**Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Thread**

[DJCandle]

**FINALS IN EFFECT NOW**

Here's just about everything you need to know as far as the tournament goes.

Teams qualified by region:

Kickoff times and Broadcast outlets in USA:

Games will be televised across ESPN networks in English and Univision networks in Spanish. There will also be radio broadcasts via ESPN Radio in English and the Fútbol de Primera network in Spanish.

Here's a breakdown of what each rights-holder will offer.

English coverage

TV: ESPN and ABC

ABC will have 10 games, including the final; ESPN will have 43 games; and ESPN2 will have 11 games. Broadcast windows will start 30 minutes before kickoff. There will also be a 90-minute wrap-up show each night during the tournament.

The on-air talent, as you'd expect, is deep and strong. There are three hosts, six play-by-play announcers, 12 analysts and five reporters, plus the famed "Men in Blazers" crew of Michael Davies and Roger Bennett. ABC News will also contribute its staff to the reporting effort.

There's one analyst not included in the link above: Everton manager Roberto Martinez. He was a star in 2010, and his profile on and off the field has only grown since.

The analysts will rotate between the broadcast booth and the studio set, which will be based at a sailing club on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana Beach.

All game broadcasts will be streamed via ESPN3.com. For mobile devices and tablets, games will be available via the WatchESPN and WatchABC apps. Streams will be free of charge, but will require authentication via participating cable providers.

ESPN3 will add some online-exclusive feeds to its TV simulcasts. There will be commentary in Portugese and Korean, and there will also be two extra dedicated camera angles. One will be a high, wide angle that will give viewers a constant view of the full field. The other will be a continuous highlight reel that will highlight big plays as they happen.

Radio: ESPN

ESPN Radio will air all 64 games. The network's full list of affiliates is here, including Philadelphia's WPEN 97.5-FM. All broadcasts will also be streamed free of charge via ESPN Radio's website and apps. They'll also be carried by SIriusXM satellite radio. Most games will air on channel 84. For the simultaenous kickoffs at the end of the group stage, games will also air on channel 85.

The list of broadcasters and analysts is here. They will not be in Brazil; instead, they will call games off monitors in Bristol, Conn. ESPN Radio did this for the group stage in 2010, and decided to do it for the whole tournament this time.

Leading the group is J.P. Dellacamera, the TV voice of the Philadelphia Union. I'm sure many of you also know that he was a stalwart with ESPN for decades until he moved to Fox in 2011. This will be his first work with ESPN since then.

Spanish coverage

TV: Univision

Univision will show games on its main network and UniMás, with simulcasts on Univision Deportes. The list of on-air talent is here. It features many familiar names, such as host Fernando Fiore, play-by-play voices Pablo Ramírez and Jorge Pérez-Navarro, and color analyst Jesús "El Profe" Bracamontes.

New additions for the World Cup include former U.S. national team defender Marcelo Balboa, former Honduras national forward Carlos Pavón and former Italian national team midfielder Mauro Camoranesi.

All game broadcasts will be streamed via Univision's website and apps. They will be free of charge, and authentication will only be required for the quarterfinals, semifinals, third place game and championship game.


Radio: Fútbol de Primera

Fútbol de Primera will broadcast 50 games, with 30-minute pregame and postgame shows for each. Mexico's games and the tournament opener will have extended pregame coverage. There will also be two-hour daily roundup shows before games Mondays through Saturdays, and a one-hour daily show on Sundays after games end.

Some of the games that FDP won't broadcast are the simultaneous kickoffs at the end of the group stage. The network hasn't yet chosen which games it will air, and might not do so until it knows which ones are the most significant.

Legendary play-by-play man Andrés Cantor leads a decorated roster of voices who will work for FDP in Brazil. Among the personalities you'll recognize are former Colombian playmaking wizard Carlos Valderrama; formrer Mexican national team stalwart Carlos Hermosillo; former Honduras and Guatemala manager Ramón Maradiaga; and former U.S. national team managers Steve Sampson and Bora Milutinovic.


