Goalkeepers
23-Alexander Filimonov (Uralan Elista) Born: 15.10.73
Made his international debut for Russia against France in 1998 and was a regular for almost two years. But fumbling a free-kick over his own line to let Ukraine beat Russia in a Euro 2000 qualifier saw him slip down the goalkeeper pecking order. Signed by Uralan from Dynamo Kiev earlier this year.

1-Ruslan Nigmatullin (Verona) Born: 7.10.74
The former Lokomotiv Moscow player is Russia's first-choice goalkeeper. Kept a clean sheet on his debut against the United States two years ago. Best known for keeping a clean sheet for
969 consecutive minutes - a Russian record - a run that ended in May 2000.

12-Stanislav Cherchesov (Tirol Innsbruck) Born: 02.09.63
Experienced goalkeeper who played for Russia at the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96. Earned a surprised recall to the national team after a three-year absence. At 38 years and nine months, he is the oldest player at the World Cup and the second oldest Russian player to make the WorldCup squad. Legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin was 40 when he played for the Soviet Union at the 1970 finals.

Defenders:

2-Yuri Kovtun (Spartak Moscow) Born: 5.1.70.
Made his debut against Ireland in Dublin in 1994. Solid defender with well over 200 career appearances in the Russian top flight.

14-Igor Chugainov (Uralan Elista) Born: 6.4.70
Plays as both a central defender and a libero. Moved to newly promoted Uralan from Lokomotiv Moscow in January this year. Was voted best in his position in Russia last season.

7-Viktor Onopko (Real Oviedo) Born: 14.10.69
The most experienced member of the Russian squad by a long chalk, he is rapidly approaching his 100th cap. His partnership with Yuri Nikoforov is the foundation on which the team is built.
Was one of the few to play in all Russia's qualifiers.

3-Yuri Nikiforov (PSV Eindhoven) Born: 16.9.70
A tall libero with a powerful long-range shot. He joined PSV Eindhoven from Spanish side Sporting Gijon in 1998. Played at both the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96.

13-Vyacheslav Dayev (CSKA Moscow) Born 6.9.72
First called up to the Russia squad for a World Cup qualifier against Yugoslavia in April 2001. Gave away the penalty that allowed Slovenia to beat Russia 2-1 in World Cup qualifying. Signed to CSKA from Torpedo Moscow in November 2001.

18-Dmitry Sennikov (Lokomotiv Moscow) Born: 24.06.76
Virtually unknown abroad before breaking into the national team this year. Made his international debut against Estonia in March. Has good speed and is often used as a one-on-one marker.

Midfielders:
9-Yegor Titov (Spartak Moscow) Born: 29.5.76
Considered to be Russia's France's Zinedine Zidane. Spartak Moscow captain and twice voted Russia's player of the year. Among the top scorers in Russian premier division at the end of last season.

17-Sergei Semak (CSKA Moscow) Born: 27.2.76
Made his Russia debut in a World Cup play-off against Italy in Naples in November 1997. The Ukrainian-born player captains his league side.

4-Alexei Smertin (Girondins Bordeaux) Born: 1.5.75
Russian Footballer of the Year in 1999, Smertin was linked with several top European clubs, including Manchester United, but opted to sign for Bordeaux in 2000. Nicknamed "the Mozart of Russian football" for his creative play in midfield for previous club Lokomotiv Moscow.

10-Alexander Mostovoi (Celta Vigo) Born: 22.8.68
One of the squad's veterans, the Celta captain was voted Russia's Player of the Year by Sovietsky Sport newspaper earlier this year. Nicknamed 'the Tsar' by fans at the Galician club, Mostovoi continues to pull the strings in Russia's midfield.

8-Valery Karpin (Celta Vigo) Born: 2.2.69
The Estonian-born player was the first member of the newly-formed Russian side to score a goal after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He joined Celta in 1997 after playing for Moscow sides Spartak and CSKA.

15-Dmitry Alenichev (Porto) Born: 20.10.72
The former Perugia and AS Roma player will be representing Russia at the World Cup for the first time. He joined Porto in 2000.

21-Dmitry Khokhlov (Real Sociedad) Born: 22.12.75
Famous for his flexibility, the former PSV Eindhoven player has played as midfielder, striker and right back. He moved to the Spanish Primera Liga with Real Sociedad in December 1999.

5-Andrei Solomatin (CSKA Moscow) Born: 09.09.75
A feisty right-back, who made his national team debut in a friendly against Brazil in November 1998, which Russia lost 5-1. Scored the first goal in the Russian Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg on May 12 to help CSKA clinch their first major trophy since winning a league and cup double in 1991. Last year played for Lokomotiv Moscow.

6-Igor Semshov (Torpedo Moscow) Born: 06.04.78
Made a fine impression in his national team debut against Belarus and Yugoslavia in a four-team international tournament on May 17-19 in Moscow to earn a late call-up.

20-Marat Izmailov (Lokomotiv Moscow) Born: 21.9.82
Russia's golden boy was voted Russia's Player of the Year in a nationwide poll last December. A rising star who will be making his debut on the Russian national side, Izmailov joined Lokomotiv in 2000.

Forwards

11-Vladimir Beschastnykh (Spartak Moscow) Born: 1.4.74
Russia will look to Beschastnykh to keep up the firepower he displayed during qualifying games. The former Racing Santander player scored seven goals, including two winners. Also the top scorer for the Russian side, he returned to his first club, Spartak, last July.

22-Dmitry Sychev (Spartak Moscow) Born: 26.10.83
A late call-up to the squad, Sychev, who joined the Moscow side from second division Spartak Tambov last year, made headlines at the CIS Cup earlier this year by scoring six goals in six games. The youngest player to have represented Russia.

16-Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St Petersburg) Born: 27.11.82
Russia under-21 international earned his full-team status with fine play in domestic competition this year as he led Zenit to the Russian Cup final. Quick and flashy on the ball, is known for scoring some spectacular goals. Made national team debut against Estonia.

19-Ruslan Pimenov (Lokomotiv Moscow) Born 25.11.81
Another Russia under-21 international who made the country's World Cup squad at the last minute. Earned his only full international cap against Belarus on May 17.