2010 World Cup Germany Roster | WORLD CUP 2010

2010 World Cup Germany Roster | WORLD CUP 2010

Name	Age	Position
1	M. Neuer	24	Goalkeeper
12	T. Wiese	28	Goalkeeper
22	H. Butt	36	Goalkeeper
2	M. Jansen	24	Defender
3	A. Friedrich	31	Defender
4	D. Aogo	23	Defender
5	S. Taşçı	23	Defender
14	H. Badstuber	21	Defender
16	P. Lahm	26	Defender
17	P. Mertesacker	25	Defender
20	J. Boateng	21	Defender
6	S. Khedira	23	Midfielder
7	B. Schweinsteiger	25	Midfielder
8	M. Özil	21	Midfielder
15	P. Trochowski	26	Midfielder
18	T. Kroos	20	Midfielder
21	M. Marin	21	Midfielder
9	S. Kießling	26	Attacker
10	L. Podolski	25	Attacker
11	M. Klose	32	Attacker
13	T. Müller	20	Attacker
19	J. Claudemir da Silva	29	Attacker
23	M. Gómez	24	Attacker

Diego GODIN | Uruguay

Diego GODIN | Uruguay

• Date of Birth: 16 February 1986
• Height: 185 cm
• Shirt number: 3
• Position: Defender
• Current club: Villarreal (ESP)
• International Caps: 41
• International Goals: 3
• First international: Mexico - Uruguay
  (26 October 2005)

Club History

• Nacional (URU): From 2006 to 2007
• Cerro Porteño (PAR): From 2003 to 2006

Diego Godin is a composed and dependable central defender who is just as adept at snuffing out danger in the air as he is on the ground. His ability to make covering tackles is another feature of his game, and it was qualities such as those that made him an obvious choice to partner Diego Lugano at the heart of the Uruguayan defence throughout the recent South Africa 2010 qualifiers.

Godin’s long journey to becoming one half of one of the most formidable central-defensive duos in South America started when he gave up swimming at the age of 14 and turned his attention to football instead. Starting out in the youth team at Estudiantes of Rosario, the city of his birth, he continued his education in the junior ranks at Defensor Sporting before moving to Club Atletico Cerro in 2003, the year in which he played his first game in the top flight.

A commanding and reliable presence in the Albiceleste defence, Godin was quickly on his way to Nacional, helping them to victory in the 2007 Copa Libertadores play-off league and scoring two goals on their run to the quarter-finals of the Libertadores that same year.

His next move was to Spain and Villarreal, where he took his time to settle down before becoming a mainstay of the side, shining on both the domestic and European stage.

Jorge Fossati gave him his full international debut in a 2005 friendly defeat to Mexico, though it was after Fossati’s departure that Godin’s Uruguay career really began to take off. Oscar Tabarez identified him as a tried and trusted performer from the start, regularly selecting him for friendlies in 2006 and taking him to Venezuela for the 2007 Copa America, although he would only start one game there.

He left the bench behind at the beginning of the CONMEBOL qualifying competition for South Africa 2010, establishing himself as a first-choice in the side except when injury or suspension intervened.

Jorge FUCILE | Uruguay

Jorge FUCILE | Uruguay

• Date of Birth: 19 November 1984
• Height: 177 cm
• Shirt number: 4
• Position: Defender
• Current club: Porto (POR)
• International Caps: 27
• International Goals: 0
• First international: Romania - Uruguay
  (23 May 2006)

Club History

• Liverpool (URU): From 2003 to 2006

rge Fucile’s qualities as a full back are obvious: he is a tight marker, has great ball control and loves to attack from deep. Add to that an ability to play on either side of the defence and you have a player of real quality.

A native of Montevideo, Fucile was barely 17 when he made his Uruguayan Second Division debut in 2002 for local outfit Liverpool FC. The following year saw his team gain promotion to the First Division where they even battled it out for the Uruguayan title, and over the next few seasons the team cemented their status in the top flight.

His reliability and commitment earned him an international call-up in May 2006. Just two months after taking the reins as head coach, El Maestro handed him his first cap in a 2-0 victory over Romania in a friendly match in Los Angeles.

By this time, Fucile was on the wish-list of a number of European clubs, so it came as little surprise when he signed for Porto in the summer of 2006. He quickly adapted to the Portuguese game, earning a starting place and crowning his arrival in Europe with his first league title in the 2006/2007 season.

Despite him turning out on the right side of defence for his club, Oscar Tabarez deployed Fucile on the left during the Copa America Venezuela 2007. He played the first four games of the tournament in this new role and proved himself more than up to the task, winning player of the tournament in his position. In 2008, however, he started to revert back to his original position on the right. Although missing out on the play-off win over Costa Rica due to injury, he still features strongly in Tabarez’s plans, and can be hopeful of getting the chance to prove his worth in South Africa.

Walter GARGANO | Uruguay

Walter GARGANO | Uruguay

• Date of Birth: 23 July 1984
• Height: 168 cm
• Shirt number: 5
• Position: Midfielder
• Current club: Napoli (ITA)
• International Caps: 29
• International Goals: 0
• First international: Libya - Uruguay
  (30 May 2006)

Club History

• Danubio (URU): From 2004 to 2007

What centre-half Walter Gargano might lack in stature, he more than makes up for with his insatiable appetite for hard work, his ability to time tackles and his ease on the ball. Capable of making the hard things look easy, Gargano is as reliable as they come.