Schedule (Click for full size Match Schedule)


Group Stage

Thursday, June 12

4:00 p.m.: A1. Brazil vs. A2. Croatia at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Friday, June 13

12:00 p.m.: A3. Mexico vs. A4. Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas, Natal (ESPN2, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
3:00 p.m.: B1. Spain vs. B2 Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
6:00 p.m. B3. Chile vs. B4. Australia at Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá (ESPN2, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Saturday, June 14

12:00 p.m.: C1. Colombia vs. C2. Greece at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (ABC, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
3:00 p.m.: D1. Uruguay vs. D2. Costa Rica at Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza (ABC, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
6:00 p.m.: D3. England vs. D4. Italy at Arena Amazônia, Manaus (6:00 p.m., ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
9:00 p.m.: C3. Ivory Coast vs. C4. Japan at Arena Pernambuco, Recife (9:00 p.m., ESPN, ESPN Radio)

Sunday, June 15

12:00 p.m.: E1. Switzerland vs. E2. Ecuador at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia (ABC, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
3:00 p.m.: E3. France vs. E4. Honduras at Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (ABC, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
6:00 p.m.: F1. Argentina vs. F2. Bosnia-Herzegovina at Estadio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Monday, June 16

12:00 p.m.: G1. Germany vs. G2. Portugal at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
3:00 p.m.: F3. Iran vs. F4. Nigeria at Arena da Baixada, Curitiba (ESPN, ESPN Radio)
6:00 p.m.: G3. Ghana vs. G4. United States at Estadio das Dunas, Natal (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Tuesday, June 17

12:00 p.m.: H1. Belgium vs. H2. Algeria at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (ESPN, ESPN Radio)
3:00 p.m.: A1. Brazil vs. A3. Mexico at Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
6:00 p.m.: H3. Russia vs. H4. South Korea at Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá (ESPN, ESPN Radio)

Wednesday, June 18

12:00 p.m.: B4. Australia vs. B2. Netherlands at Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
3:00 p.m.: B1. Spain vs. B3. Chile at Estadio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
6:00 p.m.: A4. Cameroon vs. A2. Croatia at Arena Amazônia, Manaus (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Thursday, June 19

12:00 p.m.: C1. Colombia vs. C3. Ivory Coast at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
3:00 p.m.: D1. Uruguay vs. D3. England at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
6:00 p.m.: C4. Japan vs. C2. Greece at Estadio das Dunas, Natal (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Friday, June 20

12:00 p.m.: D4. Italy vs. D2. Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco, Recife (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
3:00 p.m.: E1. Switzerland vs. E3. France at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
6:00 p.m.: E4. Honduras vs. E2. Ecuador at Arena da Baixada, Curitiba (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Saturday, June 21

12:00 p.m.: F1. Argentina vs. F3. Iran at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
3:00 p.m.: G1. Germany vs. G3. Ghana at Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
6:00 p.m.: F4. Nigeria vs. F2. Bosnia Herzegovina at Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá (ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Sunday, June 22

12:00 p.m.: H1. Belgium vs. H3. Russia at Estadio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (ABC, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
3:00 p.m.: H4. South Korea vs. H2. Algeria at Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (ABC, ESPN Radio)
6:00 p.m.: G4. United States vs. G2. Portugal at Arena Amazônia, Manaus (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Monday, June 23

12:00 p.m.: B2. Netherlands vs. B2. Chile at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera*)
12:00 p.m.: B4. Australia vs. B1. Spain at Arena da Baixada, Curitiba (ESPN2, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera*)
4:00 p.m.: A2. Croatia vs. A3. Mexico at Arena Pernambuco, Recife (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
4:00 p.m.: A4. Cameroon vs. A1. Brazil at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia (ESPN2, ESPN Radio)

Tuesday, June 24

12:00 p.m.: D4. Italy vs. D1. Uruguay at Estadio das Dunas, Natal (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
12:00 p.m.: D2. Costa Rica vs. D3. England at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (ESPN, ESPN Radio)
4:00 p.m.: C4. Japan vs. C1. Colombia at Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
4:00 p.m.: C2. Greece vs. C3. Ivory Coast at Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza (ESPN2, ESPN Radio)

Wednesday, June 25

12:00 p.m.: F4. Nigeria vs. F1. Argentina at Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
12:00 p.m.: F2. Bosnia Herzegovina vs. F3. Iran at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (ESPN2, ESPN Radio)
4:00 p.m.: E2. Ecuador vs. E3. France at Estadio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera*)
4:00 p.m.: E4. Honduras vs. E1. Switzerland at Arena Amazônia, Manaus (ESPN2, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera*)

Thursday, June 26

12:00 p.m.: G4. United States vs. G1. Germany at Arena Pernambuco, Recife (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
12:00 p.m.: G2. Portugal vs. G3. Ghana at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia (12:00 p.m., ESPN2, ESPN Radio)
4:00 p.m.: H4. South Korea vs. H1. Belgium at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo (4:00 p.m., ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
4:00 p.m.: H2. Algeria vs. H3. Russia at Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (4:00 p.m., ESPN, ESPN Radio)

Round of 16

From here on, team designations refer to place in the group standings. For example. 1C. is the first-place finisher in Group C, not team C1 in the Group Stage.

