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TEAM |
COMMENT |
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Angola
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Reached their first finals by qualifying from a group including Nigeria and Zimbabwe. |
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Argentina
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Two-time champions will be among the favourites despite a recent friendly defeat to England. |
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Australia
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Reached their first World Cup since 1974 by beating Uruguay on penalties in a tense play-off. |
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Brazil
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The five-time winners will surely start as favourites after topping South American qualifying. |
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Costa Rica
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Qualified for their third World Cup finals by finishing third in the CONCACAF table. |
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Croatia
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Impressive in qualification, coming through unbeaten ahead of Sweden. |
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Czech Republic
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Lost home and away to Holland in qualification, and only reached the finals after a play-off. |
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Ecuador
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Finished third in South American qualification, beating Brazil and Argentina at home. |
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England
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Topped qualifying group despite losing in Northern Ireland thanks to 100% home record. |
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France
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Not entirely convincing in qualification, but eventually topped a closely-fought group. |
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Germany
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The hosts will look to go one better than 2002, when they were beaten in the final by Brazil. |
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Ghana
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Another African side making their debut at the finals after losing only once in qualifying. |
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Holland
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Europe's form side, qualified impressively after beating the Czech Republic home and away. |
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Iran
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Qualified comfortably, finishing second to Japan in the final group stage in Asia. |
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Italy
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Always one of the favourites, Italy finished five points clear of Norway in their qualifying group. |
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Ivory Coast
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Impressed in qualification by winning a tough group ahead of Cameroon and Egypt. |
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Japan
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Cruised to their third straight finals appearance, losing only once in qualification. |
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Mexico
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Hugely experienced, making their 13th finals appearance. Finished second to USA in qualifying. |
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Paraguay
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Finished fourth in South America. Much will depend on the fitness of star man Roque Santa Cruz. |
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Poland
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Qualified as one of Europe's best runners-up, despite losing home and away to England. |
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Portugal
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Unbeaten in qualification, topping their group by seven points from Slovakia. |
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Saudi Arabia
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Came through Asian qualification unbeaten to reach a fourth consecutive World Cup finals. |
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Serbia & Montenegro
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Topped their qualifying group without defeat, forcing Spain into a play-off with Slovakia. |
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South Korea
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Semi-finalists four years ago, lost twice to Saudi Arabia in qualifying this time around. |
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Spain
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Often a let-down in major tournaments, Spain needed a play-off to reach the finals. |
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Sweden
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Qualified as Europe's best runner-up despite being pipped by Croatia in their group. |
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Switzerland
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Finished second to France in Europe's closest group, before beating Turkey in a play-off. |
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Togo
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Qualified from a group also featuring Senegal, losing just once. First finals appearance. |
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Trinidad & Tobago
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Reached the finals for the first time after a dramatic play-off victory over Bahrain. |
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Tunisia
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Easily the most experienced of the African contingent, playing in their fourth finals tournament. |
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Ukraine
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Reached first World Cup finals, ousting Turkey, Denmark and Greece in qualifying. |
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USA
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Qualified as winners of the CONCACAF qualifying group to reach their fifth straight finals. |
