15 players to watch at 2014 World Cup

Wayne Rooney – England: Despite rumours of his imminent exit from Manchester United, Rooney has stuck it out and may be playing some of the best football of his career as of late. Rooney led his qualifying group in goals with seven and is England’s best all-around player heading to Brazil.

Luis Suarez – Uruguay: Along with Daniel Sturridge, Suarez has fueled Liverpool’s fantastic start in the Premier League this season. Teamed with Edinson Cavani up front, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer will be crucial if La Celeste hope to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2010.
Luis Suarez – Uruguay: Along with Daniel Sturridge, Suarez has fueled Liverpool’s fantastic start in the Premier League this season. Teamed with Edinson Cavani up front, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer will be crucial if La Celeste hope to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2010.
Lionel Messi – Argentina: Hailed by many as the best footballer on the planet, Messi has captured virtually every honour in the soccer world but has yet to propel Argentina past the quarter-finals of a World Cup. This may be his best chance to win it all. (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)
Lionel Messi – Argentina: Hailed by many as the best footballer on the planet, Messi has captured virtually every honour in the soccer world but has yet to propel Argentina past the quarter-finals of a World Cup. This may be his best chance to win it all. (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)

Luis Suarez – Uruguay: Along with Daniel Sturridge, Suarez has fueled Liverpool’s fantastic start in the Premier League this season. Teamed with Edinson Cavani up front, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer will be crucial if La Celeste hope to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2010. (Matilde Campodonico/AP)
Luis Suarez – Uruguay: Along with Daniel Sturridge, Suarez has fueled Liverpool’s fantastic start in the Premier League this season. Teamed with Edinson Cavani up front, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer will be crucial if La Celeste hope to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2010. (Matilde Campodonico/AP)
Radamel Falcao – Colombia: Falcao hasn’t stopped scoring since joining AS Monaco in the summer transfer window, helped the club contend in Ligue Un, and will be the key to helping his country do the same in Brazil in its first World Cup since 1998. (Luis Benavides/AP)
Radamel Falcao – Colombia: Falcao hasn’t stopped scoring since joining AS Monaco in the summer transfer window, helped the club contend in Ligue Un, and will be the key to helping his country do the same in Brazil in its first World Cup since 1998. (Luis Benavides/AP)
Neymar – Brazil: Brazil was dominant in its third-straight Confederations Cup victory this past summer, toppling some of the world’s top football nations in the process. The catalyst behind it all was 21-year-old Neymar, who was named the tournament’s best player and will try for a repeat next summer. (Fernando Llano/AP)
Neymar – Brazil: Brazil was dominant in its third-straight Confederations Cup victory this past summer, toppling some of the world’s top football nations in the process. The catalyst behind it all was 21-year-old Neymar, who was named the tournament’s best player and will try for a repeat next summer. (Fernando Llano/AP)
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal: Portugal needed to a victory over Sweden in a playoff to even get into the World Cup and its qualification was all thanks to Ronaldo. This team needs more of the same from their top player if the Portuguese hope to contend with the world’s best. (Francisco Seco/AP)
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal: Portugal needed to a victory over Sweden in a playoff to even get into the World Cup and its qualification was all thanks to Ronaldo. This team needs more of the same from their top player if the Portuguese hope to contend with the world’s best. (Francisco Seco/AP)
Mario Balotelli – Italy: Balotelli was crucial to his country’s qualification, leading Italy in scoring with five goals. Now on the way to his first World Cup, the embattled striker will need to keep his wits about him as the Azzurri will be dependent upon his scoring. (Antonio Calanni/AP)
Mario Balotelli – Italy: Balotelli was crucial to his country’s qualification, leading Italy in scoring with five goals. Now on the way to his first World Cup, the embattled striker will need to keep his wits about him as the Azzurri will be dependent upon his scoring. (Antonio Calanni/AP)
Wayne Rooney – England: Despite rumours of his imminent exit from Manchester United, Rooney has stuck it out and may be playing some of the best football of his career as of late. Rooney led his qualifying group in goals with seven and is England’s best all-around player heading to Brazil. (Matt Dunham/AP)
Wayne Rooney – England: Despite rumours of his imminent exit from Manchester United, Rooney has stuck it out and may be playing some of the best football of his career as of late. Rooney led his qualifying group in goals with seven and is England’s best all-around player heading to Brazil. (Matt Dunham/AP)