Yet another product of the Danubio youth academy, the polished central defender played his first top-flight game for La Franja in 2003, going on to win the 2004 and 2006/07 league championships. That second triumph provided a springboard to Europe, where he joined Napoli, quickly becoming a valued member of the side.

Affectionately known as Mota, he has been a regular feature of the Uruguay side since he was first called up by Oscar Tabarez for the 2-1 friendly win over Libya in Tunis in May 2006.

A member of the squad that travelled to Venezuela for the 2007 Copa America, he came on as a substitute in three of Uruguay’s six games, sitting out the other three. But after watching the first two of his country’s South Africa 2010 qualifying matches, he was handed a starting place for their third game, remaining in the team until he was sidelined with injury in early 2009.

He eventually made his return in September, in time for the last four games in the group, although a further knock kept him out of the play-off against Costa Rica. Fitness permitting, he seems assured of a start in Uruguay’s opening game against France.

Maxi RODRIGUEZ-Argentina | World Cup 2010

Maxi RODRIGUEZ

• Date of Birth: 2 January 1981
• Height: 173 cm
• Shirt number: 20
• Position: Midfielder
• Current club: Liverpool (ENG)
• International Caps: 39
• International Goals: 12
• First international: Japan - Argentina
  (8 June 2003)

Club History

• Atlético Madrid (ESP): From 2005 to 2010
• RCD Espanyol (ESP): From 2002 to 2005
• Newell's Old Boys (ARG): From 1999 to 2002

A dynamic midfielder known for his powerful running and eye for goal, Maxi Rodriguez has brought all those qualities to bear for Argentina’s youth and senior teams and in the highly competitive Spanish and English top flights.

Starting his career at Newell’s Old Boys in 1999, he moved to Espanyol three years later. It was in Spain that he enjoyed the best years of his career to date, performing with distinction at Atletico Madrid, where he also sported the captain’s armband. Having fallen out of favour, however, he joined Liverpool at the start of the year, a switch brought about by his desire for regular first-team football in the build-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Maxi has enjoyed many years of international service. He was a member of Jose Pekerman’s squad at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2001, appearing in all seven games and scoring four goals to help the host nation claim the title.

Appointed national coach, Pekerman then selected him for the FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany. Maxi played in all five of La Albiceleste’s games in the world finals and scored the winner in the Round of 16 tie against Mexico, a spectacular left-foot volley following a superb piece of control. The strike was widely regarded as the goal of the tournament.

The midfielder featured in eight of Argentina’s qualifying matches for South Africa 2010, scoring once in the 4-0 defeat of Venezuela in March 2009, Diego Maradona’s official debut as national coach.

Rafael MARQUEZ-Mexico | World Cup 2010

Rafael MARQUEZ

• Date of Birth: 13 February 1979
• Height: 182 cm
• Shirt number: 4
• Position: Defender
• Current club: Barcelona (ESP)
• International Caps: 93
• International Goals: 11
• First international: Mexico - Ecuador
  (5 February 1997)

Club History

• AS Monaco (FRA): From 1999 to 2003
• Atlas (MEX): From 1996 to 1999

He may have lost his place in the starting XI at Barcelona, but the best defender in Mexican football history remains vital to Javier Aguirre's plans.

Rafael Marquez is much more than just a footballer. He is captain of the Tricolor, one of the team's leaders both on and off the field, the starting point for Mexico's attacks and the man charged with frustrating opposition forwards.

From an early age, it was clear that the player the Mexican press have dubbed the "Kaiser of Michoacan" was going to be something special. His first call-up to the national team came when he was just 17. Within two years he was a fixture in the side that won the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil, starting alongside the legendary Claudio Suarez in central defence in a pairing considered the best in Mexico's history.

That tournament over, Marquez headed for Europe to join AS Monaco, winning the French title at the end of his first season in 1999/00. After another three Ligue 1 campaigns in the principality, he became Joan Laporta's first signing as president of Barcelona.

Marquez quickly established himself in the first team at the Nou Camp, going on to collect a host of honours with the Azulgrana, including two UEFA Champions Leagues, three Spanish league titles, and one FIFA Club World Cup.

Success has been harder to come by with Mexico but he has been one of the symbols of the Tricolor team ever since his arrival in the national set-up. His first FIFA World Cup™ came in Korea/Japan in 2002 where he captained the side. He wore the armband again in Germany four years ago, and has also skippered his country at the CONMEBOL Copa America, CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA Confederations Cup.

South Africa will be his third appearance on world football's biggest stage and it will also be his last. Marquez has already announced his decision to retire from the international arena once the tournament is over, passing on the mantle to a younger generation and allowing himself to concentrate on his club career.

The 31-year-old differs from many defenders in that he is stronger with the ball than he is without it. He is a technically accomplished player with an impressive passing range. His ability to hit precise, long passes means he is often found starting Mexico's attacking play from his deep position. It also explains why he has sometimes featured in midfield for both his club and country.

In his defensive work, he is physically strong, solid in the air – a quality he employs in attack also – and has good positional sense. Despite the occasional blip, he is simply a world-class defender and will be one of Aguirre’s key players in South Africa.

Gerardo TORRADO-Mexico | World Cup 2010

Gerardo TORRADO

For Javier Aguirre, Gerardo Torrado is one of Mexico's "three field marshals" along with Rafael Marquez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

Seeing him in action, it is impossible to question the coach's logic, for Torrado belongs to the breed of footballer that leads by example. A tenacious, terrier-like midfielder, he is forever snapping at opponents' heels in his desire to win the ball.

