Welcome to the 2014 World Cup Guide, the special digital publication that’s been designed to arm readers with all of the vital information as the world’s sporting spotlight gets set to shine on Brazil. Inside, you’ll find overviews of all eight groups, each one of which is followed by detailed team-by-team breakdowns. We present the key storylines for each squad, from favorites Brazil, Argentina, Germany and defending champion Spain to longshots Iran, Costa Rica and Honduras. As you go through this issue, you’ll notice that almost every bit of information in this digital magazine is dedicated to handicapping the event. We urge readers to avoid confusing themselves by handicapping the World Cup with other publications that take a more mainstream view of the event. They simply won’t have what it takes to help you succeed as a bettor. With that in mind, we’ll confidently put this 2014 World Cup Guide head-to-head against any competition when it comes to making you a more knowledgeable and profitable handicapper. There’s no more compelling event on the world stage than the World Cup—we hope you enjoy the action as it unfolds. And most importantly, we sincerely wish you the very best of luck with all of your handicapping endeavors.
Group A is one of only two in this year’s World Cup to feature four teams that have all reached the quarter-finals before. Though that suggests a competitive field, Brazil are overwhelming frontrunners to top the standings because, as well as being tournament favorites, they are proven specialists at delivering a blistering getaway. The five-time champions have topped their quartet in each of the last eight editions, winning a remarkable 21 out of 24 group games along the way while losing just one. Despite problematic qualifying campaigns, it is expected to be one of Croatia and Mexico that progress to the next round alongside Brazil. Cameroon have struggled to make an impact at the World Cup since their quarter-final charge in 1990, prevailing in only one of 12 matches across four appearances since and three times finishing bottom of their group. Croatia are judged slightly more likely to get through than Mexico due to their attacking quality, with the likes of Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric and Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic among their stars. However, Mexico aren’t exactly weak up front either with Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez leading the line. El Tri, who owe their place in Brazil to USA’s late comeback against Panama in the final encounter of the CONCACAF qualifiers’ Hexagonal phase, also have history on their side. Since being banned from the 1990 spectacle, Mexico have made the knockout rounds at five consecutive World Cups.
9
2
1
3
The World Cup’s most successful team of all time are favored to claim a sixth trophy and their first since 2002 as they welcome the tournament to their shores. As hosts, Brazil have mostly been restricted to playing friendlies over the past couple of years, but the Selecao dismissed suggestions they would struggle in competitive games by strolling to victory in the Confederations Cup in 2013. Waiflike striker Neymar carries the hopes of the nation on his tiny back after being awarded the Golden Ball for his performances in that tournament. The Barcelona player, who missed out on Brazil’s roster for the 2010 World Cup despite a 14,000-signature petition demanding the then-18-year-old’s inclusion, is now undoubtedly crucial to the Selecao’s chances of victory on home soil. That said, an impressive supporting cast that includes Thiago Silva, Oscar and Hulk means Neymar definitely won’t be forced to do it all by himself.
The Selecao have not lost a group match in any of the past three World Cups, winning eight out of nine games.
Brazil romped to the 2013 Confederations Cup by winning all five matches, including a 3-0 final win over World Cup holders Spain.
Neymar is the second-quickest player to reach 30 goals for Brazil, with only Pele getting there in fewer appearances than the 22-year-old.
8
0
5
Despite enduring an uninspiring qualification campaign that ended with a win over Iceland in a play-off, Croatia arrive in Brazil with hope of going far in the tournament. Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic, who was the joint-top scorer at Euro 2012, leads the line ahead of a midfield overflowing with creative quality. La Liga stars Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic will likely set up just behind Inter’s Mateo Kovacic, evoking memories of the ‘magic triangle’ of Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki and Aljosa Asanovic that helped Croatia to third place in the 1998 World Cup. Head coach Niko Kovac took over shortly before the play-off against Iceland, after a defeat to Scotland proved enough to end Igor Stimac’s reign. A former captain of the national team, Kovac’s previous managerial experience was restricted to five games in charge of the Croatia U21s—questions remain as to whether he can get the best from a talented roster.
The Blazers have played both Brazil and Mexico before in World Cup groups, losing to each by a 1-0 score.
Croatia scored just 14 times in qualification—the lowest tally by any European team to have made it to Brazil.
Defender Dario Srna ranks third on Croatia’s all-time top-scorer list with 21 strikes across his 111 caps.
Mexico can count themselves a little fortunate to be in Brazil at all, having won just two of 10 matches in the Hexagonal round of CONCACAF qualifying. El Tri were on the brink of missing out before USA scored twice in injury time to beat Panama, 3-2, and help their rivals into a play-off with New Zealand, which Mexico won 9-3 over two legs. Herrera was the fourth coach to take charge of the side during qualifying and has stamped his mark by predominantly picking players from the Mexican League. Despite this domestic bias, Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez will be vital to their chances in Brazil. Chicharito has netted 35 times for El Tri, putting him in a tie for third on their all-time scoring list. Mexico should not lack firepower as Oribe Peralta, who scored 10 times in qualification, will start alongside Hernandez in Herrera’s distinctive 5-3-2 formation.
Oribe Peralta scored 10 times in qualification, with five of those goals coming in the 9-3 play-off victory over New Zealand.
El Tri have lost all three matches against Brazil at World Cups, conceding a total of 11 goals, but the teams haven't met since 1962.
Mexico have advanced from their group in each of the past six World Cups they have participated in.
