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| Germany |
GERMANY
Nickname : “Nationalmannschaft" ("National Team" )
Few teams had an easier time qualifying for the 2014 World Cup than Germany. Now it is time for the top contenders to win another title after naming their provisional squad.
The Germans won nine of their 10 matches in UEFA qualifying with only a draw against Sweden preventing a perfect run. The question is whether the squad can keep this momentum in Brazil, where they will compete in one of the toughest groups in the tournament.
How do they play?
Style & formation: Blessed with far more flair than many Germany sides of the past, their fluid 4-2-3-1 is underpinned by Bastian Schweinsteiger and the currently injured Sami Khedira anchoring the side from the base of midfield.
Ahead of them lies creative fulcrum Mesut Ozil, who is usually flanked by the dangerous Marco Reus and Thomas Muller.
Strengths: They have cover in virtually every position and an extraordinary variety of forward-thinking midfielders. Try picking three from Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus, Thomas Muller, Andre Schurrle, Mario Gotze, Julian Draxler, Toni Kroos and Lukas Podolski.
Weaknesses: German teams traditionally have a reliable defence but the current one has creaked of late and they conceded seven goals in two qualifiers against Sweden. Per Mertesacker is approaching 100 caps but he has a perceived lack of pace and can be vulnerable to balls over the top.The evergreen Miroslav Klose is just one goal shy of Ronaldo's all-time World Cup finals tally of 15, but he will be 36 by the time the tournament starts and a reliable replacement has yet to be found.
Key player
Philipp Lahm was described by Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola this season as "the most intelligent player I've ever coached". The best right-back in Europe over the last decade has made a seamless transition this season under the Bayern boss into the Sechser (sixer) position in midfield and may well do the same for Germany.
One to watch
Earmarked for greatness, Julian Draxler became Schalke's youngest-ever player when he made his debut aged 17 back in 2011. Just over a year later, the gifted playmaker was called up to the preliminary senior squad for Euro 2012.
How they qualified
Germany breezed through their qualifying group, only dropping points in a bizarre 4-4 draw with Sweden - having led 4-0. They scored 36 times in 10 matches, with seven of their attacking players totalling three goals or more.
World Cup record
Germany have reached the final seven times, winning for the third time in 1990.
Runners-up in 2002, they were third in 2006 and 2010.
Fifa ranking: 2
SQUAD IN FULL:
Goalkeepers : Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm, Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke 04), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
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| Portugal |
PORTUGAL
Nickname : “Selecção das Quinas" ("Team of the Five" )
Often talented but usually flawed, Portugal will be relying on their great individual talent to inspire what would be a surprise success in Brazil.
The Iberians have always had gifted players, and they do once more this time around, but it is impossible to discuss them without arriving at the same conclusion time and time again. They are going to needCristiano Ronaldo to perform well to stand any chance.
In what is a particularly tough group, coach Paulo Bento will be aware of that more than most, and his largely experienced squad—10 of the 23 have over 40 caps—will be under huge pressure to escape from a Group G which includes Germany, the USA and Ghana.
Semi-finalists at Euro 2012, it would be a large surprise to see the Portuguese go that far this time around, but if Ronaldo can reach his devastating best, then they’ll feel that anything is possible.
Prospects
With Cristiano Ronaldo in your team, the sky's the limit. However, getting out of a very tricky group will be their primary objective before they can start thinking of a potential quarter-final against Argentina. The likes of Pepe and Joao Moutinho give them a strong spine, but they remain without a world-class striker, meaning the goalscoring burden rests with Ronaldo.
How they qualified
They progressed via the play-offs for the second successive World Cup, with Ronaldo's hat-trick against Sweden equalling Pauleta's national record 47-goal tally.
They only lost to Russia in their group but finished second after drawing with Northern Ireland and Israel, twice.
World Cup record
Portugal are heading to their sixth World Cup. They came third on their debut in 1966 and were also semi-finalists in 2006. Three years ago, they lost to eventual champions Spain in the last 16.
