There is no bigger stage for a star to be born – but just who will grab the headlines in Brazil?
Here is the final part of our One to Watch series as we predict the players who will grab the headlines.
Group G
Germany – Thomas Muller
The winner of the Golden Boot at the last World Cup, the 24-year-old will be a vital source of Germany’s goals.
Having joined Bayern Munich’s academy at the age of 10, he has gone on to make nearly 300 appearances for the club, scoring over 100 goals.
48 Caps/17 goals (as of 2 June)
Portugal – William Carvalho
After spending the 2012/13 season on loan at Cercle Brugge, Carvalho returned to Sporting Lisbon last season and cemented a first-team place.
The 22-year-old gained his first cap in Portugal’s play-off triumph over Sweden and could oust the experienced Raul Meireles of a starting spot.
Caps 3/0 goals (as of 2 June)
Asamoah Gyan of Ghana
Ghana – Asamoah Gyan
Now plying his trade with Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, Gyan was a star of the 2010 World Cup.
The 28-year-old scored three goals during the tournament as Ghana reached the quarter-finals. The striker was also shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or that year.
77 Caps/39 goals (as of 2 June)
United States – Michael Bradley
The son of Bob Bradley, former coach of the United States, the 26-year-old midfielder has a major role in the American squad.
After spells in the Bundesliga and Serie A, Bradley is now back in the MLS, having joined Toronto from Roma in January.
86 Caps/13 goals (as of 2 June)
Group H
Belgium – Thibaut Courtois
Still just 22, the on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper has won the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey during his time with Atletico Madrid.
He is the youngest goalkeeper to play for Belgium and his performances mean Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet will start on the bench.
15 Caps/5 goals (as of 2 June)
Thibaut Courtois of Belgium
Russia – Alexander Kokorin
The focal point of Fabio Capello’s Russia side, the Dynamo Moscow striker has a crucial role to play this summer.
He was sold to Anzhi Makhachkala in 2012 for £15 million, only for Dynamo to buy him back the following summer.
21 Caps/5 goals (as of 2 June)
South Korea – Son Heung-Min
The 2013 Korean Football Association Player of the Year is the talisman for his country.
After a summer transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, the 21-year-old striker scored 12 goals, the same number he managed for Hamburg during the previous season.
24 Caps/6 goals (as of 2 June)
Algeria - Sofiane Feghouli
A former French youth international, the 24-year-old midfielder elected to play for Algeria in 2011.
Since joining Valencia in 2010, Feghouli has been a regular for the La Liga side, making over 150 appearances.
18 Caps/5 goals (as of 2 June).