Saturday, June 28

12:00 p.m.: Match 49, 1A vs. 2B. at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (12:00 p.m., ABC, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
4:00 p.m.: Match 50, 1C vs. 2D. at Estadio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (4:00 p.m., ABC, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Sunday, June 29

12:00 p.m.: Match 51, 1B. vs. 2A. at Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza (12:00 p.m., ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
4:00 p.m.: Match 52, 1D. vs. 2C. at Arena Pernambuco, Recife (4:00 p.m., ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Monday, June 30

12:00 p.m.: Match 53, 1E. vs. 2F. at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
4:00 p.m.: Match 54, 1G. vs. 2H. at Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Tuesday, July 1

12:00 p.m.: Match 55, 1F. vs. 2E. at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
4:00 p.m.: Match 56, 1H. vs. 2G. at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (4:00 p.m., ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Quarterfinals

Friday, July 4

12:00 p.m.: Match 58, Winner of Match 53 vs. Winner of Match 54 at Estadio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (ESPN2, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
4:00 p.m.: Match 57, Winner of Match 49 vs. Winner of Match 50 at Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Saturday, July 5

12:00 p.m.: Match 60, Winner of Match 55 vs. Winner of Match 56 at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia (, ABC, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)
4:00 p.m. Match 59, Winner of Match 51 vs. Winner of Match 52 at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Yes, Match 58 kicks off before Match 57 and Match 60 kicks off before Match 59. FIFA does strange things sometimes, because it can.

Semifinals

Tuesday, July 8

4:00 p.m.: Match 61, Winner of Match 57 vs. Winner of Match 58 at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Wednesday, July 9

4:00 p.m.: Match 52, Winner of Match 59 vs. Winner of Match 60 at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Third Place Game

Saturday, July 12

4:00 p.m.: Loser of Match 61 vs. Loser of Match 62 at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia (ESPN, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

Championship Game

Sunday, July 13

4:00 p.m.: Winner of Match 61 vs. Winner of Match 62 at Estadio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (ABC, Univision, ESPN Radio, Fútbol de Primera)

 

[DJCandle]

Now assuming this is a heavily USA based board, here's what you can look forward to, should you find yourself rooting for the Stars & Stripes.

http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2014/05/world-cup-roster.html

USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann named his 30-player provisional roster for his 2014 World Cup squad. Klinsmann will reduce this roster to the 23-player roster that will compete in the World Cup in Brazil.

"First of all, we want to thank all of the players who have been a part of the process these last three years," Klinsmann said in a press statement. "It's been an incredible journey, and everyone has worked tremendously hard. We had some difficult decisions to make, and we are very excited about the 30 players coming into camp. There is competition in every position, and these next couple of weeks will allow us to make the final determinations on the best 23-man unit to represent the United States in the World Cup."

This USMNT roster will participate in camp that opens this week in Palo Alto, California and in two of the three sendoff series games.

USMNT 2014 World Cup Provisional Roster

GK: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEF: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

MID: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FOR: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

 

[HeathCliff]

Thanks for making this thread. I was going to make one sometime next week. Glad you beat me to it.

 

[PICARD]

Props on the post. Looking forward to the World Cup.

 

[Rudey]

Group A and G looks like the most interesting groups.

I think the winner will be from one of those group.

 

[Riggz]

can't wait!

 

[DJCandle]

can't wait!

Props on the post. Looking forward to the World Cup.

Thanks for making this thread. I was going to make one sometime next week. Glad you beat me to it.

Group A and G looks like the most interesting groups.

I think the winner will be from one of those group.

So long as fatigue doesn't kick in, I agree. It's a long tourney though, so we'll see how injuries play a part after long domestic seasons.

