2014fwc Kit Final Draw Neutral

Contents
The 32 Finalists .................................................................................................................................3

Overview of the number of qualifying matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup ..................................4
Formats & other facts for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil ..............................................................5
Final competition format for the 2014 FIFA World Cup ...............................................................5
Association entries and slots (by zone) for the 2014 Preliminary Competition ..................................5
Qualifiers by zone .........................................................................................................................5
Newcomers to the FIFA World Cup ............................................................................................5
Entries for the FIFA World Cup 2014 preliminary competition .....................................................6
FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competitions at a glance.....................................................................7
Team Fact Boxes (in alphabetical order) .............................................................................................8
History of the Final Draws for the FIFA World Cup .......................................................................72
Slots - Overview by tournament since 1930.................................................................................78
Summary of the number of teams qualified since 1930 ................................................................79
Summary of seeded teams ..........................................................................................................80
Top-seeded teams and how they fared ........................................................................................80
Newcomers.................................................................................................................................81
Overview since 1930 ...................................................................................................................81
Formats of the final competitions since 1930 ...............................................................................82
FIFA World Cup seeded teams 1930-2010 ................................................................................86
Most recurring matches in the FIFA World Cup history .....................................................................90
Please note that all information regarding the technical organisation of the Final Draw will only be confirmed
shortly before the event and will be communicated through FIFA.com and the Media Channel
Photo on cover: Draw Balls of the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 1962 in Santiago de Chile (FIFA Archive)
The 32 Finalists
South American Zone Slots 5+host (4.5+host)
African Zone
Slots: 5
Team
Coach
Team
Coach
Argentina (ARG)
Alejandro SABELLA (ARG)

05.11.1954
Algeria (ALG)
Vahid HALILHODZIC (BIH)

15.05.1952
Brazil (BRA) host
Luiz Felipe SCOLARI (BRA)

09.11.1948
Cameroon (CMR)
Volker FINKE (GER)

24.03.1948
Chile (CHI)
Jorge SAMPAOLI (ARG)

13.03.1960
Cte dIvoire (CIV)
Sabri LAMOUCHI (FRA)

09.11.1971
Colombia (COL)
Jose PEKERMAN (ARG)

03.09.1949
Ghana (GHA)
Akwasi APPIAH (GHA)

09.08.1959
Ecuador (ECU)
Reinaldo RUEDA (COL)

16.04.1957
Nigeria (NGA)
Stephen KESHI (NGA)

23.01.1962
Uruguay (URU)
Oscar TABAREZ (URU)

03.03.1947
Asian Zone
Slots: 4 (4.5)
Team
Coach
European Zone
Slots: 13
Team
Coach
Belgium (BEL)
Marc WILMOTS (BEL)

22.02.1969
Australia (AUS)
Ange POSTECOGLOU (AUS)

27.08.1965
Bosnia-Herzegovina
(BIH)
Safet SUSIC (BIH)

13.04.1955
Iran (IRN)
Carlos QUEIROZ (POR)

01.03.1953
Croatia (CRO)
Nico KOVAC (CRO)

15.10.1971
Japan (JPN)
Alberto ZACCHERONI (ITA)

01.04.1953
England (ENG)
Roy HODGSON (ENG)

09.08.1947
Korea Republic (KOR)
Myung Bo HONG (KOR)

12.02.1969
France (FRA)
Didier DESCHAMPS (FRA)

15.10.1968
Germany (GER)
Joachim LOEW (GER)

03.02.1960
Greece (GRE)
Fernando SANTOS (POR)

10.10.1954
Italy (ITA)
Cesare PRANDELLI (ITA)

19.08.1957
Netherlands (NED)
Louis VAN GAAL (NED)

08.08.1951
Oceanian Zone
Team
Slots: 0 (0.5)
Coach
No team qualified
North, Central American & Caribbean Zone
Slots: 4 (3.5)
Team
Coach
Costa Rica (CRC)
Jorge Luis PINTO (COL)

16.12.1952
Portugal (POR)
PAULO BENTO (POR)

20.06.1969
Honduras (HON)
Luis SUAREZ (COL)

23.12.1959
Russia (RUS)
Fabio CAPELLO (ITA)

18.06.1946
Mexico (MEX)
Miguel HERRERA (MEX)

18.03.1968
Spain (ESP)
Vicente DEL BOSQUE (ESP)

23.12.1950
USA
Juergen KLINSMANN (GER)

30.07.1964
Switzerland (SUI)
Ottmar HITZFELD (GER)

12.01.1949
Overview of the number of qualifying matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
Asian Zone (AFC)
Round one
Round two
Round three
Round four
Round five
Total Asian Zone
16
30
60
40
2
148
African Zone (CAF)

Round one
Round two
Round three
Total African Zone
22
120
10
152
North, Central American and Caribbean Zone (CONCACAF)

Round one
10
Round two
66
Round three
36
Round four
30
Total North, Central American and Caribbean Zone
142
South-American Zone (CONMEBOL)

Round one
Total South-American Zone
72
72
Oceanian Zone (OFC)

Round one
Round two (Group Stage of 2012 OFC Nations Cup)
Round three
Total Oceanian Zone
6
16
12
34
European Zone (UEFA)

Round one
Round two
Total European Zone
AFC/CONMEBOL Play-off
CONCACAF/OFC Play-off
Total number of matches
260
8
268
2
2
820
Formats & other facts for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
Final competition format for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014
-
32 finalists
Host automatically qualified
31 teams qualify by preliminary competition
Group Stage
Eight groups of four teams
(top two in each group qualify for the knock-out stage in the 2nd round, the final matches in each group are played
simultaneously)
Round of 16
(knock-out stage, winners proceed to quarter-finals - in a case of a draw after extra time, penalty shoot-outs will be used
to decide)
Quarter-finals
(knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Third-place play-off
Final
Association entries and slots (by zone) for the 2014 Preliminary Competition
Member
Associations
53
African Zone (CAF)
Participants
Slots
52
5
4.5
Asian Zone (AFC)
46
43
53
53
13
35
35
3.5
Oceanian Zone (OFC)
11
11
0.5
10
4.5+1 (host)
208
203
31+1 (host)
Total
Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Guam (all AFC) & Mauritania (CAF) and competition host Brazil (CONMEBOL - host) did not to enrol in the 2014
FIFA World Cup preliminaries.
Bahamas (CONCACAF) withdrew after playing two matches and Mauritius (CAF) withdrew without playing a single match
Qualifiers by zone
2014
2010
2006
African Zone (CAF)
152
144*
190*
Asian Zone (AFC)
149*
202
134
268
268
282
143*
109*
110*
Oceanian Zone (OFC)
35*
38*
37*
73*
90*
90*
Total
820
853
847
includes 1 intercontinental play-off match

includes matches played by Tuvalu, a non FIFA member
Newcomers to the FIFA World Cup

Year
# Newcomers
2014
Team
Bosnia-Herzegovina (BIH)
Entries for the FIFA World Cup 2014 preliminary competition
African Zone
Members: 53
Participants: 52
Slots: 5
Qualified: 5
Algeria (ALG), Angola (ANG), Benin (BEN), Botswana (BOT), Burkina Faso (BFA), Burundi (BDI), Cameroon (CMR), Cape Verde Islands (CPV),
Central African Republic (CTA), Chad (CHA), Comoros (COM), Congo (CGO), Congo DR (COD), Cte d'Ivoire (CIV), Djibouti (DJI), Egypt
(EGY), Equatorial Guinea (EQG), Eritrea (ERI), Ethiopia (ETH), Gabon (GAB), Gambia (GAM), Ghana (GHA), Guinea (GUI), Guinea-Bissau
(GNB), Kenya (KEN), Lesotho (LES), Liberia (LBR), Libya (LBY), Madagascar (MAD), Malawi (MWI), Mali (MLI), Mauritius (MRI), Morocco (MAR),
Mozambique (MOZ), Namibia (NAM), Niger (NIG), Nigeria (NGA), Rwanda (RWA), So Tom e Prncipe (STP), Senegal (SEN), Seychelles (SEY),
Sierra Leone (SLE), Somalia (SOM), South Africa (RSA), Sudan (SUD), Swaziland (SWZ), Tanzania (TAN), Togo (TOG), Tunisia (TUN), Uganda
(UGA), Zambia (ZAM), Zimbabwe (ZIM)
Did not enrol: Mauritania (MTN)
Withdrawal: Mauritius (MRI) withdrew without playing a single match
Asian Zone
Members: 46
Participants: 43
Slots: 4.5
Qualified: 4
Afghanistan (AFG), Australia (AUS), Bangladesh (BAN), Bahrain (BHR), Cambodia (CAM), China PR (CHN), Chinese Taipei (TPE), Hong Kong
(HKG), Indonesia (IDN), India (IND), Iran (IRN), Iraq (IRQ), Japan (JPN), Jordan( JOR), Korea DPR (PRK), Korea Republic (KOR), Kuwait (KUW),
Kyrgyzstan (KGZ), Laos (LAO), Lebanon (LIB), Macau (MAC), Malaysia (MAS), Maldives (MDV), Mongolia (MNG), Myanmar (MYA), Nepal
(NEP), Oman (OMA), Pakistan (PAK), Palestine (PLE), Philippines (PHI), Qatar (QAT), Saudi Arabia (KSA), Singapore (SIN), Sri Lanka (SRI), Syria
(SYR), Tajikistan (TJK), Thailand (THA), Timor-Leste (TLS), Turkmenistan (TKM), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uzbekistan (UZB), Vietnam (VIE),
Yemen (YEM)
Did not enrol: Bhutan (BHU), Brunei Darussalam (BRU), Guam (GUM)
European Zone
Members: 53
Participants: 53
Slots: 13
Qualified: 13
Albania (ALB), Andorra (AND), Armenia (ARM), Austria (AUT), Azerbaijan (AZE), Belarus (BLR), Belgium (BEL), Bosnia-Herzegovina (BIH),
Bulgaria (BUL), Croatia (CRO), Cyprus (CYP), Czech Republic (CZE), Denmark (DEN), England (ENG), Estonia (EST), Faroe Islands (FRO), Finland
(FIN), France (FRA), Georgia (GEO), Germany (GER), Greece (GRE), Hungary (HUN), Iceland (ISL), Republic of Ireland (IRL), Israel (ISR), Italy
(ITA), Kazakhstan (KAZ), Latvia (LVA), Liechtenstein (LIE), Lithuania (LTU), Luxembourg (LUX), FYR Macedonia (MKD), Malta (MLT), Moldova
(MDA), Montenegro (MNE), Netherlands (NED), Northern Ireland (NIR), Norway (NOR), Poland (POL), Portugal (POR), Romania (ROU), Russia
(RUS), San Marino (SMR), Scotland (SCO), Serbia (SRB), Slovakia (SVK), Slovenia (SVN), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (SUI), Turkey
(TUR), Ukraine (UKR), Wales (WAL)
North, Central American and Caribbean Zone

Members: 35
Participants: 35
Slots: 3.5
Qualified: 4
Anguilla (AIA), Antigua and Barbuda (ATG), Aruba (ARU), Bahamas (BAH), Barbados (BRB), Belize (BLZ), Bermuda (BER), British Virgin Islands
(VGB), Canada (CAN), Cayman Islands (CAY), Costa Rica (CRC), Cuba (CUB), Curaao (CUW), Dominica (DMA), Dominican Republic (DOM),
El Salvador (SLV), Grenada (GRN), Guatemala (GUA), Guyana (GUY), Haiti (HAI), Honduras (HON), Jamaica (JAM), Mexico (MEX), Montserrat
(MSR), Nicaragua (NCA), Panama (PAN), Puerto Rico (PUR), St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN), St. Lucia (LCA), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN),
Suriname (SUR), Trinidad and Tobago (TRI), Turks and Caicos Islands (TCA), USA (USA), US Virgin Islands (VIR)
Withdrawal: Bahamas withdrew after playing two matches
Oceanian Zone
Members: 11
Participants: 11
Slots: 0.5
Qualified: 0
American Samoa (ASA), Cook Islands (COK), Fiji (FIJ), New Caledonia (NCL), New Zealand (NZL), Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa (SAM),
Solomon Islands (SOL), Tahiti (TAH), Tonga (TGA), Vanuatu (VAN)
South American Zone

Members: 10
Participants: 9
Slots: 4.5+1 (host) Qualified: 5+1
Argentina (ARG), Bolivia (BOL), Chile (CHI), Colombia (COL), Ecuador (ECU), Paraguay (PAR), Peru (PER), Uruguay (URU), Venezuela (VEN)
Host : Brazil (BRA) automatically qualified
FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competitions at a glance
Year
Team
entries
Teams
played
Drop-outs
Automatically
qualified
Spots at
stake
Newcomers
Matches1
Goal
2014
203
202**
31
820
2.87
2010
206
199+1
31
853
2.75
2006
197+1*
194
13
31
847
2.91
2002
199
193
29
25
777
3.16
1998
174
168
30
31
643
2.99
1994
147
130
15
22
16
497
2.91
1990
116
103
11
22
314
2.34
1986
121
110
22
11
308
2.60
1982
109
103
22
306
2.60
1978
107
95
10
14
15
252
2.87
1974
99
90
14
23
226
2.74
1970
75
68
14
172
3.15
1966
74
51
21
14
127
3.09
1962
56
49
14
92
3.53
1958
55
46
14
17
89
3.83
1954
45
33
10
14
17
57
3.65
1950
34
19
13
11
26
4.65
1938
37
21
14
13
22
4.36
16
26
5.42
1934
1930
32
27
No preliminary competition played - 13 participants qualified without playing
Tuvalu: not affiliated upon enrolling
*New Caledonia: not affiliated upon enrolling

** including Bahamas who withdrew after playing two matches
Includes matches played by Tuvalu (non official FIFA member)

Hosts South Africa participated, too as the African preliminaries served also as CAN 2010 qualifiers
3
After 2002 defending champions also had to qualify
4
Qualified ex officio: defending champions France and the two hosts
5
Qualified ex officio between 1938 and 2002: defending champions and hosts
6
Defending champions Uruguay declined to participate, hosts Italy also had to qualify
22
Team Fact Boxes (in alphabetical order)

Algeria (ALG)
FIFA World Cup Team History
General Association Facts

Year Association founded
1962
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
Year Association affiliated
1964
1930 URU
No preliminary competition
1934
ITA
Did not enter
32
1938 FRA
Did not enter
19 (Nov, Dec 2012)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not enter
1966* ENG
Withdrew from preliminary competition
16 / 7
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
4-0
vs Rwanda
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Group stage
Rachid MEKHLOUFI (ALG)

Mahieddine KHALEF (ALG)
1986 MEX
Group stage
Rabah SAADANE (ALG)
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
6 / 12
1994 USA
Did not qualify
2-1
vs Germany FR in 1982
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
2006 GER
Did not qualify
2010 RSA
Group stage
Rabah SAADANE (ALG)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Vahid HALILHODZIC (BIH)
Confederation
CAF
FIFA World Ranking position

October 2013
Best ever FIFA World Ranking
position (year)
Preliminary competition facts
Preliminary participations
12
2014 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition

Matches (win - draw - loss)
8 (6 0 2)
Goals for / goals against

Biggest win/best score
FIFA World Cup competition facts
Participations prior 2014
First FIFA World Cup
Most capped player
Top Scorer
All-time FIFA World Cup
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
3
1982
9 (2 2 5)
3-2
vs Chile in 1982
6 caps
Mahmoud GUENDOUZ
Faouzi MANSOURI
Rabah MADJER
2 goals
Salah ASSAD
47
Group stage in 1982, 1986 &
2010
Team Manager
* Withdrew from 1966 preliminary competition without playing

a single match
Continental achievements
African Cup of Nations winners in 1990
Other FIFA mens tournaments (excl. Futsal, Beach Soccer)
Olympic Football Tournament: 1980
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2009
ALGERIA (ALG)
FIFA World Cup Background
This is Algerias fourth FIFA World CupTM finals campaign and the second time they have qualified for back-toback editions (1982-1986 and 2010-2014).
At Spain 1982, Algeria became the first CAF side to beat a previous world champion, taming Germany FR 2-1 in
their maiden match, as well as the first Africans to win two opening-round games during a single edition of the
tournament.
Algeria exited at the group stage in their three previous participations. They have recorded two victories from
nine games played, both of which came in the 1982 edition. The Algerians ongoing five-match goal drought in
the World Cup equals the tournament record set by Bolivia in terms of number of games, although the South
Americans goalless run lasted 517 minutes of play compared to 481 for Les Fennecs.
FIFA World Cup 2014 preliminaries

