2010 FIFA World Cup: All 32 Teams' Go-To Player For the 2010 World Cup

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In the FIFA World Cup, there are 32 teams and each team has 23 players on it.

But Every team has a player they look up to as their go to guy, the player that has to carry the team when no-one else can.

Many times, some teams have lots of stars at their disposal while others have just one player that stars.

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, many stars will be on show and every country will be looking to get the most out of their core players.

Here are 32 players from the 32 teams who will have a huge say in how far their teams go.

South Africa: Steven Pienaar

Steve Pienaar is a midfielder for South Africa. At 29, this might be his time to shine because he is at home and time is running out.

The odds are against South Africa as the host country and their FIFA ranking of 90th worldwide says it all.

Steven Pienaar has excelled at club level with his creativity and was named Everton's player of the season.

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa need him to step up and push the team for a shock.

Mexico: Carlos Salcido

Carlos Salcido is a defender, but with so many creative attacking youngsters around him like Carlos Vela, Andres Guardado, and Gio Dos Santos, it will fall to him to make sure the team shuts up shop and doesn't let in more goals than they can score.

He has been a pretty consistent player for club and country helping Mexico qualify for the World Cup in 2006 and 2010.

Uruguay: Diego Forlan

Diego Forlan is a player who can create something out of nothing.

After leaving Manchester United and being branded a flop, Forlan has gone on to score over 100 goals. Forlan helped his current club Atletico Madrid win the Europa League this year.

On the national side, he has been ever present in World Cups and qualifiers, including for this year's competition.

At 31, this might be his final appearance at football's biggest tournament.

France: Franck Ribery

Frank Ribery has become one of the best wingers in the World.

He has had a tremendous season with Bayern Munich, winning the league and cup, before missing out on the Champions League final due to suspension.

You cannot exactly say he helped France qualify for the World Cup since you know Henry's hand did that.

Ribery will also need help from young and old alike. He will look to young stars like Gourcuff and Toulalan to marshall the midfield, and to experienced players like Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, and Florent Malouda to aid in attack.

Argentina: Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi's achievements include being the UEFA Champions League top scorer, winning the Ballon D'or, winning FIFA World Player of the Year.

With his club team, Barcelona, he completed a historic season in 2009, winning six trophies. Messi was key in their run.

He helped Barcelona this season leading the league in goals with 34 as well as assists.

Who wouldn't want such an offense threat. Messi is looking to redeem himself after both he and Argentina struggled during the qualifiers.

Argentina have the offensive output to succeed in the World Cup and with Messi they are touted as favorites.

Nigeria: John Mikel Obi

The deep-lying playmaker is one of the most talented players on the Nigerian squad.

His ability to read games has helped Chelsea and he will look to transfer that form to the national stage.

South Korea: Ji Sung Park

The 29 year old has become synonymous with his country's national team.

He was a member of the team that finished 4th in the 2002 World Cup, beating Italy and Spain on the way. While it's unlikely that South Korea replicate the run that happened on their home soil, if it happens, Park Ji Sung will be at the center of it.

Greece: Theofanis Gekas

The Greece national team might not be an exciting team to watch, they hardly score goals, and when they do they generally come from set pieces.

Theofanis Gekas is a good striker, he finished top goal scorer in the German League in 2006. He leads Greece's World Cup qualifying team in goals scored and needs to continue that this summer.

England: Wayne Rooney

Enter Wayne Rooney. At 24, Wayne is already building a storied career, and the World Cup could be the next step.

Rooney has been scoring in every possible competition this season, most notably finishing second with 26 goals in the Premier League.

With England short of quality strikers, Rooney will have to do the heavy lifting for the Three Lions squad.

United States Of America: Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan silenced many doubters when he went on loan to Everton and helped them enjoy a great run of form.

Donovan's best exploits for the United Stated National team came last year when they made it to the 2009 Confederation's Cup Final beating Spain 2-0, before losing to Brazil.

United States are favorites to progress form their group and Donovan is expected to shine.

Algeria: Nadir Belhadj

Nadir Belhadj is a versatile player on the left side. His creativity and skill helped Portsmouth reach the FA Cup Final.

After experiencing the disappointment of relegation, he will be looking to make something of this year with a decent World Cup.

Slovenia: Milivoje Novakovic

Milivoje Novakovic was key to Slovenia's qualification, leading their team in scoring.

The veteran might not be a prolific scorer, but his experience will help Slovenia take the chances that come their way in a group that features England and United States.

Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger

With Michael Ballack injured, Bastian Schweinsteiger will need to step up and lead his team.

He already became a fan favorite with his performances in the 2006 World Cup against Portugal that helped Germany finish third. In that game he scored two goals in front of his home crowd.

He will be looking to repeat more of the same in the summer after suffering heartbreak in the Champions League Final with Bayern Munich.

Australia: Tim Cahill

When you talk about importance, Cahill defines that at both club and country level.

After helping Australia qualify, they will look to farther than their second round exit to Italy in the 2006 World Cup. Cahill is lethal in the air, is creative, has a good shooting power and is a motivator on the pitch.

Australia have a pretty good squad, but when they play around Cahill, they are a tough nut to crack.

Serbia: Milan Jovanovic

Serbia are a very unique team. They have one of the best defences in the World Cup, featureing Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic.

But with great defence comes easy offense, here is where Jovanovic comes in.
Serbia finished top of Europe Group 7 clearly ahead of France and Ukraine and shouldn't be underrated in anyway.

