World Cup Group F

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BBC Sport Online looks at the countries drawn in Group F at the 2002 World Cup finals.

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ARGENTINA
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Argentina were the first team from the Americas to qualify.

They topped the South American group by 12 points, winning 13 of their 18 matches and losing only once to Brazil.

They were top scorers with 42 and conceded only 15 goals in their qualifying campaign.

Lazio's Hernan Crespo was their top scorer with nine goals, Gabriel Battistuta weighed in with five as did Veron and Claudio Lopez.

Twice winners of the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, reached the final in 1930 and 1990.

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NIGERIA
Coach: Amodu Shaibu
Nigeria's Super Eagles always enter the World Cup with great optimism - and their unpredictable talents make them dangerous opponents.

Arsenal's Kanu, twice African Footballer of the Year, is capable of moments of brilliance, in keeping with the rest of the team, but no-one can say with certainty how they will perform.

Taribo West is still their defensive lynchpin, while Chelsea's Celestine Babayaro remains as adventurous as ever at left back.

Marseille's Joseph Yobo is comfortable playing anywhere in defence, and in midfield team captain Sunday Oliseh remains a talismanic figure.

Augustine "Jay-Jay" Okocha of Paris St. Germain is regarded as Nigerian's greatest flair player, although he is sometimes criticised for over-elaboration.

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ENGLAND
Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson
England go into the World Cup with optimism higher than it has been since they reached the semi-finals at Italia 90.

Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson brilliantly rescued their qualifying campaign after succeeding Kevin Keegan - and he has inherited a potent mixture of youth and experience.

Captain David Beckham scored the equaliser against Greece the gave England the edge over Germany in their qualifying group.

He combines with Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard in a potentially world class midfield - but the trump card lies in attack.

Liverpool's Michael Owen is the equal to any striker in Europe, as proved by his brilliant hat-trick in the 5-1 win against Germany in Munich.

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SWEDEN
Joint coaches: Tommy Soderberg & Lars Lagerback
Sweden will provide a strong challenge and proved their quality in the recent draw against England at Old Trafford.

They have the outstanding figure of Coventry City's Magnus Hedman in goal, but it is in attack where the real riches can be found.

Celtic's Henrik Larsson won the European Golden Boot last season, and he provides a potent combination with Arsenal's Freddy Ljungberg.

Sweden are highly-competent with a touch of flair, but face a struggle to reach the final stages of the World Cup.