GROUP A

Czechia

Coach: Miroslav Koubek

Star player: Patrick Schick

World Cup best: Runners-up (as Czechoslovakia), 1934, 1962

Back on the world stage for the first time since 2006, the Czechs are unable to call on stars like Pavel Nedved and Petr Cech anymore. Relying on team effort to get the job done, they squeezed through March's play-offs against the Ireland and Denmark.

Irish angle: The most painful of all - Czechia are at the World Cup at the expense of the Republic of Ireland. The 4-3 victory on penalties after a 2-2 play-off draw, ended Ireland's hopes of taking their place in this summer's World Cup.

Mexico

Coach: Javier Aguirre

Star player: Raul Jimenez

Rising star: Gilberto Mora

World Cup best: Quarter-finals, 1970, 1986

Mexico are hosting the World Cup for a record third time, but they head into the tournament more in hope than expectation. They lack players at the world's top clubs and have been through some recent instability. The 12th man will have a key role to play.

Irish angle: Mexico were the opponents for one the most iconic moment in Irish football history. John Aldridge's infamous touchline rant at the 1994 World Cup came in a group game against Mexico in Florida.

With Ireland trailing 2-0 in 43c weather, Aldridge launched in an verbal tirade against officials after lengthy delay in being allowed onto the pitch as a substitute.

South Africa

Star player: Lyle Foster

World Cup best: Group stage, 1998, 2002, 2010

Bafana Bafana are back at the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament. They overcame a costly administrative error that saw them docked three points to qualify ahead of Nigeria and will play the opening game against Mexico - the same fixture that kicked off the 2010 edition.

Irish angle: Former Drogheda United goalkeeper Jethren Barr could be part of the South African squad were it not for illness. Capped three times for his country, Barr was forced to hang up his gloves in December after being diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

South Korea

Coach: Hong Myung-bo

Star player: Son Heung-min

World Cup best: 4th place, 2002

Son Heung-min will lead from the front but, now aged 33, needs others to step up around him. Qualification was a doddle, but expectations are low in a country that does not have another attacker anywhere near the former Tottenham star's calibre.

Irish angle: The Republic of Ireland's men's senior soccer team have never played South Korea in an international fixture in their 102 years of history.

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Source: RTE