Fixtures (times BST):

June 14 Belo Horizonte, 1700: Colombia v Greece

June 14 Recife, 2300: Ivory Coast v Japan

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June 19 Brasilia, 1700: Colombia v Ivory Coast

June 19 Natal, 2300: Japan v Greece

June 24 Cuiaba, 2100: Japan v Colombia

June 24 Fortaleza, 2100: Greece v Ivory Coast

Colombia

How they qualified

Conmebol runners-up behind Argentina.

Key player

James Rodriguez (Monaco)- Considered one of the best young midfielders in the world, Rodriguez will be fundamental to the success of Colombia and Falcao.

Dangerman

Radamel Falcao (Monaco)- The clinical forward is known around the world for his finishing prowess and goalscoring record. He could be the man to watch in the tournament.

World Cup best

Last 16 in 1990.

Premier League interest

Fulham’s Hugo Rodallega, though he has not scored an international goal in four years.

Most expensive

Falcao - £50m, from Atletico Madrid to Monaco, 2013

WORLD CUP 2014 INTERACTIVE GUIDE: The groups, fixtures, route to the final, venues and past winners

Ivory Coast

How they qualified

CAF Third Round Winners

World Cup best

Group stage.

Key player

Yaya Toure (Manchester City)-The dominant midfield figure of Yaya Toure has been a driving force for club and country.

Dangerman

Didier Drogba (Galatasaray) At Chelsea, Drogba was unstoppable, and the captain and talisman of The Elephants will be looking to display this same form in Brazil.

Premier League interest

Chieck Tiote, Wilfried Bony and Kolo Toure to name but a few. Plus Drogba and Gervinho are familiar names.

Most expensive

Drogba, Marseille to Chelsea, £24m, 2004

Greece

How they qualified

Beat Romania in play-off

Key player

Giorgos Samaras (Celtic)-The enigmatic Celtic striker shows flashes of brilliance, and Greece will be hoping he’ll produce more brilliance throughout the finals.

Dangerman

Kostas Mitrogloi (Olympiacos)- The striker has been grabbing the headlines in Greece for his brilliant performances of late. He’ll be the main attacking threat heading into Brazil next year.

World Cup best

Group stage

Premier League interest

Giorgos Karagounis of Fulham.

Most expensive

Georgios Seitaridis, from Dynamo Moscow to Atletico Madrid for a fee in the region of £10 million, 2006

Japan

How they qualified

AFC Fourth Round Group B winners, finishing ahead of Australia.

Key player

Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United)- Despite producing mesmerising performances for Dortmund, Kagawa has had a stuttering career in Manchester so far. Japan will be hoping he can return to form in time for the World Cup.

Dangerman

Shinji Okazaki – Mainz 05 striker scored eight goals in the qualifying stage, and is Japan’s fourth-highest scorer of all-time with 35 goals.

World Cup best

Last 16 in 2002 and 2010.

Premier League interest

Southampton defender May Yoshida, United’s Kagawa.

Most expensive?

Hidetoshi Nakata - £19m, Roma to Parma, 2001

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