But Juergen Klinsmann's side are more than ready, with Salto and the White Brazilian to call upon.

They are not strange new recruits. All are long-standing members of their squads, all rejoicing under a host of bizarre nicknames handed out by teammates down the years.

Ecuador have taken the World Cup by storm with their free-flowing, attacking football and their joy on the pitch is reflected in the way they refer to each other.

Veteran defender Ivan Hurtado is Bam-Bam while back-four teammate Jose Perlaza is Zancudo, or Long Legs, for his gangly, 1.93m frame.

Up front, the South Americans boast Augustin Delgado, El Tin, Felix Borja, the Kangaroo and Marlon Ayovi, such a threat in front of goal, that he's called The Infallible.

But Germany, who will tussle with the Ecuadoreans for top spot in Group A on Tuesday, have dangerous goal-scorer Miroslav Klose, known as Salto-Klose for his trademark somersault goal celebration.

Bernd Schneider, who could line up in that match, has been dubbed 'The White Brazilian' but models himself on an Argentinian.

"I idolised Maradona for the way he played football, although I didn't envy the hype that surrounded him," says the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.

The United States face Italy in their next match and will need 24-year-old striker DaMarcus Beasley to live up to his nickname of Jitterbug which he earned in honour of his ability to wriggle out of the tightest marking.

Teammate and defender Oguchi Onyewu's name translates as 'God Fights for Me'.

Mexico are having an 'el' of a time at the World Cup with a 3-1 win over Iran already under their belts.

Guillermo Franco is El Guille, Ramon Morales is El Moncho and Jose Fonseca, El Kikin. Breaking ranks, however, is Francisco Rodriguez who has no El but is plain Mazza after his home town of Mazatlan.

Costa Rica's Victor Nunez is El Mambo, defender Gilberto Martinez is Tuma while midfield creator Carlos Hernandez cuts a fine figure as Zorro.

Brazilian skipper Cafu may have lost some of his pace but he is still addressed as Il Penolino, the Express Train, for his famous forays down the right wing.

Up front, Adriano is Imperatore, the Emperor, with young gun Robinho, O Principe, the Prince to Pele's king.

Not to be outdone, neighbours Argentina have the Duck (El Pato) in goal in the shape of Roberto Abbondanzieri, Pablo Aimar, El Payaso or the Clown in midfield with back-up striker Julio Cruz, El Jardinero, the Gardener, ready to cut a dash up front.Italian hardman Gennaro Gattuso will enjoy being referred to as Ringhio (growl), but Trinidad and Tobago's Chris Birchall, whose only link to the islands is through his mother, would rather not have his nickname.

It's Me-mam.