Islam Slimanis strike in the 2-1 defeat away to Mali on 10 June 2012 was the 100th World Cup qualifying goal
scored by Algeria.
With four victories in this edition, Algeria extended their home winning streak in World Cup qualifying to ten
matches. The north Africans last reverse on native soil dates back to 4 September 2005, when they lost 5-2 to
Nigeria in Oran. Since that encounter the Algerians have only played their home qualifiers in Blida, where they
have a 100 per cent winning record.
The decisive goal in the 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso that secured Algerias place in Brazil was scored by Madjid
Bougherra on 49 minutes. Four years previously Les Fennecs had taken nine minutes fewer to bag the goal that
would eventually take them to South Africa 2010, with Anther Yahias solitary winner coming 40 minutes into
the tiebreaking play-off win over Egypt.
Argentina (ARG)

1893
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
Team Manager
1912
1930 URU
Runners-up
Juan TRAMUTOLA (ARG)
CONMEBOL
1934 ITA
First round
Felipe PASCUCCI (ARG)
1938 FRA
1 (2007/2008)
1950 BRA
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Group stage
Guillermo STABILE (ARG)
1962 CHI
Group stage
Juan Carlos LORENZO (ARG)
16 (9 5 2)
1966 ENG
Quarter-finals
Juan Carlos LORENZO (ARG)
35 / 15
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
4-0 vs Ecuador
1974 FRG
Second round
Vladislao CAP (ARG)
1978* ARG
Champions
Cesar Luis MENOTTI (ARG)
1982** ESP
Second round
Cesar Luis MENOTTI (ARG)
1986 MEX
Champions
Carlos BILARDO (ARG)
1990** ITA
Runners-up
Carlos BILARDO (ARG)
123 / 80
1994 USA
Round of 16
Alfio BASILE (ARG)
6-0
vs Peru in 1978
vs Serbia & Montenegro in 2006
1998 FRA
Quarter-finals
Daniel PASSARELLA (ARG)
2002 JPN/KOR
Group stage
Marcelo BIELSA (ARG)
Most capped player
21 caps
Diego MARADONA
2006 GER
Quarter-finals
Jos PEKERMAN (ARG)
10 goals
Gabriel BATISTUTA
2010 RSA
Quarter-finals
Diego MARADONA (ARG)
Top Scorer
2014 BRA
Qualified
Alejandro SABELLA (ARG)
Confederation
October 2013
position (year)
12


Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
15
1930
70 (37 13 20)
4
Champions in 1978, 1986
*
**
Qualified by default
Qualified automatically as host
Qualified automatically as defending champions
South American champions in 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937,
1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993
Olympic Football Tournament: 1928, 1960, 1964, 1988, 1996,
2004, 2008
FIFA Confederations Cup: 1992, 1995, 2005
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1979, 1981, 1983, 1989, 1991, 1995,
1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1985, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997,
2001, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
In bold: tournament champions
ARGENTINA (ARG)

Brazil 2014 will be Argentinas 16th FIFA World CupTM campaign and the 11th in a row since their last absence
in 1970. La Albiceleste have reached the Final four times and won the title twice, in 1978 and 1986.
To date, four Argentinians have played and later coached in the World Cup. The first was Guillermo Stabile, who
reached the 1930 Final as a player before managing his countrymen at the 1958 edition. In 1974 Argentina
were stewarded by Vladislao Cap, who had worn the Albiceleste shirt himself at Chile 1962. Daniel Passarella
guided his home nation at France 1998 after winning the 1978 Trophy and playing in the 1982 edition. The final
member of the quartet is Diego Maradona, who starred in four tournaments as a player between 1982 and
1994 before returning to South Africa 2010 as head coach.
The last hat-trick in the World Cup was netted by an Argentinian, Gonzalo Higuain, in the 4-1 win over Korea
Republic in 2010. It was also the only treble scored at the South Africa finals.
2014 FIFA World Cup preliminaries

Argentina won the South American qualifying tournament for the third time since the competition adopted the
current single-group format, having also finished first in 1998 and 2002.
Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain were the most prolific strike partnership in World Cup qualifying with ten and
nine goals respectively.
The opening strike in the 2-1 win over Chile in Santiago, scored by Lionel Messi, was Argentinas 200th goal in
World Cup qualification. La Albiceleste are the first and only South American side to have reached this milestone
to date.
Australia (AUS)

1961
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
1963
1930 URU
AFC (prior 2006 OFC)
1934 ITA
Did not enter
57
1938 FRA
Did not enter
14 (Sep 2009)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not enter
14 (8 4 2)
1966 ENG
Did not qualify
25 / 12
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
4-0
vs Jordan
1974 FRG
Group stage
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
Confederation
October 2013
Best ever FIFA World Ranking position
Preliminary competitions
13

Participations before 2014
3
1974
10 (2 3 5)
8 / 17
1994 USA
Did not qualify
Biggest win / best score
3-1
vs Japan in 2006
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
Most capped player
Top Scorer
All-time FIFA World Cup Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup achievement
7 caps
Jason CULINA
Lucas NEILL
Scott CHIPPERFIELD
3 goals
Tim CAHILL
Team Manager
Rale RASIC (YUG)
2002 JPN/KOR Did not qualify

2006 GER
Round of 16
Guus HIDDINK (NED)
2010 RSA
Group stage
Pim VERBEEK (NED)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Ange POSTECOGLOU (AUS)
44
Round of 16 in 2006
OFC Nations Cup winners in 1980, 1996, 2000, 2004
FIFA Confederations Cup: 1997, 2001, 2005
2004, 2008
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1993,
1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995,
1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2011
AUSTRALIA (AUS)
This will be Australias fourth finals and their third in a row, but only their second since joining the Asian Football
Confederation.
A 32-year interval separated the Socceroos first two campaigns, at the 1974 and 2006 finals, both of which
were held in Germany.
In the 2006 edition Australia recorded their maiden victory in the competition, 3-1 over Japan, which helped
them get beyond the opening round for the first and only time to date. The Socceroos were then eliminated in
the Round of 16 by the eventual world champions Italy.

Australia scored 25 goals en route to Brazil 2014, with almost half (12) coming in the last 15 minutes of play.
Luke Wilkshires penalty equaliser in the 1-1 home draw with Japan on 12 June 2012 was Australias 300th goal
in FIFA World Cup qualification. The Socceroos are the second side to reach this milestone after Mexico.
Including the Brazil 2014 campaign, Mark Schwarzer and Harry Kewell have both played in five World Cup
qualifying tournaments, more than any other Australian. Schwarzer made his preliminary debut almost 20 years
ago on 31 July 1993, in the play-off against Canada, and played his last qualifier on 18 June 2013 against Iraq.
Belgium (BEL)

1895
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
Team Manager
1904
1930 URU
First round
Hector GOETINCK (BEL)
Confederation
UEFA
1934
ITA
First round
Hector GOETINCK (BEL)
1938 FRA
First round
Jack BUTLER (ENG)
1950* BRA
1954 SUI
Group stage
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
10 (8 2 0)
1966 ENG
Did not qualify
18 / 4
1970 MEX
Group stage
3-0 vs Serbia
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Second round
Guy THYS (BEL)
1986 MEX
Semi-finals (4th)
Guy THYS (BEL)
1990 ITA
Round of 16
Guy THYS (BEL)
46 / 63
1994 USA
Round of 16
Paul VAN HIMST (BEL)
3-0
vs El Salvador in 1970
1998 FRA
Group Stage
Georges LEEKENS (BEL)
2002 JPN/KOR
Round of 16
Robert WASEIGE (BEL)
2006 GER
Did not qualify
2010 RSA
Did not qualify
2014 BRA
Qualified

October 2013
position
5
5 (Oct 2013)

18

Matches (win/ draw / loss)

Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
11
1930
36 (10 9 17)
17 caps
Enzo SCIFO
5 goals
Marc WILMOTS
19
4th in 1986
Doug LIVINGSTONE (SCO)
Raymond GOETHALS (BEL)
Marc WILMOTS (BEL)
*withdrew from the 1950 preliminary without playing a single

match

Olympic Football Tournament: 1920, 1924, 1928, 2008
bold: tournament champions
BELGIUM (BEL)

Belgium last qualified for the FIFA World CupTM in 2002, when their title charge was derailed by future
champions Brazil in the Round of 16. The 2014 edition will be Belgiums 12th global finals.
The Belgians achieved their best finish of fourth at Mexico 1986, when they lost the match for third place
against France after extra time. At France 1998 Les Diables Rouges were eliminated without losing a game,
having drawn all three of their fixtures.
The FIFA award for the tournaments top goalkeeper was first awarded in 1994, when it was known as the
Yashin Award, and the inaugural winner was Belgian stopper Michel Preudhomme. Subsequently at the 2002
finals, Belgium collected the FIFA Fair Play Award.

On the qualification trail Belgium chalked up eight wins and two draws from ten matches. They won all five of
their away ties and endured the two stalemates at home, against Croatia and Wales.
This wasnt Belgiums first unbeaten preliminary campaign, although at ten games it qualifies as their longest.
The previous editions in which the Belgians avoided defeat were 1938 (one win and one draw), 1954 (three wins
and one draw), 1974 (four wins and two draws) and 1990 (four wins and four draws).
Eden Hazard scored two goals in the preliminaries, both against FYR Macedonia and both in the 62nd minute of
play. The strikes came five days apart on 22 and 26 March 2013.
Bosnia-Herzegovina (BIH)
NEWCOMER

1992
Year Host
Participation
Team Manager
& Ranking
1996
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
Confederation
UEFA
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
16
2006 GER
Did not qualify
13 (Aug 2013)
2010 RSA
Did not qualify
2014 BRA
Qualified

October 2013
position


10 (8 1 1)
30 / 6
8-1 vs Liechtenstein
FIFA World Cup competition facts - NEWCOMER

Most capped player
Top Scorer

Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
Safet SUSIC (BIH)
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (BIH)

This is Bosnia-Herzegovinas first foray in a European or world finals tournament.
For the eighth consecutive edition there will be a European debutant in the World Cup. Bosnia-Herzegovina
follow in the footsteps of Denmark (1986), Republic of Ireland (1990), Greece (1994), Croatia (1998), Slovenia
(2002), Ukraine (2006) and Slovakia (2010).
UEFA have sent more representatives to the global showpiece than any other confederation, with BosniaHerzegovina being the 33rd. CAF (Africa) are next with 13.

Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic were the most prolific strike pairing in European Zone qualifying with 18 goals
between them, having contributed ten and eight respectively.
The 8-1 victory over Liechtenstein on 7 September 2012 is the joint-biggest win by a Bosnian national side,
equalling the 7-0 defeat of Estonia in the 2010 World Cup preliminaries.
Bosnia-Herzegovina are the only European team to have qualified on goal difference. The Zmajevi ended the
preliminary campaign on 25 points, the same number as Greece, but with a goal difference of +24 compared to
+8 for the Greeks, who therefore had to contest a play-off.
Brazil (BRA)
Participation &
Team Manager
Ranking
Pindaro DE CARVALHO
Group stage
(BRA)
1914
Year
Host
1923
1930
URU
CONMEBOL
1934
ITA
First round
LUIZ VINHAES (BRA)
11
1938
FRA
Semi-finals (3rd)
Ademar PIMENTA (BRA)
1950* BRA
Runners-up
Flavio COSTA (BRA)
1954
SUI
Quarter-finals
Zeze MOREIRA (BRA)
1958
SWE
Champions
Vicente FEOLA (BRA)
Confederation
October 2013
position (year)
1 (1993-2007, 2009, 2010)

11
Qualified automatically for the 2014 FIFA World Cup (host)
1962** CHI
Champions
Aymore MOREIRA (BRA)
1966** ENG
Group stage
Vicente FEOLA (BRA)
1970
Champions
Mario ZAGALLO (BRA)

Goals for / against
Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
19
1930
MEX
1974** FRG
Semi-finals (4th)
Mario ZAGALLO (BRA)
97 (67- 15 15)
1978
ARG
Semi-finals (3 )
Claudio COUTINHO (BRA)
210 / 88
1982
ESP
Second round
Tele SANTANA (BRA)
7-1
vs Sweden in 1950
1986
MEX
Quarter-finals
Tele SANTANA (BRA)
20 caps
CAFU
1990
ITA
Round of 16
Sebastiao LAZARONI (BRA)
15 goals
RONALDO
1994
USA
Champions
Carlos Alberto PARREIRA

(BRA)
Runners-up
Mario ZAGALLO (BRA)
1st
Champions in 1958, 1962,
1970, 1994, 2002
1998** FRA
rd
2002
KOR/JPN Champions
2006
GER
Quarter-finals
Carlos Alberto PARREIRA

(BRA)
2010
RSA
Quarter-finals
DUNGA (BRA)
Qualified
2014* BRA
*
**

South American champions in 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997,
1999, 2004, 2007
FIFA Confederations Cup: 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009,
2013
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1977, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989,
1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009,
2011
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997,
1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
Olympic Football Tournaments: 1952, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972,
1976, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012
BRAZIL (BRA)
Brazil are the only team to have taken part in every global showpiece since 1930. They hold the records for the
most titles won (five), the most goals scored (210) and the most victories (67). A Seleo are also the only team
to have won World Cups organised by four different confederations, namely UEFA (1958), CONMEBOL ( 1962),
CONCACAF (1970 and 1994) and AFC (2002).
Brazil hold the records for the most consecutive victories (11 between 2002 and 2006) and the longest unbeaten
run (13 games between 1958 and 1966).
A number of Brazilian players hold individual World Cup records, including Ronaldo, who is the competitions alltime top scorer with 15 goals, and Cafu, who won the most games in the tournaments history (16) and is the
only person to have played in three Finals (1994, 1998 and 2002). The legendary Pele also set a host of records
in 1958, when he became the youngest scorer and the youngest player to net a hat-trick, as well as the
youngest finalist and scorer in a Final.

Brazil, who as hosts qualified for the finals automatically, played no fewer than 34 matches while the South
American qualifying tournament was taking place between October 2011 and October 2013. They included 29
friendlies plus five FIFA Confederations Cup games, which yielded a total of 24 wins, five draws and five defeats.
Brazil have contested 92 World Cup qualifiers, fewer than any other South American side, and are the only
CONMEBOL team yet to reach the 100 mark. This is due to the fact that they have qualified by right on six
occasions: twice as hosts (in 1950 and 2014) and four times as the defending champions (in 1962, 1966, 1974
and 1998).
Brazil have never lost once in 45 qualifiers played on native soil. The only teams with a better unbeaten home
record in the World Cup preliminaries are Spain (52) and Italy (49).
Cameroon (CMR)
1959
Year Host
qualifying &
Team Manager
Ranking
1962
1930 URU
1934
ITA
Did not enter
59
1938 FRA
Did not enter
11 (2006, 2007,2008,2009, 2010)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not enter
1966* ENG
Withdrew from the preliminary competition
Confederation
October 2013
position (year)
CAF

12

8 (5 2 1)
12 / 4
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
4-1 vs. Tunisia
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Group stage
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Quarter-finals
Valeri NEPOMNYASHCHI
(URS)
17 / 34
1994 USA
Group stage
Henri MICHEL (FRA)
4 matches with 1 goal

difference
1998 FRA
Group stage
Claude LE ROY (FRA)
Most capped player
11 caps
Francois OMAM-BIYIK
2002 JPN/KOR
Group stage
Winnie SCHAEFER (GER)

Goals for / against
Top Scorer
All-time FWC Ranking
Best FWC achievement
6
1982
20 (4 7 9)
Jean VINCENT (FRA)
2006 GER
Did not qualify
5 goals
Roger MILLA
2010 RSA
Group Stage
Paul LE GUEN (FRA)
28
2014 BRA
Qualified
Volker Finke (GER)
Quarter-finals 1990
*Withdrew from the 1966 preliminary competition without

playing a single match
Continental champions in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002
FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001, 2003
Olympic Football Tournament: 1984, 2000, 2008
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1981, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2009, 2011
CAMEROON (CMR)

This is the seventh global showpiece to involve Cameroon, who have clocked up more World Cup finals
campaigns and matches (20) than any other African team.
Cameroon are the only African side to have been eliminated from the tournament without suffering a defeat.
This happened on their first World Cup foray in 1982, when they ground out three straight draws in the first
group stage against Peru (0-0), Poland (0-0) and Italy (1-1). Although the Indomitable Lions ended the round
equal on points with the eventual world champions, the fortunate Azzurri went through by virtue of having
scored two goals to Cameroons one.
Roger Milla is without doubt one of Africas most influential figures in the history of the World Cup. As well as
being his continents all-time leading marksman at the finals with five goals, the quick-footed striker is also the
oldest footballer to have appeared in the competition. Furthermore he holds the distinction of being the
tournaments oldest goalscorer, having found the net aged 42 years and 39 days against Russia in the 1994
contest.

