Holland



Manager: Marco van Basten (since July 2004)

Key man: Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid)

World Cup history: Distinctly mixed. Appeared at the 1934 and 1938 finals but were then not back until 1974. Reached the final that year but lost to hosts West Germany. They again reached the final in 1978, but once more the hosts - this time Argentina - defeated them. Did not qualify in 1982, 1986 or 2002, but reached the semi-finals in 1998 and are always among the fancied teams when they reach the finals.

Norway



Manager: Age Hareide (since December 2003)

Key man: John Carew (Aston Villa)

World Cup history: Norway have featured three times, in the 1938, 1994 and 1998 tournaments. They lost their first-round match in extra-time to eventual winners Italy on their debut, and in 1994 they were unlucky to go out in the group stages when each team finished on four points after a win, draw and defeat apiece. Mexico and the Republic of Ireland went through by right, together with Italy who were among the best third-placed finishers, and Norway went home. Norway and Brazil advanced from Scotland's group at the 1998 finals - Norway and Scotland drew 1-1. Italy knocked the Norwegians out, winning 1-0 in the last 16.

Macedonia



Manager: Srecko Katanec (since February 2006)

Key man: Goran Pandev (Lazio)

World Cup history: The Macedonians joined FIFA in 1994 as a new nation, after the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. They finished fourth in their qualifying campaigns for the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, and fifth in qualifying for 2006. The most notable result in those campaigns was the 11-1 victory they recorded against Liechtenstein in November 1996. Drew twice with Holland in the qualifiers for the 2006 finals.

Iceland



Manager: Olafur Johannesson (since October 2007)

Key man: Eidur Gudjohnsen (Barcelona)

World Cup history: Iceland have never qualified for the World Cup finals. They finished with just four points in their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, with their only points coming from matches against Malta.