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Argentina |
| 1 | - Roberto Abbondanzieri |
| 2 | - Roberto Ayala |
| 3 | - Juan Pablo Sorin |
| 4 | - Fabricio Coloccini |
| 5 | - Esteban Cambiasso |
| 6 | - Gabriel Heinze |
| 7 | - Javier Saviola |
| 8 | - Javier Mascherano |
| 9 | - Hernan Crespo |
| 10 | - Juan Riquelme |
| 11 | - Carlos Tevez |
| 12 | - Leonardo Franco |
| 13 | - Lionel Scaloni |
| 14 | - Rodrigo Palacio |
| 15 | - Gabriel Milito |
| 16 | - Pablo Aimar |
| 17 | - Leandro Cufre |
| 18 | - Rodriguez Maxi |
| 19 | - Leo Messi |
| 20 | - Julio Cruz |
| 21 | - Nicolas Burdisso |
| 22 | - Lucho Gonzalez |
| 23 | - Oscar Ustari |
Qualifying star: There were plenty of changes, with new faces slowly replacing the 2002 generation. No-one featured in more than 13 matches, but classy midfielder Luis Gonzalez is a strong contender for the most consistent performer.
Manager: Jose Pekerman. Has a magnificent record developing young players, taking Argentina to victory in the World Youth Cups of 1995, 1997 and 2001. Can he do it at senior level?
Captain: Juan Pablo Sorin. He was Pekerman's skipper 10 years ago in the World Youth Cup but the decision has caused a reported split in the camp with some believing the armband should go back to defender Roberto Ayala.
World Cup history: Twice champions (1978 and 1986) and twice runners-up (1930 and 1990). This is their 14th World Cup and they are one of the big guns of the global game.
World Cup high: Winning in Mexico in 1986, when Diego Maradona touched heights - and we're not talking about the 'Hand of God' - that few, if any, had reached before.
World Cup low: Sweden 1958 - when they returned to the competition for the first time since 1934. They were off the pace, losing 3-1 to West Germany and 6-1 to the Czechs.
World Cup legend: No contest. Love it or hate it, Diego Maradona's 1986 campaign is one of the individual high points in the history of the game.
Stars of the team: Elegant playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, with his subtle, cunning passing has the ability to dictate the rhythm of a game. There are very high hopes, too, of Barcelona's teenage sensation Lionel Messi.
Strengths: No other side in the world can match their midfield inter-passing. They also have impressive strength in depth in most positions.
Weaknesses: An over-dependence on Riquelme, who can blow hot and cold. Pekerman has yet to find his ideal line-up or define his system, and he must be concerned by the lack of a top-class keeper.
Did you know: After his playing career Pekerman drifted out of the game for a while and worked as a taxi driver before finding his true direction.
World ranking: 9
| Year | Country | Placed |
| 1930 | Uruguay | 2nd. |
| 1934 | Italy | First Round |
| 1938 | France | - |
| 1950 | Brazil | - |
| 1954 | Switzerland | - |
| 1958 | Sweden | 4th, pool 1 |
| 1962 | Chile | 3rd, gourp 4 |
| 1966 | England | Quarterfinals |
| 1970 | Mexico | - |
| 1974 | Germany | 2nd group stage |
| 1978 | Argentina | 1st |
| 1982 | Spain | 3rd, group C |
| 1986 | Mexico | 1st |
| 1990 | Italy | 2nd |
| 1994 | USA | 2nd round |
| 1998 | France | Quarterfinals |
| 2002 | Korea/Japan | 3rd, group F |
Odds supplied by William Hill.
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