• Edin Dzeko, striker (Manchester City); age 28; 58 caps. The robust and versatile striker is the tip of Bosnia’s spear and he will have to shoulder huge expectations from the Balkan country’s fans and pundits in Brazil. One of the most recognised scorers in the game, Dzeko also has the ability to hold the ball, take on defenders and assist his teammates. Known as “The Bosnian Diamond”, he is the Balkan country’s all-time leading scorer with 33 goals. Michael Regan / Getty Images
    Edin Dzeko, striker (Manchester City); age 28; 58 caps. The robust and versatile striker is the tip of Bosnia’s spear and he will have to shoulder huge expectations from the Balkan country’s fans and pundits in Brazil. One of the most recognised scorers in the game, Dzeko also has the ability to hold the ball, take on defenders and assist his teammates. Known as “The Bosnian Diamond”, he is the Balkan country’s all-time leading scorer with 33 goals. Michael Regan / Getty Images
  • John Obi Mikel, midfielder (Chelsea); age 27; 58 caps. He is used in a more attacking role by his country who do not have a playmaker but is much more effective as a crunching midfielder. Obi Mikel, who, as a teenager, was the subject of a tug of war over his services between Chelsea and Manchester United, has not been able to command a regular berth at his London club. His real name is John Obinna but the Obi Mikel tag has stuck since the Nigeria Football Association botched his paperwork ahead of a Fifa youth tournament. Missed the last World Cup through injury. Francisco Leong / AFP
    John Obi Mikel, midfielder (Chelsea); age 27; 58 caps. He is used in a more attacking role by his country who do not have a playmaker but is much more effective as a crunching midfielder. Obi Mikel, who, as a teenager, was the subject of a tug of war over his services between Chelsea and Manchester United, has not been able to command a regular berth at his London club. His real name is John Obinna but the Obi Mikel tag has stuck since the Nigeria Football Association botched his paperwork ahead of a Fifa youth tournament. Missed the last World Cup through injury. Francisco Leong / AFP
  • Sergio Aguero, striker (Manchester City); Age 26; 50 caps. Nicknamed “Kun” after a Japanese cartoon character, Brazilian clubmate Fernandinho says he is one of the funniest people he knows. A regular scorer for his club side, with tremendous ability and agility to turn defenders, a penalty box menace for the best defences, he has 21 Argentina goals. Father of Diego Maradona’s first grandson Benjamin. Peter Powell / EPA
    Sergio Aguero, striker (Manchester City); Age 26; 50 caps. Nicknamed “Kun” after a Japanese cartoon character, Brazilian clubmate Fernandinho says he is one of the funniest people he knows. A regular scorer for his club side, with tremendous ability and agility to turn defenders, a penalty box menace for the best defences, he has 21 Argentina goals. Father of Diego Maradona’s first grandson Benjamin. Peter Powell / EPA
  • Gonzalo Higuain, striker (Napoli); Age 26; 36 caps. Brilliant finisher who scored a World Cup hat-trick against South Korea in 2010, he was also eligible for France having been born in Brest where his defender father “Pipa”, hence the nickname “Pipita”, played. An intelligent player who prefers to run onto passes but will also do a good job with his back to goal holding the ball up, he has a tally of 20 international goals. Eduardo Di Baia / AP
    Gonzalo Higuain, striker (Napoli); Age 26; 36 caps. Brilliant finisher who scored a World Cup hat-trick against South Korea in 2010, he was also eligible for France having been born in Brest where his defender father “Pipa”, hence the nickname “Pipita”, played. An intelligent player who prefers to run onto passes but will also do a good job with his back to goal holding the ball up, he has a tally of 20 international goals. Eduardo Di Baia / AP
  • Vedad Ibisevic, striker (Stuttgart); age 29; 51 caps. Thrived alongside Dzeko in the qualifiers as the two combined for 18 of Bosnia’s 30 goals. A perfect complement to his more heralded strike partner, Ibisevic got just reward for his hard work when he scored the winner in a 1-0 defeat of Lithuania, which sealed Bosnia’s berth in the finals. Dado Ruvic / Reuters
    Vedad Ibisevic, striker (Stuttgart); age 29; 51 caps. Thrived alongside Dzeko in the qualifiers as the two combined for 18 of Bosnia’s 30 goals. A perfect complement to his more heralded strike partner, Ibisevic got just reward for his hard work when he scored the winner in a 1-0 defeat of Lithuania, which sealed Bosnia’s berth in the finals. Dado Ruvic / Reuters
  • Vincent Enyeama, goalkeeper (Lille); age 31; 89 caps. Captained Nigeria to the 2013 African Cup of Nations title. Was in goal against England at the 2002 World Cup and played in all three Nigeria games at the 2010 World Cup. Named best player in the Israeli league in 2009 and moved to France in 2011. Simon Maina / AFP
    Vincent Enyeama, goalkeeper (Lille); age 31; 89 caps. Captained Nigeria to the 2013 African Cup of Nations title. Was in goal against England at the 2002 World Cup and played in all three Nigeria games at the 2010 World Cup. Named best player in the Israeli league in 2009 and moved to France in 2011. Simon Maina / AFP
  • Ashkan Dejagah, midfielder (Fulham); age 28; 11 caps. Born in Tehran but moved to Germany at an early age, he played for the Europeans at youth level. Was called up by Queiroz for the World Cup qualifier against Qatar in February 2012 and scored twice on debut. A tricky winger who can also play through the middle, Dejagah joined English side Fulham in August 2012 following in Teymourian’s footsteps. Samuel Kubani / AFP
    Ashkan Dejagah, midfielder (Fulham); age 28; 11 caps. Born in Tehran but moved to Germany at an early age, he played for the Europeans at youth level. Was called up by Queiroz for the World Cup qualifier against Qatar in February 2012 and scored twice on debut. A tricky winger who can also play through the middle, Dejagah joined English side Fulham in August 2012 following in Teymourian’s footsteps. Samuel Kubani / AFP
  • Victor Moses, striker (Liverpool); age 23; 19 caps. Former England under-21 international who changed his allegiance after growing up as an asylum seeker in Britain. Was first spotted by Crystal Palace, who sold him for £2.5 million (Dh15.4m) to Wigan Athletic, who in turn sold him to Chelsea. This season he has been on loan at Liverpool, featuring mainly in his favourite left wing position. Afolabi Sotunde / Reuters
    Victor Moses, striker (Liverpool); age 23; 19 caps. Former England under-21 international who changed his allegiance after growing up as an asylum seeker in Britain. Was first spotted by Crystal Palace, who sold him for £2.5 million (Dh15.4m) to Wigan Athletic, who in turn sold him to Chelsea. This season he has been on loan at Liverpool, featuring mainly in his favourite left wing position. Afolabi Sotunde / Reuters
  • Javad Nekounam, midfielder (Al Kuwait); age 33; 139 caps. Captain and deep-lying playmaker, Nekounam will take part in his second World Cup after appearing in Germany in 2006. The set piece specialist became the first Iranian to play in the Spanish top flight when he joined Osasuna after the 2006 finals. Samuel Kubani / AFP
    Javad Nekounam, midfielder (Al Kuwait); age 33; 139 caps. Captain and deep-lying playmaker, Nekounam will take part in his second World Cup after appearing in Germany in 2006. The set piece specialist became the first Iranian to play in the Spanish top flight when he joined Osasuna after the 2006 finals. Samuel Kubani / AFP

Football

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

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