The final draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil was made official on December of last year, paving the stage for an epic battle between 32 countries all bidding for the greatest prize in football.
But before that, all qualified teams must advance in their group matches before they will ever have a shot for World Cup glory. Only two teams for each of the 8 groups will advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Group A [Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon]
Without any real threat in this group and a talented roster in great form to go along with a superb home support, Brazil should be able to breeze their way into Group A. It's a toss coin between Mexico and Croatia but I will give this one to Mexico given that Croatia will play Brazil in the opening Game.
Winners: Brazil, Mexico
Group B [Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia]
This is a tough group because of the presence of the defending champions Spain, the previous World Cup finalist Netherlands, and a team on the rise on Chile. With all due respect to Australia, but they just don't have the fire power to compete with the three heavy weights.
Spain should be able to qualify with their talented and experienced roster. Now it's between Netherlands and Chile. I will give this one to Chile because of the fact that Netherlands has been on the decline and because this tournament is staged on South-American soil which favors Chile.
Winners: Spain, Chile
Group C [Columbia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan]
Group C is quite hard to predict because all four teams have a real shot at advancing. The Group is a bunch of Dark Horses so there is not telling whose going to upset who when the games begin. Columbia has a lot of weapons at their disposal so I predict that they will rise on top of the group. I will give the other spot to Greece because of their tough, defensive minded roster.
Winners: Columbia, Greece
Group D [Uruguay, England, Italy, Costa Rica]
Group D is the second group of death in the tournament. Italy, England, and Uruguay, all have a real shot at advancing. Costa Rica on the other hand, is capable of upsetting any of the three. But Uruguay and Italy stand out as the better pair in the group.
Winners: Italy, Uruguay
Group E [Switzerland, France, Ecuador, Honduras]
Many believe that Switzerland drew a comfortable group although France and Ecuador are both potent teams. Look for Switzerland to rise above in Group E. With the odds unfavorable to Honduras and Ecuador still inexperienced in World Cup games, the French men are the better squad to join the Swiss in the next stage of the tournament.
Winners: Switzerland, France
Group F [Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria]
Just like their South-American counterparts Brazil, Argentina will be heavily favored to advance in their group. Bosnia-Herzegovina will slug it out with Iran and Nigeria but will eventually rise above the two.
Winners: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group G [Germany, Portugal, USA, Ghana]
Hailed as the Group of Death in the tournament, Group G features exciting football matches from top to bottom. Germany is loaded with skill and talent in almost every position and it's hard to see how the other three can match them. Portugal, with football sensation Ronaldo should grab the second spot but look for Ghana and USA to battle it out with the Portuguese.
Winners: Germany, Portugal
Group H [Belgium, Russia, South Korea, Algeria]
Although this is one of the weakest groups in the tournament, it's still a one to watch especially with Belgium's golden generation. Russia has an edge between South Korea and Algeria so look for the two European powerhouses to advance on Group H.
Winners: Belgium, Russia
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