Cameroon matched the record for farthest an African team has ever advanced in a World Cup when they reached the quarter-finals in 1990, but they have only won one game in four tournaments since then. Despite being on their home continent in 2010, Cameroon lost all three of their group games, with only North Korea having a worse tournament than the Indomitable Lions. Seventeen years after his debut, Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o remains key to Cameroon’s chances despite an unremarkable debut season in the Premier League. Along with Eto’o, midfielders Jean Makoun and Alex Song are the most important players for Cameroon, the former netting twice as they beat Tunisia 4-1 in their qualification play-off. Coach Volker Finke made his name in a 16-year stint at Freiburg, where his Moneyball-style tactics saw the unfancied German side punch above their weight. As Group A’s underdogs, Cameroon will need that magic touch if they are to progress.
No Cameroon player scored more than two during qualifying. Samuel Eto’o, Eric Maxim, Choupo-Moting and Jean Makoun all netted twice.
The Indomitable Lions have netted a mere four goals in six games across the past two World Cups, with Eto’o grabbing three of them.
Cameroon have won just one of their past 13 matches at World Cups, losing all three group games in 2010.
The difficulty level in Group B isn’t so much grueling as gargantuan, as it combines defending champion Spain, 2010 runners-up the Netherlands, stylish South Americans Chile and ever-competitive Australia. There are inevitable predictions that Spain’s reign of terror will end, but they won the last World Cup and last two European Championships. Admittedly, they disappointed at last summer’s Confederations Cup, losing heavily to Brazil, yet they fell short in that competition in 2009 too before thriving when it mattered most a year later at the World Cup. The Netherlands perhaps aren’t quite as formidable as in 2010, as some of their heroes approach their career twilights and coach Louis van Gaal attempts to create fresh icons. However, they qualified easily and have never before failed to get out of their group, so Robin van Persie and co remain contenders. Outsiders Australia’s transition has been more drastic. With stalwarts like Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Brett Holman and Harry Kewell all gone fairly suddenly, the Socceroos need their next generation to step up rapidly. There has been plenty of gum-flapping about Chile following a strong finish to qualifying and some superb friendly performances. The 1962 semi-finalists drew with Spain, defeated England in London and outshone Germany in a narrow away loss. Those showings, coupled with the presence of big names like Juventus warrior Arturo Vidal and Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez and home-continent advantage, have provoked suspicion that they will dump out one of the 2010 finalists.
7
The World Cup defending champions arrive in Brazil chastened by both their loss to the hosts in last year’s Confederations Cup, but Spain rightly remain among the favorites to win the tournament and become the third team to retain the trophy. Vicente del Bosque will be wary of overusing his aging stars in the South American heat, but he has been handed a huge boost by Diego Costa’s decision to opt for Spanish red over Brazilian yellow. The Atletico Madrid striker played twice for Brazil in 2013, and could now prove one of the main obstacles to their chances of winning the World Cup on home soil if he fires Spain through the tournament. Spain have not conceded a goal in the knockout stages of a major tournament since 2006, winning two European Championships and a World Cup in that run. Write them off at your own risk.
Spain have lost just one competitive game since winning the last World Cup: to Brazil in the 2013 Confederations Cup final.
Pedro topped the scoring charts for La Furia Roja in qualifying with four goals, taking the winger to 14 strikes in 37 caps.
Six out of Spain’s seven games at World Cup 2010 saw fewer than three goals, with the eventual champions conceding just twice.
4
The team that nobody wanted to draw from Pot 2, Chile are playing in a second consecutive World Cup for the first time since 1966. They have a very good chance of upsetting at least one of Spain and the Netherlands on their home continent. La Roja won themselves many new fans with their exciting play in 2010 and, given that they scored 29 and conceded 25 in their 16 qualifying matches, they are unlikely to disappoint thrill-seeking neutrals this time. Alexis Sanchez arrives in Brazil a man in form after a fine season for Barcelona. Arturo Vidal, meanwhile, bolstered his claim as one of the world's best midfielders after winning a third league title with Juventus. However, while their attack looks nigh-on unstoppable, Jorge Sampaoli will have far less confidence in his defense, where midfielder Gary Medel fills in at center-back due to a lack of outstanding options.
Chile have never beaten Spain, losing eight out of 10 matches, including a 2-1 group-stage loss in World Cup 2010.
La Roja won their first two group matches at World Cup 2010, their first victories in the tournament since 1962.
Chile failed to score in just two of their 16 matches in qualification, bagging 29 goals in total.
After losing their third World Cup final to Spain in South Africa, the Netherlands will have cursed their fortunes when they saw themselves drawn alongside both Spain and a dangerously spicy Chile squad. Although the Oranje had little difficulty in qualification, they will do well to escape their group in Brazil, especially given the loss of injured midfielder Kevin Strootman. Before being ruled out, the Roma player was picked out by head coach Louis Van Gaal as one of his three key men, along with Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, who both have disheartening recent injury records themselves. Many Dutch fans took issue with the robust approach that took them to the final four years ago, but they will need to employ some of that steel to progress this time. Xabi Alonso won’t be the only man wary of Nigel de Jong’s prowess in the martial arts.
The Oranje have not lost a group stage match at any of the past three World Cups they have qualified for.
The Netherlands scored at least twice in every match during qualifying, netting a total of 34 in 10 games.
Germany are the only team to finish as runners-up more times than the Netherlands, who have placed second at three World Cups.
