Diego Forlan celebrates after scoring a goal
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Best: Winners (1930, 1950)
Winners of the first-ever World Cup, Uruguay took the last of the 32 places in South Africa after overcoming Costa Rica in the play-offs. National coach Oscar Tabarez — a.k.a. El Maestro, another Group A manager taking charge of his side for a second time — has some decent players at his disposal, most notably strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, who could fire them through to the knockout stages for the first time in two decades. They certainly won't lack for goals — during qualification Los Charrúas scored 28 goals, behind only Brazil and Chile — but whether they can keep them out at the other end will ultimately decide just how far El Maestro's men go.
Player to watch: Though he flopped at Manchester United, Diego Forlan's goals have just propelled Athletico Madrid to Europa League glory. But his unfortunate habit of whipping his shirt off to celebrate — a gesture that earns an automatic yellow card — could cause a problem if it leads to suspension.