
sits at three in the national-team
goalkeeping pecking order but is
the probable long-term successor
to Pletikosa. Injured earlier this
year but expected to be ft in time
for the fnals.
Rostov (Rus)
Age 35 (08.01.79)
extremely religious, he sometimes
spends 10 days of the summer
praying in a monastery and wears
a shirt with a picture of our
lady of Medjugorje under his kit.
Known as The octopus because
of his long reach and refex stops.
Monaco (Fra)
Age 29 (27.10.84)
Pletikosas loyal understudy since
2009, he has had to make do with
international scraps, despite playing
with distinction with Monaco for
the past two-and-a-half seasons.
lives a modest lifestyle in a small
apartment outside Monte carlo.
defenders
71
4
24
2
First kit
20
0
49
0
Second kit
111
21
Vedran corLuKa
Dejan LoVren
Danijel Pranjic
Gordon SchiLDenfeLD
Dario Srna
Southampton (Eng)
Age 25 (05.07.89)
central defender with an explosive
temperament as witnessed by a
fght he had with Ivan Strinic after
defeat in Scotland. Has enjoyed an
excellent frst year in england. can
also play at left-back. Forced to
miss euro 2012 with a foot injury.
Panathinaikos (Gre)
Age 32 (02.12.81)
retired in 2010 after a row over
the naturalisation process which
brought Brazil-born Sammir into
the squad, but now back in favour
under Kovac. Unhappy when frst
selected in the left-back role but
now comfortable with his position.
Panathinaikos (Gre)
Age 29 (18.03.85)
No-nonsense back-up central
defender who does the simple
thing and avoids risks. Not that
fast but reads situations well. Has
had eye problems during his
career. Has Austrian antecedents
and played for Sturm Graz.
mIdfIelders
0
0
8
0
1
0
81
16
73
8
Marcelo BrozoVic
Mateo KoVacic
niko Kranjcar
Mate MaLeS
Luka MoDric
Dinamo Zagreb
Age 21 (16.11.92)
Boy wonder attacking midfelder
or second striker, who has been
shining brightly this season for
dinamo and the Under 21s.
Technically brilliant and very sharp
in front of goal, he has signed a
seven-year contract with dinamo.
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 20 (06.05.94)
Talented midfeld all-rounder
capable of turning on the style in
box-to-box mode or as a deep-lying
playmaker. In a perfect world, he
would push hard for a starting slot,
but is suffering from a distinct lack
of frst-team football at Inter.
Rijeka
Age 25 (11.03.89)
Industrious and tacticallydisciplined central midfeld holder
who recently forced his way into
Niko Kovacs plans. Strong enough
as a character to quit Hajduk Split
for arch-rivals dinamo Zagreb as
a youngster.
forwards
61
29
31
5
48
13
90
18
x
x
eDuarDo
nikica jeLaVic
Mario ManDzuKic
ivica oLic
Wolfsburg (Ger)
Age 34 (14.09.79)
Gutsy, energetic and versatile
frontrunner who has a happy
knack of scoring on the big
occasion. Signed a new contract
in April, keeping him at Wolfsburg
for another two years. Previously
with Bayern Munich.
66
World Soccer
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Pletikosa
Srna
Lovren
Corluka
Pranjic
Rakitic
Modric
Perisic
Kovacic
Olic
Mandzukic
32
0
21
1
5
0
Ivan STRINIC
Domagoj VIDA
Sime VRSALJKO
Dnipro (Ukr)
Age 26 (17.07.87)
Fills the problem left-back slot
but has not always convinced.
Adventurous and constructive
going forward, but lacking
somewhat in his positional work.
Early in his career failed to make
the grade at French side, Le Mans.
Genoa (Ita)
Age 25 (10.01.92)
Considered Srnas long-term
successor at right-back, the
youngster has had his share of
injury problems over the past year,
but when operational is a class act,
a good mixture of positive intentions
and defensive watchfulness.
60
9
27
1
54
4
Ivan PERISIC
Ivan RAKITIC
Ognjen VUKOJEVIC
Wolfsburg (Ger)
Age 25 (02.02.89)
Nimble and quick-witted craftsman
usually employed by Kovac on
the left-ank, but also capable
of putting in a shift in a central
string-pulling role or as a second
striker. Fell out with Jurgen Klopp
at Borussia Dortmund.
Sevilla (Spa)
Age 26 (10.03.88)
Arguably in the form of his career,
the Sevilla ace can play anywhere
in the engine room, but normally
lines up with Modric in a deep role.
Born in Switzerland after his
parents emigrated there and
represented them at youth level.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Dario KRESIC (G, Age 30, 11.01.84,
1/0, Mainz, Ger)
Ivan VARGIC (G, Age 27, 15.03.87,
0/0, Rijeka)
Igor BUBNJIC (D, Age 21, 17.07.92,
2/0, Udinese, Ita)
Hrvoje MILIC (D, Age 25, 10.05.89,
4/0, Rostov, Rus)
Ante REBIC (F, Age 20, 21.09.93, 3/1,
Fiorentina, Ita)
Duje COP (F, Age 24, 01.02.90, 0/0,
Dinamo Zagreb)
MISSING OUT
Defender Josip Simunic will not travel
to Brazil after losing his appeal against a
10-match international ban imposed by
FIFA as punishment for his celebration
following Croatias play-off victory over
Iceland. The veteran Dinamo Zagreb
defender shouted for the homeland
over a stadium microphone, to which
fans responded ready. The chant has
associations with the Ustasha pro-Nazi
regime that ruled Croatia during World
War Two and which was banned in 1945.
4-4-2
Pletikosa
Pranjic
Vida
Corluka
Srna
Modric
Mandzukic
Lovren
Kovacic
Rakitic
Olic
WORLD SOCCER
67
ECUADOR
Work to be done to make
it past the group stage
Defensive problems and a lack of goals must be addressed
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 17
May 26
May 31
Jun 4
Jun 5
Jun 9
BASE CAMP
High hopes...Ecuador players during a qualifying win over Paraguay
BRAZIL
Brasilia
1,007 miles
Curitiba
339 miles
Rio de
Janeiro
696 miles
GROUP E FIXTURES
Jun 15
v Switzerland (Brasilia)
Jun 20
v Honduras (Curitiba)
Jun 25
v France (Rio de Janeiro)
68 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
Rational, methodical fgure who trained
and studied in the former Yugoslavia
and in Germany. His academic nature
is not always an easy ft with the more
gifted individual talents in his squad.
Notable backroom staff
His assistant is former Colombia
international Alexis Mendoza. Another
ex-Colombia player, Pedro Zape, is in
charge of preparing the goalkeepers.
After the World Cup
Will talk about a new contract after
the World Cup has fnished.
World Soccer 69
ecuador squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeepers
22
0
3
0
Maximo BANGUERA
Barcelona SC
Age 28 (16.12.85)
Played as one of the permitted
over-age players in ecuadors
gold-medal campaign in the
2007 Pan-American Games
before graduating to the senior
squad. Plays in a cap and has
suffered with weight problems.
defenders
19
0
KITs
18
0
Adrian BONE
El Nacional
Age 25 (08.09.88)
Athletic third-choice keeper
whose elder brother, elvis, is
a centre-back with deportivo
cuenca. Made his international
debut in September 2011 in
a friendly against Jamaica.
89
8
Alexander DOMINGUEZ
LDU Quito
Age 27 (05.06.87)
Tall, gangly and awkward looking,
he took over as frst choice after
the 2011 copa America. His
pre-football jobs include house
painter, bus conductor, waiter,
hotel porter and agricultural
labourer. His father is colombian.
First kit
35
1
19
0
Second kit
56
2
Gabriel ACHILIER
Walter AYOVI
Oscar BAGUI
Fricson ERAZO
Jorge GUAGUA
Emelec
Age 29 (24.03.85)
Physical centre-back who is a
clear candidate to pick up yellow
cards. His father and uncle were
both defenders for emelec in the
1980s. First called up for national
team duty in 2008 and has been
used sporadically since then.
Pachuca (Mex)
Age 34 (11.08.79)
Attacking left-back who plays in
midfeld for his club side. The only
outfeld player to start in all 16 of
the South American World cup
qualifers, he has a booming leftfoot shot and is dangerous from
set-pieces. Was in the 2002 squad.
Emelec
Age 31 (10.12.82)
First-choice left-back in the 2007
copa America, but has otherwise
spent most of his time with the
national team on the bench. The
bulk of his caps have come in
friendlies. Made his debut in
January 2005 against Panama.
Flamengo (Bra)
Age 26 (05.05.88)
lanky, left-footed centre-back,
who is elegant on the ball, but
whose defensive vulnerabilities
have been horribly apparent after
his move to Brazil this year. His
lack of games for Flamengo is
a huge worry for rueda.
Emelec
Age 32 (28.09.81)
centre-back who has been in the
squad as far back as the 2001
copa America and made three
appearances in the 2006 World
cup. Has never looked entirely
convincing at international level
and is not the quickest.
mIdfIelders
80
8
2
0
Segundo CASTILLO
Fernando GAIBOR
Al Hilal (Sau)
Age 32 (15.05.82)
Strong, imposing defensive
midfelder of vast experience, his
career includes the 2006 World
cup as well as spells with red Star
Belgrade, everton and Wolves. A
goal threat from his long-range
shot and in the air at set-pieces.
Emelec
Age 22 (08.10.91)
Talented all-round midfelder, he
was a product of the under-20
side who has recently broken into
the senior squad. dynamic, passes
well and times his forward runs
intelligently.
forwards
47
15
1
0
17
0
6
2
Henry LEON
Edison MENDEZ
Santa Fe
Age 35 (15.03.79)
Stocky, classy midfelder who has
played in all of ecuadors World
cup games and scored the winner
against croatia in 2002. A
thunderous striker of the ball, he is
now frmly back after a few years
when he was blighted by injury.
Renato IBARRA
Vitesse (Hol)
Age 23 (20.01.91)
Slightly-built fying right-winger
who is mostly used as a secondhalf substitute to run at tiring
defences and free Antonio
Valencia to move inside. Made
10 appearances in qualifcation,
but only started one game.
37
7
108
18
26
2
8
2
Felipe CAICEDO
Fidel MARTINEZ
Jefferson MONTERO
Joao ROJAS
Enner VALENCIA
Al Jazira (UAE)
Age 25 (05.09.88)
lanky, left-footed centre-forward
who is yet to fully realise the
potential of his youth, although his
recall midway through qualifying
was important and he fnished as
top scorer. Fell out with rueda
after the 2011 copa America.
Tijuana (Mex)
Age 24 (15.02.90)
Skilful left-footer who was one of
the most impressive performers at
the 2007 Pan-American Games
before his career stalled with a
move to Brazil. re-emerged with
deportivo Quito before moving to
Mexico in 2012.
Morelia (Mex)
Age 24 (01.09.89)
Made his name as the star turn in
the 2007 Pan-American Games
gold medal campaign and soon
thrown into the senior side. A
tricky dribbler who can glide past
his marker on either side, but can
be frustrating to watch.
Pachuca (Mex)
Age 25 (11.04.89)
Quick, strong and versatile, he was
often used wide on the right but
is now seen as a central support
striker. In rich form, making a good
start in Mexico. Previously with
emelec, where he was given his
debut by chiles Jorge Sampaoli.
70
World Soccer
TACTICS
4-4-2
Dominguez
Paredes
Guagua
A Valencia
Erazo
Castillo
W Ayovi
Montero
Noboa
E Valencia
0
0
Caicedo
34
0
John NARVAEZ
Emelec
Age 23 (12.06.91)
Rangy, con dent gure who did
well at centre-back at under-20
level, and has since established
himself at right-back with his club
and forced himself into the senior
side, although he has yet to make
his debut.
x
x
53
0
41
2
68
8
Christian NOBOA
Luis SARITAMA
Antonio VALENCIA
Barcelona SC
Age 30 (20.10.83)
Originally an attacking mid elder,
a lack of pace means he is now
more successful using his passing
skills from deeper. In the 2006
squad, having made his senior
international debut in 2003
against Peru.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Luis CHECA (D, Age 30, 21.12.83,
7/0, Barcelona SC)
Isaac MINA (D, Age 33, 17.10.80,
19/2, El Nacional)
Christian RAMIREZ (D, Age 19,
15.08.94, 2/0, Fortuna Dusseldorf,
Ger)
Michael ARROYO (M, Age 27,
23.04.87, 20/2, Atlante, Mex)
Alex BOLANOS (M, Age 28, 22.01.86,
7/0, Barcelona SC)
Pedro QUINONEZ (M, Age 28,
04.03.86, 10/0, Emelec)
4-5-1
Dominguez
Guagua
Erazo
W Ayovi
Paredes
Castillo
A Valencia
Mendez
Noboa
Montero
Caicedo
WORLD SOCCER
71
ENGLAND
In the cut-throat group
Tough task ahead for Hodgsons men
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 30
Jun 1
Jun 4
Jun 7
Jun 8
BASE CAMP
Manaus
BRAZIL
1,774 miles
Belo
Horizonte
223 miles
Sao Paulo
215 miles
Rio de
Janerio
GROUP D FIXTURES
Jun 14
v Italy (Manaus)
Jun 19
v Uruguay (Sao Paulo)
Jun 24
v Costa Rica (Belo Horizonte)
72 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Roy HodgSoN
Age 66 (09.08.47)
England coach since May 2012
Style of management
The antithesis of a showbiz manager, a
coachs coach who likes to drill his sides
on the training pitch. Long-time student
of the world game, multi-lingual and a
keen reader of modern literary fction.
Notable backroom staff
Gary Neville has attracted some
criticism for combining his coaching
alongside Hodgson with commentating
for Sky and a newspaper column.
Assistant coach Ray Lewington is a
colleague from his time at Fulham.
After the World Cup
Is contracted until 2016, so barring a
complete disaster in Brazil will stay on
to oversee the Euro 2016 qualifying
campaign.
World Soccer 73
england squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeepers
1
0
6
0
Ben FOSTER
Joe HART
Manchester City
Age 27 (19.04.87)
Form has dipped over the past
two seasons, being dropped by
Man city, but has remained
frst choice under Hodgson.
occasional mistakes are offset by
his command of the penalty area.
A promising schoolboy cricketer.
Fraser FORSTER
Celtic (Sco)
Age 26 (17.03.88)
Former reserve keeper at
Newcastle whose strong
performances for celtic in the
2011-12 champions league
earned him an england call-up.
Made his debut against chile
in November 2013.
defenders
22
1
KITs
39
0
22
2
First kit
24
1
107
0
Second kit
50
1
Leighton BAINES
Gary CAHILL
Ashley COLE
Phil JAGIELKA
Glen JOHNSON
Everton
Age 29 (11.12.84)
Has displaced Ashley cole as
left-back under Hodgson. Has
stuck with everton despite the
keen interest of Manchester
United. A big Indie music fan, he
has written a regular column
about music for evertons website.
Chelsea
Age 28 (19.12.85)
First choice centre-back who has
thrived since moving to chelsea in
January 2012. Has good
positional sense and doesnt rush
into tackles, preferring to block.
Missed euro 2012 with a
broken jaw.
Chelsea
Age 33 (20.12.80)
one of the best left-backs of the
past decade, he has fallen out of
favour at chelsea this season and
lost his england place to Baines.
May lose out to luke Shaw in the
fnal cut. Missed the crucial penalty
in the euro 2012 semi against Italy.
Everton
Age 31 (17.08.82)
Tough, no-nonsense centre-back
who began his career as a
midfelder. Has struggled with
injuries this season but confdent
of returning in time for the World
cup. A Polish grandfather means
he could have played for Poland.
Liverpool
Age 29 (23.08.84)
Attacking right-back who was
criticised by Hodgson for lapses
when liverpool manager but he
will head to Brazil on the back of
a strong season with liverpool.
Studying for a maths degree at
the open University.
mIdfIelders
3
0
31
0
109
21
8
0
3
0
Ross BARKLEY
Michael CARRICK
Steven GERRARD
Jordan HENDERSON
Adam LALLANA
Everton
Age 20 (05.12.93)
Talented all-rounder with good mix
of technique, vision and tenacity.
Has enjoyed a rapid rise over the
past year, blossoming at everton
after spending last summer in
englands under-performing team
at the Under-20 World cup.
Manchester United
Age 32 (28.07.81)
Midfeld metronome who provides
a useful role as a link man but who
has been criticised for lacking
adventure and shirking the
physical side of the game. His wife
lisa has taken to Twitter to
admonish his critics.
Liverpool
Age 34 (30.05.80)
captain of club and country who
has enjoyed an exceptional season
with liverpool in a more disciplined
role at the base of midfeld. His
cousin, 10-year-old Jon-Paul
Gilhooley, was the youngest victim
of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
Liverpool
Age 23 (17.06.90)
Sunderland-born all-rounder who
has thrived alongside Gerrard in
liverpools midfeld this season.
Struggled to adapt following his
20m move to Anfeld in 2011
but offers more dynamism than
carrick or Frank lampard.
Southampton
Age 26 (10.05.88)
Has played for Southampton in
three divisions, emerging this
season as a real talent, a clever
ball-player with passing and
dribbling ability. The Saints skipper
mainly plays on the left fank but
can also play through the middle.
forwards
9
2
14
3
10
3
89
38
8
2
Andy CARROLL
Alex OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
Wayne ROONEY
Daniel STURRIDGE
Danny WELBECK
West Ham
Age 25 (06.01.89)
combative but injury-prone target
man whose height makes him a
threat at set-pieces and gives any
team a direct route to goal.
discarded by liverpool when they
cut their losses on a player signed
for 35m in January 2011.
Arsenal
Age 20 (15.08.93)
A surprise call-up to the euro 2012
squad but injuries have slowed his
progress. Arsene Wenger sees his
long-term role in central midfeld,
not a winger, the position of his
father, Mark chamberlain, who won
eight england caps in the 1980s.
Manchester United
Age 28 (24.10.85)
englands talisman who is capable
of great things but has rarely
performed on the big stage for his
country. englands all-time top
scorer in World cup qualifying
but has yet to fnd the net in a
fnals tournament.
Liverpool
Age 24 (01.09.89)
livewire striker who has found his
feet at liverpool after diffcult
spells at Manchester city and
chelsea. often is asked to play out
wide for england. committed
christian who regularly thanks
God in interviews.
Manchester United
Age 23 (26.11.90)
An injury-affected season has
seen him slip down the pecking
order at Manchester United, but
he remains an important option
for Hodgson. Scored with a
cheeky backheel against Sweden
at euro 2012.
74
World Soccer
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Hart
Baines
Johnson
Jagielka
Cahill
Gerrard
Wilshere
Rooney
Sterling
Lallana
Sturridge
9
0
10
0
x
x
Phil JONES
Chris SMALLING
Manchester United
Age 22 (21.02.92)
Brave, tough tackler who has been
touted as a ball-playing
centre-back. Exceptionally
versatile, he can also play at
right-back and in defensive
mid eld. Has been likened to the
legendary Duncan Edwards.
Manchester United
Age 24 (22.11.89)
Signed from non-league
Maidstone by Hodgson when he
was in charge of Fulham. Likely to
be included for his versatility, at
right-back and central defence,
but unlikely to start. Height makes
him a useful asset at set pieces.
2
0
45
1
James MILNER
Manchester City
Age 28 (04.01.86)
Not a regular starter for City but
admired by Hodgson for his
discipline, industry and versatility.
One of the youngest players to
score in the Premier League, he
was a useful schoolboy cricketer
who represented Yorkshire.
15
0
Raheem STERLING
Jack WILSHERE
Liverpool
Age 19 (08.12.94)
Jamaican-born winger promoted
from the Under-21s by Hodgson.
Another Liverpool player who has
excelled this season with his
exciting pace on the anks but can
often be more effective playing
through the centre.
