Baddiel & Skinner

Argentina

Maradona himself once declared multi-award winning Lionel ‘the magician’ Messi, constantly hailed as the best footballer in the world, as the only man who could fill his boots. He consistently scores goals for his current club Barcelona and netted four to knock Arsenal out of the Champions League. But after only scoring two for his country so far, the 22 year old will aim to notch up many more for the fifth favourites, looking to secure their third tournament victory in South Africa.

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Australia

Everton’s Tim Cahill and Blackburn Rovers’ Brett Emerton were Australia’s joint top scorer’s during their qualifying campaign with 4 a piece and have an impressive 37 and 72 caps respectively, so expect them to be forces to be reckoned with. Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is also one to watch after claiming a national record for keeping a clean sheet for seven qualifiers in a row.

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Brazil

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka, often hailed as one of the best players in the world, scored fives times for Brazil during their qualifying campaign, as did Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, with both men undoubtedly set to play key roles for their national side in South Africa.

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Cameroon

After scoring nine goals in eleven of their qualifiers and countless for Serie A side Inter Milan, captain Samuel Eto’o, famous for his quick pace and spectacular finishes, is arguably Cameroon’s most deadliest weapon.

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Chile

Real Zaragoza’s Humberto Suazo, Chile’s top scorer during their qualifying campaign after scoring 10 goals in 18 matches, is undoubtedly among the country’s haul of key places, which includes former team mates at domestic side Colo Colo, Matias Fernandez and Alexis Sanchez.

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Côte d'Ivoire

Didier Drogba, who else? Twenty-nine Premier League goals for eventual Champions Chelsea, plus six in qualifying for the Ivory Coast, suggests the muscle-bound front man will be a serious contender for top scorer in South Africa.

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Denmark

Denmark has several key players including Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner will undoubtedly prove lethal up front, and Juventus’ Christian Poulsen. Not forgetting Soren Larsen who scored five goals in five games for his country during the qualifiers and at 6ft 4, is bound to prove a threat to his opponents.

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England

There’s a fair few to choose from, but Manchester United star Wayne Rooney will arguably be Fabio Capello’s key player in South Africa, as long as he’s free from injuries. The striker is like a Rottweiler that won’t let go of an opportunity to score for his country, or help his side to bag goals and will prove vital for England’s hopes of repeating their success on home soil in 1996.

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France

Raymond Domenech has a melting pot of world class players to choose from, including veterans Patrick Viera, who’s back from long term injury, Thierry Henry and William Gallas. Relatively new boy to senior international football Yoann Gourcuff, who’s already been compared with Kaka, is also expected to play a big part in South Africa, along with Franck Ribery and Flourent Malouda.

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Germany

After captain Michael Ballack was ruled out because of an ankle injury, it’s widely thought his most likely replacement will be fellow midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. As a vice-captain for Bayern Munich, he’s already established himself as a leader, and is in great form after helping his side reach the final of the Champions League.

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Ghana

Chelsea’s Michael Essien, a multi-award winning midfielder, is undoubtedly Ghana’s star player and could prove the key to their success in South Africa.

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Greece

Greece won’t just be looking to the Gods to help them in South Africa, but will also rely on key players like European top goal scorer in qualifying, Theofanis Gekas, who netted an impressive ten in eleven matches. Angelos Charisteas is also one to watch after 82 caps and 23 goals, including three during their journey to South Africa.

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Honduras

He might be 36 and reaching his 100th cap for his country, but striker Carlos Pavon’s hunger for the game certainly doesn’t appear to be waning after scoring a very respectable nine goals during qualification and 57 overall for Honduras. Tottenham’s Wilson Palacios should also prove key in central midfield.

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Italy

Seasoned captain Fabio Cannavaro and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who kept out Zinedine Zidane’s header in extra time in the final against France, will prove key for Marcelo Lippi, along with AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

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Japan

British football fans will be familiar with former Gunner Junichi Inamato, and ex-Celtic player Shansuke Nakamura, who’s arguably Japan’s biggest star, with his awesome free kicks bound to cause a few upsets in South Africa.

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Korea DPR

Mun In-Guk. Mun made 14 appearances during qualifying, recording the third-highest playing minutes for his nation. Mun bagged twice - with both strikes assisting wins - to help North Korea achieve the runners-up spot. The midfielder has a creative influence, which North Korea are in need of, with goalscoring an issue.

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Korea Republic

Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung is considered a national hero in his native country after clocking up over 80 appearances for South Korea and scoring 11 goals so far. The team’s captain secured five during qualifying and will no doubt prove invaluable to the side hoping for big things in South Africa.

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Mexico

Andres Guardado is a hugely rated left winger and is definitely one to watch in South Africa. He played a key role in helping his country to qualify, scoring three times during 16 appearances.

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Netherlands

Arsenal’s Robin van Persie is back from injury just in time for the competition as he’ll prove a vital source up front for the Dutch. Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben, Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and another high goal scorer Klass-Jan Huntelaar, are also set to dominate.

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New Zealand

New Zealand’s biggest name is arguably their captain Ryan Nelsen, who has the most experience at top level football after more than five years at Blackburn Rovers.

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Nigeria

Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel will be invaluable to Nigeria, along with defender and captain Joseph Yobo and striker Obafemi Martins, who scored the winning goal that booked his country’s ticket to South Africa.

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Paraguay

Roque Santa Cruz. Despite missing most of the qualifying campaign, this established Premier League striker will carry the weight of the Paraguayan nation on his broad shoulders.

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Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo. The £80m move to Real Madrid has done little to assuage the 2008 World Player of the Year’s appetite for scoring. Whether it’s the right-foot, the left-foot or the head, the power-packed predator remains the ultimate goal threat.

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Serbia

If Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is at his aggressive and miserly best, Serbia will have a fantastic foundation for success in South Africa.

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Slovakia

Six goals in qualifying suggests Stanislav Sestak will be a handful even for the World’s best defenders.

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Slovenia

Milivoje Novakovič is the man to watch after scoring five goals during Slovenia’s journey to South Africa. The towering 6’4 striker’s 20 goals in 2008, also helped his German side FC Köln gain promotion to the Bundesliga.

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South Africa

Everton’s Steven Pienaar will be crucial for the host nation, as not only is he a cracking winger, but he’s a striking force in midfield too. Portsmouth’s Aaron Mokoena, South Africa’s most capped player and captain, along with top scorer Benni McCarthy, who’s at West Ham, will also be key to their success.

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Spain

There are so many to choose from, but Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas will undoubtedly do the business for Spain, as long as they’ve recovered from their injuries. The Liverpool player’s pace and attacking finishes are a dream to watch, while the Arsenal captain’s vision and creativity is legendary.

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Switzerland

Switzerland’s captain Alexander Frei, bagged five goals during their qualifying campaign and is currently his country’s top scorer, who has a reputation as a deadly frontman, so is definitely one to watch in South Africa.

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United States

LA Galaxy playmaker Landon Donovan is expected to also do the business for the USA in South Africa after bagging five goals during his country’s qualifying campaign. With over 120 caps to his name and 42 goals under his belt, he is undoubtedly an inspiration to the rest of the national side.

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Uruguay

Diego Forlán scored seven goals during Uruguay’s qualifying campaign, and ended Fulham’s Europa League dreams after bagging the winning goal for Atletico Madrid in the final in 2010.

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