Group G: The heat is on for classy Germans.
GERMANY
Head coach Joachim Low. Has been in charge for nearly eight years and this is his fourth major tournament.
He has paraglided in the Alps and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, but the only thrill the impatient German public want is to be World Champions in Rio on July 13.
Low will remain in the shadow of the men who delivered Germany’s World Cup triumphs Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Herberger and Helmut Schon until he matches their success
How they qualified Romped home top of Group C, dropping just two points and scoring 36 goals, more than anyone else in Europe. In the one match they didn’t win, they spectacularly let slip a 4-0 lead to draw at home to Sweden.
Most valuable player Philipp Lahm. You have to be some player to captain Bayern Munich and Germany. That is certainly true of Lahm, a model of consistency at the top level for a decade and amassed more than a centure of international caps. Pep Guardiola has moved him into midfield at Bayern but he’ll be in his usual right-back slot for his country.
Prospects Have suffered their fair share of near-misses in the five World Cups since Beckenbauer’s West Germany triumphed at Italia ’90.
The Germans are the masters of tournament football, but it could be a third World Cup semi-final defeat in a row. They face three energy-sapping encounters in the heat and humidity of northern Brazil.
PORTUGAL
Head coach Paulo Bento. In charge for nearly four years and close to beating Spain in the Euro 2012 semi-final. His passion boiled over at Euro 2000, when he was banned for five months by UEFA for intimidating officials at the end of a golden-goal semi-final defeat to France.
How they qualified Narrowly beaten by Russia to top spot, partly down to home draws against Northern Ireland and Israel. Then Cristiano Ronaldo came to the fore with all four goals as they beat Sweden in play-offs.
Most valuable player Cristiano Ronaldo. It would have been a travesty if the World Player of the Year had not made it to Brazil. One final and two semi-finals from his five major events is good, but expectations are always for more.
A repeat of his club form from Real Madrid would light up the World Cup.
Prospects With Ronaldo in the mix, anything is possible. But they need their talisman to be fit and firing, as there is a lack of goals elsewhere.
GHANA
Head coach James Kwesi Appiah. Was assistant to Ghana’s three previous foreign coaches before landing the top job in 2012. Beat former France captain Marcel Desailly to the role and became the first Ghanaian to lead his country to the Finals.
How they qualified Needed a home win against Zambia to book their place in the play-offs, where the Black Stars thrashed Egypt 6-1 to make the second leg irrelevant.
Most valuable player Christian Atsu. The attacking midfielder is actually a Chelsea player, even though he has never featured for them. Signed last summer from Porto, he was immediately loaned to Vitesse Arnhem for the season. Pacey and direct, a strong showing could make Jose Mourinho take notice.
Prospects Have been the standard-bearers for Africa at the last two World Cups, reaching the knock-out stages. But they’ll do well to make it third time lucky.
USA
Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The charismatic German is very much at home in the States, and wife Debbie is American. Has lived in California on and off for 15 years, where he flies helicopters in his spare time.
How they qualified Topped the CONCACAF ‘Hexagonal’ stage and rarely looked in doubt to make it. Five straight wins at home, and not a single goal conceded. But they were vulnerable on their travels.
Most valuable player Clint Dempsey. There was genuine shock when Landon Donovan was left out of the squad. That puts even more pressure on Dempsey. But the former Fulham star is enjoying a fine time back in the MLS at Seattle and is Klinsmann’s captain and go-to man. If he scores, he’ll become the first American to do so at three World Cups.
Prospects Unlike four years ago, the draw has not been kind to the Americans, and they’ll need a repeat of their famous 2002 win over Portugal to progress.
Report by John Barrett and Adma Lanigan
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