The Mexico No6 rose to prominence in 1999 when, without a single first-team appearance for his club side Pumas, he received a call-up to Manuel Lapuente's squad for the CONMEBOL Copa America on the back of some fine displays for the national Under-20 team. Torrado displayed a composure beyond his years in the tournament in Paraguay, even scoring a late equaliser against Peru in a quarter-final that Mexico won on penalties.

Soon after, he headed to Europe to join Tenerife, then in the Spanish second tier. Under coach Rafael Benitez, he played a pivotal role as Tenerife won promotion to the top flight in the 2000/01 season. Although the Mexican began the following campaign back in the second division with modest Polideportivo Ejido, before long he had the big opportunity he had been seeking with a move to Sevilla.

Torrado spent two full seasons in the Andalusian capital before heading north to Racing Santander for the 2004/05 campaign. After five years in Spain, however, the player they call 'Borrego' (lamb) for his curly head of hair decided to return home and signed for Cruz Azul, the club he now captains.

Torrado has been a fixture in the Mexico team for every coach he has worked under – even winning round Ricardo La Volpe, Mexico's trainer at Germany 2006. The midfielder had initially not featured in La Volpe's plans but the coach ended up handing Torrado three starts in Germany on his return to the world stage that he had first trod in 2002 when he was considered one of the best players in his position in Korea/Japan.

If fierce tackling and tireless effort are his trademark, Torrado is not lacking technical ability either. Mexico's attacking game is based on quick circulation of the ball, and he can certainly hold his own when it comes to crisp passing. Above all though, his team-mates know that when they do lose possession, he will be the one rushing to recover it.

Torrado has also earned attention for his changes of image. During his career, he has gone from an afro look to a short-back-and-sides to an entirely shaved head. The fact his skin is sensitive to the sun means he must wear sunblock when he plays, making him hard to miss. Mexico fans will hope their No6 catches the eye for other reasons at South Africa 2010.

Profile Argentina

Despite a tortuous qualification campaign, Argentina are travelling to South Africa with serious designs on winning the title for the first time in 24 years. To achieve that goal, the 1978 and 1986 world champions have pinned their faith in coach Diego Armando Maradona, the country's most famous footballing son and the inspiration behind the second of those memorable triumphs.

His task is made easier by the fact that he has a star-studded squad at his disposal, one that features several survivors of the team that reached the quarter-finals at Germany 2006, not to mention Lionel Messi and a host of other young stars with several youth titles to their name. Given that roll call, the Argentinians appear to have the resources to atone for recent disappointments and win the country's first international trophy since the Copa America in 1993.

The road to South Africa
The Argentinians made extremely hard work of qualifying for the finals, just as they did in 1985, the prelude to an electrifying charge to glory at the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™. The two-time world champions started the campaign under the stewardship of Alfio Basile, who made way for Maradona after a defeat to Chile on Matchday Ten had relegated them to third place. Yet after a series of setbacks, they eventually hauled themselves over the line with narrow victories in their final two games against Peru and Uruguay.

La Albiceleste collected 28 points in all, their lowest tally since the introduction of the ten-team group system, recording eight wins, four draws and six defeats. Three of those reverses proved particularly painful. After going down to their first competitive defeat to Chile, Argentina slumped to a humiliating 6-1 reverse in Bolivia and suffered only their second-ever home qualifying loss at the hands of Brazil. Maradona's men engineered a late revival, however, with Martin Palermo scoring a dramatic late winner in the driving rain against the Peruvians. And days later the Argentinians made sure of their place in the finals with a battling 1-0 win over La Celeste in Montevideo.

The star players
Most of Argentina's hopes are invested in Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the best footballer in the world. Having earned that reputation thanks to his consistently brilliant performances for Barcelona, La Pulga (The Flea) has yet to fire on a regular basis in the famous blue and white striped shirt, something he will be hoping to make amends for in South Africa.

Providing the midfield ballast for the darting Messi will be their captain and driving force Javier Mascherano and the hugely experienced Juan Sebastian Veron, who will be out to prove a point or two after coming in for criticism during Argentina's fateful display at Korea/Japan 2002.

The coach
Considered by many to be the finest footballer ever to walk the Earth, Diego Maradona now has the opportunity to repeat as a coach his finest achievement as a player. Straight-talking, impulsive and a born competitor, Maradona retains the aura that made him such a revered figure during his playing days and will be hoping to impart his experience and know-how to a group of players who figure among his most ardent admirers.

Prior to taking on the national job, the legendary former No10 enjoyed brief spells in the hotseat at lesser lights Mandiyu in 1994 and Racing Club a year later, before making a return to the playing fields with his beloved Boca Juniors. A nine-year sabbatical from the game ended with his appointment as Basile's successor, and having steered his side into the finals he now faces a challenge he has already risen to once in his career.

Previous FIFA World Cups
- Argentina have reached four FIFA World Cup Finals in all. They beat Netherlands in 1978 and Germany in 1986 but lost to Uruguay in 1930 and to the Germans in 1990.
- La Albiceleste will be appearing in the FIFA World Cup for the 20th time at South Africa 2010, their tenth consecutive appearance.
- Set to make his first appearance as a coach, Diego Maradona played in four successive finals competitions between 1982 and 1994.

