GROUP A
BRAZIL
Home field advantage and a confederations cup thrashing of Spain make Brazil the clear tournament favourites. While a lot rests on Neymar's slender shoulders thus far he has embraced the pressure and tends to rise to the occasion when playing in the famed yellow shirt. Injury prone journeyman striker Fred is a great foil. Keeping him fit will be an issue. The centre of Brazil's midfield and defence is very strong. Dante's poor performances for Bayern are as the result of Guardiola's high line. With Thiago Silva beside him he will shine. Alves and Marcelo are poor defensively but this has become less of an issue in the modern game. Gustavo and Paulinho snap into tackles and their qualities will become especially important against stronger teams, games in which Brazil will seek to kick the opposition into submission, factoring in the lenient refereeing afforded to home sides. Brazil probably do have the best overall side in the World Cup. As long as they handle the pressure they should at the very least get to the final.
Key players : Thiago Silva, Paulinho, Neymar
Weaknesses : One superstar striker. Fred is injury prone
CROATIA
Back for the first time in 8 years, Kovac has a talented but inexperienced young team. Croatia's strength is their midfield. Modric has had a good (not great) season at Real Madrid and Rakitic's performances for Sevilla has earned him a move to Barcelona. Mandzukic is a late developer but has a yet to match his performances for Bayern at international level. Full backs Srna and Pranjic will provide the width. 20 year old midfielder Kovacic is an outstanding talent with an outrageous eye for a pass but he's hampered by a severe lack of playing time at Inter. Croatia are a solid, technically proficient team. They should get through the group but beyond that don't have the firepower, despite Mandzukic, to trouble better defences.
Key players : Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic
Weaknesses : Struggle to score goals
MEXICO
Two years ago Mexico stunned Brazil to win Olympic gold but despite their strength at youth level, Mexico's talented youngsters are not as sought after as those from other countries and few have progressed to the senior side which is why the likes of Marquez (past it four years ago), Guardado and Dos 'always flatters to deceive' Santos are still in the team. Mexico's best player, Hernandez, have struggled at Man United though remains an exceptional finisher. Goalkeeper Ochoa has been brilliant for Ajaccio.
Key players : Ochoa, Dos Santos, Hernandez
Weaknesses : Poor form, largely mediocre team
CAMEROON
While most of Cameroon's squad play in Europe none play for a major team (Eto'o's contract with Chelsea has ended) which suggests there isn't a great deal of quality. N'Koulou is a promising defender and Choupo-Moting is a technically proficient striker. Cameroon laboured through qualifying and that they head into the tournament on the back of a shameful dispute over money, shows where the players priorities lay.
Key Players : N'Koulou, Makoun, Eto'o
Weaknesses : Players are mercenaries, lack creativity in midfield
GROUP B
SPAIN
Little has changed in terms of personnel for the defending champions though there are fitness concerns over naturalised Brazilian striker Costa, whose robust style may not suit Spain's tedious passing game. Xavi and Villa, key players four years ago, are past it but the conditions will favour the Spanish - until they meet a physical team that can bully their midfield. Casillas remains a weak link on crosses but Spain's monopolisation on possession means they run few risks and will be difficult to beat.
Key Players : Ramos, Xavi, Diego Costa
Weaknesses : Defence is weak on crosses. No plan B if teams park the bus. Shit to watch
HOLLAND
Van Gaal is throwing a young Dutch side in at the deep end. Many of them have little international experience or indeed experience of playing outside of their domestic leagues. Captain Strootman is a huge loss and Sneijder, at his peak four years ago, is a shadow of his former self. Although Robben has been excellent for Bayern he can't be trusted to stay fit. Van Persie has the trust of his new club coach but continually chokes in big games. The decision to leave Van der Wiel, one of the best attacking full backs in the game, at home is mind boggling.
Key Players : De Jong, Robben, Van Persie
Weaknesses : Lack of experience. Van Persie is a choker. Sneijder is past his prime
CHILE
Chile have started to develop some exceptional gifted players. Vidal is arguably the best midfielder in the World but is struggling to be fit for the finals and seemed to run out of gas in the spring. Alexis Sanchez has been excellent for Barcelona and his extreme pace and dribbling skills will cause defenders nightmares. Strike partners Vargas has struggled against the more physical marking in Europe. Chile's frenzied attacking game will make them dangerous opponents but they're not the best defensively.
