The FIFA World Cup is quickly approaching, now under 100 days away. With hosts Brazil looking very favourable for a semi-final place, I have looked into some teams who will be up to the challenge in 2014.
Top Four: Brazil
The hosts are looking great in the lead up to June having won their last seven friendlies scoring 25 goals and only conceding two. Confidence is high and momentum is with the talented South Americans.
They will face Croatia in the opening match, and will also meet Mexico and Cameroon who make up the rest of Group A.
On paper it looks relatively simple however the opener may be crucial. If they are to win their group the round of 16 clash looks to be a blockbuster with the runner-up of group two (Spain, Netherlands, Chile or Australia).
Neymar is the man to watch. If he fires during the World Cup, Brazil could produce anything and possibly take out their sixth trophy.
Argentina
A great team on paper that will be looking to prove their potential on the World stage in Brazil. Having made the quarter-finals the last two times, Sabella’s men will be looking to go at least one or two steps further.
With an easy group consisting of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria, Argentina will set their sights on the round of 16 were they are likely to meet Switzerland or possibly France.
Lionel Messi, much like Neymar, can produce brilliance and solo match winning performances on his day. Look for him to play a crucial role in the Argentines’ attack along with Sergio Aguero.
Germany
Ever consistent, they have stumbled in the semi-finals the last two times to take out third in the play-off. Can they overcome this “choking” and make it to the grand final?
Joachim Low’s men only just beat Chile in a friendly on Wednesday in Berlin in a game that they were outplayed in.
Low admitted that they must improve if they are going to challenge for the World Cup title.
They come up against Ghana, USA and Portugal, all teams who are capable of scoring goals and playing exciting football.
It should be a great group this one with plenty of competition. I believe Germany will come through on top and most likely play Russia or Belgium in the round of 16.
Mesut Ozil is the one to watch, Arsenal’s attacking mastermind has recently struggled to put performances together like he was earlier in the season, however if he can pull the strings for Germany they have some quality finishes up front.
Spain
The World Champions will be hard to beat once again. They will come into this competition with high hopes of going back-to-back.
The squad currently plays host to some of the most recognisable names in football, including Xavi, Iniesta, Negredo, Pedro, Casillas, Fabregas and Jesus Navas to only mention a few.
Initially in the way of the World Champions, in my opinion, is the group of death.
Spain, Netherlands, Chile and Australia will all be vying for a top two spot. Achieving even a point against Spain will be seen as a victory in the eyes of the other three nations.
Netherlands were runners up last time and will be looking for revenge, Chile have proven over the last few years that they are a quality football nation with a lot to offer on the International stage, and Australia are known for their aggressive nature and never lay down approach in World Cups.
Therefore it will be no walk in the park for the reigning champions.
It’s hard to pick one to watch with so many gifted attacking players. However if Andreas Iniesta plays well look for him to be driving the ball from just outside the box as well as setting up the men up front.
Roughies: Belgium
Belgium is full of youth and skill and has well and truly proved that they are a world class outfit during the qualification process. They should get through their group without too much trouble.
Russia will be the team to challenge them for top place which is pretty crucial as Germany will most likely top Group G.
If Belgium manages first then they will be looking to spoil the party for the runner up in Group G (Portugal, USA or Ghana).
They have quality players in the right positions all over the park and can probably take victory from any nation on their day. The question is whether or not they can produce consistent performances for more than three or four games?
Eden Hazard is an absolute world-class player who can score goals and set them up from virtually nothing. He will have to play a crucial role if they are to make the quarter-finals or further.
Colombia
Colombia is one of six nations competing from South America in this year’s World Cup. They managed to sneak a top eight seed which sees them in a group they should top.
Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan will try to prevent them however some quality showings, much like those in the qualification stage, should see them in the round of 16. If they are to win they will play the runner up of Group D (Italy, England, Uruguay or Costa Rica).
Either way they will have a tough encounter. Like Belgium though they have the potential to defeat these countries.
Radamel Falcoa is their main man. He is currently in recovery after injuring his cruciate ligament last month however he is confident to return for the World Cup. In a recent friendly they were unable to finish off Tunisia which is proof of Falcoa’s influence on the team. He is one of the World’s best strikers and is crucial for Colombia’s push at the Brazil games.
Let the games begin.