Cameroon have not lost a World Cup qualifier at home for 33 years. Since succumbing to Congo in Yaounde in
1976, the Indomitable Lions have played 37 matches unbeaten on native territory, beginning with a 3-0 win over
Malawi on 29 June 1980 and including their four wins in the 2014 preliminaries.
Scorer of two goals during the campaign, Samuel Etoo is the first Cameroonian have netted in four consecutive
World Cup qualifying tournaments. Etoo opened his account in the 2002 preliminaries and his tournament tally
now stands at 18 goals.
Of all the African qualifiers, Cameroon and Cte dIvoire were the teams with the fewest goalscorers during the
preliminary tournament, numbering just six apiece.
Chile (CHI)
1895
Year Host
Participation
& Ranking
Team Manager
1913
1930 URU
Group stage
Gyorgi ORTH (HUN)
1934
Confederation
CONMEBOL

October 2013
position
12
ITA
1938 FRA
Did not enter
1950 BRA
Group stage
1954 SUI
Did not qualify
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI*
Semi-final (3rd) Fernando RIERA (CHI)
16 (9 1 6)
1966 ENG
Group stage
29 / 25
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
3-0 vs Venezuela
1974 FRG
Group stage
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Group stage
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
1994 USA**
Suspended
1998 FRA
Round of 16
9 caps
Elias FIGUEROA
Leonel SANCHEZ
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
2006 GER
Did not qualify
4 goals
Marcelo SALAS
Leonel SANCHEZ
2010 RSA
Round of 16
Marcelo BIELSA (ARG)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Jorge SAMPAOLI (ARG)
6 (Apr 1998)

14



1930
29 (9 6 14)
34 / 45
3-0 vs Mexico (1930)

5-2 vs USA (1950)
Most capped player
Top Scorer
20
rd
3 place in 1962
Arturo BUCCIARDI (CHI)
Luis ALAMOS (CHI)
Luis ALAMOS (CHI)
Luis Alberto SANTIBANEZ (CHI)
Nelson ACOSTA (URU)
qualified 1950 following Argentinas withdrawal

*
**
Suspended following goalkeeper Rojas feigning an injury
in the preliminary competition against Brazil
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1987, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1993, 1997
Olympic Football Tournaments: 1928, 1952, 1984, 2000
CHILE (CHI)
Chile are taking part in their ninth World Cup. La Roja also participated in the South Africa edition and this is the
second time they have contested back-to-back finals, following consecutive appearances in 1962 (as the host
country) and 1966.
Chiles best placing remains third spot in the 1962 edition on home soil. After losing their semi-final encounter
against the title holders and subsequent winners Brazil, the Chileans overcame Yugoslavia in the match for third
place.
The first penalty saved in the history of the FIFA World Cup was kicked by Chilean midfielder Carlos Vidal on 10
July 1930 and parried to safety by French keeper Alex Thepot.

Chile conceded the most defeats of all the qualified teams, having lost no fewer than six games despite finishing
third in the South American qualifying group. This isnt the first time that a CONMEBOL team has been beaten
so often en route to the finals, although the previous teams all played at least two games more than the 16
contested by Chile this time around.
Chile set a new national record for consecutive qualifying victories, winning four in a row between March and
September 2013 against Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Venezuela respectively. The Chileans previous best was
three straight wins, a feat which they had achieved twice.
Thirteen different players scored for Chile, more than any other team in the South American qualifying group.
Colombia (COL)
1924
Year Host
Participation
& Ranking
1936
1930 URU
1934 ITA
Did not enter
1938* FRA
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Entry not allowed
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Group stage
16 (9 3 4)
1966 ENG
Did not qualify
27 / 13
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
5-0 vs Bolivia
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Round of 16
Francisco MATURANA (COL)
14 / 23
1994 USA
Group stage
Francisco MATURANA (COL)
2-0
vs UAE in 1990
vs Switzerland in 1994
1998 FRA
Group stage
Hernan GOMEZ (COL)
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
10 caps
Carlos VALDERRAMA
Freddy RINCON
2006 GER
Did not qualify
2010 RSA
Did not qualify
2014 BRA
Qualified
Confederation
CONMEBOL

October 2013
position (year)
4
3 (Jul/Aug 2013)

15


Goals for / against
Most capped player
Top Scorer
4
1962
13 (3 2 8)
2 goals
Bernardo REDIN
Adolfo VALENCIA
38
Round of 16 in 1990
Team Manager
Adolfo PEDERNERA (ARG)
Jose PEKERMAN (ARG)
*Withdrew from the 1938 qualifiers without playing a single

match
FIFA Confederations Cup: 2003
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993, 2003, 2005,
2011, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1989, 1993, 2003, 2007, 2009
Olympic Football Tournaments: 1968, 1972, 1980, 1992
COLOMBIA (COL)
Colombia are participating in their fifth World Cup after an absence of 16 years, having last appeared at France
1998.
In their only previous foray beyond the opening round in 1990, Los Cafeteros were eliminated after extra time by
Round of 16 opponents Cameroon.
In 1962 Colombia were involved in the joint-highest scoring draw in the World Cup history, a 4-4 stalemate
against Soviet Union, which equalled the record set by England-Belgium in 1954.

Colombia have drawn more Word Cup qualifiers than any other side, no fewer than 40 from a total of 134
played. In this latest preliminary tournament, however, Los Cafeteros only tied three matches.
Radamel Falcao bagged nine goals in the 2014 campaign to become Colombias all-time top scorer in World
Cup qualifying. Including the goal that he netted in the 2010 tournament, Falcaos ten-goal tally surpasses
Faustino Asprillas overall total of nine during the 1994 and 1998 preliminary competitions.
With only 13 goals conceded in 16 matches, Colombia had the best defence in South American qualifying.
Costa Rica (CRC)


1921
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
1927
1930 URU
1934 ITA
Did not enter
1938* FRA
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Entry not accepted
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
16 (8 4 4)
1966 ENG
Did not qualify
27 / 12
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
7-0 vs
Guyana16.10.2012
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Round of 16
12 / 21
1994 USA
Did not qualify
2-0
vs China PR in 2002
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
2002 JPN/KOR
Group stage
Alexandre GUIMARAES (CRC)
2006 GER
Group stage
Alexandre GUIMARAES (CRC)
2010 RSA
Did not qualify
2014 BRA
Qualified
Confederation
CONCACAF

October 2013
(years)
31
17 (2003, 2004)

15

Most capped player
Top Scorer
3
1990
10 (3 1 6)
5 players with 6 caps

3 goals
Ronald GOMEZ
Paulo WANCHOPE
40
Round of 16 in 1990
Team Manager
Bora MILUTINOVIC (YUG)
Jorge Luis PINTO (COL)
* Withdrew from the 1938 preliminary competition without

CONCACAF Championship winners in 1963, 1969, 1989
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1989, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2007,
2009, 2011
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1985, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2005,
2007, 2009
COSTA RICA (CRC)

This is Costa Ricas fourth outing in the finals of the FIFA World CupTM. The Central Americans achieved their
best finish on their debut in 1990, getting beyond the first round before being eliminated in the Round of 16 by
Czechoslovakia.
Costa Rica are on a four-match losing run in the World Cup. Besides the three defeats they collected in their
most recent campaign in 2006, Los Ticos succumbed 5-2 to Brazil in their last group game of the 2002 edition.
In 1990 Costa Rica became the second of five teams to be coached at the World Cup by Bora Milutinovic.
2014FIFA World Cup preliminaries

The 7-0 win over Guyana on 16 October 2012 equalled Costa Ricas biggest margin of victory in World Cup
qualification. The Costa Ricans had already twice achieved the same margin (and scoreline) against Jamaica and
Suriname in the 1966 and 2010 preliminary tournaments respectively.
After drawing their first home match 2-2 with El Salvador and losing the next one 2-0 to Mexico, Costa Rica
went on to win all of their remaining six home fixtures, scoring 17 goals and conceding just two.
Costa Rica have played 156 World Cup qualifiers, more than any other team except Mexico, who have contested
three more.
Cte dIvoire (CIV)

1960
Year Host
Participatio
Team Manager
n & Ranking
1964
1930 URU
1934
ITA
Did not enter
17
1938 FRA
Did not enter
12 (Feb, Apr & May 2013)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not enter
8 (5 3 0)
1966 ENG
Did not enter
19 / 7
1970 MEX
Did not enter
3-0 vs Gambia (2x)
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not enter
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
Confederation
CAF

October 2013
position (year)
10


2
2006
6 (2 1 3)
9/9
1994 USA
Did not qualify
3-0
vs Korea DPR in 2010
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
2006 GER
Group Stage
Henri MICHEL (FRA)
2010 RSA
Group Stage
Sven-Goran ERIKSSON (SWE)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Sabri LAMOUCHI (FRA)
Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
6 caps
Aruna DINDANE
Emmanuel EBOUE
Yaya TOURE
Didier ZAKORA
2 goals
Aruna DINDANE
Didier DROGBA
50
Group Stage in 2006 and 2010
Continental Champions in 1992
Olympic Football Tournament: 2008
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1977, 1983, 1991, 1997, 2003
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1987, 2005, 2011, 2013
CTE DIVOIRE (CIV)

This is Cte dIvoires third consecutive participation in the World Cup. The only African team to top that total
are Cameroon, who qualified for four straight editions between 1990 and 2002. Ghana, Nigeria and Tunisia also
managed to qualify three times on the trot.
In 2006 Cte dIvoire became the first African team to win a match after going two goals down. Finding
themselves 2-0 behind within the first 20 minutes against Serbia and Montenegro, the Elephants hit back
through Aruna Dindane before the interval, then completed the turnaround after the break with another
Dindane strike plus a penalty from Bonaventure Kalou four minutes from the end.
Didier Drogba is the only Ivorian to have scored in two World Cups. The striker bagged both his goals against
South American former world champions, namely Argentina at the 2006 finals and Brazil in 2010.

Cte dIvoire went through the campaign undefeatedas they did in the 2010 preliminary tournament
winning five and drawing three of their eight games. The Elephants are now unbeaten in their last 21 qualifiers.
Their most recent reverse was a 3-2 defeat at home to Cameroon on 4 September 2005.
In both the second-round group and the decisive third round of the African Zone preliminaries, Cte dIvoire
faced a team with World Cup finals experience, specifically Morocco and Senegal respectively.
Salomon Kalou was the only African player to score in both the first and second legs of the knockout third round
of CAF World Cup qualifiers.
Croatia (CRO)
1912
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
Team Manager
1992
1998 FRA
Semi-finals (3rd)
Miroslav BLAZEVIC (CRO)
Confederation
UEFA
2002 JPN/KOR Group stage
Mirko JOZIC (CRO)
2006 GER
Group stage
Zlatko KRANJCAR (CRO)
2010 RSA
Did not qualify
2014 BRA
qualified

October 2013
18

(year)
3 (1999)



12 (6 3 3)
14 / 9
2-0
vs Wales, Serbia and
Iceland

Most capped player
Top Scorer
Nico KOVAC (CRO)
3
1998
13 (6 2 5)
15 / 11
3-0
vs Germany in 1998
11 caps
Dario SIMIC
6 goals
Davor Suker
27
3rd Place in 1998
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1999, 2011, 2013

CROATIA (CRO)

Croatia make their return to the FIFA World Cup TM finals after missing out on the last edition in 2010. Prior to
that, the Croats had qualified for three successive global showpieces from 1998 to 2006. During their maiden
campaign in France, the Vatreni became the first debutants to finish third since Portugal in 1966.
The top scorer at the 1998 tournament was Croatian. Davor Suker struck six times to top the goal chart ahead
of Gabriel Batistuta and Christian Vieri on five.
Croatia have contested 13 matches at the World Cup finals and have already faced five world champions. The
only former winners they have not played yet are England Spain and Uruguay.

This is the second time that Croatia have qualified for the finals via the play-offs. The first time was in the 1998
tournament, when they defeated opponents Ukraine 2-0 at home in the first leg before earning a 1-1 away
draw in the second. The Croatians gained similar results in this years duel with Iceland, drawing away 0-0 and
winning 2-0 on native soil.
Croatia recorded the lowest points tally of all the best eight runners-up. The Croats were second from bottom in
the ranking of the nine second-placed teams, pipping Group B runners-up Denmark by a single point.
Among the European teams to have qualified for Brazil 2014, Croatia scored the fewest goals along the way.
The Vatreni bagged 14 in total, including 12 in the group fixtures and another two in the play-offs. Only two
Croatian players found the net more than once during the campaign, namely Mario Mandzukic with four goals
and Eduardo with two.
Ecuador (ECU)
1925
Year Host
Participation
& Ranking
1926
1930 URU
Did not enter
1934
ITA
Did not enter
1938 FRA
Did not enter
1950* BRA
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
16 (7 4 5)
1966 ENG
Did not qualify
20 / 16
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
4-1 vs Paraguay
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
7/8
1994 USA
Did not qualify
3-0
vs Costa Rica 2006
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
7 caps
Ulises DE LA CRUZ
Edison MENDEZ
2002 JPN/KOR
Group stage
Hernan GOMEZ (COL)
Most capped player
2006 GER
Round of 16
Luis SUREZ (COL)
3 goals
Agustin DELGADO
2010 RSA
Did not qualify
2014 BRA
Qualified
Confederation
CONMEBOL

October 2013
position
22
10 (Apr-Jun 2013)

14


Goals for / against
Top Scorer
2
2002
7 (3 0 4)
42
Round of 16 in 2006
Team Manager
*Withdrew from the 1950 competition without playing a single

match
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1987, 1995, 2011
ECUADOR (ECU)
Ecuador are participating in their third global showcase, having already appeared in the 2002 and 2006 editions.
La Tri got beyond the opening round in Germany before losing 1-0 to England in the Round of 16 following a
David Beckham goal.
Ecuadors World Cup track record stands at three wins and four defeats from seven matches played. That trio of
victories came in consecutive games, from the Ecuadorans last match at the 2002 edition (against Croatia) to
their first two in 2006 (against Poland and Costa Rica).
Despite having played relatively few games on footballs greatest stage, Ecuador managed to avoid conceding a
goal for 307 consecutive minutes thanks to their three victories spanning the 2002 and 2006 editions.

Ecuador qualified directly for the 2014 World Cup finals by virtue of finishing the South American qualifying
group in fourth position, ahead of Uruguay only on goal difference.
Since the introduction of the single-group format, no South American side has qualified directly for the finals
with a goals-per-game average as low as the one Ecuador achieved in the latest campaign. La Tri netted just 20
goals in 16 matches, or 1.25 per match. The previous lowest top-four average of 1.28 (23 goals in 18 matches)
was recorded in 2006 by Paraguay and Ecuador themselves, plus Argentina in 2010.
Ecuadors qualification owed everything to their home form. La Tri picked up 22 of their 25 points on native soil,
winning seven and drawing one of their home qualifiers. The only visitors to avoid defeat in Quito were
Argentina, who escaped with a 1-1 draw.
England (ENG)

1863
Year Host
Participation
& Ranking
1905
1930 URU
Confederation
UEFA
1934
ITA
Did not enter
10
1938 FRA
Did not enter
3 (Aug-Sep 2012)
1950 BRA
Group stage
Walter WINTERBOTTOM (ENG)
1954 SUI
Quarter-finals
1958 SWE
Group stage
1962 CHI
Quarter-finals
1966 ENG*
Champions
Alf RAMSEY (ENG)
1970 MEX**
Quarter-finals
Alf RAMSEY (ENG)
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Second round
Ron GREENWOOD (ENG)
1986 MEX
Quarter-finals
Bobby ROBSON (ENG)
1990 ITA
Semi-finals (4th)
Bobby ROBSON (ENG)

October 2013
position (year)
15

Goals for / against
10 (6-4-0)
31/4
8-0 vs San Marino

13
1950
59 (26-19-14)
Team Manager
77/52
1994 USA
Did not qualify
3-0
vs Denmark in 2002
vs Paraguay in 1986
vs Poland in 1986
1998 FRA
Round of 16
Glenn HODDLE (ENG)
2002 JPN/KOR
Quarter-finals
Sven Goran ERIKSSON (SWE)
2006 GER
Quarter-finals
Sven Goran ERIKSSON (SWE)
2010 RSA
Round of 16
Fabio CAPELLO (ITA)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Roy HODGSON (ENG)
Most capped player

Top Scorer
17 caps
Peter SHILTON
10 goals
Gary LINEKER
5
*
**

Qualified as defending champion
Champions in 1966
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1981, 1985, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999,
2003, 2009, 2011, 2013
ENGLAND (ENG)

This will be Englands 14th World Cup and their fifth in a row, although their longest uninterrupted run of
appearances was six, between 1950 and 1970. The Three Lions won the title in 1966 on home turf and reached
the semi-finals in 1990, when they went on to finish fourth.
Of all of the winners of the World Cup, England made their tournament debut the latest, on 25 June 1950 at
the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where they outfought Chile 2-0. The first of the Three Lions 77 goals
scored at the World Cup finals was netted in that match by Stan Mortensen.
Peter Shilton, along with French keeper Fabien Barthez, has kept more clean sheets than any other custodian in
the tournaments history. Englands most capped player did not concede a goal in ten of his 17 World Cup
appearances between 1982 and 1990.