He led the scoring charts for Serbia in the qualifying campaign with five goals.
Jovanovic might not necessarily be a star striker, but with Serbia's teamwork and his finishing, they could go places.

Ghana: Michael Essien

The midfield general didn't play so much football this season after getting injured three months into the season.

When he is fit, he is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world.

He has the ability to read a game, intercept passes and make plays. He has a tremendous shot and can also play as an attacking midfielder.

Ghana and Essien will look to do Africa proud.

Netherlands: Wesley Sneijder

Don't get me wrong if you disagree with Sneijder, as Netherlands have Robben, Van Persie, and more.

Sneijder has had a phenomenal season with Inter Milan, winning the treble.

The midfield maestro dominates the park, picking out passes and creating chances for every player making a run into the attack.

He also has a great set piece ability and is a threat from everywhere on the pitch.

Holland might be favorites after having a great qualifying campaign, but not without Sniejder.

Denmark: Christian Poulsen

Denmark are a really good defensive side, and the organization of the midfield led by Poulsen will play a big role this summer.

After a terrible season with Juventus, the World Cup will be a place to change all that and return fresh.

Denmark will be placed with attacking side Netherlands in Group E and organization will be key for them to succeed.

Japan: Shunsuke Nakamura

Set Piece specialist Nakamura has been kind of a journeyman this season, moving from Espanyol in the winter to Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan in order to secure a spot on the team.

Nakamura has enjoyed regular action with Yokohama F. Marinos and has gained fitness since moving from Espanyol.

Japan might not expect a long run in the World Cup, but Nakamura, who is capable of creating something from nothing, could have a different say.

Cameroon: Samuel Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o is already a legend and will do down as one of the greatest strikers in history.

The phenomenal striker just won nine major trophies in the span of two years with Barcelona and Inter Milan. He played key roles in both and will be looking to add World Cup glory to his resume.

Samuel Eto'o helped Cameroon qualify with nine goals, and some more goals in the summer will finish the job.

Italy: Andrea Pirlo

The creative midfielder was crucial to Italy's world cup win in 2006. Similar circumstances could help Italy repeat the stellar campaign that saw them hoist the trophy after a 24 year drought.

This could be the end of an era for an aging squad (Cannavaro, Camoranesi, and Buffon), and they'll need Andrea Pirlo to be at their best if they want one last shot at glory.

Paraguay: Oscar Cardozo

Oscar Cardozo needs to step up for Paraguay, with Salvador Cabanas ruled out.
Paraguay were dark horses o qualify from their group. Cardozo had a decent campaign with Benfica, winning the Portuguese League, and should be at his best.
Cardozo scored 25 goals in 28 games to help Benfica, and a few for Paraguay won't hurt.

New Zealand: Shane Smeltz

New Zealand have a world class star in Smeltz.

The lethal striker has been on form for Australian club Gold Coast United, scoring 18 goals in 23 games for the club.

Although New Zealand are expected to bow out quickly, don't expect Smeltz to leave without making a mark.

Slovakia: Marek Hamsik

The creative midfielder has been a driving force for Napoli and Slovakia.

A force to be reckoned with, he has shown that he is a world class player at just 23.

Napoli finished 6th in the Serie A due to his efficiency and he will be looking to replicate his good form in the World Cup.

Brazil: Kaka

Ricardo Kaka has had a hard time settling in Spain due injuries and the challenge of playing out of position.

With Dunga's tactics, Robinho, and Luis Fabiano, Kaka has a lot of players who showed World Cup winning talent during qualifiers and 2009 Confederations Cup.

Kaka will be a facilitator for Brazil, a job he has been known to do flawlessly.

North Korea: Hong Yong Jo

The 28 year old hitman finished the qualifiers top scorer for North Korea.
He needs to be among the goals in the World Cup, especially when they are favorites to finish last in a group that features Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast: Didier Drogba

Drogba needs no introduction after winning the Top Scorer award in the English Premier League with 29 goals.

He helped Chelsea win their first ever double (the Premier League and F.A Cup) this season.

The Ivory Coast skipper wasn't really a factor in the 2006 World Cup and wants to progress from the tough "Group of Death".

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo

Ranked as the second best player in the World by many and first be some, Ronaldo has never played a big factor in the National team.

For club, he won the Champions League with Manchester United, scoring 42 goals that season before moving to Spain in a mega money move to Real Madrid.

He scored 26 goals and set up seven in his first year in the Spanish Liga.

Though Portugal and Ronaldo have Brazil in their group, it should be Ronaldo's time to shine.

Spain: Xavi Hernandez

The 30 year old midfielder is arguably the best deep lying play-maker in the world.

He has the ability to control possession and create chances for even the worst striker in the World. Lucky for him he has Torres and Villa as his strikers.

He has had 34 assists in the last two seasons with Barcelona, picking out passes expertly.

Spain don't need to worry about creativity when it comes to Xavi.

Switzerland: Alexander Frei

Alexander Frei's experience has served Switzerland in International competitions to date.

He led the team scoring in qualifiers, a few goals won't hurt for the Swiss, who are in a fairly easy group with Honduras, Chile and Spain.

Honduras: Wilson Palacios

Enter Honduras, a fairly unknown country with little or nothing to play for.
Wilson Palacios has been "a beast" in defense for Tottenham and needs to rally the troops and shock the world, at least.