If there is another Group of Death (apart from England's) then this is it. There are no real dunces in this group and there is certainly potential for a surprise or two.

Germany will know all about that, having been beaten by Algeria in their opening match in 1982, before going on to reach the final).

Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, are the other big team, but brilliant though they can be, there is an element of self-destruction in there.

Ghana reached the last eight four years ago and will be looking to upset the applecart here.

The draw will provide an emotional clash for United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann, one of Germany's greatest ever players, who led his country to the World Cup semi-finals on home soil as manager in 2006. But it is hard to look past the Europeans in this one.

• Germany

Manager: Joachim Low

Star player: Manuel Neuer

Previous record: Winners '54, '74, '90

Summary: One of the tournament's all-time powerhouses: Germany are third in the competition's rankings with three World Cup triumphs. They have also been runners-up on four occasions – in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002.

• Ghana

Manager: Kwesi Appiah

Star player: Kevin-Prince Boateng

Previous record: Quarter-finals 2010

Summary: Knocked out in the last eight by Uruguay in a penalty shoot-out four years ago. Asamoah Gyan's missed penalty kick cost them – but it only reached that stage because of a cynical handball by Luis Suarez.

• Portugal

Manager: Paulo Bento

Star player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Previous record: Third, 1966

Summary: Took a two-legged play-off win over Sweden for the Portuguese to earn their ticket to Brazil. Have some quality players in their squad and really must be aiming for the semi-finals.

• USA

Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann

Star player: Tim Howard

Previous record: Third, 1940

Summary: Beat the supposedly mighty England in 1950 in one of the great World Cup shocks. Best placing was in 1930 – a third place that surprisingly is, to this day, the best placing for any team outside of Europe or South America.