Algeria

FIFA World Cup finals history

Algeria have played in a total of three FIFA World Cup finals. They got off to the best possible start at the 1982
edition in Spain, beating West Germany 2-1 in their opening game. Despite a 3-2 victory over Chile in their final
group game, an earlier 2-0 loss to Austria meant that while level on points with the latter, they were eliminated on
goal difference. Mexico 1986 was less memorable for the north African side. Drawn in Group D with Brazil, Spain
and Northern Ireland, two defeats and a draw left them bottom of the table and on the first flight home. Nor were
things much better at South Africa 2010. Pitted against England, USA and Slovenia, they lost twice and drew their
other fixture, departing the competition without a goal to their name.
The key players
Madjid Bougherra is a key figure at the back, and he scored the all-important winner in the second leg against
Burkina Faso. Sofiane Feghouli is an exciting attacking midfielder, while Medhi Lacen holds things down in front of
the defence. Islam Slimani emerged as the most prolific option in attack during qualifying.
Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Spain 1982, Mexico 1986, South Africa 2010 (Group
stages)

3
Appearances
0
Titles
22
FIFA Ranking positionLast
Updated 05 Jun 20


ARGENTINA
FIFA World Cup finals history
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 key players
With the landmark achievement of claiming four consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Ors (2009-2012), Lionel Messi in the
undisputed leader of the Argentina national team and a multiple-trophy winner with Barcelona. Breaking all kind of
goal-records, La Pulga is now looking to achieve greatness with his country after failing, somewhat surprisingly, to
find the back of the net at South Africa 2010. Supporting him will be an all-star cast featuring Carlos Tevez, Javier
Mascherano and Angel Di Maria, all of them on top of their game with some of Europes leading clubs.
Coach: Alejandro Sabella
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Argentina 1978, Mexico 1986 (Winners), FIFA U-20
World Cup Japan 1979, Qatar 1995, Malaysia 1997, Argentina 2001, Netherlands 2005, Canada 2007 (Winners),
FIFA Confederations Cup Saudi Arabia 1992 (Winners), Mens Olympic Football Tournament Athens 2004, Beijing
2008 (Winners)
Former stars: Daniel Passarella, Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta, Mario Kempes
15
Appearances
2
Titles
5
FIFA Ranking positionLast
Updated 05 Jun 2014


AUSTRALIA
FIFA World Cup finals history
Though a team made up entirely of amateurs secured a scoreless draw against Chile, Australia departed from the
1974 FIFA World Cup without a goal to show from their inaugural appearance. The Socceroos made up for lost time
at Germany 2006 and qualified for the Round of 16 before narrowly falling to eventual champions Italy. The
German theme continued at South Africa 2010 although this time Australia suffered a 4-0 loss against the European
giants in a scoreline which ultimately scuppered their progress. A ten-man 1-1 draw against Ghana and a 2-1 win
against Serbia saw the Aussies eliminated on goal difference, three goals off the Africans.

The key players
Tim Cahill remains the teams undoubted star and talisman with a stunning goal ratio from midfield and equally
remarkable heading ability despite his modest stature. Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak will look to carry his
consistent performances in the English Premier League into Brazil 2014 for the Socceroos.

Coach: Ange Postecoglou
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 (Round of 16), FIFA U-17 World
Cup New Zealand 1999 (Runners-up)
Former stars: Johnny Warren, Mark Viduka, Scott Chipperfield
3
Appearances
0
Titles
62
FIFA Ranking positionLast
Updated 05 Jun 2014

BELGIUM
FIFA World Cup finals history
Founding members of FIFA, Belgium have taken part in 11 FIFA World Cup final tournaments and were an ever-
present force between 1982 and 2002. In 1998, the side coached by Georges Leekens in his first spell at the helm
came third in their group and made an early exit, while in 2002 Robert Waseiges men fell in the last 16 to eventual
winners Brazil. Neither of those teams came anywhere close to matching the generation that sparkled during Mexico
1986, when they reached the semi-finals before succumbing to Argentina.
The key players
On paper, Belgium can call upon an armada of stars, all plying their trade in Europes most prestigious
championships. The depth of their talent pool is striking, with Nacer Chadli threatening to eclipse crowd favourite
Eden Hazard before the latter has approached anything near his peak. Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne, Thibaut
Courtois and Toby Alderweireld are the latest stars to emerge, while the likes of Vincent Kompany, Thomas
Vermaelen, Axel Witsel, Marouane Fellaini and Steven Defour have already established themselves as senior
figures.
Coach: Marc Wilmots
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Mexico 1986 (Fourth place), Mens Olympic
Football Tournament Antwerp 1920 (Winners)
Former stars: Enzo Scifo, Jean-Marie Pfaff, Marc Wilmots

11Appearances 0Titles 11FIFA Ranking positionLast Updated 05 Jun 2014

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
0
Appearances
0
Titles
21
FIFA Ranking positionLast
Updated 05 Jun 2014
The key players
Bosnia-Herzegovina have a core of talented players capable of changing games in an instant, ranging from the likes
of Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic up front, through midfielders Miralem Pjanic and Zvjezdan Misimovic, all the
way back to defensive rock Emir Spahic and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The majority of the squad regularly
showcase their talents in Europes biggest leagues, giving them the experience necessary to shine on the biggest
stage of them all.
Coach: Safet Susic
Best performance in a FIFA competition: None
Former stars: Vahid Halilhodic, Hasan Salihamidzic, Safet Susic