Arsenal
Age 22 (01.01.92)
One of the great hopes of English
football, comfortable in possession
with good passing vision, but yet to
make a real breakthrough at the
very top level. Troubled by injuries,
the latest being a foot injuy that
has sidelined him since March.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
John RUDDY (G, Age 27, 24.10.86,
1/0, Norwich)
Luke SHAW (D, Age 18, 12.07.95, 1/0,
Southampton)
Joleon LESCOTT (D, Age 31,
16.08.82, 26/1, Manchester City)
John STONES (D, Age 19, 28.05.94,
0/0, Everton)
John FLANAGAN (D, Age 21,
01.01.93, 0/0, Liverpool)
Gareth BARRY (M, Age 33, 23.02.81,
53/3, Manchester City)
Frank LAMPARD (M, Age 35,
20.06.78, 103/29, Chelsea)
Plan B?
The more expansive 4-3-3 formation is likely
to be introduced when England are chasing
goals, potentially in their nal group outing
against Costa Rica. This would enable the
full-backs, Glen Johnson and Leighton
Baines, to push down the anks, safe in the
knowledge that there is always someone to
cover in behind them. This would see Rooney
adopting a more central role, with Sturridge
running the channels down the right.
And then, of course, there is Englands
more traditional Plan B hitting it long to a
big target man. Hodgson isnt afraid to use it,
and it worked for him against Sweden in Euro
2012, but the chances of seeing it in Brazil
will very much depend if Rickie Lambert or
Andy Carroll are in the coachs nal 23.
4-3-3
Hart
MISSING OUT
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott and
Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez
have both been ruled out with cruciate
knee ligament injuries. Another winger,
Andros Townsend has had an
operation on ankle ligaments, while his
Tottenham team-mate Kyle Walker is
likely to be absent with a pelvic problem.
Johnson
Sterling
Sturridge
Cahill
Jagielka
Gerrard
Baines
Wilshere
Lallana
Rooney
WORLD SOCCER
75
FRANCE
Anything is possible
for Les Bleus
Play-off scare will not dampen spirit of Deschamps side
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 19
May 27
Jun 1
Jun 8
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
1,137 miles
Ribeirao
867 miles
320 miles
Rio de
Janerio
Porto Alegre
GROUP B FIXTURES
Jun 15
v Honduras (Porto Alegre)
Jun 20
v Switzerland (Salvador)
Jun 25
v Ecuador (Rio de Janeiro)
76 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Didier DeSCHAmPS
Age 45 (15.10.68)
France coach since July 2012
How he got
the job
Was unhappy
as coach of
Marseille following
differences with
sporting director
Jose Anigo when
the call came to
replace Laurent Blanc after a
disappointing Euro 2012 campaign.
Past successes as a coach
Took Monaco to the Champions League
Final in 2004, led Juventus to the Serie
B title in 2007 after a fnancial scandal
saw them demoted, and won the
French league with Marseille in 2010.
Past failures as a coach
None on a sporting level, but fractious
personal relationships at Juventus and
Marseille led to a parting of the ways.
Achievements as a player
Captained the national side to World
Cup glory on home soil in 1998 before
going on to win Euro 2000.
World Cup experience
For a player with 103 caps, he only
appeared in the 1998 fnals after
France failed to qualify in both 1990
and 1994. This is his frst World Cup
as a coach.
Relationship with the media
Spikey. Hes not slow in putting a
journalist down with a withering
comment if he feels the need and often
refuses to discuss subjects relating to
player selection.
Relationship with the public
Lifted the World Cup in front of an
adoring French public, so hes got
plenty of credit in the bank.
Style of management/coaching
A big fan of the collective, not afraid to
ruffe individual feathers and make big
decisions if he has to.
Notable backroom staff
His assistant, Guy Stephan, was number
two to former France boss Domenech
and also coached Senegal before
joining Deschamps at Marseille.
After the World Cup
Signed a contract extension until 2016
following qualifcation for Brazil.
World Soccer 77
FRANCE SQUAD
123
12
caps
goals
GOALKEEPERS
11
0
55
0
Mickael LANDREAU
Bastia
Age 35 (14.05.79)
A dependable back-up who holds
the record for the most matches
played in Ligue 1, having this
season beaten Jean-Luc Ettoris
602 appearances.
DEFENDERS
19
2
Hugo LLORIS
Tottenham Hotspur (Eng)
Age 27 (26.12.86)
A great shot-stopper with superb
reexes who doesnt have a
serious rival as rst choice. Holds
the dubious record of being the
only French international keeper
to have been sent off against
Serbia in 2009.
1
0
MIDFIELDERS
27
2
Lucas DIGNE
Yohan CABAYE
65
19
FORWARDS
Paris Saint-Germain
Age 20 (20.07.93)
Left-back whose rise has been
remarkably swift, given that he
only signed his rst pro contract
with Lille in July 2010. Moved to
PSG in July 2013 on a ve-year
deal and has impressed enough
to challenge Evra and Clichy.
3
0
Paris Saint-Germain
Age 28 (14.01.86)
A hard-working yet skilful
mid elder who also scores
spectacular goals. Joined
Newcastle United for 5m in
2011 and left for PSG for 23m
in 2014. His star is clearly
in the ascendant.
Second kit
2
2
Patrice EVRA
Laurent KOSCIELNY
Eliaquim MANGALA
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 28 (10.09.85)
Has his share of critics, but many
admire his never-say-die attitude,
good positional play and uncanny
ability to put strikers off their game.
Of Polish descent, he recently saved
an accordion factory from going
bankrupt in his home town of Tulle.
Porto (Por)
Age 23 (13.02.91)
A much sought-after central
defender who represents France
despite having grown up in
Belgium. Joined Porto from
Standard Liege in 2011, but looks
set to step up and achieve even
bigger and better things.
9
0
7
0
Clement GRENIER
Blaise MATUIDI
Rio MAVUBA
Dimitri PAYET
Lyon
Age 23 (07.01.91)
An attacking mid elder who was
called up for the rst time by
Deschamps last year and made
his debut against Uruguay in June.
A lynchpin at Lyon, hes already
made over 100 appearances for
the club.
Paris Saint-Germain
Age 27 (09.04.87)
Arrived at PSG from Saint-Etienne
in 2011 despite the misgivings of
several board members. Has since
gone on to prove his worth as a
combative, box-to-box competitor
with an insatiable appetite for work.
Pops up with vital goals as well.
Lille
Age 30 (08.03.84)
Recognised as one of French
footballs nice guys, he was born
on a boat to a mother eeing civil
war in Angola. Combative and
consistent, his tough start in life
makes him a competitor on the
pitch and a gentleman off it.
Marseille
Age 27 (29.03.87)
A talented and creative player
born on the island of Reunion,
who has played for four big French
clubs: Nantes, Saint-Etienne, Lille
and now Marseille. Deschamps
says he has it in him to be a match
winner, but he hasnt proved it yet.
27
5
1
0
Karim BENZEMA
Olivier GIROUD
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 27 (30.09.86)
A willing workhorse who does
the dirty stuff in uncomplaining
fashion, often operating as a
solitary striker for his club. Has
reportedly been ordered to get
a move back to France by his wife
after rumours about his love life.
WORLD SOCCER
First kit
15
0
20
1
78
Steve MANDANDA
Marseille
Age 29 (28.03.85)
Congo-born, he tried out
for Aston Villa before joining
Marseille from Le Havre in 2007.
Sometimes seems too nice and
laid-back to be a real winner. His
brother, Parfait, is Congos
national keeper.
55
0
Mathieu DEBUCHY
Newcastle United (Eng)
Age 28 (28.07.85)
A full-back with the ability to make
lung-busting touchline runs all
day long, he spent 10 years with
his only other club, Lille, before
heading to England last year. His
brother, Gregoire, is a professional
in the French lower leagues.
KITS
16
0
Antoine GRIEZMANN
Real Sociedad (Spa)
Age 23 (21.03.91)
An exciting new talent who can
play in a number of different
attacking positions, he made his
senior debut against Holland in
March. Signed by Sociedad in
2006 after being turned down
by a number of French sides.
31
5
Mathieu VALBUENA
Marseille
Age 29 (28.09.84)
A right-sided attacker who makes
up in heart what he lacks in
stature. Has impressive ball skills
and can deliver a killer cross, but
probably lacks the star quality that
instils real fear in the worlds best
defenders.
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Lloris
Varane
Koscielny
Evra
Debuchy
Pogba
Griezmann
Matuidi
Ribery
Cabaye
Benzema
39
0
16
2
5
0
Bacary SAGNA
Mamadou SAKHO
Raphael VARANE
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 31 (14.02.83)
Will battle it out with Debuchy for
a starting berth at right-back.
Earned his move to the Gunners
after playing every league game of
the 2006-07 season for Auxerre.
After seven years with Arsenal his
contract expires this summer.
Liverpool (Eng)
Age 24 (13.02.90)
A strong, powerful and athletic
centre-back who has had a
number of career ups and downs.
Came back into the France team
for the second leg World Cup
play-off game against Ukraine and
scored two goals.
81
16
8
1
Paul POGBA
Juventus (Ita)
Age 21 (15.03.93)
At 6ft 3in he offers real physical
presence together with admirable
close-ball skills. Turned his back
on Manchester United after two
years in England to join Juve.
Captain of the Under-20 World
Cup-winning side last year.
14
0
Franck RIBERY
Bayern Munich (Ger)
Age 31 (07.04.83)
Quick feet are matched by a ne
footballing brain and a desire for
work that is more German than
French. A prostitution scandal in
2009 didnt affect his form or
popularity and he remains the
heartbeat of any side he plays in.
Moussa SISSOKO
Newcastle United (Eng)
Age 24 (16.08.89)
An athletic powerhouse who has
the ability to do great things but
sometimes lacks nesse. Isnt
consistent enough to be sure of a
place in Deschamps starting line-up,
but is a useful sub to have around
for a sudden injection of energy.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Eric ABIDAL (D, Age 34, 11.09.79,
67/0, Monaco)
Gael CLICHY (D, Age 28, 26.07.85,
20/0, Manchester City, Eng)
Rod FANNI (D, Age 32, 06.12.81, 5/0,
Marseille)
Charles KONDOGBIA (M, Age 21,
15.02.93, 1/0, Monaco)
Jeremy MENEZ (M, Age 27, 07.05.87,
24/2, Paris Saint-Germain)
Samir NASRI (M, Age 26, 26.06.87,
41/5, Manchester City, Eng)
Andre-Pierre GIGNAC (F, Age 28,
05.12.85, 17/4, Marseille)
4-4-2
Lloris
MISSING OUT
Midelder Yann MVila was banned until
June 2014 by his own federation after
visiting a Paris nightclub while on duty
with the French Under-21 team back
in October of 2012. Technically, he is
available again after the ban was
reduced on appeal, but its hard to
see the 23-year-old making the squad.
Varane
Debuchy
Mangala
Pogba
Matuidi
Benzema
Giroud
Digne
Ribery
Griezmann
WORLD SOCCER
79
GERMANY
Lows side are a class act
This squad is the nations most talented for many years
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 13
May 21-31
Jun 1
Jun 6
Jun 7
BASE CAMP
Fortaleza
BRAZIL
Recife
862 miles
Porto
Seguro
GROUP G FIXTURES
Jun 16
v Portugal (Salvador)
Jun 21
v Ghana (Fortaleza)
Jun 26
v USA (Recife)
80 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Joachim LOW
Age 54 (03.02.60)
Germany coach since July 2006
How he got
the job
After two years as
Jurgen Klinsmanns
assistant he was
promoted to the hot
seat when his boss
walked away
at the end of the
2006 World Cup.
Past successes as a coach
Countless near-misses with Germany:
silver at Euro 2008 and third place at
the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Led
Stuttgart to the German Cup in 1997
and the Final of the Cup-winners Cup.
Past failures as a coach
Germanys 2-1 loss to Italy in the Euro
2012 semi-fnal was supposed to be
the game his side could not lose.
Achievements as a player
Won four caps as a striker for West
Germany under-21s.
World Cup experience
Lauded for his strategic sense of
adventure at the last two tournaments.
Relationship with the media
Increasingly strained. Critics point to
tactical and selection failures in the
Euro 2012 semi-fnal and the defensive
shambles in a 4-4 draw with Sweden in
the World Cup 2014 qualifers.
World Soccer 81
Germany squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalkeepers
45
0
1
0
Manuel Neuer
roman WeideNfeller
Bayern Munich
Age 28 (27.03.86)
First choice for the past four
years, he has built his world-class
reputation with his sharp refexes,
superior concentration, distribution
and restrained reliability. Unusual
in preferring not to have a man on
the far post at corners.
Borussia Dortmund
Age 33 (06.08.80)
classic late developer who,
in winning his frst cap against
england in November, became
Germanys oldest goalkeeping
debutant. His big-match
experience with dortmund makes
him the ideal number two to Neuer.
defenders
37
0
kiTs
2
0
4
0
ron-robert zieler
Hanover
Age 25 (12.02.89)
ex-Manchester United youthteamer who reads the game
well and comes off his line with
purpose. dismissed against
Argentina two years ago, he is
the only German international
keeper to be sent off.
First kit
28
2
18
1
Second kit
45
3
Jerome BoateNg
Kevin grossKreutz
Benedikt HoWedes
Mats HuMMels
Marcell JaNseN
Bayern Munich
Age 37 (03.09.88)
Berlin-born son of Ghanaian
father and German mother who
played in both full-back positions
but now is an automatic choice in
central defence. The half-brother
of Schalke and Ghana attacking
midfelder Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Borussia Dortmund
Age 25 (19.07.88)
recalled this spring after a twoyear absence, he made a name for
himself as a rampaging left-sided
midfelder, but this season has
impressed at right-back for
dortmund, the team he
supported as a boy.
Schalke
Age 26 (29.02.88)
despite some muscular problems
this season, the Schalke captain
remains a valuable squad man.
Solid in the air, he provides backup at right-back and in central
defence. The public face of a
cancer awareness campaign.
Borussia Dortmund
Age 25 (16.12.88)
Smart and stylish centre-back who
has not quite hit the same heights
with the national team as with
dortmund. May have to make do
with a second-string role in Brazil.
Tends to speak his mind, which
has not endeared him to low.
Hamburg
Age 28 (04.11.85)
In Germanys squad for the 2006
and 2010 fnals, he can play
anywhere on the left fank but
will probably be used in Brazil as
Schmelzers deputy. rumoured to
be on his way out of Hamburg, his
club for the past six years.
midfielders
17
4
27
7
42
5
44
4
53
17
lars BeNder
Mario gotze
sami KHedira
toni Kroos
Mesut ozil
Bayer Leverkusen
Age 25 (27.04.89)
The twin-brother of dortmund
water carrier Sven, the hardworking and tactically astute
leverkusener is likely to be on
understudy watch in Brazil, waiting
in the wings for the chance to shine
in defensive midfeld or right-back.
Bayern Munich
Age 22 (03.06.92)
The twinkle-toed starlet is a danger
anywhere in the attacking third,
but because of the competition
for places he is yet to cement a
permanent spot in the starting
line-up. elder brother Fabian plays
for third division Unterhaching.
Bayern Munich
Age 24 (04.01.90)
Has vision, technique, industry
and intelligence which means he
can operate in a deep-lying role,
further forward or in wide positions.
His father roland is a youth-team
coach at Hansa rostock and brother
Felix plays for Werder Bremen.
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 25 (15.10.88)
His frst season at Arsenal has had
its highs and lows, and there is
much debate in Germany about
the playmakers effectiveness on
the big occasion. But no one in
lows side has more imagination
and plays a better fnal ball.
forwards
59
25
131
68
19
7
47
16
Mario goMez
Miroslav Klose
thomas Muller
Fiorentina (Ita)
Age 28 (10.07.85)
Powerful front man criticised by
some for clumsiness and a lack of
mobility, but he is a proven scorer
for club and country, and has lots
of big tournament experience
at the 2008 and 2012 euros, and
the 2010 World cup.
Lazio (Ita)
Age 36 (09.06.78)
With 14 goals in three fnals
tournaments he is just one short
of ronaldos World cup record.
The Polish-born striker shuns the
limelight. He has struggled with
injuries this season and is out of
contract with lazio in June.
Bayern Munich
Age 24 (13.09.89)
While usually lining up on the right
wing, he can take on any type of
attacking role, including that of the
false nine. An all-action player
who makes and takes chances, will
run all day, puts in a defensive shift
and has a fair for fnding space.
82
World Soccer
x
x
Marco reus
Borussia Dortmund
Age 25 (31.05.89)
By his own high standards, the
left-winger has not had the best
of seasons, but in hot, sapping
conditions rolls reus could
make the difference with his
powers of acceleration, dribbling
and changes of direction.
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Neuer
Lahm
Boateng
Mertesacker
Schmelzer
Schweinsteiger
Muller
Kroos
Reus
Ozil
Gotze
105
5
96
4
16
0
Philipp LAHM
Per MERTESACKER
Marcel SCHMELZER
Bayern Munich
Age 30 (11.11.83)
Germanys skipper might have the
look of a choirboy, but he has the
inner steel of a natural spielfuhrer.
After many seasons as a top-notch
full-back he was switched to a
central mid eld role this season
by Bayern coach Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 29 (29.09.84)
Although lacking in pace and
mobility, the beanpole stopper
more than compensates with his
nose for danger, crisp challenges,
strength in the air and consistency.
Runs a foundation for disadvantaged
children in his hometown of Hanover.
Borussia Dortmund
Age 26 (22.01.88)
Busy, gritty and turbo-charged
Dortmunder undoubtedly who
is the best of the options at leftback, though sometimes guilty
of allowing his attacking gusto to
cloud his defensive judgement. A
left-winger at rst club Magdeburg.
31
11
112
46
101
23
Lukas PODOLSKI
Andre SCHURRLE
Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 29 (04.06.85)
The goal-hungry left-sided
mid elder has started only
occasionally for Germany since
Euro 2012, but retains his place in
the squad thanks to his powerful
shooting, positive attitude and vast
international experience.
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 23 (06.11.90)
Comfortable on either ank
or as a second striker, this most
unassuming of internationals could
well be Lows favourite impact
substitute this summer and might
even push Reus for a starting spot
on the left-wing.
Bayern Munich
Age 29 (01.08.84)
Provided he can steer clear of
injury, the canny central mid elder
and national team vice-captain is
the man who effectively holds the
side together, setting the creative
tempo with his laser-like passing.
His other passion is basketball.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Rene ADLER (G, Age, 29, 01.01.85,
12/0, Hamburg)
Marc-Andre TER STEGEN (G, Age 21,
30.04.92, 3/0, Borussia Mgladbach)
Matthias GINTER (D, Age 20,
19.01.94, 1/0, Freiburg)
Shrokdan MUSTAFI (D, Age 22,
17.04.92, 0/0, Sampdoria, Ita)
Heiko WESTERMANN (D, Age 30,
14.08.83, 27/4, Hamburg)
Sven BENDER (M, Age 25, 27.04.89,
7/0, Borussia Dortmund)
Julian DRAXLER (M, Age 20,
20.09.93, 10/1, Schalke)
4-1-4-1
Neuer
Boateng Mertesacker
Schmelzer
Grosskreutz
Lahm
Muller
Schurrle
Ozil
Gotze
Klose
WORLD SOCCER
83
GHANA
Bold Black Stars
fancy their chances
Tough group holds no fear for Appiahs side
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 25
May 31
Jun 2
Jun 9
Jun 10
BASE CAMP
Black Star...Ghanas mideld general, Sulley Muntari
BRAZIL
Natal
337
Fortaleza miles
454 miles
Maceio
924 miles
Brasilia
GROUP G FIXTURES
Jun 16
v USA (Natal)
jun 21
v Germany (Fortaleza)
Jun 26
v Portugal (Brasilia)
84 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Kwesi APPiAH
Age 53 (30.06.60)
Ghana coach since March 2012
Style of management/coaching
Cajoling and encouraging, perhaps
missing a little fervour as he navigates
through several prickly egos.
Notable back room staff
Maxwell Konadu, a former Ghana
international striker.
World Soccer 85
ghana squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeepers
0
0
16
0
Stephen AdAmS
Aduana Stars
Age 24 (28.09.89)
A recent call-up as Appiah seeks
options in the weakest department
in his squad. Played at Januarys
African Nations championship for
home-based players and won two
man-of-the-match awards as
Ghana reached the Final.
mIdfIelders
13
1
Stromsgodset (Nor)
Age 26 (12.12.87)
Born in Norway with a Ghanaian
father, he is a Norway under-21
international who switched
allegiance to Ghana three years
ago. Won the Norwegian league
last year and was named the
competitions top goalkeeper.