What they said
"I tell my players that 30 days of sacrifice for the chance to kiss the World Cup is nothing in the life of a man. An achievement like that is like touching the sky. I played in World Cups and I reached two Finals. I know what it takes. I know how to lead the group and how to coach the players. I've earned the right to talk about the subject. I didn't come eighth, ninth or get knocked out in the first round. I know something about this." Coach Diego Maradona

Squad List : Greece

Nr.	Name	Date of Birth	Position	Clubs	Height
1	Konstantinos CHALKIAS	30/05/1974	GK	PAOK (GRE)	198
2	Giourkas SEITARIDIS	04/06/1981	DF	Panathinaikos (GRE)	185
3	Christos PATSATZOGLOU	19/03/1979	DF	Omonia (CYP)	183
4	Nikos SPIROPOULOS	10/10/1983	DF	Panathinaikos (GRE)	171
5	Vangelis MORAS	26/08/1981	DF	Bologna (ITA)	193
6	Alexandros TZIOLIS	13/02/1985	MF	Siena (ITA)	190
7	Georgios SAMARAS	21/02/1985	FW	Celtic (SCO)	192
8	Avraam PAPADOPOULOS	03/12/1984	DF	Olympiacos (GRE)	186
9	Angelos CHARISTEAS	09/02/1980	FW	Nuremberg (GER)	191
10	Georgios KARAGOUNIS	06/03/1977	MF	Panathinaikos (GRE)	176
11	Loukas VYNTRA	05/02/1981	DF	Panathinaikos (GRE)	184
12	Alexandros TZORVAS	12/08/1982	GK	Panathinaikos (GRE)	190
13	Michail SIFAKIS	09/09/1984	GK	Aris Thessaloniki (GRE)	186
14	Dimitrios SALPINGIDIS	18/08/1981	FW	Panathinaikos (GRE)	171
15	Vasileios TOROSIDIS	10/06/1985	DF	Olympiacos (GRE)	185
16	Sotirios KYRGIAKOS	23/07/1979	DF	Liverpool (ENG)	192
17	Theofanis GEKAS	23/05/1980	FW	Hertha Berlin (GER)	179
18	Sotiris NINIS	03/04/1990	MF	Panathinaikos (GRE)	173
19	Sokratis PAPASTATHOPOULOS	09/06/1988	DF	Genoa (ITA)	186
20	Pantelis KAPETANOS	08/06/1983	FW	Steaua (ROU)	190
21	Konstantinos KATSOURANIS	21/06/1979	MF	Panathinaikos (GRE)	183
22	Stelios MALEZAS	11/03/1985	DF	PAOK (GRE)	192
23	Athanasios PRITTAS	09/01/1979	MF	Aris Thessaloniki (GRE)	185

Greece Profile

After seemingly coming from nowhere to triumph at UEFA EURO 2004, Greece continue to defy the odds under wily coach Otto Rehhagel and have clinched qualification for only their second FIFA World Cup™ finals.

Though dismissing Rehhagel would have amounted to high treason, given the regal status ‘King Otto’ has enjoyed since victory on Portuguese soil, failure to reach Germany 2006 and a limp group-stage exit at EURO 2008 had ratcheted up the pressure on the German supremo. The Greek FA kept the faith, however, and were rewarded by qualification for their first global finals since USA 1994.

The road to South Africa
Greece kicked off South Africa 2010 qualifying in impressive fashion, picking up victories over Luxembourg, Latvia and Moldova, scoring eight times and conceding none in the process.

The 2004 European champions subsequently suffered their first loss in Group 2 when going down 2-1 at home to Switzerland, their clearest rivals for an automatic qualifying berth. After bouncing back with four points from their double-header against Israel, drawing 1-1 away and winning 2-1 at home, the Helvetians then undid the Greeks once more – this time triumphing 2-0 on Swiss soil.

Rehhagel’s troops then allowed Switzerland to extend their advantage in the standings by only drawing 1-1 in Moldova, a result that also brought Latvia back into the hunt for second. A thumping 5-2 victory over the latter in Greece’s penultimate group match virtually clinched a play-off spot, however, which was sealed by the final day 2-1 win against Luxembourg.

The European Zone play-off draw pitted captain Georgios Karagounis and Co against Ukraine, opponents who had taken four points from the Greeks in Group 2 of qualifying for Germany 2006. This time around, after a 0-0 draw in Athens, Greece grabbed a 1-0 second-leg success in Donetsk, the decisive goal coming from Dimitrios Salpingidis.

The star players
There will be no shortage of experience for the Greeks to call on come South Africa 2010. Chief among their veteran performers are defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who played more qualifying minutes than any other squad member, and former Inter Milan and Benfica midfielder Karagounis. Nor are they slouches going forward, boasting as they do ten-goal Theofanis Gekas - the top scorer in European Zone qualifying - and the physical presence of four-goal Angelos Charisteas, scorer of the winner in the final at EURO 2004.

The coach
South Africa 2010 will be coach Rehhagel’s first FIFA World Cup finals, where he is set to be the oldest strategist on show. After a glittering career in his homeland, the German boss has earned worldwide recognition for his achievements with the Greek national team since taking over in 2001.

With Greece having only reached one FIFA World Cup and one European Championship prior to his arrival, within three years of taking the post Rehhagel had guided the Greeks to EURO glory, before going on to clinch qualification for both EURO 2008 and South Africa 2010.

Records
• Greece will be determined to improve on their showing at USA 1994, where they sank to group-stage defeats against Argentina (4-0), Bulgaria (4-0) and Nigeria (2-0) and headed for home at the first hurdle.

• That competition on United States’ soil was the Greeks’ first and only previous appearance at the finals of a FIFA World Cup.

What they said
“The players have been rewarded for their incredible passion and competitive spirit. We said that before achieving success you need to have the Gods on your side.” Otto Rehhagel, Greece coac

Follow my team : Korea Republic

Korea Republic will open their tournament in Nelson Mandela Bay/ Port Elizabeth against Greece. They will then make the 1,060km trip to Johannesburg to play Argentina at Soccer City Stadium.

