ARGENTINA: The Albiceleste will be making their 16th appearance at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The Argentines won their South American qualifying zone with 35 points, suffering only one defeat to Venezuela. Argentina have contested four FIFA World Cup Finals in all, the first of them at the inaugural tournament, Uruguay 1930, when they went down 4-2 to the host nation. Respective contributions from Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona inspired them to the biggest prize in football on home soil in 1978 and again at Mexico 1986, while their last showpiece appearance came at Italy 1990, when they were denied by an Andreas Brehme penalty. Since then they have been unable to progress beyond the quarter-finals.
The Argentines won their South American qualifying zone with 35 points, suffering only one defeat to Venezuela. Argentina have contested four FIFA World Cup Finals in all, the first of them at the inaugural tournament, Uruguay 1930, when they went down 4-2 to the host nation. Respective contributions from Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona inspired them to the biggest prize in football on home soil in 1978 and again at Mexico 1986, while their last showpiece appearance came at Italy 1990, when they were denied by an Andreas Brehme penalty. Since then they have been unable to progress beyond the quarter-finals.
Argentina
23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors).
Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose-Maria Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Enzo Perez (Benfica).
Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan).
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors).
Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose-Maria Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Enzo Perez (Benfica).
Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan).
Key players: Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero.
Coach: Alejandro Sabella.
Coach: Alejandro Sabella.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: The Bosnian national team qualified for their
first-ever world cup finals in impressive fashion, winning 8 out of
their 10 matches. A ruthless attack and resilient rearguard were the
cornerstones of the side’s success, with the 30 goals scored
representing the fourth-highest tally in European zone qualifying.
Equally impressive was a defence that was breached just six times.
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s notable goal difference proved crucial too, edging
them past a Greece side that finished level on points, to secure direct
passage to Brazil 2014 and a first appearance at a FIFA World Cup™.After starting with a string of victories combined with a goalless draw in Greece, coach Safet Susic’s team’s campaign initially went according to plan. However, a 1-0 defeat at home to Slovakia in September 2013 set up a nail-biting finale for Bosnia-Herzegovina, before they pipped Greece to the post on the final matchday.
Bosnia-Herzegovina final 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Jasmin Fejzic (Aalen), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka).
Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Luhansk), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg).
Midfielders: Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Anel Hadzic (Sturm Graz), Tino-Sven Susic (Hajduk Split), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhou Renhe), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyespor), Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk Split).
Forwards: Vedad Ibisevic (Stuttgart), Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Edin Visca (Istanbul Buyuksehir).
Key players: Edin Dzeko, Vedad Ibisevic, Miralem Pjanic, Asmir Begovic
Coach: Safet Susic.
Coach: Safet Susic.
IRAN: This will be the Iranians' 4th appearance at the world cup following previous appearances in 1978, 1998, and 2006. The Shirane Iran, as the team are nicknamed, have never progressed beyond group play the finals.
Under former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz’s watch, Iran opened the preliminary competition brightly, scoring five unanswered goals past Maldives to progress. And Team Melli were met with little challenge in the next phase, maintaining their undefeated run as they finished section winners with three wins and three draws.
However, despite logging an average of nearly three goals per match in the previous round,the fourth round proved to be more difficult for the strongly favoured Iranians. They found the net just twice in the opening five matches during which they lost twice and drew once to see their campaign in jeopardy. With so much at stake, Queiroz’s side rose to the occasion to see off both Qatar and Lebanon, before overcoming hosts Korea Republic 1-0 in the round’s final match to seal their return to the FIFA World Cup.
Iran's final 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig/GER), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan), Alireza Haqiqi (Sporting da Covilha/POR)
Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Hossein Sadeqi (Esteghlal), Hashem Beykzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft Tehran), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal SC/QAT), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Zob Ahan Isfahan)
Midfielders: Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC/KUW), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan)
Forwards: Khosrow Heidari (Esteghlal), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic/ENG), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC/NED),Masoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas/ESP), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham/ENG)
Key Players: Ashkan Dejagah, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Javad Nekounam (C).
Coach: Carlos Quieroz.
Under former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz’s watch, Iran opened the preliminary competition brightly, scoring five unanswered goals past Maldives to progress. And Team Melli were met with little challenge in the next phase, maintaining their undefeated run as they finished section winners with three wins and three draws.
However, despite logging an average of nearly three goals per match in the previous round,the fourth round proved to be more difficult for the strongly favoured Iranians. They found the net just twice in the opening five matches during which they lost twice and drew once to see their campaign in jeopardy. With so much at stake, Queiroz’s side rose to the occasion to see off both Qatar and Lebanon, before overcoming hosts Korea Republic 1-0 in the round’s final match to seal their return to the FIFA World Cup.
Iran's final 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig/GER), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan), Alireza Haqiqi (Sporting da Covilha/POR)
Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Hossein Sadeqi (Esteghlal), Hashem Beykzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft Tehran), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal SC/QAT), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Zob Ahan Isfahan)
Midfielders: Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC/KUW), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan)
Forwards: Khosrow Heidari (Esteghlal), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic/ENG), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC/NED),Masoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas/ESP), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham/ENG)
Key Players: Ashkan Dejagah, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Javad Nekounam (C).
Coach: Carlos Quieroz.
NIGERIA: The Super Eagles will be making a 5th trip to the
mundial in Brazil. The Nigerians went through African qualifying
unbeaten, winning 5 of their 8 matches. As in 1994, the Super Eagles go
into the 2014 world cup as African champions, having won the CAF Africa
Cup Of Nations last year.
Nigeria progressed to the last 16 in her debut appearance in 1994 and 1998. In both the 2002 and 2010 tournaments, the Super Eagles failed to advance from group play.
Nigeria progressed to the last 16 in her debut appearance in 1994 and 1998. In both the 2002 and 2010 tournaments, the Super Eagles failed to advance from group play.
Nigeria's
final 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austine Ejide, Chigozie Agbim.
Defenders: Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo, Godfrey Oboabona, Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami.
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, Gabriel Reuben, Michael Uchebo, Ramon Azeez.
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Osaze Odemwingie, Uche Nwofor, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses, Babatunde Michael.
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austine Ejide, Chigozie Agbim.
Defenders: Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo, Godfrey Oboabona, Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami.
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, Gabriel Reuben, Michael Uchebo, Ramon Azeez.
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Osaze Odemwingie, Uche Nwofor, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses, Babatunde Michael.
Key players: Emmanuel Emenike, John Obi Mikel, Vincent Enyeama.
Coach: Stephen Keshi.
Coach: Stephen Keshi.
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