David
Guest
I think it's one of the most even fields in a long time. Everyone seems to be forgetting about the 2010 runners up. The Netherlands have experienced world class players like Arjen Robben, Van Persie, Sneijder and a host of young talent that could be the difference. They are back to playing the Dutch way and were unbeaten in qualifying.
xavialonso
Guest
Italy will be in the finals that's for sure.
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
Portugal are ranked fourth.... not Brazil.
Peter Guthrie
Roar Rookie
Sorry i agree there is no Grand Final.. i should of corrected that after reading!
LX
Guest
It's started. England are overhyped every single time. They are closer to the mid-ranked European nations, not the elite 5 or 6 or so. Just because one might not know who Witsel, Courtois, Lambaerts and Chadli are, it doesn't mean that these Belgians are inferior to the hacks that England will again trot out who we unfortunately all have to know and care about due to the over-regard of the English top flight in this country. And how on earth are England likely to emerge from a group containing Italy and Uruguay?! The draw has not been as kind to them as the draw was to Belgium. That is very clear. France have talent but may self-combust as they are prone to do. At least Dumbenech is gone, but the Swiss always match up well against them and may sneak into first place in the group. Colombia have a decent group in comfortable (for them) conditions. They could do anything, and Chile should be outright favourites to take second in their group ahead of an aging and less convincing Dutch outfit. Argentina have to be acknowledged as a favourite after what unfolded at the draw last December. Less taxing conditions (and minimal travel) in the south of the country (just outside Argentina itself!) and a very favourable group. They should teach the QF at least, but that is the great thing about this sporting competition. Anything could happen.
Steve
Guest
Given that no country has won the WC with multiple starters who play in mid-table EPL teams, I can't see how that logic is controversial. If they had the quality, they wouldn't be playing for mid-table EPL sides. In fact, since the inception of the EPL in 1992, only 6 players in 5 world cup winning squads (i.e 115 players) were playing in the EPL (3 from the French side and 3 from the Spanish side) at the time of winning. There will, however, almost certainly be players who are playing in the EPL this year who will win the World Cup in Brazil Maybe it has to do with length of the season, with the games due to the extra cup competition? Incidentally, Argentina are the big 4 team with the fewest players in the EPL, likely only two Aguero and Zabaleta, although Coloccini and Lamela may get call up. It is also possible that Italy will have no-one from the EPL in their squad.
fadida
Guest
I agree they won't go close to winning. Your logic ie because most of their players are mid table EPL is my issue.
Paul m
Guest
Please no no no no, there is no such thing as a grand final in the world cup........ Great article but please call it what it is... It's "the world cup final". There is no Grand. .
bill boomer
Guest
Sturridge, Hazard, Kompany. Your missing Belgiums trump card. Fellaini !
Bobby
Guest
I would swap Belgium for Germany. Belgium to the semis!
Steve
Guest
Fadida, fadida, fadida I said at the moment. Sturridge is one of the form strikers in the world. That cannot really be denied. Hazard is also one of the form players in the world. It's hardly a knockout to Hazard at the momeby. I say this as a non Liverpool fan. I agree that England don't have their best generation. But how is Belgium's squad that much different or better than England's? My point is not to hype England, I frankly don't think they are that great and certainly do not want them to win, but it's to reduce the hype around Belgium. Yes Belgium qualified from a tough group, but they have not been playing that brilliantly for the past half a dozen games. And prior to 2012 they were nothing. So essentially they have had 1 good year from end of 2012 to end of 2013. And all of a sudden people are talking of them winning the World Cup. Now that is laughable, and based on nothing more than hype and a couple of decent qualifying games.
al
Guest
Italy is ALWAYS a top favourite, leaving them out is foolish. Doesn't matter where they stand in the FIFA world rankings. Italians are minimalists, they step up when it really counts...
fadida
Guest
Agree re Wooney and Stuwidge
fadida
Guest
Steve, Steve, Steve, Sturridge better than Hazard? Woy may be a middling, conservative manager but he most definitely does not have quality at his disposal. Compare striking options from now to the 90's and early 2000's. Then - Shearer, Sheringham, Fowler, Owen, Ferdinand, Cole Now - Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Lambert A central defence of Jagelka and Cahill doesn't give confidence. Where once there was the conundrum of fitting in Scholes, Gerrard (at his peak) and Lampard (at his peak), not to mention Beckham, there is now a much older Gerrard and Lampard, Wilshire (quality) and Cleverly. This is easily the weakest pool of English players I have seen We won't even mention the absolute dearth of keepers!
