Brazil
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Main players: Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Edmilson

Rivaldo - full name Rivaldo Vitor Borba Ferreira - says he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, but intends to win the Champions League first and follow up with the World Cup. The striker turns 30 in April and has been starring at international level ever since netting on his debut in a friendly against Mexico eight years ago. A Confederations Cup winner in 1997, he also helped the auriverde win the Copa America in 1999. Scored twice at France 98 and was in 2000 elected the world's best player. Scored eight goals in the qualifiers.

Roberto Carlos is the freekick specialist with his ability to bend the ball wickedly in almost any direction with great power. Came to Europe seven seasons ago from Palmeiras, initially joining Inter Milan but switched to Real in 1996 and has helped the Spaniards to two Champions League titles. Played in all seven matches at France 98. Also won the 1997 Copa America. Made his full Brazil debut aged just 18.

Edmilson, a 25-year-old roving full back, had helped Lyon to establish themselves as a top European side since moving to the French club from Sao Paulo a year and a half ago. Made his Brazil debut in 1998. Good in the air he can also play in midfield. Established himself as regular in the 2002 qualifiers.

World Cup record: 16 participations
Best result: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994), finalists
Qualification: 3rd in Latin American group with 30 points (9 wins, 3 draws, 5 defeats, 31 goals scored, 17 goals against).

Ecuador
Coach: Hernan Dario Gomez
Main players: Alex Aguinaga, Agustin Delgado

Aguinaga hopes to star in the world stage for the World Cup debutants after an impressive qualifying campaign at the hub of the midfield. Has won more than 80 caps and scored twice in the qualifiers. The 33-year-old, who plays for Necaxa in Mexico, made his international debut in 1987.

Delgado was joint top scorer (with Argentina's Hernan Crespo) in qualifying and the hopes of a nation are riding squarely upon the 26-year-old's shoulders. Delgado arrived at Southampton in the English Premiership last summer from Necaxa.

World Cup record: 1st participation
Qualification: 2nd in Latin American group with 31 points (9 wins, 4 draws, 5 defeats, 23 goals scored, 20 goals against).

Paraguay
Coach: Sergio Markarian
Main players: Jose Luis Chilavert, Roque Santa Cruz

Veteran goalkeeper Chilavert was bizarrely one of the top dozen scorers in the Latin American qualifiers with four goals owing to his love of taking penalties and free kicks. The 36-year-old, now with French second division side Strasbourg, has scored eight times in full internationals since making his debut in 1989. He played four times at France 98 - but didn't score. Won four Argentine league titles.

Santa Cruz is establishing himself this year at Bayern Munich, for whom the 20-year-old signed two years ago from Olimpia de Asuncion for eight million dollars. The striker bagged three goals in qualifying.

World Cup record: 5 participations
Best result: Last 16
Qualification: 4th in Latin American group with 30 points (9 wins, 3 draws, 6 defeats, 29 goals scored, 23 goals against).

Uruguay
Coach: Victor Pua
Main players: Alvaro Recoba, Dario Silva, Fabian Carini

Inter Milan star Reboba was last season reputedly the best paid player in Italy having made his name with Venezia on loan. Banned for a year, reduced to four months, after being caught up in the false passport dragnet. Set up two of the goals which floored Uruguay. Fell out with former coach Daniel Passarella after being substituted in a match towards the end of Passarella's reign.

Carini shone above all in the playoff win over Australia, making some superb saves at the Uruguayans came through their final hurdle to qualify.

Dario Silva of Malaga was his country's top scorer in the qualifiers with five goals and then hit the opening goal against Australia in the play-off return.