SPORTS> Team News
A look at all 32 teams
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-04 11:09
GROUP E

Czech Republic


First appearance (as Czechoslovakia, made finals in 1934 and 1962).

Key Player: Jan Koller, the 6-foot-8 striker returning from a left knee injury, has been called the Czechs' indispensible player.

Coach: Karel Bruckner.

Outlook: Although they are ranked second in the world, the Czechs could be vulnerable in a very tough group. They need decisive offensive moves from Koller, Pavel Nedved and Milan Baros. The opener with the Americans is a crucial game for both sides.

Italy


Sixteenth appearance. Best performances: Winner in 1934, 1938, 1982.

Key Player: Playmaker Francesco Totti, who recently returned to AS Roma after he broke his left leg and strained ankle ligaments on Feb. 19.

Coach: Marcello Lippi.

Outlook: The Italians could be distracted by a league scandal back home, and their recent performances on the big soccer stages have been disappointing. They need more originality than any Italian team has shown in a long while, and less conservative coaching.

Ghana


First appearance.

Key Player: Chelsea defender Michael Essien will need to organize a defense that constantly might be under siege.

Coach: Ratomir Dujkovic.

Outlook: A history of doing well on its continent never helped Ghana get this far. Ranked 48th in the world, the best hope is for the other three group teams to be overconfident against the Black Stars.

United States


Eighth appearance. Best performance: Semifinals in 1930.

Key Player: Oguchi Onyewu. The defender for Standard Liege in Belgium must close down the middle with his power and intelligence.

Coach: Bruce Arena.

Outlook: Ranked No. 5 in the world, the Americans aren't the fifth-best team on Earth. They rarely do well in Europe, but this is their best World Cup team in decades. A win or tie in opener against Czech Republic is a must for advancement. A first-round exit would be a flop, but the competition is formidable.

GROUP F

Australia


Second appearance, never has advanced.

Key Player: Harry Kewell can be a special player when healthy, and Australia will need his creativity and fire in this group.

Coach: Guus Hiddink.

Outlook: Hiddink's brilliant coaching schemes helped South Korea to fourth place in 2002. He won't have the home advantage that nation had, and the three other first-round opponents are better than Australia. His standouts all play in England: Kewell, Mark Viduka, captain Mark Schwarzer and Tim Cahill.

Brazil


Eighteenth appearance. Best performances: Winner in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

Key Player: Ronaldinho. Or Ronaldo. Or Kaka. Or Cafu. Or Roberto Carlos. Or even the last guy on the bench.

Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Outlook: Brazil's second team might be favored to win the tournament. This squad is deep everywhere, particularly on offense, and player of the year Ronaldinho has few equals in shiftiness and creativity. Ronaldo came through four years ago and is looking to prove he has re-emerged as a difference maker.

Croatia


Third appearance. Best performance: Third place in 1998.

Key Player: Niko Kranjcar, who brings some imagination to a team that lacked it at the last World Cup.

Coach: Zlatko Kranjcar.

Outlook: An unpredictable team that was great in '98, mediocre in '02, Croatia has more offensive flair under Kranjcar, whose son is the playmaker. But it's still a defensive team, led by Robert Kovac, Igor Tudor, Dario Simic and Joe Simunic.

Japan


Third appearance. Second round in 2002.

Key Player: Veteran Koji Nakata anchors a defense that often will be besieged. He needs to keep his teammates calm and focused.

Coach: Zico.

Outlook: South Korea's sensational 2002 tournament obscured Japan's advancement to the second round. The Japanese won't likely come close to making it out of this group. An opening win over Australia is a must.