The excitement is building as we get closer to the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. With The Great Tournament less than a week away, we continue "The Group of Death" with Portugal.

OFFICIAL NAME: Federação Portuguesa de Futebol



NICKNAME: Selecção das Quinas

FIFA CONFEDERATION: UEFA (Europe)

FIFA CODE: POR

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Def. Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in UEFA WC playoff

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES (INCLUDING 2010): 5

BEST WC FINISH: 3rd place, England 1966

WORLD CUP RECORD (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 19: 11W - 1D - 7L

HEAD COACH: Carlos Queiroz

MOST CAPPED PLAYER (# of caps): Luís Figo (127)

ALL-TIME GOAL SCORING LEADER (# of goals): Pauleta (47)

BRIEF FOOTBALLING HISTORY:
The small Iberian nation is a footballing factory of talent producing such names as Luis Figo, Manuel Rui Costa, Cristiano Ronaldo and the legendary Eusebio. However, Portugal has yet to put together a total title winning side. Eusebio carried Portugal to a 3rd place finish in 1966 but it would be another 20 years before they qualified for another World Cup. Portugal has come close in Europe with the runner-up finish at Euro 2004 but they have yet to lift a major international trophy.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
When Portugal plays, the spotlight will be on Cristiano Ronaldo but its his former teammate that could shine, he is Nani.
(AP Photo/Paulo Duarte)
The Manchester United winger was a crucial part of Portugal's qualification setting up both goals in the qualifying playoff triumph against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Nani's influence for the Portuguese side is as important as Cristiano Ronaldo's. Nani's pace and passing ability gives Portugal a balanced attack with the team able to spread defenses and open up space on both sides of their formation.

OUTLOOK:
Portugal's qualifying campaign was unimpressive and its still a stunner that Coach Carlos Queiroz still has his job. The talent for Portugal is excellent but their teamwork and poise could be their downfall. Expectations for a team with the talent of Portugal is at least a quarterfinal spot but how they handle this tough group from a poise and psychological standpoint will be the main concern.

FINAL 23-MAN WC ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Braga), Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis)

Defenders:
Duda (Malaga), Bruno Alves (Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Miguel (Valencia), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Rolando (Porto), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Ricardo Costa (Lille)

Midfielders:
Deco (Chelsea), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Raul Meireles (Porto), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pepe (Real Madrid)

Forwards:
Nani (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon)

WC GROUP SCHEDULE:
June 15 vs. Côte d'Ivoire
June 21 vs. Korea DPR
June 25 vs. Brazil

It is now time to move to the final group, Group H.