The 0-0 draw against Ukraine on 10 September 2013 was Englands 100th World Cup qualifier.
Wayne Rooney racked up seven goals to become Englands top scorer for the second successive World Cup
qualifying campaign, having netted nine in the 2010 edition. Rooneys overall tally of 16 makes him Englands
all-time leading marksman in the preliminaries, ahead of Frank Lampard who has 13. By contrast Steven Gerrard,
who struck twice in this edition, is the only English player to have scored in four different World Cup preliminary
tournaments.
England finished the group undefeated with six wins and four draws, their first unbeaten campaign since the
1990 World Cup preliminaries when they recorded three wins and three draws.
France (FRA)

1904
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
Team Manager
1904
1930 URU
Group stage
Raoul CAUDRON (FRA)
Confederation
UEFA
1934 ITA
First stage
George KIMPTON (ENG)
1938* FRA
Quarter-finals
Gaston BARREAU (FRA)
1950 BRA
Did not qualify
1954 SUI
Group stage
Pierre PIBAROT (FRA)
1958 SWE
Semi-finals (3rd)
Albert BATTEAUX (FRA)
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
10 (6 2 2)
1966 ENG
Group stage
18 / 8
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
3:0 vs Finland and Ukraine
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Group stage
Michel HIDALGO (FRA)
1982 ESP
Semi-finals (4th)
Michel HIDALGO (FRA)
1986 MEX
Semi-finals (3rd)
Henri MICHEL (FRA)
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
1994 USA
Did not qualify
1998* FRA
Champions
Aime JACQUET (FRA)
2002** JPN/KOR
Group stage
Roger LEMERRE (FRA)
vs Saudi Arabia in 1998
2006 GER
Runners-up
Raymond DOMENECH (FRA)
17 caps
Fabien BARTHEZ
Thierry HENRY
2010 RSA
Group stage
Raymond DOMENECH (FRA)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Didier DESCHAMPS (FRA)

October 2013
position (year)
21
1 (2001, 2002)

16


13
1930
54 (25 11 18)
96 / 68
7-3
vs Paraguay in 1958
Most capped player
Top Scorer
4-0
vs Northern Ireland in 1958
13 goals
Just FONTAINE
*
**
Henri GUERIN (FRA)
Qualified automatically as hosts.

Qualified as defending champion
7
Champions in 1998
European Champions in 1984, 2000
FIFA Confederation Cup: 2001, 2003
Olympic Football Tournament: 1908, 1920,
1924,1928,1948,1952,1960,1968, 1976, 1984, 1996
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1977, 1997, 2001, 2011, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1987, 2001, 2007, 2011
FRANCE (FRA)

France are competing in their 14th World Cup finals. This is a fifth consecutive outing for Les Bleus, who
fluctuated between finalists and first-round flops in their last four participations. World champions at home in
1998 and runners-up in 2006, the French failed to get beyond the opening stage in 2002 and 2010.
France have made the title First time in World Cup history their own by scoring the competitions first goal
(Lucien Laurent netted in the 19th minute in their 4-1 win over Mexico on 13th July 1930), saving the first
penalty (Alex Thepot against Chile on 19 July 1930), scoring the first penalty in extra time (Georges Verriest in
the 116th minute against Austria in 1934), scoring the first penalty in a penalty shoot-out (Alain Giresse in the
1982 semi-final against Germany FR), saving the first penalty in a penalty shoot-out (Jean-Luc Ettori, also in the
1982 semi-final) and, finally, scoring the first golden goal through Laurent Blanc in 1998s Round of 16 match
against Paraguay.
Just Fontaine holds the record for the most goals bagged by a player in a single edition of the tournament,
having struck 13 in 1958.

France qualified for the global showcase following their fourth flirtation with the play-offs. In their first two
encounters ahead of the 1950 and 1962 finals, Les Bleus lost out to Yugoslavia and Bulgaria respectively, before
winning a berth at South Africa 2010 and this latest edition.
France are the first team to have qualified via the play-offs after overturning a two-goal deficit from the first leg.
The first leg of the play-off against Ukraine in Kiev was Frances 100th World Cup qualifier.
Ghana (GHA)
1957
Year Host
qualifying &
Team Manager
Ranking
1958
1930 URU
1934
ITA
Did not enter
23
1938 FRA
Did not enter
14 (2008)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
8 (6 0 - 2)
1966 ENG
25/6
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
7-0 vs Lesotho
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
9/10
1994 USA
Did not qualify
2-0
vs Czech Republic in 2006
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
2006 GER
Round of 16
Ratomir DUJKOVIC (SRB)
2010 RSA
Quarter-finals
Milovan RAJEVAC (SRB)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Akwasi APPIAH (GHA)
Confederation
CAF

October 2013
position (year)
12

Goals for / against
Matches
(win/ draw / loss)
Goals for / against
Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
2
2006
9 (4-2-3)
9 Caps
Richard KINGSON
John PANTSIL
4 goals
Asamoah GYAN
34
Quarter-finals in 2010
Withdrew from the 1966 & 1982 preliminary competition

without playing a single match
Continental champions in 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982
Other FIFA tournament participations
2004
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1993, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2009, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999,
2005, 2007
GHANA (GHA)
Ghana are competing in their third consecutive global showpiece. They got beyond the opening round in both
the 2006 and 2010 finals, eventually going out in the Round of 16 against Brazil in Germany and at the quarterfinal stage in South Africa, after losing to Uruguay on penalties.
In 2010 Ghana became the third African team to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup, following
Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
Asamoah Gyan was the first player to miss two penalties in the World Cup. In 2006 he struck the post against
Czech Republic, although Ghana went on to win 2-0. In the 2010 quarter-finals against Uruguay, Gyan hit the
crossbar in the last minute of extra time. If the Ghanaian striker had converted that spot-kick, his team would
have become the first African side to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Instead, the Black Stars went on to be
eliminated in the subsequent shoot-out. Despite those penalty misses, Gyan scored in both matches.

Ghana were the most prolific team in the African preliminaries, scoring 25 goals from a total of eight matches.
Asamoah Gyan was the joint-top scorer in the African preliminaries with six goals, the same number as Egypts
Mohamed Aboutrika and Mohamed Salah.
Ghanas two biggest winning margins in World Cup qualifying history were recorded en route to Brazil 2014.
The Black Stars overran Lesotho 7-0 on 1 June 2012, before routing Egypt 6-1 in the first leg of their third-round
encounter on 15 October 2013.
Germany (GER)
1900
Year Host
Participation
& Ranking
1904
1930 URU
Confederation
UEFA
1934 ITA
Semi-finals (3rd) Otto NERZ (GER)
1938 FRA
First round
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Champions
1958 SWE**
Semi-finals (4th) Sepp HERBERGER (FRG)
1962 CHI
Quarter-finals
Sepp HERBERGER (FRG)
10 (9 1 0)
1966 ENG
Runners-up
Helmut SCHOEN (FRG)
36 / 10
1970 MEX
Semi-finals (3rd) Helmut SCHOEN (FRG)
6-1 vs Republic of Ireland
1974 FRG*
Champions
Helmut SCHOEN (FRG)
1978 ARG**
Second round
Helmut SCHOEN (FRG)
1982 ESP
Runners-up
Jupp DERWALL (FRG)
1986 MEX
Runners-up
Franz BECKENBAUER (FRG)
1990 ITA
Champions
Franz BECKENBAUER (FRG)
1994 USA**
Quarter-finals
Berti VOGTS (GER)
1998 FRA
Quarter-finals
Berti VOGTS (GER)
2002 JPN/KOR
Runners-up
Rudi VOELLER (GER)
2006 GER*
Semi-finals (3rd) Juergen KLINSMANN (GER)
2010 RSA
Semi-finals (3rd) Joachim LOEW (GER)
2014 BRA
Qualified

October 2013
position (year)
1 (1993/1994)

13


17
1934
99 (60 19 20)
206 / 117
8-0
vs Saudi Arabia in 2002
Most capped player

Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
25 caps
Lothar MATTHAEUS
14 goals
Miroslav KLOSE
2
Champions in 1954, 1974, 1990
Team Manager
Sepp HERBERGER (GER)
Sepp HERBERGER (FRG)
Joachim LOEW (GER)
1954-1990 Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)

*
** Qualified automatically as defending champions
European champions in 1972, 1980, 1996
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1981, 1987, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2001,
2003, 2005, 2009
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1985, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2007,
2009, 2011,
Olympic Football Tournaments: 1912, 1928, 1936, 1952, 1956,
1972, 1984, 1988
GERMANY (GER)

Germany are participating in their 18th global showpiece and have attended every finals since missing out on
Brazil 1950. Germany lie third in the all-time title ranking with three World Cup triumphs, behind only Brazil on
five and Italy on four, and have played the most Finals (seven) along with Brazil. Die Nationalelf also boast the
most top-four finishes, no fewer than 12, which is two more than Brazil.
The all-time player and coach appearance records are both held by Germans, namely Lothar Matthaeus and
Helmut Schoen respectively, who each contested 25 World Cup games. Their compatriot Uwe Seeler holds
another honour, albeit one that he shares with Pele, for having scored in four different editions.
The opening match in Brazil will be the 100th World Cup game played by Germany, who are the first team to
reach this milestone.

Germany had the joint-best attack in qualification for Brazil 2014 with 36 goals scored. New Caledonia also
netted the same number but played an extra match. The Germans scored at least three goals in eight straight
games and struck fewer than that in only one, a 2-1 win in Austria.
With nine wins and one draw on the way to Brazil 2014, Die Nationalmannschaft extended their unbeaten
streak in World Cup qualifying to 23 matches. Their longest undefeated run remains 36 between the 1934 and
1986 preliminary tournaments.
Philipp Lahm won his 100th cap for Germany in the 3-0 win over Austria on 6 September 2013.
Greece (GRE)

1926
Year Host
Participation
& Ranking
1927
1930 URU
Confederation
UEFA
1934* ITA
15
1938 FRA
Did not qualify
8 (2008, 2011)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not qualify
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
12 (9 2 1)
1966 ENG
Did not qualify
16 / 6
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
1994 USA
Group stage
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
2006 GER
Did not qualify
13 Players with 3 caps
2010 RSA
Group stage
Otto REHHAGEL (GER)
1 goal
Dimitrious SALPINGIDIS
Vasileios TOROSIDIS
2014 BRA
Qualified
Fernando SANTOS (POR)

October 2013
position
18

2-0
vs Lithuania
vs Liechtenstein
3-1
vs Romania
Team Manager

Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
2
1994
Alkis PANAGOULIAS (GRE)
6 (1 0 5)
2 / 15
2-1
vs Nigeria in 2010
61
Group stage 1994, 2010
*withdrew from the 1934 preliminary competition after playing

one match
European Champions in 2004
GREECE (GRE)
This will be Greeces third World Cup finals campaign and their second in a row. The Greeks made their
tournament bow in 1994. In both of their previous outings, To Piratiko were eliminated in the opening round.
None of Greeces six previous finals matches ended drawn, producing one victory and five defeats for the
Hellenics.
The Greeks earned their only World Cup win during the most recent edition in South Africa. On 17 June 2010 in
Mangaung/Bloemfontein they came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1. That was also the only one of Greeces six
World Cup games in which they scored. The historic maiden goal was netted by Dimitrios Salpingidis.

Among the best eight runners-up from the nine European Zone qualifying groups, Greece achieved the highest
points score of 25. This tally would have been enough to finish top in four of the other groups.
Greece managed to keep five clean sheets during the campaign. The only European team to achieve more
shutouts in the 2014 preliminaries were Ukraine, with six.
Greece secured their berth in Brazil 2014 by beating play-off opponents Romania 3-1 at home and then drawing
1-1 away in Bucharest. This is the second consecutive global showpiece that Greece have reached via the playoffs. In 2010 they plundered a 1-0 win in Ukraine after being held to a goalless draw at home. Many years
before, the Greeks also contested a knockout decider to qualify for the 1938 finals but lost it 11-1 to Hungary.
Honduras (HON)
1951
Year Host
Participatio
Team Manager
n & Ranking
1946
1930 URU
1934
ITA
Did not enter
34
1938 FRA
Did not enter
20 (Sept 2001)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
16 (7 5 4)
1966 ENG
Did not qualify
25 / 15
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
8-1
vs Canada
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978* ARG
1982 ESP
Group stage
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
2/6
1994 USA
Did not qualify
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
1 goal
Eduardo LAING
Hector ZELAYA
2006 GER
Did not qualify
2010 RSA
Group stage
59
2014 BRA
Qualified
Luis SUAREZ (COL)
Confederation
CONCACAF

October 2013
position (month/year)
13

Goals for / against
Goals for / against
Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
2
1982
6 (0 3 3)
15 players with 3 caps
Group stage in 1982 and 2010
Jose DE LA PAZ (HON)

FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1977, 1995, 1999, 2005, 2009
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2007, 2009, 2013
HONDURAS (HON)
Honduras are participating in their third global showcase and the second in a row. A 28-year interval separated
the Hondurans first two World Cup campaigns, at Spain 1982 and South Africa 2010. Los Catrachos squared up
to Spain in both of those editions, conceding a penalty equaliser in a 1-1 draw in 1982 before losing 2-0 to the
eventual world champions in 2010.
Honduras are yet to win a World Cup match. In six games played, the Central Americans have collected three
draws and three defeats, besides having failed to score in their last four fixtures.
In 2010 Honduras set an unusual World Cup record by naming three brothers in their 23-man squad. Jerry,
Johnny and Wilson Palacios were all involved in the South Africa showpiece, although the youngest brother
Johnny didnt get any playing time.

On 6 September 2013 Honduras finally won a qualifier in Mexico after seven consecutive defeats away to the
North Americans. Los Catrachos came from behind to triumph 2-1 in the Azteca stadium, thanks to goals from
Jerry Bengtson and Carlo Costly in a three-minute spell from the 63rd to 66th minutes.
Bengtson and Costly, the top Honduran scorers in qualifying with nine and seven goals respectively, each scored
a hat-trick in the 8-0 win over Canada on 16 October 2012. It was the first time this had happened to Honduras
in the history of the preliminary tournament.
Honduras played no fewer than four of their 16 qualifiers against Panama but failed to win any of those
meetings. Instead the Hondurans picked up two draws and two defeats against Los Canaleros, including their
only home reverse of the campaign, 2-0 in their opening match on 8 June 2012.
Iran (IRN)

1920
Year Host
Participation
Team Manager
& Ranking
1948
1930 URU
1934
ITA
Did not enter
49
1938 FRA
Did not enter
15 (Jul/Aug 2005)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not enter
16 (10 4 2)
1966 ENG
Did not enter
30 / 7
1970 MEX
Did not enter
6-0 vs Bahrain
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Group stage
1982* ESP
1978
1986 MEX
Excluded from the preliminary competition
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
6 / 18
1994 USA
Did not qualify
2-1
vs USA in 1998
1998 FRA
Group stage
Confederation
AFC

October 2013

Goals for / against
9 (1 2 6)
6 caps
Mehdi MAHDAVIKIA
2006 GER
Group stage
Top Scorer
6 players with 1 goal
2010 RSA
Did not qualify
53
2014 BRA
Qualified
Group stage in 1978,

1998 & 2006
Jalal TALEBI (IRN)
2002 JPN/KOR Did not qualify
Most capped player
Heshmat MOHADJERANI (IRN)
Branko IVANKOVIC (CRO)

Asian Champions in 1968, 1972 and 1976
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2001, 2009, 2013
IRAN (IRN)

Iran are participating in their fourth finals after the 1978, 1998 and 2006 editions. In each of their previous three
outings, Team Melli failed to make it past the opening round.
Irans only victory in nine matches was a 2-1 win over USA in 1998 in Lyon, courtesy of goals from Hamid Estili
and Mehdi Mahdavikia.
Iran made their World Cup debut at the 1978 edition and earned their first point with a 1-1 draw against
Scotland. During that encounter, Iraj Danayfar scored Team Mellis historic first goal in the competition.