 

[DJCandle]

ESPN is currently broadcasting "Inside: U.S. Soccer's March to Brazil"

The series premier of ESPN Films’ new documentary “Inside: U.S. Soccer’s March to Brazil,” which details the preparations of the U.S. Men’s National Team ahead of the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, airs Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Produced by Jonathan Hock and Roger Bennett, the revealing series will provide a never-before-seen perspective from inside the USA’s World Cup preparation camp as the team prepares for the planet’s most anticipated sporting event. Episodes will air on both ESPN Deportes and ABC following their ESPN premieres and will be re-broadcast multiple times on ESPN2.

Initial episodes of the six-part documentary from ESPN Films, the production group behind the award winning 30 for 30 series, will air as follows (all times ET):

May 13, Tuesday, 7-8 p.m.: Series premiere
May 21, Wednesday, 7-7:30 p.m.: Episode 2
May 29, Thursday, 7:30-8 p.m.: Episode 3
June 3, Tuesday, 7:30-8 p.m.: Episode 4
June 10, Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m.: Episode 5
June 11, Wednesday, 9:30-10 p.m.: LIVE series finale – Epilogue

In the premiere episode, viewers will get to know various players from the team, as well as head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, a World Cup champion as a player and former coach of Germany’s national team. Subsequent episodes will shadow coaches and players as they undergo a demanding preparation camp at Stanford University and follow the team as it plays three Send-Off Series matches beginning with the U.S. vs. Azerbaijan, Powered by Yingli Solar on May 27 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

Additionally, the series will spotlight the announcement of the final 23-man roster and behind-the-scenes footage of the USA’s final two Send-Off Series matches against Turkey at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on June 1 and Nigeria at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, on June 7. The series culminates in a live finale, featuring analysis and discussion of the 2014 U.S. Men’s National Team World Cup squad.

 

[BDR]

Ghana and Cameroon bout to get in ninjas asses... Brazil and Argentina will be there as well

 

[keone]

can't wait!

 

[darius_janus]

I want Argentina to win. They have the talent but do they have the defense?

 

[DJCandle]

I want Argentina to win. They have the talent but do they have the defense?

Garay, Demechils and Zabaleta can hold their own. The question is which LeftBack does Sabella opt for?

That attack should be fierce however. More forwards than a little bit.

 

[SamSneed]

i hope usa gets the shit kicked out of them

 

[darius_janus]

Garay, Demechils and Zabaleta can hold their own. The question is which LeftBack does Sabella opt for?

That attack should be fierce however. More forwards than a little bit.

It's good thing they left out carlos tevez because locker room ailment to the squad.

 

[King Natty]

I want to see Ivory Coast get over that hump. Too much talent on that team for them to be bullshittin the way they have

 

[keone]

It's good thing they left out carlos tevez because locker room ailment to the squad.

not necessarily messi isnt having his best season and augero just came back from a injury. higuain is doing alright but will he be enough to save them? they have a good squad when all goes well.

i dont think they will stand a chance against brazil, france, spain and germany

 

[darius_janus]

not necessarily messi isnt having his best season and augero just came back from a injury. higuain is doing alright but will he be enough to save them? they have a good squad when all goes well.

i dont think they will stand a chance against brazil, france, spain and germany

Yeah i think so too. I see them reaching quarterfinals but that's it.

 

[exiledking]

you're the best at this. Props. As a casual soccer fan who really only watches this, your threads get me up to speed

 

[keone]

Yeah i think so too. I see them reaching quarterfinals but that's it.

Yeah me too

 

[keone]

Yeah i think so too. I see them reaching quarterfinals but that's it.

Yeah me too. But what I do know or at least hope is dat this will be a great WC.

 

[mariano42]

I already got my authentic france and portugal home jerseys, Ribery and Ronaldo. I'm going to buy a England away authentic tomorrow, either between Lampard or Ross Barkely.

 

[phanatic]

I already got my authentic france and portugal home jerseys, Ribery and Ronaldo. I'm going to buy a England away authentic tomorrow, either between Lampard or Ross Barkely.

Ordering this tomorrow.

 

[DJCandle]

It's good thing they left out carlos tevez because locker room ailment to the squad.

Lol this dude said "if I'm not selected to the national team, I won't watch the World Cup."



Planned a June trip to Disney World..

