2014 World Cup Qualifiers from Europe

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As the final stage for the 20th FIFA World cup is set in this year's summer in Brazil, Football fans around the world will witness 32 nations compete for the ultimate prize. Among the 32 qualifying nations, 13 are from Europe - the most participants by any conference - headed by the defending champions, Spain. The final 13 teams booked their ticket to Brazil after an ultra-competetive qualification process through the 2012 -213 UEFA Euro tournament.

The 2014 World Cup Qualifiers from Europe include:

1. Belgium

2. Bosnia and Herzegovina

3. Croatia

4. England

5. France

6. Germany

7. Greece

8. Italy

9. Netherlands

10. Portugal

11. Russia

12. Spain

13. Switzerland

All 53 UEFA national teams participated in the qualifying matches that took place on September 7 to October 2013, with their eyes set on one of the final 13 Euro Zone spots that will book their tickets to Brazil. Teams that were allowed to participate in the qualifying matches were drawn at the World Cup Preliminary Draw at the Marina da Glória in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 30 July 2011.

The teams that were drawn were divided into 8 groups that consisted of 6 teams and 1 group with only 5 teams. The teams that won in their respective group or the first round of the tournament were automatically qualified to compete for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The 9 teams included Belgium, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, England, and Spain.

To determine the final four remaining qualifying spots, the 8 runners-up having the best record against the teams finishing first, third, fourth and fifth in their respective group were drawn in two-legged playoffs. The 8 runner-up teams included Greece, France, Portugal, Ukraine, Sweden, Iceland, Romania, and Croatia. The final four spots were eventually awarded to Greece, France, Portugal, and Croatia, after heart-stopping win or go home matches.

With 5 World Cup champions and the reigning-defending champions, Spain, representing the Euro Zone for the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil, it won't be a surprise if this year's World Cup trophy will once again make its way home to Europe.

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