BRAZIL
19Appearances5Titles3FIFA Ranking positionLast Updated 05 Jun 2014
FIFA World Cup finals history
So demanding are the Brazilian faithful, even a Seleo squad that finishes runners-up at a FIFA World Cup finals
cannot be sure what kind of reception they will get on their return home. The only nation to have taken part in every
edition of the elite competition, Brazil have lifted the coveted Trophy on a record five occasions (1958, 1962, 1970,
1994 and 2002), finished in second place twice (1950 and 1998) and taken the last spot on the podium at another
two editions (1938 and 1978).
The current crop
Given they are set to host the next FIFA World Cup, Brazil have been spared the rigours of South American Zone
qualifying. With that in mind, and fully aware of the enormous burden of expectation sure to surround A Verde e
Amarelo in 2014, the national set-up have put in place an intense preparatory process featuring friendly clashes
against fellow members of the global elite. This approach has been underlined by meetings with opponents of the
calibre of Argentina, France, USA and the Netherlands since South Africa 2010. However, in their first major test
on the road to 2014, the Brazil crashed out of the 2011 Copa America at the quarter-final stage, eliminated by
Paraguay.
The key players
Striker Neymar is already being hailed as a man capable of playing a key role for the five-time world champions
come Brazil 2014. Currently among the supporting cast in attack is the youngsters former Santos team-mate
Robinho, while Barcelonas Dani Alves is a lung-bursting presence on the flank. Between the sticks, veteran
goalkeeper Julio Cesar exudes confidence and security to the rest of the backline.
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Sweden 1958, Chile 1962, Mexico 1970, USA 1994,
Korea/Japan 2002 (Winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Mexico 1983, USSR 1985, Australia 1993, UAE 2003
(Winners), FIFA U-17 World Cup Egypt 1997, New Zealand 1999, Finland 2003 (Winners), FIFA Confederations
Cup Saudi Arabia 1997, Germany 2005, South Africa 2009 (Winners)
Former stars: Garrincha, Pele, Ronaldo

. CAMEROON
6
Appearances
0
Titles
56
FIFA Ranking positionLast
Updated 05 Jun 201
FIFA World Cup finals history
Perhaps no team has done more to shake up perceptions of African football. The Indomitable Lions exited Spain
1982 at the group stage, but they ended their maiden excursion undefeated, having drawn 0-0 with both Peru and
Poland and 1-1 with eventual winners Italy. Eight years later, they wrote themselves into the annals of the game by
beating holders Argentina in the Opening Match and becoming the first African side to reach the quarter-finals,
powered by the goals of evergreen striker Roger Milla. That breakthrough performance remains their finest showing,
group-stage exits having followed in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010.
The key players
Samuel Eto'o remains the world-class threat up front, although the charismatic figure, who still serves as captain, has
gone in and out of the team. But even without the Chelsea veteran, the side if loaded with experience and high-level
talent. Nicolas N'Koulou, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Aurelien Chedjou remain vital at the back, while the midfield is
even more loaded with Alex Song, Jean Makoun and Stephane Mbia at the heart of the team.

Coach: Volker Finke
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Italy 1990 (Quarter-finals), Mens Olympic Football
Tournament Sydney 2000 (Winners)
Former stars: Roger Milla, Marc-Vivien Foe, Rigobert Song

CHILE
8
Appearances
0
Titles
14
FIFA Ranking positionLast
Updated 05 Jun 2014
FIFA World Cup finals history
With eight FIFA World Cups under their belts, Chile are level with Paraguay in fourth place on the list of South
American nations that have appeared at most editions of the showpiece event. Their best performance to date came
when finishing third as host nation in 1962. On five other occasions they have failed to progress from the group
phase, while at France 1998 and South Africa 2010 they reached the Round of 16, only to exit at the hands of Brazil
on both occasions..
The key players
Forwards Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas, as well as attacking midfielders Matias Fernandez and Arturo Vidal,
are the leading men in a squad packed with talent and boasting viable alternatives in each position. Nor must we
forget experienced performers such as Claudio Bravo, Gary Medel and Jorge Valdivia, or exciting rising stars like
Jean Beausejour and Marcelo Diaz.
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Chile 1962 (Third place), FIFA U-17 World Cup
Japan 1993 (Third place), FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 (Third place), Mens Olympic Football Tournament
Sydney 2000 (Third place)
Former stars: Elias Figueroa, Ivan Zamorano, Marcelo Salas

COLOMBIA
4Appearances0Titles8FIFA Ranking positionLast Updated 05 Jun 2014
FIFA World Cup finals history
With the exception of Italy 1990, when the golden generation that included Rene Higuita and Carlos Valderrama
slipped up against unfancied Cameroon in the Round of 16, Colombia have never made it past the group stage at the
FIFA World Cup. In fact, an analysis of the other three campaigns reveals a disappointing combined record of six
defeats, one draw and just two wins at the tournament.
The key players
Despite the absence of Radamel Falcao, Colombia's attacking line still boasts strikers such as Teofilo Gutierrez, who
scored six goals in qualifiers, Adrian Ramos, Bundesliga's best player, Carlos Bacca, UEFA Europe League
champion with Sevilla and Porto's star Jackson Martinez. The creativity of James Rodriguez and the experience of
Mario Yepes, captain and team's leader, also stand out for Colombia.
Coach: Jose Pekerman
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA U-20 World Cup UAE 2003 (Third place), FIFA World Cup
Italy 1990 (Round of 16)
Former stars: Rene Higuita, Carlos Valderrama, Faustino Asprilla