• Samuel Eto’o, striker (Chelsea); age 33; 113 caps. Arguably Africa’s most successful footballer, with a record four African Footballer of the Year awards, three Champions League titles and championships medals in Spain and Italy. He played at the 1998, 2002 and 2010 World Cups, scoring three times in seven matches and in all has 55 goals for his country. In 2011, he added the moniker “world’s best-paid footballer” to his long list of accomplishments when he signed a deal at Anzhi Makhachkala of Russia that earned him €20 million a season. Martial Trezzini / AP / Keystone
    Samuel Eto’o, striker (Chelsea); age 33; 113 caps. Arguably Africa’s most successful footballer, with a record four African Footballer of the Year awards, three Champions League titles and championships medals in Spain and Italy. He played at the 1998, 2002 and 2010 World Cups, scoring three times in seven matches and in all has 55 goals for his country. In 2011, he added the moniker “world’s best-paid footballer” to his long list of accomplishments when he signed a deal at Anzhi Makhachkala of Russia that earned him €20 million a season. Martial Trezzini / AP / Keystone
  • Luka Modric, midfielder (Real Madrid); Age 28; 73 caps. The dynamo of Croatia’s engine room, Modric has won a fierce battle for a place in Real Madrid’s team this season after struggling in the early stages after his 2012 move from Tottenham Hotpsur. Modric’s selfless work, tireless running and crisp passing will make him the driving force of his country’s bid to reach the knockout stages in his fourth major tournament. Joe Klamar / AFP
    Luka Modric, midfielder (Real Madrid); Age 28; 73 caps. The dynamo of Croatia’s engine room, Modric has won a fierce battle for a place in Real Madrid’s team this season after struggling in the early stages after his 2012 move from Tottenham Hotpsur. Modric’s selfless work, tireless running and crisp passing will make him the driving force of his country’s bid to reach the knockout stages in his fourth major tournament. Joe Klamar / AFP
  • Oscar, midfielder (Chelsea); Age 22; 29 caps. Still only 22 but clearly relishes the big stage. Netted a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Portugal in the 2011 Under-20 World Cup final and scored twice on his competitive debut for Chelsea in a Champions League game against Juventus. His ability to feed and link up with forwards Fred, Hulk and Neymar will be vital. Jose Miguel Gomez / Reuters
    Oscar, midfielder (Chelsea); Age 22; 29 caps. Still only 22 but clearly relishes the big stage. Netted a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Portugal in the 2011 Under-20 World Cup final and scored twice on his competitive debut for Chelsea in a Champions League game against Juventus. His ability to feed and link up with forwards Fred, Hulk and Neymar will be vital. Jose Miguel Gomez / Reuters
  • Javier Hernandez, striker (Manchester United); Age 25; 57 caps. Comes from family with rich footballing heritage - grandfather and father played for Mexico. Earned nickname “Little Pea” after his father who was known as “Chicharo” for his green eyes. United striker is going to his second finals as Mexico’s third highest scorer of all time with 35 goals, after Jared Borgetti (46) and Cuauhtemoc Blanco (39). Has seen limited action for troubled United this season. Omar Torres / AFP
    Javier Hernandez, striker (Manchester United); Age 25; 57 caps. Comes from family with rich footballing heritage - grandfather and father played for Mexico. Earned nickname “Little Pea” after his father who was known as “Chicharo” for his green eyes. United striker is going to his second finals as Mexico’s third highest scorer of all time with 35 goals, after Jared Borgetti (46) and Cuauhtemoc Blanco (39). Has seen limited action for troubled United this season. Omar Torres / AFP
  • Dani Alves, right-back (Barcelona); Age 30; 73 caps. First choice for Brazil under the last three managers, he is one of the most experienced squad members. Of the non-Spaniards to have represented Barcelona, only Lionel Messi has played for the Catalan club more times. Alejandro Garcia / EPA
    Dani Alves, right-back (Barcelona); Age 30; 73 caps. First choice for Brazil under the last three managers, he is one of the most experienced squad members. Of the non-Spaniards to have represented Barcelona, only Lionel Messi has played for the Catalan club more times. Alejandro Garcia / EPA
  • Mario Mandzukic, striker (Bayern Munich); Age 28; 48 caps. The focal point of Croatia’s attack but will be suspended from the World Cup opening match against hosts Brazil. A prolific scorer who has spearheaded Croatia’s qualifying campaign with vital goals in several games as well as assists to his teammates. Sergio Perez / Reuters
    Mario Mandzukic, striker (Bayern Munich); Age 28; 48 caps. The focal point of Croatia’s attack but will be suspended from the World Cup opening match against hosts Brazil. A prolific scorer who has spearheaded Croatia’s qualifying campaign with vital goals in several games as well as assists to his teammates. Sergio Perez / Reuters
  • Thiago Silva, centre-back (Paris Saint-Germain); age 29; 45 caps. Probably the most improved Brazil player from the squad that went to South Africa. His commanding performances for AC Milan won him a big-money transfer to PSG in 2012 and his form is such that Paolo Maldini declared him the best in the world. Will wear the captain’s armband for the hosts. Felipe Dana / AP
    Thiago Silva, centre-back (Paris Saint-Germain); age 29; 45 caps. Probably the most improved Brazil player from the squad that went to South Africa. His commanding performances for AC Milan won him a big-money transfer to PSG in 2012 and his form is such that Paolo Maldini declared him the best in the world. Will wear the captain’s armband for the hosts. Felipe Dana / AP
  • Giovani Dos Santos, striker (Villarreal)l; Age 24; 71 caps. Much-travelled, skilful and diminutive forward born in Monterrey to a Brazilian footballer father. Is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and Under-17 World Cup winner with Mexico. Has had experience in England for Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town, Galatasaray in Turkey and Racing Santander and Real Mallorca in Spain. Career has been disrupted by injuries but he won Olympic gold in 2012. Pedro Ugarte / AFP
    Giovani Dos Santos, striker (Villarreal)l; Age 24; 71 caps. Much-travelled, skilful and diminutive forward born in Monterrey to a Brazilian footballer father. Is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and Under-17 World Cup winner with Mexico. Has had experience in England for Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town, Galatasaray in Turkey and Racing Santander and Real Mallorca in Spain. Career has been disrupted by injuries but he won Olympic gold in 2012. Pedro Ugarte / AFP
  • Stephane Mbia, midfielder (Sevilla); age 27; 47 caps. His preferred position is defensive midfielder, but Cameroon have used him more often at right-back. When he was in Marseille’s Ligue 1 championship-winning side in 2010, he was used as a centre-back. He had an unhappy time at QPR and has been on loan this season in Spain. Played in all three matches at the 2010 World Cup and also at two African Cup of Nations finals. Michael Sohn / AP
    Stephane Mbia, midfielder (Sevilla); age 27; 47 caps. His preferred position is defensive midfielder, but Cameroon have used him more often at right-back. When he was in Marseille’s Ligue 1 championship-winning side in 2010, he was used as a centre-back. He had an unhappy time at QPR and has been on loan this season in Spain. Played in all three matches at the 2010 World Cup and also at two African Cup of Nations finals. Michael Sohn / AP

Football

In pictures: World Cup 2014 – 10 to watch in Group A

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Images of the top 10 players to look out for from Group A’s Brazil, Cameroon, Mexico and Croatia at the 2014 World Cup.

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