• Son Heung-min, striker (Bayer Leverkusen) Age 21; 23 caps. Joined Hamburg’s youth academy straight from high school in Korea and has flourished in Germany, earning a big money move to Leverkusen at the start of the season. Pacy and good with both feet, he is Korea’s most dynamic forward whether played through the middle or on the flanks. Jeon Heon-Kyun / EPA
    Son Heung-min, striker (Bayer Leverkusen) Age 21; 23 caps. Joined Hamburg’s youth academy straight from high school in Korea and has flourished in Germany, earning a big money move to Leverkusen at the start of the season. Pacy and good with both feet, he is Korea’s most dynamic forward whether played through the middle or on the flanks. Jeon Heon-Kyun / EPA
  • Yuri Zhirkov, left-back (Dynamo Moscow); Age 30; 60 caps. He played most of his early years as a left winger, but was converted by Guus Hiddink to left back. Won the Uefa Cup with CSKA Moscow and also won a Premier League winner’s medal with Chelsea. Married to Russian model, Inna Zhirkova. Andreas Solaro / AFP
    Yuri Zhirkov, left-back (Dynamo Moscow); Age 30; 60 caps. He played most of his early years as a left winger, but was converted by Guus Hiddink to left back. Won the Uefa Cup with CSKA Moscow and also won a Premier League winner’s medal with Chelsea. Married to Russian model, Inna Zhirkova. Andreas Solaro / AFP
  • Vincent Kompany, centre-back (Manchester City); Age 28; 57 caps. Born in Brussels of Congolese father and Belgian mother, Belgium’s captain has played for his country since he was 17. Solid and committed in defence, he is comfortable bringing ball forward and useful with his head at corners. Won Premier League Player of the Season in 2011/2012. Has been hit by variety of injuries. Francois Lenoir / Reuters
    Vincent Kompany, centre-back (Manchester City); Age 28; 57 caps. Born in Brussels of Congolese father and Belgian mother, Belgium’s captain has played for his country since he was 17. Solid and committed in defence, he is comfortable bringing ball forward and useful with his head at corners. Won Premier League Player of the Season in 2011/2012. Has been hit by variety of injuries. Francois Lenoir / Reuters
  • Sofiane Feghouli, midfielder (Valencia); Age 24; 17 caps. Since debut just before start of World Cup qualifiers has quickly evolved into heartbeat and creative force of Algeria side. Started on right side of attack but now plays more central role. Alberto Saiz / AP
    Sofiane Feghouli, midfielder (Valencia); Age 24; 17 caps. Since debut just before start of World Cup qualifiers has quickly evolved into heartbeat and creative force of Algeria side. Started on right side of attack but now plays more central role. Alberto Saiz / AP
  • Romelu Lukaku, striker (Everton); Age 21; 27 caps. Strong, tall and fast, Lukaku made professional debut at 16 while at school. Destroyed Croatia in qualifier that booked Belgium’s ticket to Brazil. Like De Bruyne, the once dreadlocked striker has failed to establish himself at Chelsea, but had good loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and now Everton. Laurent Dubrule / Reuters
    Romelu Lukaku, striker (Everton); Age 21; 27 caps. Strong, tall and fast, Lukaku made professional debut at 16 while at school. Destroyed Croatia in qualifier that booked Belgium’s ticket to Brazil. Like De Bruyne, the once dreadlocked striker has failed to establish himself at Chelsea, but had good loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and now Everton. Laurent Dubrule / Reuters
  • Ki Sung-yueng, midfielder (Sunderland); Age 25; 56 caps. Silky smooth central midfielder who pulls the strings, dictates tempo and provides a buffer for Korea’s defenders. His delivery from set-pieces is world class and he is a serious threat from free kicks around the box. An example of the new breed of South Korean player, Ki has adapted to different styles of football in Australia, Scotland and England. Kim Hong-Ji / Reuters
    Ki Sung-yueng, midfielder (Sunderland); Age 25; 56 caps. Silky smooth central midfielder who pulls the strings, dictates tempo and provides a buffer for Korea’s defenders. His delivery from set-pieces is world class and he is a serious threat from free kicks around the box. An example of the new breed of South Korean player, Ki has adapted to different styles of football in Australia, Scotland and England. Kim Hong-Ji / Reuters
  • Alan Dzagoev, midfielder (CSKA Moscow); Age 23; 30 caps. Burst onto the scene in 2008 as a 17 year-old. He is a technically gifted footballer, with an excellent shot and one of CSKA Moscow’s key players. Scores regularly with three goals at Euro 2012. Has had his disciplinary problems, being sent off five times in his career. Olga Maltseva / AFP
    Alan Dzagoev, midfielder (CSKA Moscow); Age 23; 30 caps. Burst onto the scene in 2008 as a 17 year-old. He is a technically gifted footballer, with an excellent shot and one of CSKA Moscow’s key players. Scores regularly with three goals at Euro 2012. Has had his disciplinary problems, being sent off five times in his career. Olga Maltseva / AFP
  • Nabil Bentaleb, midfielder (Tottenham Hotspur); Age 19; 1 cap. Whirlwind few months for the teenager, promoted to Spurs’ first team after Tim Sherwood took over as manager and then winning a call-up from Algeria, who tempted him with the prospect of playing in World Cup to switch allegiance from France. Strong central midfielder who has not looked out of place since Premier League debut. Louafi Larbi / Reuters
    Nabil Bentaleb, midfielder (Tottenham Hotspur); Age 19; 1 cap. Whirlwind few months for the teenager, promoted to Spurs’ first team after Tim Sherwood took over as manager and then winning a call-up from Algeria, who tempted him with the prospect of playing in World Cup to switch allegiance from France. Strong central midfielder who has not looked out of place since Premier League debut. Louafi Larbi / Reuters
  • Vasili Berezutski, centre-back (CSKA Moscow); Age 31; 75 caps. Together with Sergei Ignashevich, the duo have been a rock for both club and country in the centre of defence for almost a decade. He is not only a commanding presence in his own penalty area, but also in the opposition’s and has three international goals to his credit. Known as the team’s joker. Antonio Calanni / AP
    Vasili Berezutski, centre-back (CSKA Moscow); Age 31; 75 caps. Together with Sergei Ignashevich, the duo have been a rock for both club and country in the centre of defence for almost a decade. He is not only a commanding presence in his own penalty area, but also in the opposition’s and has three international goals to his credit. Known as the team’s joker. Antonio Calanni / AP

Football

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

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Images of the top 10 players to look out for from Group H’s Belgium, Russia, South Korea and Algeria.

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