African team didn't have the mental capacity to go far in the tournament. This was after Gyan missed the penalty shot against Uruguay.
**Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Thread**
- Thread starter DJCandle
- Start date
African team didn't have the mental capacity to go far in the tournament. This was after Gyan missed the penalty shot against Uruguay.
Yup, I remember that.
And as I said then is, is what I say now, it was taken well out of context, with some having the audacity to even try and race bait me out of that one, but I've been one up on the antics of this board since 97, so no biggie.
Those with footballing prowess knew exactly what I was saying like brother eewwll for example.
No harm no foul
Probably not a WC, but he's drastically improved the program over the course of a few years.
I got Italy or Germany
Been trying to understand this, soccer for the rest of us is an inexpensive sport, I can go to my hood right now and you'll see kids on the street all they got is a ball and 2 bricks for their goal. Those kids are already more developed skill wise than some rich cac of the same age, you'll gain nothing if you keep the disadvantaged from participating
what can i say I m Nigerian till i Die!!!
LETS GO EAGLES !!!!
Super Eagles fool!!!!
I rep both Naija and USA, but Naija all the way!!!
No Donovan. He knows they're not advancing, might as well give younger players the experience.
We have great athletes, but we don't have the skill set to match.
Kids in this country still need to learn the fundamentals of the game.
Been trying to understand this, soccer for the rest of us is an inexpensive sport, I can go to my hood right now and you'll see kids on the street all they got is a ball and 2 bricks for their goal. Those kids are already more developed skill wise than some rich cac of the same age, you'll gain nothing if you keep the disadvantaged from participating
Some kids don't even use a real football. They'll use a tennis ball. And even play barefoot at that.
I've seen children as young as 5 in Europe who can practice and score FREE KICKS at will. There are college age players in America who can't take free kicks well to save their life.
SWITZERLAND
It all started in 2002 when the Switzerland Under-17 national team won the European Championship, continued with another U-17 title in 2009 and an appearance in the U-21 final of the European Championship in 2011. They called it the “Little Swiss Miracle,” and it could be transferring to the senior team for the 2014 World Cup. The youthful and confident Swiss certainly have been impressive of late, going unbeaten in their 10 qualifying games – albeit against less than stellar competition – to jump all the way to a FIFA world ranking of eighth and become one of the seeded teams for the Dec. 6 World Cup draw. A friendly victory over hosts Brazil in August probably didn’t hurt that ranking.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Xherdan Shaqiri, M, Bayern Munich (pictured left): The left-footed, Kosovo-born bulldog has been a stalwart off the bench for his club and one of the leaders for his country as a key piece in their youth academy’s recent success. For Switzerland, his on-field tenacity has worn off on his countrymen, giving them a reputation as a tough, feisty side.
Granit Xhaka, M, Borussia Mönchengladbach: There’s a healthy debate over whether Xhaka or Shaqiri is Switzerland’s top player. And while his international career hasn’t always been peaches and cream with Switzerland, the Albanian-born midfielder has become quite the star for the Rossocrociati. He’s also become a target for some club giants.
Gökhan Inler, M, Napoli: Born in Turkey, Inler is another in a handful of talented immigrants making their mark on the Swiss football landscape. Long rumored to be a target of Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, Inler had a funny way of showing his loyalty for his club.
