This changing world - The emerging nations who have shaken up the old order

South Korea

South Korea

Population: 48.3m. Number of clubs: 476. Number of registered players: 2,047. Year Football Federation founded: 1928. Talismanic player: Park Ji-Sung. World ranking: 40. Dutch coach Guus Hiddink politely turned down Korean nationality after taking the side into the semi-finals, but the team of no-name brands has already said "thank you" for his input. In having the better of a draw with England in a warm-up and beating Poland, Portugal, Italy and Spain, they have led the awakening of Asian football at these finals. Tireless, they have shown the world there's no "i" in "t-e-a-m".

Senegal

Population: 10m. Number of clubs: 75. Registered players: 3,977. Year Football Federation founded: 1960. Talismanic player: El Hadji Diouf. World ranking: 42. The country which saw 40 million slaves pass through Dakar is now supplying the world with a rare breed of footballing talent. Runners-up in the 2002 African Nations' Cup, they beat their former colonial masters (France) and also saw off Sweden en route to the quarter-finals at their first World Cup. Having shaken off the shackles of inferiority the east Africans have flourished under French coach Bruno Metsu's blending of flair and teamwork.

Turkey

Population: 67.3m. Number of clubs: 230. Registered players: 64,521. Year Football Federation founded: 1923. Talismanic player: Hasan Sas. Ranked: 22. News flash: Turkey's footballers grab headlines ahead of fans behaving badly shock. Not the prettiest or most disciplined of teams, they have always been rugged, physical and in fear of no one. But throw in a couple of gifted ball players and this once most volatile of teams suddenly resemble a world-class unit. "We are climbing the steps one by one," coach Senol Gunes says. "We don't need to write history any more, let's write the future." The future is now.

United States

Population: 281m. Number of clubs: 7,000. Number of registered players: 1,411,500. Year Football Federation founded: 1913. Talismanic player: Landon Donovan. World ranking: 13. The term "minnows" regarding a country of 281m people sounds like a contradiction in terms, but the success of their world champion women has helped raise the profile of men's "sah-ker". Big MLS games are drawing crowds of 20,000 and by beating Portugal and drawing with South Korea, they showed a solid form guide. In 1930 they reached the World Cup semi-finals. History has a way of repeating itself.

Japan

Population: 127m. Number of clubs: 13,047. Number of registered players: 358,989. Year Football Federation founded: 1921. Talismanic player: Junichi Inamoto. World ranking: 32. After the humiliation of France '98 – beaten in all three matches in their first finals – they won their group here and left one Arsène Wenger with a red face, having already handed the impressive Inamoto his P45 at Highbury. The J League is growing in strength and departing French coach Philippe Troussier has instilled pride and purpose. Short of strikers, they should unearth a few before Germany 2006.

South Africa

Population: 43.6m. Number of clubs: 51,944. Number of registered players: 1,039,880. Year Football Federation founded: 1991. World ranking: 37.

Talismanic player: Sibusiso Zuma.

In 1996 they were African champions, held rugby union bragging rights and won more golds at the Atlanta Games than Britain. Many feel their honeymoon period of sporting success has since ended, but four points and five goals from only their second World Cup finals shows promise for the continent's most developed country. Denied 2006, they should host 2010.

Watch this space: China (pop: 2.3bn)...