Having seen predecessor Holger Osieck get sacked last October after consecutive 6-0 defeats in friendly matches against Brazil and France, Ange Postecoglou will be keen to avoid similar embarrassments in Brazil. His task has not been made easy by a brutal draw that has left the Socceroos with little chance of equaling their best ever World Cup result by reaching the last 16 Postecoglou has sought to refresh an aging roster during his short tenure with veterans like Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill eased out, but he will still rely on 34-year-old Tim Cahill as his main goal threat. However, the bulk of Australia’s work will likely be done in defense and their captain Mile Jedinak will have to be at his best to help their back four cope. The defensive midfielder has enjoyed a fine season at Crystal Palace in the Premier League, helping them avoid relegation with unexpected ease.
New York Red Bulls forward Tim Cahill is Australia’s leading scorer in World Cups, with three goals in six appearances.
The Socceroos have never lost to the Netherlands, drawing two of their three meetings, which have all come since 2006.
Australia have kept just one clean sheet in ten games at World Cups, against Chile in 1974.
This is one of only two groups at this World Cup that doesn’t include a former winner, but don’t make the mistake of assuming that it is consequently short of talent. Instead, this is the quartet brimming with rough diamonds and potential breakout successes; any two of Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan could reach the last 16, with some analysts even hyping Colombia as possible surprise champions. South America’s emerging force, who have been to just four prior World Cups and exited at the group stage in three, were impressive in qualifying and boast devastating attacking players like James Rodriguez, Jackson Martinez and injury-doubt Radamel Falcao. That is a trait that they have in common with Ivory Coast, who can count on Yaya Toure, Gervinho and Didier Drogba. Big things were expected of the Elephants at the last two tournaments, yet tough draws triggered early eliminations on both occasions. Though this group is less brutal, there is a sense that their peak period has passed. The same can’t be said of Japan, whose 2011 Asian Cup triumph sees them rated the continent’s best prospect at this World Cup, despite an underwhelming effort at last year’s Confederations Cup. Their most exciting duo are Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa and AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda. Greece are justifiably the least fancied to progress because they lack the world-class individuals of their rivals, but their organizational and defensive strength is well known and led to an upset victory at Euro 2004.
It would be unfair to say that Colombia’s World Cup hopes rest on whether Radamel Falcao proves to be fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered in January, but his return to the team in mid-May provided a boost to a very talented roster. Even if the Monaco man, who is tied for second on Colombia's all-time scoring list with 20 goals, isn't quite back to 100 percent, Jose Pekerman will have plenty of strikers to call on. Jackson Martinez and Adrian Ramos, in particular, are both enjoying fine seasons. Equally important will be the form of James Rodriguez, who joined Falcao at Monaco last summer. The attacking midfielder is a key part of Pekerman’s setup, supplying Colombia’s array of prodigious forwards. Colombia evolved from dark horses into fully-fledged contenders over an excellent qualification campaign, but will be wary of a repeat of World Cup 1994, when a similarly feted group were eliminated in the group stage.
They have never faced Ivory Coast, but have not conceded a goal in three games against Greece and Japan, winning two.
Colombia have won just three out of 13 games at World Cups, losing four of their past six group matches.
No South American team conceded fewer qualifying goals than Colombia’s 13—they kept seven clean sheets in 16 games.
Japan are appearing in their fifth consecutive World Cup and will be aiming to at least match their best performance to date by reaching the last 16. Goals can come from any of Japan’s attacking foursome, with dead-ball master Keisuke Honda topping the charts in AFC qualification’s fourth round with five strikes. Honda will rotate with Shinji Kagawa behind a striker, with the pair both integral to Japan’s attack. Japan’s weakness is very much at the back. They conceded nine times in losing all three of their games at the Confederations Cup in 2013 and were dumped out at the group stage despite scoring four themselves. While the Samurai Blue’s gung-ho approach will certainly win them many new admirers in Brazil, it might also be enough to ensure passage to the knockout stages.
None of the Group C teams have reached a World Cup quarter-final, with Japan and Colombia the only two to make the last 16.
The Samurai Blue have kept clean sheets in just five of the 14 matches they have played at World Cup tournaments.
Shinji Okazaki was the top scorer across the whole of AFC World Cup qualification, netting eight times in 14 matches.
After being drawn in the "group of death" at each of the past two World Cups, Ivory Coast might fancy this as their best chance yet to reach the knockout stages for the first time. Their attack is bursting with talented players who have enjoyed excellent seasons for their clubs, so much so that the likes of Wilfried Bony and Seydou Doumbia will likely be confined to the bench. A front four of Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou is a match for almost any at the tournament, and the talismanic Drogba would seem to be key to the Elephants’ chances of progression. However, their defense will be a concern for head coach Sabri Lamouchi, with record cap-holder Didier Zokora filling in at center-back. The Elephants kept just three clean sheets in eight matches in qualifying despite never losing, and their concentration will be tested by Colombia and Japan’s fine attacks.
Ivory Coast scored three goals in their two previous World Cup wins, against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 and North Korea in 2010.
There have been at least three goals in five of Ivory Coast’s six prior group games at World Cups.
The Elephants were unbeaten throughout qualification, winning five out of eight games and scoring 19 goals.
Having become known for dirge-like conservative soccer since their improbable Euro 2004 victory, Greece surprised everyone by knocking four past Romania in their two-legged play-off to reach the World Cup. However, they're likely to return to the safety-first approach that proved mostly successful during their qualification group, as they dropped points in just two games despite finishing second to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Greece's limited firepower comes in the shape of Fulham’s Konstantinos Mitroglou, who scored five times in qualifying. But Santos will be concerned at his star striker’s lack of playing time since moving to the relegated Premier League club in January. In perhaps the hardest group to call at the World Cup, where all four teams will harbor realistic hopes of making the knockout stages, it would be only a mild upset if Greece’s resolute defense and experience ends up prevailing over more attacking sides like Japan and Ivory Coast.
