THE TOP PLAYERS
Here's an insight into the top players at each position in the tournament. Check these out before choosing your team. Note! Top players lists accumulated by BBC Sport's Match of the Day Guide to the 2006 World Cup.

Goalkeepers
1		Petr Cech CZE The Chelsea stand-out goalie holds many records and helped his club in winning the Premiership title. Ranked 7th in the world, Cech is rapidly making a name for himself and will likely find his way into many fantasy teams for this tournament.
2		Gregory Coupet FRA France's goalkeeping situation used to be dominated by Fabien Barthez, but Coupet has now taken the seat. Lyon's 'keeper has good all-round skills and a passionate desire to win.
3		Oliver Kahn GER Germany's long-time shot-stopper remains one of the best in the world even though he's getting on a bit. May be edged out by rival Jens Lehmann who is in good form.
Defenders
1		William Gallas FRA Ranked 3rd in the world, the Chelsea and France star is a top choice for a fantasy defender. He says he prefers a central role, but he has shown his versatility at full back for both club and country. Also packs a decent shot.
2		John Terry ENG Sol Campbell's problems lead the way for Terry to burst into the England side and he's done so with great success. A vital part of Chelsea's club success, Terry was voted PFA Player of the Season in 04/05. Now seen by many as one of the world's best.
3		Paulo Ferreira POR Another Chelsea defender amongst the top 10 in the world. A well balanced and dependable full back. Ferreira played every minute of Porto's triumphant Champions League campaign in 2004. Unimpressive in Euro 2004 though.
4		Fabio Cannavaro ITA The Italian captain makes up part of arguably the best defense in the world. Won the Serie A with Juventus after his move from Inter Milan. Powerful in the air despite his size, great tackler and a fierce man-marker.
5		Lucio BRA Was an integral part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory. He's not just a decent central defender, he has a tendancy to score crucial goals. Has also achieved recent club success, winning the German league and cup double with Bayern Munich.
Midfielders
1		Frank Lampard ENG Widely considered the most complete player in the Premiership, and perhaps the world, today. Runner-up to Ronaldinho in FIFA's 2005 Player of the Year. Quick, creative, intelligent and can rocket a shot into the top corner from far away.
2		Juan Riquelme ARG Riquelme is the creative hub for Villareal and Argentina. Sets the tempo and direction for Argentina's offense. Regarded highly by manager Jose Pekerman as seen by his place in the team ahead of the likes of Aimar and Veron.
3		Steven Gerrard ENG A multi-talented midfielder and an inspiring team leader, Steven Gerrard has the ability to single-handedly change the course of a game. Superbly accurate passes and stunning goals are part of his game, always a good choice for any fantasy team.
4		Claude Makelele FRA He may be small but Makelele has a tough-tackling approach to the game. Another one of Chelsea's Premiership title-winning squad and a vital part of it too. An important player for France with his ability to read the game and protect his defense.
5		Michael Ballack GER Germany's captain has great vision, drive and attacking intent. Ballack suffered disappointment in the 2002 World Cup, scoring the goal that took his country to the final but missing out on it due to suspension.
Strikers
1		Ronaldinho BRA Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho has been named FIFA's World Player of the Year for two years straight and will likely be one of the tournament's stand-outs. A confident player full of tricks, he will be the key to Brazil's cup run.
2		Dirk Kuijt NED The Feyenoord striker has already netted 100+ goals in the Dutch league at the age of 25. A skilful and accurate finisher, Kuijt is in great form, keeping the Bundesliga's best striker, Roy Makaay, on the bench for Holland.
3		Ronaldo BRA Ronaldo has been a formidable striker for many years now and has bounced back from a mid-career crisis of illness and injuries. He scored both goals in the 2002 World Cup Final to help Brazil lift the trophy. He may just do it again.
4		David Trezeguet FRA Trezeguet has been in great scoring form for Juventus this season after rebounding from injury. Is one of the best strikers in Europe on his day and will form an entertaining strike partnership with Thierry Henry in Germany.
5		Thierry Henry FRA Pace, accuracy, creativity. Just some of the qualities Thierry Henry possesses. Extremely entertaining player and already a legend at Arsenal. With a great eye for goal, Henry will surely be in many fantasy teams this year.

