Neymar, Brazil(01 of14)
Open Image ModalThe hosts have drawn a favourable group and, since they lack a top-drawer striker, much depends on Neymar to provide the goals. He delivered two of them in last year's Confederations Cup final against Spain (credit:Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Argentina(02 of14)
Open Image ModalMessi has just the one World Cup goal - hit in the 6-0 rout of Serbia in 2006 - but will be driving at Nigerian, Bosnian and Iranian defences in the group stages. Argentina face a presentable run to the semis too, should they top their group (credit:Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal(03 of14)
Open Image ModalThe best player in the world, Ronaldo has only scored two World Cup goals in two finals - against Iran (a penalty) and North Korea (a tap-in). Portugal face stiff competition in Group G against Germany, Ghana and the United States, though, and like Neymar, Ronaldo will be called upon to compensate for his country's lack of quality strikers (credit:Getty Images)
Sergio Agüero, Argentina(04 of14)
Open Image ModalLike Messi, he should thrive in an easy group for the Argentines. His injury woes with Manchester City, however, could scupper his Golden Boot chances (credit:Getty Images)
Romelu Lukaku, Belgium(05 of14)
Open Image ModalThe Golden Boot winner is often a surprise, and Lukaku, initially regarded as the back-up striker to Christian Benteke, will start for Belgium in light of the Aston Villa striker's snapped Achilles. The Red Devils face South Korea, Russia and Algeria in Group H, although Germany or Portugal could lie in wait in the last 16... (credit:Getty Images)
Luis Suárez, Uruguay(06 of14)
Open Image ModalIf he is fully fit, it is hard to think of a better striker in world football. Suárez is Uurguay's talisman and capable of ridiculing the best defenders. He will be coming up against a parsimonious Italy defence and an England rearguard accustomed to his cunningness in Group D (credit:Getty Images)
Thomas Müller, Germany(07 of14)
Open Image ModalThe 2010 winner, Müller might have to occupy the central striker role Germany have had trouble occupying. Miroslav Klose turns 36 before the tournament begins and Müller is one of the best big-game players in European football (credit:Getty Images)
Gonzalo Higuaín, Argentina(08 of14)
Open Image ModalA hat-trick hero against South Korea four years ago, Higuaín's pedigree at World Cup level could see him outscore his teammates (credit:Getty Images)
Mario Balotelli, Italy(09 of14)
Open Image ModalHis return to Milan has not gone swimmingly but Balotelli is cherished in the national set-up and will don the No.9 in Brazil. Ever unpredictable, he could be wonderful or terrible (credit:Getty Images)
Yaya Touré, Ivory Coast(10 of14)
Open Image ModalTouré hit 24 goals in 49 games for Manchester City - an astonishing record for a central midfielder. He is 31, though (as his agent reminded the world), and may struggle to replicate such potency in the Brazilian heat (credit:Getty Images)
Karim Benzema, France(11 of14)
Open Image ModalOverlooked in 2010, Benzema will be keen to make up for lost time. He could still, however, start on the bench behind Olivier Giroud (credit:Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney, England(12 of14)
Open Image ModalThe token Englishman. Rooney has not scored at a World Cup and only netted once at a major international tournament since his four in four at Euro 2004. He's 28 now, so he's in his peak years, but is he past his peak? (credit:Getty Images)
Robin van Persie, Holland(13 of14)
Open Image ModalThe Dutchman scored once in 2006 and once in 2010, but he's very much the main man now and, as he has shown with Manchester United, is capable of scoring whilst having an off-day. Spain and Chile will monitor him closely, though, even if the Aussies won't (credit:Getty Images)
Diego Costa, Spain(14 of14)
Open Image ModalThe placenta forward (that's a deliberate 'error') has one cap for La Roja, might not even play at the finals and is in a side who prefer to play without a striker, but he was superb for Atlético last season and Spain may have to be more direct in South America (credit:Getty Images)