Travel options between Nelson Mandela Bay/ Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg

By plane: Most major airlines run daily flights between Port Elizabeth Airport and OR Tambo International Airport. Flights take an average of 1hr30.

By car: Driving from Port Elizabeth will take you around ten hours, but this is a rewarding route which meanders from the coastal towns to the interior. You can take the N2 road via Grahamstown, a place with spectacular settings and a great deal of historical significance. There are two routes you can take once you reach Grahamstown. One is to follow the route to Cradock then through some small towns such as Middleburg which will lead to you Mangaung/ Bloemfontein. Alternatively, you can make your way to Queenstown then take the N6 past Aliwal North, then onto Mangaung/ Bloemfontein. Once there, the N1 road will lead you to Johannesburg.

By bus: Most intercity bus companies service the route between Nelson Mandela Bay and Johannesburg. The trip will take you around 14 hours and in most cases will be overnight.

By train: Catch a train from Port Elizabeth train station in the city centre through Bloemfontein and on to Johannesburg’s Park Station also in the city’s centre. This might take a lot of time, but if you want to explore the country and in no hurry, this is certainly another option.

Korea Republic will then make the nice trip from Johannesburg to Durban to play Nigeria at the Durban Stadium for their final group match.

Travel options from Johannesburg to Durban

By plane: There are flights that leave Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport for Durban every 1hr10mins, with the flight itself taking just over an hour.

By car: The route between Johannesburg and Durban is a popular one to drive as the roads are in great condition, though drivers to have to pass through a number of toll booths. The distance between the two cities is 578km, which should take around six and a half hours in total. Make your way to the N3 South in Johannesburg, which will take you all the way through to Durban. The route takes you past the Drakensberg mountain range, providing spectacular views as you drive.

By bus: The Park Station bus station is situated in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD) which can be accessed from Rissik Street. From there the trip itself will take around ten hours.

By train: A train service runs between Johannesburg and Durban which can be accessed from Park Station in the Johannesburg CBD on Rissik street. Durban is serviced six times a week by rail from Johannesburg.

Profile Korea Republic

Asia's most frequent visitors to the FIFA World Cup™, Korea Republic are also the continent's most successful team at the showpiece event. The Taeguk Warriors will be hoping to translate their regional dominance on to the world stage again when South Africa 2010 kicks off.

The road to South Africa
Korea Republic may have qualified for their seventh consecutive world finals, but it was a bumpy ride this time. Despite a series of lacklustre performances in the third round, the South Koreans managed to top their group after two goalless draws with neighbours Korea DPR. The North Koreans proved to be their nemesis again in the final round, holding the Taeguk Warriors to a 1-1 stalemate in Shanghai. However, they bounced back in style with back-to-back wins over United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, before a crucial 1-1 draw with Iran in Tehran. A 1-0 home victory in the Korean derby followed, and the mission was accomplished with a 2-0 win against UAE on the road.

The star players
Park Ji-Sung has played a key role in Korea Republic's two previous FIFA World Cup campaigns and established himself as the captain of his country in recent years. The multifunctional winger of Manchester United is now an indispensible member of the Taeguk Warriors, with his ability to create space and chances for his team-mates.

A clinical forward, Park Chu-Young is widely tipped as the one to solve the problem in front of goal. After a below-par performance against Switzerland at Germany 2006, the Monaco marksman is eager to redeem himself in the national team as the No10 prepares for his second appearance at the showpiece event at the age of 24.

The coach
The appointment of Huh Jung-Moo in December 2007 put an end to the Dutch influence under the likes of Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat. Despite a sluggish start in the Asian Zone qualifying, the former Korea Republic midfielder silenced his critics by guiding his experimental side into the finals with two games to spare.

Having scored a goal against Italy at Mexico 1986, he is no stranger to this stage as he also took part in Italy 1990 and USA 1994 as fitness trainer and assistant coach respectively. Huh was an interim coach of Korea Republic twice before, and led the U-23 side at the Men's Olympic Football Tournament Sydney 2000.

Previous FIFA World Cups
Although Korea Republic were the first team to represent Asia at the FIFA World Cup in 1954, it took more than three decades for them to make their second appearance at Mexico 1986. While the South Koreans have become regulars to the tournament since then, a victory in the competition remaining elusive until 2002, when the co-hosts got off to a winning start with a 2-0 reverse of Poland, before beating Portugal 1-0 to reach the second round. They went on to defeat Italy and Spain to advance to the semi-finals, where they lost 1-0 to Germany. But their subsequent journey to Germany four years later came to a premature end, as the Taeguk Warriors made an early exit from the group stage.

Records

• Korea Republic are the most frequent visitors from Asia to the FIFA World Cup, and are set to make their eighth appearance this time in South Africa.

• The best result the Taeguk Warriors have achieved so far was at Korea/Japan 2002, where they swept past European powerhouses Portugal, Italy, and Spain to reach the last four.

What they said
"This will be the last chapter in my football life. I will put in all my energy to achieve good results in the World Cup," Korea Republic coach Huh Jung-Moo

Follow my team : Nigeria

Nigeria will open their campaign in Johannesburg against Argentina before jetting off to Mangaung/ Bloemfontein to play the former European champions, Greece.

Travel options from Johannesburg to Mangaung/ Bloemfontein

By plane: You will have to take a cab (meter taxi) to the nearby OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg, where you can catch a flight to Bloemfontein Airport.

