[bite me]

Mohammed AL ANBAR (KSA) Profile |
Nicknamed the ‘Ronaldinho of Arabia’, this young striker is considered one of the great new talents in Saudi Arabia.
Current Club: Al Hilal (KSA)
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 22 March 1985



Ryan BABEL (NED) Profile |
Ajax striker Ryan Babel needed just 61 minutes to make his mark on the international stage, with a debut goal for the Netherlands against Romania last year. Performing those heroics on a regular basis is now the 19-year-old's goal.
Current Club: Ajax (Netherlands)
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 19 December 1986



Tranquillo BARNETTA (SUI) Profile |
Meaning quiet or modest, the name Tranquillo could hardly be more appropriate for the young player who is generally portrayed as the quiet man of the Switzerland side.
Current Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 22 May 1985



Valon BEHRAMI (SUI) Profile |
Switzerland’s celebrity magazine Schweizer Illustrierte recently described international newcomer Valon Behrami as 'our David Beckham' and in many ways it is hard to disagree with that assessment.
Current Club: Lazio (ITA)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 19 April 1985



Christian BENITEZ (ECU) Profile |
The son of one of Ecuador all-time goalscoring greats, Ermen Benitez, the dynamic Christian brought his all-round skills to the country’s U-17 and U-20 teams.
Current Club: El Nacional (ECU)
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 1 May 1986



[ Johan DJOUROU (SUI) Profile |
Djourou was one of the late arrivals in Switzerland’s 2006 FIFA World Cup™ travelling party, having played in none of the qualifiers.
Current Club: Arsenal (ENG)
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 18 January 1987



Haminu DRAMANI (GHA) Profile |
A dangerous winger, Haminu Dramani burst onto the international stage last year on the eve of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.
Current Club: Red Star Belgrade (SCG)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 1 January 1985



Lukasz FABIANSKI (POL) Profile |
Lukasz Fabianski is one of the biggest goalkeeping talents in Polish football.
Current Club: Legia Warsaw (POL)
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: 18 April 1985



Cesc FABREGAS (ESP) Profile |
Having held a relatively low profile in his native Spain until recent months, the explosive form of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has given him a real chance of earning a trip to Germany this summer.
Current Club: Arsenal (England)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 4 May 1987



Andres GUARDADO (MEX) Profile |
When Andres Guardado made his Mexican league debut at the age of 19 it was the fulfilment of a long-held dream. Now, as the FIFA World Cup™ approaches, an even greater stage lies in wait for this flying winger.
Current Club: Atlas (Mexico)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 28 September 1986



Asamoah GYAN (GHA) Profile |
Ghana's 20-year-old striker Asamoah Gyan is a rising star of African football. He may still be learning his trade in Italy but he scored some crucial goals to help his country reach Germany 2006.
Current Club: Modena (Italy)
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 22 November 1985



Marcell JANSEN (GER) Profile |
With just two full seasons of Bundesliga football under his belt, 20-year-old defender Marcell Jansen will compete for the left back position in the German national team.
Current Club: Borussia Moenchengladbach (GER)
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 4 November 1985



Hossein KAABI (IRN) Profile |
It is no secret that teenage sensation Hossein Kaabi is pulling his weight for Branko Ivankovic’s Iranian national team. One of his boss’ favourites, the diminutive, 1.74-metre tall defender, is one of the planet’s fastest footballers.
Current Club: Foolad Khuzistan (Iran)
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 23 December 1985



Aaron LENNON (ENG) Profile |
Aaron Lennon planned to spend this summer in front of a television set cheering on England at the FIFA World Cup™, but the midfielder has earned his place at the finals after a stunning season at Tottenham Hotspur.
Current Club: Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 16 April 1987



Hedwiges MADURO (NED) Profile |
Hedwiges Maduro is a defensive-minded midfielder who can also play as a central defender. Despite his youth and relative inexperience, he is important for the balance of the team.
Current Club: AJAX (NED)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 13 February 1985