Iran hit the campaign trail earlier than any of the other Asian qualifiers. On 23 July 2011 the west Asians took to
the field for the first leg of their second-round tie against Maldives, which they won 4-0.
Of all the AFC sides that have secured a berth in Brazil, Iran did it with the fewest defeats (two in 16 matches,
plus ten wins and four draws) and scoring the fewest goals (seven).
Those ten qualifying victories were split equally between home and away fixtures.
Italy (ITA)

1898
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
1905
1930 URU
Confederation
UEFA
1934 ITA
Champions
Vittorio POZZO (ITA)
1938** FRA
Champions
Vittorio POZZO (ITA)
1 (1993, 2007)
1950** BRA
Group stage
Ferruccio NOVO (ITA)
1954 SUI
Group stage
Lajos CZEIZLER (HUN)
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Group stage
Paolo MAZZA (ITA)

Giovanni FERRARI (ITA)
10 (6-4-0)
1966 ENG
Group stage
Edmondo FABBRI (ITA)
19/9
1970 MEX
Runners-up
Ferruccio VALCAREGGI (ITA)
4 matches won with 2 goals

difference
1974 FRG
Group stage
Ferruccio VALCAREGGI (ITA)
1978 ARG
Semi-finals (4th)
Enzo BEARZOT (ITA)
1982 ESP
Champions
Enzo BEARZOT (ITA)
1986** MEX
Round of 16
Enzo BEARZOT (ITA)
80 (44-21-15)
1990* ITA
Semi-finals (3rd)
Azeglio VICINI (ITA)
126 / 74
1994 USA
Runners-up
Arrigo SACCHI (ITA)
7-1
vs USA in 1934
1998 FRA
Quarter-finals
Cesare MALDINI (ITA)
23 caps
Paolo MALDINI
2002 JPN/KOR
Round of 16
Giovanni TRAPATTONI (ITA)
Most capped player
2006 GER
Champions
Marcello LIPPI (ITA)
2010 RSA
Group stage
Marcello LIPPI (ITA)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Cesare PRANDELLI (ITA)

October 2013
position (year)
15


Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
17
1934
9 goals
Roberto BAGGIO
Paolo ROSSI
Christian VIERI
3
Champions 1934, 1938, 1982,
2006
Team Manager
* Qualified automatically as host

** Qualified automatically defending champions
1948, 1952, 1960, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000,2004, 2008
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1977, 1981, 1987, 2005, 2009
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1985, 1987, 1991, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2013
ITALY (ITA)
This will be Italys 18th global finals and their 14th in a row since 1962. The four-time world champions are
second only to Brazil in terms of titles won and have played out the most draws (21) and extra-time matches (11)
in World Cup history.
All four of Italys Trophy wins have come on the Old Continent, on home soil in 1934, in France in 1938, Spain
in 1982 and Germany in 2006. Italy were the first world champions to defend their crown, notching consecutive
titles in 1934 and 1938, as well as the first defending champions to suffer the ignominy of a first-round exit
(1950).
On 11 July 1982 in Madrid, Dino Zoff became the oldest player to compete in a World Cup Final at the ripe old
age of 40 years and 133 days.

On 10 September Italy achieved a first by qualifying for the World Cup finals with two matches to spare, thanks
to their victory over Czech Republic.
At home to Armenia in the final group game, Mario Balotellis equaliser that clinched a 2-2 draw was also Italys
200th goal in World Cup qualifying history.
Italy finished their World Cup group unbeaten for the second campaign in a row. The Italians undefeated run in
the competition now stands at 27 matches, including 18 wins and nine draws. Furthermore Gli Azzurri have
played 49 World Cup qualifiers at home without losing a single one.
Japan (JPN)

1921
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
1929
1930 URU
AFC
1934 ITA
Did not enter
44
1938 FRA
9 (Feb/Mar1998)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not qualify
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
14 (8 3 3)
1966 ENG
Did not enter
30 / 8
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
8-0 vs Tajikistan
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
Confederation
October 2013
13


4
1998
14 (4 3 7)
Team Manager
12 / 16
1994 USA
Did not qualify
2-0
vs Tunisia in 2002
3-1
vs Denmark in 2010
1998 FRA
Group stage
Takeshi OKADA (JPN)
2002* JPN/KOR
Round of 16
Philippe TROUSSIER (FRA)
2006 GER
Group stage
ZICO (BRA)
2010 RSA
Round of 16
Takeshi OKADA (JPN)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Alberto ZACCHERONI (ITA)
Most capped player
Top Scorer
10 caps
Hidetoshi NAKATA
2 goals
Keisuke HONDA
Junichi INAMOTO

Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
32
Withdrew from the1938 preliminary competition without

*
Qualified automatically as co-host
Round of 16 in 2002 & 2010

Asian Champions in 1992, 2000, 2004, 2011
FIFA Confederations Cup: 1995, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2013
Olympic Football Tournament: 1936, 1956, 1964, 1968, 1996, 2000,
2004, 2008, 2012
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1979, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005,
2007
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1993, 1995, 2001, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
JAPAN (JPN)
In two of their four previous participations, in 2002 and 2010, Japan managed to get beyond the opening round
only to be eliminated in the Round of 16 each time. The Samurai Blue were edged out 1-0 by Turkey in the
Korea/Japan edition, before going out on penalties against Paraguay at the last finals in South Africa.
The only Asian goalkeepers to have saved a penalty in the finals of the World Cup are both Japanese. Yoshikatsu
Kawaguchi kept out a Darijo Srna spot-kick in 2006, whereas Eiji Kawashima parried an effort by Jon Dahl
Tomasson in 2010 (but couldnt prevent the Dane from scoring the rebound).
During the 3-1 group-match victory over Denmark in 2010, Japan managed to score three goals in a FIFA World
Cup game for the first and only time to date.

For the third time in a row, Japan were the first Asian team to qualify for the finals. The Japanese made sure of
their place on 4 June with a 1-1 draw against Australia in Saitama.
Shinji Okazaki was the top scorer in the Asian Zone preliminary competition with eight goals. The Japanese
forward found the net in six matches, including two braces against Tajikistan and last-gasp winners in vital away
victories over Oman (2-1) and Iraq (1-0).
Japan played their 100th qualifier on 26 March 2013, losing 2-1 to Jordan in Amman. Four months earlier
during the 2-1 victory in Oman, Okazakis winner was Japans 200th goal in qualifying history.
Korea Republic (KOR)


1933
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
1948
1930 URU
AFC
1934 ITA
Did not enter
56
1938 FRA
Did not enter
17 (Dec 1998)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Group stage
1958 SWE
Entry not accepted
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
1966** ENG
Confederation
October 2013
13

14 (8 3 3)
Team Manager
KIM Yong Shik (KOR)
27 / 11
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
6-0 vs Lebanon
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Group stage
KIM Jung Nam (KOR)
1990 ITA
Group stage
LEE Hoe Taik (KOR)
1994 USA
Group stage
KIM Ho Kon (KOR)
1998 FRA
Group stage
KIM Pyung Seok (KOR)

CHA Bum Kun (KOR)
2002* JPN/KOR
Semi-finals (4th)
Guus HIDDINK (NED)
2006 GER
Group stage
Dick ADVOCAAT (NED)
2010 RSA
Round of 16
HUH Jung Moo (KOR)
2014 BRA
Qualified
HONG Myung-Bo (KOR)

8
1954
28 (5 8 15)
28 / 61
2-0
vs Poland in 2002
vs. Greece in 2010
Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
16 caps
HONG Myung Bo
3 goals
AHN Jung Hwan
PARK Ji Sung
26
4th in 2002
*
Qualified automatically as co-host
**
withdrew from the preliminary competition without
Asian Champions in 1956, 1960
2000, 2004, 2008, 2012
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1979, 1981, 1983, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999,
2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1987, 2003, 2007, 2009
KOREA REPUBLIC (KOR)

Korea Republic are contesting their ninth World Cup finals and their eighth in a row. They have played more
games (28), collected more victories (five) and netted more goals (28) than any other AFC team in the
competitions history.
Korea Republic achieved the best World Cup placing by an Asian side when they finished fourth at the 2002
edition, which they co-hosted with Japan. The only other time that the Taegeuk Warriors got beyond the
opening round was in 2010, when they were subsequently eliminated in the Round of 16 by Uruguay.
The South Koreans earned four of their five finals victories against European opposition, namely Poland, Portugal
and Italy in 2002, followed by Greece in 2010. The only exception was a victory over Togo in 2006.

Korea Republic have played 117 World Cup qualifiers, more than any other Asian side.
The Taegeuk Warriors qualified directly without the need for play-offs, owing to their superior goal difference in
matches against Uzbekistan. They also qualified for the 1994 finals this way, by dint of their goal difference in
games against Japan.
In the preliminary campaign for Brazil 2014, Korea Republic lost three World Cup qualifiers for the first time.
One defeat came against Lebanon whereas the other two were at the hands of Iran.
Mexico (MEX)

1927
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
Team Manager
1929
1930 URU
Group Stage
Juan LUQUE (MEX)
1934
Did not qualify
Confederation
October 2013
position (year)
CONCACAF
24
1938 FRA
4 (1998, 2003, 2004, 2006)
1950 BRA
Group stage
Octavio VIAL (MEX)
1954 SUI
Group Stage
Antonio LOPEZ (ESP)
1958 SWE
Group Stage
Antonio LOPEZ (ESP)
1962 CHI
Group stage
Ignacio TRELLEZ (MEX)
1966 ENG
Group stage
Ignacio TRELLEZ (MEX)
1970 MEX*
Quarter-finals
Raul CARDENAS (MEX)
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Group stage
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX*
Quarter-finals
1990 ITA
Suspended
52 / 89
1994 USA
Round of 16
Miguel Mejia BARON (MEX)
4-0
vs El Salvador in 1970
12 caps
Rafael MARQUEZ
4 goals
Luis HERNANDEZ
1998 FRA
Round of 16
Manuel LAPUENTE (MEX)
2002 JPN/KOR
Round of 16
Javier AGUIRRE (MEX)
2006 GER
Round of 16
Ricardo LA VOLPE (ARG)
2010 RSA
Round of 16
Javier AGUIRRE (MEX)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Miguel HERRERA (MEX)

15

18 (10 5 3)
Goals for / against
31 / 14
5-0
vs Guyana

Matches (win / draw / loss)
Goals for / against
Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
ITA
14
1930
49 (12 / 13 / 24)
Jose ROCA (MEX)
14
Quarter-finals in 1970 and 1986
withdrew from the 1938 preliminary competition without

*
Continental Champions in 1965, 1971, 1977, 1993, 1996,
1998, 2003, 2009, 2011
1976, 1992, 1996, 2004, 2012
FIFA Confederations Cup: 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2013
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1991,
1993, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1985, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999,
2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013
In bold: tournament champion
MEXICO (MEX)

Only four teamsBrazil, Germany, Italy and Argentinahave taken part in more World Cups than Mexico. This
will be the Mexicans 15th outing and their sixth in a row.
Besides Brazil, who have appeared in every edition, Mexico are set to become the only team to have played in all
five of the World Cups held in South America, namely Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, Chile 1962, Argentina 1978
and now Brazil 2014.
In each of their last five finals appearances, Mexico were eliminated in the Round of 16. El Tri lost to Bulgaria on
penalties in 1994, Germany in 1998, USA in 2002 and Argentina after extra time in both the 2006 and 2010
editions.

The second Mexican goal in the 5-1 first-leg play-off win over New Zealand, scored by Raul Jimenez, was
Mexicos 400th goal in World Cup qualification. El Tri are the most prolific team in the history of the
preliminaries.
Four head coaches oversaw Mexicos passage to Brazil 2014. Jose Manuel De La Torre guided the team through
the first 13 qualifiers, before Luis Fernando Tena took over for one match, followed by Victor Manuel Vucetich
for two and Miguel Herrera in the play-off.
This is not the first time Mexico have qualified via a play-off. They also did it against Costa Rica in the 1958
preliminaries and Paraguay ahead of the 1962 finals. By contrast, in 1934 the Mexicans lost their play-off against
USA.
Netherlands (NED)
1889
1904
Confederation
UEFA

October 2013
position
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
1930 URU
1934 ITA
First round
Bob GLENDENNING (ENG)
1938 FRA
First round
Bob GLENDENNING (ENG)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
1966 ENG
Did not qualify
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
1974 FRG
Runners-up
Rinus MICHELS (NED)
1978 ARG
Runners-up
Ernst HAPPEL (AUT)
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Round of 16
Leo BEENHAKKER (NED)
1994 USA
Quarter-finals
Dick ADVOCAAT (NED)
1998 FRA
Semi-finals (4th)
Guus HIDDINK (NED)
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
2006 GER
Round of 16
Marco VAN BASTEN (NED)
2010 RSA
Runners-up
Bert VAN MARWIJK (NED)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Louis VAN GAAL (NED)
Team Manager
1 (Aug 2011)

17

10 (9 1 0)
Goals for / against
34 / 5
8-1 vs Hungary


1934
43 (22 10 11)
Goals for / against

Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
71 / 44
5-0
vs Korea Republic in 1998
14 caps
Ruud KROL
Wim JANSEN
Johnny REP
7 goals
Johnny REP
8
2nd in 1974, 1978, 2010
UEFA European Champions in 1988
1948, 1952, 2008
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1983, 1995, 2001, 2005
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2005, 2009, 2011
NETHERLANDS (NED)
The Netherlands are contesting their third consecutive World Cup finals and the tenth overall.
The Oranje hold the record for playing in the most Finals without winning, having finished runners-up in 1974,
1978 and 2010. They lost the 1974 and 1978 deciders against the host team and were taken into extra time in
1978 and 2010.
The 1000th goal in the history of the World Cup finals was a penalty dispatched by Oranje striker Rob
Rensenbrink, 34 minutes into the showdown with Scotland on 11 June 1978.
On the four occasions that the Netherlands have played extra time in this competition, they have failed to score.
At the 1938 event, their first-round encounter with Czechoslovakia ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and 3-0 to the
eastern Europeans after 120 minutes. In the 1978 Final the Oranje battled to a 1-1 draw with Argentina, before
conceding two goals to the hosts in extra time. In the 1998 semi-final against Brazil, the sides remained
deadlocked at 1-1 throughout the additional half-hour before A Seleo prevailed on penalties. Finally against
Spain in the 2010 decider, the teams remained goalless after normal time, before the Dutch lost 1-0 following
an Andres Iniesta goal on 116 minutes.

The Netherlands recorded 28 points in European Zone qualifying, the joint-highest total together with Germany.
They also achieved the best goal difference of +29, having scored 34 and conceded five. Robin van Persie was
the regional competitions top marksman with 11 goals, besides being one of three players who scored in six
straight games, the others being Englands Wayne Rooney and Israels Eden Ben Basat.
With nine wins in the 2014 preliminaries, the Oranje increased their overall tally of victories in the event to 76 in
115 games, which is unrivalled in Europe. On a global level, the Dutch are second only to Mexico (102) and level
with Costa Rica (76), although the two CONCACAF sides have respectively played 44 and 41 matches more.
Having collected nine wins and one draw on the road to Brazil 2014, the Netherlands extended their unbeaten
streak in World Cup qualifying to 32 matches, the third longest of all time. Ahead of them are Spain, who have
not lost for 53 games, and Germany, who previously went undefeated for 36 matches. The Netherlands last
reverse dates back to 2001, when they lost 1-0 to Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
Nigeria (NGA)
1945
Year Host
Participatio
Team Manager
n & Ranking
1960
1930 URU
1934
ITA
Did not enter
33
1938 FRA
Did not enter
5 (April 1994)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Did not enter
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
1966* ENG
Confederation
CAF

October 2013
position
13

8 (5 3 0)
11 / 4
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
2-0 vs Malawi and vs Ethiopia
1974 FRG
Disqualified from the preliminary competition
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify

4
1994
14 (4 2 8)
17 / 21
1994 USA
Round of 16
Clemens WESTERHOF (NED)
3-0
vs Bulgaria in 1994
1998 FRA
Round of 16
2002 JPN/KOR
Group stage
Adegboye ONIGBINDE (NGA)
2006 GER
Did not qualify
2010 RSA
Group stage
Lars LAGERBACK (SWE)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Stephen KESHI (NGA)
Most capped player
Top Scorer

9 caps
Jay Jay OKOCHA
2 goals
Daniel AMOKACHI
Emmanuel AMUNIKE
Kalu UCHE
37
Round of 16 in 1994 and 1998

Continental Champions in 1980, 1994, 2013
2008
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1999, 2005,
2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993, 1995, 2001,
2003, 2007, 2009, 2013
NIGERIA (NGA)
This is Nigerias fifth participation in the World Cup. The only edition the Super Eagles missed out in since 1994
was Germany 2006.
The west Africans have notched all four of their wins in the World Cup against European sides, namely Bulgaria
(3-0 in 1994 and 1-0 in 1998), Greece (2-0 in 1994) and Spain (3-2 in 1998).
Nigeria got beyond the opening round in both of their first two participations, exiting in the Round of 16 against
Italy in 1994 and Denmark in 1998, but suffered opening-round eliminations in their last two outings, in 2002
and 2010. The Nigerians last victory in the World Cup dates back to 19 June 1998, when they edged Bulgaria 10. Since then the Super Eagles have failed to win in eight games and mustered just two draws, 0-0 against
England in 2002 and 2-2 with Korea Republic in 2010.

