Qualification history
With four FIFA World Cup™ campaigns behind them, this tiny nation of just 20,000 inhabitants will be looking for a breakthrough showing in their Brazil 2014 campaign. The Oceania Football Confederation’s smallest member association has just one win to their credit, which came against OFC Associate Member Tuvalu. However they have come close several times to claiming another point at this level, having lost only 2-0 against New Zealand in 2001 and 1-0 against Tahiti in 2007.

The current crop
Their most recent fixtures featured an historic win against Polynesian rivals Tonga in 2009, and a draw against the same opponent in the only two international matches since their South Africa 2010 qualifiers. It was the first time that the Cook Islands national men’s team had been victorious on Tongan soil, with the achievement all the more meritorious given the youthful composition of the squad. The preliminary squad this time around included players based in Australia, New Zealand and domestically.

The key players
Goalkeeper Tony Jamieson has been a model of consistency over a long period dating back to the qualifiers for Korea/Japan 2002. Central midfielder Thomas Le Mouton was a vital creative presence in the team’s historic win over Tonga and he is again set to be crucial in the qualifying campaign.

Coach: Shane Rufer 
Best performance in a FIFA competition: None
Former stars: Joseph Chambers, Heath Dickenson, George Mani