Baddiel & Skinner

Algeria (Current world Ranking: 31)
Coach: Rabah Saâdane.
Captain: Yazid Mansouri.

The road to South Africa was a rocky one at times for the Algerians, after they were forced to take on fierce regional rivals Egypt in a play off on neutral ground when they both ended their qualifying campaign at the top of Group C. The Desert Foxes sealed the deal thanks to a cracking goal from Antar Yahia just before the break, which secured their first finals since 1986. They’ll want to go further than just the first rounds though after crashing out early in the ‘82 and ’86 tournaments. Few believe they’ll make the knock out stages as they face England, United States and Slovenia, but they’re confident they have a chance with manager Rabah ’the Sheikh’ Saâdane back at the helm.

Back to topKey player: Yazid Mansouri.

Argentina (Current world Ranking: 7)
Coach: Diego Maradona.
Captain: Javier Mascherano.

Two time champions Argentina endured a rollercoaster ride on their way to South Africa, after a great start to their qualifying campaign saw them win three matches in a row, but another five without success under manager Alfio Basile. Their shock defeat to Chile was the last straw and he was soon replaced by fellow Argentine Diego Maradona, still seen as a hero in his homeland after playing in four consecutive tournaments, two finals and lifting the trophy in 1986 as captain. But although he began well, he had little managerial experience and only scraped through eventually, after securing the automatic spot with a fourth table finish thanks to a crucial 1- 0 win over Uruguay when Mario Bolatti scored the dramatic late winner.

Back to topKey player: Lionel Messi.

Australia (Current world Ranking: 20)
Coach: Pim Verbeek.
Captain: Lucas Neill.

Australia returned to the world stage in 2006 following their disappointing debut in 1974 when they failed to win any of their games, but after more than thirty years away, they impressed on their return to Germany under manager Guus Hiddink. The Socceroos made the knockout stages but crashed out at the hands of eventual winners Italy. However, they easily booked their ticket to South Africa following wins against Qatar, Uzbekistan, Bahrain and Japan, finishing their Asian qualifying campaign top of their group and five points clear of Japan. Australia are underdogs going into the tournament and face three time winners and group favourites Germany, along with Serbia and Ghana, but after their previous outing, will expect to at least make the last 16.

Back to topKey player: Tim Cahill.

Brazil (Current world Ranking: 1)
Coach: Dunga.
Captain: Lúcio.

Brazil are the only team that can boast to being involved in every single tournament since it began in 1930, and are the most successful in its history after winning the event five times, that’s more than any other country. It’s often said ‘England invented the beautiful game, but Brazil perfected it,’ and with their record speaking for itself, are currently ranked first in the world and are joint favourites with second placed Spain to lift the trophy in South Africa. They topped their group with nine wins, two defeats, seven draws and three games to spare, with their 3-1 win over bitter rivals Argentina on their home turf, the result which sealed the deal for the Brazilians.

Back to topKey player: Kaka.

Cameroon (Current world Ranking: 19)
Coach: Paul Le Guen.
Captain: Samuel Eto’o.

Cameroon, nicknamed ‘The Indomitable Lions,’ certainly live up to their name, as they’re Africa’s most successful national side after making the finals a record six times. They also became the first African team to reach the quarters, but lost in 1990 to England in extra time. Not only have they won four Africa Cup of Nations, but Cameroon also won gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, so expectations for South Africa are high, but their qualifying trip there was a turbulent one. Coach Otto Pfister quit after their shock 1-0 defeat to Togo in protest at losing his assistant, but they bounced back after former Rangers boss Paul Le Guen took over, leading the side to victories over Togo, Gabon and Morroco.

Back to topKey player: Samuel Eto’o.

Chile (Current world Ranking: 15)
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa.
Captain: Claudio Bravo.

Chile return to the finals after 12 years away following an impressive qualifying performance which saw them finish in second place, just one point behind Brazil. They didn’t start well though after losing their debut match to Argentina, but under seasoned coach Marcelo Bielsa, they got their revenge over their neighbours, and his homeland, with a 1-0 win, their first victory against them since 1973. A five game unbeaten run followed as they took on a group which included Uruguay. Chile have high hopes for South Africa after making the group stages during their last outing in France in 1998, but will want to go further than third place overall, their best performance in 1962 when they hosted the tournament.

Back to topKey player: Humberto Suazo.

Côte d'Ivoire (Current world Ranking: 27)
Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic.
Captain: Didier Drogba.