With five wins and three draws on the road to Brazil 2014, Nigeria extended their undefeated streak in World
Cup qualifying to 28 matches, the longest recorded by an African team. The Super Eagles last defeat was a 1-0
loss to Angola in Luanda on 20 June 2004.
Nigeria scored the fewest goals of all the 31 teams that reached Brazil via the preliminaries, netting just 11 in
eight games.
No African side has racked up as many qualifying victories as Nigeria, whose overall record of 53 wins from 96
games equates to a win rate of 55.2 per cent.
Portugal (POR)

1914
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
1923
1930 URU
Confederation
UEFA
1934 ITA
Did not qualify
14
1938 FRA
Did not qualify
3 (2010, 2012)
1950 BRA
Did not qualify
1954 SUI
Did not qualify
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
12 (8-3-1)
1966 ENG
Semi-finals (3rd)
24/11
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Group stage
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
1994 USA
Did not qualify
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
2002 JPN/KOR
Group Stage
Antonio OLIVEIRA (POR)
2006 GER
Semi-finals (4th)
2010 RSA
Round of 16
2014 BRA
Qualified
PAULO BENTO (POR)

October 2013
position (years)
19

Goals for / against
3-0
vs Luxembourg
vs Azerbaijan
Team Manager
Otto GLORIA (BRA)

Goals for / against
23 (12-3-8)
39/22
7-0
vs Korea DPR in 2010
Most capped player
11 Caps
SIMAO
Top Scorer
9 goals
EUSEBIO

Jose TORRES (POR)
1966
18
3rd in 1966

FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1979, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2007,
2011, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1989, 1995, 2003
PORTUGAL (POR)
This is Portugals fourth consecutive outing in the World Cup finals and their sixth overall. The Lusitanians
achieved their best placing in their debut participation back in 1966, when they finished third. In 2006 they
reached the semi-finals before ending in fourth spot.
Portugal are one of just two teams that have won a World Cup match from three goals down. Just 25 minutes
into the quarter-final on 23 July 1966, Portugal were already three goals behind against Korea DPR, but
managed to turn the tables and triumph 5-3. The only other team to have performed this feat are Austria, who
trailed Switzerland 3-0 after 23 minutes of the 1954 quarter-final before battling back to win 7-5.
In 2010 Portugal achieved their most emphatic World Cup win to date, beating Korea DPR 7-0. During that
victorythe seventh biggest in the tournaments historysix Portuguese players were on target, namely Raul
Meireles, Simao, Hugo Almeida, Tiago (twice), Liedson and Cristiano Ronaldo. The record is held by Yugoslavia,
who netted through seven different players in their 9-0 win over Zaire in 1974.

This is the second consecutive time that Portugal have taken the play-off route to the finals. As in the 2010
tournament against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Lusitanians won both legs of the decider.
Including the two play-off games against Sweden, Portugal have now contested 129 World Cup qualifiers, more
than any other European team.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two hat-tricks during the qualifying tournament, the only European to do so. The feat
was also achieved in the 2014 preliminaries by Peter Byers of Antigua and Barbuda and bettered only by
Vietnams Le Cong Vinh, who scored three and four goals in separate fixtures. Cristiano Ronaldo bagged both of
his trebles on the road, in Northern Ireland and in Sweden during the play-off.
Russia (RUS)

1912
Year Host
Participation
Team Manager
& Ranking
1912
1930 URU
Confederation
UEFA
1934
ITA
Did not enter
19
1938 FRA
Did not enter
3 (1996)
1950 BRA
Did not enter
1954 SUI
Did not enter
1958 SWE
Quarter-finals
Gavril KACHALIN (URS)
1962 CHI
Quarter-finals
10 (7 1 2)
1966 ENG
Semi-finals (4th)
Nikolai MOROZOV (URS)
20 / 5
1970 MEX
Quarter-finals
1974 FRG
Disqualified
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Second Round
Konstantin BESKOV (URS)
1986 MEX
Round of 16
Valeriy LOBANOVSKYI (URS)
1990 ITA
Group Stage
Valeriy LOBANOVSKYI (URS)
1994 USA
Group Stage
Pavel SADYRIN (RUS)
1998 FRA
Did not qualify

October 2013
position
15

Matches (win/draw /loss)
Goals for / against
4-0
vs Luxembourg
vs Israel


Matches
(win/ draw / loss)
1958
37 (17 6 14)
Goals for / against

Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
64 / 44
6-0
vs Hungary in 1986
13 caps
Lev YASHIN
6 goals
Oleg SALENKO
12
2002 JPN/KOR Group Stage

2006 GER
Did not qualify
2010 RSA
Did not qualify
2014 BRA
Qualified
Oleg ROMANTSEV (RUS)
Fabio CAPELLO (ITA)
th
4 in 1966
1958-1990 Soviet Union (URS)
1980, 1988
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1977, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991,
1993, 1995
RUSSIA (RUS)
Russia will be taking part in their tenth World Cup, including participations as Soviet Union. Their last
appearance was in 2002, when they were eliminated in the group round. The Russians failed to get beyond the
opening stage during their last three World Cup outings, in 1990, 1994 and 2002. Their best tournament was in
1966 when Soviet Union finished fourth, having lost to Germany in the semi-finals and Portugal in the match for
third place.
At the 1970 edition, substitutions were allowed for the first time and the use of yellow and red cards was
introduced. The then Soviet Union were the first team to receive a yellow card, when Kakhi Asatiani was
cautioned against Mexico, as well as the first to make a substitution, when Anatoli Puzach replaced Viktor
Serebryanikov at half-time in the same match.
The record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup finals match belongs to Russias Oleg Salenko, who
fired in five during the 6-1 win over Cameroon in 1994.

Together with the Netherlands, Russia were one of only two teams that won all of their home qualifiers on the
trail to Brazil 2014, having notched five victories on native soil.
Russia are the only European side that qualified directly despite losing two games in their group, which they won
by one point ahead of Portugal. The Russians two defeats came in Portugal and Northern Ireland, both by the
scoreline of 1-0.
Two of Russias matches were postponed due to adverse weather conditions. The fixture against Northern
Ireland in Belfast, which was originally scheduled for 22 March, was initially put back one day due to heavy
snowfall before being called off and rescheduled to 14 August. The home tie against Luxembourg was delayed
by an hour due to rain.
Spain (ESP)
1913
Year Host
Participation
& Ranking
1904
1930 URU
Confederation
UEFA
1934
Quarter-Finals

October 2013
position (years)
Entry not accepted
1950 BRA
Semi-finals (4th)
1954 SUI
Did not qualify
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Group stage
Helenio HERRERA (ARG)
8 (6 2 0)
1966 ENG
Group stage
Jose VILLALONGA (ESP)
14 / 3
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
4-0
vs Belarus
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Group stage
Ladislao KUBALA (ESP)
13
1982* ESP
Second round
Jose SANTAMARIA (ESP)
1934
1986 MEX
Quarter-Finals
Miguel MUNOZ (ESP)
1990 ITA
Round of 16
Luis SUAREZ (ESP)
88 / 59
1994 USA
Quarter-finals
Javier CLEMENTE (ESP)
6-1 vs Bulgaria in 1998
1998 FRA
Group stage
Javier CLEMENTE (ESP)
2002 JPN/KOR
Quarter-finals
Jose Antonio CAMACHO (ESP)
2006 GER
Round of 16
Luis ARAGONES (ESP)
2010 RSA
Champions
2014 BRA
Qualified
17
Goals for / against

Goals for / against
Most capped player
Top Scorer
Amadeo GARCIA (ESP)
1938 FRA
1
1 (2008/2009/2010/2011
2012/2013)
ITA
Team Manager
56 (28 12 16)
16 caps
Andoni ZUBIZARRETA
8 goals
David VILLA
6
Champions in 2010
Guillermo EIZAGUIRRE (ESP)
European Champions in 1964, 2008, 2012
1980, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2012
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1991,
1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1991, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003,
2007, 2009
SPAIN (ESP)
Spain are taking part in their 14th World Cup and the tenth in a row since 1978. La Roja earned their first world
title at South Africa 2010, following a previous best finish of fourth at the 1950 edition in Brazil.
Iker Casillas is one of three goalkeepers who have saved two penalties in normal or extra time in the FIFA World
Cup. However, in contrast to Polands Jan Tomaszewski in 1974 and United States Brad Friedel in 2002, Casillas
did it in two different editions, against Republic of Ireland in 2002 and Paraguay in 2010. At the South Africa
finals, the Spanish stopper also won the adidas Golden Glove as the tournaments top keeper.
Of the nine players who have represented two different nations in the history of the World Cup, the most
famous was undoubtedly legendary striker Ferenc Puskas. The man nicknamed the Galloping Major played in
Spains colours at Chile 1962, eight years after being a runner-up with Hungary.

Having won six and drawn two of their eight matches played in the 2014 tournament, Spain extended their
unbeaten World Cup qualifying run to 53 matches, the longest of all time. The Iberians last defeat stretches
back to 31 March 1993, when they suffered a 1-0 reverse against Denmark in Copenhagen.
Spain have never lost once in 52 home matches played in World Cup qualifying, recording 43 victories and nine
draws.
The Spaniards had the best defence in the European Zone preliminary tournament with just three goals
conceded, although they were in the five-team group and therefore played two games less than most other
sides. La Roja shipped all of their goals at home and in the last 12 minutes of play, specifically in the 4th minute
of injury time during the 1-1 draw with France; in the 79th minute of the other home draw against Finland,
which also ended 1-1; and in the 89th minute of the 2-1 win over Belarus. Spain didnt concede a single goal on
their travels.
Switzerland (SUI)
1895
Year Host
Participation
& Ranking
1930 URU
1934
ITA
Quarter-finals
Heini MUELLER (SUI)
1938 FRA
Quarter-finals
Karl RAPPAN (AUT)
1950 BRA
Group stage
Franco ANDREOLI (SUI)
1954* SUI
Quarter-finals
Karl RAPPAN (AUT)
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Group stage
Karl RAPPAN (AUT)
1966 ENG
Group stage
Alfredo FONI (ITA)
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Did not qualify
38/52
1994 USA
Round of 16
4-1
vs Romania in 1994
vs Italy in 1954
8 caps
Kiki ANTENEN
6 goals
Sepp HUEGI
1998 FRA
Did not qualify
2002 JPN/KOR
Did not qualify
2006 GER
Round of 16
Koebi KUHN (SUI)
2010 RSA
Group stage
21
2014 BRA
Qualified
1904
Confederation
UEFA

October 2013
Best ever FIFA World
Ranking position
Team Manager
3 (Aug 1993)

18

10 (7 3 0)
Goals for / against

17 / 6
2-0
vs Albania, Iceland, Norway &
Slovenia

Matches
(win/ draw / loss)
Goals for / against
Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
9
1934
29 (9-6-14)
Quarter-finals in 1934, 1938, 1954
Roy HODGSON (ENG)

SWITZERLAND (SUI)
This is Switzerlands third consecutive participation and their tenth overall. The Helvetians achieved their best
placing in 1934, 1938 and 1954 when they reached the quarter-finals.
After failing to keep a clean sheet in their first 22 games played in footballs showpiece event, Switzerland
conceded no goals in their four matches at Germany 2006, thus becoming the first team to be eliminated from
the World Cup without letting in a goal. Having reached the Round of 16 with three shutouts from their three
group matches, Switzerland were ousted on penalties by Ukraine following a 0-0 stalemate. That 3-0 spot-kick
defeat by Ukraine in 2006 was also the first time that a team had failed to score in a penalty shoot-out in the
history of the World Cup.
During the 2010 event, Switzerland were the only team to defeat the eventual world champions Spain, having
edged the Iberians 1-0 in the opening group game. The Swiss subsequently lost their second match 1-0 to Chile
following a 75th-minute winner from Mark Gonzalez. It was the first goal that Switzerland had conceded for
559 minutes of play, a tournament record that topped the 550-minute run of invincibility previously achieved by
Italy.

Switzerland struck 17 goals in their ten preliminary games. Of all the European teams that qualified directly
without going via the play-offs, the Helvetians goals-per-game average was the lowest at 1.7.
The Swiss enjoyed their first unbeaten World Cup preliminary campaign since 1950, although in that year they
played only two qualifiers. They had also gone undefeated in the 1934 tournament, having played twice, and in
1938, when they contested just one qualifier. The Helvetians record on the road to Brazil 2014 was seven wins
and three draws.
Granit Xhakas two goals in the preliminaries were also Switzerlands first and last of the tournament.
Furthermore, they both came against Slovenia. The first was the opener in Switzerlands 2-0 away win on 7
September, whereas the second was the only goal in the final group game at home on 15 October 2013.
Uruguay (URU)
1900
Year Host
qualifying &
Ranking
Team Manager
1923
1930 URU*
Champions
Alberto SUPPICI (URU)
1934
ITA
Did not enter
1938 FRA
Did not enter
2 (Jun 2012)
1950 BRA
Champions
1954 SUI**
Semi-finals (4th) Juan LOPEZ (URU)
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Group stage
Juan Carlos CORAZZO (URU)
1966 ENG
Quarter-finals
Ondino VIERA (URU)
30 / 25
1970 MEX
Semi-finals (4th) Juan HOHBERG (URU)
5-0
vs Jordan
1974 FRG
Group stage
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Round of 16
Omar BORRAS (URU)
1990 ITA
Round of 16
Oscar TABAREZ (URU)
Confederation
CONMEBOL

October 2013
position (year)
15

18 (8 5 5)
Goals for / against

11
1930
Matches
(win / draw / loss)
47 (18 12 17)
Goals for / against
76 / 65
1994 USA
Did not qualify
8-0
vs Bolivia in 1950
13 caps
Ladislao MAZURKIEWICZ
8 goals
Oscar MIGUEZ
1998 FRA
Did not qualify

Most capped player
Top Scorer
9
Champions in 1930 & 1950
2002 JPN/KOR Group stage
Juan LOPEZ (URU)
Roberto PORTA (URU)
Victor PUA (URU)
2006 GER
Did not qualify
2010 RSA
Semi-finals (4th) Oscar TABAREZ (URU)
2014 BRA
Qualified
*
**
Oscar TABAREZ (URU)

South American Champions in 1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924,
1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995, 2011
FIFA U-20 World Cup:1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1991, 1993,
1997, 1999, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1991, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013
Olympic Football Tournaments: 1924, 1928, 2012
URUGUAY (URU)

Uruguay won ten of their first 11 matches played in world football's premier competition, during the 1930 and
1950 editions when they finished both campaigns as world champions. The South Americans then declined to
take part in the Italy 1934 and France 1938 events.
At the 2010 global showpiece Diego Forlan scored five goals to become the first Uruguayan to finish a FIFA
World Cup as tournament top scorer, albeit alongside Spains David Villa, Germanys Thomas Mueller and
Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands.
The last time Uruguay defeated European opponents in the World Cup was way back in 1970, when they edged
out Soviet Union 1-0 after extra time in the quarter-finals. Since then La Celeste have recorded six draws and
nine defeats against UEFA teams.

This was the fourth consecutive edition in which Uruguay had to play an intercontinental play-off, a route that
has now secured their passage on three occasions, against Australia in the 2002 campaign, Costa Rica in 2010
and Jordan in 2014.The Uruguayans only play-off elimination came in 2006 against Australia.
Luis Suarez was the top scorer in the South American qualifying group with 11 goals, one more than Argentinas
Lionel Messi and two ahead of Gonzalo Higuain, also of Argentina, and Colombias Radamel Falcao.
The 5-0 first-leg play-off win over Jordan in Amman is Uruguays all-time biggest away victory in World Cup
qualification.
USA

1913
Year Host
Participation &
Ranking
Team Manager
1914
1930 URU
Semi-finals (3)
Bob MILLAR (USA)
CONCACAF
1934 ITA
First round
David GOULD (USA)
13
1938 FRA
Withdrew from Preliminary competition
4 (Apr 2006)
1950 BRA
Group stage
1954 SUI
Did not qualify
1958 SWE
Did not qualify
1962 CHI
Did not qualify
16 (11-2-3)
1966 ENG
Did not qualify
26/14
1970 MEX
Did not qualify
5 matches won with 2 goals

difference
1974 FRG
Did not qualify
1978 ARG
Did not qualify
1982 ESP
Did not qualify
1986 MEX
Did not qualify
1990 ITA
Group stage
Bob GANSLER (USA)
1994* USA
Round of 16
1998 FRA
Group stage
Steve SAMPSON (USA)
2002 JPN/KOR
Quarter-finals
Bruce ARENA (USA)
2006 GER
Group stage
Bruce ARENA (USA)
2010 RSA
Round of 16
Bob BRADLEY (USA)
2014 BRA
Qualified
Juergen KLINSMANN (GER)
Confederation
October 2013
position (year)
17

Goals for / against

Goals for / against
Most capped player
Top Scorer
Ranking
Best FIFA World Cup
achievement
9
1930
29 (7-5-17)
32/56
3-0
vs Belgium in 1930
vs Paraguay in 1930
12 caps
Landon DONOVAN
5 goals
Landon DONOVAN
25
Bill JEFFREY (SCO)
Semi-finals in 1930
*
Continental Champions in 1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013
1956, 1972, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008
FIFA Confederations Cup: 1992, 1999, 2003, 2009
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1981, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1999,
2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2013
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997,
1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011
USA (USA)
This will be USAs tenth foray in the World Cup finals and their seventh in a row since 1990. The Americans
achieved their best performance at the 1930 edition, when they reached the semi-finals. More recently in 2002,
they qualified for the quarter-finals.
The first hat-trick in World Cup history was scored by an American player, Bert Patenaude, who struck all three
goals in the victory over Paraguay in 1930.
USAs most prestigious victory, also because it was one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, was a 1-0
win over England in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in 1950. The winning goal was scored by Joe Gaetjens.

Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan are USAs all-time top scorers in World Cup qualifying with 13 goals apiece,
thanks to respective goal returns of eight and one on the road to Brazil 2014.
USA played their eight home qualifiers in six different cities, with only Kansas City and Columbus hosting two
fixtures. The Stars and Stripes maintained a 100 per cent record on native soil, winning eight out of eight.
USA won a total of 11 qualifiers on the way to Brazil 2014, more than any of the other finalists.
History of the Final Draws for the FIFA World Cup

Today, the Final Draw for a FIFA World Cup is a major event watched by thousands of spectators at the draw
venue and millions more live at home on television or the internet. Accordingly, the financial and time
investment required for the preparation of this event is significant, and given the huge technical requirements, it
can now only be held in congress centres, which have the necessary technology and know-how at their disposal.
But this was not always the case: the Final Draw only grew to such a scale just over 20 years ago with Italia 90,
when it could no longer be held in TV studios, hotels or even government ministries, as had traditionally been
the case. Here is a brief review of the World Cup final draws over the century.
2010 Cape Town (RSA), 4 December 2009

Venue
Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
Teams in draw
32
The 2010 FIFA World Cup final draw show was broadcasted to more than 250 million viewers across the globe. FIFAs
Secretary General Jerme Valcke conducted the draw together with South African actress Charlize Theron.They were joined
on stage by a star-studded line-up of sports celebrities, including football star David Beckham (England), one of only a few
players to score in at least three consecutive FIFA World Cups, Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia), two-time Olympic gold medallist
and nine-time athletics world champion, Makhaya Ntini, the first black player in the South African cricket team, John Smit,
the captain of rugby world champions South Africa and Bafana Bafana player Matthew Booth.
As for the previous FIFA World Cup the 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four, with Argentina, Brazil, England,
Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and hosts South Africa all seeded. The toughest draw was definitely the one of five-time
champions Brazil having to play Portugal and Africas strongest team Ivory Coast and North Korea.
Impressions of the Final Draw, Cape Town: Group assignment on the screen - South African cricketer Makhaya Ntini (RSA) at the draw FIFA
Secretary General Jerome Valcke ( left) and Charlize Theron ( middle) welcome South African footballer Matthew Booth (RSA) (Photos: FIFA)
2006 Leipzig (GER), 9 December 2005

Venue:
Neue Messe
Teams in Draw
32
The Final Draw for the 2006 FIFA World Cup provided the world with an entertaining show, led by personalities such as
Heidi Klum, Franz Beckenbauer and South American songster Juanes, who performed his hit number La camisa negra. The
official FIFA World Cup match ball Teamgeist was launched with assistance from Germany midfielder and captain Michael
Ballack. The Neue Messe in the former East German city of Leipzig was the setting for a show which was watched by an
unprecedented audience of 300 million in almost 150 countries worldwide, with draw assistants including the likes of Pel,
Lothar Matthus, Roger Milla and Johan Cruyff.
The 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four, with Brazil, England, Spain, Mexico, France, Argentina, Italy and hosts
Germany all seeded. As usual, there were a few eyebrows raised at the particularly interesting groups, including the usual
Group of Death, Group C, which comprised Argentina, Cte dIvoire, Serbia and Montenegro and the Netherlands.
2002 Busan (KOR), 1 December 2001

Venue
Busan Exhibition & Convention Centre (BEXCO)
Teams in Draw
32
The Final Draw for the 2002 FIFA World Cup provided the world with a spectacular show and the prospect of some very
exciting matches. The Korean coastal city of Busan, with its magnificent Busan Exhibition & Convention Centre (BEXCO), was
the focus of attention for a draw televised in over 130 countries worldwide. American vocalist Anastacia gave a debut public
performance of Boom, the official song of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
But it was the draw itself that would produce the biggest boom of the evening. One group in particular brought gasps
from around the auditorium. Group F brought together Argentina, England, Nigeria and Sweden. The competition format
remained the same as in 1998, comprising eight groups of four teams, with title holders France, Brazil, Spain, Germany,
Argentina and Italy as well as hosts Korea Republic and Japan being seeded.
1998 Marseilles (FRA), 4 December 1997

Venue
Stade Vlodrome
Teams in Draw
32
For the first time in FIFAs history, the Final Draw for the World Cup was staged in a football stadium. In an atmosphere of
fascinated suspense, 38,000 spectators at the Stade Vlodrome in Marseilles and about a billion TV viewers around the globe
watched the familiar ceremony with the plastic balls, names and numbers. Celebrated football personalities including Franz
Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto Parreira, George Weah and Raymond Kopa took turns to draw the names of the 32 finalist
teams and place them in the eight groups under the watchful eye of then FIFA General Secretary Joseph S. Blatter.
The 1998 World Cup was the first with 32 finalists, with one seeded team in each of the eight first-round groups. Germany,
Italy, Argentina, Spain, Romania and the Netherlands were seeded along with defending champions Brazil and hosts France.
Franz Beckenbauer (right) as draw assistant to the then FIFA General Secretary
Joseph S. Blatter (Photo: FIFA Archive)
1994 Las Vegas (USA), 19 December 1993

Venue
Convention Center
Teams in Draw
24
The eyes of the football world were firmly fixed on Las Vegas and an array of stars from show business and the world of
sport as an audience of around 4,500 packed the Convention Center for the Final Draw for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Of
all the teams, Bolivia the rank outsiders were handed the honour of tackling defending champions Germany in the
opening match.
The competition format remained the same as in 1990, comprising six groups of four teams, with Germany, Brazil,
Argentina, Belgium, Italy and the USA being seeded.
1990 Rome (ITA), 9 December 1989

Venue
Palazzo dello Sport dellEur
Teams in Draw
24
Italy mobilised a galaxy of stars to support FIFA General Secretary Joseph S. Blatter during the Final Draw for Italia '90 at the
Palaeur in Rome: opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti, movie legend Sophia Loren and football stars including Pel, Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge and the late Bobby Moore. It was the most ambitious draw show to date, with opera interspersed with rock
(Gianna Nannini and Edoardo Bennato singing the official World Cup song Un estate italiana) and modern dance.
The technical format remained the same as in Mexico: six groups of four, the seeded teams being Argentina, Brazil, Italy,
Germany FR, Belgium and England.
Final Draw in Rome. From left to right: Michel Platini, actress Elisabetta Gardini, Pele
and Joseph S. Blatter (photo: FIFA Archive)
1986 Mexico City (MEX), 15 December 1985

Venue
Televisa television studios
Teams in Draw
24
The Draw in Mexico City was held at the Televisa television studios against the backdrop of a striking Mayan decor. There
were 45 draw procedures in an intensive 23 minutes, with three young boys adeptly plucking out the all-important plastic
balls.
A change from three-team groups to a knockout stage in the second round made no difference to the draw for the six firstround groups, with Mexico, Italy, Brazil, Germany FR, France and Poland the seeded teams.
1982 Madrid (ESP), 16 January 1982

Venue
Palacio de Congresos
Teams in Draw
24
The Draw ceremony at Madrids Palacio de Congresos under the patronage of the Spanish royal family is unfortunately best
remembered (or forgotten) for a mishap with one of the revolving drums containing the mini-footballs with the teams
names and the confusion that ensued in an effort to keep the South American qualifiers apart in the first round. FIFA learnt
its lesson and subsequently returned to the foolproof system of using men rather than machines to make the Draw.
The 1982 World Cup was the first with 24 finalists, with one seeded team in each of the six four-team, first-round groups.
Lengthy discussions led to Argentina, Brazil, Germany FR, England, Spain and ultimate champions Italy being seeded.
1978 Buenos Aires (ARG), 14 January 1978

Venue
Teatro San Martin
Teams in Draw
16
With 99 national teams entering the preliminary competition, the qualifying period lasted longer than ever before 21
months and included qualifying matches between the USA and Canada on an artificial pitch (in Vancouver) and in an
indoor stadium (in Seattle) for the first time.
The Final Draw at the Teatro San Martin in Buenos Aires was based upon the most complicated seeding arrangement yet,
with a compromise being reached to place five seeded teams in the four groups: Argentina (group 1/team 1), Italy (1/4),
Germany FR (2/6), Brazil (3/12) and the Netherlands (4/13). Two of the seeds reached the final, but the mathematical formula
was not a happy one and was promptly discarded.
1974 Frankfurt (FRG), 5 January 1974

Venue
Main hall of Radio Hessen
Teams in Draw
16
The German organisers had picked a truly innocent hand to draw the teams during the ceremony in the main hall of Radio
Hessen in Frankfurt. And yet the chosen member of the Schneberger Sngerknaben boys choir from Berlin created an
uproar as he produced perhaps the biggest shock of all such occasions, by drawing the name of the hosts, Germany FR (one
of the seeded teams together with Brazil, Italy and Uruguay), in the same group as the neighbouring German DR. Despite the
political overtones, the game went ahead and the GDR won the game in Hamburg 1-0, although it was Germany FR who
went on to win the cup.
Eleven-year-old Detlef Lange (FRG) in charge of the group stage fixture - FIFA Executive committee during the Final Draw for the 1974 FIFA
World Cup (photos: FIFA Archive)
1970 Mexico City (MEX), 10 January 1970

Venue
Maria Isabel Sheraton Hotel
Teams in Draw
16
Uppermost in the minds of the European (and other) finalists was the desire to avoid matches scheduled for midday in the
heat and the altitude of Mexico City and other venues, which was made necessary by the sudden enormous expansion of
worldwide television coverage.
There were no seeds, instead the committee in charge formed geographical sections from which the four groups were
drawn at the Maria Isabel Sheraton Hotel. The hosts managed to finish second in their group on goal average behind the
Soviet Union. Defending champions England were drawn in a first-round group with Brazil, who would brilliantly go on to
win the title.
Final draw for the FIFA World Cup Mexico 1970 at the Maria Isabel Sheraton Hotel (photo: FIFA Archive)
1966 London (ENG), 6 January 1966

Venue
Royal Garden Hotel
Teams in Draw
16
With excitement running high in the homeland of football, the Draw for the 1966 World Cup at the Royal Garden Hotel in
London was the first ever to be televised live, ensuring an even more intensive build-up to the big event.
There was no change in the format, with England, Germany FR, Brazil and Italy the top seeds among the 16 finalists from an
original entry of 74 countries. The Draw eventually led to the spectacular encounter between the only two newcomers in the
competition, surprise package Korea DPR and Eusebios Portugal in the quarter-final.
1962 Santiago de Chile (CHI), 18 January 1962

Venue
Carrera Hotel
Teams in Draw
16
For the Final Draw at the Carrera Hotel the new rule was maintained whereby the defending champions as well as the hosts
qualified automatically to take part in the 16-team finals.
FIFAs only innovation for the tournament in Chile was to refer to first-round groups rather than pools. One team was
seeded per group: Uruguay, Chile, Brazil and Argentina.
The interest of the media at a final draw has always been big here for the Final Draw of the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Santiago de Chile.
(photos: FIFA Archive)
1958 Solna (SWE), 8 February 1958

Venue
Cirkus studio of Swedish TV
Teams in Draw
16
The 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden not only saw the arrival of Pel but also that of the finals format that was to hold fast
for several subsequent tournaments: four pools of four, each team playing each other, with the top two qualifying for the
quarter-finals.
For the Draw at the Cirkus studio of Swedish TV there were no seeds as such, apart from each pool containing one western
European team, one of the four British teams that had qualified, and one from Latin America, which made for some strong
first-round groups.
1954 Zurich (SUI), 30 November 1953

Venue
St- Gotthard Hotel
Teams in Draw
16
By the time of the World Cup in Switzerland (where FIFA was celebrating its half-century at its headquarters in Zurich), the
finals format was beginning to settle down: 16 finalists, four first-round pools, quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final shaped
the Final Draw at the St- Gotthard Hotel in Zurich made by Emil Landolt, the mayor of the town.
However, the imaginative 1954 organisers seeded two teams per pool, who only played the two non-seeded teams. Seeding
was also subject to a new procedure. The seeded teams were determined before they had even qualified for the finals, which
meant that favourites Spain had to be replaced as seeds by their conquerors, Turkey while Germany FR, the eventual
champions, were unseeded in the same first-round quartet!
FIFA Communications & Public Affairs - Documentation

Statistical Kit 2014FWC Final Draw
76
1950 Rio de Janeiro (BRA), 22 May 1950

Venue
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Teams in Draw
13
With Europe recovering from the war, the first World Cup of a new era in Brazil saw another innovation in the format for the
finals, designed to ensure the Europeans would not make the long trip for only one game. The Draw for what was since a
1946 FIFA Congress decision called the Jules Rimet Cup took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Thirteen finalists from a rather confusing qualifying process (in which teams withdrew after qualifying and eliminated teams
were re-admitted) were drawn into three pools: two of four teams, one of three and one mini-group of two. The pool
winners progressed to a final pool, without a traditional final. Nevertheless, the results in the final pool meant that the last
scheduled match, in which Uruguay defeated Brazil 2-1, did indeed determine the champions.
Final Draw in the Brazilian foreign office in Rio de Janeiro - Ottorino Barassi (ITA, left), President of the Italian Football Federation and Hugo
Fracarolli (BRA) during the draw (photos: FIFA Archive)
1938 Paris (FRA), 5 March 1938

Venue
Salon d'Horloge of the Ministre des Affaires trangres
Teams in Draw
15
Only 15 of the 16 teams that had qualified from an original entry of 36 arrived in France for what was to be the last World
Cup for 12 years. Austria had disappeared as a political entity after qualifying and the countrys place in the finals was
offered to England, who having already declined to enter the qualifiers also rejected this invitation.
The Draw in the famous Salon d'Horloge of the Ministre des Affaires trangres was made by the grandson of the French
President of FIFA, Jules Rimet, in Paris, with Sweden receiving a bye and Germany (who had co-opted several of the Austrian
stars), France, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Cuba and sole South American representatives Brazil being seeded.
1934 Rome (ITA), 3 May 1934

Venue
Albergo Ambasciatori
Teams in Draw
16
The inaugural World Cup had been so successful that the entries for the second were rather more encouraging, with 32
teams wanting to play in Italy. Therefore, even the hosts, Italy, had to qualify which they did without too much difficulty
against Greece.
The Draw at the Ambasciatori Hotel in Rome was again made just before the tournament began. This time, the first round
was to be a knockout stage, which meant half of the teams would go home after only one game. The USA, who had
submitted their entry after the official deadline, were forced to contest a play-off against Central American qualifiers Mexico
before going into the first round ... and a 7-1 defeat by Italy.
1930 Montevideo (URU), 10 July 1930

Venue
FIFA offices in Montevideo
Teams in Draw
13
The organisation of the first World Cup looked rather different from todays no qualifying competition, teams playing by
invitation, three weeks of sea voyage for the four European sides ... and a Final Draw which was not made until the teams
and FIFA arrived in Uruguay a mere three days before the opening matches.
The original plan had been to hold the event on a traditional knock-out basis, but when only 13 teams turned up, first-round
groups were formed with the top team in each group going through to the semi-finals.
77
Slots - Overview by tournament since 1930
African Zone
North,
Central
American &
Caribbean
Zone
Asian Zone
Oceanian
Zone
TOTAL
6 (5.5)
4 (3.5)
4 (4.5)
0 (0.5)
32
13
5 (4.5)
3 (3.5)
4 (4.5)
1 (0.5)
32
2006
14
4 (4.5)
4 (3.5)
4 (4.5)
1 (0.5)
32
2002
15 (14.5)
5 (4.5)
4 (4.5)
0 (0.5)
32
1998
15
4 (3.5)
0 (0.5)
32
1994
13
4 (3.5)
2 (2.25)
0 (0.25)
24
1990
14
4 (3.5)
0 (0.5)
24
1986
14 (13.5)
0 (0.5)
24
1982
14
1 (1)
1 (1)
24
1978
10 (10.5)
3 (3.5)
1 (0.5)
0 (0.5)
16
1974
9 (9.5)
4 (3.5)
0 (0.5)
1 (0.5)
16
1970
16
1966
10
16
1962
10
1958
12 (11.5)
1954
12
1950
European
Zone
South
American
Zone
2014
13
2010
16
16
16
1938
12
1934
12
1930
13
1
15
16
13
Due to the later foundation of the confederations, the teams participating in the early editions of the FIFA World Cup were
not officially affiliated to any superior organisation, and groupings were loosely based on geographical and continental
boundaries.
* 1958 saw a play-off between Wales and Israel, with Israel categorised under the "Asia/Africa" group. Therefore 0.5 of a
slot belonged jointly to Asia/Africa, although ultimately neither continent sent any representatives.
Number of slots before the play-offs in brackets

