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Germany

What marks Germany out from every other team is its will to win, a desire that transcends its sometimes modest football resources. There is no other way to explain how a downright bad side reached to the 2002 World Cup final or a shakily incoherent one came third four years later. Once more, they cruised through qualification and had their training camp ready while England’s was still a building site. There are question marks over the future of coach, Joachim Low and suggestions after their 1-0 defeat by Argentina in a friendly in Munich that, if pushed, Germany might struggle.

Results & Fixtures Team Analysis

Ghana

The first World Cup staged on African soil almost demands that an African nation perform and the Black Stars of Ghana look the likeliest candidates. They were the first team to qualify for South Africa and the young side that performed so well in Germany four years ago is more mature. Unlike the Ivory Coast, there is no single outstanding striker, rather a beautifully balanced midfield. All three of their games are at altitude but if they can hit the ground running in the first of them, against Serbia, they could power through to the knockout stages.

Results & Fixtures Team Analysis

The Outsiders

Australia

They couldn't keep Guus Hiddink of course – there were too many roubles to be made in Russia. But Australia did the next best thing by appointing his deputy, Pim Verbeek. Qualification was a long-drawn out process, but the outcome was never in question. Australia have a fine midfield and by any standards an exceptional defence. The question mark is whether they have enough sharpness in attack to trouble opposition of the quality they will meet in South Africa.

Results & Fixtures Team Analysis

Serbia

This will be the first time Serbia have participated in a World Cup in their own right, although trading as Yugoslavia, they have a formidable history in the tournament. Raddy Antic's team will not shirk from the challenge that Group D offers. They were, after all, expected to have to play off for a place in South Africa and instead edged out the French into first place. Even in a tough group, the draw has not been kind to the Serbs. They play the two strongest teams – Ghana and Germany – first. And by the time they face Australia in Nelspruit it might be too late.

Results & Fixtures Team Analysis

Star Players

Michael Ballack (GER/Chelsea) The Germany captain has been the driving force behind three highly successful campaigns in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and Euro 2008 and yet has still to pick up the winners' medal he craves.

Nemanja Vidic (SRB/Manchester United) Vidic recovered from an uncertain start at Old Trafford to become one of Manchester United's finest defenders and can be lethal in the opposition penalty area from set-pieces. His future at club level is uncertain but he is the bedrock of the Serb defence.

Tim Cahill (AUS/Everton) He is as much a heartbeat for this Australian side as his Everton team-mate Steven Pienaar is for South Africa. In a side lacking true attacking class Cahill has the priceless ability to score goals from midfield when it matters. His brace against Japan in 2006 were Australia's first in the tournament.

Michael Essien (GHA/Chelsea) No man is more crucial to Ghana's success than Essien who is as vital to the Black Stars as Roy Keane was to Ireland. Having damaged his cruciate ligaments and then his knee in the past two years he needs careful treatment as Ghana are not the same without him.

Miroslav Klose (GER/Bayern Munich) He will just have turned 32 when the tournament opens but Klose, who was Germany's dominant figure in two previous World Cups is capable of adding to his tally of 11 tournament goals.

Stephen Appiah (GHA/Bologna) Another great midfielder whose participation depends on recovering from injury. Concerns over his knee have meant he has not played a single game for Bologna since his transfer from Fenerbahce last summer. He will go to South Africa but how effective Appiah is remains to be seen.