Lionel MESSI (ARG) Profile |
Lionel Messi became the toast of Argentina when, just days after his 18th birthday, he inspired his country's U-20 side to a fifth world title with a series of masterful displays at the FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005.
Current Club: Barcelona
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 24 June 1987



Artem MILEVSKYI (UKR) Profile |
An impressive combination of power and elegance, Artem Milevskyi’s style is not unlike that of the Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Current Club: Dynamo Kiev (UKR)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 12 January 1985



Jose MONTIEL (PAR) Profile |
A combination of talent, exemplary timing and maturity beyond his years has put young midfielder Jose Montiel at the head of the pack of Paraguayan youngsters vying for a place at Germany 2006.
Current Club: Club Olimpia (Paraguay)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 19 March 1988



Guillermo OCHOA (MEX) Profile |
Mexican football has a new idol to worship. Having made his international debut at just 20, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has undoubtedly got what it takes to make the trip to Germany next summer - and make a big impression if called on.
Current Club: America (Mexico)
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: 13 July 1985



Chu-Young PARK (KOR) Profile |
With a debut goal for Korea Republic and an Asian Young Player of the Year award under his belt, young striker Park Chu-Young's next target is to make an impression at the FIFA World Cup™ in June
Current Club: FC Seoul (Korea Republic)
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 10 July 1985



Lukas PODOLSKI (GER) Profile |
Less than two years ago, Lukas Podolski was an unremarkable U-19 striker seeking to bridge the gap between youth and senior football.
Current Club: FC Cologne (Germany)
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 4 June 1985



Sergio RAMOS (ESP) Profile |
When Spain were competing at Korea/Japan 2002, a 16-year-old Sergio Ramos was at home dreaming of playing in the FIFA World Cup™. Four years on, that dream could well come true in Germany.
Current Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 30 March 1986



Cristiano RONALDO (POR) Profile |
Although trying to keep an eye on Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo can be a tricky business, FIFAworldcup.com managed to run the rule over the Manchester United star.
Current Club: Manchester United (England)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 5 February 1985



Wayne ROONEY (ENG) Profile |
In the fast-track world of Wayne Rooney, the Player to Watch tag could be considered a good three years too late as all eyes have been on the young Manchester United and England striker ever since 17 August 2002 when he made his debut for his boyhood club, Everton.
Current Club: Manchester United (England)
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 24 October 1985



Philippe SENDEROS (SUI) Profile |
At 17 Philippe Senderos became the first Swiss footballer to hold aloft an international trophy. Four years on he is a key player in a resurgent Switzerland senior team.
Current Club: Arsenal (England)
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 14 February 1985



Bogdan SHUST (UKR) Profile |
Already boasting a wealth of experience despite being only 20, the young Shakhtar Donetsk keeper arrives in Germany basking in the glow of a Ukrainian championship medal success in his first professional season.
Current Club: Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: 4 March 1986



Assimiou TOURE (TOG) Profile |
Central defender Toure Assimiou should have a ‘Made in Germany’ sticker on his back. It is, after all, in the home of this year’s FIFA World Cup™ that he has honed his talents.
Current Club: Bayer Leverkusen (GER)
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 1 January 1988



Oscar USTARI (ARG) Profile |
Independiente goalkeeper Oscar Ustari is considered by many as a future star of Albiceleste football.
Current Club: Independiente (ARG)
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: 3 July 1986



Luis VALENCIA (ECU) Profile |
Hailed as one of their brightest young talents, Luis Valencia may well be considered the future of Ecuadorian football.
Current Club: Recreativo Huelva (ESP)
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 4 August 1985



Theo WALCOTT (ENG) Profile |
The past six months have been beyond the realms of fantasy football for England’s newest and youngest striker Theo Walcott. The 17-year-old is yet to play for his club side Arsenal, but he is the talk of English football.
Current Club: Arsenal (ENG)
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 16 March 1989