Marshalled in defence by Nemanja Vidic, but with strong attacking capabilities, Serbia are a team for the major powers to avoid at World Cup 2010.

One to watch: Milan Jvanovic will be one to watch for Serbia in the World Cup

Serbia's World Cup record: None.

How Serbia qualified for World Cup 2010: European Group 7 winners.

The Coach: Radomir Antic (Serbian, 60). Appointed: August 2008. WC experience: Player: None. Coach: None.

The former Luton player is held in high regard in England. Witness the reception he received in London as a guest at the League Managers Aassociation’s 1,000 club dinner in November.

The Country: Serbia’s national team was previously Yugoslavia, from 15 January 1992 until 4 February 2003, and then as the Serbia and Montenegro national football team until 3 June 2006 when Serbia declared independence as the successor state to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. It was officially renamed the Serbia national football team on 28 June 2006, while the Montenegro national football team was created to represent the new state of Montenegro.

But that has in no way diluted their capabilities, as seen in qualifying when they finished ahead of France. Serbia beat Romania 5-0 in Belgrade to earn automatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup as unassailable leaders of European qualifying Group Seven.

Antic saw enough to go to South Africa with confidence: "I'm extremely happy, as we sealed a World Cup spot in style,” he said. “If we continue like this in South Africa, we will be a power to reckon with at the World Cup."

One man to watch out for is Milan Jovanovic, the 28-year-old Standard Liege winger. He has nine international goals and has a reputation for being a free-kick specialist. And, of course, there is a Manchester United representative, in Nemanja Vidic, whose fitness will be key to Serbian success.

Telegraph verdict: Are developing into a dangerous vibrant force. Rout of Romania shows they will definitely be a country to avoid. Have a great attacking threat while Vidic marshalls the defence. Could be a surprise package and don’t lack motivation to succeed.