Most experts pick Brazil to repeat as world champions. Brazil is so deep that it's bench is filled with players who are good enough to start for nearly any other finalist. Three of the top five vote-getters in "World Soccer" magazine's 1997 Player of the Year poll are Brazilians: Ronaldo, the world's most exciting striker; defender and extraordinary free-kick artist Roberto Carlos; and Juninho, a masterful playmaker.
While Brazil has always had great offensive players, it's defense occasionally has let it down. But Coach Mario Zagallo has built a superb defensive team that's anchored by Cafu and Aldair. A leg injury to Juninho and the fact that several of Brazil's top players have missed important World Cup preparation matches because of commitments to their European clubs are Brazil's only negatives.
Scotland has yet to get beyond the first round of any World Cup. Veteran forwards Gordon Durie and Ally McCoist hope to change that. Durie had the clinching score against Latvia that earned Scotland its eighth World Cup berth, and McCoist is a regular scorer for the national team and his club, the Rangers of Scotland's first division. Keeper Jim Leighton and a stingy Scottish defense ended qualifying with a run of 297 minutes without giving up a goal.
In 1970, Morocco became the first African nation to appear in a World Cup. The '98 squad is a long shot but has several plusses. It is coached by foormer French national-team star Henri Michel, who coached France to a fourth-place World Cup finish in '86. Morocco has several starters who play for European clubs. And the experience gained during its three one-goal losses in USA '94 should prove valuable. Midfield organizer Mustapha Hadji, 26, is the most promising of a new generation of good yound players. The team's best player, however, may be veteran defender Noureddine Naybet. Also keep an eye out for striker Saladdine Bassir, who was a prolific goalscorer during the qualifying stages.
Norwegian coach Egil Olsen scouts opponents with a computer. His system is so sophisticated that it can replay a video of an opponent's last 10 corner kicks! The team plays a long-ball style of soccer that doesn't produce a lot of goals, but it boasts a solid defense. Norway yielded only two goals in eight qualifying games and produced an exhibition game upset of Brazil. Watch for Tore Andre Flo and Manchester United's Old Gunnar Solskjaer to make some mischief up front.
In past World Cups, Italy has often been unimpressive in group play but has become stronger in later rounds. With an easy group and the pressure of only two teams advancing, expect the opposite this time. Italy should make short work of its first-round opponents. Expect difficulties, however, if it reaches the quarterfinals, where possible opponents include France, Spain, and Nigeria. That's where the unproductive Italian offense may falter. During qualifying it became apparent that the Italy's stone wall defense (only one goal allowed in its last eight World Cup qualifiers) may not be enough. Italy's inability to score in key games resulted in the team almost losing its berth to Russia.
Players to watch include Paolo Maldini, perhaps the greatest left fullback in soccer history, and strikers Alessandro Del Piero and Gianfranco Zola. Don't look for fan-favorite Roberto Baggio, however. It's doubtful he will make the final roster.
In spite of the superb striker combination of 1997 South American Player of the Year Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano, Chile barely edged out Peru (on goal differential) to claim South America's final birth. Zamorano led South American qualifying with 12 goals,and Salas was second with 11. Playmaker Marcelo Vega anchors a fair midfield. Aside from Javier Margas, the defense is average at best. Chile is having a diffucult time selecting their starting lineup, having used 44 players in 16 qualifying games. Despite good overall skill, the squad will probably be happy just to reach the second round.
In the 1990 World Cup, Cameroon surprised the world by upsetting Argentina and making it to the quarterfinals. In the1994 World Cup, the team was underfunded and plagued by political problems. Again it surprised the world, but this time by bowing out in the first round. Funding problems continue in '98, but talented players may help Cameroon pull a few surprises once again. Young striker Joseph-Desire Job, who was born in France, is a rising star. His partner, Patrick Mboma, produced half of Cameroon's 10 goals during it's six qualifying matces. Jacques Songo'o was voted the top goalkeeper last year in Spain's first division.
Austria's style is similar to that of Germany, but the small country has never been able to match it's level of play. If Austria is to survive the first round, talented veteran striker Toni Polster must continue to net goals at the same rate he did in qualifying. His seven goals helped Austria finish atop a strong qualifying group that included Scotland and Sweden. Unfortunately, the rest of the offense is questionable: the team only scored twice in it's four games with Scotland and Sweden.
Not since Argentina won in 1978 has a team captured a World Cup at home, but many experts think France has a chance. It lost the semifinal game of Euro '96 (European Championship) only in a penalty- kick tiebreaker. And it's lineup is formidable, including it's outstanding defensive midfielder Marcel Desailly and playmaker Zinedine Zidane. France's negatives include a lack of World Cup experience (it's '94 squad just missed qualifying) and key players who have been inconsistent while playing for their clubs. France is a long shot to take home the cup, but don't underestimate the importance of a home- field advantage.
