World Cup Record: Last 16 1986, 1998, 2002
Manager: Gerardo Martino
Key Player: Roque Santa Cruz
Qualified: 3rd CONMEBOL
Odds: 50/1

An impressive qualifying campaign saw Paraguay record ten wins from their 18 games as they finished third in the CONMEBOL behind Chile and Brazil. Much of their success can be attributed to their brilliant home form – seven of their victories were recorded at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Ascunsion – the highlight of these the 1-0 victory over Argentina with which they clinched qualification for South Africa. Paraguay have twice got out of the group stages of the World Cup, most notably in France 1998 when their star goalkeeper, Jose Chilavert – known for taking free kicks and penalties and boasting eight goals in his international career – was one of the stars of the tournament.

Roque Santa Cruz

Age: 28
Position: Centre Forward
Club: Manchester City (England – Premier League)
Caps: 64 (20 goals)

Santa Cruz scored 23 goals in 57 appearances for Blackburn Rovers, persuading Manchester City boss Mark Hughes to part with £18million for the hitman in June 2009. However, an injury-hit first season with City has halted the momentum of his flourishing career in the Premier League. The Paraguayan’s scoring record during his eight-year Bayern Munich career was less impressive as he struggled to nail down a first team place amongst competition from Roy Makaay and Claudio Pizarro, although he had notched up 31 goals by the time he left Germany for North-West England in 2007. He made his senior Paraguay debut as a seventeen-year-old in 1999 and has been a consistent scorer ever since with a ratio of a goal every 3 games.

World Cup Record: Last 16 1994 & 1998

Manager: Shaibu Amudo
Key Player: Mikel John Obi
Qualified: 1st Africa Group 4
Odds: 80/1

After a torrid qualification campaign, Nigeria finally qualified coming from behind to beat Kenya 3-2 thanks to a late winner by Obafemi Martins. The Super Eagles do not make life easy for themselves and it is this trait that will give some cause for concern. After respectable efforts in the World Cups of 1994 & 1998 they seem to have fallen behind some of the emerging African national football teams. Head Nigeria coach Shaobu Amudo has already spoken of the need to focus in this tournament and how he plans to balance young and old to make the most powerful Nigeria team ‘the world has ever seen’.

Mikel John Obi

Age: 22
Position: Midfield
Club: Chelsea (England – Premier League)
Caps: 28 (2 goals)

Mikel John Obi made his international debut against Libya in 2005 at the age of 18, although progress at international level has not been as rapid as many expected – with many of his 28 appearances coming from the bench. However, he quickly came to prominence at club level culminating in a protracted move to English Premier League club Chelsea from rivals Manchester United in 2006. He has since impressed at Stamford Bridge where he provides a physical presence at the heart of midfield. This World Cup represents a good opportunity for Mikel to ‘come of age’ at international level.

World Cup Record: Group Stage 1982
Manager: Ricki Herbert
Key Player: Ryan Nelson
Qualified: 1st in Oceania Group
Odds: 750/1

Making only their second appearance at the World Cup finals. Qualified by firstly winning their group and then beating Bahrain in a tense 2-leg play-off with an aggregate score of 1-0. The All-Whites’ second World Cup showing will be eagerly awaited by the New Zealand football fans and can only be good for developing the game in a predominantly rugby and cricketing nation. Despite having energy and enthusiasm their inexperience and lack of resources will almost certainly see them start as rank outsiders for South Africa 2010.

Ryan Nelson

Age: 32
Position: Defender (capt)
Club: Blackburn Rovers (England – Premier League)
Caps: 38 (6 goals)

Despite an injury-plagued career which has limited the amount of performances for the national side Ryan Nelson remains a key man for New Zealand. He has 123 Premier League appearances at Blackburn Rovers under his belt and has played in the American Major League Soccer at DC United. His ability at the centre of defence and even on occasion in midfield together with his leadership qualities will be crucial in South Africa as he tries to steady the helm for what is sure to be a turbulent journey for the All-Whites.

World Cup Record: Runners Up, 1974 & 1978
Manager: Bert van Marwijk
Key Player: Wesley Sneijder
Qualified: 1st, Group 9, Europe
Odds: 12/1

The Dutch cruised through the group stages, winning all eight matches making them, alongside Spain, one of only two countries to register a perfect 100% qualifying record. In truth, Group 9 opponents Norway, Scotland, Macedonia & Iceland didn’t make life too difficult for them. But 17 goals scored, two conceded and the 14 point gap between themselves and second-placed Norway emphasised the difference in class and underlined their World Cup credentials. With Ruud van Nistelrooy retired, the goals were spread about with 11 different players getting on the score sheet. Dirk Kuyt & Klaas-Jan Huntelaar led the way with 3 each, with Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben & Rafael van de Vaart all chipping in. Throw in Wesley Sneijder, and they don’t lack for creative spark. In both Germany 2006 & Euro 2008 they produced some devastating performances early on before blowing it in the knockouts. When they get it right, they’re one of the few sides capable of matching Spain & Brazil, but backers of the “Oranje” have had their fingers burnt before.

