Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2014 Profile: Roma Maestro Can Inspire Competition's Surprise Package

Manager: Safet Susic

Fifa world ranking: 25

Best World Cup finish: First time in competition

How they qualified: A superior goal difference saw them edge ahead of Greece and claim an automatic qualifying spot after beating their nearest rivals at home and securing a valuable goalless draw away.

Fixtures: Argentina: (15 June), Nigeria (21 June), Iran (25 June)

Squad

Goalkeepers: Asmir Avdukic, Asmir Begovic , Jasmin Fezjic

Defenders: Muhamed Besic, Ermin Bicakcic, Sead Kolasinac , Emir Spahic, Toni Sunjic, Ognjen Vranjes

Midfielders: Anel Hadzic, Izet Hajrovic , Senijad Ibricic, Senad Lulic , Haris Medunjanin, Zvjezdan Misimovic, Mensur Mujdza, Miralem Pjanic, Sejad Salihovic , Tino Susic , Edin Visca, Avdija Vrsajevic

Forwards: Edin Dzeko, Vedad Ibisevic: Bosnia's inaugural World Cup

Expectations

It may be their augural World Cup but only bad luck has prevented the nation from qualifying for a major tournament before. After reaching the play-off stage of qualification for both South Africa 2010 and Euro 2012, they were paired with Portugal on both occasions and inevitably suffered defeat.

Can Pjanic inspire Bosnia as he has done with Roma?

But that previous disappointment can work to their advantage with the Dragons perhaps the competition's unknown quantity. An attack focused midfield spearheaded by Manchester City's Edin Dzeko will be at odds with a defence limited in both numbers and quality, but in their maiden World Cup appearance, expectations will be tempered.

Star man: Miralem Pjanic

The Roma midfielder will be the source of everything positive Bosnia and Herzegovina produce in Brazil.

The 24-year-old will be tasked with maintaining the tempo in midfield and pulling the strings required to free up the country's all-time leading goal-scorer Dzeko, who will also be crucial to his country's cause. Following a brilliant campaign with Roma, the intelligent Pjanic is his country's best source of inspiration on the football pitch.

Prediction: Group stage

With Argentina unlikely to be troubled too much, it may come down to a duel between Bosnia and Nigeria to determine who joins them in the knockout stage.