Esperance (Tun)
Age 27 (24.06.86)
Adept at full-back on either fank,
he missed out on the last World
cup fnals despite having played
regularly in the qualifers. Scored
the goal that ensured an African
champions league triumph for
his Tunisian club in 2011.
47
7
First kit
29
3
8
1
Harrison AFFul
david Addy
Vitoria Guimaraes (Por)
Age 24 (21.02.90)
left-back who made his
international debut at the age of
18. Moved to Porto in 2010 but
soon went out on loan, before
moving to Guimaraes in 2012.
An Under-20 World cup winner
with Ghana in 2009.
Adam kwArASEy
Fatau dAudA
Orlando Pirates (SAf)
Age 29 (06.04.85)
First choice for the qualifers but
has since been warned he needs
more frst-team action for his
South African club side. Just a
handful of league games this
season means he is in danger of
sitting on the bench in Brazil.
39
0
defenders
9
0
KIT
20
0
59
4
44
1
John BoyE
Samuel inkoom
Rennes (Fra)
Age 27 (23.04.87)
Injury and a loss of form have
restricted his appearances in
ligue 1 this season but he is
Ghanas key defender. can also be
used at right-back and broke into
the team after an injury crisis at
the 2012 African Nations cup.
Platanias (Gre)
Age 25 (01.06.89)
An Under-20 World cup winner,
he starred for the senior team at
the 2010 African Nations cup
with his attacking wide play.
Moved to Swiss side Basle but his
career has waned since at clubs in
Ukraine, France and now Greece.
Jerry AkAminko
Eskisehirspor (Tur)
Age 25 (02.05.88)
Part of the squad at last years
African Nations cup but not yet
able to establish himself as a
frst-choice at centre-back.
Played for Heart of lions in
Ghana, where he was named
defender of the Year.
Second kit
21
4
45
5
Albert AdomAH
Emmanuel AgyEmAng-BAdu
kwadwo ASAmoAH
Christian AtSu
Andre AyEw
Middlesbrough (Eng)
Age 26 (13.12.87)
london-born midfelder who was
playing part-time while studying
industrial painting some six years
ago, coming through the league
ranks with Barnet and Bristol city.
Made his international debut
against Brazil in 2011.
Udinese (Ita)
Age 23 (02.12.90)
He has been in Italy since the age
of 19 at Udinese but has only
been a regular for the last two
seasons. Scored the deciding kick
in the penalty shoot-out that saw
Ghana beat Brazil in the 2009
Under-20 World cup Final.
Juventus (Ita)
Age 25 (09.12.88)
Began his career as a playmaker
but is now a key fgure down the
lef fank. Named Ghanas Player of
the Year for the last two years, he
has just won a second scudetto
with Juventus, who co-own his
contract with Udinese.
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 22 (10.01.92)
Tricky left-winger who chelsea
bought from Porto on a fve-year
contract at the start of the season
and then parked in the dutch
league with Vitesse for the season.
Had his football education at the
Feyenoord academy in Ghana.
Marseille (Fra)
Age 24 (17.12.89)
eldest son of Abedi Pele, who won
three African Footballer of the
Year titles, he has emerged as a
real talent in his own right. Back in
the Black Stars ranks after a
years self-imposed exile caused
by a spat with the coach.
forwards
20
4
12
2
11
2
dominic AdiyiAH
Jordan AyEw
unattached
Age 24 (29.11.89)
His career has not taken off as
predicted after a move to Milan in
2009. His most recent club side,
Arsenal Kiev, went bankrupt this
season and he has been anxiously
trying to fnd a new club deal in
the run-up to Brazil.
Marseille (Fra)
Age 22 (11.09.91)
Born in France, where his father
Abedi Pele played for Marseille, he
has been on loan at Sochaux since
January. disciplinary problems
have restricted his appearances,
leading to his exclusion from the
2013 Nations cup squad.
86
World Soccer
kevin-Prince BoAtEng
Schalke (Ger)
Age 27 (06.03.87)
German-born to a Ghanaian
father, he played against his
German half-brother in the last
World cup. retired from
international football shortly
afterwards but made himself
available again last year.
77
38
8
3
Asamoah gyAn
Al Ain (UAE)
Age 28 (22.11.85)
Ghanas record goalscorer who
missed a crucial penalty against
Uruguay at the 2010 World cup
denying Ghana an historic place in
the semi-fnals. Quit the national
side for a while but is now back
leading the line as captain.
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Kwarasey
Addy
Opare
Mensah
Boye
Essien
A Ayew
Muntari
Boateng
Asamoah
Gyan
23
1
15
0
0
0
Daniel OPARE
Jonathan MENSAH
Evian (Fra)
Age 23 (13.07.90)
Tough-tackling centre-back who
played three matches at the last
World Cup nals while still a
teenager. He signed for Udinese in
2009, who then loaned him to
Granada in Spain, before he
moved on to Ligue 1.
80
21
55
7
Michael ESSIEN
Milan (Ita)
Age 31 (03.12.82)
Highly inuential mid elder who
returned last September after a
two-year international exile.
Despite a lack of game time at
club level, he played a signi cant
role in the thrashing of Egypt in
the qualifying play-off.
16
7
Sulley MUNTARI
Milan (Ita)
Age 29 (27.08.84)
Made his international debut at
the age of 17 and has played at
the last two World Cups. His club
honours include two Serie A
championship wins, although his
time in Italy has also been blighted
by disciplinary lapses.
Mubarak WAKASO
Rubin Kazan (Rus)
Age 23 (25.07.90)
A graduate of the Ghana
under-17 side, he came into his
own for the senior side at last
years African Nations Cup nals.
Moved to Spanish side Espanyol
in 2008 before moving on to
Russia last summer.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Daniel AGYEI (G, Age 24, 10.11.89,
5/0, Free State Stars, SAf)
Rashid SUMAILA (D, Age 21,
18.12.92, 4/0, Mamelodi Sundowns,
SAf)
Yussif CHIBSAH (M, Age 30 30.12.83,
13/1, Djurgarden, Swe)
Isaac COFIE (M, Age 23, 05.04.91,
1/0, Genoa, Ita)
4-4-2
Kwarasey
Boye
Mensah
Addy
Opare
Essien
Muntari
Asamoah
A Ayew
Gyan
Waris
WORLD SOCCER
87
GREECE
Maturity and optimism
Greeks look to improve on their poor nals record
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 1-30
May 31
Jun 3
Jun 6
Jun 7
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
749 miles
Fortaleza
Natal
488 miles
965 miles
Aracaju
Belo Horizonte
GROUP C FIXTURES
Jun 14
v Colombia (Belo Horizonte)
Jun 19
v Japan (Natal)
Jun 24
v Ivory Coast (Fortaleza)
88 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
Players have said he is easy-going and
a master of tactics. Can show signs of
anger at times if a player makes a
costly mistake, but he is very
understanding of the Greek players
volatile mentality.
notable backroom staff
Leonidas Vokolos (assistant coach) and
Takis Fyssas (technical director).
after the World Cup
Will be leaving this summer when his
contract expires, regardless of how the
team performs in Brazil. Has said he
wants to coach a club team, without
mentioning which team.
World Soccer 89
greece squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalkeepers
17
0
15
0
Orestis Karnezis
Udinese (Ita)
Age 29 (11.07.85)
Tall, good all-rounder who has
good positional sense. during
qualifcation for Brazil he did not
concede a goal in 596 minutes.
Spent the season on loan to
Granada in Spain but has mostly
been on the bench.
midfielders
defenders
20
1
Michalis sifaKis
alexandros tzOrvas
Atromitos
Age 29 (09.09.84)
Used frequently during the euro
2012 qualifers before an injury
kept him out for fve months. Now
back to full ftness and expected
to challenge again. Won a 2009
fair-play award for his calm reaction
to a pitch-invading Iraklis fan.
Apollon
Age 31 (12.08.82)
Started all three games in South
Africa after keeping two clean
sheets against Ukraine in the
2010 play-offs. Has good refexes
and has restored his reputation in
Greece after a disappointing spell
in Italy with Palermo and Genoa.
28
0
Jose HOlebas
Giannis Maniatis
Olympiakos
Age 29 (27.06.84)
With his speed down the fanks
and accurate crossing he is as
important in attack as defence.
Born in Bavaria to a Greek father
and Uruguayan mother, he also
takes good set-pieces but can be
careless with some of his tackles.
Olympiakos
Age 28 (12.10.86)
Solid performer who is strong in
the tackle, has great stamina and
a surprisingly good passing range.
covers team-mates well and
capable of shooting from distance.
Midfeld enforcer for his club, he
has played right-back for Greece.
16
1
16
3
lazaros CHristOdOulOpOulOs
Bologna (Ita)
Age 27 (19.12.86)
Nippy and resourceful supersub
who has played well in Serie A
since January. Nicknamed The
Builder as a result of him telling
the media he would be better off
working on a building site than
playing for PAoK.
forwards
69
24
Giannis fetfatzidis
Genoa (Ita)
Age 23 (21.12.90)
Skilful and speedy individual who
can rip it up on either fank or play
in the hole. can be frustratingly
selfsh, but on his day, is a genuine
matchwinner. left olympiakos for
Genoa last summer in a 4m deal.
29
8
fanis GeKas
Kostas MitrOGlOu
Konyaspor (Tur)
Age 34 (23.05.80)
once the top scorer in Germany
and Greece, he was also europes
leading marksman in the 2010
World cup qualifers with 10
goals. Santos persuaded him
to come out of international
retirement.
Fulham (Eng)
Age 26 (12.03.88)
Bustling, German-born front man
who was the hero of the play-offs.
Became the most expensive Greek
player of all time when he joined
Fulham from olympiakos for 12m
in January but has been hampered
by a persistent knee injury.
90
World Soccer
kiTs
16
0
First kit
36
0
6
0
Kostas ManOlas
Olympiakos
Age 22 (14.06.91)
Quick, excellent in the air and
comfortable when left one-onone with an opponent. He is the
nephew of Greece legend Stelios
Manolas. one of seven players
dropped from the squad on the
eve of the 2010 fnals.
132
10
Giorgos KaraGOunis
Fulham (Eng)
Age 37 (06.03.77)
Greeces most-capped player of
all time, despite his age he is still
relied upon to spark the team in
midfeld, although mostly as a
substitute these days. deadly
from free-kicks and a master
at keeping possession.
73
13
dimitris salpinGidis
PAOK
Age 32 (18.08.81)
Stocky, pacy, mobile and gritty
attacker who wrings every last
drop of effectiveness from the
ability he has. Great on the
counter-attack, he epitomises
the steely, opportunistic Greece
of the last decade.
Second kit
46
0
109
9
14
0
Kostas KatsOuranis
PAOK
Age 34 (21.06.79)
A veteran from euro 2004, he still
warrants his place even though he
is slowing down. A quarter-back
in midfeld and dangerous with
free-kicks, he remains an excellent
passer. Has 21, his preferred squad
number, tattooed on his hand.
71
8
Giorgos saMaras
Celtic (Sco)
Age 29 (21.02.85)
Multi-purpose forward who dribbles
well and has a strong shot. Had
an indifferent time at Manchester
city but has blossomed at celtic.
The son of former international
Ioannis Samaras.
panagiotis KOne
Bologna (Ita)
Age 26 (26.07.87)
The aggressive right-winger or
attacking midfelder has scored
spectacular goals in the Italian
league, notably a scissor-kick
volley against Napoli last season.
Born in Albania but moved to
Greece at the age of two.
x
x
TACTICS
4-3-3
Karnezis
Holebas
Torosidis
Papastathopoulos
Tziolis
Siovas
Karagounis
Maniatis
Salpingidis
Samaras
Mitroglou
8
0
12
0
64
7
Dimitris SIOVAS
Vasilis TOROSIDIS
Giorgos TZAVELLAS
Olympiakos
Age 25 (16.09.88)
Hard-as-nails central defender
who is quick in the air, can pass
accurately and also poses a goal
threat. Broke his right ankle
in January but is expected to
recover. Established himself in
the rst team during the quali ers.
Roma (Ita)
Age 29 (10.06.85)
Capable of playing almost
anywhere on the pitch, but used
exclusively at right-back by
Santos. Energetic and provides
dangerous crosses from the right
ank. A good header of the ball
and also shoots well from distance.
PAOK
Age 26 (26.11.87)
Capable but temperamental
reserve left-back or central
defender. Prior to joining PAOK in
2013, he spent three seasons with
Eintracht Frankfurt and Monaco.
Famously scored from 70 metres
out in a Bundesliga game.
3
0
31
3
47
1
Sotiris NINIS
Andreas SAMARIS
Alexandros TZIOLIS
Parma (Ita)
Age 24 (03.04.90)
Youngest-ever scorer for Greece
at the age of 18, he has been on
loan to PAOK this season but has
seen limited action. Santos still
respects his capabilities, which
include speed, agility and
remarkable ball control.
Olympiakos
Age 24 (13.06.89)
Excellent young mid eld
all-rounder who earned a starting
position for his club this season
and has also impressed Santos,
who has kept a close watch on
him. His father, Zois, played for
lower-league Varda.
PAOK
Age 29 (13.02.85)
Tall defensive mid elder whose
main assets are his combativity
and reliability. Played every minute
of Greeces 2010 World Cup. Has
played for clubs in Greece, Germany,
Italy, Spain, Cyprus, France and is
currently on loan in Turkey.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Panagiotis GLYKOS (G, Age 27,
03.06.86, 1/0, PAOK)
Loukas VYNTRA (D, Age 33,
05.02.81, 47/0, Levante, Spa)
Kostas FORTOUNIS (M, Age 21,
16.10.92, 12/0, Kaiserslautern, Ger)
Stefanos ATHANASIADIS (F, Age 25,
24.12.88, 6/0, PAOK)
Dimitris PAPADOPOULOS (F, Age 32,
20.10.81, 23/2, Atromitos)
MISSING OUT
After being out for a year with a leg
injury, Schalke defender Kyriakos
Papadopoulos dislocated his shoulder
in training and it looks certain that
coach Santos will not look his way for
Brazil. He was already doubtful due to
little playing time in the last year.
4-2-3-1
Karnezis
Papastathopoulos Siovas
Holebas
Torosidis
Samaris
Salpingidis
Maniatis
Fetfatzidis
Samaras
Mitroglou
WORLD SOCCER
91
HOLLAND
Too soon for young
Oranje stars?
Van Gaals youthful squad faces a tough task
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 7
May 17
May 20
May 29
May 31
Jun 1
Jun 4
Jun 5
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Salvador
757 miles
Sao Paulo
223 miles
Rio de
Janeiro
Porto Alegre
961 miles
GROUP B FIXTURES
Jun 13
v Spain (Salvador)
Jun 18
v Australia (Porto Alegre)
Jun 23
v Chile (Sao Paulo)
92 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
World Soccer 93
holland squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeeperS
5
0
3
0
KITS
14
0
Jasper CILLESSEN
Kenneth VERMEER
Michel VORM
Ajax
Age 25 (22.04.89)
displaced Vermeer for both club
and country last year. calm and
reliable, he is the safest pair of
hands in the squad. Joined Ajax
from Nec in 2011 and made his
senior Holland debut in June 2013
in a friendly against Indonesia.
Ajax
Age 28 (10.01.86)
Athletic and strong in one-on-one
situations, but has a tendency to
make silly mistakes under pressure.
Has been unable to maintain his
place for a sustained period. of
Surinam descent and a winner
at the 2006 euro Under-21s.
defenderS
9
0
13
0
First kit
13
2
0
0
37
0
Daley BLIND
Daryl JANMAAT
Terence KONGOLO
Ajax
Age 24 (09.03.90)
Son of assistant coach and former
international danny Blind. Booed
during the Ajax power struggle in
which Johan cruyff blocked his
fathers appointment, he is now
a fans favourite. lacks pace but is
an excellent reader of the game.
Feyenoord
Age 24 (22.07.89)
Fast and strong right-back who
likes to get forward. Initially
rejected by Feyenoords youth
academy, he returned to the club
after spells with den Haag and
Heerenveen. His brother, robin, is
an amateur footballer and model.
Feyenoord
Age 20 (14.02.94)
Physically strong central defender
who can also play at left-back.
Won the european Under-17 title
in 2011. His parents hail from dr
congo. Younger brother rodney,
is expected to join Manchester
city this summer.
Feyenoord
Age 21 (08.02.93)
left-footed central defender who
is the Portuguese-born son of
parents from Guinea Bissau.
came to Holland as a baby. can fll
in at left-back if needed. Already
frmly established as a key fgure
for club and country.
mIdfIelderS
7
0
69
1
forwardS
4
0
Memphis DEPAY
94
World Soccer
73
22
Nigel DE JONG
Leroy FER
Davy KLAASSEN
Arjen ROBBEN
Ajax
Age 21 (21.02.93)
cool in front of the goal, a
persistent groin injury kept him
out of the whole of the 2012-13
season. Was hailed as a wonderkid
following his club debut as a sub in
November 2011 when he scored
after just 42 seconds.
60
34
PSV
Age 20 (13.02.94)
Son of a Ghanaian father and
dutch mother, his left-wing runs
are often more streetwise than
well thought out. Has a blistering
shot. Member of the Holland
Under-17 team that won the
european title in 2011.
Milan (Ita)
Age 29 (30.11.84)
Tough tackler but, according to
Van Gaal, he loses too many balls.
runs an exclusive car company
with some former Hamburg
team-mates. Is ambassador of
a kidney foundation since his
mother suffers from the disease.
Jordy CLASIE
Feyenoord
Age 22 (27.06.91)
At 5ft 7in he was once regarded
too small by Feyenoord and sent
out to satellite club excelsior. His
tattoo You mean everyting to
me, in honour of his father who
raised him after his mother left
the family, is misspelt.
1
0
5
0
Second kit
20
7
98
24
82
41
Klaas-Jan HUNTELAAR
Dirk KUYT
Jeremain LENS
Schalke (Ger)
Age 30 (12.08.83)
A goal poacher who was originally
Van Gaals frst choice but has now
been surpassed by Van Persie. Has
rediscovered his form after unhappy
spells at Madrid and Milan. returned
to training in January after tearing
knee ligaments in August 2013.
Fenerbahce (Tur)
Age 33 (22.07.80)
Willing runner and hard worker
who is past his prime but remains
important for team-building
qualities. The son of a fsherman,
he has his own charity foundation
for disabled children.
TACTICS
4-3-3
Cillessen
Blind
Janmaat
Martins Indi
Vlaar
Sneijder
Robben
De Jong
Van Persie
1
0
Lens
22
1
Ron VLAAR
Joel VELTMAN
Ajax
Age 22 (15.01.92)
Has good positional sense and
likes to play from the back which
has proved costly at times in the
past. Has enjoyed a rapid rise: was
playing for Ajaxs reserve team in
the Dutch second tier at the start
of this season.
x
x
97
26
23
0
Stijn SCHAARS
PSV
Age 30 (11.01.84)
Captain at his club and a good
reader of the game. Was an
uncapped stand-in for the 2006
World Cup and a squad member
in South Africa but didnt play.
Winner at the 2006 European
Under-21 Championship.
109
25
Wesley SNEIJDER
Galatasaray (Tur)
Age 29 (09.06.84)
The undisputed captain under Van
Gaal two years ago but the coach
now has doubts about his tness.
If he can repeat his 2010 World
Cup form he will be of immense
value; if not, he could be a
troubling inuence in the camp.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Tim KRUL (G, Age 26, 03.04.88, 5/0,
Newcastle United, Eng)
Stefan DE VRIJ (D, Age 22, 05.02.92,
9/0, Feyenoord)
Patrick VAN AANHOLT (D, Age 23,
24.08.90, 1/0, Vitesse)
Jonathan DE GUZMAN (M, Age 26,
13.09.87, 8/0, Swansea City, Eng)
Tonny VILHENA (M, Age 19,
03.05.95, 0/0, Feyenoord)
Jean-Paul BOETIUS (F, Age 20,
22.03.94, 1/0, Feyenoord)
Luciano NARSINGH (F, Age 19,
13.09.94, 7/2, PSV)
MISSING OUT
In uential mid elder Kevin Strootman
is out after tearing a cruciate ligament
in his left knee while playing for club
side Roma.