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/...end-june-disney-world-watch-world-cup?cc=5901

 

[DJCandle]

I want to see Ivory Coast get over that hump. Too much talent on that team for them to be bullshittin the way they have

They should be able to exit their group unscathed. I can see them and Japan going through the group stage with relative ease.

 

[DJCandle]

you're the best at this. Props. As a casual soccer fan who really only watches this, your threads get me up to speed

It's all about catching the fever

 

[DJCandle]

Gonna attempt to flood this thread with information about many of the teams participating in the tournament.

I'll update as often as I can.

Starting with the hosts:

SELEÇÃO SEEK “O SEXTO” ON HOME TURF

It almost seems unfair: The five-time World Cup winners and perpetual title contenders finally get to host the event in their own big, passionate, chaotic backyard for the first time in well more than half a century.

After tasting success with a 2013 Confederations Cup trophy, the current squad is eager to prove it can reach the heights of its illustrious forebears and will be roared forward by the home fans of a truly football obsessed country.

WHO GOT THEM THERE

Neymar Jr., F, FC Barcelona (pictured left): The hottest young superstar off the Brazilian assembly line of attacking talent presently shares the dazzling Barça marquee with global icon Lionel Messi after a $79 million summer transfer from Santos.

Thiago Silva, D, Paris Saint-Germain: Viewed by many as the best defender in the world, the steady center back transferred from AC Milan to France's nouveau riche club in a $56.8 million move last summer and is reportedly making one of the highest salaries in the global game.

Oscar, M, Chelsea: A playmaker to watch this summer. A fluid, elusive player both on and off the ball, but can he seize the reins in truly massive moments?

THE COACH

Luiz Felipe Scolari, or “Felipão” (“Big Phil”) as he is known far and wide, is arguably the biggest character on Brazil's colorful football landscape as he guides the Seleção into this tournament for the second time.

A demonstrative, no-nonsense and extremely well-traveled type, Scolari led the boys in yellow to their last World Cup triumph in 2002 but has even less margin for error this time amid immense domestic pressure – and fierce competition from rivals near and far.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED

Automatic qualification as hosts.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

19th appearance

World Cups and Brazil go together like samba and drums, or perhaps cachaça, sugar and lime. The South Americans hardly ever miss a chance to vie for top honors on the world's biggest stage and have danced home with the top prize in 1958, 1962 and 1970 (the era of the great Pelé), then returned to greatness with championship runs at USA 1994 and Korea/Japan 2002.

 

[DJCandle]

CROATIA

CROATIA HOPING FOR GOLDEN GENERATION 2.0

After a third-place finish in the 1998 World Cup behind Davor Suker & Co., we're still waiting for Croatia to get back to elite status on the global stage. After a rocky qualifying campaign, they'll hope they can rekindle that flame from their "Golden Generation" in Brazil.

WHO GOT THEM THERE

Darijo Srna (D, Shakhtar Donetsk): The captain of the national team, Srna is the team's leader -- their heart and soul. His presence will be critical to help Croatia get through the uphill road that awaits them in Brazil.

Luka Modric (M, Real Madrid): Srna may be the team's emotional leader, but the diminutive Modric is the man who makes the team tick as the anchor of the midfield. Croatia will need their two-way center-mid to be especially inspired to have any success.

Niko Kranjcar (M, Queens Park Rangers): The other midfield playmaker for Croatia. Kranjcar will likely play ahead of Modric on the field, but will combine to help set up the bevy of talents up front for Croatia.

THE COACH

After a lackluster run in qualifying, Croatia turned to former midfielder and captain Niko Kovac on Oct. 16, 2013, and the former member of the Golden Generation led the side in a two-leg playoff victory over Iceland to clinch a ticket to Brazil.

Kovac has high-level experience on both club and national team levels as a player, but his stint as coach of Croatia is his first true foray into the coaching world.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 5-2-3, 17 pts. / 12 GF, 9 GA (second place in UEFA Group A*)

*Won 2-leg playoff vs. Iceland 2-0 on aggregate

You wouldn’t exactly call Croatia’s run to the World Cup memorable. After finishing a distant second to Belgium in the group phase of qualifying, Croatia – with a plus-three goal differential in 10 matches – had a winner-take-all match against Iceland in the second leg of a two-leg series to advance. They were able to eke out a 2-0 win there to advance.