Wesley Sneijder

Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Club: Inter Milan
Caps: 56 (12 goals)

The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo & Kaka at Real Madrid signalled the end of Sneijder’s time at the Bernabeu but Jose Mourinho moved quickly to bring him to Inter Milan. There he’s wasted no time in establishing himself as the creative fulcrum of Italy’s strongest side. A fine two-footed technician, a pin-point passer and deadly with the final ball, Sneijder is also a free-kick specialist and the undoubted danger man of this potentially enthralling Dutch side.

World Cup Record: Quarter-Finals 1970, 1986
Manager: Javier Aguirre
Key Player: Cuauhtemoc Blanco
Qualified: 2nd CONCACAF
Odds: 66/1

A solid World Cup pedigree, this will be Mexico’s 14th appearance at the tournament. Their best results came when hosting the tournament in 1970 and 1986, reaching the quarter-finals on both occasions. Indeed their form when hosting a tournament extended to the Confederations Cup, which they won in 1999 on home soil, beating Brazil 4-3 in the final. Mexican progress to South Africa 2010 has been less than serene, with three coaches (including Sven Goran-Eriksson) coming and going over the last two years, but the return of Javier Aguirre as head coach in April has steadied the ship and qualification was finally assured after a 4-1 victory over El Salvador in October.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco

Age: 36
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Club: Veracruz (Mexico – Primera Division)
Caps: 107 (37 goals)

The veteran midfielder was brought back into the international set-up by coach Aguirre in April 2009 at the age of 36. His presence was a key factor in Mexico’s qualification revival, scoring in the decisive victory over El Salvador as well as the key game against Honduras. Blanco came to attention during the 1998 World Cup in France when he showcased his unique trick – trapping the ball between his two feet and hopping over the challenge of his opponent – and his inventiveness allied with experience will be key to developing young, talented team-mates such as Giovanni Dos Santos and Carlos Vela.

World Cup Record: Semi-Final 2002, Group Stages 5 occasions
Manager: Huh Jung-Moo
Key Player: Park Ji-Sung
Qualified: 1st Group 2 Europe
Odds: 200/1

South Korea’s best result at a World Cup tournament was their run to the semi-finals on home soil in 2002, their luck running out with a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Germany. Guus Hiddink led them to that triumphant fourth place with another Dutchman, Dick Advocaat managing the Republic from 2005-2006. Current coach, Huh Jung-Moo, played for the national side on 84 occasions and took over the managerial reins in 2007. A series of tussles with neighbours, North Korea, in the Asian qualifying stages eventually saw them through to what will be their sixth appearance at the Finals – a record for an Asian team.

Park Ji-Sung

Age: 28
Position: Midfielder
Club: Manchester United (England – Premier League)
Caps: 84 (11 goals)

Korea’s captain and midfield driving force followed former National coach, Guus Hiddink, to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven after the 2002 World Cup and by the 2003-04 season had established himself on the left side of midfield. A year later he moved to Manchester United and was a key member of the United side which won the Premier League and Champions League double in 2008 – although bizarrely, after a man-of the-match performance in the semi-final, Sir Alex Ferguson left the Korean out of the squad to play Chelsea in the Champions League final. Park began his international career aged 19 in a qualifier for the 2000 Olympics but it was Hiddink’s vision which saw him move from defensive midfielder to goal-scoring winger transforming him into the iconic star of Korean football.

World Cup Record: Quarter-finals 1966

Manager: Kim Jong-Hun (capt)
Key Player: Hong Jong-Jo
Qualified: 2nd Asia Group 2
Odds: 500/1

The last and only time North Korea qualified for the World Cup was in 1966 where against all the odds they qualified for the quarter-final stage, eventually losing to Portugal. Their exploits are still lauded by North Koreans and was the subject of a documentary film ‘The game of their lives’. Whether this legacy will hinder or encourage them this time around only time will tell. They do not possess big name stars that would be recognizable on the world stage due, mainly to the restrictions on their own players entering foreign leagues. They will be among the under dogs for the World Cup but any near repeat of the heroics of 1966 would make the players national heroes.

Hong Jong-Jo

Age: 27
Position: Forward
Club: FC Rostov (Russia)
Caps: 38 (11 goals)

Hong Jong-Jo currently plays for Rostov in the Russian Premier League, where he moved after spells at April 25 in his home country and FK Bezanija in Serbia. He scored 4 goals in 14 appearances to help North Korea qualify for the finals in South Africa. In a predominately defensive side he stands out as the player who will have to deliver the goals needed for North Korea to progress from the Group stages. He also captains the side and his experience in foreign leagues will be of prime importance for a team taken in the main from their domestic league.

