FIFA WORLD CUP-LATEST WORLD CUP GIST
Despite Mexico's domination of CONCACAF following South Africa, the USMNT rebounded under the guidance of Jurgen Klinsmann to set the pace in the Hex and in the region, nabbing its seventh consecutive World Cup appearance.
As Brazil 2014 approaches, the US and Klinsmann will be busy locking in a roster that still have plenty of fringe yet to be trimmed, with the hope being that a blend of MLS- and European-based players can help turn the regional power into a consistent international player. Positive results in high-profile friendlies provide hope, and the knockout stage is the expectation for what is still a developing soccer nation.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Jozy Altidore, F, Sunderland (pictured left): The striker flipped a switch mid-year for the US, which coincided with the strong run of form that catapulted the Americans from a just another Hexagonal hopeful to their normal place at the head of the CONCACAF table. He has still yet to find his form on the club side, but his confidence is rising and Klinsmann is certain his form will turn.
Michael Bradley, M, Toronto FC: An unsung hero in the center of the field for the US, Bradley is a calming presence in the defensive third, and has a knack for popping up in dangerous positions as well. He carved out a place with Serie A club AS Roma before moving to TFC in a blockbuster transfer over the winter, and certainly won't take anything for granted with the Nats.
THE COACH
Jurgen Klinsmann (right) has gone from German scoring machine during his playing career to helping transform the US on the international stage since being hired in July 2011. It was a slow beginning, though, as the US struggled to close out 2011 under Klinsmann’s guidance.
Encouragingly, 2012 was better for the Americans, and the team had its best-ever winning percentage in a calendar year under the tutelage of the former Germany and Bayern Munich manager. That success continued in 2013, with the US running off 12 consecutive wins and claiming 15 victories in 16 matches following rumors of a rift in the squad.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Hexagonal record: 7-2-1, 22pts / 15 GF, 8 GA (first place in CONCACAF Hexagonal)
The US took care of business at home, going 5-0-0 against their opponents in the Hex, outscoring them by a combined score of 8-0. A draw at Estadio Azteca in March set the Americans off in the right direction in their road fixtures after a loss to open the Hex at Honduras. Wins in Jamaica and Panama propelled them to the top spot in CONCACAF, and sealed a World Cup berth before they took the field for their final two matches.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
10th appearance
The US will be making their 10th World Cup appearance in 2014, and seventh consecutive. Since 1990, they have alternated being eliminated in the group phase and making it into the knockout phase, with their best finish (in the modern era) coming in 2002 at South Korea/Japan, when they topped archrival Mexico in the round of 16 to make it to the quarterfinals. If the trend continues, the US might be looking at an early exit in Brazil. Then again, the pattern has to break sometime.
For the first time in their history, Honduras have qualified for a second consecutive World Cup. With their latest qualification, another trip to the semifinals at the 2013 Gold Cup, and a good showing at the 2012 Olympics, Honduras will feel confident they can advance to the knockout stage for the first time at a World Cup. They may be one of the biggest underdogs, but could spring a surprise along the way.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Carlo Costly, F, Guizhou Zhicheng: The striker may not have settled with the Houston Dynamo in MLS, but he has been indispensible for his national team, ranking second in scoring through qualification and scoring in both qualifiers against Mexico this year. Why is he so dangerous? He has signature moves like the Costlina (watch it here).
Emilio Izaguirre, D, Celtic: Although he typically plays at left back, he's at his best going forward and setting up teammates with crosses. He may face a tricky test in the World Cup in balancing defense and attack, but he has featured on the big stage before.
THE COACH
Luis Fernando Suárez, hired in 2011 after more than 10 years coaching in South America, has helped Honduras continue their rise since the last World Cup. A defender during his playing days in Colombia, Suárez has provided the Catrachos with consistency, employing the same 4-4-2 scheme and a regular startin
Suárez also has experience coaching in the World Cup, as he led Ecuador to their best-ever showing in 2006, when they progressed to the knockout stage. Can he do it with another team?
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 4-3-3, 15 pts. / 13 GF, 12 GA (3rd place in CONCACAF Hexagonal)
After stumbling through the first half of the Hexagonal, Honduras went unbeaten in their final four games of qualification. The crucial win came in the "Aztecazo," a stunning 2-1 over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in September which helped them clinch the region's last automatic spot.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Third appearance