PSV full-back Jetro Willems, who
became Hollands youngest player to
play at the European Championship
when he appeared at Euro 2012, was
also ruled out with a knee injury.
4-3-3
Cillessen
Janmaat
Fer
Kuyt
Vlaar
Martins Indi
De Jong
Huntelaar
Blind
WORLD SOCCER
95
HONDURAS
The underdogs with
great expectations
La Bicolor make history with a second successive nals
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 29
Jun 1
Jun 7
Jun 8
BASE CAMP
Manaus
BRAZIL
2,339 miles
708 miles
Porto Alegre
GROUP E FIXTURES
Jun 15
v France (Porto Alegre)
Jun 20
v Ecuador (Curitiba)
Jun 25
v Switzerland (Manaus)
96 WORLD SOCCER
CoaCh profile
World Soccer 97
honduras squad
123
12
caps
goals
goalKeepers
4
0
2
0
KITs
119
0
Kevin HernAndez
noel VAllAdAres
Victoria
Age 32 (03.10.81)
A decent local league keeper who
has never managed to challenge
for frst choice. Fighting with donis
escober for a spot on the bench,
but is highly unlikely to see any action.
Real Espana
Age 28 (21.12.85)
A talented keeper who will have to
content himself with a place as
back-up to Valladares. despite
being a little on the short side, hes
more reliable than spectacular
and will probably take over as
number one after the World cup.
Olimpia
Age 37 (03.05.77)
Set to play in his second World
cup, so hes arguably the best
keeper in Honduran history. He
was never very acrobatic to start
with so his skills havent dimmed
over time. An important infuence
as captain since 2010.
defenders
21
1
75
3
Brayan BecKeles
Olimpia
Age 28 (28.11.85)
Solid right-back whos in
competition with Peralta for a
starting spot. Hes more solid than
his rival but less attack-minded.
despite not being a regular with the
national team until very recently, he
has always performed when needed.
mIdfIelders
39
4
101
3
52
0
Victor BernArdez
San Jose Earthquakes (USA)
Age 22 (24.05.82)
A physically imposing
centre-back, he has formed a
formidable partnership with
Figueroa during the last four
years. Hes a bit on the slow side,
however, and can be exposed by
speedy attackers.
Maynor FiGueroA
90
0
90
0
Marvin cHAVez
roger espinozA
Wilmer Fuentes
Marathon
Age 22 (21.04.92)
defensive midfelder who seems
set to break up the Palaciosespinoza partnership in the near
future. This World cup seems to
have come too early for him
though, and he will probably have
to wait for his turn from the bench.
40
18
68
30
20
4
forwards
33
1
osman cHAVez
24
3
Olimpia
Age 23 (05.11.90)
Solid defensive midfelder who has
been extremely successful with
olimpia at local level thanks to his
speed and never-say-die attitude
but struggled with the physicality
on loan to red Star Belgrade. He
started most of the qualifers.
x
x
Jerry BenGtson
carlo costly
Jerry pAlAcios
roger roJAs
Real Espana
Age 31 (18.07.82)
comes into his own when wearing
the national team shirt. Has
globetrotted the world failing for
club after club only to regain his
form with Honduras at the best
possible moments. Missed the
2010 World cup due to injury.
Alajuelense
Age 32 (01.11.81)
Brother of Wilson and Johnny, this
will be the second World cup of
his career after South Africa
2010. Hes been a regular in the
national team squad while never
holding a regular starting spot. Will
be on the bench again in Brazil.
Olimpia
Age 24 (09.06.90)
A second striker who prefers
roaming in the last quarter rather
than staying as an out-and-out
centre-forward. Hes scored
constantly for his club side, but
hasnt managed to replicate his
form with the national team.
World Soccer
luis GArrido
oscar GArciA
Houston Dynamo (USA)
Age 29 (04.09.84)
His father always wanted him to
play football to the extent that
his middle name is Boniek in
honour of the Polish playmaker
of the 80s. A lively right-winger,
he is one of the teams main
sources of attack.
98
Second kit
4
0
39
3
First kit
TACTICS
4-4-2
Valladares
Peralta
Bernardez
Garcia
Figueroa
Izaguirre
Espinoza
Garrido
W Palacios
Costly
Bengtson
65
1
17
0
19
0
Emilio IZAGUIRRE
Johnny PALACIOS
Celtic (Sco)
Age 27 (10.05.86)
Probably the sides most in-form
player at the current time, having
been in excellent form in Scotland
and will play a major role in Brazil.
His attacking forays down the left
wing are one of the teams most
threatening attacking options.
Olimpia
Age 26 (08.03.88)
Brother of Wilson and Jerry, he
was part of the national squad in
South Africa 2010, although he
didnt make an appearance. Hes
been in and out of the team since,
and his fate may be repeated
again at this years nals.
15
1
34
3
Arnold PERALTA
Rangers (Sco)
Age 25 (29.03.89)
Plays as a right-winger for his
club side but usually deployed at
right-back by the national team.
Hasnt been a great success in
Scotland but the experience
could help him win a starting
spot in Brazil.
92
6
Mario MARTINEZ
Andy NAJAR
Wilson PALACIOS
Real Espana
Age 24 (30.07.89)
At 19 he was the youngest
member of the Honduras squad at
the 2008 Olympics and also starred
four years later in London. One of
the stalwarts during World Cup
qualifying, he has tried his luck twice
in Europe but failed both times.
Anderlecht (Blg)
Age 21 (16.03.93)
The new big hope of Honduran
football, the talented right
mid elder he was born in the US
and was named rookie of the year
at 17. After a long courtship, he
decided to play for Honduras and
has since become a fan favourite.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Donis ESCOBER (G, Age 34,
03.02.80, 25/0, Olimpia)
Miguel CASTILLO (M, Age 30,
30.09.83, 7/0, Real Espana)
Jorge CLAROS (M, Age 28, 08.01.86,
46/3, Motagua)
Jonathan MEJIA (F, Age 25, 07.01.89,
1/0, Real Jaen, Spa)
4-1-4-1
Valladares
Bernardez
Figueroa
Peralta
Garrido
W Palacios
Izaguirre
Espinoza
Najar
Garcia
Costly
WORLD SOCCER
99
IRAN
A touch of realism
Quieroz hopes his Team Melli will be hard to beat
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 12
May 18
May 26
May 30
Jun 4
Jun 8
BASE CAMP
Korea clincher...Iran celebrate World Cup qualication
BRAZIL
Salvador
Belo
Horizonte
362 miles
210 miles
906
miles
GROUP F FIXTURES
Jun 16
v Nigeria (Curitiba)
Jun 21
v Argentina (Belo Horizonte)
Jun 25
v Bosnia-Herzegovina (Salvador)
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
An intelligent chess player who chooses
his game plans. He will go with a
conservative 4-2-3-1 formation in
Brazil. His blueprint is stamped on
Irans disciplined play.
Notable backroom staff
Assisted by former Portugal
international Oceano da Cruz.
After the World Cup
Not offcially announced, but he is
likely to leave after the fnals.
iran squad
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
10
0
3
0
Rahman AhmAdi
daniel dAvARi
Sepahan
Age 33 (30.07.80)
Much under-appreciated keeper
who made a brilliant double save
against South Korea to ensure
Irans qualifcation for Brazil. May
lack the european experience of
davari but makes up for it with his
agility and bravery.
mIdfIelders
defenders
12
0
KITs
2
0
4
0
hamed LAk
Tractor Sazi
Age 23 (24.12.90)
Athletic and brave but needs
more experience at this level. It
has been said that if he were to
concentrate more on the training
and keep his off-the-feld
activities to a minimum that
a bright future awaits.
First kit
47
0
58
1
Second kit
81
6
hashem BeikzAdeh
mehrdad BeitAshouR
ehsan hAjsAfy
khosro heydARi
jalal hosseini
Esteghlal
Age 30 (22.01.84)
A surprise inclusion in the last
three qualifers who performed
superbly. The centre of media
jokes about how he will cope with
lionel Messi in the World cup.
Two-footed, he has the ability
to perform on either fank.
Sepahan
Age 24 (25.02.90)
experienced left-footer who has a
good balance, a deceptive turn of
pace and the ability to get past
defenders. A previous captain of
the side, he is dangerous from
free-kicks and also possesses
a long throw.
Esteghlal
Age 30 (14.09.83)
overlapping right-back who can
also play in midfeld if required.
Plagued by hamstring injuries this
season, which could jeopardise his
starting place. Has plenty of
experience and has played for six
different clubs in Iran.
Persepolis
Age 32 (03.02.82)
Tough central defender who
relishes the physical side of the
game and is particularly dominant
in the air, which also makes him a
threat at set-pieces. Strong in the
tackle, he has been extremely
consistent in recent years.
11
4
6
0
16
0
4
1
Ashkan dejAgAh
ghasem hAddAdifAR
Reza hAghighi
Fulham (Eng)
Age 27 (05.07.86)
By far Irans best player in recent
years, the former Germany junior
internationals fair and stamina
will have to be at their best for his
side to have any chance. Born in
Tehran but moved to europe when
he was a child.
Zob Ahan
Age 30 (12.07.83)
Skilful left-footer who provides
good back-up for central midfeld.
Plays his club football alongside
his brother, Alireza. Made his
international debut in 2010,
in a friendly against Armenia
Persepolis
Age 25 (31.01.89)
central midfelder who was
involved in a controversial bust-up
with Persepolis team-mate
Sadeghian. He claims to have
rejected an offer from dynamo
Kiev to remain in Iran.
forwards
39
9
0
0
11
9
karim AnsARifARd
sardar Azmoun
Reza ghoochAnnejhAd
Tractor Sazi
Age 24 (03.04.90)
Talented striker with an impressive
goalscoring record at club level
although he is yet to repeat that
form on the international stage.
Made his international debut aged
19 and scored the winner in a
friendly against Iceland.
102
World Soccer
57
6
Alireza jAhAnBAkhsh
NEC (Hol)
Age 20 (08.10.93)
Promising midfelder who has
gained valuable european
experience in the eredivisie.
Technically good with an
impressive goalscoring instinct.
Mojtaba Jabbaris withdrawal
enhances his chances of starting.
Persepolis
Age 30 (14.09.83)
diminutive, skilful attacking player
who has proved himself to be a
useful late substitute. Was once
signed by diego Maradona during
his brief spell as coach at United
Arab emirates club Al Wasl.
52
5
x
x
masoud shojAei
Las Palmas (Spa)
Age 30 (09.06.84)
His inconsistent form in the
national team has armed his
local critics, but he has found
footballing happiness in the
canary Islands following a foot
injury that sidelined him for more
than a year.
TACTICS
4-4-1-1
Davari
Heydari
Shojaei
Montazeri
Hosseini
Beikzadeh
Nekounam Teymourian
Dejagah
Jahanbakhsh
Ghoochannejad
19
0
Pejman MONTAZERI
Umm Salal (Qat)
Age 30 (06.09.83)
Central defender who is a very
good reader of the game and
whose recent form is likely to see
him take the place of Hadi Aghili
who has fallen out with Queiroz.
Can also play at right-back.
136
36
Javad NEKOUNAM
Al Kuwait (Kuw)
Age 33 (07.09.80)
Inspirational skipper who, despite
his indifferent recent club form,
has a knack of scoring crucial
goals. The former Osasuna
players experience of European
football is vital to a team not used
to the big stage.
16
0
14
1
Mehrdad POOLADI
Persepolis
Age 27 (26.02.87)
Left-back who was sidelined for
almost a year with a toe injury.
Defensively solid but not creative
enough going forward. In 2012
he had to undergo surgery on a
nger after punching a glass door
after substituted in a league game.
5
0
77
8
Payam SADEGHIAN
Persepolis
Age 22 (29.02.92)
A gifted player who courts
controversy with problems on
and off the pitch. Reached the
Asian Champions League Final
with his previous club, Zob Ahan,
in 2010.
Andranik TEYMOURIAN
Esteghlal
Age 31 (06.03.83)
Aggressive, strong runner who
is tireless and determined. He
had a stint in England with Bolton
Wanderers and is from Irans
Armenian community, which has
a strong footballing tradition.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Mehrdad JAMAATI (D, Age 24,
07.10.89, 1/0, Foolad)
Hossein MAHINI (D, Age 27,
16.09.86, 21/0, Persepolis)
Yaghub KARIMI (M, Age 22,
31.08.91, 7/4, Sepahan)
Ali KARIMI (F, Age 35, 08.11.78,
128/37, Tractor Sazi)
Reza NORUZI (F Age 31, 21.09.82,
6/0, Naft Tehran)
Mehdi SHARIFI (F, Age 21, 16.08.92,
0/0, Sepahan)
MISSING OUT
Deteriorating relations between the
coach Queiroz and several of the squad
will mean there is no place on the plane
to Brazil for goalkeeper Mehdi
Rahmati or defender Hadi Aghili.
Attacking mid elder Mojtaba
Jabari announced earlier this year that
he no longer wanted to be considered
for the national side.
4-4-2
Davari
Sadeghi
Montazeri
Shojaei
Hosseini
Beikzadeh
Nekounam Teymourian
Khalatbari
Dejagah
Ansarifard
WORLD SOCCER
103
ITALY
Positive signs
for the Azzurri
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 31
Jun 4
Jun 5
Jun 8
BASE CAMP
Manaus
Natal
BRAZIL
1,774 miles
Recife
1,301 miles
1,170
miles
Mangaratiba
GROUP D FIXTURES
Jun 14
v England (Manaus)
Jun 20
v Costa Rica (Recife)
Jun 24
v Uruguay (Natal)
CoaCh profile
Cesare PRANDELLI
Age 56 (19.08.57)
Italy coach since May 2010
italy squad
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
139
0
0
0
Gianluigi BUFFON
Juventus
Age 36 (28.01.78)
The most-capped Italian of all
time remains an inspirational
captain, on and off the pitch. This
will be his ffth fnals, although he
did not get off the bench in 1998.
Made a huge contribution to yet
another successful Juve season.
defenders
18
1
Ignazio ABAte
mIdfIelders
19
0
Salvatore SIRIGU
Simone ScUFFet
Udinese
Age 18 (31.05.96)
A big revelation this season,
making his Serie A debut for
Udinese in February and keeping
his place in the team ever since.
Prandelli might just take him to
Brazil with an eye on the future.
47
0
Milan
Age 27 (12.11.86)
Versatile, attacking right-back
who has remained frmly in the
national set-up despite his club
enduring their worst season for
years. His father, Beniamino
Abate, was a goalkeeper and
played 67 times in Serie A.
KITs
7
0
35
2
First kit
67
4
22
0
Andrea BARZAGLI
Leonardo BONUccI
Giorgio cHIeLLINI
Juventus
Age 33 (08.05.81)
central defender who made a
huge contribution to the success
of Juve this season. A member
of the 2006 World cup-winning
squad, he played against Australia
and Ukraine.
Juventus
Age 27 (01.05.87)
Tough central defender who, when
confronted by an armed robber
outside a Turin car showroom
two years ago, hit him.
Juventus
Age 29 (14.08.84)
A cornerstone of the side who has
enjoyed a successful season with
Juventus. Tough, versatile and
experienced, he is an automatic
frst choice for Prandelli, either at
left-back or in central defence.
93
15
42
2
57
2
Antonio cANDReVA
Daniele De ROSSI
claudio MARcHISIO
Riccardo MONtOLIVO
Roma
Age 30 (24.07.83)
Provides fundamental midfeld
cover but, if necessary, can also
play central defence. Good in the
air, he can also deliver a telling
pass. Serie As highest-paid player,
earning 10m a year gross. His
father is romas youth coach.
Juventus
Age 28 (19.01.86)
His midfeld dynamism, in
providing both cover and attacking
bite, could prove invaluable
despite struggling to get a regular
starting place in his club sides
midfeld this season.
Milan
Age 29 (18.01.85)
Midfeld schemer who played
under Prandelli for fve seasons at
Fiorentina. one of the few linguists
in the squad, he speaks German
as his mother comes from Kiel.
forwards
Mario BALOteLLI
Milan
Age 23 (12.08.90)
Quite capable of making things
diffcult for himself even without
Milans dreadful season in which
he failed to deliver on his huge
potential. However, Prandellis
Italy seem to bring out the best
in him.
106
World Soccer
10
0
17
1
Alessio ceRcI
Sebastian GIOVINcO
Torino
Age 26 (23.07.87)
The closest thing to a genuine
winger in Italian football today, he
has been outstanding over the last
two seasons for mid-table Torino.
Has pace as well as dribbling and
shooting skills.
Juventus
Age 27 (26.01.87)
At 5ft 5in he has been in the
shadows of Tevez, llorente and
osvaldo at Juve this season, but
often shows his class when coming
on as a substitute.
Domenico cRIScItO
Zenit (Rus)
Age 27 (30.12.86)
Useful left-back who was ruled
out of euro 2012 when his
name came up in a match-fxing
investigation. offcially still one of
149 people under investigation
for that incident, but likely to be
included this time.
19
1
Lazio
Age 27 (28.02.87)
one of the best, right-sided
attacking midfelders in Serie A
over the last three seasons. Helps
to switch the play quickly from
defence to attack.
29
12
Second kit
1
0
thiago MOttA
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 31 (28.08.82)
Born in Brazil, in the state of
Sao Paulo, and won two senior
caps before switching allegiance
to the homeland of his paternal
grandfather. His tactical
awareness and professionalism is
greatly appreciated by Prandelli.
4
1
ciro IMMOBILe
Torino
Age 24 (20.02.90)
His terrifc late-season form will
probably see him get the nod
ahead of dani osvaldo, who
has failed to convince on loan
at Juventus from Southampton.
Lorenzo INSIGNe
Napoli
Age 23 (04.06.91)
Stands just 5ft 4in, but a big
danger from free-kicks. Scored
on his debut against Argentina
last August.
TACTICS
4-3-2-1
Buffon
Criscito
Abate
Chiellini
Bonucci
Montolivo
Pirlo
De Rossi
Marchisio
Insigne
Balotelli
9
0
1
0
0
0
Mattia DE SCIGLIO
Gabriel PALETTA
Milan
Age 21 (20.10.92)
A full-back with the ability to play
on either ank, he may get the
nod due to doubts about Christian
Maggios tness.
Parma
Age 28 (15.02.86)
Argentinian-born centre-half
who was an Under-20 World Cup
winner in 2005 before switching
allegiance to the country of his
great-grandfather and making his
senior international debut for Italy
against Spain in March.
0
0
108
13
4
1
Andrea PIRLO
ROMULO
Marco VERRATTI
Juventus
Age 35 (19.05.79)
One of the great playmakers of
the modern game. Voted Serie
As best player for the past two
seasons, he is pivotal to everything
good that Italy do. But will he have
the physical resilience for a long,
tough Latin American World Cup?
Verona
Age 27 (22.05.87)
Full name is Romulo Souza
Orestes Caldeira. He was born in
Brazil and called up for a two-day
training camp by Prandelli in April.
Can play in different mid eld and
defensive roles.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Morgan DE SANCTIS (G, Age 37,
26.03.77, 6/0 Roma)
Antonio MIRANTE (G, Age 30,
08.07.83, 0/0, Parma)
Christian MAGGIO (D, Age 32,
11.02.82, 34/0, Napoli)
Angelo OGBONNA (D, Age 25, 23.05.
88, 9/0, Juventus)
Alberto AQUILANI (M, Age 29,
07.07.84, 33/5, Fiorentina)
Emanuele GIACCHERINI (M, Age 29,
05.05.85, 19/3, Sunderland, Eng)
Marco PAROLO (M, Age 29, 25.01.85,
2/0, Parma)
5-4-1
Buffon
Abate
Pirlo
Montolivo
Marchisio
Immobile
WORLD SOCCER
107
IVORY COAST
Third time lucky?