If you’re looking for an African nation to step up and gain ultimate glory, don’t bet on the hosts South Africa. But, perhaps, Ivory Coast could deliver for the continent. Les Elephants will also be looking to prove a point after exiting the tournament in 2006 in the group stage following defeats to Argentina and Holland. This time the team, inspired by Didier Drogba’s goals, barrelled their way through qualifying, going undefeated in their final group that contained Burkina Faso, Malawi and Guinea. With the likes of Drogba, his Chelsea teammate Salamon Kalou, Yaya and Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, the Ivory Coast squad is packed full of players familiar to European fans and opponents alike.

Back to topKey player: Didier Drogba.

Denmark (Current world Ranking: 35)
Coach: Morten Olsen.
Captain: Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Denmark enjoyed a successful campaign, topping a difficult group which included Portugal and Sweden, losing just one match in ten and qualifying with a game to spare. The victory that secured their fourth appearance at the finals was against their Scandinavian neighbours, after Jakob Poulsen’s first start of the campaign and first international goal, sealed the deal for the Danish Dynamite. They failed to qualify for the previous tournament in 2006, but made the last 16 in Japan four years earlier and reached the quarter finals in France in 1998, so the Euro 92 champions will be aiming to cause a few upsets in South Africa. They’ve been drawn to face Netherlands, Japan and Cameroon and are 50/1 to lift the trophy.

Back to topKey player: Nicklas Bendtner.

England (Current world Ranking: 8)
Coach: Fabio Capello.
Captain: Rio Ferdinand.

After their massive disappointment at failing to qualify for Euro 2008 with Steve McLaren as boss, England, under tough talking, no nonsense Italian manager Fabio Capello, returned to winning ways to reach their twelfth finals. The Three Lions were rejuvenated by their experienced coach, and stormed their way through qualifying, topping their group with two games to spare after winning all but one of their ten games. England last lifted the trophy when they hosted the event in 1966 thanks to ‘that,’ hat-trick from Sir. Geoff Hurst. The Three Lions’ best performance since then was under the late Sir. Bobby Robson, when they famously went out on penalties in their semi-final against West Germany in 1990. But after Capello created a winning mentality within his side, the manager and his men now believe they can go all the way to the final and repeat their victory forty four years ago.

Back to topKey player: Wayne Rooney.

France (Current world Ranking: 10)
Coach: Raymond Domenech.
Captain: Thierry Henry.

France’s journey to South Africa will undoubtedly be remembered for Thierry Henry’s controversial handball during their play-off with Republic of Ireland, which helped secure the extra time goal that knocked the Irish out of the competition. But before they finally booked their ticket to South Africa, Les Bleus’ got off to a disappointing qualifying campaign after a shock 3-1 defeat to Austria. They bounced back with a win against Serbia but then could only manage a draw with Romania before unconvincing wins against Lithuania helped them climb up their group table. France are 16/1 to lift the trophy again after their 1998 victory on their own turf, and will face the home nation, Mexico and Uruguay in their quest to repeat that result.

Back to topKey player: Franck Ribery.

Germany (Current world Ranking: 6)
Coach: Joachim Löw.
Captain: TBC.

Germany are strong contenders to lift the trophy for a fourth time after winning in 1954, twenty years later on home soil, and then in 1990. They’ve appeared in every tournament they’ve been eligible for and equal Brazil’s record of seven finals. They were runners up in 2002 and finished third on their own turf in 2006 behind France and winners Italy, so will definitely be aiming to literally pick up more gold in South Africa. Their journey there was an easy one after an emphatic start to their qualifying campaign saw them thrash Liechtenstein 6-0. Draws against Finland and victories over Liechtenstein, Wales, Azerbaijan and Russia, meant Germany topped their group after picking up an impressive 26 points out of a possible 30.

Back to topKey player: Bastien Schweinsteiger.

Ghana (Current world Ranking: 32)
Coach: Milovan Rajevac.
Captain: Stephen Appiah.

Ghana became the first African country to reach the finals after topping their group with two games to spare with wins over Benin, Sudan and Mali in the last round of qualifying. The Black Stars were the most successful African nation during their debut appearance in the tournament in 2006, when they were the only one of five from the continent to go beyond the group stages, eventually losing 3-0 to Brazil. They’ve won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, and will be looking to improve on their success in Germany, but they’ve got a tough task ahead, as they face the three time winners in Group D, along with Australia and Serbia.

Back to topKey player: Michael Essien.

Greece (Current world Ranking: 12)
Coach: Otto Rehhagel.
Captain: Giorgos Karagounis.

