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Europe unveils World Cup squads

Jonathan HardingMay 14, 2014

Germany's biggest rivals in Europe have revealed provisional squads for the 2014 World Cup. World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo was always guaranteed to face Germany, yet Löw's headaches won't stop there.

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Fußball WM 2014 Qualifikationsspiel Schweden - Portugal Jubel Ronaldo
Image: Jonathan NackstrandAFP/Getty Images

Spain, reigning champions of Europe and the world, boast an impressive array of talent in their provisional squad. With a midfield that includes the Bayern Munich duo of Javi Martinez and Thiago, and some of the world's most expensive forwards, there will no doubt be some disappointed faces when the squad gets cut down to the final 23.

Spain's provisional: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Napoli), Davidde Gea (Manchester United); Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Gerard Pique (Barcelona),Sergio Ramos Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Alberto MorenoSevilla), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid); Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), Xavi(Barcelona) Thiago (Bayern Munich), Pedro (Barcelona), Jesus Navas(Manchester City), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla(Arsenal), Andres Iniesta(Barcelona); Forwards: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), David Villa (AtleticoMadrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Fernando Llorente (Juventus), David Silva (Manchester City), Juan Mata (Manchester United)

Germany's biggest bogey team in recent international tournaments has been Italy. Their ranks include the familiar faces of Juventus pair Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon, and notorious AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli. Striker Ciro Immobile, who is reported to be of keen interest to Borussia Dortmund aged 24, was also called up after scoring an impressive 22 goals for FC Torino in Serie A this season.

Italy's provisional squad: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain), *Antonio Mirante (Parma); Defenders: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gabriel Paletta (Parma), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter); Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Romulo (Verona), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain); Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Mattia Destro (Roma), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Fiorentina)

*cover in case of injury to one of the 30

UEFA EURO 2012 Halbfinale Deutschland vs Italien Tor
Mario Balotelli's semifinal brace at Euro 2012 broke German heartsImage: picture-alliance/dpa

Belgium have released a strong, young squad with a few familiar faces from the Bundesliga included. Hoffenheim's goalkeeper Koen Casteels is in, alongside Bayern Munich's Daniel van Buyten and Wolfsburg's Kevin de Bruyne. They join a strong contingent that many have tipped to surprise, and under the leadership of recent Premier League champion Vincent Kompany, they are a team to watch.

Belgium's provisional squad: Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid - on loan from Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (Hoffenheim), Silvio Proto (RSC Anderlecht); Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Vanden Borre (RSC Anderlecht), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Daniel van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal, Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St. Petersburg), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur); Midfielders: Axel Witsel (Zenit St. Petersburg), Steven Defour (Porto), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Moussa Dembélé (Tottenham Hotspur), Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin De Bruyne (VfL Wolfsburg), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United); Attackers: Romelu Lukaku (Everton - on loan from Chelsea), Divock Origi (Lille OSC); Reserves: Radja Nainggolan (AS Roma), Sebastien Pocognoli (Hannover 96), Thorgan Hazard (Zulte Waregem - on loan from Chelsea), Guillaume Gillet (RSC Anderlecht), Michy Batshuayi (Standard Liege), Jelle van Damme (Standard Liege)

England, Germany's oldest rival, have opted for a young squad. Following Germany's 2006 World Cup initiative, coach Roy Hodgson included Southampton's 18-year-old left back Luke Shaw, as well as lively Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling (19) and Everton youngster Ross Barkley (20) in his selection. Veteran Ashley Cole was not included and has since retired from international football with 107 caps to his name.

Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson has been hailed for picking a youthful squadImage: AP

England's provisional squad: Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City); Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United); Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jorden Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal). Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United); Reserves: John Ruddy (Norwich City), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC).

Despite scraping into the competition via the playoffs, France's squad still suggests a collective strength. Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is one of five attackers, while Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema are a pair of household names in good form ahead of the tournament. Surprise exclusions include Manchester City's Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy, as well as Olympique Lyon's Yoann Gourcuff.

France's provisional squad: Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Bastia), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Marseille); Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Lucas Digne (Paris St. Germain), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid); Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Paris St. Germain), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St. Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissokko (Newcastle), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille); Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loic Remy (Newcastle), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich); Reserves: Remy Cabella (Montpellier), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Loic Perrin (Saint-Etienne), Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Benoit Tremoulinas (Saint-Etienne).

Defeated 2010 finalists the Netherlands have kept their feet on the ground with their squad selection. A surprise, yet deserved, call-up for FC Augsburg captain Paul Verhaegh stands out. The big Bundesliga names of Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04) and Rafael van der Vaart (HSV) were always likely to earn their Brazil ticket. PSV's 20-year-old left-wing forward Memphis Depay has been tipped as the brightest talent in their young squad.

Fußball WM Finale Spanien Niederlande Weltmeisterschaft Flash-Galerie
Arjen Robben has been to the World Cup final before, but can he get there again?Image: AP

Netherland's provisional squad: Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Michel Vorm (Swansea), Jeroen Zoet (PSV Eindhoven); Defenders: Daley Blind, Joel Veltman (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, Tonny Vilhena (all Feyenoord), Karim Rekik (PSV Eindhoven - on loan from Manchester City), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa); Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven); Forwards: Jean-Paul Boetius (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Quincy Promes (Twente), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).

Champions-League finalist Cristiano Ronaldo is of course the leading name in Portugal's squad, and is accompanied by teammate Fabio Coentrao, Monaco's Joao Moutinho and highly-touted youngster William Carvalho. Wolfsburg's shadow striker Vieirinha has also been called up, while Manchester United's Nani is perhaps a surprise inclusion.

Portugal's provisional squad: Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting); Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Antunes (Malaga), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia), Rolando (Inter); Midfielders: Andre Gomes (Benfica),Joao Mario (Vitoria), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dinamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting); Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (SC Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Ivan Cavaleiro (Benfica), Nani (Manchester United), Rafa (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Porto), Varela (Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)