THE COACH
He’ll be leaving his post after the World Cup, but 64-year-old Ottmar Hitzfeld (right) can now add the achievement of developing Switzerland’s pool of young talent to his long list of accomplishments. The German native and former Bundesliga coach also led the Swiss to the 2010 World Cup, where they failed to advance out of pool play despite defeating eventual champion Spain, 1-0.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 7-3-0, 24 pts. / 17 GF, 6 GA (first place in Europe’s Group E)
It wasn’t the strongest group in Europe – consisting of Iceland, the second-place team, Slovenia, Norway, Albania and Cyprus – but Switzerland did little wrong in getting through to their top spot. They beat Iceland 2-0 in Reykjavik on Oct. 16 last year before playing them to an exciting 4-4 draw in Berne on June 9. They then beat Norway (2-0, Oct. 9), Albania (2-1, Oct. 10) and Slovenia (1-0, Oct. 15) to close out qualifying.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
10th appearance
Despite a 1-0 victory over eventual 2010 World Cup champions Spain in their final group-stage game, Switzerland finished third in their group and failed to advance to the knockout round thanks to a 1-0 loss to Chile and scoreless draw against Honduras in earlier games. Their 2006 tournament, which marked a return to the World Cup after failing to qualify for the previous two, ended in bitter disappointment in the round of 16 with a loss to Ukraine on penalty kicks (3-0), after finishing atop their group. Their 1994 tournament, following a 28-year drought, also ended in the round of 16. The Swiss were much more successful in the tournament’s early years, with quarterfinal runs in 1934, ’38 and ’54.
ECUADOR
Long one of South America's bit players, Ecuador have become a recognized force and have now booked their third World Cup berth, all three of them earned over the last 12 years.
They also carry heavy hearts into the tournament after the sudden passing of charismatic striker Christian “Chucho” Benitez in July due to cardiac arrest while with his Qatari club El Jaish. His No. 11 jersey has been retired by La Tri (short for La Tricolor, in reference to Ecuador's colors of gold, blue and red).
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Felipe Caicedo, FW, Lokomotiv Moscow: Ecuador's leading scorer in qualifying with seven goals in nine games. The powerful striker is nicknamed “Rocky” thanks to his love of the boxing blockbusters and has shown suitable tenaciousness despite bouncing around to six European clubs in the past eight years.
Walter Ayovi, MF, Pachuca: La Tri's captain (left) and ironman, the left-sided midfielder was the only player to take part in every minute of the marathon qualifying campaign and has drawn the interest of MLS clubs. His experience in both of Ecuador's previous World Cups will be valuable in Brazil.
Antonio Valencia, MF, Manchester United: He's been at turns dazzling and invisible during his time with the English Premier League giants. Still, the winger remains capable of game-changing performances at even the highest levels of the game.
THE COACH
Reinaldo Rueda is a veteran tactician who earned solid results with the youth and senior national teams of his native Colombia, then added another impressive line to his resume by leading Honduras to South Africa 2010, their first World Cup in 28 years.
It says much about Ecuador's passion for the game that his achievements with La Tri in the current cycle earned the personal thanks of president Rafael Correa, who praised his team's “unity, solidarity and delivery” on the road to Brazil. Colombians are surely delighted to note that one of their own has been in charge of all three of neighboring Ecuador's World Cup campaigns.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 7-5-4 / 20 GF, 16 GA (4th place in South America)
La Tri did not win a single road match during CONMEBOL qualification. But they rode their commanding home-field advantage in Quito, where visitors' lungs gasp some 9,350 feet above sea level (by comparison, lofty Denver sits at 5,280), to a 7-0-1 mark at Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa. Combined with a momentous 1-1 road draw at Uruguay on Sept. 11, that was enough to push them into the continent's final automatic World Cup berth.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
3rd appearance
After many years of struggle in search of the world's biggest stage, the 21st century has smiled on Ecuadorian football. Back-to-back trips to Japan/Korea 2002 and Germany 2006 were just reward for that long drought and their loyal fans will have a much shorter journey this time around.
FRANCE
France haven’t exactly fallen on hard times, but Les Bleus haven’t necessarily lit the football world on fire of late, either. Since the international powerhouse advanced to the finals of the 2006 World Cup, France failed to advance out of the group stage at Euro 2008 or the 2010 World Cup before advancing to the quarters of Euro 2012. And they flirted with disaster this year, falling behind Ukraine 2-0 in the first leg of a qualifying playoff before winning 3-0 in the second leg to earn their fifth straight World Cup berth. The 1998 tournament champions feature a mix of seasoned veterans familiar with success and some very green, yet very talented newcomers.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Franck Ribéry, F/F, Bayern Munich (pictured left): Recognized as France’s best player and the heir apparent to former Les Bleus talisman Zinédine Zidane. He’s scored 16 goals for France and recently led his club to the UEFA Champions League title. He even went so far as to say he would end the duopoly that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have over the UEFA Player of the Year award, saying he would be the victor this season.