Drogba looks for knockout-stage swansong
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 31
Jun 4
Friendly v Bosnia-Herzegovina in
St Louis, USA
Friendly v El Salvador in Dallas,
USA
BASE CAMP
Inspiration...Ivory Coast captain Drogba
Fortaleza
BRAZIL
Recife
1,443 miles
Brasilia
1,307
miles
496 miles
Aguas de
Lindoia
GROUP B FIXTURES
Jun 14
v Japan (Recife)
Jun 19
v Colombia (Brasilia)
Jun 24
v Greece (Fortaleza)
Its an exceptional
generation of players that the
Ivorians are taking to Brazil.
Claude le Roy, well-travelled
Franco-African coach
Ivory Coast will be the eye of the storm.
They will be familiar with the hot weather.
Alberto Zaccheroni, Japan coach
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
Self confdent but reliant on the
experience of his senior players.
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
75
0
0
0
Boubacar Barry
Sylvain GBohouo
Lokeren (Blg)
Age 34 (30.12.79)
Among the old guard who will
depart after Brazil after playing at
the last two World cups. Better
known by his nickname copa,
he was a Belgian cup winner
this season.
Sewe Sport
Age 25 (29.10.88)
likely to be the only home-based
player in the squad after winning
back-to-back Ivorian titles with
his club and also competing in
the African champions league.
Named best goalkeeper in the
Ivorian league in 2012.
42
2
defenders
7
0
Serge aurier
Toulouse (Fra)
Age 21 (24.12.92)
right-back or central defender
who looks set for a major move
after the World cup. Brought up
in France, where he began his
career at lens before moving to
Toulouse. His Ivorian debut came
last June in a World cup qualifer.
mIdfIelders
2
0
arthur Boka
constant DJakpa
Siaka Tiene
Montpellier (Fra)
Age 32 (22.02.82)
left-sided wingback who has been
a consistent squad member since
his debut in 2000 and played
twice at the 2010 fnals in South
Africa. Brazil will probably mark
the end of his international career.
forwards
22
3
25
0
Serey Die
18
3
World Soccer
83
2
Stuttgart (Ger)
Age 31 (02.04.83)
diminutive left-back who has
played in Belgium, France and
Germany. A veteran of all of the
last seven tournaments in which
the Ivorians have played, but likely
to provide cover at this one. can
also play as a defensive midfelder.
Basle (Swi)
Age 29 (07.11.84)
Was banned for eight games in
Switzerland in 2012 for slapping a
ball boy and given a four-month
ban, later lifted, by FIFA for failing
to honour a contract with egypts
Zamalek. A latecomer to the
international ranks at the age of 28.
110
3
0
Second kit
Souleymane BaMBa
Mathis Bolly
Wilfried Bony
First kit
Fenerbahce (Tur)
Age 29 (13.01.85)
centre-back who played in both
qualifying play-off legs. Underwent
surgery for an ankle injury in
January but is expected to be ft
for the World cup. Born in France
but failed to make the grade at
PSG before a move to Scotland.
Sayouba ManDe
Stabaek (Nor)
Age 20 (15.06.93)
Made his debut in March in the
friendly in Belgium. Moved to the
Norwegian league in 2012 and
has been a regular for his club.
75
1
5
0
24
9
KITs
1
0
Seydou DouMBia
CSKA Moscow (Rus)
Age 26 (31.12.87)
Top scorer in russia after moving
from Young Boys, who he helped
to the Swiss league title in 2010
and earned himself a place in the
World cup squad for South Africa.
did not play in a single qualifer for
these fnals.
Max GraDel
Jean-Jacques GoSSo
Genclerbirligi (Tur)
Age 31 (15.03.83)
Selected for the last World cup
fnals but did not play. Was used
as makeshift right-back at the
2012 Nations cup but more
effective in midfeld. left
Monaco for Turkey in 2011.
46
4
Saint-Etienne (Fra)
Age 26 (30.11.87)
raised in France but started his
career in england with leicester
city and then played for leeds
United. His best position is on
the left, but equally adept in the
centre, behind the strikers or on
the right side of midfeld.
51
13
99
61
Didier DroGBa
Galatasaray (Tur)
Age 36 (11.03.78)
Twice African Footballer of the
Year but yet to win international
honours despite playing in seven
tournaments with the Ivorians.
Scored the penalty shoot-out
winner in the 2012 champions
league Final.
roMaric
Bastia (Fra)
Age 31 (04.06.83)
christian Koff Ndri (his full name)
is a graduate of the ASec
Academy and has played club
football in Belgium, France and
Spain. A squad member at the last
two World cup fnals, scoring in
2010 against North Korea.
65
23
Gervinho
Roma (Ita)
Age 27 (27.05.87)
Gervais Yao Kouassi has shown
a vast improvement in form since
moving to Serie A from Arsenal.
His trademark is pace and tricky
skills on the left fank.
Salomon kalou
Lille (Fra)
Age 28 (05.08.85)
Moved to France last summer
after six seasons at chelsea. In
2006, when he was on the books
of Feyenoord, he made a failed
bid for dutch citizenship. His elder
brother, Bonaventure, is a former
Ivorian captain.
TACTICS
4-3-3
Barry
K Toure
Bamba
Aurier
Romaric
Boka
Zokora
Y Toure
Kalou
Gervinho
Drogba
109
4
116
1
Kolo TOURE
Liverpool (Eng)
Age 33 (19.03.81)
Won the Premier League with
Arsenal in 2004 but moved
to Manchester City after a
dressing-room bust-up with
French defender William Gallas.
Two of his brothers are also
professional footballers.
Didier ZOKORA
Trabzonspor (Tur)
Age 33 (14.12.80)
Moved to central defence from
mid eld at the last World Cup. Has
played in all six of Ivory Coasts past
World Cup matches and in the
Belgian, French, English, Spanish
and Turkish leagues. Most capped
Ivorian international of all time.
80
15
38
1
19
7
Cheick TIOTE
Yaya TOURE
Didier YA KONAN
Hanover (Ger)
Age 30 (25.02.84)
Has come back from injury this
season to put himself back in
contention to make the squad.
Won league honours with
Rosenborg in Norway in 2009
before moving to Germany.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Ismael DIOMANDE (D, Age 21,
28.08.92, 0/0, Saint-Etienne, Fra)
Jean-Michel SERI (M, Age 22,
19.07.91, 0/0, Pacos de Ferreira, Por)
Giovanni SIO (F, Age 26, 31.03.89,
6/0, Basle, Swi)
MISSING OUT
Giant striker Lacina Traore, who
joined Everton on loan from Monaco
in January, has been sidelined after
undergoing surgery for a hamstring
injury. He is not expected to be t in
time for the World Cup.
Emmanuel Eboue, displaced at
right-back by Serge Aurier, is the
rst of the golden generation to
be dropped by Lamouchi.
3-5-2
Barry
K Toure
Aurier
Zokora
Bamba
Boka
Y Toure
Romaric
Drogba
Tiote
Bony
WORLD SOCCER
111
JAPAN
Blue Samurai need to
strengthen in defence
Back problems remain major headache for Zaccheroni
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Natal
Recife
1,819 miles
Mike Plastow
1,646 miles
Cuiaba
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
929 miles
Itu
GROUP C FIXTURES
Jun 14
v Ivory Coast (Recife)
Jun 19
v Greece (Natal)
Jun 24
v Colombia (Cuiaba)
May 27
May 30
Jun 2
Jun 6
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
Highly tactical with careful attention to
detail and a strong preference for
attacking football. Although softly
spoken in public, he reportedly
exploded after last years World Cup
qualifying loss in Jordan.
notable backroom staff
Technical director and former Japan
striker Hiromi Hara is his right-hand
man. The core staff are mostly Italian:
coach Stefano Agresti, goalkeeping
coach Maurizio Guido, physical coach
Eugenio Albarella and technical
assistant Giampaolo Colautti.
After the World cup
Zaccheroni says that he is only thinking
as far ahead as the World Cup.
123
12
caps
goals
2
0
goalKeepers
japan squad
54
0
KITs
12
0
Shuichi Gonda
Eiji KawaShima
Shusaku niShiKawa
FC Tokyo
Age 25 (03.03.89)
Handed his frst cap by okada
against Yemen in January 2010,
he has been a regular member of
Zaccheronis squad but with only
one further cap at the 2013
east Asian cup to show for it.
Played at the london olympics.
defenders
20
1
78
1
First kit
67
3
7
1
12
0
masahiko inoha
Yasuyuki Konno
masato moriShiGE
Yuto naGaTomo
Jubilo Iwata
Age 28 (28.08.85)
A central defender who has been
ever present in the squad since
late 2010 but hasnt played since
coming on against Iraq last
summer and his cause has not
been helped by playing seconddivision football this season.
Gamba Osaka
Age 31 (25.01.83)
centre-back who has been
almost ever present since 2006.
Zaccheroni also stood by him all
last year while Gamba played in
the second division. Started out as
a holding midfelder and can play
on either fank as well.
FC Tokyo
Age 27 (21.05.87)
A striker turned midfelder turned
defender, he is now a centre-back.
First made the national team
bench in 2008, but then had to
wait until last summer for his next
chance. ever present since then
and especially strong in the air.
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 27 (12.09.86)
Tireless at left-back, he is the
source of many of Japans best
attacks. Started playing for Fc
Tokyo while still at university and
made his international debut in
2008. Wrote his graduation thesis
at Meiji University on British culture.
mIdfIelders
4
0
141
12
53
20
77
2
Second kit
Gotoku SaKai
Stuttgart (Ger)
Age 23 (14.03.91)
No relation to Hiroki, Gotoku was
born in New York to a German
mother. A physically tough,
attacking full-back who can
play on either fank. one of four
brothers, two of whom have
signed with his old club, Albirex.
26
1
Toshihiro aoYama
Yasuhito Endo
makoto haSEbE
Keisuke honda
hajime hoSoGai
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Age 28 (22.02.86)
rugged, defensive midfelder with
a thundering shot who has won
the J.league title two years in a
row with Sanfrecce Hiroshima. A
more robust alternative to Hasebe
or endo.
Gamba Osaka
Age 34 (28.01.80)
Japans most capped player of all
time, he has spent his entire club
career in his homeland and was
voted Asian Player of the Year in
2009. A dead-ball specialist, he
dictates the play, changing the
rhythm and delivering a killer pass.
Nuremberg (Ger)
Age 30 (18.01.84)
National captain who plays a
pivotal role in holding midfeld
covering, distributing and also
dribbling forward to create space.
Made his debut in 2006, he
is battling to recover from a
right-knee injury in time for Brazil.
Milan (Ita)
Age 27 (13.06.86)
Scored against cameroon and
denmark in 2010 and his game
has continued to grow, frst with
cSKA Moscow and now Milan.
Brave, strong and a master of the
one-touch passing game, he plays
in the hole behind the striker.
forwards
4
2
73
38
4
0
7
3
x
x
masato Kudo
Shinji oKazaKi
Yuya oSaKo
Yohei ToYoda
Kashiwa Reysol
Age 23 (06.05.90)
Hard-running, skilful fnisher
who now mostly plays wide on the
right for his club side but can also
operate at centre-forward. Scored
on his debut against china last
summer. Played at the 2011
club World cup.
Mainz (Ger)
Age 28 (16.04.86)
Became Japans joint-third top
scorer of all time with his two
goals in Marchs 4-2 victory over
New Zealand. Quick and very hard
working from wide on the right,
he often arrives unnoticed in the
penalty area to score.
Sagan Tosu
Age 29 (11.04.85)
The classic late developer, a
journeyman centre-forward who
has done the rounds of low-profle
clubs but has averaged 20 goals
a season for the past three years.
Strong in the air, he scored at the
Beijing olympic Games.
114
World Soccer
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Kawashima
Yoshida
Konno
Uchida
Endo
Okazaki
Nagatomo
Hasebe
Honda
Kagawa
Osako
15
0
65
1
Schalke (Ger)
Age 26 (27.03.88)
Despite his slight build, he has
established himself as a dynamic
and resolute chance maker at
right-back. Was dropped for the
2010 World Cup and a thigh
injury now threatens his
prospects for 2014.
24
1
54
17
Maya YOSHIDA
Atsuto UCHIDA
Hiroki SAKAI
Hanover (Ger)
Age 24 (12.04.90)
The quick, tall, powerfully built
full-back has been a regular
squad member since January
2011, after winning the second
tier with Kashiwa Reysol. Named
the leagues best young player
before moving to Germany in 2012.
38
2
Southampton (Eng)
Age 25 (24.08.88)
Centre-back who suffered a knee
ligament injury in March but is
expected to recover in time for
the summer. Scored the Dutch
leagues goal of the year in
2011-12, with a bicycle kick
for VVV Venlo against PSV.
9
0
Shinji KAGAWA
Hiroshi KIYOTAKE
Hotaru YAMAGUCHI
Nuremberg (Ger)
Age 24 (12.11.89)
Can create goalscoring
opportunities from either wing. He
made his debut in 2011 and has
rarely been out of the team since;
sometimes starting, sometimes
nishing, but seldom playing the
whole game.
Cerezo Osaka
Age 23 (06.10.90)
Ever present in the squad since
making his debut and being
voted most valuable player at last
summers East Asian Cup. A highly
mobile defensive mid elder, he is
a natural leader and played every
match at the London Olympics.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Yuichi KOMANO (D, Age 32,
25.07.81, 78/1, Jubilo Iwata)
Yuzo KURIHARA (D, Age 30,
18.09.83, 20/3, Yokohama F Marinos)
Tomoaki MAKINO (D, Age 27,
11.05.87, 14/1, Urawa Red Diamonds)
Takashi INUI (M, Age 26, 02.06.88,
11/0, Eintracht Frankfurt, Ger)
Manabu SAITO (M, Age 24, 04.4.90,
4/1, Yokohama F Marinos)
Hideto TAKAHASHI (M, Age 26,
17.10.87, 7/0, FC Tokyo)
Mike HAVENAAR (F Age 27,
20.05.87, 17/4, Vitesse, Hol)
3-4-3
Kawashima
Yoshisa
Uchida
Okazaki
Endo
Konno
Morishige
Hasebe
Honda
Nagatomo
Kagawa
WORLD SOCCER
115
MEXICO
El Tri long for a fth
game at the World Cup
Getting beyond round of 16 has become a national obsession
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 28
May 31
Jun 3
Jun 6
Jun 7
BASE CAMP
Fortaleza Natal
BRAZIL
Recife
1,474 miles
1,798
miles
Santos
GROUP A FIXTURES
Jun 13
v Cameroon (Natal)
Jun 17
v Brazil (Fortaleza)
Jun 23
v Croatia (Recife)
1,622 miles
CoaCh profile
Miguel HeRReRA
Age 46 (18.03.68)
Mexico coach since October 2013
mexico squad
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
31
0
56
0
KITs
12
0
Jesus Corona
Guillermo oChoa
alfredo talavera
Cruz Azul
Age 33 (26.01.81)
Had been locked in a tug of war
with ochoa for the starting spot
but now appears to be the
clear-cut frst choice. Good in the
air and comfortable with the ball
at his feet. captain of the team
that won olympic gold in 2010.
Ajaccio (Fra)
Age 28 (13.07.85)
Third choice in 2006 and reserve
in 2010, it seems he will again
have to content himself with a
place on the bench despite
scintillating performances in
France that have seen him linked
to Milan and Marseille.
Toluca
Age 31 (18.09.82)
Has been extremely solid since
moving to Toluca a few years ago
and has been a feature of the
national side since 2011, although
almost exclusively as third choice.
Good in the air, physically sound
and a good trainer.
defenders
26
3
11
0
First kit
50
1
120
15
Second kit
12
0
Paul aGuilar
Miguel layun
rafael Marquez
hector Moreno
Diego reyes
America
Age 28 (06.03.86)
Played 55 minutes of Mexicos
frst game in South Africa 2010
before being replaced. He looks to
be the starting right-back this time
but there are still many doubts
about the level of performance
he will offer in Brazil.
America
Age 25 (25.06.88)
The rags-to-riches story of the
national team. ridiculed two years
ago for a perceived lack of talent
but now revered by fans and media.
A fast and attacking left-back with
a powerful shot and great crossing
ability. A sure starter in Brazil.
Leon
Age 35 (13.02.79)
The teams captain and leader, will
be the frst player in the history of
the World cup to have skippered
his team in four consecutive fnals.
He has lost some of his speed but
still has superb positioning and
technique.
Espanyol (Spa)
Age 26 (17.01.88)
The teams defensive stalwart, he
has been on the up since moving
to europe at age 19, to AZ. Now in
Spain, his good season has
generated interest from all over
europe. A very complete
left-footed central defender.
Porto (Por)
Age 21 (19.09.92)
The new rising star of Mexican
football, this technically sound
central defender was transferred
to Porto after starring for Mexican
side America. Has struggled in
Portugal but his position in the
national team is not in doubt.
mIdfIelders
21
0
5
0
100
14
11
4
10
0
Javier aquino
isaac Brizuela
Marco FaBian
andres GuarDaDo
hector herrera
Villarreal (Spa)
Age 24 (11.02.90)
despite having had a good season
in Spain, he is under pressure to
make the cut for the fnal squad
list. A diminutive right-sided
midfelder with great speed and
sound technical qualities, but he
hasnt played much under Herrera.
Toluca
Age 23 (28.08.90)
Known as little rabbit for his
speed and versatility, the
diminutive playmaker has been
one of the best players of the liga
MX for the past year. He offers the
team vision and skill, and has a
decent long-range shot.
Cruz Azul
Age 24 (21.07.89)
one of the eternal hopes of
Mexican football, this talented but
inconsistent playmaker fnally
seems to have come into his own
after a high-profle move from
Guadalajara to cruz Azul and has
regained the trust of Herrera.
Valencia (Spa)
Age 27 (28.09.86)
one of the most polarising fgures
in Mexican football, he is
considered indispensable by some
and surplus by others. He hasnt
had the best of seasons on loan to
leverkusen in Germany, but can be
either a left-winger or wingback.
Porto
Age 24 (19.04.90)
Poised to be one of Mexicos top
performers at the World cup after
enjoying a good frst season at
Porto. An extremely versatile
midfelder who feels more
confortable in a box-to-box role
but can also play as the anchorman.
forwards
73
14
58
35
26
16
22
4
x
x
Javier hernanDez
raul JiMenez
oribe Peralta
Villarreal (Spa)
Age 25 (11.05.89)
despite having had a scintillating
season with Villarreal in Spain, he
doesnt seem to have much love
from Herrera. He has the talent
but the coach might decide not to
take him because he doesnt ft in
his system.
America
Age 23 (05.05.91)
Propelled his status after scoring
an impressive bicycle-kick against
Panama that allowed Mexico to
stay alive in the qualifers. Hes
physically the strongest Mexican
forward and a Herrera favourite
after playing club football for him.
Santos Laguna
Age 30 (12.01.84)
Scored the two goals that gave el
Tri the gold medal at the london
olympics in 2012 and fve times
in the play-off games against New
Zealand. considered to be the
best striker at the World cup not
currently playing in europe.
118
World Soccer
TACTICS
5-3-2
Corona
Reyes
Moreno
Marquez
Aguilar
Layun
Medina
Herrera
Pena
Hernandez
Peralta
91
1
38
1
19
0
Francisco RODRIGUEZ
Jorge TORRES
America
Age 32 (20.10.81)
A controversial gure as most fans
blame him for the Confederations
Cup and qualifying debacles. Lost
his spot in the squad but returned
for the New Zealand play-offs. Solid
in the air but a lack of speed will
probably see him on the bench.
Tigres
Age 26 (16.01.88)
Solid left-back who was the
preferred choice for most of the
quali ers until Herrera arrived and
preferred Layun. Hes a more
defensive kind of player, who
could be used if Mexico need to
protect an advantage.
America
Age 30 (15.03.84)
Central defender who is a prime
example of the sort of domestic
player who might not appear to
have the quality required to
represent El Tri but is likely to
get a place because he knows how
to play in Herreras system.
