GROUP A:
Brazil:
Qualified: Automatically (hosts; awarded to Brazil on October 30th, 2007)
Previous best: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
2010 World Cup Result: Quarterfinals
Odds to win: 11/4
Fan Mindset:
To say that Brazil's fans expect to win the World Cup is a severe understatement. Their last hosted World Cup was in 1950. They were so heavily favored in the final against Uruguay that Jules Rimet, the president of FIFA, only prepared a speech in Portuguese for the "victorious" Brazilians and not one in Spanish (Uruguay's official language). Also, a record crowd of over 200,000 stood in disbelief at the Maracanã Stadium as their title was lost 2-1 to the Uruguayans. To this day in Brazil, the word Maracanazo describes an underdog winning a shocking football match, it has burned its way into every Brazilian fans' nightmares. Even with five world titles behind them since then, the loss on home soil remains a point of embarrassment. With the final this year in Rio at the refurbished Maracanã Stadium again, every Brazilian fan wholly expects the team to be there and to steamroll the competition in the process.
The Team:
Brazil as usual carries a star-studded roster that features talent across the board. Thiago Silva is by many measurements the best defender in the world and Brazil's experienced captain. David Luiz and Bayern's
Dante form a strong defensive core along with him. Júlio César in goal proves Brazil's defense will be hard to crack. Meanwhile up front, Hulk(the Zenit winger, not the Marvel hero) and Fred(seriously they only refer to him by first name) are constant goal scoring threats. This team won the 2013 Confederation Cup and thrashed Spain 3-0 in the final to confirm their status as tournament favorites. It was Spain's worst tournament loss since Tiki-Taka came to prominence.
X-Factor:
Neymar. The man that became the center of a good ol' fashioned Real Madrid vs. Barcelona bidding war gained national prominence and international attention at Santos, Pele's old Brazilian club and he is not going away any time soon no matter how much people may dislike him... His key role in the Confederations Cup and Brazil's consistently high standards, put Neymar under the most pressure of anyone in the tournament outside of perhaps Messi and Ronaldo. How the 22-year-old performs will undoubtedly determine how far Brazil goes in the World Cup.
Prediction: First in Group A; Finalists, but NOT champions....
Relevant Gif: When Brazil makes the final only to lose again.
Croatia:
Qualified: Via the UEFA Playoffs. Finished second in their qualifying group behind Belgium, advanced to the playoffs to play Iceland where they advanced to Brazil after a narrow 2-0 win on aggregate. However, a slow stumble to the finish that handed the group to Belgium led to their coach, Igor Štimac getting sacked before the playoffs.
Previous Best: Third Place (1998)
2010 World Cup Result: Did Not Qualify.
Odds to Win: 175/1
Fan Mindset:
Croatia gained its independence from Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, but from their squad's 1990s talent, you would not think that was true. Shortly after becoming FIFA members, Croatia shot up the rankings and made a surprising semifinals run in France in 1998. However, Croatia has struggled to regain results like that since then. 2 group stage loses and a loss in qualifying in 2010 left the squad with high standards going into 2014. Fans of the small Balkan nation look to finish ahead of Mexico and Cameroon to advance in the Cup, but they face a daunting task as they have the opening match against Brazil on the 12th.
The Team:
What this team lacks in talent, it certainly makes up for in chemistry...and names with accents. Captain Darijo Srna anchors a resilient, but thin defense that managed to prevent the team from flaming out in qualifying, but threatens to shorten Croatia's run unless it shows up in a big way. Croatia's squad is headlined by the talented Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modrić and Bayern striker Mario Mandžukić. Other than that, the roster is fairly thin and Croatia's realistic goals should only be set on getting out of the group.
X-Factor:
Coach Niko Kovač has had to quickly reform the squad after Igor Štimac was fired, but a fortunate draw of Iceland in the playoffs allowed for them to qualify in the end. National team coaches usually need 2-3 years to implement their style on a team, not 6 months. With such a thin defense, Kovač's subs and pace of attack using his more talented players will be key to Croatia's survival. Still, Group A is not the group of death, even if it does have one of the strongest teams.