The 2014 tournament will be the third trip to the World Cup for Honduras, after qualifying in both 1982 and 2010. They are still seeking their first win in the World Cup, though they have drawn half of their previous games at the tournament. In 2010, they only conceded three goals in the group stage, but they did not score in any of their games.
The Ticos missed out on the 2010 World Cup, but they are back after a strong qualifying campaign and will look to spring a surprise or two in Brazil. With Real Salt Lake forward Álvaro Saborío leading the team in scoring during the CONCACAF Hexagonal, Costa Rica may be flying under the radar, but their five-man backline may prove tough to crack for even the world's best teams.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Bryan Ruiz, F/M, Fulham: The lanky winger may be Costa Rica’s captain, but he has sometimes struggled to elevate his team on the international stage. As the best-known Costa Rican player worldwide, Ruiz will likely be well-marked in games, but if he can be more than a decoy on the field, Costa Rica may have a shot at making it to the knockout stage.
Álvaro Saborío, F, Real Salt Lake: Costa Rica relied heavily on Saborío to provide the goals, and he responded in a big way, bagging eight during the qualification cycle. The challenge will be to ensure the 2013 MLS Latino del Año remains healthy ahead of the World Cup, and that he’s in good form, since he's been a streaky player for Costa Rica.
Joel Campbell, F, Olympiacos: The speedy 21-year-old has been tipped to be the next Costa Rican star, and Arsenal made the leap of faith to sign him. Work-visa issues have meant that Campbell has been on loan around Europe the last three seasons as we await his breakout season. Although many will remember him for his infamous dive against the US in qualifying, he could wind up impressing in Brazil if he can harness his skills.
THE COACH
Jorge Luis Pinto is in his second stint in charge of Costa Rica after being re-hired in 2011. The Colombian has considerable experience coaching on the club front in South America and Costa Rica, and had a stint as boss of his own national team.
Perhaps understanding the need to solidify his defense, Pinto has enjoyed considerable success employing a five-man defense during qualifying. The strategy worked, as los Ticos qualified, beating the USA and Mexico along the way, and moving just outside the Top 30-ranked teams in the world (No. 31 in November 2013).
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 5-2-3, 18 pts. / 13 GF, 7 GA (second place in CONCACAF Hexagonal)
Costa Rica won all five matches at home in the CONCACAF Hexagonal, and lost only to Honduras and the United States on the road (the US loss was the now-famous “snow game” at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in March 2013). Although they benefitted from a very poor campaign by Mexico, Costa Rica clearly set themselves apart as the second-best team during the Hex.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Fourth appearance (1990, 2002, 2006, 2014)
After making the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, Costa Rica are back in the tournament after missing out in 2010. Their best showing came in their first World Cup in 1990, when they shocked the world and advanced to the Round of 16. They will need to be at their best, and may need some luck to make a similar run in 2014, but they will certainly be looking to show that CONCACAF quality does not end at the US and Mexico.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
WHO GOT THEM THERE
THE COACH
Safet Susic (right) was a legend long before he took over the reins of the Bosnian national team (watch this video to understand why).
Bosnia-Herzegovina beat up on the weaker teams (Liechtenstein, Latvia and Lithuania) and more importantly came away with four out of six points from their head-to-head with group favorites Greece. But they still needed a superior goal difference (+24 compared to Greece’s +8) to earn the automatic berth as group winners.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
WCQ record: 5-2-3, 17 pts. / 12 GF, 9 GA (second place in UEFA Group A*)
Fourth appearance ('98, '02, '06, '14)
WCQ record: 6-0-4, 22 pts. / 31 GF, 4 GA (1st place in Europe's Group H)
14th appearance
A BLEU REVIVAL?
France haven’t exactly fallen on hard times, but Les Bleus haven’t necessarily lit the world of soccer on fire of late, either. Since the international powerhouse advanced to the finals of the 2006 World Cup, France failed to advance out of the group stage at Euro 2008 or the 2010 World Cup before advancing to the quarters of Euro 2012. And they flirted with disaster this year, falling behind Ukraine 2-0 in the first leg of a qualifying playoff before winning 3-0 in the second leg to earn their fifth straight World Cup berth. The 1998 tournament champions feature a mix of seasoned veterans familiar with success and some very green, yet very talented newcomers.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Franck Ribéry, F/F, Bayern Munich (pictured left): Recognized as France’s best player and the heir apparent to former Les Bleus talisman Zinédine Zidane. He’s scored 16 goals for France and recently led his club to the UEFA Champions League title. He even went so far as to say he would end the duopoly that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have over the UEFA Player of the Year award, saying he would be the victor this season.