Key Players : Medel, Vidal, Sanchez
Weaknesses : No recognised striker. Poor defensively.
AUSTRALIA
10 years on from the foundation of the A-League Australian football has failed to find a new Kewell or Cahill, who still leads the line but nonetheless most of the squad are domestic based. Playmaker Rogic is the only squad member at a major European club (Celtic). At least the heat won't be an issue.
Key Players : Spiranovic, Rogic, Cahill
Weaknesses : Everywhere
GROUP C
COLOMBIA
The jubilation following qualification and the draw dissipated after star striker Falcao suffered a cruciate ligament injury in January. Martinez is his likely replacement but thus far has been poor internationally. Colombia have an exceptionally talented midfield. Rodriguez has been brilliant for Monaco and Cuadrado's incredible, high speed dribbling and explosive finishing have made him a target for Barcelona. Colombia's problems are in defence, 35 year old Perea partners the painfully slow 38 year old Yepes. Zuniga and Armero are brilliant attacking full backs, which only puts more pressure on the teams aging centrebacks.
Key Players : Cuadrado, Rodriguez, Martinez
Weaknesses : Old centrebacks. Falcao is a huge loss
GREECE
Many of squad ply their trade in Serie A but Euro 2004 veterans Karagounis and Katsouranis are preferred to talented midfielders like Kone, one of the most spectacular goalscorers in football and Fetfatzidis. The Greeks are of course strong in defence, at least against European opposition but Mitroglou, outstanding in qualifying and for Olympiakos in the Champions League, hasn't been the same since sustaining a knee injury in January.
Key Players : Papastathopoulos, Karagounis, Mitroglou
Weaknesses : Conservative coach, one paced attack, terribly long and unspellable surnames
JAPAN
An increasing number of Japanese footballers are now in Europe's top leagues but key players Kagawa and Honda have endured frustrating seasons at Manchester United and Milan respectively. Curiously Okazaki plays wide with the mediocre Osako preferred in the centre forward role. Nagatomo and Uchida are brilliant full backs, leaving the average Yoshida and Konno exposed. Japan play fantastic, high speed, one touch passing football but it's difficult to pull off and the team are notoriously bad finishers.
Key Players : Nagatomo, Kagawa, Honda
Weaknesses : Key players are off form, lack a killer in attack
IVORY COAST
Dreadful in defence and (potentially) brilliant in attack. Comedy goalkeeper Boubacar Barry is still in goal. Kolo Toure has been abysmal for Liverpool and partner Bamba has missed months due to an ankle injury. Tiote should provide a screen but he's ill disciplined, a red card waiting to happen. Yaya Toure is one of the best midfielders in the World, when the mood takes him. Gervinho has been fantastic for Roma and likewise Bony for Swansea but he'll be watching from the bench as Drogba, who is well and truly past it and chokes horribly in big tournaments, is untouchable in attack.
Key Players : Yaya Toure, Gervinho, Drogba
Weaknesses : Horrifically poor in defence, tournament chokers
GROUP D
ENGLAND
England does not expect. A tough draw and years of underachievement have seen to that. Hodgson is a defensive coach by nature and defence in one area in which his team excel. Cahill has been outstanding since joining Chelsea two years ago and the Everton due of Jagielka and Baines two of the most underrated defenders in Europe. Central midfield is a problem. Gerrard has a great set piece delivery but can be sloppy in possession and Wilshire always flatters to deceive. Barkley, who is a far better player than Wilshere at the same stage of their careers, could play given Wilshere's inability to stay fit. If Hodgson ignores the silly clamour for a possession based style and sets up to defend deep and uses the extreme pace of Sterling and the dribbling of Lallana on the break England could and should get out of the group.
Key Players : Cahill, Gerrard, Rooney
Weaknesses : Lack of creativity in central midfield. Players find it difficult to curb attacking instincts
ITALY
Much of the pre tournament build up has focused on the omission on the feeble Rossi, who was just as likely to get injured as he was to score and El Shaarawy, just back from injury, and Destro were better options and they didn't make it either. Italy's defence, a traditional strength, is in fact their biggest weakness, despite two fantastic right backs. Buffon and the Juventus back line are especially poor when defending set pieces. Too much of the play still runs through Pirlo, even if conditions should suit his measured approach. Big things are expected of Immobile who will be first choice sub for Balotelli but he has zero international experience. If Prandelli is brave and gets over his Juve fetish and plays the likes of Candreva, explosive midget Insigne and the jet healed Cerci Italy could progress beyond the second week but being Italy they'll dick around in midfield and get hosed on a set piece.