Prediction: 2nd in Group A to get out of the group, but a loss to Spain in the last 16 sends them out.
Relevant Gif: Croatia gets to the last 16, but nowhere near 3rd place like '98.
Mexico:
Qualified: Barely. They finished a shockingly bad 4th in the CONCACAF Hexagonal (the last round of qualifying). They got embarrassed at home by Honduras, Jamaica, and the USA (2 draws and a loss), and their coach, José "Chepo" de la Torre was fired. They needed a late header by Graham Zusi of the US team againt Panama just to squeak into a playoff against New Zealand. Their interim coach Miguel Herrera was given the full-time job for the team once they beat New Zealand and qualified.
Previous Best: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986 both as hosts)
2010 World Cup Result: Round of 16
Odds to Win: 200/1
Fan Mindset:
Worry, with a low morale. This team has made the knockout rounds five World Cups in a row. For decades they were CONCACAF's best team with little competition, but recent strides by the U.S. and other Central American teams have put them back in the mix for supremacy, an unfamiliar spot. This is yet another team that has hired a coach on short notice hoping for a quick fix before the World Cup. The stringent Mexican media have blasted the Mexican players just as much as their coach, and they have a lot to prove this time around. Can they get out of the group again or will they fail to do so for the first time since 1978?
The Team:
35-year-old captain and defender Rafael Marquez has made over 100 appearances for the national team and anchors the defense. Meanwhile up front, the speedy duo of Giovani dos Santos and Javier Hernández lead the attack for Mexico, but have looked anemic so far in the qualifying campaign. Some believe Chicharito's (Hernández) lack of playing time at his club Manchester United have caused his recent drop in form. Whatever the reason, the World Cup often shows us what a team is truly made of due to adversity. Will this team hang together like the Dutch in 2010, or collapse like the French did in 2010?
X-Factor:
Miguel Herrera. No one doubts Mexico's talent; they churn out quality players year-after-year. However, a team without direction is chaos, and the speedy youngsters need to buy into Herrera's 5-3-2 formation to have any hope of advancing in Brazil. Qualifying means nothing once they get to Brazil, what matters is that they are there. That said, chemistry does not appear out of thin air. While the Croatian squad has the experience to overcome a recent regime change, I do not believe the younger Mexican squad can do the same.
Prediction: 3rd in Group A. The Mexicans complete their collapse on the world stage, and CONCACAF becomes open season once again.
Relevant Gif: Mexico's fans when they are knocked out and CONCACAF rejoices.
Cameroon:
Qualified: By beating Tunisia in the CAF playoffs. They qualified for the playoffs after besting Libya in the group stages, though they were favored to progress.
Previous Best: Quarterfinals (1990)
2010 World Cup Result: Group Stages (last place)
Odds to Win: 750/1
Fan Mindset:
After losing all three matches in the 2010 World Cup (the worst of any nation other than Kim Jong Un's finest), the fans are expecting anything other than embarrassment, but a determined Mexican side, a talented Croatian side, and the juggernaut Brazilians threaten to once again make it a painful Cup for Cameroon.
The Team:
Alex Song of Barcelona highlights an experienced midfield which features only 2 players younger than 26. However, Joël Matip the young defender looks to break into the starting XI at the age of 22. At the head of coach Volker Finke's 4-2-3-1 formation is Cameroon's most famous and most talented player Samuel Eto'o. Being the spearhead up front, his goal scoring could be the only thing that gives Cameroon a fighter's chance.
X-Factor:
Joël Matip. Whenever a young player is being talked about even before his contract is up, it is usually a good sign. This is the case for the young Schalke 04 center back who has Champions League experience and gets ample playing time at Schalke. Inserting his energy into the lineup could be just what is needed for Cameroon.
