HERE ARE THE BEST SIDES FROM THE EIGHT GROUPS. FROM THEIR ROAD TO THE WORLD CUP TO THEIR PLAYMAKERS, THESE ARE THE HOPEFULS...

OTHERS IN THE GROUP: RUSSIA, SAUDI ARABIA, EGYPT The participants had to undertake an arduous threeyear journey to earn their visas, a testing series of qualification rounds that started with 210 teams from six confederations competing for the 31 spots ( excluding the one reserved for the host nation).

On top of being the inaugural champions, who also secured the title in 1950, Uruguay is the best ranked team in the group. The South Americans have a proven history in the competition with five semifinal appearances to boast of, the most recent in 2010.

In Oscar Tabarez they have an iconic coach who professes an attacking brand of football. The philosophy was on display as the La Celeste qualified as the second best team from South America behind Brazil. Paris Saint- Germain striker Edinson Cavani had led the scoring charts with 10 goals.

The star attraction however would be FC Barcelona ace Luis Suarez. The enigmatic striker who netted five times in the qualifiers is also Uruguay’s all- time leading goal scorer and is expected to form a lethal partnership with Cavani.

The unfancied group is surprisingly tight as besides hosts Russia that will be raring to make an impact on home soil there are Asian giants Saudi Arabia set for a fourth World Cup appearance and Egypt, powered by the sensational Mohamed Salah. Saudi's Mohammad Al- Sahlawi is a star who could set the stage alight as he holds the distinction of being the joint- top scorer in qualification with 16 goals.