WORLD CUP HISTORY
Fourth appearance ('98, '02, '06, '14)

The Croatians have a short existence since breaking away from Yugoslavia, but they're already on their fourth trip. They turned heads in their first appearance in 1998, finishing third in France. However, they weren’t able to build off that effort in subsequent tournaments in 2002 and 2006, failing to make it out of group play. And in 2010, the Croatians didn’t even make the trip to South Africa, failing to qualify. Expectations won't be high after they eked into Brazil 2014.

 

[DJCandle]

MEXICO

​

Heading into 2013, Mexico had plenty of momentum coming into a very busy year that included the Confederations Cup, World Cup qualifying, and the Gold Cup. After falling flat in both summer tournaments, El Tri limped through qualification, only making it by virtue of a playoff against New Zealand in November. Now that they have qualified, they must figure out how to get back on track in time for Brazil 2014, or their time at the World Cup will be very brief.

WHO GOT THEM THERE

Javier Hernández, F, Manchester United: The poster boy for Mexican football struggled for his country in 2013, but he still has shown he can pop up with key goals when needed. After bursting onto the scene at the 2010 World Cup, Mexico will likely go only as far next summer as Chicharito can take them.

Oribe Peralta, F, Santos Laguna: Led Mexico in scoring during qualification, including a hat trick in the second leg of the playoff against New Zealand. Showed at the 2012 Olympics, where he scored in the gold medal match, that he can perform in the big occasion, and if he is healthy, could prove to be Mexico’s secret weapon in Brazil.

Giovani dos Santos, F, Villarreal: Like Hernandez, dos Santos struggled for his country in 2013, but when he is in form, he is clearly a difference maker for Mexico. Now that he has settled at a club in Spain and is getting regular minutes, he will play a big role for El Tri at the World Cup.

THE COACH

Miguel Herrera, hired on an interim basis in October 2013, was given a simple task: Win the intercontinental playoff and get Mexico to the World Cup. He did that successfully, defeating New Zealand by an aggregate score of 9-3 while using a squad completely composed of domestic-based players. He made waves by calling up mostly Club América players for the playoff, as he was familiar with them as coach of the team, but his gambit was ultimately successful.

Herrera’s temporary appointment capped off a tumultuous two months where four men coached Mexico in World Cup qualifiers. Now that he's been retained as coach for the World Cup itself, Herrera will be expected to not only prepare Mexico for the tournament, but also restore pride to a team that essentially fell at every hurdle in 2013.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED

WCQ record: 5-2-3, 11pts / 7 GF, 9 GA (fourth place in CONCACAF, winner of CONCACAF-Oceania playoff)

Mexico were nearly knocked out of the playoff spot in the final hexagonal round, but Graham Zusi’s late goal against Panama gave El Tri the reprieve to get them to the playoff against New Zealand. After winning just once against CONCACAF foes at the once-formidable Estadio Azteca, Mexico found their stride against the Kiwis with a commanding 5-1 win to all but seal the tie in the first leg. Altogether in 2013 qualifiers, Mexico won four games – two in the hexagonal along with both playoff matches.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

15th appearance

The Mexicans have qualified for their sixth consecutive World Cup, and 15th overall. They have been knocked out in the round of 16 in each of the last five trips, with their best showing all-time coming on home soil in both 1970 and 1986 (quarterfinals). They have never progressed past the group stage in a World Cup held in South America.

 

[DJCandle]

CAMEROON

​

Inconsistency plagued Cameroon’s World Cup qualifying campaign, with the team only able to win consecutive games once thanks to a match that was forfeited. Nonetheless, the Indomitable Lions reached Brazil 2014 and are now hoping to add to the foundation laid by new head coach Volker Finke.

WHO GOT THEM THERE

Samuel Eto’o, F, Chelsea (at left): Cameroon’s captain might not be in the peak of his career anymore, but he is still capable of coming up with masterful performances. The 32-year-old came out of international retirement to score twice in a 2-1 qualifying victory vs. Togo, and he will surely be asked to replicate that type of outing once the balls get rolling in Brazil.

Alexandre Song, M, Barcelona: An experienced midfielder who has played at some of the biggest clubs in the world, Song was one of Cameroon’s regular faces in qualifying. The versatile 26-year-old brought leadership and quality for the Indomitable Lions, traits that were needed considering there was a coaching change just after the campaign began.


