Teams

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Denmark

Teams

FIFA World Cup™ finals history
Denmark have made it to the finals on four occasions, though it took until 1986 for them to take their debut bow on the world stage. Their next trip, 12 years later, turned out to be their most successful, battling to the quarter-finals only to lose 3-2 against eventual finalists Brazil. The Danes narrowly missed out on the European qualifying play-offs last time out, where a 90th-minute Italy equaliser effectively denied them a best-runners-up spot.

The team
Built around the creative talents of playmaker Christian Eriksen, the Danish side features a blend of veterans and youngsters being integrated into the side. Michael Krohn-Dehli, one of the surprise packages of South Africa 2010, features in midfield with the likes of Simon Kjaer behind him and Nicklas Bendtner in front. The name Schmeichel has returned between the posts in the form of Kasper, son of legendary Danish goalkeeper Peter.

The coach
Morten Olsen, the longest-serving coach in Denmark's history, stepped down after the team failed to qualify for UEFA EURO 2016 and was replaced by Age Hareide. The former Malmo coach arrived in the job with decades of top-level experience, including a five-year stint in charge of Norway's national side.

The stat
129 – The record number of caps Kasper Schmeichel's father, Peter, holds for Denmark.

The former stars
Peter Schmeichel, Michael Laudrup, Frank Arnesen, Morten Olsen

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Australia

Teams

FIFA World Cup™ finals history
Australia’s best showing in their four FIFA World Cups™ was a Round of 16 appearance at Germany 2006. There they were eliminated following a contentious last-minute penalty by eventual champions Italy. At South Africa 2010, the Socceroos collected the same amount of points in the group stage as four years earlier only to this time exit on goal difference. Australia’s all-amateur 1974 side picked up a point against Chile, while the Socceroos went home from Brazil 2014 with three defeats, although the talismanic Tim Cahill managed to join a small group of players to score at three World Cups with his volley against the Netherlands shortlisted for the FIFA Puskas Award. They became the 31st team to secure their place in Russia, coming through as 3-1 winners against Honduras in their intercontinental play-off, after finishing as Asia's best third-place side following a play-off defeat of Syria.

The team
Australia have undergone a massive reinvention in terms of playing personnel, mentality and style since Ange Postecoglou assumed the reins in late 2013. By Brazil 2014 many of the older players were off the scene, replaced largely by young and inexperienced new faces. The team made their mark in historic fashion by winning the AFC Asian Cup in January 2015 on home soil where names such as Massimo Luongo, Mathew Leckie, Mat Ryan and Trent Sainsbury came of age.

The coach
Ange Postecoglou has played a significant role in redefining Australian football. After seven years as coach of Australia’s two national youth teams, Melbourne-raised Postecoglou proved hugely successful in Australia’s A-League at Brisbane Roar. An unwavering belief in a proactive high-tempo passing game paid dividends with consecutive A-League championships and, after a slow start, the Socceroos found their feet culminating in their maiden Asian success.

The stat
32 – The number of years between Australia’s first and second World Cup appearances in 1974 and 2006.

The former stars
Johnny Warren, Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer

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Peru

Teams

FIFA World Cup™ finals history
Peru participated at three FIFA World Cups between Mexico 1970 and Spain 1982, but have since been unable to match the heights of those golden years, leaving their fans disappointed after failing to qualify for subsequent finals. Their only other tournament appearance came at Uruguay 1930, but their best achievements were a sensational run to the quarter-finals in 1970 and reaching the Second Round at Argentina 1978. Peru ended their 36-year drought by finishing fifth in South American qualifying and subsequently defeating New Zealand 2-0 on aggregate in the intercontinental play-off.

The team
Peru are currently going through a phase of re-building after winning the bronze medal at the 2011 Copa America in Argentina but failing to qualify for Brazil 2014. The squad has a mixture of youth and experience, with evergreen veterans such as Claudio Pizarro, Paolo Guerrero, Jefferson Farfan and Juan Vargas complementing the younger generation, including defensive duo Pedro Requena and Gustavo Dulanto.   

The coach
Ricardo Gareca was appointed head coach in 2015 and is only the second Argentinian to take charge of Peru after Angel Fernandez Roca did so in the 1940s and 50s. It is the first time el Tigre has coached a national side, having previously enjoyed success at club level, winning the league title with Universitario de Lima and Velez Sarsfield. Gareca will be hoping to make amends for contributing to Peru’s absence from Mexico 1986, after he equalised for Argentina at 2-2 shortly before the final whistle in the last qualifying game.

The stat
24 – The number of coaches, including Gareca, Peru have had since Spain 1982. Four coaches have had two separate stints at the helm over that same period.

The former stars
Teofilo Cubillas, Hugo Sotil, Hector Chumpitaz, Cesar Cueto, Juan Carlos Oblitas, Franco Navarro, Nolberto Solano, Roberto Palacios