Olivier Giroud, F, Arsenal: The big, physical striker has a flare for the dramatic, claiming France “were ready to die on the pitch” in the second leg of the WCQ playoff against Ukraine. Despite just two goals in qualifying, his club coach believes he’s one of the best strikers in the English Premier League.
Mathieu Valbuena, M, Marseille: The French playmaker seems to transform Les Bleus when he’s on the pitch. He is also, apparently, very short.
THE COACH
Didier Deschamps (right) was a player for France during their last World Cup triumph in 1998 on their home turf. He also became the youngest-ever captain to lead a team to the UEFA Champions League title when he did it with Marseille in 1993. Now he’s the manager tasked with leading Les Bleus back to the world’s top spot, a position he very nearly lost when his side narrowly scraped by Ukraine in a playoff qualifier. But after beating Ukraine 3-0 in the second leg on Nov. 19, he said he experienced the “magic of football.”
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 5-2-1, 17 pts. / 15 GF, 6 GA (second place in Europe’s Group I, beat Ukraine in playoff)
They didn’t make it easy on themselves, for certain. A loss to Spain (1-0 on March 26, 2012) and then a scoreless draw against lowly Georgia on Sept. 6 put France in a tentative spot as qualification drew to a close in their tough group. And then in a two-game playoff against Ukraine, Les Bleus first fell behind 2-0 after the first leg in Kyiv before a miraculous 3-0 win in Paris on Nov. 19 put them through to the World Cup.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
14th appearance
France’s biggest triumph came in 1998 on their home soil when Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane led them to glory, beating Brazil 3-0 in the championship game. That tournament also featured a drama-filled quarterfinal victory against Italy that was decided in penalties. France had another famous match against Italy in the 2006 World Cup final, an Italian win also on penalties made perhaps more famous, or infamous, for a certain head butt. France placed fourth in both 1982 and ’86 and third in ’58. Their 2010 World Cup ended in the group stage amid controversy.
GERMANY TARGET TITLE
They haven’t won it all since 1990, and the German national team is feeling big-time pressure to take home a trophy. The expectations are especially high in 2014, and for good reason. A loaded roster and success at the club level, with the Bundesliga sending two teams to the most recent UEFA Champions League final, have the soccer-crazed country thinking big for Brazil.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Mesut Özil, M, Arsenal (pictured left): He’s the star among the stars, the central figure in the influx of young stars in German football and the piece that makes the side go. The lively playmaker and his lightening bolt for a left foot leads the team with 10 assists and is tied for second with five goals in 2013. And if his record transfer deal to Arsenal is any indication, Germany should be just fine.
Marco Reus, M, Borussia Dortmund: Considered the top German player in the Bundesliga, Dortmund’s young talent led the way for Germany with seven goals and was tied for second on the team with five assists. The young playmaker’s talents are not only good for club and country but inspire videos like this.
Mario Götze, M, Bayern Munich: The Cain to Reus’ Abel. Whatever his country’s Bundesliga fans may think of him, Götze completes the young attacking trio that has everyone raving about Germany’s possibilities of raising a trophy at the end of the World Cup. Five goals and five assists in 2013 show his versatility.
Manuel Neuer, GK, Bayern Munich: He’s not just one of the top goalkeepers in the world (10 goals alLöwed in 10 WCQ games), who sometimes wears a four-fingered glove, but he’s also caught the acting bug.
THE COACH
Joachim “Jogi” Löw (right) took over after serving as the top assistant under previous coach Jurgen Klinsmann. While Klinsmann was the master motivator, Löw was considered the tactical genius and has been credited with getting the most out of the next generation of young German talent and transforming the team’s style into an exciting, attacking variety while holding onto some trademark efficiency.
But now the pressure is on, and now Löw is expected to turn all those goals (36 in 10 WCQs) into hardware.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 9-0-1, 28 pts. / 36 GF, 10 GA (first place in Europe’s Group C)
Germany’s biggest stumbling block was a 4-4 draw in Berlin against Sweden, Group C’s second-place team, on Oct. 16 of last year. But nine wins, including a 5-3 revenge victory over Sweden on their home turf on Oct. 15, gave Germany the easy group victory by eight points.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
18th appearance
Germany are one of the most decorated international teams in the world, having won three World Cups (1954, 1974, 1990), finished runners-up four times and third place four times. The sting of Germany’s 1-0 loss to eventual Cup champions Spain in the 2010 semifinals still lingers; marking the first time since 1982 that the team with the highest goal differential (16 GF, 5 GA) in the tournament didn’t win it all.
