Pardon me while I become a diehard Portuguese fan for a few months

I am American but my great grandparents came to the States from the Azores so the bandwagon I most identify with is Portugal.

Ah yes, a ultra-slick team that made it to the semifinals in Germany at the 2006 World Cup, the Portuguese are a maddening bunch. Think Phoenix Suns: they play a fun brand of soccer but somehow they always seem to find a way to screw it up despite having the first or second-depending on your viewpoint-best player in the world: Cristiano Ronaldo.

I have my doubts that Portugal will even make it out of Group G with Brazil, North Korea and Ivory Coast blocking the way but if they do, look out.

Their 24-man roster is loaded as you would expect and I'm hopeful that Nani can keep up his outstanding play at Manchester United this past season in South Africa.

Pepe has been included in Portugal's provisional 24-man squad ahead of the World Cup, despite having been sidelined by a knee injury since December.

The Real Madrid defender has only just returned to training after five months out of action, however, he was a stand-out in a scrappy Portuguese qualifying campaign to ensure his place.

Coach Carlos Queiroz had previously indicated he would name his 23-man squad for the finals, but chose to add another name to his selection after admitting he had "one or two'' doubts about the fitness of certain players.

"Things can happen at a training camp and we want to be sure the ones we take are in the best shape,'' the former Real Madrid boss said. "The World Cup will take place when players are usually on holiday, it will be important to prepare them correctly so they can contribute as best as possible.''

The biggest surprise of the squad was the inclusion of back-up goalkeepers Beto and Daniel Fernandes who did not play during qualifying. Portugal reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Germany four years ago, but face a difficult task to get out of their group in South Africa after being draw against Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea.

Goalkeepers: Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga)

Defenders: Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia)

Midfielders: Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon)

Forwards: Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg).

Luis Figo is retired so there is the big question of who will assume the leadership role? Like many superstars, Ronaldo has never been known as a team guy so it won't be him.