Jean Makoun, M, Rennes: Struggled to really nail down a starting spot throughout Cameroon’s eight qualifiers, but took a step towards that with his two-goal outing in the decisive 4-1 victory over Tunisia. The World Cup veteran, at worst, provided a talented weapon off the bench.

THE COACH

Volker Finke (at right) was handed his first national team assignment back in May 2013, replacing interim head coach Jean-Paul Akono. The 65-year-old had little time to familiarize himself with his new team as he was thrust into a pair of qualifiers a month later, but he successfully led the Indomitable Lions to their second consecutive World Cup.

A former player, the German was in charge of only clubs prior to being appointed Cameroon’s manager. He is known most for his 16-year tenure as head coach of SC Freiburg from 1991-2007.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED

WCQ record: 4-1-1, 13 pts. / 8 GF, 3 GA (first place in Africa’s Group I); 1-0-1 in playoff vs. Tunisia / 4 GF, 1 GA

A 4-1-1 record in group play followed by a 4-1 aggregate victory in a playoff may indicate a rather easy road to the World Cup, but that was not the case for Cameroon. The African powerhouse was inconsistent in the group stage and benefitted from a 2-0 loss to Togo turning into a 3-0 victory after it was ruled that the Sparrow Hawks fielded an ineligible player. The Cameroonians then played to a scoreless first leg with Tunisia in their playoff before winning big at home.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Seventh appearance

Cameroon continue to be one of the regulars from Africa to reach the World Cup. The Indomitable Lions have now made it to six of the last seven tournaments (the lone exception being Germany 2006) but will be aiming to break their trend of failing to move past the group stage, which they did only in Italy 1990.

 

[DJCandle]

I already got my authentic france and portugal home jerseys, Ribery and Ronaldo. I'm going to buy a England away authentic tomorrow, either between Lampard or Ross Barkely.

I like this kid. I'd like to see what he can do with Rooney and/or Sturridge up top.

 

[DJCandle]

not necessarily messi isnt having his best season and augero just came back from a injury. higuain is doing alright but will he be enough to save them? they have a good squad when all goes well.

i dont think they will stand a chance against brazil, france, spain and germany

Sadly agree.

 

[phanatic]

It's all about catching the fever

Going to Europe sparked my futbol interest. I'm a US citizen, but I started to like the game when I caught Ajax in Amsterdam. Futbol is dead fucking serious everywhere else in the world. Some dude told me to turn the volume up on the television at the restaurant where my friends and I were eating...I asked the server to take care of it...I was not taking the chance of hitting Ch+/- or the power button...I would have been chased out of the city by a mob.

 

[DJCandle]

Going to Europe sparked my futbol interest. I'm a US citizen, but I started to like the game when I caught Ajax in Amsterdam.

I had the pleasure of watching their youth, yes, YOUTH, play here for a friendly against DC United some years back. An absolute joy to watch.

Dutch total football is truly the upper echelon of world football, imo. Marvelous academies and systems.

Futbol is dead fucking serious everywhere else in the world. Some dude told me to turn the volume up on the television at the restaurant where my friends and I were eating...I asked the server to take care of it...I was not taking the chance of hitting Ch+/- or the power button...I would have been chased out of the city by a mob.

Yea, it's not a game everywhere else in the world. It's real life.

The US is slowly catching on now though. It's not what it was ten years ago, that's for damn sure. Hotbeds of footballing circles are popping up everywhere.

 

[DJCandle]

SPAIN​

Spain will attempt to be the first country to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1962, and with no European team ever winning in South America, that quest does not look easy. Still, as not only the reigning World Cup champions but also current European champions, Spain have shown they can go on a major international tournament winning streak. Perhaps incredibly, the buzz heading into Brazil 2014 has La Furia Roja flying under the radar just a bit.

WHO GOT THEM THERE

Xavi, M, Barcelona: The midfield maestro has been instrumental for Spain’s success in recent years, and featured in seven of eight qualifiers. Although he has racked up many miles in his career, his passing will be key to unlocking opponents that frequently put 10 men behind the ball.

Sergio Ramos, D, Real Madrid: A fixture on the field for the Spanish during qualification, Ramos has shown the ability to deal with pressure in the biggest moments and chips in with goals from time to time. Will still only be 28 at the World Cup, and likely has several good years ahead in his career.