THE KEY PLAYERS
Here's an insight into the key players for every team in this year's World Cup. This section will help you with picking players from those teams you're unfamiliar with. Note! Key players accumulated by BBC Sport's Match of the Day Guide to the 2006 World Cup.

Group A
Germany		Michael Ballack MIDFIELDER Captain, top 5 midfielder. Klose (ST) also a good choice.
Costa Rica		Paulo Wanchope STRIKER 43 goals in 67 internationals for Costa Rica.
Poland		Maciej Zurawski STRIKER Celtic striker, has been in good form.
Ecuador		Ulises De La Cruz DEFENDER Hasn't played much for Villa this season.
Group B
England		Wayne Rooney STRIKER Top 12 striker. Terry(D), Lampard(M), Gerrard(M) also key players.
Paraguay		Carlos Paredes MIDFIELDER Regularly a part of Serie A Reggina's midfield.
Trinidad & Tobago		Dwight Yorke STRIKER Hugely influential for Sydney FC.
Sweden		Zlatan Ibrahimovic STRIKER Top 12 striker. Goal-scoring sensation at Juventus.
Group C
Argentina		Juan Riquelme MIDFIELDER Top 5 midfielder. Cambiasso (M) also a good choice.
Ivory Coast		Didier Drogba STRIKER Top 12 striker. Toure is a top 12 defender.
Serbia & Montenegro		Mateja Kezman STRIKER 1291st in the world. Hasn't settled at Atl. Madrid.
Holland		Arjen Robben MIDFIELDER Key player for a young team.
Group D
Mexico		Jared Borgetti STRIKER 10 goals in qualifying. Rafael Marquez top 12 defender.
Iran		Mehdi Mahdavikia STRIKER Might play midfield. Ranked 355th in the world.
Angola		Pedro Mantorras STRIKER Barely played in qualifying.
Portugal		Luis Figo MIDFIELDER Revived form at Inter Milan. Deco(M), Ferreira(D) top 12.
Group E
Italy		Andrea Pirlo MIDFIELDER Cannavaro (D), Materazzi (D), Toni (S) all top 12 players.
Ghana		Sulley Ali Muntari MIDFIELDER Made an impact for Udinese. Essien (M) top 12.
USA		Brian McBride STRIKER Usually used as lone striker in 4-5-1.
Czech Republic		Jan Koller STRIKER Should be fit after injury. Nedved (M) top 12, Cech(G) top 3.
Group F
Brazil		Ronaldinho STRIKER Top 5. Juninho & Kaka top 12(M), Lucio(D) & Ronaldo(S) top 5.
Croatia		Dado Prso STRIKER 5 goals in 9 appearances qualifying. Robert Kovac(D) top 12.
Australia		Tim Cahill MIDFIELDER 7 goals in 5 appearances qualifying for the Socceroos.
Japan		Shinji Ono MIDFIELDER Ono, Hidetoshi Nakata (M) and Nakamura (M) are vital.
Group G
France		Thierry Henry STRIKER Top 5. Coupet(G), Gallas(D), Makelele(M), Trezeguet(S) top 5.
Switzerland		Alexander Frei STRIKER 8 goals in 10 appearances qualifying. Potent striker.
South Korea		Ji-Sung Park MIDFIELDER Ranked 147th in the world. Young-Pyo Lee (D) top 12.
Togo		Emmanuel Adebayor STRIKER 10 goals in 10 appearances qualifying.
Group H
Spain		Raul STRIKER Spain's leading scorer with 40+. Valdes(G), Puyol(D) top 12.
Ukraine		Andriy Shevchenko STRIKER The Ukraine's captain is a top 12 striker.
Tunisia		Hatem Trabelsi DEFENDER Will be his third FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Arabia		Yasser Al Qahtani STRIKER Attacking partner of Saudi's top scorer - Sami Al Jaber (42 goals).