COUNTRY FOCUS: ARGENTINA

The Albicelestes may have struggled inexcusably in qualifying, but having now arrived - courtesy of pipping neighbours and old rivals Uruguay to the last automatic qualification berth in the South American confederation - much will be expected of them. Diego Maradona may be tactically naive, inexperienced as a coach, and, therefore, a controversial choice to lead the national team, but he is without doubt the greatest sporting icon in Argentina. Can his legendary status inspire the current team, and will the sheer talent of the players at his disposal carry him and Argentina to glory on the world's biggest football stage this summer?

World Cup Pedigree:

Argentina reached the Final of the first ever World Cup in 1930 but lost out to host nation Uruguay, despite leading 2-1 at half-time. A first round exit against Sweden four years later was, amazingly, their last World Cup match for 24 years, as they didn't take part in another tournament until 1958. Joy at returning to the World Cup stage was shortlived, however, as they crashed out at the group stages following defeats by West Germany and Czechoslovakia. It was a similar story in Chile in 1962 when a crucial group match defeat against England again saw them make an early exit from the tournament, and four years later it was England again who put paid to their hopes in an ill-tempered quarter-final clash at Wembley. Argentina's next appearance in the Finals was in 1974 when they went out in the second round group phase following a heavy defeat to Holland and a 2-1 reversal against fierce rivals Brazil. Then came 1978 and Argentina's turn to host the tournament. In controversial circumstances Argentina qualified for the Final following a 6-0 trouncing of Peru in the last group match of the second-phase - a game they had to win by four clear goals. The Final against the Dutch was also marked by some unsavoury claims of cheating, but Argentina ran out 3-1 winners to land their first World title. In 1982 as defending champions they limped through the first round to find themselves in a three-team group with Brazil and Italy with only one semi-final place on offer for the group winners. The Albicelestes lost out against both and their reign as World Champions can to an unceremonious end. At Mexico 86 Diego Maradona was in the form of his life and the team cruised through the knock-out phases to a place in the Final against West Germany. Controversy surrounded their quarter-final win over England in which Maradona scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal and England had a clear late penalty shout denied them. The Germans did manage to pull back from 2-0 down in the Final but Jorge Burruchaga's late winner gave Argentina their second World Cup triumph. In 1990 the Final featured the same two teams, but Argentina had enjoyed considerable luck in the knock-out stages and had needed penalties to progress in both the quarter and semi-final. The Germans avenged their defeat of four years previously with a 1-0 win, and since then Argentina have not got beyond the quarter-final stage, losing in the second round to Romania at USA 94, in the last eight to Holland in 1998 and at the same stage four years ago against the hosts Germany. Despite being highly fancied before the 2002 World Cup in the Far East, Argentina failed to emerge from a 'group of death' that contained Sweden, England and Nigeria.

Greatest Moment:

Winning the World Cup on foreign soil and in the right way - by playing creative, attacking football, largely inspired by the sensational Diego Maradona - at Mexico 86.

Biggest Heartbreak:

Failing to retain their World title at Italia 90, when they disintegrated against West Germany in a dour and dirty Final, which saw Argentina finish the match in disgrace following two red cards.

At South Africa 2010 Argentina will be competing in their fifteenth World Cup Finals.