Fernando Santos, hired July 1, 2010, had big shoes to fill in charge of Greece following the successful tenure of Otto Rehhagel, who led them to their historic Euro 2004 title. Santos has spent his entire coaching career in his native Portugal and Greece, coaching Greek club sides AEK Athens, Panathinaikos, and PAOK prior to his appointment as national team boss.
Third appearance
Greece have qualified for consecutive World Cups for the first time in their history. They have not advanced past the group stage in their previous two appearances, in 1994 and 2010, but they did notch their first World Cup win in South Africa, defeating Nigeria 2-1.
ITALY LOOKING TO REBOUND
After winning the World Cup in 2006, the Italians fell flat in 2010, not even making it out of the group phase in South Africa. Now under new coach Cesare Prandelli, Italy will look to show why they've always been a force to be reckoned with on the biggest stage.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Gianluigi Buffon (GK, Juventus): The 35-year-old goalkeeper’s better days are behind him, but he was the No. 1 choice for the Azzurri as they topped their qualifying group. He is one of two lone players left from the 2006 championship side.
Pablo Osvaldo (M, Southampton): The Argentine-born attacker has emerged during qualifying play, scoring four goals in seven matches. Can be the Italians' X factor in Brazil.
THE COACH
Cesare Prandelli, hired on May 30, 2010, only took over the team coached by Marcello Lippi after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when the Italians failed to qualify to the knockout round.
Prandelli, a midfielder in his playing days for Cremonese, Atalanta and Juventus, has brought a more daring, attack-minded style to the Italian side, reminiscent of his Fiorentina teams between 2005 and 2010.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 6-0-4 22 pts. / 19 GF, 9 GA (First place in Europe's Group B)
Italy made it through to the World Cup with relative ease, outlasting the field in their group by six points. They jumped out ahead of the field by winning four of their first five contests and then closed out their undefeated qualifying campaign with a 2-0-3 record in their last five.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
18th appearance
The Azzurri have made it to the World Cup final six times, hoisting the Cup on four occasions – in 1934, ’38, ’82 and 2006. They were runners up in 1970 and 1994. They have also made it to the semifinals in two other tournaments – 1978 and 1990 – but failed to advance.
After the championship in 2006, Italy had a terrible showing in 2010 in South Africa, getting bounced in the group phase, finishing 26th overall among the 32 participants.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
THE COACH
Louis van Gaal oversaw the Netherlands' startling failure to reach Japan/Korea 2002, but the well-traveled manager is riding high in his second stint in charge of his homeland's side.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
PORTUGAL
RONALDO OUTDO MESSI IN BRAZIL?
If Portugal are going to ever make a run at the World Cup, the 2014 tournament is perhaps their best chance to finally join an exclusive list of eight countries which have claimed the world title. With the best player the country has ever produced -- Cristiano Ronaldo -- at the very top of his game, the stars may finally align. And Ronaldo will be plenty motivated -- a World Cup title would lift him above Argentina's Lionel Messi in the eternal debate about the No. 1 player in the world.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Fábio Coentrão (D, Real Madrid): A steady defender and key cog on a backline that is often overshadowed by the attacking prowess of Ronaldo.
Nani (F, Manchester United): Although he can't find consistent playing time in England, he's a weapon for his national team. With the opposition keying on Ronaldo, the expert dribbler will have space to do damage.
THE COACH
Paulo Bento, hired on Sept. 20, 2010, took over a team with plenty of potential that was still struggling to find its way. Under his tutelage, Portugal have registered some promising results: an impressive 4-0 win over Spain and a semifinal appearance in Euro 2012.
Bento, a former defensive midfielder who collected 35 caps with the Portuguese national team from 1999-2002, has coached one other team – Sporting Club de Portugal, where he finished his playing career – prior to making the jump to the national team.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 6-3-1, 21 pts. / 20 GF, 9 GA (second place in Europe's Group F)
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Sixth appearance
Portugal weren't much of a World Cup contender in the 1900s, making it to just two tournaments – finishing third in 1966 and 17th in 1986. However, since the turn of the century and with the emergence of talents like Luís Figo and Ronaldo, the Portuguese have been a mainstay, qualifying for three straight tournaments, including a fourth-place finish in 2006.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
WORLD CUP HISTORY
SWISS MIRACLE?