fadida
Guest
Disagree. It's the fact that they'd re a very good side who have been excellent over the last couple of years that has them rated. Anglo-centric people may rate them because of EPL links. Over the last 15-20 years England have most of their players at Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool etc, big English clubs who are powerful at a European level. Despite this they have been mediocre at World and European level. Interestingly, because of the decline in the quality of English players many from this WC squad may be at "mid table EPL clubs" eg Man U (!), Everton, Southampton etc
Swampy
Guest
Woy would need to wecognise Wooney needs to play at number 10 and let Sturridge play at 9. As soon as Rooney was subbed off sand Sturridge switched to his natural 9 he scored. Then England might make the round of 16 -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Steve
Guest
Oh and I'd say Sturridge at the moment is as good if not a better attacker than Hazard. He has definitely won me over. England's problem is Hodgson, not the quality of their players. Individually England have no-one on Kompany's level, but I can't see how Belgium's overall defence is any better than England's.
Steve
Guest
"In my humble yet biased opinion, I want to believe France has turned a corner (well for the last 2 games at least!) and if Benzema, Ribery, Cabaye, Matuidi etc play at their current level I don’t see many other teams beating us." And you have not even mentioned the defence, with two of the best young defenders in years in Varane and Mangala, or Pogba in the miedfield. With France, it is about team harmony. If they are all getting along, I have them VERY high up the list. They are stacked across the park, and their draw is also not the worst. Argentina are Top 4 because of the draw, the conditions they are playing, the fact it is in South America, their ridiculous forward line, and because they have Messi. Argentina are the best team in the world on the counter. If their defence can hold up (and it has improved immensely), then they will be tough to beat. Especially if they get an early goal and force the opposition forward, they will exploit the space at the back better than any team. I think Argentina matches up best against Spain, who pass a lot in midfield and commit their fullbacks. Mascherano could be key in breaking up the midfield and releasing Di Maria, Higuain, Aguero and Messi. I think Brazil may suffer by not having a top CF. It's not often we say that Brazil's strength is their defence, but Thiago Silva is a beast. I wonder if Julio Cesar is up to it also. Germany did not look that great against Chile. Their is also probably no better than Argentina's, especially if Lahm is playing DM, while they do not have the forwards Argentina have. They have a great midfield though. Spain still look good, but if they go behind (which they rarely do), I can see them struggling to get back in. Pique is still a disaster waiting to happen, while Thiago is not a replacement for 2010 Xavi. Busquets is also having the worst season of his career. The bottom line is, I cannot wait. So fascinating, so many quality teams and players. The travel and weather may the outcome. BRING IT ON!
Steve
Guest
"The EPL is generally no barometer of quality" Agreed. I get the feeling though that if they had more players playing for Napoli, Roma, Sociedad instead of Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa they would be nowhere near as hyped. The fact is they have 3 World Class players (I forgot Courtois). Their squad is not stacked with players playing in the Champions League knockouts. Felliani, Van Buyten and Alderwield have barely played this season. They haven't won at home in five matches (2 draws against France, Wales and Ivory Coast and losses to Japan and Colombia). They have an easy draw first up, but I can see them losing to Portugal in Round of 16. Of course they may go further, it is football after all where anything can happen. I think there are 6 better squads, and probably another 5 or 6 who are just as good. It just amazes me how France and Italy fly under the radar while Belgium is hyped to ridiculous degrees (every article seems to have Belgium as a roughie). I think it's not the Hazard or Kompany factor that causes people to rate Belgium, because then why are Portugal not as rated with Ronaldo and Moutinho who are as deadly a duo going around. Rather, it is the high proportion of players who are in the EPL, even if they are in middling clubs, that are causing people to rate Belgium..
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
In my humble yet biased opinion, I want to believe France has turned a corner (well for the last 2 games at least!) and if Benzema, Ribery, Cabaye, Matuidi etc play at their current level I don't see many other teams beating us. Big calls to come for Deschamp: should he call talented guys like Nasri, HBA or Gourcuff knowing they could all disrupt the group (for diverse reasons) or stick with guys less talented yet easier to manage at a WC like Griezman or even Valbuena? I would go with option 2 considering our genetic predisposition to fight with each other. As an aside I don't see Argentina in the top 4. Imo we have the obvious top 3 then 8-10 teams who can match those 3 if all goes well (Arg, France, Belg, Col, Port, Holland, Italy, Eng, maybe even Switz, Chile, Japan and a couple of others not far)