Prediction: Last in Group A. But no uproar from the fans or media. It is pretty much a given.
Relevant Gif: When Cameroon are eliminated and even they expected it.
GROUP B:
Spain:
Qualified: From the smallest group in UEFA as Group I winners. Their group was shallow, but did feature France. A 1-0 (how else would they win?) road win over France secured them the top spot in the group and a chance to do what no European nation has done since Italy in 1938, defend the Cup. However, no European team has ever won a World Cup in South America. Spain's dynasty wants to keep rolling, but it has to stop sometime......doesn't it?
Previous Best: Winners (2010, defending champions)
2010 World Cup Result: Champions (1st title)
Odds to Win: 6/1
Fan Mindset:
What ISN'T Spain good at in soccer these days. An all Spanish Champions League Final, the top UEFA coefficient for La Liga, and the national team are winners of 3 straight major tournaments (Euro 2008, 2010 WC, Euro 2012). Still, South America is a gauntlet for European squads and the Confederations Cup loss has restarted the rumors that Spain's days of domination are numbered. After all, Tiki-Taka is a game for the young and quick. Can Spain keep it up and infuse young talent to match with experience? Their fans expect to, but others are skeptical.
The Team: Wow, talent out the wazoo over here. Where to begin? Iker Casillas in goal with Ramos and Pique as quality defenders. Spain's emphasis on possession makes attacks few and far between, but there's many reasons why all of the 2010 knockout rounds Spain participated in were clean sheets for Casillas. The scorer of the goal to win the World Cup, Andres Iniesta, and his partner in crime the pass fanatic Xavi are certainly growing in age. However, with the results they've put up, there is little reason to believe they are going downhill just yet. Whenever a team is on top, the only place to go is down, so it is no wonder everyone seems to see Spain losing their title in Brazil, but on paper they are still the team to beat.
X-Factor:
Diego Costa. The best way for a team at the top to avoid succumbing to Father Time is an infusion of young talent. The 25-year-old is the perfect option for coach Vicente del Bosque. His breakout season at Atletico Madrid caught the world's attention and despite injury concerns he should make the starting XI. Crosses in the box to Costa along with Tiki-Taka could be the new dimension that keeps Spain going. Group B is tough and they'll need to be firing on all cylinders to keep advancing.
Prediction: First in Group B. However, the semifinals is as far as they'll go.
Relevant Gif: The Spanish fans who feel their team is unbeatable and shrug off the doubters.
The Netherlands:
Qualified: Easily by winning Group D in UEFA qualifying (9 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses). However, a disaster in Euro 2012 (last in their group) led to many quitting the Dutch bandwagon. As a result, they have become a popular choice to go home is disappointing fashion in Brazil. A group with Spain and Chile is daunting, but with all the talent from 2010 there, I am not so sure the doom and gloom is certain for the Dutch.
Previous Best: Runners-Up (1974, 1978, 2010....ouch)
2010 World Cup Result: Runners-Up
Odds to Win: 28/1
Fan Mindset: The Dutch have one of the most ravenous fan bases in Europe and they have always relied on their tactics just as much as their skill to succeed. They were masters of "Total Football" in the 1970s which led them to back-to-back finals appearances, but no titles. Losing in the final again in 2010 only reignited the Dutch fans hope for the future, but they hope the window has not shut itself on them yet again.
The Team: The main concerns for the Dutch are poor results and a young defense. Going up against a tough group, that defense has to hold for the Dutch to advance. Coach Louis Van Gaal, Manchester United's next manager leads the Dutch in a 5-3-2 formation. Ron Vlaar joins Stefan Vrij and Bruno Indi holding the backline, but the frontline is where the money is. Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, and captain Robin van Persie are hoping to give the defense some early breathing room in their matches. For the Dutch, it may simply be a matter of scoring quickly to gain the upper hand in matches and defending out from there.