Greece kept clean sheets in eight out of 10 games in their qualifying group, conceding four goals in total.
The Galanolefki have only scored in one of their six World Cup games to date, a 2-1 win over Nigeria in 2010, losing the other five.
Greece had the best record of all teams who finished second in their UEFA qualifying group, winning eight out of 10 games.
Two statistics reveal the quality in Group D: 1) It is the sole group with more than one former World Cup winner and 2) it doesn’t just have one, it has three: Uruguay, England and Italy. No other quartet has such a difficult-to-divide trio in the group winner betting either, with Italy marginally leading Uruguay and England. Largely dismissed outsiders Costa Rica are dangerous too, as the qualifying triumphs over USA and Mexico proved. Italy’s frontrunner billing is supported by most metrics. Historically, they are the World Cup’s second most successful team after Brazil, with four titles. They have shown their sustained threat by reaching the Euro 2012 final and Confederations Cup semi-finals. The Azzurri were also the least troubled of Group D’s three heavyweights in qualifying, securing their passage swiftly and without suffering a defeat. Uruguay won’t be unnerved by the fact that they required a play-off to seal their spot though as the same was true in 2010 and they made the semi-finals. They also have more reason than most to believe that the competition being staged in South America is to their advantage having won the previous edition held in Brazil in 1950. However, as the only Group D nation not to have endured a group exit this century, England will be confident of dispelling the notion that they are a third wheel at Italy and Uruguay’s party. Their feat in progressing to the last 16 in four straight tournaments is matched by just Brazil, Germany and Mexico.
Between them, Italy, England and Uruguay have won seven World Cups, with the Azzurri making up the bulk of that tally with four wins, second only to Brazil. Italy have been present at every World Cup since 1962 and bring a roster crammed with big-tournament experience, with most of the 23 men selected by Cesare Prandelli involved in their run to the final of Euro 2012. The highlight of that run was a 2-1 win over Germany in the semi-finals, when the mercurial Mario Balotelli proved his class with an expertly-taken brace. The AC Milan player will again be central to Italy’s hopes in Brazil after top-scoring for them in qualifying with five. Balotelli is playing in his first World Cup. Meanwhile, at the other end of Italy’s team, Gianluigi Buffon is set to become just the third man ever to be involved in five.
England and Italy are the only teams ever to lose three World Cup penalty shootouts, but the Azzurri did win the 2006 final on spot-kicks.
Italy have never lost to England at a major tournament, winning two of three games at World Cups and European Championships.
The Azzurri were unbeaten during qualifying, winning six of their 10 matches to top their group.
One of four South American sides nestled in the top 10 of FIFA’s rankings, Uruguay’s awesome firepower puts them among the favorites to win the World Cup on their home continent. After a record-breaking season in the Premier League, Luis Suarez leads the line flanked by Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani, with the trio boasting almost 100 international goals between them. A tough group will not deter Oscar Tabarez’s side. They have lost only one of their past five games against both England and Italy, although the Azzurri did beat them on penalties in the third-place play-off of last year’s Confederations Cup. While Uruguay’s attack will strike fear into opponents, England, Italy and even Costa Rica might be heartened when checking out their back four. It's heavily reliant on a brace of Diegos; Godin and Lugano, the latter of whom has endured a poor season at West Brom.
La Celeste kept just three clean sheets in 16 games during South American qualifying, conceding 25 times in total.
No player in the world scored more goals than Luis Suarez during qualification, the Liverpool striker netting 11 times.
Uruguay won the World Cup the only other time it was held in Brazil, beating the hosts in the 1950 final.
While England rarely dazzled their supporters with inspired attacking play during qualification, Roy Hodgson’s team did a professional job to top a tough group containing Ukraine, Poland and Montenegro. The Three Lions were unbeaten, winning six of their 10 games and scoring 31 goals, a tally bettered only by Germany and the Netherlands in UEFA qualifying, while only Spain conceded fewer then England’s four. Moreover, although Hodgson’s conservative tactics might have induced criticism against supposedly lesser sides, they could prove just the ticket in attempting to frustrate Italy and Uruguay in the Brazilian heat, especially when they face the Azzurri in the Amazonian city of Manaus in their opening game. Strikers Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge will both be vital after strong seasons in the Premier League for Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively. Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard’s set piece delivery could prove the difference in tight matches.
England have only failed to make it to the second stage of a World Cup twice, most recently in 1958.
Wayne Rooney scored the first goal in five of the six matches he played during qualifying.
England haven’t lost a competitive match under Roy Hodgson, although they exited Euro 2012 to Italy on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
1000
While Costa Rica are comfortably the lowest-ranked team in Group D, Italy, England and Uruguay need only look at their qualification record if they want proof they will not simply be able to steamroll them. Jorge Luis Pinto’s team won five and lost just twice en route to claiming second place in the Hexagonal phase. Their only losses were away to the USA and Honduras, the two other sides who qualified automatically. While their progress was founded on a fine defense, the stingiest in the Hexagonal, only the USA scored more than Costa Rica’s 13, with their best result a 3-1 home victory over the United States. Their two standout players are forwards Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell. Costa Rica will be without attacking left-back Bryan Oviedo, who broke his tibia and fibula in an FA Cup game while playing for Everton in January.
Nine different players scored for Costa Rica during the Hexagonal, with Bryan Ruiz the only man to score more than twice.
Costa Rica allowed nine goals while losing all three games during their last World Cup appearance in 2006.