By car: Given the scenery on the 410km route between Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, the driving option is highly recommended. Take the N1 (South) to Mangaung/ Bloemfontein. On leaving Johannesburg you may wish to stop and explore the Soweto township, which shaped the history of South Africa during the fight against apartheid. Here you can find Vilakazi street, where Nelson Mandela stayed before he was jailed for 27 years, and the Hector Peterson Museum. Get back on the N1, this road leads you straight to the city of Mangaung/ Bloemfontein. Around the halfway point of your journey, you may be tempted to stop in Kroonstad and savour the beauty and tranquillity of this small town.

By bus: The third option is to take an overnight bus trip, which reaches Mangaung/ Bloemfontein in about five to six hours. Make your way to Johannesburg Park Station (in the Central Business District (CBD)) and catch one of the luxury buses to Mangaung/ Bloemfontein.

By train: Rail services between Johannesburg and Bloemfontein are provided by Shosholoza Meyl and run daily. You can catch a train at Johannesburg’s Park Station (Rissik Street, CBD).

The Nigerians will then make the 670km trip to the coastal city of Durban to play Korea Republic. This is another interesting route that takes you through dry central South Africa to the country's calmer and cooler coastal region.

Travel options from Mangaung/ Bloemfontein to Durban.

By plane: Flights are available between these two cities, with the flight time being around 1hr30. Flights go from Bloemfontein airport to Durban's La Mercy Airport or Durban International.

By car: This option is highly recommended. From Mangaung/ Bloemfontein, take the N5 east through Bethlehem and Harrismith until you hit the N3 from Johannesburg. Take the N3 South to Durban. The drive is approximately seven hours.

By Bus: This is also a good option. Buses arrive and depart from the Transit Centre at the Bloemfontein Tourist Information Centre on Park Road. Travelling to Durban by bus from Bloemfontein will take you around eight hours. The trip will cover the sovereign state of Lesotho, also known as the Mountain Kingdom, via Kwa-Zulu Natal and the town of Ladysmith.

By train: The railway station in Mangaung/ Bloemfontein is on the corner of Maitland and Harvey streets. Travelling to Durban by rail will take you 16 hours.

Profile Nigeria

Expectations are diminished for Nigeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, but it was not long ago that the Super Eagles were seen as the most likely African nation to finally reach the last four of a FIFA World Cup. And though they have just one point from their last five matches in the finals and missed out on Germany 2006 altogether, the continent’s most populous nation looks likely to be a dangerous dark horse with little to lose up against the world’s best.

That was how the side came to USA 94, where they dismantled eventual semi-finalists Bulgaria 3-0 in their first match before going on to cruelly fall 2-1 against Italy in the second round. However, that was not before the likes of Sunday Oliseh, Victor Ikpeba, Jay-Jay Okocha and Finidi George had become synonymous with the next generation of explosive African football. A similarly quick start in 1998 - they stunned Spain 3-2 in one of the matches of the tournament to start and beat Bulgaria again 1-0 - gave way to another second round defeat, this time a disheartening thumping at the hands of Denmark 4-1. But after dramatically reaching South Africa in their final qualifier, Nigeria could be forgiven for going into the finals with a positive attitude.

The road to South Africa
A surprising scoreless draw in their first match in the final round of CAF qualifying to Mozambique left Nigeria playing catch-up to Tunisia from the start, and consecutive draws with the Carthage Eagles had the west Africans staring elimination in the face. However, Tunisia lost 1-0 in Mozambique and Nigeria came from a goal behind twice to win 3-2 in Kenya. Striker Obafemi Martins was the hero on the day, coming on at half-time before scoring the first equaliser on the hour mark and the winner just nine minutes from time. The goal stamped Nigeria’s ticket to the next World Cup.

The star players
The Super Eagles have the ability to score a lot of goals in South Africa behind a pacy, dynamic attack that features the likes of Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Odemwingie as well as youngsters Victor Obinna and Ikechukwu Uche and evergreen Nwankwo Kanu in what is surely his last role of the dice. They won’t be a soft touch behind that either, with Jon Obi Mikel anchoring the midfield, and captain Joseph Yobo in the centre of defence.

The coach
Despite qualifying the Super Eagles for another FIFA World Cup, Shaibu Amodu was demoted after the team finished third at the 2010 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. He was replaced by former Sweden boss Lars Lagerback at the end of February. The 61-year-old led Sweden for over a decade - part of the time as co-manager with Tommy Soderberg - and took the side to the knockout rounds at Korea/Japan 2002 as well as Germany 2006. His teams also qualified for three consecutive European Championships.

Record
• Nigeria’s 3-0 waltz over Bulgaria in their USA 94 debut match was more remarkable given that the Europeans went on to beat Greece, Argentina, Mexico and Germany in the tournament.

• Since Clemens Westerhof built the 1994 side and left the Super Eagles, the team has been coached by such well-known European journeymen as Jo Bonfrere, Philippe Troussier, Bora Milutinovic and Berti Vogts.

• Nigeria have a rich history at other worldwide tournaments, having won the 1985, 1993 and 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup as well as the 1996 Olympic Football Tournament.

What they said
"We know that we will have a tough job at the World Cup. We are up against some tough teams like Argentina, with top players like [Lionel] Messi. It's important for us to prove that we can play our own game against the best," Nigeria forward Chinedu Obasi.

Follow my team : Argentina

Argentina will open their campaign at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium against Nigeria. They will then play Korea Republic at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, meaning fans do not have to travel outside the city for their team's opening two games.