X-Factor:
Agressiveness. Sometimes, a team's approach matters just as much as their execution. Will the Dutch roll the dice and attack early. It could lead to goals, but open up their questionable defense. On the other hand, staying further back would protect their back, but no one wins on defense alone. You cannot park the bus in the World Cup (sorry Mourinho).
Prediction: Second in Group B. They'll lose that first match to Spain, but they'll put it together...to lose in the Round of 16 to Brazil.
Relevant Gif: When the Netherlands see all the experts counting them out.
Chile:
Qualified: By finishing 3rd in the CONMEBOL (South American) Round Robin stage. Losing two of their first three qualifiers was an early scare, but without Brazil in qualifying in South America and an easier schedule down the stretch allowed Chile to qualify fairly easily.
Previous Best: 3rd Place (1962, as hosts)
2010 World Cup Result: Round of 16
Odds to Win: 50/1
Fan Mindset: All South American teams see a South American World Cup as a golden opportunity regardless of the circumstances. After all, if European teams struggle, the South American teams are almost certain to shine. And Chile will need just that to happen since they can only advance if 2010 finalists Spain or the Netherlands lose in the group. A talented squad placed in a tough group puts Chile in a precarious spot, but failing to get out of the group would still be a huge disappointment.
The Team:
Goalkeeper and captain Claudio Bravo as well as Juventus defender Mauricio Isla highlight the Chilean defense. With a constantly changing formation, Chilean players are used to playing a variety of roles, keeping this team very unpredictable. Arturo Vidal, the Juventus midfielder has had health concerns, but he and Barca's Alexis Sánchez will need to be perfect for Chile to have a chance.
X-Factor:
Vidal. The soccer season is long and arduous. It is nearly impossible to get through the whole season and remain 100% and fresh. However, time off the field can be just as damning as time on the field and Vidal's knee surgery is very concerning. For a team with few certainties in position and formation, individual players' skill will be tested at the highest level. Then again, it is the World Cup. Show up or go home, simple as that.
Prediction: Third in Group B. The match against the Netherlands will determine their fate. I'll take Van Persie and Robben over Sánchez and Vidal in this matchup, even if it is in South America.
Relevant Gif: Chile when they play the Netherlands
Australia:
Qualified: 2nd Place in Group B of Asian Qualifying over Jordan, Oman, and Iraq, but behind Japan. (Note: Australia switched from the Oceania football conference to the Asian football Conference in 2006)
Previous Best: Round of 16 (2006)
2010 World Cup Result: Group Stages (3rd Place)
Odds to Win: 2500/1 (tied for the lowest odds)
Fan Mindset:
It's a mixed bag for fans of the Socceroos, and yes that is their official name. They only made the World Cup once from 1930-2002, but now have made 3 World Cups in a row. However, their squad is far from world class and their tough group seems to make anything other than a last place finish a positive.
The Team:
Mat Ryan the Australian goalkeeper is only 21, in sharp contrast to the seasoned goalkeepers of Group B, but he has shown some early promise. Mile Jedinek, Australia's captain and only Premier League player holds down a midfield without a true star, never a good sign. Tim Cahill, Australia's most famous player, is now 34, and probably still their best player. As the lone striker in Ange Postecoglou's 4-2-3-1 formation, Cahill will shoulder Australia's hopes or its tears.
X-Factor:
Pure Luck. Before you roll your eyes and say that's not fair, hear me out. This is not a seven game series. This is not a four hour game, this is not a game where points/goals go past double digits. This is not a three or four player sport. What does that mean? It means anything can happen at any time. A lucky bounce, some shots off the woodwork, or a missed opportunity by an opponent. I do not think Australia advances, but if they do, it would not be the greatest upset ever. They are weaker than every other team at almost every other position, but never say never. Cahill may have another good cup left.
Prediction: Last in the group with 0 points, sorry Aussies :(
Relevant Gif: If the Aussies beat Spain
TO BE CONTINUED...
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