Greece, European champions in 2004, qualified for South Africa the hard way after their first three victories over Luxembourg, Latvia and Moldova were followed by a rollercoaster of results. They lost to Switzerland and drew with Israel before returning to winning ways after thrashing Latvia 5-2, finishing just a point behind group 2 winners Switzerland. It meant Greece had to win their play-offs with Ukraine, which they ultimately did thanks to a crucial goal from Dimitrios Salpigidis in the return leg after the first one ended in stalemate. Their debut in the tournament in 1994 was an astounding failure after losing all three of their games, so they’ll definitely want to prove themselves after being given a second chance at winning gold.

Back to topKey player: Theofanis Gekas.

Honduras (Current world Ranking: 40)
Coach: Reinaldo Rueda.
Captain: Amado Guevara.

Honduras’ qualified for only their second finals by the skin of their teeth, thanks to the USA’s crucial last minute goal against Costa Rica in their final game, so expectations for them in South Africa are not high. The 2-2 draw meant the Central American side crashed out of the competition, but Honduras’ ticket to the tournament was booked. They cut it fine though after winning just five games, losing four and drawing one. That’s why it was vital they beat El Salvador in their last game and the USA picked up a point against Costa Rica, in a group which also included Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. Los Catrachos finished joint third with Costa Rica, but they had a better goal difference.

Back to topKey player: Carlos Pavon.

Italy (Current world Ranking: 5)
Coach: Marcello Lippi.
Captain: Fabio Cannavaro.

Defending champions Italy are natural contenders to win for a second consecutive time, after victories in 1934 and 1938, and will aim to equal Brazil’s record of five titles when they take on Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia in Group F. But the Italians didn’t qualify automatically and only made the finals after drawing with the Republic of Ireland in a nail biting crunch clash at Croke Park. The Irish lead thanks to an early goal, but matters were soon levelled before The Boys in Green thought Sean St. Ledger’s 87th minute smash was the winner that would send them to South Africa. It wasn’t to be though after Alberto Gilardino’s goal three minutes later was enough to break Irish hearts.

Back to topKey player: Gianluigi Buffon.

Japan (Current world Ranking: 45)
Coach: Takeshi Okada.
Captain: Yuji Nakazawa.

Japan are not exactly an international powerhouse after only reaching the finals for the first time in 1998, and even then their debut resulted in disappointment after they lost all three of their main games. However, the Samurai Blue have proved a football force to be reckoned with in Asia after winning the Asian Cup three times, so they’ll have high hopes for South Africa. Their journey there was a comfortable one and they became the first team to book their ticket after a victory over Uzbekistan. But the 2002 co-hosts are far from favourites to lift the trophy, and won’t fancy facing the highly praised Holland team, with Cameroon and Denmark their other opponents in Group E.

Back to topKey player: Shansuke Nakamura.

Korea DPR (Current world Ranking: 106)
Coach: Kim Jong-Hun.
Captain: Hong Yong-Jo.

North Korea have only played in one previous tournament, in 1966 in England, when they surprised everyone by reaching the quarter finals with an impressive 1- 0 victory over Italy. But their exit from the tournament was just as memorable after they lost 5-3 to Portugal despite taking a 3-0 lead. North Korea’s journey to South Africa proved a long slog for Kim Jong-Hun’s men, who only edged out Saudi Arabia on goal difference in the final table. They’re not expected to lift the trophy after being put with Brazil, Portugal and The Ivory Coast in the so called ‘Group of Death,’ but if their debut appearance is anything to go by, they could at least upset a few apple carts.

Back to topKey player: Mun In-Guk .

Korea Republic (Current world Ranking: 47)
Coach: Huh Jung-Moo.
Captain: Park Ji-Sung.

South Korea comfortably secured their seventh successive tournament by topping their Asian qualifying group, four points ahead of bitter rivals North Korea. The Taeguk Warriors’ journey to South Africa saw them draw with their neighbours in the final round, a huge frustration for them, but they ploughed on and secured back to back wins over United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, before a crucial draw with Iran. South Korea then wrapped things up with a 2-0 victory against UAE, with two games to spare, becoming the only Asian side to qualify without losing a single game. They’re the most successful Asian team and will want to better their 2002 achievement of reaching the semi-finals when they co-hosted the event with Japan.

Back to topKey player: Park Ji-Sung.

Mexico (Current world Ranking: 17)
Coach: Javier Aguirre.
Captain: Rafael Márquez.

Maybe not a storied nation in the history of the competition, but Mexico is certainly a familiar name at the game’s biggest tournament after qualifying for every tournament since USA 94. They’ve also made it through to the second round every time in that run. In 2006 in Germany, the Mexicans took the lead against Argentina after getting through the group stage but ended up going out 2-1 to a volley from now Liverpool player Maxi Rodriguez. This time round, the team recovered from a choppy time under Sven Goran Eriksson to qualify behind their archrivals the USA. The Mexican squad won’t be packed full of familiar faces to British footballs fans, but a few names will ring a bell, including Arsenal youngster Carlos Vela, and Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez.