Key Players : Chiellini, Pirlo, Balotelli
Weaknesses : Defence struggles against set pieces. Potential match winners lack experience
URUGUARY
There are concerns over the fitness of Suarez but his potential absence would at least give Cavani the chance to play as centre forward. Palermo striker Hernandez has blistering pace and an excellent goalscoring record but struggles to stay fit. The rest of the squad is mediocre at best. Ramirez has failed to deliver on the promise he showed in his teens. Gargano is a hard tackler with an explosive shot in a terribly one paced midfield. Godin, who has had a career best season with Atletico Madrid, will be overworked alongside Lugano and the hopeless Muslera.
Key Players : Godin, Cavani, Suarez
Weaknesses : Quality of forwards isn't matched by the rest of the team.
COSTA RICA
In another group they may have had a shot if Ruiz could reproduce his PSV form, certainly the conditions will be more favourable to the Costa Ricans than England or Italy. Campbell is an exciting talent. Uruguay represents their best chance of victory, England and Italy will be too strong.
Key Players : Diaz, Ruiz, Campbell
Weaknesses : In another group they may have had a chance, in this one they haven't got a prayer
GROUP F
FRANCE
The teams recognised World Class player, Ribery, missed the tournament but in truth he hasn't been the same since losing out in the Ballon D'or voting to big game bottler Ronaldo and having surgery on his arse. France produce brilliant players in most positions, apart from attack. The defence is excellent, as you would expect from a Deschamps side. In Pogba France have the best young player in the game. His central midfield partner Matuidi has blossomed at PSG. Grenier and dwarf Valbuena will provide the creativity in an otherwise athletic midfield. Benzema has consistently failed at big tournaments but the emergence of late bloomer Giroud and Griezmann should ensure this need not be a concern.
Key Players : Pogba, Valbuena, Benzema
Weaknesses : Strikers are a notch below the level needed to win a World Cup
SWITZERLAND
Few have fond memories of the Swiss from the last World Cup, they only scored one goal. Lichtsteiner is a brilliant source of crosses from fullback and both Inler and Dzemaili have terrific shots from distance. Shaqiri is an outstanding talent but his development has stunted at Bayern. 21 year old Drmic, who has an excellent first season at Nurnberg, leads the line though is weak in the air. The Swiss have an easy group and could be one of the surprises of the tournament.
Key Players : Lichtsteiner, Shaqiri, Drmic
Weaknesses : Lack a proven goalscorer. Players err on the side of caution in tournaments
HONDURAS
If their recent friendly with England is anything to go by the Hondurans will kick a lot of players and get a lot of cards.
GROUP F
ARGENTINA
As usual Argentina have been labelled among the favourites as once again idiots overlook the teams SHORTcomings. Messi of course has another chance to shine on the international stage, something he has failed to do thus far. Aguero and Higuain complete what on paper is a devastating three man attack. Mascherano will play in his natural DM position and he's unlikely to have forgotten how to kick people and he’ll need to as once again Argentina have midgets in midfield and risk being overrun, despite the brilliance of Di Maria. Garay is an excellent centreback, his partner Fernandez less so. Goalkeeper Romero is prone to mistakes. Argentina have a ridiculously easy group, even choker Messi can't fail to score this time.
Key Players : Garay, Di Maria, Messi
Weaknesses : Physically small. Lopsided in attack, no room for a playmaker
BOSNIA
Bosnia qualified for their first major finals in spectacular fashion, scoring 30 goals in 10 games. Lulic, a brilliant attacking full back, plays in midfield alongside 32 year old playmaker Misimovic and Pjanic, who despite his outrageous talent often fails to stamp his authority on games. Dzeko heads into the tournament on the back of a brilliant season for Man City. Begovic aside Bosnia's defence is decidedly average.