Fifa ranking: 4
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting), Beto (Sevilla/ESP), Eduardo (Braga)
Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce/TUR), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid/ESP), Joao Pereira (Valencia/ESP), Neto (Zenith St-Petersburg/RUS), Pepe (Real Madrid/ESP), Ricardo Costa (Valencia/ESP)
Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco/FRA), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce/TUR), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/ESP), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio/ITA), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas/TUR), Nani (Manchester United/ENG), Rafa (Braga), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg/GER)
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| Ghana |
GHANA
Nickname :“Black Stars”
While Ghana haven’t competed at as many World Cup tournaments as Cameroon, Nigeria or some of the North African nations, they have an exceptional record in the competition.
Consider this: No African nation has ever competed at multiple World Cup tournaments and been eliminated in the opening round.
For that record to continue beyond this summer, Kwesi Appiah’s men will have to deliver an outstanding performance. They are drawn, once again, with familiar foes the United States, but while they will be confident of defeating the USA, Germany and Portugal may represent a challenge too far.
Nonetheless, Ghana fans can look at their squad, find quality in every department, and dream of a repeat of 2006 or even, if you concentrate hard enough, a return to the quarter-finals.
Prospects
The Black Stars were fancied to repeat, or even improve on, their run to the quarter-finals in 2010 in Brazil. That was until the draw was made and they were pitted with the world's second and third-ranked sides.
However, confidence is not an issue in the Ghana camp and why should it be? Their team, offensively at least, is packed with experience and world-class talent. Michael Essien's return has been crucial, while Asamoah Gyan's time in the Middle East hasn't blunted his goalscoring touch.
Key player
Michael Essien's return from international exile came just at the right time for Ghana. 'The Bison', who says he sleeps for "up to 12 hours a day" was certainly wide awake during the epic play-off thrashing of Egypt where he reminded everyone just how an effective and tactically adept midfielder he is.
How they qualified
Having won their group with five wins out of six, Ghana thrashed Egypt 6-1 in the home leg of their play-off to ensure a 2-1 loss in the return leg was academic.
They ended as the top scorers in African qualifying with 25 goals.
World Cup record
In 2010, Ghana seemed certain to become the first African semi-finalists after Uruguay's Luis Suarez was sent off for handling on the line in the dying seconds of extra-time. However, Asamoah Gyan missed the spot-kick and Ghana then lost the penalty shootout.
Brazil will be their third successive finals, having first qualified in 2006 when they went on to reach the last 16.
Fifa ranking: 37
The full squad:
Goalkeepers :Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates), Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Platanias), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege/Porto), Harrison Afful (Esperance), John Boye (Rennes), Jonathan Mensah (Evian), Rashid Sumalia (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielders: Michael Essien (AC Milan), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan), Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese), Afriyie Acquah (Parma), Christian Atsu (Vitesse), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough), Andre Ayew (Marseille), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan)
Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke 04), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), Jordan Ayew (Sochaux
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| United States |
UNITED STATES
Nickname : “The Yanks"
Prospects
Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann says the minimum aim is to reach the knockout stage, and a national record 16 wins in 2013 - including against an admittedly depleted Germany - gives cause for confidence.
Defence is a concern and then there's the lack of continuity - 37 players were used in qualifying.
Key player
With eight goals during the qualifying campaign, and 36 in 103 caps, captain Clint Dempsey continues to provide the attacking thrust he demonstrated so regularly in the Premier League with Fulham and Tottenham. An honourable mention, too, for Sunderland forward Jozy Altidore, who excelled during the final qualifying group phase.
The boss
Since taking over three years ago former Germany player and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has led the US to a series of notable results. These include their first victories away in Italy and in Mexico, a debut win in Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier and a victory over his native Germany.
This, plus a record-breaking 12-game winning sequence in 2013, led to his contract being extended to end of the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. His new deal, signed in December 2013, also gives him the extra title of the US Soccer Federation's technical director.
How they qualified
They recovered from an opening 2-1 defeat by Honduras to finish four points clear at the top of the six-team final group phase, winning all five home matches.
World Cup record
The USA will be playing in their 10th World Cup, and seventh in succession.
They were third in 1930 and quarter-finalists in 2002, losing 1-0 to Germany.
Fifa ranking: 13
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders :Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
GROUP G FIXTURES
June 16 Salvador, 17:00:
Germany v Portugal
June 16 Natal, 23:00:
Ghana v United States
June 21 Fortaleza, 20:00:
Germany v Ghana
June 22 Manaus, 20:00
United States v Portugal
June 26 Recife, 17:00:
United States v Germany
June 26 Brasilia, 17:00:
Portugal v Ghana
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