Costa Rica boasted the best defensive record in the Hexagonal, allowing seven goals in 10 games.
A group featuring Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras might not be the most glamorous at the World Cup, but the unpredictability of frontrunners France ensures it's one that's wide-open. Les Bleus alternate between World Cup excellence and petulance, winning in 1998 and reaching the 2006 final, yet failing to qualify in 1994 and exiting at the group stage in 2002 and 2010. Players even revolted against coach Raymond Domenech four years ago. France’s capriciousness was on display in qualifying, an away draw with the mighty Spain being canceled out by a stalemate with lowly Georgia, and a 0-2 play-off defeat in Ukraine being dismissed four days later with a 3-0 victory over the same side. Switzerland, who were top seeds following an unbeaten qualifying campaign, will be confident of outperforming the favorites. They finished above France to win their 2006 group and beat Spain in their 2010 pool. Ecuador are judged the weakest of the South American contingent, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are without hope. Every CONMEBOL team got out of their group in 2010, and they are expected to be even trickier to budge on their own continent. On the two prior occasions that Ecuador participated, in 2002 and 2006, they won half of their six group games. Honduras are less fancied, having never triumphed in any of their six prior World Cup matches. They aren’t great travelers, claiming four points from a possible 15 away in the Hexagonal phase of CONCACAF’s qualification process.
France hopes that their recent good-Cup-bad-Cup pattern is swinging back in their favor after following final appearances in 1998 (lifting the trophy) and 2006 with group-stage exits in 2002 and 2010. The draw certainly worked out quite kindly, though there was nothing overly complex about their 2010 pool with Uruguay, Mexico and South Africa, and they found a way to finish at the bottom of that one. Only five teams are more heavily favored than France is to win the competition. That’s despite the fact that they almost didn’t qualify, being forced to recover a 2-0 first-leg disadvantage in their play-off with Ukraine. The positivity surrounding France’s chances is understandable, as while most rosters are crammed with excellent players in some regions and light elsewhere, they have a generous spread. Attack is perhaps where they are thinnest, and even there they can pick between Real Madrid and Arsenal’s starting strikers Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud.
France have drawn each of their last three meetings with perceived main Group E rival Switzerland.
Les Bleus have gone beyond the quarter-finals at just one of their last six major tournaments, compared to three in a row beforehand.
France haven’t scored a goal in any of their three World Cup group openers this century (against Senegal, Switzerland and Uruguay).
Of the eight top seeds in last December’s group draw, Switzerland were the side all the unseeded teams wanted, due to their relative lack of pedigree. They have failed to reach the quarter-finals at any of their last eight tournaments (counting both World Cups and European Championships). However, while they don’t possess quality comparable to the likes of Brazil or Germany, Group E favorites France will be in for a gruesome surprise if they underestimate them. Countless exciting Swiss youngsters have emerged recently, especially in attacking areas. Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Josip Drmic have already earned moves to Germany’s esteemed Bundesliga and are impressing onlookers there. They also have one of the most experienced coaches in the competition in two-time UEFA Champions League winner Ottmar Hitzfeld. The German, who masterminded Switzerland’s 1-0 victory over Spain at the last World Cup, is retiring after this summer’s event.
Switzerland also kept seven clean sheets in 10 qualifying matches, and the sole goal that they conceded away was a penalty.
Even more admirable was their defensive record, with Chile’s Mark Gonzalez the only player to score against them in either tournament.
Despite not getting very far, Switzerland lost just one of their combined seven games across the last two World Cups.
As the least fancied of the six South American entrants, Ecuador will be hoping more than anyone that the theory that home-continent advantage will have an impact in Brazil is vindicated. The equator-dwellers have been to the World Cup twice before, both times this century, and weren’t humiliated either time. They beat Croatia in 2002 and ventured into the last 16 in 2006, where England stopped them. This latest qualification is arguably their greatest given that they had to overcome the tragic sudden death of one of their leading players, Christian ‘Chucho’ Benitez. His four goals in the campaign prior to that, as well as the retirement of his number 11 jersey, are a fitting legacy. Ecuador are rated third favorites to top Group E, and seemingly lack the talent of Switzerland and France. But given the latter’s tendency to self-destruct, there seems to be an opportunity for an upset.
Ecuador have only once been involved in a World Cup encounter in which both they and their opponents scored.
Ecuador have never drawn a World Cup match before, with all seven of their previous tournament fixtures producing a winner.
Ecuador secured their World Cup place scoring the fewest goals of the South American qualifiers, netting 20 times in 16 games.
1500
Honduras is considered the biggest longshot to win the World Cup alone with Iran. This is their second straight appearance and third in total, and they have never gone out without claiming a point before. Their place in this year’s competition was secured by finishing third in the CONCACAF Hexagonal phase behind USA and rival Costa Rica, outranking disappointing Mexico by four points. Honduras were one of just two teams in the 10-game schedule to beat dominant winners United States. While there aren’t many famous players on the Honduran roster, strikers Jerry Bengtson and Carlo Costly were two of the leading scorers in the CONCACAF preliminaries. They average nearly a goal every two international appearances. Coach Luis Fernando Suarez has chosen an experienced roster for a challenging but not impossible group. Only three of his 23 players are 23 or under, and one of those is a reserve goaltender.
Honduras were the sole visitors to win away to Mexico in qualifying despite the latter’s underperformance, achieving a 2-1 triumph.
They didn’t score a single goal at the 2010 edition, an 'accomplishment' matched only by Algeria. Neither were eliminated pointless.
