BRAZIL (CONMEBOL 1st place)

Population: 199 million

Capital: Brasilia

Team nickname: A Seleçao ("The Selection")

Best World Cup finish: 1st place (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

Coach: Dunga (BRA)

Guys to watch: Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Lucio

Why cheer for them: As connoisseurs of the beautiful game, Brazil represents most of what's good about the sport. Often chosen as people's "second" team, it's also hard to find fault with their spectacular female fan base.

Why boo them: The occasional play-acting, like Rivaldo's notorious "hit in leg, fall down and hold face" antics in 2002.

TAB Sportsbet odds of winning it all: $5.50

NORTH KOREA (AFC Group B runner up)

Population: 22.6 million

Capital: Pyongyang

Team nickname: Chollima (Mythical Korean horse)

Best World Cup finish: Quarter-finals (1966)

Coach: Kim Jong-Hun (DPR)

Guys to watch: Hong Yong-jo, Jong Tae-se, Ahn Young-hak

Why cheer for them: The idea of a secretive, cult-like country advancing in the World Cup is quite intriguing.

Why boo them: Kim Jong-Il.

TAB Sportsbet odds of winning it all: $751.00

IVORY COAST (CAF Group E winner)

Population: 20.6 million

Capital: Yamoussoukro

Team nickname: Les Elephants ("The Elephants")

Best World Cup finish: First round (2006)

Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson (SWE)

Guys to watch: Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Kolo Toure

Why cheer for them: Drogba and Kalou are among the world's best.

Why boo them: For making us deal with the whole "Ivory Coast or Cote d'Ivoire?" thing.

TAB Sportsbet odds of winning it all: $26.00

PORTUGAL (beat Bosnia-Hercegovina in playoff)

Population: 10.7 million

Capital: Lisbon

Team nickname: A Selacao das Quinas ("Selection of shields")

Best World Cup finish: 3rd place (1966)

Coach: Carlos Queiroz (POR)

Guys to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Nani

Why cheer for them: They've been among the world's best for years, but can't seem to get over the hump.

Why boo them: Ronaldo's smirk.

TAB Sportsbet odds of winning it all: $21.00

Group G Schedule (all times AEST)

June 16, midnight: Ivory Coast v Portugal (Nelson Mandela Bay)

June 16, 4:30 am: Brazil v North Korea (Johannesburg)

June 21, 4:30 am: Brazil v Ivory Coast (Johannesburg)

June 21, 9:30 pm: Portugal v North Korea (Cape Town)

June 26, midnight: Portugal v Brazil (Durban)

June 26, midnight: North Korea v Ivory Coast (Nelspruit)