The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are arguably the most successful African team at the World Cup, qualifying for the tournament seven times and in Italy in 1990 they became the first team from the continent to reach the quarter-finals. In Brazil they will face the hosts, Croatia and Mexico in Group A.
Unfortunately, it is pretty a long time since Cameroon lived up to their nickname of Indomitable Lions. Cameroon have failed to qualify for the last two Africa Cup of Nations amid player friction and discontent with the country’s football federation (Fecafoot), which was briefly suspended by Fifa last July because of government interference.
The national side is top-heavy with defensive midfielders but lacking in creativity, to the extent that Barcelona's Alex Song has been deployed in an unfamiliar role as playmaker. Cameroon coach Volker Finke has opted for a tried and trusted line-up in his final 23-man World Cup squad.
The German picked all but one of the group of players who earned the Indomitable Lions' place at Brazil with the play-off win over Tunisia. Striker Jacques Zoua, who plays for Hamburg, is the unfortunate man to miss out because of injury. Much will be expected of forward Vincent Aboubakar after his 16 goals for Lorient this season. That places him joint-second highest scorer in the French League 1 behind only Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He is set to partner elder statesman Samuel Eto'o, who remains Cameroon's all-time leading scorer with 55 goals.
They played four warm-up matches before heading to the finals. They beat Macedonia 2-0 on 26 May and were beaten by Paraguay 2-1, three days later. Their match with Germany on 1 June ended in a 2-2 draw, while they beat Moldova 1-0 in a farewell match on 7 June, in Yaounde.
Key player
Samuel Eto'o is playing in his fourth World Cup after 1998, 2002 and 2010
Samuel Eto'o is the captain and a four-time African Footballer of the Year but it is off the field that his influence could be most telling. The Chelsea forward, 33, briefly retired from international football last September in the wake of a dispute with coach Volker Finke, and in the latest fallout with team-mates he then claimed there was a “plot” among them not to pass him the ball in the World Cup play-off against Tunisia
The boss
Little-known German Volker Finke was named in May 2013 as Cameroon's seventh permanent or interim coach in four years. The 66-year-old was in charge at Freiburg for 16 years from 1991, making him the longest-serving manager in German league history.
How they qualified
They received a World Cup lifeline in June 2013 when Fifa awarded them a 3-0 win over Togo, who had fielded a suspended player. Cameroon had lost the match 2-0 but the ruling put them top of their group. They then beat Tunisia 4-1 in their play-off.
World Cup record
Brazil will be their seventh World Cup - an African record - but Cameroon have only won one match in four editions since reaching the quarter-finals in 1990. The nadir came in 2010 when they lost all three group matches for the first time.
Final 23-man squads
Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Konyaspor/TUR); Sammy Ndjock (Fetihespor/TUR); Loïc Feudjou (Coton Sport/CMR).
Defenders: Allan Nyom (Grenade/SPA); Dany Nounkeu (Besiktas/TUR); Cédric Djeugoue (Coton Sport/CMR); Aurélien Chedjou (Galatasaray/TUR); Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille/FRA); Henri Bedimo (Lyon/FRA); Benoît Assou-Ekotto (QPR/ENG)
Midfielders: Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor/TUR); Jean II Makoun (Rennes/FRA); Joel Matip (Schalke/GER); Stéphane Mbia (Séville/SPA); Landry Nguémo (Bordeaux/FRA); Alex Song (FC Barcelone/SPA); Edgar Salli (Lens/FRA)
Attackers: Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea/ENG); Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (Mayence/GER); Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy/FRA); Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient/FRA); Achille Webo (Fenerbahçe/TUR); Fabrice Olinga (Zulte-Waregem/BEL)
Cameroon's FA and the government agree to pay the players FCFA 50m (US$104, 00) for playing at the World Cup in Brazil.
Fixtures
12 June 2014 Brazil v Croatia, Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, 21:00 (ITV)
13 June 2014 Mexico v Cameroon, Arena das Dunas, Natal, 17:00 (ITV)
17 June 2014 Brazil v Mexico, Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, 20:00 (BBC)
18 June 2014 Cameroon v Croatia, Arena Amazonia, Manaus, 23:00 (ITV)
23 June 2014 Cameroon v Brazil, Estadio Nacional, Brasilia, 21:00 (ITV)
23 June 2014 Croatia v Mexico, Arena Pernambuco, Recife, 21:00 (ITV)
BRAZIL, Fifa ranking: 4 (correct to 6 June)
Brazil named a 23-man squad, with AC Milan duo Kaka and Robinho not even on the standby list. Chelsea quartet David Luiz, Oscar, Ramires and Willian all made the cut. QPR keeper Julio Cesar, on loan at Toronto FC, is also in the squad.
How do they play: Style & formation?
The flicks and tricks remain second nature, but this Brazil side is also resilient and well organised, moulded by the pragmatism of 2002 World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. They press the opposition high up the pitch, while midfielder Luiz Gustavo acts as an auxiliary third centre-back - allowing the full-backs and the likes of centre-back David Luiz to venture forward. Brazil usually adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation and are not afraid to be direct, often seeking out the flamboyant Neymar on the left with long balls from the back.