Honduras are yet to win a World Cup match in six attempts, but had it tough in 2010 against Chile, Spain and Switzerland.
With Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nigeria and Iran among the 15 longest prices to win the World Cup, nobody will be labeling F the “Group of Death.” But the attacking potential of both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina’s mean that it could be the group of goals. As second favorites to win the tournament, Argentina are a short price to top the group, with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain sure to view the mediocre opposition provided as perfect victims as they seek to strike a goal-scoring groove. The Albiceleste have been group winners in three of the last four World Cups, including in 2006 when forced to battle both the Netherlands and Ivory Coast. Bosnia-Herzegovina are tipped to ride their beginners’ luck into the knockout rounds. In truth, however, any venture into the last 16 is likely to owe more to their offensive quality than their status as the competition’s sole first-timers. Forwards Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic netted ten and eight goals in qualifying as the team averaged three a game, and the support cast is pretty special too, as anyone who has watched Miralem Pjanic and Zvjezdan Misimovic spray passes before will attest. It is difficult to assess what to expect from Nigeria, who are reigning African Cup of Nations champions and breezed through qualifying, yet haven’t won a World Cup encounter this millennium. The Super Eagles’ first opponents in Brazil should offer their best chance of ending that losing streak, as Iran is rated along with Honduras as the biggest longshot of all 32 entrants in the winner market.
Although only Brazil is more heavily favored to win the World Cup, Argentina have a lot of negative recent history to overcome. They have not won a major trophy since 1993, and failed to get beyond the quarter-finals at five editions since losing the 1990 final to Germany. They qualified easily as leaders of a Brazil-free South American section, winning nine of their 16 encounters and losing just two, a significant improvement on their scramble through to 2010’s finals. The Albiceleste are in the unusual position of possessing surely the most enviable front three in the tournament—Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain and four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi—but minimal defensive authority. Whereas they have such riches in attack that coach Alejandro Sabella can afford to ignore Carlos Tevez, they rely on the likes of Monaco reserve goalkeeper Sergio Romero and unremarkable center-back duo Ezequiel Garay and Federico Fernandez.
Argentina have drawn Nigeria in three of their last five World Cup groups and they’ve won by a goal all three times.
Argentina have won their last five World Cup group openers, the latter four by one-goal margins and three of them 1-0.
Argentina were the only team in South American qualifying to average over two goals a game, but didn’t keep any away with clean sheets.
6
Bosnia-Herzegovina are the only debutants at this World Cup and there was a seductive naivety to their approach in qualifying, cramming the pitch with offensive players and simply scrapping to outscore all adversaries. The result was 30 goals and eight wins in 10 matches, with strikers Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic netting 10 and eight. Opponents were so dizzied by the onslaught that they replied with just six. Coach Safet Susic attributes the adventurous style to not having the players to setup any differently. There is speculation, however, that they will tinker for fear of being bulldozed by superior teams in Brazil, potentially sacrificing Ibisevic for an extra midfielder. As the odds suggest, Argentina are the sole Group F team sufficiently stronger enough to merit greater caution against. And it would be risky to abandon the values that secured qualification for a structure that doesn’t truly suit their roster.
Bosnia-Herzegovina scored three or more goals in six of their 10 qualifying fixtures, and they failed to score only twice.
At least one debuting nation has reached the knockout rounds at each of the last seven World Cups.
Though this is Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first major tournament, they have threatened all decade, losing World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 play-offs.
This should be a period of boisterous celebration for Nigeria: They won the 2013 African Cup of Nations to halt a 19-year trophy drought, while the World Cup draw paired them with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran, offering the opportunity to progress. Instead, the relentless undermining of the man who returned the Super Eagles to African soccer’s summit, Stephen Keshi, by his employers has stripped away the feel-good factor. The current roster isn’t as gifted as past vintages, but is well drilled and profits from an admirable trust in youngsters. It is possible that none of their outfield starters will be older than 27. Nigeria have underperformed at recent World Cups, finishing at the bottom without a single triumph in both their 2002 and 2010 groups and not even qualifying in 2006—it therefore won’t be difficult to make this their best 21st-century showing. But it will take a knockout-round venture will be required to dissipate the discord.
Nigeria have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight World Cup matches: against England in 2002.
The Super Eagles soared undefeated through African qualifying and were the only team to win both legs of their play-off.
Nigeria have never drawn their World Cup opener, beating Bulgaria and Spain, while losing twice to Argentina.
Group F doesn’t appear too daunting for an ambitious longshot. Sure, Argentina are special, but neither untested Bosnia-Herzegovina nor recent World Cup disappointment Nigeria are certain of a top-two finish. However, though the window seems to be open, nobody has much faith in Iran being the ones to bundle through it. They and Honduras have the longest odds among all 32 participants to win the tournament, while only Costa Rica are at bigger odds to top their group. Carlos Queiroz’s crew were successful in qualifying, yet have never done anything in the actual World Cup before to convince skeptics that they can carry that form over. They have always exited at the group stage and their lone victory came against United States in 1998. There aren’t any hugely famous faces at their disposal, with former Bundesliga winner Ashkan Dejagah and veteran midfielder Javad Nekounam among their most established roster members.
Iran conceded only two goals in eight matches in the final phase of Asian qualifying, winning four of those contests by a 1-0 score.
Charlton forward Reza Ghoochannejhad has scored nine goals in his first 11 international appearances for Iran.
Despite all three prior World Cups ending in the group stage, Iran have never lost all three games.