World Cup Record: Last 16, 2002
Manager: Takeshi Osada
Key Player: Shunsuke Nakamura
Qualified: 2nd, Group 1, Asia
Odds: 150/1

Since first qualifying for the World Cup in France ’98, Japan have been ever present at the finals tournament and South Africa 2010 will be their fourth consecutive appearance. Finishing second behind Australia, they qualified well ahead of Bahrain, Qatar & Uzbekistan but far sterner tests await this summer. Coach Takeshi Osada’s stated aim of a semi-final place is nothing if not ambitious, but progress out of the group stage is a more realistic target. The now retired Hidetoshi Nakata & ex-Gunner Junichi Inamoto brought the attention of the football world at large to the emerging talent in the Far East. Inamoto is still involved but Espanyol’s Shunsuke Nakamura is the most high profile player of the current squad, with young midfielder Keisuke Honda starting to make waves in the Dutch Eredivisie. One of the things that should work in their favour is the structure of the J-League which runs from February to December. As opposed to the European-based players for whom the World Cup will come at the end of a long, gruelling season, the Japanese squad – the vast majority of whom still play at home – should be relatively fresh. And given the high-tempo, non-stop energy of their pressing game they could yet ruffle a few feathers in South Africa.

Shunsuke Nakamura

Age: 31
Position: Midfield
Club: Espanyol
Caps: 91 (23 goals)

Following three seasons with Reggina in Italy, Nakamura moved to Celtic in 2005 and quickly established himself as a fans favourite. A dead ball specialist with tremendous touch and vision, he won 3 SPL titles in four years before moving on to La Liga with Espanyol. Although coach Osada has received some criticism for his supposed dependence on Nakamura, there’s no doubt that the form and fitness of their talismanic Number 10 will go along way towards determining how far the “Blue Samurai” progress this summer.

World Cup Record: Winners 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
Manager: Marcello Lippi
Key Player: Andrea Pirlo
Qualified: 1st Group 8 Europe
Odds: 10/1

Defending champions and one of the undoubted heavyweights of world football, the Azzurri will once again be expecting a decent showing at the finals. Although they topped a qualifying group that included Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Montenegro and Georgia, Marcello Lippi’s team can best be described as pragmatic showing little of the flair that has marked their brand of football in the past. The retirement of Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero means that most of the midfield creativity comes from AC Milan maestro Andrea Pirlo, whilst his club team-mate Gennaro Gattuso will provide the bite in the centre of the pitch. Will be interesting to see if Italy’s measured approach will be enough to see them through in South Africa.

Andrea Pirlo

Age: 30
Position: Central Midfield
Club: AC Milan (Italy – Serie A)
Caps: 64 (8 goals)

An old-fashioned central play-maker, Pirlo has a range of passing and vision that is unrivalled in Serie A. He made his debut for his local club side, Brescia in 1994 aged 16 and having broken into the first team was signed by Inter Milan in 1998. Surprisingly he didn’t settle at the Nerazzuri and after loan spells at Reggina and back to Brescia he moved to AC Milan in 2001. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti quickly transformed Pirlo from an attacking midfielder to a deeper-lying playmaker, a role which he has since made his own for both club and country. As something of a free-kick specialist, will be expected to chip in with goals from set-plays.

World Cup Record: Group Stage, 1982
Manager: Reinaldo Rueda
Key Player: Carlos Pavon
Qualified: 3rd, CONCACAF
Odds: 350/1

An injury-time equaliser for the USA against Costa Rica in the final qualifying match sent Honduras through to their first World Cup since Spain ’82, and ‘Los Catrachos’ could end up being one of the most popular sides in South Africa. Despite winning their final game 1-0 against El Salvador, the players and staff were resigned to the play-offs until they saw their fans going wild in the stands on hearing news of the late goal in Washington. And so the celebrations began, with the President himself ordering a national holiday. With three of their squad starring in the Premier League (Wilson Palacios at Spurs and Hendry Thomas & Maynor Figueroa at Wigan) plus three more performing in Serie A – including Inter Milan striker David Suazo – they’re not exactly a bunch of complete unknowns. Palacios believes their blend of strength, speed, power and technique will win them plenty of admirers – and hopefully one or two matches – along the way this summer. A kind draw could well see them surprise a few and make it out of their group.

Carlos Pavon

Age: 36
Position: Striker
Club: Real Espana
Caps: 95 (56 goals)

Colombian coach Rueda credits the European-based players with adding a new found sense of maturity to his talented side, but it’s all-time top scorer Pavon who represents the main goal scoring threat. 56 goals in 95 matches is certainly not a record to be sniffed at, and his 7 in qualifying – including the crucial strike in the last game in El Salvador – mark the 36 year old out as one for defenders to be keeping a close eye on. Also look out for Pavon’s partner in crime, midfield schemer Amado Guevara. With 130 appearances, he’s the tournament’s most capped player.