Because of its previous racist govermental policies, South Africa was banned from international soccer until July 1992. Known to its supporters as Bafana Bafana (a Zulu expression meaning "the boys"), South Africa won the African Nations Cup in February in front of a delirious home crowd. The team's sixth coach, Philippe Troussier, will rely on former MLS players Shaun Bartlett and Doctor Khumalo, as well as many players who play in top European leagues.
With four wins and two draws in eight games, the Saudis edged out Iran to win Asia's Group A qualification play. Its hopes to advance beyond the second round rest on its talented attackers: Saeed al-Owairan, whose magnificent long solo run in the game against Belgium was one of the best goals of the 1994 World Cup, and Sami Al Jabar, a 25-year-old forward who also played in the last World Cup. Obstacles to success: an often-disorganized defense and adjusting to living in a western nation during the tournament.
Its inspiring triumph at Euro '92 showed that Denmark can be a top contender in a major tournament. After failing to qualify for the 1992 European Championship, Denmark was added the field at the last minute when Yugoslavia was banned from the competition. The Danes shocked the world by reaching the final and upsetting Germany 2-0. Look for Peter Schmeichel of Manchester United to add to his reputation as one of the world's finest goalkeepers. The Laudrup brothers, midfielder Michael and striker Brian, are always a dangerous combination.
The leading contender in World Cup '98's group that's expected to be the toughest to advance from, Spain hoped to finally make its mark at this tournament. The Real Madrid combination of Raul and Fernando Hierro, plus Atletico Madrid's Kiko, gives Spanish coach Javier Clemente plenty of star power. And 36-year-old captain Andoni Zubizarreta, poised to become the most capped keeper in history, lends the experience of a veteran. The Spanish league is one of Europe's most demanding and attack-oriented leagues, but the Spanierds have yet to win a World Cup.
The 1996 gold medalists are Africa's best bet to become the continent's first world champion, but Nigeria isn't even assured of a second-round berth in this tough group. Coach Bora Milutinovic's ability to get the best out of underdogs is well-known. But will his cautious style be compatible with players who like to attack, such as star forward Daniel Amokachi and 1997 African Player of the Year Victor Ikpeba? Sunday Oliseh of Ajax provides direction in the midfield, and Inter Milan's powerful and skilled Taribo West bolsters a less-than-convincing defense.
By posting nine wins and two draws in 16 qualifying matches, the tiny nation of 5.7 million people finished behind only Argentina in South American qualification play. Paraguay is led by its emotional goalie, Jose Luis Chilavert, th third-place finisher in the 1997 South American Player of the Year race. Chilavert is acrobatic, quick to leave his box and a master at taking free kicks. Paraguay's offense is well-balanced. Aristides Rojas, Miguel Angel Benitez and Carlos Gamarra each scored a team-high three goals as the team totaled 21 during its qualifying run. Disorganized team administration and underfunding, however, will probably lead Paraguay to an early exit.
Although they've never won a World Cup, the Bulgarians were the surprise team of World Cup '94. Hristo Stoitchkov led his team all the way to the semifinals and was awarded the Golden Shoe (top scorer) for scoring six goals and adding one assist in the tournament. The midfield mastery of the often-overshadowed and underrated Krasimir Balakov earned him first-team all-tournament recognition in 1994. Stoichkov and Balakov hope to build upon their earlier success, but an aging lineup may mean that Bulgaria will have to settle for less.
The Dutch are quick to point out that they produce bumper crops of good players for the European professional leagues every year. But for all its talent, the Netherlands' only major trophy is the 1988 European Nations Cup. (It lost World Cup finals to hosts West Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978.)
If '98 is to be different, it will be because of superb forwards Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert. But the Dutch have a history of player disputes that cause the team to self-destruct. Star Ruud Gullit boycotted the 1994 World Cup over a disagreement with his coach. And an earlier coach once complained that he was just one of 12 coaches - him and eleven players.
As in 1994, Belgium will be fielding a team of experienced, but aging, players. Forward Luc Nilis, 31, whose 21 goals for PSV Eindhoven led the Netherlands' first division in 1996-97, netted the shot that sent Ireland packing during qualifying. Michel Preud'homme, 39, the top keeper of USA '94, will probably be replaced by Philip De Wilde. Delgium will miss midfield ace Enzo Scifo, who announced in March that he was retiring from the national team.
