World Cup: Brazil favourites, second place conundrum in Group A

The biggest find for Croatia, though, was Rakitic. The midfielder played a starring role for Spanish side Sevilla, who beat Benfica to lift the Europa League trophy. Croatia will also have the services of former Bayern Munich veteran Ivica Olic.

But the injury to Niko Kranjcar comes as a huge set-back for Croatia. He injured himself while playing for Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League and has been ruled out of the World Cup.

The odds on the 'Indomitable Lions' getting past the group stage are slim. The Cameroonians are not the force they were once. They sprung the biggest surprise in the 1990 World Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals.

One of Cameroon's most well known stars, Samuel Eto'o, is still is still there. But neither is he the striker who was scoring 30-plus goals every season for a marauding Barcelona nor are Cameroon the team that was most likely to spring a surprise.