Franck Ribery—France: France snuck into the tournament by the skin of its teeth, coming back from two goals down in the second leg of their playoff against the Ukraine to advance. Flawless play from Ballon d’Or candidate Franck Ribery will be France’s lifeline in order to avoid a consecutive disappointing showing at the World Cup. (Michel Euler/AP)
Franck Ribery—France: France snuck into the tournament by the skin of its teeth, coming back from two goals down in the second leg of their playoff against the Ukraine to advance. Flawless play from Ballon d’Or candidate Franck Ribery will be France’s lifeline in order to avoid a consecutive disappointing showing at the World Cup. (Michel Euler/AP)
Romelu Lukaku – Belgium: With a host of young, up-and-coming talent, Belgium is considered by many to be a sleeper pick in next year’s tournament. The 20-year-old striker, who helped secure his country’s trip to Brazil against Croatia, will have to be the top scoring threat if the Belgians are to live up to expectations. (Darko Bandic/AP)
Romelu Lukaku – Belgium: With a host of young, up-and-coming talent, Belgium is considered by many to be a sleeper pick in next year’s tournament. The 20-year-old striker, who helped secure his country’s trip to Brazil against Croatia, will have to be the top scoring threat if the Belgians are to live up to expectations. (Darko Bandic/AP)
Robin van Persie – The Netherlands: The Netherlands were one goal away from winning its first World Cup in 2010, but couldn’t get one past the Spanish defence. Van Persie scored just one goal four years ago but has scored 121 since and will be counted on, if healthy, to lead the Dutch to glory. (Peter Dejong/AP)
Robin van Persie – The Netherlands: The Netherlands were one goal away from winning its first World Cup in 2010, but couldn’t get one past the Spanish defence. Van Persie scored just one goal four years ago but has scored 121 since and will be counted on, if healthy, to lead the Dutch to glory. (Peter Dejong/AP)
Mesut Ozil – Germany: Since joining Arsenal in September, Ozil’s playmaking ability has played a massive role in catapulting the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table. The 25-year-old midfielder will be just as important for his country, which have real aspirations of winning it all next summer. (Alvur Haraldsen/AP)
Mesut Ozil – Germany: Since joining Arsenal in September, Ozil’s playmaking ability has played a massive role in catapulting the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table. The 25-year-old midfielder will be just as important for his country, which have real aspirations of winning it all next summer. (Alvur Haraldsen/AP)
Andres Iniesta – Spain: On a Spanish team renowned for its midfield play, Iniesta is its leader. Already known as one of the greatest midfielders of all-time, Iniesta will be looking to add to his legendary resume and lead the defending champions to their second straight World Cup. (Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP)
Andres Iniesta – Spain: On a Spanish team renowned for its midfield play, Iniesta is its leader. Already known as one of the greatest midfielders of all-time, Iniesta will be looking to add to his legendary resume and lead the defending champions to their second straight World Cup. (Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP)
Oribe Peralta – Mexico: It may not have come easy, but Mexico was able qualify for the World Cup despite just two wins in CONCACAF’s final round. Peralta was able to score 10 goals in qualifying, something Mexico will desperately need in Brazil. (Eduardo Verdugo/AP)
Oribe Peralta – Mexico: It may not have come easy, but Mexico was able qualify for the World Cup despite just two wins in CONCACAF’s final round. Peralta was able to score 10 goals in qualifying, something Mexico will desperately need in Brazil. (Eduardo Verdugo/AP)
Didier Drogba — Ivory Coast: The face of football in the Ivory Coast, superstar striker Didier Drogba leads his country into its third straight World Cup. Despite being 35, Drogba is still a difference-maker on the pitch, and is the driving force behind Les Elephants. (Abdeljalil Bounhar/AP)
Didier Drogba — Ivory Coast: The face of football in the Ivory Coast, superstar striker Didier Drogba leads his country into its third straight World Cup. Despite being 35, Drogba is still a difference-maker on the pitch, and is the driving force behind Les Elephants. (Abdeljalil Bounhar/AP)
Shinji Kagawa – Japan: In order for Japan to compete with some of the best nations in the world, it’s going to have to use its speed to succeed. That’s where Kagawa comes in. With great vision and skill, the 24-year-old midfielder will be the essential play-maker for the Japanese. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)
Shinji Kagawa – Japan: In order for Japan to compete with some of the best nations in the world, it’s going to have to use its speed to succeed. That’s where Kagawa comes in. With great vision and skill, the 24-year-old midfielder will be the essential play-maker for the Japanese. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

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