It all started in 2002 when the Switzerland Under-17 national team won the European Championship, continued with another U-17 title in 2009 and an appearance in the U-21 final of the European Championship in 2011. They called it the “Little Swiss Miracle,” and it could be transferring to the senior team for the 2014 World Cup. The youthful and confident Swiss certainly have been impressive of late, going unbeaten in their 10 qualifying games – albeit against less than stellar competition – to jump all the way to a FIFA world ranking of eighth and become one of the seeded teams for the Dec. 6 World Cup draw. A friendly victory over hosts Brazil in August probably didn’t hurt that ranking.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Xherdan Shaqiri, M, Bayern Munich (pictured left): The left-footed, Kosovo-born bulldog has been a stalwart off the bench for his club and one of the leaders for his country as a key piece in their youth academy’s recent success. For Switzerland, his on-field tenacity has worn off on his countrymen, giving them a reputation as a tough, feisty side.
Granit Xhaka, M, Borussia Mönchengladbach: There’s a healthy debate over whether Xhaka or Shaqiri is Switzerland’s top player. And while his international career hasn’t always been peaches and cream with Switzerland, the Albanian-born midfielder has become quite the star for the Rossocrociati. He’s also become a target for some club giants.
Gökhan Inler, M, Napoli: Born in Turkey, Inler is another in a handful of talented immigrants making their mark on the Switzerland soccer landscape. Long rumored to be a target of Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, Inler had a funny way of showing his loyalty for his club.
THE COACH
He’ll be leaving his post after the World Cup, but 64-year-old Ottmar Hitzfeld (right) can now add the achievement of developing Switzerland’s pool of young talent to his long list of accomplishments. The German native and former Bundesliga coach also led the Swiss to the 2010 World Cup, where they failed to advance out of pool play despite defeating eventual champion Spain, 1-0.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 7-3-0, 24 pts. / 17 GF, 6 GA (first place in Europe’s Group E)
It wasn’t the strongest group in Europe – consisting of Iceland, the second-place team, Slovenia, Norway, Albania and Cyprus – but Switzerland did little wrong in getting through to their top spot. They beat Iceland 2-0 in Reykjavik on Oct. 16 last year before playing them to an exciting 4-4 draw in Berne on June 9. They then beat Norway (2-0, Oct. 9), Albania (2-1, Oct. 10) and Slovenia (1-0, Oct. 15) to close out qualifying.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
10th appearance
Despite a 1-0 victory over eventual 2010 World Cup champions Spain in their final group-stage game, Switzerland finished third in their group and failed to advance to the knockout round thanks to a 1-0 loss to Chile and scoreless draw against Honduras in earlier games. Their 2006 tournament, which marked a return to the World Cup after failing to qualify for the previous two, ended in bitter disappointment in the round of 16 with a loss to Ukraine on penalty kicks (3-0), after finishing atop their group. Their 1994 tournament, following a 28-year drought, also ended in the round of 16. The Swiss were much more successful in the tournament’s early years, with quarterfinal runs in 1934, ’38 and ’54.
BRAZIL
SELEÇÃO SEEK “O SEXTO” ON HOME TURF
It almost seems unfair: The five-time World Cup winners and perpetual title contenders finally get to host the event in their own big, passionate, chaotic backyard for the first time in well more than half a century.
After tasting success with a 2013 Confederations Cup trophy, the current squad is eager to prove it can reach the heights of its illustrious forebears and will be roared forward by the home fans of a truly soccer-obsessed country.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Neymar Jr., F, FC Barcelona (pictured left): The hottest young superstar off the Brazilian assembly line of attacking talent presently shares the dazzling Barça marquee with global icon Lionel Messi after a $79 million summer transfer from Santos.
Thiago Silva, D, Paris Saint-Germain: Viewed by many as the best defender in the world, the steady center back transferred from AC Milan to France's nouveau riche club in a $56.8 million move last summer and is reportedly making one of the highest salaries in the global game.
Oscar, M, Chelsea: A playmaker to watch this summer. A fluid, elusive player both on and off the ball, but can he seize the reins in truly massive moments?
THE COACH
Luiz Felipe Scolari, or “Felipão” (“Big Phil”) as he is known far and wide, is arguably the biggest character on Brazil's colorful soccer landscape as he guides the Seleção into this tournament for the second time.
A demonstrative, no-nonsense and extremely well-traveled type, Scolari led the boys in yellow to their last World Cup triumph in 2002 but has even less margin for error this time amid immense domestic pressure – and fierce competition from rivals near and far.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Automatic qualification as hosts.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
19th appearance
World Cups and Brazil go together like samba and drums, or perhaps cachaça, sugar and lime. The South Americans hardly ever miss a chance to vie for top honors on the world's biggest stage and have danced home with the top prize in 1958, 1962 and 1970 (the era of the great Pelé), then returned to greatness with championship runs at USA 1994 and Korea/Japan 2002..
WORLD CUP HISTORY