Olivier Giroud, F, Arsenal: The big, physical striker has a flare for the dramatic, claiming France “were ready to die on the pitch” in the second leg of the WCQ playoff against Ukraine. Despite just two goals in qualifying, his club coach believes he’s one of the best strikers in the English Premier League.
Mathieu Valbuena, M, Marseille: The French playmaker seems to transform Les Bleus when he’s on the pitch. He is also, apparently, very short.
THE COACH
Didier Deschamps (right) was a player for France during their last World Cup triumph in 1998 on their home turf. He also became the youngest-ever captain to lead a team to the UEFA Champions League title when he did it with Marseille in 1993. Now he’s the manager tasked with leading Les Bleus back to the world’s top spot, a position he very nearly lost when his side narrowly scraped by Ukraine in a playoff qualifier. But after beating Ukraine 3-0 in the second leg on Nov. 19, he said he experienced the “magic of football.”
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 5-2-1, 17 pts. / 15 GF, 6 GA (second place in Europe’s Group I, beat Ukraine in playoff)
They didn’t make it easy on themselves, for certain. A loss to Spain (1-0 on March 26, 2012) and then a scoreless draw against lowly Georgia on Sept. 6 put France in a tentative spot as qualification drew to a close in their tough group. And then in a two-game playoff against Ukraine, Les Bleus first fell behind 2-0 after the first leg in Kyiv before a miraculous 3-0 win in Paris on Nov. 19 put them through to the World Cup.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
14th appearance
France’s biggest triumph came in 1998 on their home soil when Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane led them to glory, beating Brazil 3-0 in the championship game. That tournament also featured a drama-filled quarterfinal victory against Italy that was decided in penalties. France had another famous match against Italy in the 2006 World Cup final, an Italian win also on penalties made perhaps more famous, or infamous, for a certain head butt. France placed fourth in both 1982 and ’86 and third in ’58. Their 2010 World Cup ended in the group stage amid controversy.
HONDURAS
For the first time in their history, Honduras have qualified for a second consecutive World Cup. With their latest qualification, another trip to the semifinals at the 2013 Gold Cup, and a good showing at the 2012 Olympics, Honduras will feel confident they can advance to the knockout stage for the first time at a World Cup. They may be one of the biggest underdogs, but could spring a surprise along the way.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Carlo Costly, F, Guizhou Zhicheng: The striker may not have settled with the Houston Dynamo in MLS, but he has been indispensible for his national team, ranking second in scoring through qualification and scoring in both qualifiers against Mexico this year. Why is he so dangerous? He has signature moves like the Costlina.
Roger Espinoza, M, Wigan Athletic: The former Sporting Kansas City midfield warrior has blossomed into an effective two-way player and one of the best in all of CONCACAF. With not only the ability to break up plays in the center of the field but also terrific passing to set up the attack, Espinoza will likely be the key man for the Hondurans in Brazil.
Emilio Izaguirre, D, Celtic: Although he typically plays at left back, he's at his best going forward and setting up teammates with crosses. He may face a tricky test in the World Cup in balancing defense and attack, but he has featured on the big stage before.
THE COACH
Luis Fernando Suárez, hired in 2011 after more than 10 years coaching in South America, has helped Honduras continue their rise since the last World Cup. A defender during his playing days in Colombia, Suárez has provided the Catrachos with consistency, employing the same 4-4-2 scheme and a regular startin
Suárez also has experience coaching in the World Cup, as he led Ecuador to their best-ever showing in 2006, when they progressed to the knockout stage. Can he do it with another team?
