GROUP A

Germany

Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
Tactics: Unadventurous but solid.
Star Player: Michael Ballack - goalscoring midfielder who captains the side.
Verdict: Host nations always seem to present a real threat and Germany, backed by a passionate home support, will be no different. Klinsmann's men do not have the quality of German sides of yesteryear but neither did the 2002 team which reached the final. Youth is slowly replacing experience with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski getting their chance. Should be buoyed by an easy draw.

Costa Rica

Coach: Alexandre Guimaraes
Tactics: Slow tempo but good in possession.
Star Player:Paulo Wanchope - unpredictable striker who is retiring after the finals - will want to go out with a bang.
Verdict: Enjoyed success at Italia 90 with wins over Scotland and Sweden but unlikely to match that this time round. Had a fraught qualifying campaign despite weak opposition and will not be a factor in Germany. Veteran Wanchope will be a handful, however. Strong and quick, opposing defences will have to keep a close eye on the former West Ham, Derby and Manchester City striker.

Poland

Coach: Pawel Janas
Tactics: Strong and workmanlike.
Star Player: Grzegorz Rasiak
Verdict: Matched England for much of qualifying but Poland still look like nothing more than tournament fillers. Will give their all but a lack of real quality should stunt their progress. Tottenham striker Rasiak is strong in the air but he alone is unlikely to take the Poles into the last 16 despite a favourable draw.

Ecuador

Coach: Luis Suarez
Tactics: South American flair but weak away from home.
Star Player: Agustin Delgado - flopped in England but remains Ecuador's key striker.
Verdict: Beat both Brazil and Argentina in qualifying but struggled away from their high-altitude Quito base. A third-placed finish in the South American zone suggests, however, they have the players to make an impact. The fact they are a relatively unknown quantity may count in their favour. Should progress past the group stages.

GROUP B

England

Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson
Tactics: Strong in midfield but the left flank remains a problem area.
Star Player: Wayne Rooney - supremely talented and seems to be curbing his temper.
Verdict: Have the players to go all the way but consistency remains a problem. Defeat to Northern Ireland in qualifying was followed by a thrilling win over Argentina in a friendly in Geneva. Question marks exist about the defence at the highest level. John Terry is a rock but Rio Ferdinand needs to get back to his best, and fast.

Paraguay

Coach: Anibal Ruiz
Tactics: Quick going forward and clever in midfield.
Star Player: Roque Santa Cruz - Bayern Munich striker who is strong, fast and a good finisher.
Verdict: Have gone out at the two previous finals to 1998 winners France and 2002 runners-up Germany in the last 16. Could reach that stage again but anything more would be a surprise. Strong up front with Santa Cruz and the promising Nelson Haedo Valdez.

Trinidad & Tobago

Coach: Leo Beenhakker
Tactics: Well organised and physical.
Star Player: Dwight Yorke - vastly experienced and the only T&T player to have succeeded at the highest level.
Verdict: Worthy winners over Bahrain in the play-offs but their adventure will end fairly swiftly in Germany. Beenhakker will have them well drilled but they lack genuine class and that will be exposed against the best. Have little chance of making it past the group stage but are sure to enjoy their time in Germany.

Sweden

Coach: Lars Lagerback
Tactics: Efficient and potent up front.
Star Player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Juventus star who is strong and has wonderful feet.
Verdict: Always tricky to play against, Sweden have enough class throughout the side to present a problem to any opponent. Freddie Ljungberg can be relied upon to provide goals from midfield and Ibrahimovic and the evergreen Henrik Larsson are prolific at club level. Should make it through the group.