THE COACH

Jorge Sampaoli’s first international foray has so far proved to be a successful one. Sampaoli was hired on Dec. 3, 2012 after Chile sustained some mixed results in qualifying, and he led La Roja to an impressive 5-1-1- record in their final seven qualifiers to claim third place in CONMEBOL.
WORLD CUP HISTORY



WORLD CUP HISTORY

Long one of South America's bit players, Ecuador have become a recognized force and have now booked their third World Cup berth, all three of them earned over the last 12 years.
They also carry heavy hearts into the tournament after the sudden passing of charismatic striker Christian “Chucho” Benitez in July due to cardiac arrest while with his Qatari club El Jaish. His No. 11 jersey has been retired by La Tri (short for La Tricolor, in reference to Ecuador's colors of gold, blue and red).

Felipe Caicedo, FW, Lokomotiv Moscow: Ecuador's leading scorer in qualifying with seven goals in nine games. The powerful striker is nicknamed “Rocky” thanks to his love of the boxing blockbusters and has shown suitable tenaciousness despite bouncing around to six European clubs in the past eight years.
Walter Ayovi, MF, Pachuca: La Tri's captain (left) and ironman, the left-sided midfielder was the only player to take part in every minute of the marathon qualifying campaign and has drawn the interest of MLS clubs. His experience in both of Ecuador's previous World Cups will be valuable in Brazil.
Antonio Valencia, MF, Manchester United: He's been at turns dazzling and invisible during his time with the English Premier League giants. Still, the winger remains capable of game-changing performances at even the highest levels of the game.
THE COACH

Reinaldo Rueda is a veteran tactician who earned solid results with the youth and senior national teams of his native Colombia, then added another impressive line to his resume by leading Honduras to South Africa 2010, their first World Cup in 28 years.
It says much about Ecuador's passion for the game that his achievements with La Tri in the current cycle earned the personal thanks of president Rafael Correa, who praised his team's “unity, solidarity and delivery” on the road to Brazil. Colombians are surely delighted to note that one of their own has been in charge of all three of neighboring Ecuador's World Cup campaigns.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 7-5-4 / 20 GF, 16 GA (4th place in South America)
La Tri did not win a single road match during CONMEBOL qualification. But they rode their commanding home-field advantage in Quito, where visitors' lungs gasp some 9,350 feet above sea level (by comparison, lofty Denver sits at 5,280), to a 7-0-1 mark at Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa. Combined with a momentous 1-1 road draw at Uruguay on Sept. 11, that was enough to push them into the continent's final automatic World Cup berth.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
3rd appearance

After many years of struggle in search of the world's biggest stage, the 21st century has smiled on Ecuadorian soccer. Back-to-back trips to Japan/Korea 2002 and Germany 2006 were just reward for that long drought and their loyal fans will have a much shorter journey this time around.

THE COACH

Óscar Washington Tabárez, named head coach of Uruguay in 2006, did such an impressive job during the last World Cup that the Uruguayan FA kept him on for a second term despite the notion that international teams tend to struggle when guided by the same person for more than four years.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
After making a splash in their first appearance in the World Cup in more than 30 years, making it out of the group phase in 2006 in Germany, the Aussies were bounced in group play in 2010. They hope to get back on track in Brazil in 2014 after recently jettisoning their coach after a trying qualification campaign.
WHO GOT THEM THERE

Lucas Neill, DEF, Omiya Ardija: Neill remains a cog on the backline for his nation. He is the glue that keeps together a team that will need to withstand a lot of pressure as the competition ratchets up come World Cup time.
Brett Holman, MF, Al Nasr: A great possession and two-way player, Holman will need to work with Cahill and the attacking players to find a way to put pressure on opposing backlines. He netted a pair of goals in South Africa in 2010 and could use that experience to put in a similar performance in Brazil.
THE COACH

HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 3-4-1, 13 pts. / 12 GF, 7 GA (2nd place in AFC Group B)
Australia didn't make qualifying for the 2014 World Cup easy on themselves. Beginning the final round of qualifying matches, the Aussies drew against Oman and Japan before losing to Jordan. Things looked bleak, but Australia won three matches and drew two more to secure a spot in the tournament.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
4th appearance


Iran may not necessarily be an Asian power on the level of Japan, South Korea or Australia, but they certainly matched the confederation’s power trio en route to booking their place in Brazil.
For the fourth time in their history, the Iranians are set to compete on the sport’s biggest stage, and should be encouraged by the fact that they lost just two games during World Cup qualifying. Led by manager Carlos Quieroz, Iran will hope to get out of the group stage for the first time in their history and build on their lone World Cup victory, which came against the United States in 1998.
WHO GOT THEM THERE

Reza Ghoochannejhad, F, Standard Liege: The Iranian-Dutch striker joined up with his birth nation in late 2012 and has seven goals in his first nine appearances to emerge as one of the stars of the squad. But is he a potential savior? Some are already saddling the 26-year-old with those lofty expectations.
THE COACH

Carlos Queiroz (right) is about as well traveled as they come in international management, and he finds himself at the helm of Iran after leading Portugal in South Africa.
Queiroz has introduced a number of dual nationals to the squad, most notably Ghoochannejhad, as Iran blew through qualifying and solidified themselves as a group-phase darkhorse. He's lost just four games in 32 so far with the Persian Stars, but the World Cup will pose a much stiffer challenge.
On a completely different note, the Portuguese boss made headlines this summer after South Korea claimed he made an "obscene gesture" toward their bench.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 10-4-2, 16 pts. / 30 GF, 7 GA (first place Asian Football Confederation Group A)

WORLD CUP HISTORY
Fourth appearance
Iran's shining World Cup moment came during France 1998 when they defeated the United States, 2-1, in a match that garnered international interest because of the political situation between the two countries. Apart from that result, the Persian Stars have failed to reach the group phase in all three of their previous trips (Argentina 1978, France 1998 and Germany 2006), and have just two draws to call their own in nine World Cup matches.




