After what has seemingly been a long and arduous process, the draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup is finally upon us. Join us for live results and reaction from 3.00am AEDT on Saturday morning as we look to see who the Socceroos have drawn.
For those not 100 percent familiar with the process, FIFA has divided the 32 teams that have qualified for the 2014 World Cup into four respective pots.
From these four pots, eight groups of four teams will be drawn, with the top two teams from those respective groups going on to qualify for the knockout stages of the Cup.
The pots for the draw are as listed below:
Pot A
Brazil Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay, Switzerland
Pot B
Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Chile, Ecuador
Pot C
Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, USA
Pot D
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, England, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Russia (Note: just to be confusing, before the start of the draw one team from Pot D will be allocated into Pot B so that the pots are even. This is to do with geographical distribution of the pots—basically it’s best to trust me on this one!)
What that means for Australia is that they can draw any team except for those in the same pot as them.
In a worst-case scenario, this could mean that the Socceroos are drawn into a group that could look like them, Spain, Italy and France all in the same group.
In a best case scenario, they might draw Switzerland, Cameroon and Russia, though all of that still remains to be seen.
We’ll know exactly who the Socceroos will need to beat in the 2014 FIFA World Cup soon, though, so make sure you join us for live commentary, results and updates starting from around 2.50pm AEDT and then leading on through the morning.
Oh, and you might want to all cross your fingers that we don’t draw Brazil and France (having watched those friendlies that took place earlier in the year)!
Domme
Guest
Hard work for Australia...
edward
Guest
as a patriotic Nigerian i see us toping group F, our boys currently are in form and are close to playing as a team, which i know shall be perfected before the world cup.
Matt
Guest
There goes any hope of winning. Now it's "go Australia! Don't get flogged by half a dozen!"
Jonny
Guest
At least we don't need to get our hopes up when the World Cup comes around because they've already been crushed.
SlickAs
Guest
Ours is the group of death. Lets put it this way: Spain > Germany (Reigning world and Euro champions) Netherlands > Portugal (Runnners up in world cup and qualified without loosing a single match, first Euro team to qualify) Chile > Ghana (Quaified in 3rd place in South America above Ecuador and Uruguay) USA >= Australia (we've never played, but Australia just easily outclassed Canada and Costa Rica from CONCACAF) The other one that will be claiming group of death is the England group, but how much would we love to swap with Costa Rica and get all our rivalries at once! It would be a dream group for us that some were predicting and hoping for!
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Assessments of the Groups: Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon = Brazilians will love this draw. Should be nine points for them, but the battle for second should be interesting, with three fairly even teams. Money on Brazil and Mexico to go through Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia = Gulp for an Australian perspective. The game against Chile is the most likely for us to get a win (still unlikely), while you can't even fathom how we can advance. In reality, Spain and Netherlands should advance, but Chile can/will push them. But I don't agree with others who say this is the Group of Death, as all the other three teams will see Australia as easy three points. Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan = Most evenly matched group of the draw, with all four teams having a realistic chance to advance. Money is on Colombia and Ivory Coast. Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy = Similar to Group B, in that there are three very strong teams, and a possible three-point bait team in Costa Rica. However, England will be nervous having to battle Italy in the Amazon, and then Uruguay in Sao Paulo. Italy and Uruguay to advance Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras = France will be rejoicing at their luck. While all four teams can advance, the ridiculous seeding was always going to cause an easy group like this to occur. France and Ecuador to go through, with Switzerland the only seed to fall in the group stage. Group F: Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria = Argentina will be delighted, with a pretty easy road to the knockouts. Battle for second will be between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria. My money is on Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina to go through Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA = The REAL Group of Death. Each team has the ability to cause a splash in the knockouts should they make it, but on paper alone, you can't go past Germany and Portugal. Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea = Another relatively easier group, but all four teams have a shot to make the knockouts and are fairly evenly matched. Belgium and Russia to advance.
1860melbourne
Guest
2010 finalists. At least we avoided Brazil.
bryan
Guest
I dont think that could have been any worst for the soccoroos...
dasilva
Guest
I have to say Craig Foster can get incredibly irritating I mean FFS, he has no understanding of being a fan who wants the team to WIN and go as far as possible I'll take a manageable group over a "fantastic learning experience" all the time.
redsback
Guest
Even if by some miracle we can get through in 2nd position - on say 3 or 4 points and a lot of luck - Brazil would be waiting in the elimination. Our Golden Generation wouldn't have had much chance of going very far with this draw.
ChrisUK
Guest
Worst bit for England is that they play in Manaus. Ridiculously hot, 99% humidity....a vision of hell for a north European team.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
Anyone not excited at this group please leave now, football won't miss you, I'm over the moon that we'll be testing ourselves agains tthe champions and runners up, if you're not you clearly don't get football, or sport for that matter.
BenG
Guest
We will really see how the "dutch system" works now against NED!
Chris
Guest
It's an nightmare
Dog
Guest
Aus and US (my current home) have absolute shockers! England not much better though...
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Well, that concludes it from me. I'll have more reaction to come throughout the morning. What are your thoughts on the group? Did we draw the toughest group? Make sure you let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
RECAP: Australia drawn to play Spain, Chile and Netherlands in Group B. Incredibly tough draw for the Socceroos. Not even the most blinded of fans can see us emerging from that with any likelihood, but this is football! You never know what might happen next year!
ChrisUK
Guest
OK.....so let's cry on each other's shoulders here. England and Australia - both horrible, horrible draws.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
GROUP H CONFIRMED Belgium, Algeria, South Korea and Russia. That concludes the draw.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
GROUP G CONFIRMED Germany, Ghana, United States and Portugal.