With Copa America upon us we have the lowdown on each and every team aiming to compete for honours in Groups A and B.
From the key ins and outs to our predictions for this year’s competition, we have you covered.
GROUP A
UNITED STATES
Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann
Star man: Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Best finish: Fourth place, 1995
Strengths: Home advantage should count for a lot and Team USA should command large crowds. Klinsmann has a strong defence which should make them tough to beat and some talented youngsters in his squad.
Weaknesses: The hardest group in the tournament while expectations have never been higher.
Verdict: Home support should see them into the knockouts but one poor result and they may not make it out of the group.
COLOMBIA
Manager: Jose Pekerman
Star man: James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
Best finish: Champions, 2001
Strengths: So often associated with attacking football, Colombia’s defence is emerging as their strongest attribute with Jeison Murillo prospering at Inter and David Ospina solid in goal.
Weaknesses: James has barely played for Real so could be fresh or rusty. They also lack a goalscorer, although Marlos Moreno is a potential star.
Verdict: Good enough to win the group but semi-finals looks the furthest they’ll go.
COSTA RICA
Manager: Oscar Ramirez
Star man: Keylor Navas (Real Madrid)
Best finish: Fifth place, 2001
Strengths: Navas is probably the best stopper in the competition and enjoyed an underrated season at Madrid. Defensively they’re extremely well-drilled, while Arsenal’s Joel Campbell will be a threat going forward with his pace.
Weaknesses: Their reliance on defence and Ramirez’s penchant for a back-five means goals, like the World Cup two years ago, will be of a premium.
Verdict: Will frustrate and suffocate teams but lack the overall quality to get out such a difficult group.
PARAGUAY
Manager: Ramon Diaz
Star man: Derlis Gonzalez (Dynamo Kiev)
Best finish: Winners, 1979
Strengths: A tough as teak, organised unit who love to counter-attack and Juan Iturbe’s decision to declare for the country of his parents has given them another dimension.
Weaknesses: Outside of their starting XI Diaz has a number of talented but untested youngsters. Injuries will be a considerable blow.
Verdict: Difficult to read, capable of an upset but, then again, could finish bottom.
GROUP B
ECUADOR
Manager: Gustavo Quinteros
Star man: Jefferson Montero (Swansea City)
Best finish: Fourth place 1993
Strengths: At an all-time high of No12 in the world which, for all the jibes about FIFA’s rankings, shows they’re a form side who know how to win games. They have plenty of pace and power in attack.
Weaknesses: Goalkeeper is a problem position and do they have the quality to beat the elite sides?
Verdict: Obvious group runners-up but unlikely to go beyond the last eight.
HAITI
Manager: Patrice Neveu
Star man: Johnny Placide (Stade de Reims)
Best finish: Tournament debut
Strengths: Goalkeeper Placide will be a busy man so it’s a good job he’s good. A well organised defense means teams will have to work hard to break them down.
Weaknesses: Lack experience playing sides of the strength and prestige of Brazil. They are winless in their last four. They’re minnows for a reason.
Verdict: Their opener against Peru on June 4 looks their best bet for points. Lose that, and it could get very ugly.
PERU
Manager: Ricardo Gareca
Star man: Paolo Guerrero (Flamengo)
Best finish: Winners 1975
Strengths: A squad drawn mainly from the domestic league should be tight knit and keen to impress any watching scouts. There is little or no expectation so pressure is off.
Weaknesses: With star men Claudio Pizarro and Juan Manuel Vargas not playing, it’s almost impossible to see how they can beat Brazil and Ecuador.
Verdict: Should start with a victory over Haiti and then it comes down to Ecuador on June 8 over who qualifies for the last eight.
BRAZIL
Manager: Dunga
Star man: Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Best finish: Winners x8
Strengths: Even without Neymar, David Luiz and Thiago Silva, there is still plenty of talent as Coutinho, Dani Alves, Willian, Lucas and Hulk would get in most starting XIs.
Weaknesses: Dunga still doesn’t convince as a top-class coach while Hulk, veteran Jonas and teenager Gabriel is unlikely to lead to a bountiful haul of goals.
Verdict: Should breeze through the group but could come unstuck against Colombia or USA in the quarter-final.