Argentina World Cup
Argentina will be well supported at the World Cup in neighbouring Brazil Getty

Manager: Alejandro Sabella

World Ranking: 5

Best World Cup finish: Winners 1978 and 1986

How they qualified: Group winners of CONMEBOL

Fixtures: Group F - Bosnia and Herzegovina (15 June), Iran (21 June), Nigeria (25 June)

Squad -

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Mariano Andujar, Agustin Orion

Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta, Federico Fernandez, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo, Hugo Campagnaro, Martin Demichelis, Jose Basanta

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Fernando Gago, Lucas Biglia, Ricardo Alvarez, Augusto Fernandez, Angel Di Maria, Maxi Rodriguez, Enzo Perez

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Rodrigo Palacio, Ezequiel Lavezzi

Expectations: Argentina have the perfect opportunity to lay down a marker to other tournament favourites with a set of comprehensive victories in Group F. Expect Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria to be put to the sword by Alejandro Sabella's awesome wealth of attackers, led by the sublime Lionel Messi. Sabella may even be afforded the luxury of resting key players for the final group game and be forgiven for omitting Carlos Tevez from his squad.

Star man: Pablo Zabaleta – Argentina's attacking quartet of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain will likely get the headlines this summer but it is Manchester City's Zabaleta who could prove the most important piece of the puzzle for manager Sabella. The 29-year-old was instrumental in City's title-winning season, combining commanding defensive performances with customary lung-bursting runs forward. His first task will be to blunt City team mate Edin Dzeko, who has looked sharp for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prediction: Runners up – An Argentina/Brazil final in the Maracana is every neutral fan's dream, but Brazil will be swept over the finish line by raucous home support

Argentina Lionel Messi