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World Cup draw analysis: Group by Group

By on December 6, 2013
From the winners to the losers: we analyze each group drawn at the 2014 World Cup draw

From the winners to the losers: we analyze each group drawn at the 2014 World Cup draw

Pain for the US and England, celebrations for Argentina and Brazil; we analyze the 2014 World Cup draw, group by group.

Group A

Brazil, Cameroon, Mexico, Croatia

Fixtures: June 12 Sao Paulo: 2100: Brazil v Croatia, June 13 Natal: 1700: Mexico v Cameroon, June 17 Fortaleza: 2000: Brazil v Mexico, June 18 Manaus: 2000: Cameroon v Croatia, June 23 Brasilia: 2100: Cameroon v Brazil, June 23 Recife: 2100: Croatia v Mexico

Group A is Brazil’s dream group. It’s all the host national could have asked for: a group in which they should easily win while resting players at the same time. Croatia finished third at the 1998 World Cup but have failed to make it past the group stages since and didn’t even qualify in 2010, Mexico barely even qualified for the tournament and Cameroon haven’t been any real threat at any intercontinental tournament since the early ’90s. Brazil meanwhile, are five time World Cup champions, won in 2002 and are sporting their best side in over a decade. Neymar, Hulk, Oscar and David Luiz will definitely top the group, but as hosts have masses of pressure to top their Confederations Cup in last summer by bringing the World Cup trophy home.

However, the real battle lies in second place. Mexico have one big star in Javier Hernandez (commonly known as Chicharito), but even the Manchester United forward hasn’t been performing lately. Cameroon still have Samuel Eto’o, but at the age of 32 and after conflicts with the Cameroon FA the forward is hardly as reliable as he was in 2010 and should be beaten by a, however old, Croatian side. Although the European national will be missing Mario Mandzukic through a two match suspension for two of their three group matches, Luka Modric is a world-class midfielder still in his prime and should be able to lead them to the knockout stages.

Our prediction: 1st: Brazil, 2nd: Croatia: 3rd: Mexico, 4th: Cameroon

Group B

Spain, Chile, Australia, Netherlands

Fixtures: June 13 Salvador: 2000: Spain v Holland, June 13 Cuiaba: 2300: Chile v Australia, June 18 Rio de Janeiro: 2300: Spain v Chile, June 18 Porto Alegre: 1700: Australia v Holland, June 23 Curitiba: 1700: Australia v Spain, June 23 Sao Paulo: 1700: Holland v Chile

Group B, will be an early test of the strength of 2010’s finalists. The opening fixture of the group is a rematch of the 2010 World Cup final, and while Chile could prove bothersome for both of the side’s the real contest will lie in who comes in first. Spain of course are favorites, not just to top the group but the win the title, having won the past three big tournament they have entered. Yet you could argue Vincent Del Bosque’s side has grown too old to win the title, the Netherlands aren’t the youngest side either. Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie are world class players, but both past their prime.

Chile meanwhile is an easy choice for third, having Alexis Sanchez to bolster their offense, while Australia is hardly any competition for anything but dead last, barely even qualifying out of the weakest continent, Asia.

Our prediction: 1st Spain, 2nd: Netherlands, 3rd: Chile, 4th: Australia

Group C

Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan

Fixtures: June 14 Belo Horizonte: 1700: Colombia v Greece, June 14 Recife: 2300: Ivory Coast v Japan, June 19 Brasilia: 1700: Colombia v Ivory Coast, June 19 Natal: 2300: Japan v Greece, June 24 Cuiaba: 2100: Japan v Colombia, June 24 Fortaleza: 2100: Greece v Ivory Coast

Group C

Group D

Uruguay, Italy, Costa Rica, England
Analysis coming soon

Group E

Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras, France
Analysis coming soon

Group F

Argentina, Nigeria, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Fixtures:
June 15 Rio de Janeiro: 2300: Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina, June 16 Curitiba: 2000: Iran v Nigeria, June 21 Belo Horizonte: 1700: Argentina v Iran, June 21 Cuiaba: 2300: Nigeria v Bosnia-Herzegovina, June 25 Porto Alegre: 1700: Nigeria v Argentina, June 25 Salvador: 1700: Bosnia-Herzegovina v Iran

Group F gives Argentina a chance. The South American nation have not been the same at the international level since Diego Maradona retired, but Lionel Messi & Co. have been given a straight shot through to the quarterfinals. With an attack consisting of Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi, Nigeria, Iran and Bosnia are easy outings for one of the favorites to go all the way. In fact, nothing but three massive wins will do for Alejandro Sabella’s side.

Basically, there is really no point debating who will top the group. However, the second place spot will be vied for by Iran, Nigeria and Bosnia. Bosnia are the only one of the three in their first World Cup, but are perhaps the most prepared having topped Uefa qualifying Group G ahead of Greece on goal differential. Roma’s Miralem Pjanic and Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko pose as the Eastern European side’s most potent threats, but a weaker defense could ruin their attempts to reach the knockout stages. Nigeria seem the most likely to earn the second spot after a 2013 African Cup of national win which proved Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses can do wonders for their country. Yet the only nation which realistically has only a very slim chance is Iran, who’s most expensive player, Ali Daei, is only worth £2.5m.