This truly is the group that has it all, not only possessing four former quarter-finalists or better—Germany, Portugal, Ghana and the United States—but a heap of tasty subplots too. Among the attractions to look forward to are coach-vs.-country, as United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann faces his native Germany, whom he led to third in 2006. There’s also brother-vs.-brother, as Germany’s Jerome Boateng tackles Ghana’s Kevin-Prince Boateng again. While no team can feel too assured of progress, Germany have the most to draw faith from. Only Brazil and Argentina are more heavily favored than the three-time winners, who last went out in the first round in 1938. Germany have reached the final four of their last four major tournaments. Portugal are deemed the second most likely to get through as “group of death” specialists. They survived pairings with Germany and Netherlands at Euro 2012; and with Brazil and Ivory Coast at World Cup 2010. They also have Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo to call on. Though the odds don’t salute their chances, Ghana and the United States certainly aren’t in Brazil to make up the numbers, with first or second place in the group in no way beyond either. Ghana earned plenty of fans with their run to the quarter-finals in 2010, eliminating the U.S. before missing a last-minute penalty and losing a shootout to Uruguay in the quarter-finals. They escaped their group on both prior occasions that they competed. The United States are another emerging threat, topping a group that included England in 2010 and contesting the quarter-finals in 2002.
The three-time winners have failed to reach the last eight of the World Cup only once in 17 attempts. The Germans arrive as the leading European fancies, ahead of even defending champion Spain. Coach Joachim Low’s biggest challenge will be picking a starting eleven from what appears to be the strongest roster in the competition. The likes of Julian Draxler, Andre Schurrle and Lukas Podolski are unlikely to start due to an excess of quality attacking midfielders. Even Thomas Muller, who finished tied for the most goals at the 2010 World Cup, may end up on the bench. That’s because veteran forward Miroslav Klose featured prominently in qualifying and is one strike shy of former Brazil star Ronaldo’s record of 15 career World Cup goals. If Germany have a weakness it is central defense. They must choose between Jerome Boateng, who struggled for Bayern Munich in this season’s UEFA Champions League knockout rounds, and Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker to partner Mats Hummels. .
Alongside Brazil, Germany holds the record for most appearances in the World Cup final, with seven.
Germany was the highest-scoring team in European qualifying, with 36 goals over their 10 matches.
Germany have made it to the semi-final stage in five of their last six major tournaments, including the past three World Cups.
Despite having to come through a nervy play-off against Sweden following a disappointing qualification campaign, Portugal will travel to Brazil with renewed confidence. They also have, officially, the world’s best player within their ranks. After finishing a point behind Russia in UEFA Group F, the two-legged tie dubbed “Cristiano Ronaldo-vs.-Zlatan Ibrahimovic” lived up to the billing, with the Real Madrid man outscoring his Paris Saint-Germain counterpart by four goals to two in a 4-2 aggregate win. Ronaldo’s club teammate and compatriot Fabio Coentrao has regained favor at left-back under Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti since, while young Sporting Lisbon holding midfielder William Carvalho has taken Portugal’s Primeira Liga by storm this season. With such stalwarts as Pepe, Joao Moutinho, Nani and Miguel Veloso all set to feature once again, Portugal will certainly expect to improve on their last 16 exit in South Africa four years ago.
Since Paulo Bento took charge in September 2010, Portugal have lost just three competitive games over 90 minutes.
Ronaldo should enter the World Cup in red-hot form after breaking the record for Champions League goals in a season with 17.
Portugal were knocked out by eventual winners Spain at the last World Cup and runners-up France in 2006.
The Black Stars qualified for their third World Cup in a row—having never participated prior to 2006—with a 7-3 aggregate win over Egypt, and will take a heady mix of youth and experience to Brazil. Veteran midfielders Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari should be joined by Marseille-owned siblings Jordan and Andre Ayew. Meanwhile, Kevin-Prince Boateng plans to renew rivalries with brother Jerome, who turns out for Group G favorites Germany. Ghana’s heartbreaking exit at the “hands” of Luis Suarez and Uruguay at the quarter-final stage of the last World Cup endeared the West Africans to many, but they face a big task just to emerge from this unenviable group. Other names to look out for include Chelsea winger Christian Atsu, who has spent this season on loan at Dutch club Vitesse, and double Ghana Player of the Year Kwadwo Asamoah, of Italian giant Juventus.
Their 2010 quarter-final appearance matched the furthest an African team has gone, alongside Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
Five different Ghana players breached Egypt’s goal during their 7-3 play-off aggregate win, with Gyan scoring twice in the 6-1 home leg.
Ghana started 2014 poorly, winning just two of their six matches between mid-January and March, and both of those 1-0.
The Stars and Stripes qualified for their seventh successive World Cup with something to spare, but Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad’s stay in South America is unlikely to be as long as they would wish. Team USA breezed through their CONCACAF third-round qualifying Group A, losing just one of their six matches away (to Jamaica) before booking their place in Brazil by claiming the top spot in the Hexagonal phase. They would have hoped for a much more straightforward group assignment than opposing Germany, Portugal and Ghana after such excellence in qualifying, yet face an uphill struggle to match their 2010 achievement and make the last 16. Emergence of such youngsters as Bayern Munich’s Julian Green and MLS all-star DeAndre Yedlin to help the likes of Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey gives the United States hope, but their journey back home is expected to come sooner rather than later.
Landon Donovan was left off the team despite being his country’s all-time leading international scorer, with 57 goals in 156 games.
The Stars and Stripes will want revenge when they play Ghana in their opener, having gone out to the Black Stars in 2010.
The United States have been at every World Cup since 1990, when they made their first appearance at the tournament for 40 years.