Chelsea's four Brazilians - Ramires, Willian, David Luiz and Oscar - are all in the squad
Strengths: Take your pick. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has the required major tournament know-how, the players are talented and well-drilled, a passionate home crowd will surely inspire the team again, as they did at the Confederation Cup in the summer, and even the iconic yellow jerseys can intimidate the opposition.
Weaknesses: There aren't many, but the paucity of centre-forward options is a potential concern. First-choice Fred was injured earlier in the season and Diego Costa opted to represent Spain, so former Manchester City and Everton striker Jo could play a part.
Key player
Neymar has been in prolific form for Brazil
Believe the hype; Neymar is pivotal to Brazil. Full of energy and deft touches, and able to dribble at incredible speed, he is the player most capable of changing a game for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side. The 22-year-old World Cup poster boy – who joined Barcelona last summer for £48.6m - appears unfazed by the public expectation, scoring 13 times in his last 16 caps.
One to watch
Luiz Felipe Scolari says that 21-year-old Bernard "has joy in his legs". Direct, quick, and a bundle of energy, the 5ft 5in winger made his full debut for Brazil in September and scored his first goal against Honduras in November. Once considered too small for professional football, Shakhtar Donetsk paid £21.5m for him last summer.
The boss
Reappointed in November 2012, World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has recovered from a poor start to his second spell in charge to shape Brazil into a side he is "100% sure… will be the champion" this summer. The 65-year-old led Portugal to the Euro 2004 final, 2006 World Cup semi-finals and last eight at Euro 2008 between his spells as Brazil boss.
How they qualified: As hosts.
World Cup record Brazil are the only nation to have played at every World Cup, winning the competition a record five times, latterly in 2002.
Final 23-man squads
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC, on loan from QPR), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro).
Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (AS Roma), Maxwell, Thiago Silva (both Paris St-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli).
Midfielders: Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Ramires, Willian, Oscar (all Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City).
Forwards: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg).
CROATIA, Fifa ranking: 20 (correct to 6 June)
Prospects
Croatia lack the depth of talent associated with their golden generation of the late 1990s but they remain capable of bloodying the nose of most sides.
Key player
Mario Mandzukic
Mario Mandzukic, 28, averaged better than a goal every other game in 2013, helping Bayern Munich win a historic treble and top scoring for Croatia with four goals in qualifying. The goals have dried up recently, though, registering just twice in his last 11 appearances. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola says "there is nobody better in the air in the world" than the striker, but his red card for a studs-up lunge in the play-off win over Iceland will limit his World Cup involvement.
The boss
Former Croatia captain Niko Kovac was appointed head coach in October after Igor Stimac resigned. He guided his country though a two-legged play-off against Iceland and will be heading to his third World Cup, having played in 2002 and 2006. Kovac had only become Croatia's Under-21 boss in January 2013.
How they qualified
Croatia were level on points with group leaders Belgium after earning five wins and a draw from six matches, but they only managed one point from the remaining four fixtures before beating Iceland in a play-off.
World Cup record
Croatia memorably finished third on their World Cup debut in 1998 but they failed to progress from the group stage in 2002 and 2006.
Final 23-man squads
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Dinamo Zagreb).
Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gordon Schildenfeld, Danijel Pranjic (both Panathinaikos), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa).
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Sammir (Getafe), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka).
Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina).
MEXICO, Fifa ranking: 19 (correct to 6 June)
Prospects
Mexico used 47 players and four coaches in a turbulent qualifying campaign which left a host of questions unanswered. There is undoubtedly talent within their playing pool, but the 2012 Olympic gold medallists have little time left to find a winning formula.
Key player
Predicting their line-up is pure guesswork at this stage, but Oribe Peralta top scored in qualifying with 10 goals, including five in the play-off against New Zealand. The Santos Laguna striker was an overage player at the 2012 Olympics and scored both goals as Mexico beat Brazil to win gold.
The boss
Miguel Herrera became Mexico's fourth coach in six weeks when he was appointed in October to take charge for the play-off against New Zealand. Nicknamed "The Louse", he is also the coach of Club America, and boldly opted to call-up only domestic-based players against the All Whites.
How they qualified
By the skin of their teeth. Only a late comeback from the USA against Panama saved El Tri from elimination in the final round of Concacaf qualifiers. That set up a two-legged tie against New Zealand, which they won 9-3 on aggregate.
World Cup record
This will be their 15th appearance - a tally bettered only by Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Italy. Quarter-finalists on home soil in 1970 and 1986, they have bowed out at the last-16 stage in the last five tournaments.
Final 23-man squads
Goalkeepers: Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca).
Defenders: Miguel Layun (America), Carlos Salcido (Tigres), Paul Aguilar (America), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (America), Diego Reyes (Porto), Rafael Marquez (Leon).
Midfielders: Miguel Angel Ponce (Toluca), Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon), Luis Montes (Leon), Hector Herrera (Porto), Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul), Carlos Pena (Leon).
Forwards: Oribe Peralta (Santos), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Raul Jimenez (America), Alan Pulido (Tigres).
Source: BBC sport
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