11
2
6
0
14
2
Luis MONTES
Carlos PENA
America
Age 30 (22.08.83)
Despite rescent doubts about his
talent at the top level, he seems to
be the main candidate to start in
the lone anchor position for Mexico
in Brazil. Hes technically sound
and covers a lot of ground, but
lacks speed and physical prowess.
Leon
Age 28 (16.05.86)
Alongside Pena and Marquez, one
of the stalwarts of a Leon side that
won the Liga MX in December. A
highly technical and intelligent
mid elder who struggles against
more physical opposition. Most
likely to be used as a sub in Brazil.
Leon
Age 24 (29.03.90)
Known as Gullit for his dark skin
and long hair, this physically
powerful mid elder has taken the
Liga MX by storm. His speed and
stamina are very important for
Herreras side and he also has a
knack for scoring important goals.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Moises MUNOZ (G, Age 34, 01.02.80,
13/0, America)
Enrique PEREZ (D, Age 25, 13.10.88,
3/0, Atlas)
Jose Juan VAZQUEZ (M, Age 26,
14.03.88, 2/0, Leon)
Alan PULIDO (F, Age 23, 08.03.91,
3/4, Tigres)
MISSING OUT
The big absence is Carlos Vela, who
has fallen out with the Mexican FA. The
Real Sociedad striker has not played for
the national side since 2011 after he
was publicly humiliated when details
were revealed of a party in the team
hotel after a friendly against Colombia.
3-5-2
Corona
Aguilar
Marquez
Moreno
Reyes
Layun
Medina
Herrera
Dos Santos
Pena
Peralta
WORLD SOCCER
119
NIGERIA
Keshis side capable
of second place
Draw gives Super Eagles good chance of progressing
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 28
May 29
Jun 3
Jun 7
Jun 11
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Cuiaba
916 miles
224 miles
Curitiba
Porto Alegre
Campinas
555 miles
GROUP F FIXTURES
Jun
v Iran (Curitiba)
Jun 21
v Bosnia-Herzegovina (Cuiaba)
Jun 25
v Argentina (Porto Alegre)
CoaCh profile
Stephen KeSHi
Age 52 (23.01.62)
Nigeria coach since November 2011
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
5
0
29
0
KITs
89
0
Chigozie Agbim
Austin EjidE
Vincent EnyEAmA
Gombe United
Age 29 (28.11.84)
Third choice who has won all his
caps in non-competitive matches.
came in for some criticism last
year because of his small size and
weakness in the air. captained
Nigeria at this years African
Nations championship.
Lille (Fra)
Age 31 (29.08.82)
captain of the team who will be at
his third World cup after one game
in 2002 and all three in South
Africa. This season he almost broke
the French league record for the
longest spell without conceding a
goal but fell short on 1,062 minutes.
defenders
35
1
22
1
Efe AmbrosE
Celtic (Sco)
Age 25 (18.10.88)
First-choice right-back who
won his frst cap in 2008. Has
admitted that even on holiday at
home in Nigeria he cannot stop
playing, sometimes getting up at
6am for a game with friends.
mIdfIelders
nigeria squad
24
5
Azubuike EgwuEkwE
11
2
brown idEyE
Dynamo Kiev (Ukr)
Age 25 (10.10.88)
A glut of missed chances at last
years confederations cup came
as a blow to his confdence. Plays
with much pace and power but
could do with little more fnesse.
forwards
5
2
31
1
40
2
Warri Wolves
Age 24 (16.07.89)
An imposing defender, he lacks
pace so will be back-up for the
centre-backs. Unused squad
member at the 2013 Nations
cup but made three substitute
appearances at last years
confederations cup in Brazil.
16
0
EldErson Echiejile
godfrey oboAbonA
kenneth omEruo
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 20 (17.10.93)
Has had a successful loan spell
in the championship this season
with Middlesbrough. loaned to
den Haag in the dutch league last
term. Mostly used as a full-back at
club level but Keshi has played
him in central defence.
19
6
37
5
Victor mosEs
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 27 (22.04.87)
Has made his reputation as a
crunching tackler in midfeld
but often fnds himself in a
more forward role for Nigeria. His
club highlights include a stellar
performance when chelsea won
the 2012 champions league.
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 23 (12.12.90)
Former england under-21 winger
who changed his allegiance after
growing up as an asylum seeker in
Britain. Has failed to feature while
on loan to liverpool, and his future
at chelsea probably depends on
how he performs in Brazil.
nosa igiEbor
19
8
Second kit
Monaco (Fra)
Age 26 (20.0188)
left-back who had a starring role
at the 2007 Under-20 World
cup, after which he signed for
French cub rennes. After a spell
in Portugal, he is now back in
ligue 1 and signed a new fourand-a-half year deal in January.
58
4
First kit
44
12
1
0
Ahmed musA
CSKA Moscow (Rus)
Age 21 (14.10.92)
Speedy winger who was one of
the few Nigerians to play in all of
the eight World cup qualifers.
Spotted at junior World cup and
signed by dutch club VVV Venlo,
where he added technique to his
raw power and energy.
57
9
shola AmEobi
Emmanuel EmEnikE
Ezekiel imoh
Victor obinnA
Peter odEmwingiE
Fenerbahce (Tur)
Age 26 (10.05.87)
Suffered serious injury at last
years Nations cup but still ended
up top scorer despite missing the
Final. returned to score vital goals
in the World cup play-offs.
Arrested but later released in
Turkey for alleged match-fxing.
Chievo (Ita)
Age 27 (25.03.87)
Strong striker and set-piece
specialist who has made the most
of his appearances as an impact
sub. Played at three successive
African Nations cup fnals from
2006 to 2010 but has had a
limited time with the team since.
122
World Soccer
TACTICS
4-3-3
Enyeama
Ambrose
Omeruo
Oboabona Elderson
Ogu
Onazi
Mikel
Moses
Musa
Emenike
7
0
89
5
Joseph YOBO
Juwon OSHANIWA
Ashdod (Isr)
Age 23 (14.09.90)
Will provide cover at left-back,
having been a regular squad
member without commanding a
starting line-up berth. Moved in
2012 on a four-year deal from
Nigerian club Sharks to Israel.
12
4
x
x
Fenerbahce (Tur)
Age 33 (06.09.80)
Played at the 2002 and 2010
World Cups and won a recall in
March after more than a year
out of the squad. Has been on
loan to Premier League strugglers
Norwich City this season.
10
1
19
1
Nnamdi ODUAMADI
John OGU
Ogenyi ONAZI
Milan (Ita)
Age 23 (17.10.90)
Dribbling wizard on the left side
who has been loaned out to Serie
B side Brescia this season. Scored
a hat-trick in the Confederations
Cup against Tahiti, returning after
injury kept him out of last years
Nations Cup-winning squad.
Academica (Por)
Age 26 (20.04.88)
Journeyman central mid elder
who played in Slovenia and in
the lower leagues in Portugal
and Spain before winning a rst
international cap at the age of 25.
Featured in all three games at last
years Confederations Cup.
Lazio (Ita)
Age 21 (25.12.92)
Right-sided mid elder who has
also played as a right-back. Moved
to Italy after the 2009 Under-17
World Cup where Nigeria were
runners-up. Began his career at a
team set up by renowned Nigerian
prophet TB Joshua.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Leon BALOGUN (D, Age 25, 28.06.88, 1/0, Fortuna
Dusseldorf, Ger)
Sunday MBA (M, Age 25, 28.11.88, 21/5, Bastia, Fra)
Fedor OGUDE (M, Age 26, 29.07.87, 16/0, Amkar
Perm, Rus)
Michael UCHEBO (F, Age 24, 02.02.90, 1/0, Cercle
Brugge, Blg)
4-1-4-1
Enyeama
Ambrose
Omeruo
Oboabona
Elderson
Mikel
Igiebor
Onazi
Ogu
Moses
Emenike
WORLD SOCCER
123
PORTUGAL
Brothers in arms
Close ties with host nation will help the Selecao
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 21
May 31
Jun 6
Jun 10
Jun 11
Training in Cascais
Friendly v Greece in Lisbon
Friendly v Mexico in Foxborough,
USA
Friendly v Republic of Ireland in
New Jersey, USA
Arrive at Campinas in Brazil
The main man...Portugals Ronaldo
BASE CAMP
Manaus
2,343 miles
BRAZIL
Brasilia
496
miles
Salvador
887 miles
Campinas
GROUP G FIXTURES
Jun 16
v Germany (Salvador)
Jun 22
v USA (Manaus)
Jun 26
v Ghana (Brasilia)
CoaCh profile
Paulo Bento
Age 44 (20.06.69)
Portugal coach since October 2010
portugal squad
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
6
0
32
0
Beto
eduardo
rui PatriCio
Sevilla (Spa)
Age 32 (01.05.82)
A penalty-saving specialist with
remarkable agility, bravery and
unwavering concentration. A late
bloomer, he is now in the best
form of his career as frst-choice
goalkeeper at Sevilla after several
years as understudy at Porto.
Braga
Age 32 (19.09.82)
enjoyed a magnifcent 2010
World cup, conceding just one
goal in four matches and earning a
lucrative move to Serie A club
Genoa. Things did not work out for
him in Italy but is now back to his
best after returning to Portugal.
Sporting Lisbon
Age 26 (05.02.88)
The undisputed number one
keeper, he made his debut in
Portugals 4-0 win over world
champions Spain in 2010. Strong
arms and wrists, combined with
lightning refexes, enable him to
pull off some spectacular saves.
defenders
70
10
8
0
Bruno alves
Fenerbahce (Tur)
Age 32 (27.11.81)
Tall, solid centre-back who is also
a potent attacking threat in the
opposition box. His Brazilian father
Washington Alves was one of fve
brothers who played professional
football, as do Brunos brothers,
Geraldo and Julio.
mIdfIelders
KITs
29
0
10
0
16
1
43
3
vitorino antunes
Malaga (Spa)
Age 27 (01.04.87)
A solid, unspectacular but
hard-running left-back who frst
came to prominence with Pacos
Ferreira. After a miserable fve
years in Italy with roma he has
rediscovered his best form and is
now a regular in la liga.
2
0
ruben amorim
William Carvalho
Fernando
Sporting Lisbon
Age 22 (07.04.92)
The holding midfelder has been
the best player in Portugal in his
debut season and is set for a
big-money move. Born in Angola,
he turned down the opportunity to
sign for Benfca as a 13-year-old
because he was a Sporting fan.
Porto
Age 26 (25.07.87)
Born in Brazil where he was
capped at under-20 level, he
became a Portuguese citizen in
december 2013. A holding
midfelder who is nicknamed the
octopus due to the way his long
legs strangle opposition attacks.
forwards
72
14
hugo almeida
Besiktas (Tur)
Age 30 (23.05.84)
Tall, burly player who is powerful in
the air but not over-endowed with
technique. Since moving to Turkey
he has earned as many column
inches for his old-school
Portuguese moustache as he
has for his goalscoring exploits.
126
World Soccer
nani
ricardo Costa
luis neto
Zenit (Rus)
Age 26 (26.05.88)
replaced the suspended Pepe for
the crucial World cup qualifer
against russia in lisbon; the fast
centre-back responded with a
man-of-the-match performance.
Suspensions could well see him
stepping in again in Brazil.
16
2
ruben miCael
raul meireles
Fenerbahce (Tur)
Age 31 (17.03.83)
His tattoos and unusual
appearance contrast sharply with
a non-extravagant, effcient
playing style. Totally professional,
with an impeccable attitude, he
has Premier league experience
with liverpool and chelsea.
110
49
66
27
6
0
73
10
0
0
Second kit
Valencia (Spa)
Age 33 (16.05.81)
experienced central defender who
can also play at full-back. He has
represented Portugal at every age
group level and made his debut
for the senior team in 2005. He
has played in the Bundesliga and
ligue 1 as well as la liga.
Fabio Coentrao
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 26 (11.03.88)
Bustling with energy, he is a vital
component of the Portuguese
set-up, both in defence and
attack. His ability to smother
opposing wingers and work in
conjunction with ronaldo on the
left fank is a huge asset.
Benfca
Age 29 (27.01.85)
An unspectacular but consistent
performer who is enjoying the
form of his life. Back in lisbon
after a long loan spell at Braga, he
can play in a variety of positions
and has recently revealed his
creative side as a playmaker.
53
17
First kit
Braga
Age 27 (19.08.86)
A razor-sharp passer with good
close control and an eye for goal,
the Madeira-born midfelder is
now returning to his best after
suffering with injuries and a loss of
form at Porto. Is currently on loan
from Atletico Madrid.
21
4
helder Postiga
Cristiano ronaldo
silvestre varela
Lazio (Ita)
Age 31 (02.08.82)
First-choice striker since the
retirement of Pauleta and Nuno
Gomes. often cited as the teams
weakest link but has a happy
knack of fnding the net at crucial
moments. only fve players have
scored more goals for Portugal.
Porto
Age 29 (02.02.85)
An industrious winger who has
made a number of important
contributions as a late substitute.
Born in the resort of costa da
caparica, he was nicknamed the
drogba of caparica due to his
likeness to the Ivory coast striker.
TACTICS
4-3-3
Patricio
Coentrao
Pereira
Alves
Pepe
Meireles
Veloso
Moutinho
Nani
Ronaldo
Postiga
57
3
34
0
x
x
PEPE
Joao PEREIRA
Valencia (Spa)
Age 30 (25.02.84)
A committed but occasionally
hot-tempered right-back. He
came through the ranks at Ben ca
but was sold after falling out with
coach Ronald Koeman. Had spells
at a number of clubs before
moving to Spain in 2012.
35
3
66
2
46
2
Joao MOUTINHO
Ricardo QUARESMA
Miguel VELOSO
Monaco (Fra)
Age 27 (08.09.86)
Broke into the Sporting rst team
at the age of 18 and was captain
within two years. His box-to-box
dynamism, pinpoint passing and
intelligence on the pitch are proof
that innate talent can thrive in
spite of a diminutive stature.
Porto
Age 30 (26.09.83)
Famed for his swerving crosses
using the outside of his foot, he
has been one of Portugals most
talented yet frustrating footballers
of the last decade. Has scored a
series of spectacular goals since a
surprise move to Porto in January.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Anthony LOPES (G, Age 23, 01.10.90,
0/0, Lyon, Fra)
JOSUE (M, Age 23, 17.09.90, 4/0,
Porto)
Adrien SILVA (M, Age 25, 15.03.89,
0/0, Sporting Lisbon)
Ivan CAVALEIRO (F, Age 23,
18.10.93, 1/0, Ben ca)
EDER (F, Age 26, 22.12.87, 6/0,
Braga)
Carlos MANE (F, Age 20, 11.03.94,
0/0, Sporting Lisbon)
Rafa SILVA (F, Age 21, 17.05.93,
1/0, Braga)
MISSING OUT
Defender Silvio was ruled out after
breaking his leg in Ben cas Europa
League quarter- nal against AZ
Alkmaar. The full-back suffered the
injury when he missed the ball and
collided with team-mate Luisao.
Lyon defender Miguel Lopes also
broke a leg and misses out.
Bento has failed to tempt mid elder
Tiago Mendes of Atletico Madrid out of
international retirement, while Monaco
defender Ricardo Carvalho remains
out of favour with the coach.
4-2-3-1
Patricio
Pereira
Pepe
Alves
Meireles
Nani
Coentrao
Carvalho
Moutinho
Ronaldo
Postiga
WORLD SOCCER
127
RUSSIA
Looking to the future
Coach Capello may have one eye on the 2018 nals
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 21
May 26
May 31
Jun 6
Jun 7
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Cuiaba
929 miles
332 miles
Rio de
Janeiro
GROUP H FIXTURES
Jun 17
v South Korea (Cuiaba)
Jun 22
v Belgium (Rio de Janeiro)
Jun 26
v Algeria (Curitiba)
CoaCh profile
How he got
the job
Took over from the
departing Dick
Advocaat after
Russias exit from
Euro 2012.
Past successes as
a coach
Won the league title
in nine of his 16 seasons in charge of
Milan, Real Madrid and Juventus. Led
Milan to Champions League victory
in 1994 and qualifed England for the
2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 fnals.
Past failures as a coach
Resigned as England manager in 2012
following a dispute with the FA.
Achievements as a player
Earned 32 caps for Italy as a midfelder,
scoring eight goals. Won three Serie A
titles with Juventus and one with Milan.
World Cup experience
Played in 1974, scoring against Poland
as Italy lost 2-1 and failed to qualify for
the second round. As a coach, he took
England to the last 16 in 2010.
Relationship with the media
Watches domestic games more
often than his predecessors, so he
has a well-balanced, business-like
relationship with the press. However,
the team remains closed to the media
most of the time.
russia squad
goalkeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
66
0
1
0
Igor AkInfeev
CSKA Moscow
Age 28 (08.04.86)
Made his top-tier debut at the age
of 16, when he saved a penalty
for cSKA, and at 18 became the
youngest russian to play for his
country. Guilty of some bad
mistakes recently, but that does
not alter his status as frst choice.
defenders
78
1
midfielders
Rubin Kazan
Age 33 (19.09.80)
experienced and reliable, but
is very much the third-choice
keeper. The hero of rubins
champions league games against
Barcelona, he is important for
team morale and creates a good
atmosphere in the dressing room.
4
0
vladimir grAnAt
sergei IgnAshevIch
Dynamo Moscow
Age 27 (22.05.87)
replacement central defender
who can also fll in as a wing-back.
effective when going forward
for set-pieces. A non-playing
member of the euro 2012 squad,
he made his debut during the
2014 World cup qualifers.
CSKA Moscow
Age 34 (14.07.79)
A good long-range passer who
can shoot from distance and is
strong in the air. Had a confict
with Akinfeev a few years ago over
the cSKA captaincy. Nicknamed
Sergei the Silent over his refusal
to speak with the media.
26
3
16
4
Igor denIsov
Alan dzAgoev
viktor fAYzuLIn
Dynamo Moscow
Age 30 (17.05.84)
Former captain who is not as
effective playing for dynamo
as he used to be with Zenit. A
good tackler but has a suspect
temperament and refused to play
for russia under Guus Hiddink
prior to euro 2008.
CSKA Moscow
Age 23 (17.06.90)
russias best player at euro 2012.
Inventive but ill-tempered, he
picks up too many yellow and red
cards so is not one of capellos
favourites. one of the most
important fgures for his club side,
where he plays in the holding role.
Zenit
Age 29 (22.04.86)
Attacking midfelder who has
become an important part of the
squad under capello. A workhorse
who is often played alongside
Shirokov. Made his national team
debut in August 2012 and has a
useful goalscoring record.
forwards
2
0
78
24
denis gLushAkov
Spartak Moscow
Age 27 (27.01.87)
Former lokomotiv attacking
midfelder who has a good shot
and has been used in the holding
position since he joined Spartak.
last year was the best of his
career so far. Has displaced
denisov as frst choice.
19
5
Artyom dzYuBA
Alexei Ionov
Alexander kerzhAkov
Alexander kokorIn
Spartak Moscow
Age 25 (22.08.88)
one of the few tall strikers at
capellos disposal, but has had
few chances so far. He is one of
this seasons top scorers in the
russian Premier league. coming
to the end of a two-year loan to
rostov from Spartak.
Dynamo Moscow
Age 25 (18.02.89)
capable winger who may get a
last-minute call-up for Brazil due
to the lack of good russian-born
strikers and his good spring
performances since moving
to dynamo Moscow from
fnancially troubled Anzhi.
Zenit
Age 31 (27.11.82)
disappointed at euro 2012, where
he failed to score despite having
several good opportunities.
remains the russian Premier
leagues all-time top marksman.
Fell victim to a business fraud in
2012 and lost about US$10m.
Dynamo Moscow
Age 23 (19.03.91)
centre-forward and capellos
big attacking hope. A good
fnisher and improviser, he can
also play the role of second striker.
Began as a boxer before switching
to lokomotiv Moscows football
academy.
130
World Soccer
Second kit
20
1
94
5
vasili BerezutskI
30
8
2
0
First kit
CSKA Moscow
Age 31 (20.06.82)
defensive mainstay for more than
a decade. Twenty minutes older
than twin brother Alexei, he is a
regular for both club and country
alongside Ignashevich. lacks pace
but good in the air. Has a few
important goals to his credit.