Our prediction: 1st: Argentina, 2nd: Nigeria, 3rd: Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4th: Iran

Group G

Germany, Ghana, USA, Portugal

Fixtures:
June 16 Salvador: 1700: Germany v Portugal, June 16 Natal: 2300: Ghana v United States, June 21 Fortaleza: 2000: Germany v Ghana, June 22 Manaus: 2000: United States v Portugal, June 26 Recife: 1700: United States v Germany, June 26 Brasilia: 1700: Portugal v Ghana

USA, poor old USA. The newly renovated side under the management of Jurgen Klinsmann breezed their way through the Fourth Round of Qualifying, amassing a total of 22 points in 10 match and losing just once. Everything from their players to their confidence was clicking into place. With just the right balance of experience and youth, and European stars (okay, not quite stars) of the likes of Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Jermaine Jones, Tim Howard and Break Shea gracing their squad, the nation looked to be in for at least a knockout round exit of the tournament.

Yet now even their own squad is worried at an early exit, with DaMarcus Beasley, the nation’s most experienced current player even labeling them “the underdogs” amongst world powers of Germany, Portugal and Ghana. Fans in bars across the country also cringed at the news of the draw, and arguably the only person who had the courage to reply “no” when asked whether the US were the underdogs was Jurgen Klinsmann himslef. The manager rightfully pointed out that every team in the World Cup was extremely talented, despite the fact that some, including his own side, will need much luck to even progress to the knockout stages.

Germany are confident, and rightfully so. The 2008 Euro finalists and one of the favorites to win the cup strolled through the qualifying stages, scoring 36 goals in 10 matches with a near perfect record of nine wins and one draw. Three time winners of the competition will be expecting to top the “Group of Death”, and anything but first should be regarded as an underachievement, at least until the knockout stages begin. And once they do, expect Germany to go the distance. With Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and nearly every one of the players on the field in the 2012/13 Champions League final fighting for a place in the starting 11 Germany are well prepared to win the cup. But first, Portugal, Ghana and the US stand in the way.

Portugal will have it tough. For a side heavily relying on just one player to perform, the Group of Death will force all of Portugal’s players to perform. It was hard enough for Cristiano Ronaldo to drag his nation past Sweden in the Uefa World Cup playoff with a hat-trick showing, but up against the worlds best Helder Postiga, Hugo Almeida and Nani must help provide the goals. At the back they should be fine with Pepe and Bruno Alves supporting the center while Fabio Coentrao provides world class talent at left-back. Joao Moutinho and Raul Meireles should keep the ship steady in the center of the midfield and possibly lead them to match their best ever World Cup finish of a semi-final exit if they don’t exit out in the Group stage.

Ghana are the least talked about nation in the group. Yet the are not the worst by any means, and with the Ayew brothers, Christian Atsu and Asamoah Gyan making up their attack, expect to see goals from the African side. Their midfield is also surprisingly strong, with the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien. The Ghanaian FA set a goal of becoming the first African side to reach the Semifinals, but that goal remains very unrealistic considering their weak defense could keep them from even finishing above the US.

Our prediction: 1st: Germany, 2nd Portugal, 3rd USA, and 4th Ghana

Group H

Belgium, Algeria, South Korea, Russia
Fixtures: June 17 Belo Horizonte: 1700: Belgium v Algeria, June 17 Cuiaba: 2300: Russia v South Korea, June 22 Rio de Janeiro: 2300: Belgium v Russia, June 22 Porto Alegre: 1700: South Korea v Algeria, June 26 Sao Paulo: 2100: South Korea v Belgium, June 26 Curitiba: 2100: Algeria v Russia

Group H is, well, the worst group. With Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea the group has arguably the least talent but should prove one of the most exciting. Belgium are the mighty dark horses to make it to the semifinals and are favorites to top the group, with many of the Premier League’s future stars. Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen, Kevin De Bruyne, Marouane Fellaini, Eden Hazard, Mousa Dembélé, Nacer Chadli, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas, Axel Witsel, Christian Benteke, and Vincent Kompany is more than enough talent to make a fabulous starting eleven, and on paper they are definitely good enough to make it all the way to the semifinals.

The other three fall behind though. Russia’s former main-man Andrey Arshavin is no longer in any kind of form, and although Roman Shirokov, Igor Denisov and Viktor Fayzulin form a half-decent midfield Fabio Capello will have a tough time in the heat of Brazil, compared to Russia’s bitter cold climate. Only Russia’s defense, which only allowed five goals in qualifying, is near it’s best. South Korea never really look that good going into World Cup’s, but in 2010 they held England to a draw and upset Italy in 2002. Yet now they look relatively strong with Cardiff’s Kim Bo-Kyung and Sunderland’s Ki Sung-Yueng and Ji Dong-Won in their squad, so expect them to put in a surprisingly good performance. Algeria could also surprise following the lead of Porto’s Nabil Ghilas, yet probably won’t make the cut.

Our prediction: 1st Belgium, 2nd: Russia, 3rd: South Korea, 4th: Algeria

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.