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 4-3-3, 15 pts. / 13 GF, 12 GA (3rd place in CONCACAF Hexagonal)
After stumbling through the first half of the Hexagonal, Honduras went unbeaten in their final four games of qualification. The crucial win came in the "Aztecazo," a stunning 2-1 over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in September which helped them clinch the region's last automatic spot.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Third appearance
The 2014 tournament will be the third trip to the World Cup for Honduras, after qualifying in both 1982 and 2010. They are still seeking their first win in the World Cup, though they have drawn half of their previous games at the tournament. In 2010, they only conceded three goals in the group stage, but they did not score in any of their games.
ARGENTINA
A proverbial favorite seemingly at every World Cup, Argentina boast enough quality from front to back to pull off the big Brazilian nightmare that would be winning the World Cup next summer. Talent has not always matched expectations, however, as the Albiceleste have disappointingly and surprisingly failed to advance past the quarterfinals since 1990.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Leo Messi, F, Barcelona: Arguably the best player in the world right now, Messi will be counted upon to lead a talented Argentina team to a World Cup title. The 26-year-old with an incredible knack for scoring and playmaking may already have more than enough hardware, but claiming a winner’s medal would add to the argument that he is one of the best to ever lace them up.
Gonzalo Higuaín, F, Napoli: Messi will undoubtedly shoulder much of the offensive load, but Higuaín will need to do his best to help alleviate that responsibility much in the same way he did during qualifying. Higuaín added nine goals to the Argentine captain’s 10, providing a goal-scoring threat that did not allow for opposing defenses to solely zero in on Messi.
Sergio Romero, GK, AS Monaco: After watching from the sidelines in Argentina’s first two qualifiers, Romero won the starting job and never looked back. He started the remaining 14 games for Argentina and posted four shutouts at a position the Albiceleste have historically struggled to fill.
THE COACH
Alejandro Sabella is the latest in a laundry list of managers hoping to guide Argentina back to the promised land. Hired on Dec. 16, 2011, after the firing of Sergio Batista, Sabella stepped in and helped the Albiceleste navigate through qualifying successfully and with relative ease.
The 59-year-old Argentine spent time at several clubs, including Leeds United and River Plate, during his 15-year playing career but his coaching resume is significantly shorter. Sabella managed Estudiantes de La Plata in his native Argentina from 2009-11 before being handed the national team job.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 9-2-5, 32 pts. / 35 GF, 15 GA (1st place in South America)
With no Brazil to worry about, Argentina did as many expected and took the top spot in CONMEBOL qualifying. They unsurprisingly had the most productive offense in the region, scoring 35 goals, and the defense conceded the second-lowest goal total with 15. Not too shabby.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
16th appearance
What’s a World Cup without Argentina? The Albiceleste booked their 11th straight trip to the World Cup finals and 16th overall by topping the nine-team South American table. Now, they will set their sights on winning a third World Cup trophy on its most bitter rival’s home soil -- and a first since Diego Maradona led them to glory back in 1986.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
They're not exactly a household name in the football world, but the Bosnians have some real stars that can do some major damage in their first-ever World Cup.
But whatever the final results in Brazil, their appearance is sure to help to unite a young nation (only 21 years of independence) still grappling with political and ethnic divisions.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Edin Dzeko, F, Manchester City (pictured left): He's the biggest name on the team and he delivered during qualifying with 10 goals, forming a deadly partnership with Vedad Ibisevic (8 goals). This might just be the only way to stop him.
Asmir Begovic, GK, Stoke City: Many consider him a Top 5 'keeper in the English Premier League, not only for his saves (watch highlight reel), but also because he can even score goals (watch it here). He's probably glad he switched to play for No. 16-ranked Bosnia, instead of Canada (ranked No. 111).
Zvjezdan M*****vic, M, Guizhou Renhe FC (video right): Dzeko and Ibisevic get all the headlines, but Mismovic is the man pulling the strings. The 31-year-old may be playing in the footballing backwoods of China, but Bosnia can’t do it without him and his all-time caps record proves it.
THE COACH
Safet Susie was a legend long before he took over the reins of the Bosnian national team.
Now a monument can’t be too far behind after what he’s done as coach, transforming BiH (native abbreviation) from a mid-level European nation to one of the Top 20-ranked teams in the world (No. 16 in Oct. 2013).
