The Teams

France​

Senegal​

World Ranking:​ 1Star Player:​ Zinedine ZidanePrevious Best:​ Winners 1998Latest odds:​ 4-1Chances:​ The champions will be a difficult team to beat, as the recent 5-0 demolition of Scotland showed. Although coach Roger Lemerre has slight defensive headaches, the awesome attack should rank them among the favourites.

World Ranking:​ 44Star Player:​ Elhadji DioufPrevious Best:​ First appearanceLatest odds:​ 250-1Chances:​ The Lions came through a tough group and just pipped Morocco in qualification, mainly thanks to the nine goals from Lens striker Elhadji Diouf. Coach Bruno Metsu believes his side will be a surprise package. Don't think so.

Uruguay​

Denmark​

World Ranking:​ 22Star Player:​ Alvaro RecobaPrevious Best:​ Winners 1930, 1950Latest odds:​ 100-1Chances:​ The sleeping giant of South American football are in the Finals for the first time since Italia 1990. They beat Australia in the tense play-offs and coach Victor Pua has a squad that can at last recapture past glories.

World Ranking:​ =19Star Player:​ Ebbe SandsPrevious Best:​ Quarter-Final 1998Latest odds:​ 80-1Chances:​ Third-time finalists Denmark were unbeaten in qualification and are a perennial dark horse. Up front the Danes are strong with Schalke 04's Ebbe Sands, while coach Morten Olsen is assisted by national hero Michael Laudrup.

Spain​

Slovenia​

World Ranking:​ 7Star Player:​ Raul Gonzalez BlancoPrevious Best:​ 4th place 1950Latest odds:​ 9-1Chances:​ Underachievers Spain really believe this could be their year. With arguably Europe's top domestic League and new coach Jose Camacho, Spain have an attacking style that suits the players. A team to watch.

World Ranking:​ 28Star Player:​ Zlatko ZahovicPrevious Best:​ First appearanceLatest odds:​ 100-1Chances:​ Formerly part of Yugoslavia, Slovenia have defied the odds to qualify for the first time. Coach Srecko Katanec - whose name translates as "lucky" - is regarded as a hero, as is much-admired number 10 Zlatko Zahovic.

Paraguay​

South Africa​

World Ranking:​ 15Star Player:​ Jose Luis ChilavertPrevious Best:​ Second Round 1986, 1998Latest odds:​ 50-1Chances:​ Uruguayan coach Sergio Markarian leads Paraguay into their second successive Finals. Regarded as tough opponents, they will depend on inspirational captain and goalkeeper, Racing Strasbourg's Jose Luis Chilavert.

World Ranking:​ 36Star Player:​ Shaun BartlettPrevious Best:​ Group Stage 1998Latest odds:​ 150-1Chances:​ The top-ranked African nation will hope to record their first win in the Finals after a disappointing 1998. Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Queiroz will be counting on captain Shaun Bartlett - striker for Charlton Athletic.

Brazil​

Turkey​

World Ranking:​ 3Star Player:​ Rivaldo Vitor Borba FerreiraPrevious Best:​ Winners 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994Latest odds:​ 13-2Chances:​ Brazil are the only team to appear in all the previous Finals, but boy, did they struggle to qualify. However, the World Cup is Brazil's favourite arena and who would bet against Felipe Scolari's men lifting the trophy.

World Ranking:​ 25Star Player:​ Hakan SukurPrevious Best:​ First Round play-off 1954Latest odds:​ 100-1Chances:​ Senol Gunes' team look set to make their mark with Turkey's most accomplished player, Inter Milan's Hakan Sukur, leading the team. Look out for UK-based players Alpay Ozalan, Muzzy Izzet and Kerimoglu Tugay.

China PR​

Costa Rica​

World Ranking:​ 52Star Player:​ Fan ZhiyiPrevious Best:​ First appearanceLatest odds:​ 300-1Chances:​ China have finally made the Finals after 44 years of trying, thanks to coach Bora Milutinovic. China breezed through qualification and for veteran forward, Dundee's Fan Zhiyi, it will be a final hurrah.

World Ranking:​ 27Star Player:​ Hernon Evaristo Medford BryanPrevious Best:​ Group Stage 1990Latest odds:​ 200-1Chances:​ The Ticos have qualified for their second World Cup and have been on a roll since the appointment of Alexander Guimares. Not a powerhouse of South American football but who could forget Scotland in Italia 1990?

South Korea​

Poland​

World Ranking:​ 41Star Player:​ Seol Ki-HyeonPrevious Best:​ Group Stage 1954, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998Latest odds:​ 150-1Chances:​ Despite appearing five times in the Finals, South Korea have yet to win a game. As one of the hosts the pressure is on Dutchman Guus Hiddink's side to reach the Second Round. Look out for striker Seol Ki-Hyeon.

World Ranking:​ 33Star Player:​ Emmanuel OlisadebePrevious Best:​ 3rd place 1974, 1982Latest odds:​ 66-1Chances:​ In the Finals for the first time since 1986, Poland will be hoping to recreate the glory years of the 1970s. Nigerian-born Emmanuel Olisadebe scored seven goals in qualification and has made the difference so far.

USA​

Portugal​

World Ranking:​ 13Star Player:​ Claudio ReynaPrevious Best:​ Semi-Final 1930Latest odds:​ 150-1Chances:​ The gloriously-named Bruce Arena took over USA after a disastrous France 1998. They are strong in goal with Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel, but the real star is midfield captain Claudio Reyna of Sunderland.

World Ranking:​ 6Star Player:​ Luis Felipe Madeira Caeiro FigoPrevious Best:​ 3rd place 1966Latest odds:​ 11-1Chances:​ Portugal's "golden generation", featuring the likes of Luis Figo and Rui Costa, have realistic hopes in their third Finals. Coach Antonio Oliveira insisted when he took over: "We have to be first, instead of the best."

Germany​

Saudi Arabia​

World Ranking:​ 10Star Player:​ Oliver KahnPrevious​