With less than 12 months to go until it all kicks off in Brazil, who is ahead of the pack?
Yaya Toure 6
Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure will be aiming to participate in the third World Cup of his career in Brazil 2014, assuming the Elephants can overcome Senegal in the playoffs, after taking a 3-1 advantage from the first leg.
The midfielder began his World Cup finals career in Germany in 2006, then plying his trade at club level with Olympiakos. Aged just 23, Yaya started all three matches for his country against Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro.
He enjoyed another three games in South Africa in 2010, scoring once against North Korea and nabbing an assist against Brazil.
Martin Demichelis 5
All five of Martin Demichelis’ appearances at a World Cup came in South Africa, where he played every single minute of Argentina’s campaign until they were eventually knocked out by Germany in the quarter finals.
The Argentines won all three of their group games and the centre back chipped in with his side’s opening goal against Greece – breaking the deadlock with a powerful shot into the roof of the net after 77 minutes after his initial header rebounded.
Sergio Aguero 3
After scoring five goals in qualifying to help fire Argentina to World Cup 2014, Sergio Aguero will be hoping to play a pivotal role when Alejandro Sabella’s men touch down in Brazil next summer.
Just 22 when he went to South Africa as part of then-manager Diego Maradona’s squad, Kun started a group game against Greece and made two more appearances from the bench, including one against South Korea when he set up a goal for Gonzalo Higuain.
Partnering Lionel Messi up front as part of an exciting attacking line-up, Sergio and Argentina will have an eye on a long run in next year’s competition.
James Milner 3
A regular member of England squads under Roy Hodgson and his predecessor, Fabio Capello, James Milner started all but one of England’s fixtures in South Africa 2010.
An unused substitute in the second group game, a goalless draw with Algeria, James made a big impact on his return to the side by setting up England’s only goal against Slovenia to ensure safe passage to the knockout stages.
Jesus Navas 3
A World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, Jesus Navas came off the bench in the final as La Roja chased victory over the Netherlands in Johannesburg.
A sub in the opening group game with Switzerland, he was rewarded for his showing from the bench with a start in the next match against Honduras, where he set up the second goal for David Villa.
In a Spain squad brimming with talent, City’s pacey winger has also clocked up appearances for his country in Euro 2012 and last summer’s Confederations Cup.
Aleks Kolarov 2
Sadly, Aleks Kolarov won’t be able to add to his two World Cup finals appearances in Brazil, after a Serbia in transition failed to qualify from the same group as Vincent Kompany’s Belgium.
They did make it to South Africa in 2010, where the left back appeared twice, including playing 90 minutes in a famous victory over Germany in the group stages. He was left on the bench for the final match against Australia, and his country failed to reach the knockout rounds.
David Silva 2
An influential member of the Spain squad that swept to victory in the 2012 European Championships, David Silva was not yet a regular starter for La Roja in the summer of 2010.
After starting in his country’s tournament opener against Switzerland, he had to be content with a place on the bench for the remainder of the competition, although he did make a late appearance as a substitute in the semi-final victory over Germany.
With five appearances in World Cup qualification, the 27-year-old will be confident of climbing this list as Spain defend their title in Brazil.
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Gael Clichy 1
After making his debut for the France senior squad in September 2008, Gael Clichy was called up to the 2010 World Cup squad under Raymond Domenech.
An understudy to Patrice Evra, the defender won a start in the final group clash with South Africa, which Les Bleus lost 2-1.
Gael’s chances of appearing in a second World Cup rest on France’s playoff showdown with Ukraine over two legs – the first leg kicks off on Friday 15 November.
With many City stars hoping to be on the plane next summer, this list might look a bit different in 12 months…
Bring on Brazil!