Key Players : Lulic, Pjanic, Dzeko
Weaknesses : No major finals experience. Conditions favour all of their group opponents
NIGERIA
Nigeria epitomise everything wrong with African football. Here is a team from a football mad nation with a vast population yet they consistently fail to develop anything close to a World Class player and defensively they're a joke although goalkeeper Enyeama has had a fantastic season for Lille. The midfield lacks creativity, but may compensate with their raw athleticism of Moses and Musa. Emenike is the preferred centre forward but Obinna, who scored one of the greatest goals of all time as a teenager in Serie A, and Odemwingie could trouble defences with their pace.
Key Players : Enyeama, Mikel, Emenike
Weaknesses : Poor defence, lack of midfield creativity.
GROUP G
GERMANY
The nearly men of international football have been hit hard by injury to their form player, Marco Reus. Schweinsteiger and the mistake prone Hummels have also struggled with injuries. Playmaker Ozil was shot in December and has faced mounting criticism for his recent performances. 36 year old Klose is the teams only genuine centre forward. Germany have an excellent midfield, Muller is brilliant head down run merchant who tends to make things happen while Schurrle finished the season at Chelsea in fine form. Defence is a major problem. Boateng is dreadful and Mertesacker doesn't look so good when Koscielny isn't around to hold his hand. Germany's best chance of World Cup success was in 2010. This time too many players are off form and choker Low should get the bullet after the finals.
Key Players : Neuer, Schweinsteiger, Muller
Weaknesses : Too many players off form. Tournament chokers. Weak centre backs.
PORTUGAL
The one man team laboured through qualifying and as ever struggle to score goals. World player of the year Ronaldo is laughably poor in major tournaments and will flank the awful Postiga. Nani, an exceptionally gifted player who has had a poor domestic season, completes the three man attack. Little has changed since the last World Cup, it's largely the same old faces, at least in terms of the starting eleven which suggests Portugal is no longer producing talented youngsters. The defence is however excellent.
Key Players : Pepe, Moutinho, Ronaldo
Weaknesses : Always struggle to score goals. Ronaldo is a massive choker
GHANA
The Black stars have genuine hopes of reaching the last 16. Defensively they're probably the best of the African teams though they lack experience - Boye is the oldest defender at 27. The awful Essien, who plays like a man twice his age, partners Muntari, who despite severe technical limitations has a hell of a shot, in central midfield. Ayew, Asamoah and Boateng have plenty of pace and power as does centre forward Gyan, even if it's unlikely he's 28.
Key Players : Asamoah, Boateng, Gyan
Weaknesses : Central midfielders lack discipline. Boateng is a match winner but struggles to stay fit
USA
This is the weakest side the Americans have sent to a World Cup since hosting their own in 1994. The omission of Donovan robs the teams of the one player with flair and creativity. Howard is an excellent goalkeeper but his MLS based defence is weak. Bradley, a talented box to box midfielder, made a backward step in joining Toronto. Despite his hopeless goalscoring record outside of the Eredivisie the technically limited Altidore will line up in attack alongside fading force Dempsey.
Key Players : Howard, Bradley, Altidore
Weaknesses : Too many players from the dreadfully mediocre MLS. A lack of creativity
GROUP H
BELGIUM
The tournaments dark horse, Belgium have some of the most celebrated young players in Europe and are strong in every position. The imposing Courtois stands behind Kompany, who has proven to be a brilliant leader at Man City. Belgium's midfield is exceptional, the power of Witsel and Dembele is complimented by the genius of Hazard. De Bruyne was top scorer in the qualifiers and has excelled since leaving Chelsea. The monstrous Lukaku has the pace and power to worry any defence but his finishing can be erratic.
Key Players : Kompany, Hazard, Lukaku
Weaknesses : Despite their talent have struggled to play well as a team. Lack tournament level experience
RUSSIA
Akinfeev had long been tipped for superstardom but despite some excellent displays in the past is still playing in the Russian league. Most of the defenders are the wrong side of 30 and Kombarov is the only one who can provide width from fullback. The midfield is again old, Dzagoev, who looked set for stardom after excellent performances at the Euros and in the UCL, is a luxury sub, too ill disciplined for Capello's liking. Another who has performed well in the UCL, Fayzulin, will support striker Kokorin, the 23 year old on whose shoulders the nations hopes rest.
Key Players : Akinfeev, Fayzulin, Kokorin
Weaknesses : An ageing squad. Players are mentally weak