Park Chu-Young, F, Arsenal (at left): He’s one of his country’s most popular players, who started his club career with FC Seoul, before rising to fame thanks to a crucial free-kick goal in a 2-2 draw against Nigeria that sent the South Koreans to the knockout round of the 2010 World Cup. He also scored the first goal in Korea Republic’s 2-0 win over Japan in the bronze medal game of the London Olympics. And he leads his team with six goals in WCQ games for this year’s tournament.
Lee Keun-Ho, F, Sangju Sangmu Phoenix: He has 18 goals for the Taegeuk Warriors and five in qualifying games for this year’s tournament. A club player in Korea Republic’s top league most of his career, even spurning offers from top European sides along the way, he’s scored 14 times for his current club in 2013.
Son Heung-Min, F, Bayer Leverkusen: He may not have received much run under the Koreans' former coach through qualifying, but new boss Hong Myung-Bo appears ready to hand him the reigns. Still only 21, many are waiting for Son to be the country’s next big thing. He certainly has some highlight-reel goals, including this one.
THE COACH

Hong Myung-Bo (at right) is Korea Republic’s most-capped player who was on the field for the country’s proudest moment when they advanced to the semifinals on their home soil in the 2002 World Cup. Now the onetime LA Galaxy defender takes over for much-maligned Choi, giving his countrymen hope he’ll lead their team back to the promised land.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 4-2-2, 14 pts. / 13 GF, 7 GA (second place in Asia’s Group A)
The South Koreans made it by the skin of their teeth, nicking Uzbekistan only on goal differential for the second spot in their group and finishing behind Iran. They lost twice to Iran, both by 1-0 score lines, and also fell 2-1 to Lebanon. But thanks to big back-to-back wins over Qatar (4-1 on June 8, 2012) and Lebanon (3-0, June 12), the Taegeuk Warriors made it through.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Ninth appearance



Vahid Halilhodzic (pictured right) wears no beard but he might just have a case for “most interesting man in the world” given his peripatetic journey in the game.
WORLD CUP HISTORY


THE COACH

Volker Finke (at right) was handed his first national team assignment back in May 2013, replacing interim head coach Jean-Paul Akono. The 65-year-old had little time to familiarize himself with his new team as he was thrust into a pair of qualifiers a month later, but he successfully led the Indomitable Lions to their second consecutive World Cup.
WORLD CUP HISTORY

They dashed US hopes in the last two World Cups and booked their tickets to Brazil by crushing Bob Bradley's Egypt in the final round of African qualifying. Now Ghana are quietly confident of going even further in 2014 than they did at South Africa 2010, where a sensational goal-line handball by Uruguay's Luis Suárez denied them a place in the semifinals.

Asamoah Gyan, F, Al Ain (UAE): He dropped off the radar a bit since his lucrative move to the Persian Gulf, but Ghana's captain led the team in scoring during qualifying and should be as hungry as ever to wash away the memory of his injury-time PK miss against Uruguay in 2010.
Harrison Afful, D, Espérance (Tunisia): Somewhat surprisingly, no one logged more minutes in the Black Stars' qualifying campaign than the reliable fullback. Slightly-built, but versatile and energetic: Consider him the right-footed Ghanaian version of DaMarcus Beasley.
Sulley Muntari, M, AC Milan: Seems like he's been around for ages, roving the midfields of Serie A and the English Premier League, and despite a tumultuous disciplinary history with his national team he looks likely to be an influential cog in Ghana's Brazilian adventure.
THE COACH

In a region full of hired-gun managers from abroad, James Kwesi Appiah is already in the history books as the first black coach to lead an African team to World Cup qualification. A presence on the Black Stars' technical staff for years, his appointment to the top job last year broke a long sequence of European managers: Serbians Goran Stevanovic, Milovan Rajevac and Ratomir Dujkovic and Frenchman Claude Le Roy.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 6-2-0 / 25 GF, 6 GA (First place in Africa's Group D, won two-legged playoff with Egypt)
Though they conceded just three goals in six group-stage matches, the Black Stars were tested by Zambia – the identity of the group winner wasn't certain until the final game of the round on Sept. 6, a 2-1 Ghana win at Baba Yara Stadium, their home ground in Kumasi. A little more than a month later, that same venue became a house of horrors for Egypt and their American coach Bob Bradley in a 6-1 mauling that effectively sealed the hosts' qualification.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Third appearance

For decades, Ghana were a sleeping giant of African soccer, missing out on one World Cup after another despite winning the African Cup of Nations four times. Those years of frustration finally ended with passage to Germany 2006, where they reached the round of 16, and further progress was made in a solid display on their home continent four years later.