Back to topKey player: Andres Guardado.

Netherlands (Current world Ranking: 4)
Coach: Bert van Marijk.
Captain: Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The Netherlands were always favourites to qualify after being drawn against Norway, Scotland, Iceland and Macedonia, and proved unstoppable during their qualifying campaign, which ended with a 100 per cent record. They topped their group with a maximum of 24 points, a massive 14 in front of second placed Norway after scoring an impressive 17 goals and conceding just 2. They came close to lifting the trophy twice, but couldn’t get passed West Germany in the 1974 final, or hosts Argentina four years later. But they were crowned European champions in 1988 and beat Italy and France before going out at the quarter finals of the last competition, so could prove a force to be reckoned with in South Africa.

Back to topKey player: Robin van Persie.

New Zealand (Current world Ranking: 78)
Coach: Ricki Herbert.
Captain: Ryan Nelsen.

One of the few nations in South Africa more famous for another sport, and in a nod to the celebrated rugby union side, New Zealand’s football team is known as the ‘All Whites.’ They qualified for this year’s tournament after storming to victory in the OFC Cup, and then beating Bahrain 1-0 over two legs in the decisive tie. South Africa will be New Zealand’s second tournament following a disappointing show in 1982, when they lost all of their group games. This year a large portion of their hopes will rest on their quartet of England-based players which include Ipswich’s Tommy Smith, Middlesbrough’s Chris Killen, Chris Wood who’s at West Brom, and Plymouth Argyle player Rory Fallon.

Back to topKey player: Ryan Nelsen.

Nigeria (Current world Ranking: 20)
Coach: Lars Lagerbäck.
Captain: Nwankwo Kanu.

Nigeria could prove to be a force to be reckoned with in South Africa after winning the African Cup of Nations twice, and coming third on four occasions. They failed to reach the finals in Germany in 2006, but have enjoyed some success at the event, reaching the last 16 in 1994 and then four years later. However they fell at the first hurdle in Japan and Korea in 2002, but their confidence will be boosted by having a squad bolstered by several players with English Premier League experience, including captain Nwankwo Kanu, who’s at Portsmouth.

Back to topKey player: Jon Obi Mikel.

Paraguay (Current world Ranking: 30)
Coach: Gerardo Martino.
Captain: Denis Caniza.

You might be surprised to read that Paraguay is fast becoming a country with a healthy tournament pedigree, with South Africa their fourth straight appearance at the Big Show. In 1998 and 2002, the South American nation reached the heady heights of the last 16, but were eliminated in the Group Stage in Germany in 2006. However, after finishing behind Brazil and Chile in qualifying, the Paraguayans go to this year’s event full of confidence. They sealed qualification by defeating Argentina 1-0 in Asuncion in September, and the President of the country subsequently announced a national holiday.

Back to topKey player: Roque Santa Cruz.

Portugal (Current world Ranking: 3)
Coach: Carlos Queiroz .
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese have proved to be England’s nemesis’s in recent competitions, turfing the Three Lions out of competitions in 2004 and 2006, but they only just snuck into this year’s tournament in South Africa after edging past Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff. However, while Luis Figo and the rest of the Golden Generation may have been and gone, Portugal still have some talented performers in Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea stars Ricardo Carvalho and Deco, along with the aerial power of Bruno which will prove vital to the team at both ends of the pitch.

Back to topKey player: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Serbia (Current world Ranking: 16)
Coach: Radomir Antic.
Captain: Dejan Stankovic.

Serbia has only existed as a football nation since August 2006, so it’s difficult to assess the nation’s World Cup history. But in its previous incarnation as Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro, the team played in nine tournaments. Last time out at Germany 2006, playing as Serbia and Montenegro, the team were knocked out in the group phase following three defeats. But since then, Serbia bossed a qualifying group that included 2006 finalists France. With Nemanja Vidic at the back, Dejan Stankovic in midfield and Milan Jovanoviæ up front, the team boasts a spine of sheer quality and has to be considered as a dangerous dark horse.

Back to topKey player: Nemanja Vidic.

Slovakia (Current world Ranking: 38)
Coach: Vladimir Weiss.
Captain: Marek Hamsik.