From Johannesburg, followers of France will have to travel to the far north of the country to Polokwane for their side's final group match against former European Champions, Greece

Travel options from Johannesburg to Polokwane

By plane: While Polokwane does have an airport, it is small and does not have frequent flights. You can however fly there from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International, taking a bus, taxi or hire car to the city itself once you have landed.

By car: Polokwane is approximately 350km from Johannesburg. To drive there get onto the N1 North, which will take you through Pretoria then on to Polokwane. The drive should take you around three hours.

By bus: You will have to make your way to the Park Station in Johannesburg’s Central Business District (CBD) to catch a bus to Polokwane. Most of the intercity companies service this route.

Higuain : Spain are the favourites

Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain has tagged Spain as favourites to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, but believes Lionel Messi could yet turn the tables in favour of La Albiceleste.

The Real Madrid forward knows all about the talent in the European champions' squad, having played with or against most of the their players during an outstanding La Liga campaign.

However, Argentina have a mind-boggling array of talent at their disposal if Diego Maradona can marshall it in the correct way.

"We know that at the moment, Spain are the team who play the best football, but in a World Cup you never know. But Spain are the top candidates," he said.

"Argentina is my country and we will fight for it, hopefully we can bring this beautiful cup to Argentina. Hopefully Lionel (Messi) shows the same performance as he does in Spanish league. For us it will be decisive.

"We know that the World Cup will be very tough, because you have the best players there. If we want to win we need to do almost everything perfectly."

Burdisso : Winning is everything

Argentina defender Nicolas Burdisso has told his team-mates winning is all that matters heading into their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ opener against Nigeria in Johannesburg. Albiceleste will then face Greece and Korea Republic in their other Group B games.

"I give more value to starting the tournament with a win than to playing well," said Burdisso. "There is a lot of anxiety and to start with a win would mean a lot to us. We must win our first game and although it will be difficult, we have to know that a good result is all that matters."

With the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Diego Milito in the Argentina squad, there is no doubt Diego Maradona's side are among the favourites to lift the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. However, Burdisso has urged the fans and his team-mates to keep their feet on the ground.

"There is no question we are candidates to win the tournament," said the Inter Milan defender. "We have very strong players in the team but that doesn't mean anything. We must win our first game and then draw some conclusions."

Happy Nigeria handling the pressure

They have seen one of their most important players drop out of the squad just days ago and carry an immense burden of popular expectation back at home, yet Nigeria have been in a loose and happy mood at their base outside of Durban, South Africa.

The attitude is all the more remarkable considering that in only a few days' time they will kick off their FIFA World Cup™ finals campaign against highly-fancied Argentina at Johannesburg's Ellis Park. Yet according to both coach Lars Lagerback and talismanic veteran Nwankwo Kanu, spirits are high in camp and the Super Eagles are committed to keeping it that way. "The players have really been professional in training and everything," Lagerback told FIFA. "We have travelled a lot and they have done that in a marvellous way. You see a lot of smiles going around so I really enjoy working with these guys," added the Swede who only took over the team in February.

For his part, Kanu said the spirit among the players could not be better and that this would be one of their greatest strengths in a tough-looking Group B where they must also face Korea Republic and Greece. "[Our happiness together] is what makes us strong," he told FIFA. "That's what makes the team tick because everybody is friends with each other like family and brothers and with that we tend to go far. The spirit is like that now."

Even the late loss of Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel to a knee injury does not seem to have dented the optimism that is coursing through the Nigeria squad, with both Lagerback and Kanu insisting that the two-time African champions had the players to fill the hole. "An injury in football is never a disaster," said Lagerback. "It's very sad for Mikel, and of course for the Super Eagles – he has been one of the best players for Nigeria. So of course we will miss him, but at the same time other players step in so it all works, I know it's a cliché, but it all works."

Kanu, a veteran of the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, has similar confidence in those likely to step into the breach, with Monaco youngster Lukman Haruna a seeming front-runner to fill Mikel's big boots. "Nigeria are always blessed with talented players, quality players," said the 33-year-old before returning to the collective spirit of the side. "The most important thing is to work as a team and that is what we are doing. Nobody knows what we can come up with on any day. On our good day it's difficult to handle us."

Pressure and prayer
The Super Eagles must traditionally cope with the immense expectations of Africa's biggest population. It must be a difficult prospect to keep 150 million football-mad Nigerians happy at each step of the preparations for a major event, not to mention an intensely interested local media. Kanu considers it an inevitable consequence of their previous successes at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups – where they reached the second round in impressive style – and the famous victory at the 1996 Olympic Football Tournament.

"Considering what we have done in 94, 96, 98, everybody believes we are one of the big countries in Africa, so definitely we have to produce. When we are not producing, that is when it is difficult. So the pressure comes," he said. But the Portsmouth-based former Inter Milan and Arsenal man is not backing away from his prediction that Nigeria have every chance of going deep into the tournament. "For me I can say we are going to be up to the semi-finals… maybe even the Final. We believe we can beat any team any time, but you're going to have to play very well."

The new Lagerback regime has impressed Kanu and helped foster this confident attitude. "He has given us his own style of play which we adopted.We are getting used to it faster because the World Cup is almost here," he said. "He brought in discipline and a new style of play and wants us to play like a team. Things are working well so far, improving every day." Talk then comes back to the spirit in the camp, and a special closeness that the players enjoy. When asked why they end every training session in a circle, holding hands, Kanu explained that the team was actually united in prayer.

