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Goalkeepers

1-German Burgos (Atletico Madrid)
Born: 16.04.69

With more than 30 appearances, he has three times more caps than rival Bonano. Looks favourite to claim the number one jersey in Japan and Korea, although coach Marcelo Bielsa is yet to make a final decision. Plays with Atletico Madrid in Spain.

23-Roberto Bonano (Barcelona)
Born: 24.01.70

Lost his place as the undisputed first-choice Argentinian number one following his move from River Plate to Barcelona last year. Was snapped up by the Catalans after they failed to land Italy's Francesco Toldo.

12-Pablo Cavellero. (Celta Vigo)
Born: 13.04.74

Celta Vigo man completes the trio of Argentina's stoppers who ply their trade in Spain. Was part of the squad at France '98, but did not see any action with Carlos Roa firmly established in the position. Has coped well in his handful of internationals.

Defenders

2-Roberto Ayala (Valencia)
Born: 14.04.73

The classy Valencia centre-back picked up a losers' medal in the Champions League in his first season with the Spanish side. Has constantly been linked with a move to Manchester United, with Sir Alex Ferguson a noted admirer. Won the Primera Liga title with Valencia this season.

4-Mauricio Pochettino (Paris St Germain)
Born: 02.03.72

The Paris St Germain defender has had limited opportunities in the Argentinian side with Walter Samuel ahead of him in the pecking order. The 30-year-old only recently won his 15th cap.

6-Walter Samuel (Roma)
23.03.78

An integral part of the Roma side that won the Serie A title last year. At the age of 24, he has already firmly established himself in the national side. Samuel is renowned for his great positional sense and sound distribution from the back. Part of the Argentina junior side that won the World Youth Cup in 1997.

3-Juan Pablo Sorin (Cruziero)
Born: 05.05.76

Plays for Cruzeiro in Brazil, the battling midfielder-defender was probably Argentina's most improved player during qualifying when he made 14 appearances. Set to join Lazio after the finals.

22-Jose Chamot (AC Milan)
Born: 17.05.69

The AC Milan defender will be going to his third successive World Cup finals, but is likely to be used as back-up this time around. Joined the Rossoneri from Atletico Madrid in January 2000.

13-Diego Placente (Bayer Leverkusen)
Born: 24.04.77

The wing-back earned his place in the squad after some fine performances during Bayer Leverkusen's unlikely march towards the Champions League final. Started his career at Argentinos Juniors before spending three years at River Plate. Joined the Germans for £3million in the middle of the 2000-2001 season.

Midfielders

17-Gustavo Lopez (Celta Vigo)
Born: 13.04.73

Moved to Celta Vigo from Real Zaragoza for £4million three years ago. Started his career at Independiente where he won the first of his 40-plus caps. Has often had to battle it out for place in the national side with namesake Claudio.

16-Pablo Aimar (Valencia)
Born: 03.11.79 Another member of the all-conquering 1997 World Youth Cup winning side. A playmaker of the highest quality, he moved from River Plate to Valencia in January last year for £15m. Has yet to reproduce his best form in Spain, although any club willing to offer him a new home beware - his buy-out clause is reputed to be £50million.

5-Matias Almeyda (Parma)
Born: 21.12.73

Took advantage of Fernando Redondo's refusal to play under former coach Daniel Passarella to force his way into the reckoning. The versatile Parma midfielder is yet to displace Diego Simeone from the national team though.

20-Marcelo Gallardo (Monaco)
Born: 18.01.76

An accomplished player, but the quality in the Argentinian midfield means he is often restricted to substitute appearances these days. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old Monaco player has amassed almost 40 caps since his debut in 1994.

8-Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan)
Born: 10.08.73

Scored the well-worked equaliser in the 2-2 draw with England at France '98. Almost 70 Argentina appearances to his name, the Inter Milan star has great pace and technical ability, making him an important part of any team he plays in.

14-Diego Simeone (Lazio)
Born: 28.04.70

Has played more than 100 times for his country and will be lining up at his third World Cup if he recovers from a troublesome knee injury. The Lazio midfielder was the man kicked by David Beckham at France '98, with the now-captain of England sent off in their second-round clash.

11-Juan Sebastian Veron (Manchester United)
Born: 09.03.75

Has yet to justify his £28.1million price tag since moving from Lazio to Manchester United in the summer. The 27-year-old has denied he will quit England at the end of the season to return to Italy, where he enjoyed his best form dictating games. Vital to Argentina's cause if they are to win their third World Cup this summer.

18-Kily Gonzalez (Valencia)
Born: 04.08.74

The left-sided attacking midfielder has had to battle with the up-and-coming Vicente Rodriguez for his place in the Valencia side. Caused controversy by claiming the Group F encounter with England would provide a chance for revenge for the Falklands War. Prodigiously talented, and a player tipped to join the Valencia exodus to Italy.

15-Claudio Husain (River Plate)
Born: 20.10.74

Has been around the national team set-up for seven years, although he only averages around two caps a season. Plays with Napoli in Serie B and is likely to be a bit-part player this time as well.

Forwards

21-Claudio Caniggia (Rangers)
Born: 09.01.67

After gaining promotion with Atalanta in Serie B, his career was sparked back into life by a move to Scotland in 2000, first with Dundee then Rangers. Recalled to the national fold for the February friendly with Wales after an absence of eight years. Was one of the stars of Italia 90, although he missed the final defeat to West Germany through suspension.

10-Ariel Ortega (Fenerbache)
Born: 04.03.74

Will join the Turkish club Fenerbahce after the finals. He will be leaving Argentinian team River Plate who he signed for after spells with Valencia, Sampdoria and Parma. Vastly experienced with more than 80 caps, hisplaying style has drawn comparisons with the legendary Diego Maradona.

9-Gabriel Batistuta (AS Roma)
Born: 01.02.69

The prolific striker averages a goal around every two hours at international level. He broke the hearts of Fiorentina fans when he switched to rivals Roma for £22million in June 2000. Scored 20 goals in 28 games in his first season, also netted five times in five World Cup qualifiers. Has played second fiddle to Crespo though and could be substitute this summer.

19-Hernan Crespo (Lazio)
Born: 05.07.75

His nine goals in qualifying made him joint top-scorer alongside Ecuador's Agustin Delgado. The £35.7million striker is the third most expensive footballer in the world, behind Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo, following his summer 2000 switch from Parma to Lazio. Scored 26 times in his first campaign to take his Serie A total to 88 in five years.

7-Claudio Lopez (Lazio)
Born: 17.07.74

Lazio were finally rewarded for their persistence in chasing the talented forward when Lopez put pen to paper on a £23million transfer from Valencia shortly before Crespo joined. Injuries hampered his first season, but he has bounced back this year to form a fearful striking partnership with his compatrio