Cesc Fabregas, MF, Barcelona: With Barcelona’s current playing style better fitting the midfielder’s skills, and with Spain reliant on midfielders to provide the goals, Fabregas will likely play a big part for his country if they are to repeat as champions.

THE COACH

Vicente del Bosque, hired in 2008 to replace Luis Aragonés, had considerable expectations to live up to after his predecessor led the team to the 2008 European Championship title. Since then, del Bosque has led the country to the 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euro title. Though many national teams and coaches don’t like to stay more than one World Cup cycle, he recently signed a contract extension to remain at the helm until 2016.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED

WCQ record: 6-0-2, 20 points / 14 GF, 3 GA (first place in Europe’s Group I)

Spain sailed through qualification in their group, the smallest in UEFA, going unbeaten with just two draws (both at home). Although they were the favorites to finish atop their group, they did have to contend with France in order to avoid a playoff, and did so successfully. Altogether, they allowed the fewest goals of any European team in qualification.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

14th appearance

The champions have qualified for the last 10 World Cups and will look to add another star to their crest in Brazil. Prior to their 2010 triumph, Spain had a reputation as a talented team that could not prevail in the big occasions, and their previous best showing had been fourth place in 1950, also held in Brazil. Still, with their current generation of players and track record built over the last decade, Spain must still be considered among the favorites this time around.

 

[DJCandle]

NETHERLANDS (HOLLAND/AMSTERDAM)​

Brilliant Orange: Football's oldest and most beautiful enigma – and, now that Spain have overcome their own decades-long mental block, surely the world's most talented underachievers.

Small but studiously efficient at producing smart, technical players and seductive tactical concepts, the Netherlands are the last remaining member of the game's traditional aristocracy yet to claim a World Cup trophy.

They did reach the third championship final in their illustrious history at South Africa 2010, however, warding off the uniquely Dutch penchant for self-destructiveness well enough to give them real hope of another deep run in Brazil, especially after an imperious march through UEFA qualifying that propelled them to No. 8 in the October 2013 edition of the FIFA World Rankings.

WHO GOT THEM THERE

Robin van Persie, F, Manchester United (pictured left): A world superstar at the top of his game, RVP was not only deadly in front of net with 11 goals in this qualification cycle, he's also been durable, featuring in nine of Die Oranje's 10 matches and earning the captain's armband after struggling for consistent fitness earlier in his career.

Rafael van der Vaart, M, Hamburg: To some, he's a playmaking visionary of the highest class, while others see him as a classic “luxury player,” a phrase that dogged him during his time in the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur. The 30-year-old may not always go the full 90 minutes, but he can weave magic at any moment, as his five goals in 370 qualifying minutes would suggest.

Arjen Robben, M, Bayern Munich: The latest and greatest of the Dutch flying winger archetype, Robben is quick, cerebral and utterly ruthless. He slices and dices opposing defenders – and aggravates millions of fans with his gamesmanship.

THE COACH

Louis van Gaal oversaw the Netherlands' startling failure to reach Japan/Korea 2002, but the well-traveled manager is riding high in his second stint in charge of his homeland's side.

Though not universally loved, the 62-year-old carries a distinguished resume with gigs in charge of Ajax, FC Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich. And he has Die Oranje – a legendarily quarrelsome bunch over the decades – playing soccer that's both attractive and effective.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED

WCQ record: 9-0-1, 28 pts. / 34 GF, 5 GA (1st place in Europe’s Group D)

No team in Europe – perhaps no one in the world – were more dominant on the road to Brazil than the Dutch. Their goal differential was the best on the continent and their points total was only matched in their region by Germany's similarly confident cruise through UEFA qualifying.

The only blip on their record was a 2-2 draw at Estonia in September, where it took an injury-time penalty kick from van Persie to escape Tallinn with a point. The Netherlands finished 2013 on a 12-game unbeaten run.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Ninth appearance

The Netherlands are such a powerhouse that the occasions on which they miss out on the World Cup in the modern era are more notable than their successful qualifications. A down period in the 1980s saw them miss out on both Spain '82 and Mexico '86 before returning to glory with a title run at the 1988 European Championships, their only major trophy to date. They reached the World Cup final in 1974, 1978 and 2010 and were unlucky to fall at the semifinal stage in 1998.