20. Shinji Kagawa (Japan)
The Manchester United attacking midfielder is Asia's best player in the current generation, and is Japan's best hope of doing well in Brazil, having already qualified.
The Manchester United attacking midfielder is Asia's best player in the current generation, and is Japan's best hope of doing well in Brazil, having already qualified.
The Chelsea attacking midfielder is one of Belgium's most dangerous assets in a team full of stars. The main thing is that he is very dangerous.
Despite what people say, Rooney is still a player that England cannot be without. The Manchester United forward has struggled in recent seasons, but his international record speaks for itself. If he can hit the heights of his best days again, England have a real bonus. They must qualify first, of course.
The Manchester City skipper is probably the best central defender currently in the Premier League. With him at the back, Belgium are a real force come Brazil 2014.
Despite being 34, the Juventus midfielder just seems to ooze class at the international level. His calmness on the ball and ability to dictate the tempo mean you have to include him in the list of top midfielders. Don't forget his free kick abilities too.
As the hosts have automatically qualified, their hopes and expectations are incredibly high. Brazilians love their captain though and the PSG defender is coming to the age where he is playing his best football now at 29. A lot rests on his shoulders, but he is a rock.
The entire African continent gets behind its nations when a World Cup is on, and Yaya Toure is one of the standout figures representing them. His power and box-to-box qualities mean we know he will be in the thick of it if his country manages to qualify via the playoffs.
It looks like the Liverpool striker will be playing at his second World Cup as Uruguay are on the verge of qualifying. Having been sent off in the quarterfinals of the previous tournament for a handball on the line, he will want to prove to the world just how good a player he can be when other issues don't get in the way. He is one of the best strikers in the world.
Spain will be at the World Cup unless a major shock happens as qualifying comes to an end. Their dominance over the past fives years has been due to many factors, but one man has been at the heart of their defense through a lot of it: Pique. The Barcelona defender is ridiculously good and is one of the standout players in any major tournament.
The leader of both his club, Bayern Munich and Germany is one of the best fullbacks in history. His leadership is one thing, but his defensive and attacking qualities set him apart from the rest.
Dutch man Robben is one of many Bayern Munich players to make this list due to their incredible variety of talent. Robben seems to replicate his form for his club on the international stage time and time again. What's more is that he is a big-game player.
The best goal keeper in the world? For me, yes. The Bayern Munich keeper is set for his second world cup as Germany have already qualified.
The final Bayern Munich player in this list is the man who was voted the best player in Europe for the 2012-13 season. The Frenchman has been very impressive over the past year for his club, but struggles to mirror that for France. However, you cannot deny he is one of the best players in the world. The only thing in his way of his third World Cup is the fact that France must overcome a playoff.
Manchester United's striker is now Holland's all-time leading goal scorer. When on form, he is lethal. Having finished a runner-up at the 2010 World Cup, he is one to enjoy again next summer.
He's one of the World's most prolific and powerful strikers, and his nation has already qualified for the finals via the South American system. His form with AS Monaco is good, so I expect him to by Colombia's biggest threat going into 2014.
Ozil is arguably the best attacking midfielder in the world. It is crazy that Real MadridArsenal in the summer, but he has began in London with style. His swagger, creative ease, balance and incredible assist rate means he is set to be one of the greatest players at next year's World Cup.
At 33, this will surely be Xavi's last World Cup. Having been pivotal in Spain's 2010 success, he is still one of the World's greatest midfielders. The little Barcelona playmaker has the passing ability that few can come near to.
The hero of the 2010 World Cup final win over Holland for Spain was Iniesta. His winning goal in extra time will go down in history, but his name will forever be remembered due to him being one of the finest players of his generation.
Ronaldo, as we all know, is the complete forward. He is something unique and we are fortunate to have him around. It will be a real shame if Portugal don't make it to the World Cup as a playoff stands in their way. A World Cup without Ronaldo is not quite the same spectacle.
Messi is one of, if not the greatest player to have ever played the game. He has struggled at international level to bring his nation glory, but going into the 2014 World Cup, all eyes will be watching just what he has to show.