What Group H lacks in proven winners it compensates for in dark-horse accommodation. Belgium, Russia and South Korea, if not the less hyped Algeria, are all perceived to have the potential to pull off some upsets in the 2014 World Cup. Belgium are arguably the most fascinating team in the entire competition, assessed as fifth favorites to deliver the trophy despite carrying such limited tournament pedigree with them to South America. They haven’t qualified for anything since 2002, missing out on the last two World Cups and three European Championships, and they haven’t been beyond the last 16 at the big one since 1986.However, they boast an exceptional group of players, with talent spread across every position too from Thibaut Courtois in goal to Vincent Kompany in defense, the likes of Axel Witsel and Eden Hazard in midfield and Romelu Lukaku up front, and didn’t lose once in the preliminary process. Russia were another to enjoy a stress-free qualification, winning seven out of 10 matches in a challenging group and conceding just five goals. Their Italian coach Fabio Capello is one of the most experienced in attendance, and is eager to avenge a poor showing in 2010 with England. South Korea weren’t so impressive on the road to Brazil, but got through a decent group in South Africa four years ago and finished fourth as hosts in 2002. Algeria failed to score at the last World Cup in an unremarkable group alongside the United States, England and Slovenia. They are consequently the longest price by some distance to win Group H.
Despite failing to qualify for the last two tournaments, Belgium are expected by many to make waves in Brazil. They arrive as one of five teams with odds of 20-to-1 or better to win, thanks to their “Golden Generation” of talent. Such is the wealth of options available to coach Marc Wilmots that English Premier League stars Jan Vertonghen and Eden Hazard were only called upon from the bench for their country’s last World Cup qualifier against Wales. Wilmots’ team comfortably topped UEFA qualifying Group A ahead of Croatia in second, but the four-match winless streak that their draw with Wales in that dead rubber instigated will be of some concern to their legion of followers. Regardless of that, a team containing the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, Vertonghen, Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and—possibly—the late convert Adnan Januzaj (the 19-year-old is of Kosovar-Albanian heritage and only declared his allegiance to Belgium in April) are sure to cause more established nations countless problems this summer.
Goalie Courtois has tough acts to follow, as Jean-Marie Pfaff and Michel Preud’homme were goalies in 1986 and 1994’s All-Star Teams.
Belgium produced their best World Cup performance in 1986, exiting at the semi-final stage at the hands of Diego Maradona’s Argentina.
Kevin de Bruyne was Belgium’s top scorer in qualifying with four goals.
Having failed miserably to lead England beyond the last 16 at World Cup 2010, Fabio Capello will be hoping for better luck when he takes his low-profile Russia side to South America. None of Capello’s likely lineup ply their trade outside of Russia and, despite calls for him to reconsider, the Italian veteran refuses to end the international exile of enigmatic former Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin. After finishing atop a qualifying group that contained a much-lauded Portugal side, it’s hard to fault Capello. And having conceded just five goals en route, it’s clear that Russia’s strong defense will be vital to their success. That being said, a close eye should be kept on exciting 23-year-old forward pair Alan Dzagoev and Aleksandr Kokorin. Another one to watch is striker Fyodor Smolov, who though far from prolific in domestic soccer, has managed to score twice in five games for his country.
In an attempt to expose his side to different playing styles, Russia played pre-tournament friendlies against Slovakia, Norway and Morocco.
Russia made it to Brazil despite losing consecutive away matches in qualifying against Portugal and Northern Ireland.
The former Soviet Union soccer team made it to seven World Cups and finished fourth in 1966.
South Korea have qualified for every World Cup since 1986, but failed to make it past the group stage before co-hosting the 2002 tournament with Japan. That’s when they went all the way to a semi-final exit against Germany. After falling at the first hurdle in Germany four years later, the Reds made another breakthrough in 2010, finishing second behind Argentina in Group B. They suffered a narrow last-16 loss to Uruguay. Escape from Group H in Brazil looks less likely after South Korea only just came through AFC qualifying on goal difference ahead of Uzbekistan. They have, however, beaten fellow World Cup hopefuls Switzerland, Costa Rica and Greece since November 2013. What they lack in experience following former captain Park Ji-Sung’s retirement in 2011, they compensate for with youthful exuberance. Son Heung-Min is a 21-year-old forward with the potential to make a big impact in Brazil.
Coach Hong Myung-Bo should be able to instill some defensive solidity—he made a record 136 South Korea appearances at the back.
Park Chu-Young has managed just three league goals since joining Arsenal in 2011, and all were scored when he was loaned to other clubs.
South Korea took on Group H rivals Russia in a Dubai friendly last November, and lost 2-1.
Algeria booked their ticket to Brazil by the narrowest of margins, beating Burkina Faso on away goals in a two-legged playoff. Their record in three previous World Cup appearances suggests their Samba stay will be short. The North Africans made it to the greatest soccer show on earth for the first time in Spain 32 years ago. Despite beating West Germany and Chile, however, they were cruelly eliminated on goal differential. They returned to the big stage four years later in Mexico and finished at the bottom of Group D after scoring just once. It’s a feat they failed to match in their next World Cup appearance, in 2010, when they were one of just two nations that failed to net. A 2-0 win in a recent friendly against 2010 overachievers Slovenia will give Algeria confidence going into the tournament. But a first-ever appearance in the last 16 looks extremely unlikely.
As of mid-May, the 3-2 defeat away to Burkina Faso was the only game that Algeria had lost in 11 matches.
Despite not scoring at the 2010 World Cup, Algeria did enough to hold England—the pre-tournament Group C favorites—to a draw.
