ANKARA
In Group A of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, host nation Brazil, Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon will be playing against each other to advance to the round of 16.
Brazil
With five World Cup titles under their belt and the advantage of being the host nation, Brazil are considered one of the favorites to win this year’s tournament. The "Seleçao" (The Selection) will need to improve significantly on their 2010 performance, when they fell at the quarter-final stage to a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands.
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)
Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Henrique (Napoli), Maicon (Roma), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter)
Forwards: Hulk (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense)
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Mexico
Known by Mexican fans as Chicharito -- little green pea -- Manchester United’s enthusiastic forward Javier Hernandez will aim to propel his squad in the World Cup’s second round. He’ll be accompanied by Villareal’s explosive winger Giovani dos Santos who scored 12 goals and made 18 assists for his club this season.
In 2010 FIFA World Cup Mexico were knocked out of the tournament by Argentina with 3-1 in Round of 16.
Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio)
Defenders: Paul Aguilar (America), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), Miguel Layun (America), Rafa Marquez (Leon), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Diego Reyes (Porto), Maza Rodriguez (America), Carlos Salcido (Tigres)
Midfielders: Juan Carlos Medina (America), Gallito Vazquez (Leon), Hector Herrera (Porto), Carlos Pena (Leon), Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul), Luis Montes (Leon)
Forwards: Oribe Peralta (Santos), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Raul Jimenez (America), Alan Pulido (Tigres), Giovani Dos Santos (Villarreal)
Coach: Miguel Herrera
Croatia
The height of Croatia’s World Cup success was a third place finish in the 1998 World Cup in France. This year's squad has the potential to repeat the feat, namely thanks to the talents of the crafty midfield pair of Luka Modric (Real Madrid) and Ivan Rakitic (Bayern Munich). Croatia's attack features Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic.
Croatia did not qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa.
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Lokomotiv Moscow)
Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Gordon Schildenfeld (Panathinaikos), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moskova), Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Domagoj Vida (Dinamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa)
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Inter), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dinamo Kiev), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka), Sammir (Getafe)
Forwards: Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Münih), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina)
Coach: Niko Kovac
Cameroon
Cameroon’s 33-year old captain and record goal-scorer Samuel Eto’o will play in his fourth World Cup but his team's preparation has been hindered by a player strike. The players refused to board the plane for Brazil on Sunday because of disputes over bonuses with the Cameroon football federation. They finally took off from Yaounde on Monday.
In the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, Cameroon was eliminated in group stages.
Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Torku Konyaspor), Loic Feudjou (Coton Sport), Sammy Ndjock (Fethiyespor)
Defenders: Allan Nyom (Granada), Dany Nounkeu (Besiktas), Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Aurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Nicolas Nkoulou (Olympique de Marseille), Joel Matip (Schalke 04), Henri Bedimo (Olympique Lyon), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Alexandre Song (Barcelona), Jean Makoun (Rennes), Stephane Mbia (Sevilla), Eyong Enoh (Ajax), Landry N'Guemo (Bordeaux), Edgar Salli (Lens)
Forwards: Samuel Eto'o (unattached), Eric Choupo Moting (Mainz 05), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy), Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient), Pierre Webo (Fenerbahce), Fabrice Olinga (Zulte-Waregem)
Coach: Volker Finke
Fixture of Group A:
June 12, Brazil vs Croatia at 20:00 GMT
June 13, Mexico vs Cameroon at 160:00 GMT
June 17, Brazil vs Mexico at 19:00 GMT
June 19, Cameroon vs Croatia at 22:00 GMT
June 23, Cameroon vs Brazil at 20:00 GMT
June 23, Croatia vs Mexico at 20: 00 GMT
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