2014 FIFA World Cup - Brazil

Write for The Roar

Anyone can contribute to The Roar and have their work featured alongside some of Australia’s most prominent sports journalists.

WorldCupLogo The 2014 World Cup final is surely the most highly-anticipated events in years. The host nation, Brazil, is football mad. There are an unusually large number of teams that could threaten for the title. The hosts, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Portugal, Belgium and Italy are all looking threatening heading into the tournament. Even England, Argentina and Uruguay could cause a scare.

The Socceroos have been drawn in the Group of Death, and are undoubtedly the lightweights of the four. Drawn against Spain, Chile and The Netherlands, Australia faces a tough task to make it past the Group stages. The retirements of Brett Holman, Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton could leave coach Ange Postecoglou short on experience. Other worries are on the fitness and injury front, with Mark Bresciano serving a suspension prior to the tournament’s kickoff and young Victory midfielder Tom Rogic injured.

The opening match of the tournament finals taking place on 12 June, 2014 (Friday, 13 June AEST) at Sao Paulo’s newly constructed Arena de Sao Paulo. The World Cup final will be played at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Estadio Do Maracana on Sunday, July 13 (Monday, 14 July AEST).

Qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup comprised 207 teams from the six FIFA confederations, who will have played 816 matches by the time that qualification has concluded.

We’ll have extensive live coverage of the event right here on The Roar, with live blogs, match wraps and expert and crowd opinion every day.

Check out these other pages for more information on the World Cup:

Full World Cup Draw
Socceroos: Road to the World Cup
Socceroos latest
Full squads – all nations