Playing in their first major international tournament, the Slovakians represent an unknown quantity for opponents and football supporters alike. What’s clearly apparent, is that Slovakia proved far too strong for better known powers Northern Ireland, Czech Republic and Poland in qualifying, topping their group ahead of Slovenia. Premier League fans will be well aware of Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel ‘s talents, and at the other end of the pitch, Stanislav Sestak, who notched six goals in qualifying, may have an outside shot at tournament top scorer.

Back to topKey player: Stanislav Sestak.

Slovenia (Current world Ranking: 23)
Coach: Matjaž Kek.
Captain: Robert Koren.

Slovenia have only been playing international football since 1992, following the break up of Yugoslavia a year earlier, and after failing to make the cup in 1998, their appearance at the tournament four years later was a disaster. They did very well in qualifying, but lost all three matches in Korea and Japan and didn’t reach Germany in 2006 either. However, things are looking up for Slovenia, who caused one of the biggest upsets in qualifying for South Africa, with a surprise play-off victory over Guus Hiddink’s Russia side, so Matjaž Kek’s men perhaps shouldn’t be underestimated. Despite being grouped with England, USA and Algeria, Slovenia could once again prove they can be a force to be reckoned with.

Back to topKey player: Milivoje Novakoviè.

South Africa (Current world Ranking: 90)
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira.
Captain: Aaron Mokoena.

As hosts, South Africa, who only returned to playing international football in 1992 after being banned for years because of apartheid, automatically qualified for the competition. They couldn’t get past the first round in their previous two finals in 1998 and 2002, but had better success in the Africa Cup of Nations, which they staged and won in 1996. They continued to do well in the event for some years before dipping in form and failing to qualify for 2010. But their preparations for the tournament improved after finishing 4th in the Confederations Cup in 2009. As hosts, there’s obvious pressure for them to do well, especially as no entertaining nation has ever failed to get beyond the group stage since the tournament began in 1930.

Back to topKey player: Steven Pienaar.

Spain (Current world Ranking: 2)
Coach: Vicente del Bosque.
Captain: Iker Casillas.

Euro 2008 champions Spain are unsurprisingly joint favourites to lift the trophy with five time winners Brazil, after easily booking their ticket to South Africa with a one hundred per cent record in qualifying and only conceding five goals. They bagged a whopping 28 on their way to their 13th finals, becoming the Euro Zone’s second highest goal scorers, just six behind England. Like Fabio Capello’s team and the Netherlands, Spain reached the tournament with two games to spare after thrashing Estonia 3-0 on their home turf. They’ve reached the quarter finals four times, but with such strength in depth and an abundance of world class talent, 2010 may just be their year, with many expecting them to at least make the final.

Back to topKey player: Fernando Torres.

Switzerland (Current world Ranking: 26)
Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Captain: Alexander Frei.

It wasn’t a great start for Switzerland, who kicked off their qualifying campaign with a draw and a defeat, but they soon bounced back with five wins on the trot, and eventually went on to top their group. Their manager Ottmar Hitzfeld, formerly at Bayern Munich, took over the national side after their disappointing performance at Euro 2008, and helped them to qualify for their ninth finals, their second in a row, a feat not achieved since 1966. The Swiss were knocked out in the last 16 at the event in Germany in 2006, but have reached the quarter finals three times, back in 1934, 1938 and 1954, so they’ll undoubtedly be looking to repeat that performance in South Africa.

Back to topKey player: Alexander Frei.

United States (Current world Ranking: 14)
Coach: Bob Bradeley.
Captain: Carlos Bocanegra.

The USA topped their group, but they had to work hard at times to finish at the summit despite kicking off their qualifying campaign with a 9-0 thrashing of minnows Barbados. Bob Bradley’s men eventually reached their tenth finals with a 3-2 win over Honduras. Their best performance in the competition was at the first ever event held in Uruguay in 1930 when the Stars and Stripes made the semi-finals. South Africa will be their sixth consecutive appearance at the competition, where they will be aiming to vastly improve on their last performance in Germany in 2006, when they fell at the first hurdle.

Back to topKey player: Landon Donovan.

Uruguay (Current world Ranking: 18)
Coach: Oscar Tabarez.
Captain: Diego Lugano.

Two time champions Uruguay can boast of being the first national side to win the tournament when they hosted the event back in 1930, winning all four of their games and beating Argentina 4-2 in the final. They once again lifted the trophy after twenty years away, but have only qualified for the competition twice in the last five years. They were the last side to reach South Africa, and only did so after a tense play-off clash against Costa Rica, which they won 2-1 on aggregate. Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez is back in charge for the second time after leading the side to the last 16 at Italia 1990, and will be aiming to make the knockout stage for the first time in twenty years.

Back to topKey player: Diego Forlán.