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World cup fever
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In the last chance salon
John Carlin says the England skipper must grasp a final opportunity after four unimpressive international tournaments, to prove that his talent can match his fame off it.
A celebrity is born
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Meet the real footballers' wives
They're just as competitive as the players, says Carole Cadwalladr.
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Salvation army
Tim Pears reveals the psyche of a nation at war with itself but united behind its football team.
Salvation army: part two
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Fixtures and fixing
'The fuss over Rooney's gambling was about his finances not whether he should play.'
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Seven games from history
Paul Wilson, The Observer's football correspondent, assesses the chances of a squad whose finest players are all now reaching their peak.
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Total recall
From finest hours to darkest days, and some frankly ridiculous bits in between, the OSM team pick the tournament's memorable moments.
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Group A
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Germany
Whatever happens, no country has two finer keepers for penalty shoot outs.
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Costa Rica
They are an ageing side with several players at the end of their careers and they can often be too attacking for their own good.
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Ecuador
Ecuador qualified comfortably, though all eight of their qualifying victories came at altitude - and they are the weakest South American team at the tournament.
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Poland
With a functional if unexciting team who finished runners-up to England in qualifying, Poland expect to make the second round but little more.
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Group B
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England
England's biggest fear will be injuries. Outside the starting XI there is little strength in depth, particularly up front.
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Trinidad & Tobago
Port Vale's Chris Burchill is the first white player to represent T&T in 60 years.
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Paraguay
Anibal Ruiz likes hard work and discipline. 'Regardless of who we play,' he says, 'I am confident in the ability, character and charisma of Paraguayan football.'
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Group C
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Argentina
They are good front-runners, but don't always react well when things start to go against them.
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Holland
Holland have a tendency to implode, most notably at Euro 96 when Edgar Davids was sent home.
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Serbia & Montenegro
Expect them to frustrate opponents rather than outplay them.
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Ivory Coast
A lot rests on the broad shoulders of captain Didier Drogba.
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Group D
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Angola
Powerful striker Fabrice Akwa is the country's captain and all-time leading scorer, averaging almost a goal every other game.
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Mexico
The super-confident coach Ricardo Lavolpe has overseen a remarkable rise in fortunes since taking over three years ago.
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Iran
Ali Daei is arguably the most prolific goalscorer in international history, with a barely believable 107 goals.
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Portugal
Portugal are solid defensively but lack a genuinely world-class frontman. If Pauleta hits form they could go all the way.
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Group E
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Italy
Only Brazil have won the competition more times.
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Ghana
With Sammy Kuffour and John Mensah in defence and Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah in midfield, Ghana are hard to break down.
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United States
With the much touted Freddie Adu not selected, the USA are looking to Eddie Johnson.
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Czech Republic
Some feel they peaked two years ago, when Euro 2004 was there for the taking until they were mugged by Greece in the semi-final.
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Group F
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Brazil
Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led Brazil to victory in 1994 was part of the coaching set-up in 1970.
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Australia
Their only previous finals were in 1974, when the only Australian to score did so in his own net.
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Japan
Hidetoshi Nakata is the country's biggest football star and he once dated actress Milla Jovovich.
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Croatia
Finished third in 1998 but were knocked out in the group stages last time.
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Group G
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France
Thierry Henry is one of the world's best players and was the catalyst for Arsenal's surprise Champions League adventure this season.
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Switzerland
The Swiss are tough to beat and it's worth noting they qualified for Euro 2004 at the expense of the Republic of Ireland and Russia.
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Togo
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor is the reason Togo made it to the World Cup, with 11 goals in qualifying.
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South Korea
Until they co-hosted the World Cup four years ago South Korea were without a win in any of their 14 finals matches.
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Group H
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Spain
Typically, they have one of the best squads going, but club football, it seems, is the true passion of the Spanish.
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Saudia Arabia
If Yasser al-Qahtani plays well, Saudi Arabia could provide a shock or two.
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Tunisia
Hardly the most thrilling side to watch, Tunisia's lack of creativity will be a handicap.
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Ukraine
If Andriy Shevchenko's sudden injury problems put him out of the tournament, Ukraine will struggle.
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Regulars
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Editor's letter
Fair play doesn't pay, says Nick Greenslade.
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June's ten
Best footballers never to play in a World Cup.
Last month's ten
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Letters
You respond to Mark Honigsbaum's article on what is wrong with British tennis.
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Notebook
In the news.
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Frozen in time
22 April 1982: England (and friends) celebrate a top-10 hit
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Anatomy of ...
... Sven-Goran Eriksson
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On the nose
World Cup bets of the month.
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December 2007