Zidane - star performer in 1998 (Allsport).

ONES TO WATCH IN THE FAR EAST

So often a player has made his exploits the defining memory of a World Cup through his skill, his goals and his star quality.

Geoff Hurst in 1966, Pele in 1970, Franz Beckenbauer or Johan Cruyff in 1974, Mario Kempes in 1978, Paolo Rossi in 1982 and perhaps more than any other Diego Maradona in 1986 are players who have set alight football's greatest competition and have become synonymous with the tournaments they graced.

A galaxy of football stars are hoping the showpiece event in Japan and South Korea this summer will elevate them to the very pinnacle of the sport.

Here we look at 20 players to watch at the finals - 10 you will already know and 10 who could take their chance in the spotlight and make a real name for themselves:

ZINEDINE ZIDANE (FRANCE) - Zidane is one player whose reputation is secure - he was the star performer in the French side which won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championships two years later.

Now the world's most expensive footballer following his move to Real Madrid last summer, the midfielder is blessed with incredible technique and a good eye for goal, particularly from free-kicks.

LUIS FIGO (PORTUGAL) - The FIFA World Player of the Year for 2001. Ignored the abuse he suffered when leaving Barcelona to join bitter rivals Real Madrid to become a key figure at the Bernabeu.

Figo is one of those prized midfielders who can contribute goals, he has a powerful shot and a good turn of pace. At the age of 30, Figo is entering his peak and this is surely his last chance to make a mark on the history of the World Cup.

RIVALDO (BRAZIL) - Brazil may have stumbled through qualification but that is now an irrelevance and in Rivaldo they have a player who - if he is in the right frame of mind - can be a dominant force in the tournament.

Rivaldo has never really transferred the blistering form he displays at club level for Barcelona to his performances for Brazil, but his spectacular goals, mesmeric dribbling and pinpoint passes would be very welcome in the Far East.

DAVID BECKHAM (ENGLAND) - He will first want to erase the memory of his last World Cup appearance, that inglorious sending-off against Argentina.

The heart, soul and brain of the England midfield, his crossing and free-kicks in particular will be a key weapon in the armoury of Sven-Goran Eriksson's side.

RAUL (SPAIN) - If Spain are to remove their tag of serial World Cup under-achievers then they will need their talisman Raul to have an excellent finals.

A striker as capable of converting tap-ins as shots from distance, he has yet to really prove himself in the international arena after winning all there is to win in the club game with Real Madrid - despite still only being 24 when the tournament gets under way.

GABRIEL BATISTUTA (ARGENTINA) - 'Batigol' is approaching the end of his career at the top level and this will almost certainly be his last World Cup.

The sense of 'now or never' for Batistuta may be just the spur he needs, and there is still no better striker in the world than this man when he is on top form - however he has rarely shown his best in Serie A this season.

FRANCESCO TOTTI (ITALY) - The new glamour boy of Italian football, the Roma captain played an important part in his country's relatively trouble-free qualification programme.

An accomplished goalscorer himself, he can also utilise his passing and dribbling skills to set up chances for the likes of Christian Vieri, Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro del Piero.

MICHAEL OWEN (ENGLAND) - Owen burst on to the world scene as a teenager with a stunning solo goal against Argentina in the 1998 finals.

He now returns as a better all-round striker and the injury problems he has suffered since the last World Cup have not robbed him of any of his pace, which is still the main reason defenders fear him and the reason he has scored the goals which won him the European Footballer of the Year award in 2001.

ROY KEANE (REPUBLIC OF IRELAND) - Uncompromising midfielder who will cover every blade of grass for Mick McCarthy's side this summer.

Arguably his country's only world-class player, he will enjoy this chance to shine after missing out on the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 and provided he steers clear of disciplinary misdemeanours he could be one of the stars of the show.

OLIVER KAHN (GERMANY) - Cruelly nicknamed 'Oliver Can't' after England scored five past him in Munich last September, but his leaden-footed defence should take most of the blame for that, as Kahn is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Agile, comfortable when handling the ball and blessed with sharp reflexes, he will be the one barking orders to the defenders in front of him this summer. They would be well advised to listen to him.

Here are 10 less familiar names who could grab the spotlight:

EMMANUEL OLISADEBE (POLAND) - The Nigeria-born striker has gone from being the victim of racist taunts from the terraces to a national hero when he took up Polish citizenship and scored seven goals in qualifying to help his adopted country reach their first finals since 1986.

A strong, barrel-chested forward, he is a clinical finisher with good pace and a powerful shot who currently plays for Greek side Panathinaikos.

HIDETOSHI NAKATA (JAPAN) - The one Japanese player who has really proved himself at the top level in Europe, having played for Perugia, Roma and Parma in Italy's Serie A.

The co-hosts will pin their hopes of reaching the second round for the first time in their history on this excellent play-making midfielder, whose ever-changing hair colour is only one of the reasons he will stand out this summer.

EL-HADJI DIOUF (SENEGAL) - Tipped to be the next footballing superstar to come out of Africa.

Blessed with frightening pace and good touch, Diouf scored nine goals in qualifying to edge Senegal past Morocco on goal difference and is recognised as one of the top strikers in the French First Division, where he plays for Lens.

RONALDINHO (BRAZIL) - A slight, pacy striker with excellent technique, he could become the new Brazilian icon should Ronaldo fail to rediscover the form he showed before injuries sidelined him for months at a time.

Plying his trade in France with Paris St Germain, he is one of the few players left in a physical Brazilian side who relies on flair and rather than muscle.

IGOR TUDOR (CROATIA) - A tall, uncompromising defender who plies his trade in Serie A with Juventus but has been linked with a move to Manchester United.

Possesses fine technique and his six goals in the 2000-01 season prove he has an eye for goal too. The rock around which Croatia will build.

AGUSTIN DELGADO (ECUADOR) - A far more precious commodity to his country than his nickname - 'El Tin' - suggests.

He has struggled with injury since his move to Southampton, but along with Ivan Kaviedes he will be relied upon to provide goal power for the World Cup debutants, and his goals in qualifying - including the one which beat Brazil - were vital.

SIBUSISO ZUMA (SOUTH AFRICA) - Could be one of the hottest properties at this summer's finals - if you can see him for dust.

That seems to be the trouble opposition defenders have, as Zuma is a winger blessed with amazing speed and skill. Plays in the Danish league with FC Copenhagen, but he may well be chased by much bigger clubs when the tournament is over.

STEVEN GERRARD (ENGLAND) - His ability is unquestioned in England, but the World Cup is his chance to shine on the world stage.

A bustling midfielder who can also pass the ball incredibly well, strong on the ball and excellent in the tackle. His accurate long-range shooting could be a useful source of goals for England.

ROBBIE KEANE (REPUBLIC OF IRELAND) - Keane had always looked a special player from his first few games for Wolves.

A striker capable of making chances for himself with guile, pace and excellent technique, he will be relied upon as the man who can unlock international defences.

MICHAEL BALLACK (GERMANY) - One of very few young German players with genuine international class, his performance in the qualifying play-off against Ukraine helped erase the memory of the 5-1 thrashing by England.

A scheming, creative midfielder with an eye for goal, he will join Bayern Munich after the finals are over.