Four straight World Cup appearances and a dominance in qualifying games prove that South Korea is Asia's top team. Its convincing performances against Germany, Spain and Bolivia four years ago (a 3-2 loss and two ties, respectively) confirm its progress on the international scene. Nevertheless, South Korea isn't expected to advance. Goalie Byung-ki Jim and forward Young-su Choi anchor a squad that at least hopes to make history by producing South Korea's first win in a World Cup game.
Mexico has never fared well in any World Cup played beyond its own borders, but forward Carlos Hermosillo plans to change all that. He scored 14 goals in the Torneo Invierno, including the overtime winner that gave his club, Cruz Azul, the title. He scored two more in the win over D.C. United in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. He'll have help from dynamic striker Luis Hernandez, who headed home the goals that defeated Jamaica in the semifinal and the U.S.A. in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Goalkeeping is a question mark, with Jorge Campos seemingly out of the coach's favor. If Campos doesn't play, Oscar Perez will likely get the chance.
Coach Berti Vogts aims to join his 1974 teammate Franz Beckenbauer and Brazil's Mario Zagallo as the only men to both play for and coach a World Cup champion. A good omen: since 1966, Germany has reached every World Cup final played in Europe. Despite a so-so qualifying campaign, their triumphant performance in Euro '96 is a reminder of Germany's knack of saving its best performances for when it matters most.
Striker Olivier Bierhoff is a solid candidate to claim the Golden Shoe. And the Borussia Dortmund combination of defender Matthias Sammer and attacking midfielder Andreas Moller is world-class. Germany's fate could rest on whether Sammer recovers in time from a knee injury.
The young team that represented the United States in World Cup '94 is back with a few new faces. Older, wiser - and a bit more attack-oriented under Coach Steve Sampson - the U.S.A. is likely to continue to surprise its critics.
When they overwhelmed Hungary in their qualification playoff series, the skillful Yugoslavians showed why they are called "the Brazilians of Europe." Its roster includes top players such as Real Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic, runner-up to Ronaldo for Europe's top player status, and Dejan Savicevic, the midfield brains behind AC Milan. In past Cups, Yugoslavia's problem has been staying in top form for the entire tournament. A turbulent political climate back home and a fractured leg, suffered by Mijatovic in January, will not help matters.
Iran made a dramatic entry into the '98 World Cup: trailing 2-0 with less than 15 minutes remaining on the road, it scored twice against Australia to gain the last Cup berth. Although the team isn't likely to get past the first round, its showdown with the United States, once know in Iran as "the Great Satan," will provide drama. The key to Iran's chances are the performances of top scorer Karim Bagheri and captain Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh.
When he's on his game, Romania's Gheorghe Hagi can be brilliant. Led by Hagi, Romania reached the 1994 quarterfinals before losing to Sweden in a penalty-kick tiebreaker. It was undefeated in qualifying for France '98, scoring 37 times in nine wins and one draw. Hagi is one of several players from Galatasaray, one of Turkey's top clubs. Others include Iulian Filipescu and Adrian Ilie. At 23, Ilie is the key newcomer on a team whose top performers - Hagi (33), Dan Petrescu (30) and Gheorghe Popescu (30) - will most likely be experiencing their last World Cup.
Although Pele predicted it would win the 1994 World Cup , Colombia didn't even reach the second round. At age 36, captain Carlos Valderrama knows that this is his last chance to shine on the sport's greatest stage. The favorite target for his pinpoint passing is speedy forward Faustino Asprilla, who injured his left knee and may miss the tournament. Veteran Freddy Rincon must play better than he did in qualifying, when he scored only once in 12 appearences. The aging team will have to perform at it's peak to hold off Romania.
Teams often take on the personality of their coach. England, under former midfield great Glenn Hoddle, now emphasizes possession and clever play instead of the long-ball style it had been known for. The new style seems to work. England reached the semifinals at Euro '96 and edged out Italy in its qualifying group. England's strength is its midfield, thanks to the mixture of Paul Gascoigne's creativity and Paul Ince's hard work. It is also strong in goal with David Seaman, who has experience(556 club games at the start of this season) and size(6 foot 4 inches). Up front, star striker Alan Shearer was Euro '96's top marksman. He averaged 30 goals per season, winning three straight Premeir League scoring crowns, before missing much of this season because of an ankle injury.
In only its second World Cup outing, Tunisia isn't expected to contend, despite outstanding team speed. Keep an eye on the excellent playmaking of midfielder Zoubeir Beya and the scoring ability of European-based strikers Adel Sellimi and Mehdi Ben Slimane. The Tunisia defense performed well in African qualifying, allowing just one goal in six games.