"It's like a culture in the team," he said. "Most players are Christian or Muslim, so what happens is, when we all hold hands, we pray. After Christian prayers, then the Muslims also pray before we leave." Kanu and Nigeria are hoping their prayers will be answered against Lionel Messi and Co on Saturday.

Follow my team : Mexico

Mexico will kick off their tournament against hosts South Africa at Soccer City Stadium. They will then take the 350km drive to the city of Polokwane, north of Johannesburg, to face France.

Travel options from Johannesburg to Polokwane

By plane: A flight from OR Tambo International and Polokwane International airport will take you around 45 minutes. Once you are there, you can catch a taxi (minibus) or cab (meter taxi) to the city centre.

By car: This is a flat road and offers an enjoyable and unique feel for the African landscape as you travel the 350 km to Polokwane. Simply rent a car in Johannesburg and follow the N1 North to Polokwane. Along the way are such well-known and spectacular spots as Bela-Bela, Makopane and the Rus de Winter Game Reserve, to name but a few.

From Polokwane Mexico will then have to drive 375km to Rustenburg to play Uruguay at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. The provinces (Limpopo Province and North West Province) are relatively close to each other and this should be a short and enjoyable journey for fans.

Travel options from Polokwane to Rustenburg

By car: There are no flights between these two cities and so driving may well be your best option. The route takes in arid countryside and majestic valleys, while Hartbeespoort Dam is well worth a short stop. On your way to Rustenburg, you may also wish to take a detour to the breathtaking Sun City resorts before completing your journey.

Profile Mexico

After a turbulent couple of years that has seen three coaches come and go and more than sixty players pull on the famous green jersey, Mexico have returned to calmer waters under the steadying influence of Javier Aguirre. The former Atletico Madrid coach has put together a team comprising bright young talents and established stars, restoring their wavering confidence in the process.

Following the appointment of the man they call El Vasco (The Basque), the regional powerhouses shot up from fifth to second place in the final six-team qualification group in the CONCACAF Zone, winning five games, drawing one and losing just the one. Having safely made their way to the finals, their objective will now be to progress beyond the Round of 16, where they have been knocked out at the last four FIFA World Cup™ finals.

The road to South Africa
After disposing of Belize with a minimum of fuss in the second qualifying round, Mexico were drawn into a tough group containing Jamaica, Canada and Honduras in the following phase. Coached at the time by Sven Goran Eriksson, El Tri struggled to impose their authority and only scraped in the fourth and final round on goal difference ahead of the Reggae Boyz.

The Mexicans' erratic form continued in the final six-team round-robin group, kicking off with a 2-0 defeat in the USA before beating Costa Rica by the same scoreline and then losing 3-1 to Honduras. That last defeat cost Eriksson his job and his replacement by Aguirre, who stepped in in similar circumstances on the road to Korea/Japan 2002.

And once again the unflappable Aguirre worked a miracle, transforming Mexican fortunes despite kicking off with a 2-1 reverse in El Salvador. Victories over each of their five group rivals then followed, giving them a ticket to the finals with one game to spare. After a draw against Trinidad and Tobago in their final outing, the men in green ended the group in second place behind eternal rivals USA.

The star players
Veteran playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco is perhaps the player Mexico fans should thank for their side's turnaround. Lured out of retirement by Aguirre, the uniquely talented 36-year-old became the symbol of a revitalised team, helping younger team-mates such as Guillermo Ochoa, Efrain Juarez, Andres Guardado and Giovani dos Santos to find their best form. Along with skipper Rafael Marquez, they are sure to provide the nucleus of the squad that will travel to South Africa 2010.

The coach
Javier Aguirre is Mexico's most successful coach of recent times. After guiding the unfancied Pachuca to the league championship in 1999, El Vasco was handed the job of reviving the national team's faltering bid to qualify for Korea/Japan 2002. After doing just that, he then took the Mexicans to the top of a challenging group that contained Italy, Croatia and Ecuador, though their Asian adventure came to an end with a last-16 defeat to USA.

After the tournament he signed a contract with Spanish club Osasuna, taking them to the UEFA Champions League in 2005/06. That impressive achievement led to a switch to Atletico Madrid, and though he steered Los Colchoneros into fourth place in 2007/08, he was dismissed halfway through the following season, the wheel turning full circle again when he took over a crisis-stricken Mexico. And having come to his country's rescue for a second time, the wily Aguirre is eyeing a lengthy stay at South Africa 2010.

Previous FIFA World Cups
· Mexico have qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals 14 times in all, more than any other side from the CONCACAF Zone.
· Mexico's achieved their best-ever performances in the finals as tournament hosts in 1970 and 1986, reaching the last eight on both occasions.
· South Africa 2010 is their fifth appearance in the finals in a row. On all four previous occasions they have bowed out in the Round of 16.

Records
· Under Javier Aguirre, Mexico went an impressive 12 games without defeat before losing 2-1 to Colombia in a friendly, a game in which they used only home-based players.
· The Mexico squad that earned qualification for South Africa 2010 contained four players who won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru 2005: Giovani dos Santos, Carlos Vela, Efrain Juarez and Hector Moreno.
· Surprisingly, there were no Mexicans among the top 20 scorers in the CONCACAF qualifying competition, although no fewer than 18 Tricolor players found the back of the net at least once during the qualifiers.

What they said
"I feel relaxed. Whenever you reach an objective you've been brought in to achieve you have the satisfaction of knowing that you haven't let down the people who put their faith in you. I am happy and proud. When I came into the job we were fifth and nine points away from first place, and now we're in the World Cup." Coach Javier Aguirre reacts to his side second-place finish in the CONCACAF Zone.