STARS TO WATCH OUT FOR

BRAZIL: MISSION HEXA

The Selecao are among the favourites going into the World Cup and while some may boil that down to the presence of Neymar, there are stars dotted around the pitch. AS Roma keeper Allison has Marcelo, Thiago Silva and Miranda in front, while a formidable midfield features Paulinho and Fernandinho. Further forward are the real samba stars: Philippe Coutinho, Willian, Douglas Costa, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino. Yet, their biggest weapon perhaps is in the form of coach Tite, who has ensured that there is an overriding sense of camaraderie in the locker room and neutralised the egos with a rotating captain system.

GERMANY: PERENNIAL FAVOURITES

The Germans go into the World Cup expected to at least reach the semifinals, as they always are. Die Mannschaft (The Team) truly live up to their name, not depending on individual superstars but rather on their own bond on the pitch to deliver results. That is not to say they do not have stars. In fact names such as Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos, Marco Reus, Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Mesut Ozil will provide the star power. However, on the pitch it will be the team that will carry their hopes of a repeat World Cup triumph.

ARGENTINA: NOW OR NEVER

The other team that has a duopoly of the football fanbase in Bangladesh, Argentina's hopes will hinge on performances in the tough Group D which also features Iceland, Nigeria and Croatia. If they go through, it will be a welcome boost following their struggles in qualifying, which was decided on the final day by a Lionel Messi hattrick. Their reliance on the No. 10 means that he will need to hit the floor running and power the Albiceleste to another shot at glory after three lost finals in four years. The names -- Javier Mascherano, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero -- are there, but coach Jorge Sampaoli must bring in a sense of unity.

FRANCE: DARK HORSE

The French boast arguably the best team at the tournament, with a superstar in every position. The Real-Barca centreback partnership of Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti is the backbone of defence, flanked by Benjamin Mendy and, the only non-household-name Djibril Sidibe. N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Steven Nzonzi and Corentin Tolisso complete an impressive midfield. The prodigious Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Demeble are options further upfield with the whole team working towards their main man Antoine Griezmann. With names such as those, it would be a bitter disappointment if Les Bleus do not at least reach the final.