World Cup 2010: Portugal

World Cup 2010: PORTUGAL

FIFA ranking: 4

Overall World Cup record: 11-7-1

Coach: Carlos Queiroz

Best performance: Third place, 1966

Overview: A semifinalist four years ago, Portugal comes into this summer’s tournament as one of the favorites. And it will be tested in the first round since it is matched with Brazil and the Ivory Coast in group play. The key for Portugal, however, will be how Coach Carlos Queiroz deals with the loss of Jose Bosingwa and the possible absence of Pepe to knee injuries. Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, the FIFA world player of the year in 2008, is healthy, but he will have to do more than he did in a quiet qualifying campaign.

-- Kevin Baxter