78
Summary of the number of teams qualified since 1930

Host
Finalists
Host automatically
qualified
Defending champions
automatically
qualified
Teams qualified by
preliminary
competition
2014
Brazil
32
31
2010
South Africa
32
31
2006
Germany
32
31
2002
Japan/Korea
32
29
1998
France
32
30
1994
USA
24
22
1990
Italy
24
22
1986
Mexico
24
22
1982
Spain
24
22
1978
Argentina
16
14
1974
Germany FR
16
14
1970
Mexico
16
14
1966
England
16
14
1962
Chile
16
14
1958
Sweden
16
14
1954
Switzerland
16
14
1950
Brazil
13
11
1938
France
15
14
1934
Italy
16
16
1930
Uruguay
13

no preliminary competition, teams entered by invitation
79
Belgium
Brazil
1934
1930
Cuba
Czech Republic
England
France
Italy
Hungary
Japan
Korea Republic
Mexico
Netherlands
Paraguay
Poland
Romania
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Uruguay
USA
Chile
Germany
1938
Austria
Colombia
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1990
1970
1994
1974
1998
1978
2002
1982
2006
1986
2010
Argentina
2014
Summary of seeded teams
seeded
winner
Top-seeded teams and how they fared

2010
2006
2002
1998
1994
1990
Teams finishing in TOP 8
5/8
6/8
4/8
6/8
3/6
4/6
Winners
ESP
ITA
BRA
FRA
BRA
FRG
Runners-up
NED
FRA
GER
BRA
ITA
Semi-finals
GER
GER
KOR
NED
ARG BRA
BRA ENG ARG
ESP
ITA GER ARG
GER
Round of 16
ENG*
ESP* MEX*
ITA* JPN
ROU
ARG USA* BEL*
Group stage
ITA RSA
ARG FRA
ESP
Quarter-finals
ARG
ITA ENG
BEL* BRA*
*eliminated by other top-seeded team

80
Newcomers
Overview since 1930
Year
Newcomers
Best newcomer
Stage reached
2014
Bosnia-Herzegovina
2010
Slovakia*
Slovakia
round of 16
2006
Angola, Cte dIvoire, Ghana, Togo,

Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine
Ukraine
quarter-finals
2002
China PR, Ecuador, Senegal, Slovenia
Senegal
quarter-finals
1998
Croatia, Jamaica, Japan, South Africa
Croatia
third place
1994
Greece, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria
Saudi Arabia, Nigeria
round of 16
1990
Costa Rica, Republic of Ireland,

United Arab Emirates
Republic of Ireland
quarter-finals
1986
Canada, Denmark, Iraq
Denmark
round of 16
1982
Algeria, Cameroon, Honduras, Kuwait,

New Zealand
Algeria, Cameroon
3rd of 4 in group stage
1978
Iran, Tunisia
Tunisia
3rd of 4 in group stage
1974
Australia, German DR, Haiti, Zaire
German DR
3rd of 4 in second round
1970
El Salvador, Israel, Morocco
All
4th of 4 in group stage
1966
Portugal, Korea DPR
Portugal
third place
1962
Bulgaria, Columbia
All
4th of 4 in group stage
1958
Northern Ireland, Soviet Union, Wales
All
quarter-finals
1954
Korea Republic, Scotland, Turkey
Turkey
group phase play-off
1950
England
England
2nd of 4 in group stage
1938
Cuba, Dutch East Indies, Norway, Poland
Cuba
quarter-finals
1934
10
Austria, Egypt, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Italy,

Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Czechoslovakia
Italy
winners
1930
Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, France,

all Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Uruguay,
USA, Yugoslavia
* the former Czechoslovakia played in eight FIFA World Cups and were runners-up in 1934 and 1962

81
Formats of the final competitions since 1930

FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, South Africa 2010 & Germany 2006
-
32 finalists
Host automatically qualified

(top two in each group qualify for the knock-out stage in the 2nd round, the final matches in each group are played simultaneously)
Round of 16
(knock-out stage, winners proceed to quarter-finals - in a case of a draw after extra time penalty shoot-outs will be used to decide)
Quarter-finals
(knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Final
FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan 2002

-
32 finalists
Both hosts and FWC holder automatically qualified

(top two in each group qualify for the knock-out stage in the 2nd round, the final matches in each group were played simultaneously)
Round of 16
(knock-out stage, winners proceed to quarter-finals - in a case of a draw after extra time penalty shoot-outs will used to decide)
Quarter-finals
(knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Final
FIFA World Cup France 1998

-
32 finalists
30 teams qualified by preliminary competition
Host and FWC holder automatically qualified

(top two in each group qualified for the knock-out stage in the 2nd round, the final matches in each group were played simultaneously)
Round of 16
(knock-out stage, winners proceeding to quarter-finals - in a case of a draw after extra time penalty shoot-outs were used to decide)
Quarter-finals
(knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Final

82

FIFA World Cup USA 1994, Italy 1990 & Mexico 1986
-
24 finalists
Six groups of four teams

(top two in each group qualified for the knock-out stage in the 2nd round, together with the four best third-placed teams, the final
matches in each group were played simultaneously)
Round of 16
(knock-out stage, winners proceeding to quarter-finals - in a case of a draw after extra time penalty shoot-outs were used to decide)
Quarter-finals
(knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Final
FIFA World Cup Spain 1982

-
24 finalists
Six groups of four

(top two teams progressing in to four further groups of three)
Four groups of three
(group winners progressing to a semi-final knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Final
FIFA World Cup Argentina 1978 & Germany FR 1974

-
16 finalists
Four groups of four teams

(first two teams progressed into two quarter-final groups separated by goal-difference)
Two quarter-final groups
(with the winners becoming the finalists and the runners-up meeting in a third-place play-off)
Final

83

FIFA World Cup Mexico 1970, England 1966 & Chile 1962
-
16 finalists
Four groups of four teams

(first two teams progressed to quarterfinals - separated for the first time by goal- difference)
Quarter-finals
(knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Final
FIFA World Cup Sweden 1958

-
16 finalists
Four 1st round pools, winner and 2nd place of each pool progressed to the quarter finals
(in a case of equal points a play-off game was played to decide)
Quarter-finals
(knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Final
FIFA World Cup Switzerland 1954

-
16 finalists
14 teams qualifying by preliminary competition
Four 1st round pools, (with two seeded teams per pool) winner and 2nd placed team of each pool progressed to the quarter-finals
Quarter-finals
(knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Final
FIFA World Cup Brazil 1950

-
13 finalists
Two pools of four teams, one pool of three teams, one pool of two teams
Winner of each pool progressed to final pool where all the teams played each other once
First of the pool was the FWC winner

84

FIFA World Cup France 1938
-
16 finalists
Host and FWC holder automatically qualified only 15 finally entered, giving Sweden a bye to the second round
First round (knock-out stage), eight teams proceeded to second round
(in case of a draw the game was replayed)
Second round (knock-out stage), four teams proceeded to semi-finals
Semi-finals
Final
FIFA World Cup Italy 1934

-
16 finalists

(host also had to qualify!)
First round (knock-out stage), eight teams proceed to second round
Second round (knock-out stage), four teams proceed to semi-finals
Semi-finals
Final
FIFA World Cup Uruguay 1930

-
13 finalists
(no preliminary competition, teams entered by invitation)
Three pools of three teams, one pool of four teams
(winner of each pool progressed to the semi-final knock-out stage)
Semi-finals
Final

85
FIFA World Cup seeded teams 1930-2010

South Africa 2010
For sporting reasons the FIFA Organising Committee based the criteria to determine the seeding on the October 2009
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking rather than the November edition. In particular, the European Zone, where the play-offs
involving the eight best runners-up led to an imbalance in the number of qualification matches played between the teams.
Team
Ranking
South Africa (host)
20
eliminated after group stage
Brazil
quarter-finals
Spain
winners
Netherlands
runners-up
Italy
26
Germany
semi-finals
Argentina
quarter-finals
England
13
round of 16
Germany 2006
The committee based its criteria for seeding on the 32 finalists performances at the FIFA World Cup finals in 2002 and 1998
(ratio 2:1) and the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking in 2006, 2005 and 2004 (equal ratio).
Team
Ranking
Brazil
quarter-finals
England
quarter-finals
Spain
round of 16
Mexico
15
round of 16
France
runners-up
Germany (host)
semi-finals
Argentina
quarter-finals
Italy
winners
Korea/Japan 2002
The seeded teams were determined upon the finalists performance in the past three FIFA World Cup finals (ratio 3:2:1), and
their position over the past three years in the monthly FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking (equal ratio).
Team
Ranking
Argentina
18
Brazil
winners
France
28
Germany
runners-up
Italy
15
round of 16
Japan (host)
round of 16
Korea Republic (host)
semi-finals
Spain
quarter-finals
France 1998
The seeded teams were determined upon the finalists performance in the past three FIFA World Cup finals (ratio 3:2:1), and
their position over the past three years in the monthly FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking (equal ratio).
Team
Ranking
Brazil
runners-up
France (host)
winners
Germany
quarter-finals
Italy
quarter-finals
Spain
17
Argentina
quarter-finals
Romania
11
round of 16
Netherlands
semi-finals

86
FIFA World Cup seeded teams 1930-2010 continued

USA 1994
The results obtained in the last three FIFA World Cups determined the basis for setting up the bowls. The newly introduced
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, was not be considered for this World Cup as it was too new.
Team
Ranking
Argentina
10
round of 16
Brazil
winners
Germany
quarter-finals
Italy
runners-up
USA (host)
14
round of 16
Belgium
11
round of 16
Italy 1990
The ranking obtained at the last two FIFA World Cups was decisive, with the rank gained in Mexico 1986 counting double.
Team
Ranking
Argentina
runners-up
Brazil
round of 16
England
semi-final
Italy (host)
semi-final
Germany FR
winners
Belgium
11
round of 16
Mexico 1986
The division of teams into groups was made by the Organising committee in a public session by means of seeding and a
draw having regard inter alia to the geographical position of the countries represented.
Team
Ranking
Italy
12
round of 16
Mexico (host)
quarter-finals
Brazil
quarter-finals
Germany FR
runners-up
France
semi-finals
Poland
14
round of 16
Spain 1982
The division of teams into groups was made by the Organising committee in a public session by means of seeding and a
Team
Ranking
Argentina
11
second round
Brazil
quarter-finals
England
quarter-finals
Italy
winners
Spain (host)
12
second round
Germany FR
runners-up
Argentina 1978
The division of teams into groups was made by the FIFA Organising committee in a public session by means of seeding and a
Team
Ranking
Argentina (host)
winners
Italy
semi-finals
Germany FR
quarter-finals
Brazil
semi-finals
Netherlands
runners-up

87

Germany 1974
It was agreed by a vote by the FIFA Organising Committee on who would be seeded.
Team
Ranking
Brazil
semi-finals
Italy
10
Uruguay
13
Germany FR (host)
winners
Mexico 1970
There was no official seeding for this World Cup. Instead four groups of teams were formed. These were divided in to
geographical sections. Host Mexico was placed in Group 1 to play the opening match.
England 1966
The decision was made by the FIFA Organising Committee.
Team
Ranking
England (host)
winners
Germany FR
Brazil
11
runners-up
Italy
Chile 1962
It was decided that four South American teams would be seeded in consideration of economic, geographical and sportive
interests.
Team
Ranking
Brazil
Argentina
10
winners
Uruguay
12
Chile (host)
semi-finals
Sweden 1958
There were no official seeds for this World Cup but the allocation of groups was chosen by the FIFA Organising Committee.
Switzerland 1954
The seeds were chosen by the Organising Committee by means of a secret ballot.
Team
Ranking
Uruguay
semi-finals
Hungary
runners-up
England
quarter-finals
Austria
semi-finals
Italy
10
Brazil
quarter-finals
France
11
Turkey
Brazil 1950
The decision was made by the FIFA Organising Committee following a recommendation by the Brazilian Federation.
Team
Ranking
Brazil (host)
England
runners-up
Italy
Uruguay
winners

88

France 1938
The decision was made by the FIFA Organising Committee
Team
Ranking
Brazil
semi-finals
Czechoslovakia
quarter-finals
France (host)
quarter-finals
Germany
10
eliminated after first round
Hungary
runners-up
Italy
winners
Cuba
quarter-finals
Sweden
semi-finals
Cuba and Sweden technically received a bye due to the withdrawal of Austria and Argentina.
Italy 1934
Team
Ranking
Germany
semi-finals
Argentina
eliminated after preliminary round
Netherlands
Czechoslovakia
runners-up
Austria
semi-finals
Hungary
quarter-finals
Brazil
14
Italy (host)
winners
Uruguay 1930
Team
Ranking
USA
semi-finals
Argentina
runners-up
Brazil
quarter-finals
Uruguay (host)
winners
Paraguay
eliminated after the group stage

89
Most recurring matches in the FIFA World Cup history

Recurring
Head-to-head
7x
Sweden vs Brazil
6x
Argentina vs Germany
6x
Germany vs Yugoslavia
5x
Argentina vs England
5x
Argentina vs Italy
5x
Brazil vs Czechoslovakia
5x
Brazil vs Italy
5x
Brazil vs Spain
5x
England vs Germany
5x
France vs Italy
5x
Germany vs Italy
Most played head-to-head at the FIFA World Cup: Brazil vs Sweden - from left to right: FIFA World Cup Final in
Solna/Stockholm in 1958, Vava (BRA, left) scores, match ending 5:2 for Brazil. Middle: FIFA World Cup 1994 group
match in Detroit, USA - Tomas Brolin (SWE, left) gets past Aldair (BRA) match ending 1:1. Right: FIFA World Cup
1990 group match in Turin, Italy - Anders Limpar (SWE, right) in play against Dunga, Brazil winning 2:1
European Zone

90

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Contents

The 32 Finalists .................................................................................................................................3

Alejandro SABELLA (ARG)

Vahid HALILHODZIC (BIH)

Brazil (BRA) host

Luiz Felipe SCOLARI (BRA)

Volker FINKE (GER)

Jorge SAMPAOLI (ARG)

Cte dIvoire (CIV)

Sabri LAMOUCHI (FRA)

Jose PEKERMAN (ARG)

Akwasi APPIAH (GHA)

Reinaldo RUEDA (COL)

Stephen KESHI (NGA)

Oscar TABAREZ (URU)

Marc WILMOTS (BEL)

Ange POSTECOGLOU (AUS)

Safet SUSIC (BIH)

Carlos QUEIROZ (POR)

Nico KOVAC (CRO)

Alberto ZACCHERONI (ITA)

Roy HODGSON (ENG)

Korea Republic (KOR)

Myung Bo HONG (KOR)

Didier DESCHAMPS (FRA)

Joachim LOEW (GER)

Fernando SANTOS (POR)

Cesare PRANDELLI (ITA)

Louis VAN GAAL (NED)

Costa Rica (CRC)

Jorge Luis PINTO (COL)

PAULO BENTO (POR)

Luis SUAREZ (COL)

Fabio CAPELLO (ITA)

Miguel HERRERA (MEX)

Vicente DEL BOSQUE (ESP)

Juergen KLINSMANN (GER)

Ottmar HITZFELD (GER)

African Zone (CAF)

North, Central American and Caribbean Zone (CONCACAF)

South-American Zone (CONMEBOL)

Oceanian Zone (OFC)

European Zone (UEFA)

Total number of matches

Host automatically qualified

31 teams qualify by preliminary competition

African Zone (CAF)

Asian Zone (AFC)

European Zone (UEFA)

North, Central American and Caribbean Zone (CONCACAF)

Oceanian Zone (OFC)

South-American Zone (CONMEBOL)

African Zone (CAF)

Asian Zone (AFC)

European Zone (UEFA)

North, Central American and Caribbean Zone (CONCACAF)

Oceanian Zone (OFC)

South-American Zone (CONMEBOL)

includes 1 intercontinental play-off match

Newcomers to the FIFA World Cup

Entries for the FIFA World Cup 2014 preliminary competition

North, Central American and Caribbean Zone

South American Zone

Slots: 4.5+1 (host) Qualified: 5+1