World Cup qualifying in Africa is never easy, but you would have been hard-pressed to guess that after seeing how Ivory Coast reached Brazil 2014. The Elephants punched their ticket to next summer’s tournament largely unscathed, boasting an undefeated overall record of 5-0-3.

Didier Drogba, F, Galatasaray: Ivory Coast’s captain may be on the wrong side of 30, but he lived up to his reputation of being a powerful striker capable of finding the back of the net with regularity. The 35-year-old netted four goals in qualifying, tying him for second-most on the team.
Yaya Touré, M, Manchester City: The other four-goal scorer for the Elephants, Touré added some punch out of midfield. The Manchester City midfielder also contributed on the other side of the ball, helping his nation concede just seven times in eight games.
Kolo Touré, D, Liverpool: The older Touré brother helped lead a defense that posted three shutouts and never surrendered more than two goals in any game in qualifying. He also contributed to the offensive end with a goal in a draw with Morocco.
THE COACH

Sabri Lamouchi stepped into his first head-coaching gig in May 2012 and never looked back. The former France national team midfielder navigated the Ivory Coast through CAF qualifying, which is known for being tricky, with ease and learned a lot in the process.
Lamouchi, 42, might not have much managerial experience but his pedigree as a player indicates that he might be well-suited to coach. He played for several top European clubs in his time, including Inter Milan, Olympique Marseille and AS Monaco.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 4-0-2, 14 pts. / 15 GF, 5 GA (first place in Africa’s Group C); 1-0-1 in playoff vs. Senegal / 4 GF, 2 GA
Ivory Coast took their four-team group in the second round of CAF qualifying by five points, a healthy margin considering only six games are played. The Elephants then defeated Senegal 3-1 in the first leg of their playoff series before suffering their most anxious moments of the campaign in the return leg that ended 1-1 thanks to a second-half stoppage-time goal from Salomon Kalou.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Third appearance

The African heavyweights have made it to their third straight World Cup after never having reached the tournament prior to 2006. Still, Ivory Coast will be looking to avoid a repeat of their past performances, as they have yet to make it past the group stage.
It hasn’t been an easy go for the Nigerian national team at the World Cup, having missed out on the tournament in 2006 and failing to advance to the knockout round since 1998. The pride-filled outfit is once again undergoing a transformation under head coach Stephen Keshi. Mainstays such as Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins, longtime captain Joseph Yobo, Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche and QPR defender Taye Taiwo weren’t in Keshi’s plans for qualifying, although recent signs show he may give the veterans a second look come tournament time.

John Obi Mikel, M, Chelsea (left): The 2013 Nigerian Sportsman of the Year appears to be the Super Eagles’ new leader. The Chelsea mainstay is a defensive stalwart for his club, but has shown brilliance getting forward for country, not to mention his deadly accurate set-piece ability.
Emmanuel Emenike, F, Fenerbahçe: The young striker is coming into his own. His brace in Nigeria’s away leg of a World Cup qualifying playoff against Ethiopia on Oct. 13 sent his side well on their way to Brazil and solidified his place as Keshi’s top choice up top.
Victor Moses, F, Liverpool: The versatile winger is making a push to start for Liverpool, where he is on loan from Chelsea, and he’s a first choice for Nigeria, especially after he opened the scoring in the Super Eagles’ 2-0 World Cup-clinching victory over Ethiopia on Nov. 16.
THE COACH

Stephen Keshi (right) became one of two people to win the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach after he led the Super Eagles to this year’s title in February. He won with Nigeria as a player in 1994. Now he’s tasked with leading his team to the knockout round for the first time since 1998, and he’s doing it with a transformed roster that has brought about its fair share of criticism.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 3-0-3 12 pts. / 11 GF, 4 GA (first place in Africa’s Group F, beat Ethiopia in playoff)
Nigeria all but sealed their trip to Brazil when they pinched a 2-1 victory over Ethiopia, winner of Africa’s Group A and gunning for their first-ever World Cup berth, in the away leg of the two-leg playoff. The Super Eagles then sealed the deal with a 2-0 victory at home on Nov. 16 to become Africa’s first country to write their ticket to Brazil. It all came after Nigeria easily bested Malawi, Kenya and Namibia in their group.
WORLD CUP HISTORY

Nigeria’s first trip to the World Cup came in 1994 when the United States hosted. Outside of 2006, the Super Eagles have qualified in every year since. Their most successful forays into the tournament came in their first two appearances. In '94, Nigeria advanced out of their group and lost 2-1 to Italy in the first knockout round. Then in 1998, Nigeria won their group, which consisted of Spain, Paraguay and Bulgaria, only to lose 4-1 to Denmark in the knockout round.
Leave a Comment