Alexander AnYukov
41
0
sergei rYzhIkov
Yuri LodYgIn
Zenit
Age 24 (26.05.90)
Born in russia, he moved to
Greece at the age of 10 and
played for their under-21 team.
Made his debut for russia in
November 2013 in a friendly
against World cup opponents
South Korea.
76
3
Zenit
Age 31 (28.09.82)
Fast and inventive in attack, but
his once-guaranteed place at
right-back has recently been
questioned, not only in the
national team but also for his
club side. describes his hobbies
as fshing and cooking.
kiTs
1
0
dmitri komBArov
Spartak Moscow
Age 27 (22.01.87)
one of twins who joined Spartak
after six seasons with dynamo
Moscow. Unlike his brother,
Kirill, he is a Spartak and russia
national team regular. Fast, with
a good shot, he is often used
as a left-back by capello.
14
3
Alexander sAmedov
Lokomotiv Moscow
Age 29 (19.07.84)
Sharp and speedy rightwinger with a good shot who
is dangerous from set-pieces.
Having Azerbaijani roots, he was
booed by the local crowd and had
things thrown at him when russia
played a qualifer in Baku.
31
8
TACTICS
4-1-4-1
Akinfeev
Anyukov Ignashevich
V Berezutski
Kombarov
Glushakov
Samedov
Zhirkov
Shirokov
Fayzulin
Kokorin
3
0
8
0
9
0
Alexei KOZLOV
Georgi SCHENNIKOV
Andrei YESCHENKO
Dynamo Moscow
Age 27 (25.12.86)
Tall right-back who was capped as
a Kuban Krasnodar player before
moving to Dynamo this year.
Reliable and good in attack,
he played in the German lower
leagues at 16 before returning
to Russia in 2007.
CSKA Moscow
Age 23 (27.04.91)
Fast and unyielding, he stated
his claim for a left-back spot next
to his distinguished defensive
partners at an early age. He is
the son of Olympic walking star
Mikhail Schennikov, a 1996
Olympic silver medallist.
Anzhi
Age 30 (09.02.84)
One of the right-back candidates
with a reasonable chance of
making the starting line-up. Lost
his parents in a re at the age of
nine in Siberia. Was with Dynamo
Kiev from 2006 to 2011; joined
Anzhi from Lokomotiv in 2012.
42
13
4
1
60
0
Oleg SHATOV
Roman SHIROKOV
Yuri ZHIRKOV
Zenit
Age 23 (29.07.90)
Ex-futsal player who joined Zenit
from Anzhi last summer. Good
technical skills and game vision
make him a rst-choice substitute
for Andrei Arshavin at Zenit.
Scored on his Russia debut.
Krasnodar
Age 32 (06.07.81)
Russian player of the year in
2013, he left Zenit for Krasnodar
last winter after a conict with the
then Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti.
Noted for his sharp interviews and
Twitter comments. Recently
named captain by Capello.
Dynamo Moscow
Age 30 (20.08.83)
Ex-CSKA and Chelsea, this proli c
and technically skilled mid elder
was turned into a left-back by
previous coach Guus Hiddink.
Good anywhere in mid eld, he
is now mostly used as an attacking
left-winger.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Alexander BELENOV (G, Age 27,
13.09.86, 0/0, Kuban Krasnodar)
Vladimir GABULOV (G, Age 30,
19.10.83, 10/0, Dynamo Moscow)
Alexei BEREZUTSKI (D, Age 31,
20.06.82, 53/0, CSKA Moscow)
Vitali DYAKOV (D, Age 25, 31.01.89,
0/0, Rostov)
Igor SMOLNIKOV (D, Age 25,
04.09.88, 1/0, Zenit)
Vladimir BYSTROV (M, Age 30,
31.01.84, 47/4, Anzhi)
Alexander RYAZANTSEV (M,
Age 27, 05.09.86, 3/0, Zenit)
4-3-3
Akinfeev
MISSING OUT
Central mid elder Pavel Mamaev of
Krasnodar, who had an outside chance
of making the squad, was ruled out after
tearing an Achilles tendon in his sides
Russian Cup semi- nal victory over
CSKA Moscow in April.
Anyukov
Ignashevich
Fayzulin
Samedov
Kombarov
V Berezutski
Glushakov
Kerzhakov
Shirokov
Kokorin
WORLD SOCCER
131
SOUTH KOREA
Hong raises hopes for
the Taeguk Warriors
Recent friendly results have helped to gloss over a
less-than-impressive qualifying campaign
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 28
May 30
Jun 9
BASE CAMP
BRAZIL
Cuiaba
875 miles
642 miles
Foz do Iguaco
Sao Paulo
555 miles
Porto Alegre
GROUP H FIXTURES
Jun 17
v Russia (Cuiaba)
Jun 22
v Algeria (Porto Alegre)
Jun 26
v Belgium (Sao Paulo)
CoaCh profile
HoNg Myung-bo
Age 45 (12.02.69)
South Korea coach since July 2013
goalkeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
59
0
1
0
Jung Sung-ryung
Kim Jin-hyun
Kim Seung-gyu
Suwon Bluewings
Age 29 (04.01.85)
Preparing for a second World cup
but there are major doubts over
his form for club and country over
the past 12 months. Big and
strong, but his place as frst choice
is weakening.
Ulsan Hyundai
Age 23 (30.09.90)
Was given a chance to show what
he could do in January with three
starts but his performances were
inconclusive. Has the talent to
shine but it remains to be seen
if he has the mentality.
defenders
23
1
4
0
Jang Hyun-soo
12
0
8
0
Ha Dae-sung
Beijing Guoan (Chn)
Age 29 (02.03.85)
cool operator who captained
Seoul before leaving for
big-money in china. Maybe
a little too similar to Ki in style
to start but is a handy back-up.
26
8
forwards
Second kit
33
5
Kim Jin-soo
Kim Young-gwon
KwaK Tae-hwi
Al Hilal (Sau)
Age 32 (08.07.81)
Adds some experience to the
squad but the big centre-back is
unlikely to start. Never quick, he
has slowed further since playing in
Saudi Arabia, but is a threat from
set-pieces.
26
3
56
5
Han Kook-young
Ki Sung-yeung
26
3
First kit
19
1
9
0
Hong Jeong-ho
Augsburg (Ger)
Age 24 (12.08.89)
Korea have high hopes for this
cultured centre-back who now
plies his trade in the Bundesliga.
expected to be a mainstay of
the Korean back four for years
to come.
midfielders
kiTs
5
0
35
12
62
24
62
18
Koo Ja-cheol
Kim Bo-kyoung
Cardiff City (Eng)
Age 24 (06.10.89)
Has had an indifferent season
in the Premier league and it
remains to be seen if he can
make the position behind the
striker his. Has talent but
sometimes lacks confdence.
Mainz (Ger)
Age 25 (27.02.89)
lively and aggressive midfelder
who was captain of the 2012
olympic side. Has an eye for goal
and likes to arrive in the area late.
Has had a few injury issues but,
when ft, one of Asias most
complete midfelders.
23
6
Ji Dong-won
Kim Shin-wook
Lee Keun-ho
ParK Chu-young
Son Heung-min
Augsburg (Ger)
Age 23 (28.05.91)
Former Sunderland striker who
will join Borussia dortmund in the
summer. can play anywhere along
the front line, or even in midfeld,
he is intelligent and tactically
aware.
Ulsan Hyundai
Age 26 (14.04.88)
Stands 6ft 5in and known as The
Wookie, he will battle it out with
Park for the role of central striker.
The best Korean striker in the
K-league for the past 18 months,
he is good on the ground for a big
man and is improving all the time.
Sangju Sangmu
Age 29 (11.04.85)
currently a serving soldier, was
Asian Player of Year in 2012.
creative and clever, and at his best
just behind the striker, his fnishing
frustrates likely to miss the easy
ones and score some great ones.
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 28 (10.07.85)
Has spent the season on
loan to Watford in englands
championship and is struggling
with a toe injury. In what will be a
third World cup he has much to
prove, but is still probably Koreas
top striker.
134
World Soccer
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Jung Sung-ryung
Lee Yong
Kim Jin-soo
Kim Young-gwon
Hong Jeong-ho
Park Jung-woo
Lee Chung-yong
Ki Sung-yeung
Son Heung-min
Koo ja-cheol
Park Chu-young
10
0
13
0
PARK Joo-ho
LEE Yong
Ulsan Hyundai
Age 27 (24.12.86)
A recent recruit to the set-up, a
right-back who is pushing for a
starting place. Impresses when
going forward and with his quality
crossing, but there are question
marks about him defensively.
10
0
Mainz (Ger)
Age 27 (16.01.87)
Making a late push for the
left-back position after a good
season in Germany, although a
recent injury will have disrupted
his pre-tournament preparation.
11
0
53
6
LEE Chung-yong
Bolton Wanderers (Eng)
Age 25 (02.07.88)
High-school drop-out who plays
in the English second tier. Koreas
most skilful player, he is an
excellent dribbler and creator, but
can be let down by poor nishing.
10
0
NAM Tae-hee
Lekhwiya (Qat)
Age 22 (03.07.91)
A versatile attacking mid elder
who started his professional
career in France. Faded out of
the national set-up after a move
to Qatar but his excellent form in
the Middle East has put him back
in contention.
PARK Jung-woo
Guangzhou R&F (Chn)
Age 23 (10.03.89)
Tough tackler who needs to add
more to his game if he wants to
start in Brazil. Banned from the
2012 Olympics medal ceremony
for a political celebration after
winning a bronze against bitter
rivals Japan.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
LEE Bum-young (G, Age 25, 02.04.89,
0/0, Busan IPark)
CHA Du-ri (D, Age 33, 25.07.80, 65/4,
Seoul)
HWANG Seok-ho (D, Age 24,
27.06.89, 3/0, Sanfrecce Hiroshima,
Jap)
LEE Myung-joo (M, Age 24, 24.04.90,
9/0, Pohang Steelers)
KIM Seung-dae (F, Age 23, 01.04.91,
0/0, Pohang Steelers)
LEE Dong-gook (F, Age 35, 29.04.79,
99/30, Jeonbuk Motors)
MISSING OUT
There was some debate in South Korea
about a possible return for Park Ji-sung,
who retired from international football in
2011, but the talk came to nothing.
4-4-2
Jung Sung-ryung
Hong Jeong-ho
Kim Young-gwon
Kim Jin-soo
Lee Yong
Han Kook-young
Lee Chung-yong
Ki Sung-yeung
Son Heung-min
Lee Keun-ho
Kim Shin-wook
WORLD SOCCER
135
SPAIN
One tournament too far?
Form and tness could scupper Del Bosques title-defence
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 30
Jun 2
Jun 7
Jun 8
BASE CAMP
Leading the line...New Spain striker Diego Costa
BRAZIL
Salvador
1,111 miles
Rio De Janeiro
Curitiba
419 miles
GROUP B FIXTURES
Jun 13
v Holland (Salvador)
Jun 18
v Chile (Rio de Janeiro)
Jun 23
v Australia (Curitiba)
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
Left hand as the Spanish put it:
gentle, respectful and always listens
to his players.
Notable backroom staff
Toni Grande is his number two. Won
two league titles and a Spanish Cup
with Real Madrid.
spain squad
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
153
0
0
0
Iker CasIllas
David De Gea
pepe ReIna
Real Madrid
Age 32 (20.05.81)
Sub for his club, captain for his
country even if his games for
real this season have included the
champions league semi-fnal.
celebrated the 2010 World cup
victory by kissing his touchlinereporter girlfriend live on TV.
Napoli (Ita)
Age 31 (31.08.82)
Spains Mc when it comes to
celebrations even if that famous
role has served unfairly to
overshadow his goalkeeping. Has
spent almost a decade in the squad.
His father, Miguel, also a keeper,
played for Atletico and Barcelona.
defenders
24
5
mIdfIelders
KITs
29
0
45
0
0
0
5
0
Jordi alba
Raul albIol
Cesar azpIlICueta
Barcelona
Age 25 (21.03.89)
Began his career in the youth
system at Barcelona as an
attacker, but was converted to a
full-back by Unai emery at
Valencia before returning to camp
Nou. Scored in the 2012 euro
Final.
Napoli (Ita)
Age 28 (04.09.85)
central defender who will miss
Arbeloa, his inseparable friend
and partner in squad PlayStation
competitions; they chose england
and wore england shirts. enjoying
regular games at Napoli after a
frustrating time at real Madrid.
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 24 (28.08.89)
club-mates call him dave even
though he insists that its not that
hard to say his surname and he
even produced a video to explain
how. reliable, versatile full-back
who is able to play on either fank.
95
11
87
13
61
10
santi CazoRla
Cesc FabReGas
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 29 (13.12.84)
Smiley, happy character who is
one of the most popular men in
the squad and one of the nicest
guys in football. Missed out on the
2010 World cup through injury.
doesnt even know if hes right
or left-footed.
Barcelona
Age 27 (04.05.87)
False number nine in the Final at
euro 2012, crossing for the frst
goal, and scorer of the decisive
penalty against Italy in 2008. Has
rarely been an undisputed starter
but his contribution has been
enormous.
forwards
1
0
21
10
First kit
63
0
Dani CaRvaJal
Real Madrid
Age 22 (11.01.92)
returned to real after a year in
Germany and alternated the
right-back slot with Arbeloa
whose injury has given him his
opportunity to shine. Has played
superbly, making him a likely
debutant this summer.
35
3
78
20
95
56
38
14
Diego Costa
alvaro neGReDo
peDRo
David vIlla
Barcelona
Age 26 (28.07.87)
rarely talked about as one of the
teams stars but always
contributes. Fast, generous and
with a real eye for goals. Has an
adopted sea lion at an aquarium in
the canaries, named Pedrito.
Atletico Madrid
Age 32 (03.12.81)
el Guaje (The Kid) is unique among
Spains strikers; none have his
style and none ft Spains approach
quite so well. So says del Bosque
himself, but Villa is still not certain
of a place. Father was a miner.
World Soccer
David sIlva
Manchester City (Eng)
Age 28 (08.01.86)
Born in the canary Islands in the
same town as Juan carlos
Valeron. A recent injury has
turned out to not be as serious
as frst feared, but it does mean
that he is not guaranteed a place
in the squad.
x
x
Atletico Madrid
Age 25 (07.10.88)
claims that he doesnt take his work
home with him which is probably
a good job as on the pitch he is a
fghter capable of landing a few
low blows. A brilliant player and
the revelation of the season in
Spain. Played twice for Brazil.
138
sergio busQuets
Barcelona
Age 25 (16.07.88)
Brilliant defensive midfelder who
can drop back into defence.
Tactically astute and strong tackler
who appears to take risks until
you realise he always gets away
with it. Son of former Barca
keeper carlos Busquets.
Jesus navas
andres InIesta
Barcelona
Age 30 (11.05.84)
In the words of Sergio ramos, he
is touched by a magic wand.
Has stood out for his brilliant
performances in an otherwise
diffcult season for his club.
Scored the winning goal in the
2010 Final.
Second kit
TACTICS
4-3-3
Casillas
Alba
Carvajal
Pique
Sergio Ramos
Busquets
Xabi Alonso
Xavi
Iniesta
Silva
Costa
14
0
59
4
115
9
JAVI MARTINEZ
Gerard PIQUE
SERGIO RAMOS
Barcelona
Age 27 (02.02.87)
Embarked upon an odyssey at the
end of the 2010 World Cup in
search of a very special memento
of the Final: the goal nets.
Piquenbauer is a classy defender
who says he would like to be
Barcelonas president one day.
Real Madrid
Age 28 (30.03.86)
A defender with a strikers soul
and ice cool as he showed with a
Panenka penalty at Euro 2012,
he always comes good when it
matters. Expecting a child with TV
presenter Pilar Rubio.
110
15
5
0
130
13
THIAGO ALCANTARA
XABI ALONSO
XAVI
Real Madrid
Age 32 (25.11.81)
Smooth, deep-lying mid elder
with a touch of steel. Few players
have his range of passing or tactical
intelligence. Staff at Real Madrid
admit he is the man who gives
balance to the side. Banned for this
years Champions League Final.
Barcelona
Age 34 (25.01.80)
Probably the last chance for
arguably the most important player
Spain have ever had; the man Luis
Aragones asked to take control in
2008 and who has won everything
since. Football-mad, he will watch
any game, anywhere, any time.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
INIGO MARTINEZ (D, Age 23,
17.05.91, 2/0, Real Sociedad)
JUANFRAN (D, Age 29, 09.01.85, 6/1,
Atletico Madrid)
Alberto MORENO (D, Age 22,
05.07.92, 2/0, Sevilla)
ISCO (M, Age 22, 21.04.92, 2/0, Real
Madrid)
KOKE (M, Age 22, 08.01.92, 7/0,
Atletico Madrid)
Juan MATA (M, Age 26, 28.04.88,
32/9, Manchester United, Eng)
Fernando TORRES (F, Age 30,
20.03.84, 106/36, Chelsea, Eng)
4-3-3
Casillas
Carvajal
Sergio Ramos
Busquets
Navas
Xavi
Pique
Alba
Xabi Alonso
Fabregas
Iniesta
WORLD SOCCER
139
SWITZERLAND
Hitzfeld relies on
non-Swiss talent
Players from immigrant families form backbone of the side
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 25
May 30
Jun 3
Jun 6
BASE CAMP
Dominant gurekey midelder Valon Behrami
Manaus
2,904 miles
BRAZIL
Salvador
368
870 miles
miles
Brasilia
Porto Seguro
GROUP E FIXTURES
Jun 15
v Ecuador (Brasilia)
Jun 20
v France (Salvador)
Jun 25
v Honduras (Manaus)
CoaCh profile
Style of management/coaching
A qualifed maths teacher, he prepares
for matches with geometric precision
and doesnt accept indiscipline lightly.
Made a point of appointing Gokhan
Inler, a player with Turkish roots, as
captain of the national team.
Notable backroom staff
Michel Pont has been assistant coach
since 2001.
After the World Cup...
Offered a two-year extension but
turned it down and says he will retire.
switzerland squad
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
55
0
5
0
Diego Benaglio
Yann Sommer
marco WolFli
Wolfsburg (Ger)
Age 30 (08.09.83)
A safe pair of hands, excellent
refexes and a commanding
presence in his penalty area. First
choice since just before euro
2008 and will be playing at his
third major fnals. Has spent most
of his career in the Bundesliga.
Basle
Age 25 (17.12.88)
Basles regular keeper since
2011, wining three successive
titles. Has excellent refexes, is
calm and self-assured and averse
to risk taking. He will move to
Borussia Monchengladbach
after the World cup.
Young Boys
Age 31 (22.08.82)
captain and the longest-serving
player at his club, he made his
Swiss debut in 2008. Always in
Benaglios shadow and now below
Sommer in the pecking order. Tore
his Achilles tendon in december
but is expected to be ft in time.
defenders
43
1
5
1
michael lang
46
4
Grasshoppers
Age 23 (08.02.91)
Played for Switzerland at
various youth levels and is
now understudy to lichtsteiner
at right-back. Began his career
with St Gallen before joining
Grasshoppers in 2011.
32
1
Valon Behrami
Blerim Dzemaili
Napoli (Ita)
Age 29 (19.04.85)
Happy at right-back or in midfeld,
he has revived his career at Napoli
since 2012. His tattoos and
haircuts are not always to the
liking of the reserved Swiss. Sent
off against chile at the 2010
World cup. Born in Kosovo.
Napoli (Ita)
Age 28 (12.04.86)
A central midfelder who has
been a substitute for most of his
international career. Has settled in
Serie A after an unhappy spell at
Bolton. Born in Macedonia, his
parents moved to Switzerland
when he was four.
forwards
5
2
10
4
Stephan lichtSteiner
ricardo roDriguez
Wolfsburg (Ger)
Age 21 (25.08.92)
The frst-choice left-back provides
an endless supply of crosses for
his forwards, is strong in the air
and dangerous at free-kicks. Has
settled quickly at Wolfsburg. Born
in Zurich to a Spanish father and
chilean mother.
