Brazil's Giuliano, right, is just one of several young stars to keep an eye on at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. (Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images)

Soccer fans will be able to catch a glimpse of the sport's future later this month when 24 of the best youth teams gather in Egypt for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The soccer equivalent of the world junior hockey championship, the U-20 World Cup has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in the history of the sport, including Diego Maradona, Luis Figo and Ronaldinho.

The same players who will compete in Africa later this month will be the same ones who will star at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, so the U-20 tournament offers a window into the future.

This year's U-20 World Cup features an open field, and with reigning world champion Argentina watching from home (the South American powerhouse failed to qualify), the title is up for grabs.

So, what country will come out on top?

CBCSports.ca offers a quick breakdown of all the teams and major players to watch.

ASIA

How they qualified: The United Arab Emirates won the 2008 Asian U-19 Championship, and will be joined in Egypt by finalist Uzbekistan, and semi-finalists Australia and South Korea.

Australia: The Socceroos boast three players with senior national team experience in defender Daniel Mullen, midfielder James Holland and forward Mitch Nichols. Australia can also call upon Alex Cisak, a backup goalkeeper with English club Leicester City.

South Korea: Egypt marks the 11th time South Korea has participated in the U-20 World Cup, and after bowing out in the first round in five of their last six appearances, the Asian powerhouse will be looking to make amends.

United Arab Emirates: The reigning Asian champions will be relying on forward Ahmed Khalil, top scorer and tournament MVP at the 2008 Asian U-19 Championship, to lead the attack and supply them with goals in Egypt.

Uzbekistan: Their last appearance came at the 2003 tournament when they lost all three of their first round matches. Midfielder Sherzodbek Karimov will have to be at his best in Egypt if Uzbekistan has any hope of qualifying for the second round.

AFRICA

How they qualified: Ghana won the 2009 African Youth Championship to qualify for Egypt, as did runners-up Cameroon and losing semi-finalists Nigeria and South Africa. As the host team, Egypt received automatic entry into the tournament.

Cameroon: The Young Lions make their return to this tournament after a lengthy absence - Cameroon was knocked out by Mali in the second round in the 1999 competition in Nigeria. This time around the Cameroonians will rely heavily on goalkeeper Francois Beyokol and defender Charley Fomen.

Ghana: Ransford Osei, currently on loan with Dutch club FC Twente, was named MVP of the 2009 African Youth Championship and finished as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals.

Nigeria: The Flying Eagles are a team in transition after Nigerian officials recently appointed former international and Olympic manager Samson Siasia to take over the coaching duties from Ladan Bosso.

South Africa: Underestimate the South Africans at your peril. The young Bafana Bafana side raised a lot of eyebrows at the 2009 African Youth Championship when it upset the Ivory Coast and Nigeria, before losing to eventual champions Ghana in the semifinals.

Egypt: As host nation, the Egyptians obviously have a big advantage, but aside from relying on the support of local fans, they also have a talented team, led by dangerous striker Mohamed Talaat.

EUROPE

How they qualified: Germany stamped its passport for Egypt by wining the 2008 UEFA U-19 Championship. Tournament runners-up Italy, Czech Republic and Hungary (semi-finalists), and England and Spain also qualified.

Czech Republic: The Czechs did well to reach the final of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, narrowly losing to Argentina. They followed that up with an inspired run at the 2008 UEFA U-19 Championship on home soil, so they'll be one of the dark horse teams to watch in Egypt.

England: Coach Brian Eastick's team has to be considered one of the tournament favourites. Chelsea midfielder Michael Woods and Arsenal defender Gavin Hoyte are two of the biggest names on a talent-rich English team.

Germany: The European champions enter this tournament brimming with confidence, and why shouldn't they? Disciplined in defence and well-organized midfield, the Germans also look dangerous in attack, with Bayer Leverkusen forward Richard Sukuta-Pasu leadin g the charge.

Hungary: Midfielder Vlagyimir Koman has valuable pro experience, having played in Italy's top two divisions the past three years, but that likely won't be enough to propel the Hungarians into the next round.

Italy: The Italians have never done well in this tournament - their best showing in four previous appearances were a pair of quarter-final showings - so the Azzurrini have a point to prove in Egypt, on top of wanting to equal the senior team's World Cup victory three years ago in Germany.

Spain: FC Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic will miss the tournament because of a thigh injury, but Spain still has plenty of talented players it can call upon, chief among them being Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida.

NORTH AMERICA

How they qualified: Costa Rica won the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, thus earning a spot in Egypt. The United States, Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago also qualified by virtue of reaching the semifinals of the CONCACAF tournament. Canada was eliminated from contention after finishing third in its first-round group.

Costa Rica: Los Ticos will arrive in Egypt riding a tidal wave of momentum after winning the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Striker Josue Martinez and midfielder David Guzman are two players opposing defenders will have to keep close tabs on.

Honduras: Roger Rojas, a 19-year-old striker, is one of the hottest prospects in all of Central America, balancing speed, acceleration and a natural goal-scorer's instinct. If he can effectively link up with midfielder Mario Martinez, the Hondurans could be a threat in Africa.

Trinidad and Tobago: Trinidad's only previous appearance came at the 1991 tournament in Portugal when it bowed out in the first round. Another early exit appears likely.

United States: Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley have all graduated to the senior team since the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada, but that doesn't mean the U.S. is a spent force. A talented crop of new youngsters, including midfielder Bryan Arguez, make the American team one of the tournament favourites.

OCEANIA

How they qualified: Tahiti came out on top in the 2008 OFC U-20 qualifying tournament, winning the four-team tournament ahead of New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Fiji to qualify for Egypt.

Tahiti: The islanders pulled off a minor miracle by beating New Zealand en route to winning the 2008 OFC U-20 qualifying tournament, but they will likely be nothing more than whipping boys in Egypt.

SOUTH AMERICA

How they qualified: Brazil won the 2009 South American Youth Championship. They were followed by Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, while Argentina failed to qualify after finishing last in the six-team final section.

Brazil: With reigning world champion Argentina watching from home, Brazil has to be considered the top favourite in Egypt. This is a team loaded with exciting attacking players, especially Giuliano Victor de Paula, or simply Giuliano, who is being touted as the next Ronaldinho.

Paraguay: Los Guaranies finished second overall at the South American qualifiers, powered by the explosive duo of Hernan Perez and Robin Ramirez, who scored five goals each. Paraguay plays an attacking brand of soccer that teams in Egypt could struggle to contain.

Uruguay: Like Brazil, Uruguay is loaded with attacking options. From forwards Jonathan Urretaviscaya and Santiago Garcia to midfielders Nicolas Lodeiro and Tabare Viudez, La Celeste will be a team to watch in Egypt.

Venezuela: Not much is expected of the Venezuelans, who qualified for this tournament for the first time following a fourth-place finish in the South American qualifying tournament, staged on home soil.