Group A
Congo
Coach: Eddie Hudanski
Who to watch: Fabrice Nguessi Ondama has been so impressive as a youth player, it's expected he'll be called up to the full national side. Ondama was named the best player of the African youth championship in Congo in January and February.
By the numbers: This is the first time for Congo to participate in the world U-20 championship. In 1985 and 1991, Congo participated at the FIFA U-17 World Cups.
Best finish: First appearance
Chile
Coach: Jose Sulantay
Who to watch: Midfielder Alexis Sanchez is touted as one of Chile's most promising talents in years. Sanchez is familiar with international duty, having played at every level from U-16 to the seniors, where he already has won four caps.
By the numbers: This is the fifth time Chile has qualified for the U-20 -- the others being in Chile 1987, Qatar 1995, Argentina 2001 and Netherlands 2005. In 1987, in front of its home crowd, Chile had its best showing ever, finishing fourth.
Best finish: Semifinal (1987)
Austria
Coach: Paul Gludovatz
Who to watch: Erwin Hoffer is considered Austria's top up-and-coming striker. The 19-year-old, who switched to Rapid Vienna from Admira Wacker in 2006, scored four goals in three group matches in Poland.
By the numbers: Austria qualified for the Canadian tournament by reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA U-19 European Championship Poland 2006.
Best finish: Group stage (1983)
Group B
Uruguay
Coach: Gustavo Ferrin
Who to watch: Striker Edinson Cavani has a vast repertoire of skills.
By the numbers: Uruguay qualified thanks to a third-placed finish at January's South American Championship in Paraguay.
Best finish: Finalist (1997)
spain
Coach: Gines Melendez
Who to watch: Midfielder Juan Manuel Mata and striker Alberto Bueno have emerged as key figures by virtue of their ability to unlock the tightest of defences.
By the numbers: Spain booked its place by winning the UEFA European U-19 championship in Poland in June 2006.
Best finish: Winners (1999)
Zambia
Coach: George Lwandamina
Who to watch: Teenage winger Clifford Mulenga's experience is already well past his tender age. Mulenga was just 16 when he left home to travel to South Africa, joining the University of Pretoria club in the country's first division.
By the numbers: Zambia stunned Egypt 3-0, then lost to Congo in the tournament semifinals and to Gambia in the bronze-medal playoff but had already achieved their goal of a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Best finish: Group stage (1999)
jordan
Coach: Jan Poulsen
Who to watch: Midfielder Abdallah Salim proved the driving force behind Jordan's unlikely qualifying run. He did a miraculous job throughout the qualifying campaign, bossing the team's attack from the middle of the park with deadly crosses and deft short passes.
By the numbers: Jordan qualified by defeating 2004 AFC Youth Championship runners-up China PR at the all-important quarter-final stage.
Best finish: First appearance
Group C
Mexico
Coach: Jesus Ramirez
Who to watch: Giovani dos Santos is already being described as the heir to Ronaldinho at powerful FC Barcelona. The midfielder was named the second best player at the under-17 championships in 2005 in Peru.
By the numbers: Mexico is coming to the tournament with high hopes after capturing the world U-17 championship in 2005. Their best finish at the U-20 championships was second in 1977. They didn't qualify in 2005.
Best finish: Finalist (1977)
portugal
Coach: Jose Couceiro
Who to watch: Team captain Bruno Gama could be Portugal's next international star. The midfielder with Sporting Braga has a powerful shot, but is equally adept at setting up goals with precise crosses and quick passes.
By the numbers: Portugal is returning some of their top players from their European champion U-17 team in 2003. They're hoping to recapture the form that saw them win the U-20 tournament twice in 1989 and 1991.
Best finish: Winners (1989 and 1991)
gambia
Coach: Peter Bonu Johnson
Who to watch: The Gambian squad uses a team approach, but when it comes to putting the ball in the net, they do have a go-to striker. Ousmane Jallow was the top scorer at the 2007 African Youth Championship, scoring three of the seven goals Gambia netted in the tournament.
By the numbers: The Scorpions are making their first appearance at the U-20 championships.
Best finish: First appearance
new zealand
Coach: Stu Jacobs
Who to watch: Chris James led the AllWhites in scoring during qualifying, connecting seven times. The midfielder lives in London, England, but has yet to play a Premiership game for his club team Fulham.
By the numbers: This the first time for time for New Zealand at the U-20 tournament.
Best finish: First appearance
Group D
Brazil
Coach: Nelson Rodrigues
Who to watch: Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva, who goes by the nickname Alexandre Pato, is already a star player with the Brazilian professional team Sport Club International. The striker scored five times during qualifying.
By the numbers: Brazil has won the tournament four times, most recently in 2003.
Best finish: Winners (1983, 1985, 1993, 2003)
south korea
Coach: Cho Dong-Hyun
Who to watch: Striker Shim Young-Sung led Korea with five goals during qualifying. He plays professionally with his hometown team, Jeju United, but has yet to score his first goal as a pro.
By the numbers: South Korea has qualified for the tournament 10 times, but their best finish is a fourth place result in 1993. They've failed to make it out of the group stage since 1991.
Best finish: Semifinalists (1983)
Poland
Coach: Michal Globisz
Who to watch: Speedy striker Dawid Janczyk is the star of the Polish team. He's already been called upon by the senior national side to play in a friendly last year, but missed out due to injury. He scored three goals in an under-20 qualifying win over Belgium.
By the numbers: Poland twice lost in the semifinals, in 1979 and 1983.
Best finish: Semifinalists (1979 and 1983)
united states
Coach: Thomas Rongen
Who to watch: This will be captain Freddy Adu's second U-20 tournament. The Real Salt Lake striker has already had a tryout with Manchester United.
By the numbers: The Americans have made 11 trips to the tournament. They finished fourth in 1989.
Best finish: Semifinalists (1989)
Group E
Argentina
Coach: Hugo Tocalli
Who to watch: Boca Juniors midfielder Ever Banega is the man responsible for organizing play in the centre.
By the numbers: For the second consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cup, Argentina approached the tournament without having first won the continental title. Faced with big-name absentees, the Albicelestes showed remarkable resilience in finishing second behind Brazil, and ahead of Uruguay and Chile in qualifying.
Best finish: Winners (1979, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005)
Czech republic
Coach: Miroslav Soukup
Who to watch: Marek Strestik is an attacking midfielder from the old school, involved in every move going forward. He possesses a goal-scoring touch of his own, too, as he showed with three strikes during his side's three group games in Poland.
By the numbers: Czech Republic qualified for Canada 2007 by reaching the UEFA European U-19 Championship semifinals in Poland in July 2006.
Best finish: Quarter-finalists (1983, as Czechoslovakia and 2001)
NORTH KOREA
Coach: Jo Tong-Sop
Who to watch: Captain Kim Kum-Il was one of the revelations during the qualifiers in India. The midfield dynamo led Korea DPR with four goals. He was voted the tournament's top player.
By the numbers: Korea DPR qualified for Canada 2007 by winning the AFC Youth Championship in India in November 2006.
Best finish: First appearance
Panama
Coach: Julio Dely Valdes
Who to watch: Josue Jafeth Brown of domestic club side Atletico Veraguense is a speedy and imaginative striker with physical strength and a killer nose for goal.
By the numbers: As hosts of CONCACAF Group A qualifying, the Panamanians earned a spot in Canada with a 3-2 victory over Haiti.
Best finish: Group stage (2003, 2005)