71
6
46
2
Josip Drmic
mario gaVranoVic
admir mehmeDi
Zurich
Age 24 (24.11.89)
centre-forward with a good
scoring ratio who could provide a
useful option off the bench. Born
in Switzerland to croatian parents.
Suspended by Zurich for insulting
their assistant coach after being
left out of the team last year.
Freiberg (Ger)
Age 23 (16.03.91)
A good season at Freiburg
has propelled the Macedoniaborn player into contention.
Previously at dynamo Kiev, where
he was used as a substitute and
struggled to get going. Played at
the 2012 olympic Games.
World Soccer
2
1
gokhan inler
Pajtim KaSami
Fulham (Eng)
Age 21 (02.06.92)
Versatile midfelder with poise,
skill and a powerful physique, he
was world under-17 champion in
2009. A move from Fulham to
Pescara in 2011 broke down due
to faulty wi-f in a Milan hotel.
Born in Macedonia.
9
1
19
1
Fabian Schar
Basle
Age 22 (20.12.91)
one of Swiss footballs most
important recent discoveries,
a central defender with good
long-range passing and setpiece specialist. Scored both
goals in the crucial 2-0 win in
Norway in qualifying.
Napoli (Ita)
Age 29 (27.06.84)
Swiss captain and a hard-tackling
midfelder who turned up at
his offcial Napoli presentation
wearing a lion mask. An excellent
long-range shooter, he also
played at euro 2008 and the
2010 World cup.
gelson FernanDeS
Freiburg (Ger)
Age 27 (02.09.86)
defensive midfelder who scored
Switzerlands only goal at the
2010 World cup when he was
a key player, although he now
fnds himself on the fringes. Born
in cape Verde, he moved to
Switzerland at the age of fve.
Second kit
5
3
Juventus (Ita)
Age 30 (16.01.84)
Feisty right-back whose storming
runs down the fank have earned
him the nickname Forrest Gump.
He completed an apprenticeship
in banking as a young player at
Grasshoppers. Plays on the fank
of a fve-man midfeld for his club.
Nuremberg (Ger)
Age 21 (08.08.92)
Two-footed, clever in and around
the box, although somewhat weak
in the air, he has had an excellent
frst season in the Bundesliga.
Born in Switzerland but has
croatian roots and scored his frst
two goals against croatia in March.
142
First kit
19
0
61
4
Johan DJourou
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 27 (18.01.87)
central defender who was born in
Ivory coast and is set to make his
season-long loan to Hamburg
permanent in July. Played at the
2006 World cup but suffered a
knee injury in 2009 that cost him
a place at the 2010 World cup.
mIdfIelders
KITs
11
0
31
8
haris SeFeroVic
Real Sociedad (Spa)
Age 22 (22.02.92)
Won the 2009 under-17 world
title in Nigeria, where he was the
tournaments top scorer. lots
of ups and downs at club level
and has fallen out of favour at
Socieded. Born in Switzerland to
Bosnian parents.
Xherdan Shaqiri
Bayern Munich (Ger)
Age 22 (10.10.91)
An outstanding prospect who can
play on either fank and is always a
threat with his powerful shooting
and free-kicks. despite being
below robben and ribery in the
Bayern pecking order, he has
been given plenty of outings.
TACTICS
4-2-3-1
Benaglio
Rodriguez
Lichtsteiner
Von Bergen
Schar
Inler
Shaqiri
Behrami
Xhaka
Stocker
Drmic
52
5
40
0
Philippe SENDEROS
Valencia (Spa)
Age 29 (14.02.85)
His club career has been hit by
injuries and spells in the reserves,
but he remains a regular for his
country and is set to play in his
third World Cup. Born in Switzerland
to a Spanish father and Serb
mother, he speaks six languages.
Young Boys
Age 30 (10.06.83)
Central defender who made his
debut against Costa Rica in 2006
and has been in and out of the
team since. Missed Euro 2008
through injury but played at the
last World Cup. Well-travelled,
he recently returned to Switzerland.
14
0
Pirmin SCHWEGLER
Eintracht Frankfurt (Ger)
Age 27 (09.03.87)
Fiercely competitive defensive
mid elder with excellent passing.
A reserve at international level
and could be even further down
the pecking order after various
injuries this season. His brother
Christian plays for Salzburg.
22
3
10
0
24
4
Valentin STOCKER
Granit XHAKA
Basle
Age 25 (12.04.89)
Features regularly on the left side
of a three-man mid eld, the pacy
and tricky Stocker scored the rst
goal of Ottmar Hitzfelds reign in a
friendly against Cyprus which was
also his international debut. Has
won a hatful of titles with Basle.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Roman BURKI (G, Age 23, 14.11.90, 0/0,
Grasshoppers)
Reto ZIEGLER (D, Age 28, 16.01.86, 34/1,
Sassuolo, Ita)
Tranquillo BARNETTA (M, Age 29, 22.05.85,
73/10, Eintracht Frankfurt, Ger)
4-3-3
Benaglio
Lichtsteiner
Schar
Inler
Xhaka
Fernandes
Shaqiri
Behrami
Stocker
WORLD SOCCER
143
URUGUAY
Will lightning strike
twice for La Celeste?
Tabarez side seek a repeat of 1950 upset in Brazil
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Late May
May 30
Jun 4
Jun 9
Training in Montevideo
Friendly v Northern Ireland in
Montevideo
Friendly v Slovenia in Montevideo
Fly to Brazil
BASE CAMP
Christian Stuani...one of the stars of the qualifying campaign
Fortaleza
Natal
BRAZIL
1,434 miles
1,437
miles
GROUP D FIXTURES
Jun 14
v Costa Rica (Fortaleza)
Jun 19
v England (Sao Paulo)
Jun 24
v Italy (Natal)
CoaCh profile
Oscar TABAREZ
Age 67 (03.03.47)
Uruguay coach since May 2006
Style of management/coaching
A qualifed teacher, he resonates quiet
authority. Increasingly pragmatic, he
took over with the fxed idea that all
Uruguays sides should play 4-3-3. It
was scrapped after just one competitive
game. Ever since, he has been aware of
playing within the teams limitations.
Notable backroom staff
Celso Otero, Uruguays third-choice
keeper in the 1986 World Cup.
After the World Cup
Likely to stay on.
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
0
0
56
0
KITs
4
0
Rodrigo MUNOZ
Fernando MUSLERA
Martin SILVA
Libertad (Par)
Age 32 (22.01.82)
Unspectacular performer who
appears to be winning the race
with the veteran Juan castillo for
the third keepers position, though
Martin campana of defensor
might seem to be a better
long-term candidate.
Galatasaray (Tur)
Age 27 (16.06.86)
Grabbed the frst-choice keepers
slot towards the end of the 2010
qualifers, and has held it ever
since. elastic-limbed performer
who can occasionally be prone
to fapping at high balls. Born in
Argentina to Uruguayan parents.
defenders
55
1
mIdfIelders
uruguay squad
39
0
76
3
4
0
Martin CACERES
Jorge FUCILE
Juventus (Ita)
Age 27 (07.04.87)
Aggressive, versatile defender
who can feature anywhere across
the back line, but is used mostly
at left-back. one of the frst
successes of the Tabarez years,
he was swiftly promoted from
the 2007 under-20 side.
Porto (Por)
Age 29 (19.11.84)
Full-back who can play on either
fank but has struggled with injury.
He did not feature in the play-off
against Jordan, but had played
in the previous four qualifers.
A 2010 regular who faces an
anxious wait for a place this time.
52
0
60
1
43
2
Walter GARGANO
Morelia (Mex)
Age 32 (01.01.82)
First choice midfeld destroyer.
Aggressive little hit man who plays
within his limitations, covering
space, snapping in with his tackles
and seldom attempting to create.
Has played in Brazil, Italy, the USA
and Mexico.
Parma (Ita)
Age 29 (23.07.84)
little defensive midfelder who
has been a solid squad player ever
since the 2007 copa America.
Has been based in Italy for seven
years, and is married to the sister
of former Napoli team-mate
Marek Hamsik.
forwards
60
20
105
36
Edinson CAVANI
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 27 (14.02.87)
described by Tabarez as the
perfect son in law, his capacity
for work is such that he can be
best described as a box-to-box
centre-forward. Scored one and
helped set up all the others in the
5-0 play-off win over Jordan.
146
World Soccer
Diego FORLAN
Diego GODIN
24
3
Abel HERNANDEZ
Diego LUGANO
West Bromwich Albion (Eng)
Age 33 (02.11.80)
centre-back and captain, and a
commanding aerial presence in
both penalty areas. But slowing
up, and likely to pick up cards.
Intelligent and articulate, though
ruthless on the feld. First made
his name in Brazil with Sao Paulo.
85
2
Nicolas LODEIRO
Diego PEREZ
Botafogo (Bra)
Age 25 (21.03.89)
Stocky, left-footed attacking
midfelder who was sent off in the
frst game of the 2010 World cup
and later suffered serious injury.
Has yet to fulfl the hopes around
him, but started and scored
in the play-off against Jordan.
Bologna (Ita)
Age 34 (18.05.80)
Feisty little central midfelder who
encapsulates the sides warrior
spirit. Unlucky to miss out on the
2002 World cup, but has made
up for it with a long international
career, which presumably will
come to an end in Brazil.
77
39
Palermo (Ita)
Age 23 (08.08.90)
lanky, left-footed striker with a
fne burst of pace. A product of
the 2009 under-20 team, his
opportunities have been limited,
but he celebrated a rare start,
in the confederations cup, by
scoring four goals against Tahiti.
Second kit
90
9
Alvaro GONZALEZ
Lazio (Ita)
Age 29 (29.10.84)
right-sided midfelder who can
also cover right-back or central
midfeld. Missed out on the last
World cup but played in 12
qualifers this time (half of them
off the bench). The emergence
of Stuani threatens his position.
11
7
First kit
x
x
Luis SUAREZ
Liverpool (Eng)
Age 27 (24.01.87)
Uruguays all-time top scorer, who
struck 11 goals in qualifying. Fast,
strong, skilful, unpredictable on
his day all but unplayable. In the
shadow of Forlan four years ago,
how will he cope with carrying his
countrys hopes this time around?
TACTICS
4-4-2
Muslera
M Pereira
Caceres
Lugano
Stuani
Lodeiro
Godin
Arevalo Rios
Cavani
54
6
Rodriguez
Suarez
86
3
44
1
Alvaro PEREIRA
Maxi PEREIRA
Andres SCOTTI
Ben ca (Por)
Age 30 (08.06.84)
Stocky, tough and quick
right-back, who has been a xture
in the side during the Tabarez
years. Joined Ben ca in 2007,
after rst making his name with
Defensor. Opened the scoring
in the play-off against Jordan.
Nacional
Age 38 (14.12.75)
Veteran reserve centre-back,
who is favoured by Tabarez as
much for his calming experience
in the dressing room as he is for
his performances. Managed to get
sent off last year against Tahiti in
the Confederations Cup.
65
8
26
0
Gaston RAMIREZ
Southampton (Eng)
Age 23 (02.12.90)
Lanky, attacking mid elder with
an excellent left foot. A product
of the 2009 Under-20 side, he
was promoted to the senior squad
soon after the last World Cup.
Has the potential to be a very
useful supply line for the strikers.
Cristian RODRIGUEZ
Atletico Madrid (Spa)
Age 28 (30.09.85)
Stocky little left winger, known
as onion, full of cunning and
reduced-space skills. Has been
around the national team since
the Copa America of 2004, but
missed out on the last World Cup
due to suspension.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Martin CAMPANA (G, Age 25, 29.05.89, 13/1,
Defensor)
Sebastian COATES (D, Age 23, 07.10.90, 13/1,
Liverpool, Eng)
Alejandro SILVA (D, Age 24, 04.09.89, 2/0,
Lanus, Arg)
Giorgian DE ARRASCAETA (M, Age 20, 01.06.94,
0/0, Defensor)
Sebastian EGUREN (M, Age 33, 08.01.81, 51/7,
Palmeiras, Bra)
Alvaro FERNANDEZ (M, Age 28, 11.10.85, 11/0,
Chicago Fire, USA)
Gonzalo CASTRO (F, Age 29, 14.09.84, 3/0, Real
Sociedad, Spa)
8
2
Christian STUANI
Espanyol (Spa)
Age 27 (12.10.86)
Successfully incorporated into
the team in the tense home run
of quali cation one of the very
few outsiders to break into the
squad since the last World Cup. A
right-sided mid elder capable of
pushing forward into the box.
4-3-1-2
Muslera
M Pereira
Lugano
Stuani
Caceres
Godin
Arevalo Rios
Rodriguez
Forlan
Cavani
Suarez
WORLD SOCCER
147
USA
The enigmatic States
Who knows which US team will show up in Brazil?
PRE-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 14
May 27
Jun 1
Jun 7
Jun 8
BASE CAMP
Manaus
Natal
BRAZIL
1,671 miles
Recife
1,798 miles
1,625 miles
Sao Paulo
GROUP G FIXTURES
Jun 16
v Ghana (Natal)
Jun 22
v Portugal (Manaus)
Jun 26
v Germany (Recife)
CoaCh profile
usa squad
goalKeepers
KEY
123
12
caps
goals
24
0
Brad Guzan
Tim Howard
Everton (Eng)
Age 35 (06.03.79)
First choice since 2007. He was
the back-up to Kasey Keller in the
2006 World cup and frst choice
in 2010. Solid in every aspect of
goalkeeping, and now has over
10 years of Premier league
experience, mostly with everton.
mIdfIelders
defenders
114
17
KITs
14
0
97
0
14
0
nick riMando
Real Salt Lake
Age 34 (17.06.79)
Third-choice who has played in
MlS for 15 years. compensates
for his relative lack of height with
formidable athleticism.
First kit
17
1
24
1
Second kit
18
0
daMarcus Beasley
Matt Besler
Geoff CaMeron
Brad evans
omar Gonzalez
Puebla (Mex)
Age 32 (24.05.82)
Started as a forward, where his
tricky dribbling earned him the
nickname Jitterbug. After spells
in europe he moved to Mexico. By
this time he was a left-back, and
Klinsmann has made use of his
skills and speed in that position.
Seattle Sounders
Age 29 (20.04.85)
A midfelder for his club but called
up by Klinsmann as an emergency
full-back for the key qualifer in
Jamaica where he responded by
scoring a late winning goal.
35
1
26
1
Kyle BeCKerMan
Real Salt Lake
Age 32 (23.04.82)
Feisty midfelder who has spent
his entire career in MlS. Instantly
recognisable because of his
dreadlocks. Hard tackler, good
passer. Plays a mostly defensive
role, but scores four or fve goals
per season for his club.
forwards
67
21
17
2
83
12
103
36
Mix disKerud
Michael Bradley
alejandro Bedoya
Nantes (Fra)
Age 27 (29.04.87)
Has enjoyed a good season with
Nantes, in an attacking wide role.
of colombian descent, his
quickness and guile not often
a characteristic of American
midfelders are a big part of his
game. His frst World cup.
Toronto
Age 26 (31.07.87)
Son of former US coach Bob
Bradley. Non-stop midfelder
whose clever and accurate
passing have moved him ahead
of donovan as the USAs most
essential player. Back in MlS
after spells in Holland and Italy.
156
57
Rosenborg (Nor)
Age 23 (02.10.90)
Born and raised in Norway.
Mother is American. An admirer
of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Highly
rated by Klinsmann: With Mix we
have a player I think is a special
talent, has a special vision, he can
pass between people.
7
1
1
0
landon donovan
Los Angeles Galaxy
Age 32 (04.03.82)
The most complete player the
USA has ever produced, he still
possesses the rare artistry and
creativity that have made him
so important to the USA. But a
noticeable loss of pace threatens
to curtail his infuence.
19
9
Jozy alTidore
Clint deMpsey
Julian Green
aron JoHannsson
Chris wondolowsKi
Sunderland (Eng)
Age 24 (06.11.89)
A year ago the powerfully built
and speedy striker seemed to be
the USAs prime goalscorer after
some prodigious scoring with
dutch club AZ . Things have
turned sour at Sunderland but he
remains Klinsmanns frst-choice.
Seattle Sounders
Age 31 (09.03.83)
The most potent attacking player
the USA possesses and hugely
important as a playmaker and a
goalscorer. A sharp-shooter with
either foot, a crafty passer of the
ball and tall enough to pose an
aerial threat.
AZ (Hol)
Age 23 (10.11.90)
Born in Alabama to Icelandic
parents, he moved to Iceland aged
three. Has developed into a mobile,
skilful forward, scoring prolifcally
in the dutch league. The Icelandic
federation was not best pleased
when he opted to play for the USA .
150
World Soccer
TACTICS
4-4-2
Howard
Parkhurst
Gonzalez
Beasley
Besler
Jones
Johnson
Zusi
Bradley
Dempsey
46
5
Clarence GOODSON
San Jose Earthquakes
Age 32 (17.05.82)
Reliable, straightforward centreback who returned to MLS in
2013 after a ve-year spell in
Norway and Denmark. Tall, good
in the air, less so on the ground,
with good positional sense.
Altidore
25
0
x
x
Michael PARKHURST
San Jose Earthquakes
Age 30 (24.01.84)
Without a dominating physique,
he has built a reputation as a,
smart, skilful and clean-tackling
centre-back in MLS. After
a ve-year spell in Denmark,
he is back in MLS, playing as
an attacking full-back.
39
2
19
0
Fabian JOHNSON
Jermaine JONES
Hoffenheim (Ger)
Age 26 (11.12.87)
Fast, technically sound player who
can play on the back line or in
mid eld. Played alongside Khedira
and Ozil in Germanys under-21
side but responded positively to
Klinsmanns invitation that he
switch allegiance to the USA.
Besiktas (Tur)
Age 32 (03.11.81)
One-man wrecking crew who was
controversially appointed captain
by Klinsmann for two games in
2012 while serving an eight-week
Bundesliga ban. Made three
friendly appearances for Germany
before switching to play for USA.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
Tony BELTRAN (D, Age 26, 11.10.87, 3/0, Real Salt
Lake)
DeAndre YEDLIN (D, Age 20, 09.07.93, 2/0, Seattle
Sounders)
Maurice EDU (M, Age 28, 18.04.86, 46/1, Bursaspor,
Tur)
Eddie JOHNSON (F, Age 30, 31.03.84, 63/19, DC
United)
20
3
Graham ZUSI
Sporting Kansas City
Age 27 (18.08.86)
The quintessential American
mid elder, physically strong,
super-high work rate, combined
with good tackling and passing
skills - but all utterly straightforward. Artistry and subtlety are
lacking, however.
Plan B?
As for an alternative, Klinsmann will withdraw
a forward into the mid eld to make it a
4-5-1. Klinsmann has often played with a
single forward, usually Altidore, and having
Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan in a
ve-man mid eld even though theyre the
best US scorers.
One of the central defenders Jones or
Beckerman will mainly serve as a sweeper in
front of the back four.
4-5-1
Howard
Gonzalez
Besler
Beasley
Parkhurst
Jones
Zusi
Dempsey
Donovan
Bradley
Altidore
WORLD SOCCER
151
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GROUP A
GROUP E
(9pm)
(5pm)
(8pm)
(11pm)
(9pm)
(9pm)
GROUP B
GROUP C
GROUP G
(5pm)
(2am)
(5pm)
(11pm)
(9pm)
(9pm)
(8pm)
(11pm)
(8pm)
(5pm)
(5pm)
(5pm)
GROUP D
QUARTER-FINALS
05.07.14
05.07.14
(5pm)
(9pm)
SEMI-FINALS
08.07.14
09.07.14
THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF
12.07.14
QUARTER-FINALS
04.07.14
04.07.14
(5pm)
(11pm)
(8pm)
(11pm)
(5pm)
(5pm)
GROUP H
SECOND ROUND
28.06.14
28.06.14
29.06.14
29.06.14
30.06.14
30.06.14
01.07.14
01.07.14
GROUP F
(9pm)
(8pm)
FINAL
13.07.14
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