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 8-1-1, 25 pts. / 30 GF, 6 GA (first place in Europe’s Group G)
Bosnia-Herzegovina beat up on the weaker teams (Liechtenstein, Latvia and Lithuania) and more importantly came away with four out of six points from their head-to-head with group favorites Greece. But they still needed a superior goal difference (+24 compared to Greece’s +8) to earn the automatic berth as group winners.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
First appearance
The 2014 World Cup is Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first foray in a major international competition, but they’ve come close in recent years. In fact, they managed to advance to a playoff for a berth to both the 2010 World Cup and the Euro 2012 championships, only for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to oust them on both occasions with goals like this. It's clearly why Bosnians greet him at the airport to chants of "Messi."
IRAN
Iran may not necessarily be an Asian power on the level of Japan, South Korea or Australia, but they certainly matched the confederation’s power trio en route to booking their place in Brazil.
For the fourth time in their history, the Iranians are set to compete on the sport’s biggest stage, and should be encouraged by the fact that they lost just two games during World Cup qualifying. Led by manager Carlos Quieroz, Iran will hope to get out of the group stage for the first time in their history and build on their lone World Cup victory, which came against the United States in 1998.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Javad Nekounam, M, Esteghlal FC: The Iranian captain and owner of 140 caps led the side with six World Cup qualifying goals and came up just short in his chase for the AFC Player of the Year award. He made his international name with La Liga side Osasuna, who lost out on the powerful midfielder after six years following a protracted transfer saga.
Reza Ghoochannejhad, F, Standard Liege: The Iranian-Dutch striker joined up with his birth nation in late 2012 and has seven goals in his first nine appearances to emerge as one of the stars of the squad. But is he a potential savior? Some are already saddling the 26-year-old with those lofty expectations.
Jalal Hosseini, D, Persepolis: The veteran center back has been a lock in central defense since 2007 and helped Iran allow just seven goals in 16 qualifying matches. Can Hosseini help Iran continue that form in Brazil?
THE COACH
Carlos Queiroz (right) is about as well traveled as they come in international management, and he finds himself at the helm of Iran after leading Portugal in South Africa.
Queiroz has introduced a number of dual nationals to the squad, most notably Ghoochannejhad, as Iran blew through qualifying and solidified themselves as a group-phase darkhorse. He's lost just four games in 32 so far with the Persian Stars, but the World Cup will pose a much stiffer challenge.
On a completely different note, the Portuguese boss made headlines this summer after South Korea claimed he made an "obscene gesture" toward their bench.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 10-4-2, 16 pts. / 30 GF, 7 GA (first place Asian Football Confederation Group A)
South Korea were the favorite in Group A, but it was the Iranians who topped the table after allowing just two goals in eight matches. The question mark is goalscoring, as their eight goals scored were by far the fewest among Asia's World Cup qualifiers. Still, Iran have reason to believe their fourth World Cup appearance will be their most rewarding.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Fourth appearance
Iran's shining World Cup moment came during France 1998 when they defeated the United States, 2-1, in a match that garnered international interest because of the political situation between the two countries. Apart from that result, the Persian Stars have failed to reach the group phase in all three of their previous trips (Argentina 1978, France 1998 and Germany 2006), and have just two draws to call their own in nine World Cup matches.
NIGERIA
It hasn’t been an easy go for the Nigerian national team at the World Cup, having missed out on the tournament in 2006 and failing to advance to the knockout round since 1998. The pride-filled outfit is once again undergoing a transformation under head coach Stephen Keshi. Mainstays such as Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins, longtime captain Joseph Yobo, Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche and QPR defender Taye Taiwo weren’t in Keshi’s plans for qualifying, although recent signs show he may give the veterans a second look come tournament time.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
John Obi Mikel, M, Chelsea: The 2013 Nigerian Sportsman of the Year appears to be the Super Eagles’ new leader. The Chelsea mainstay is a defensive stalwart for his club, but has shown brilliance getting forward for country, not to mention his deadly accurate set-piece ability.
Emmanuel Emenike, F, Fenerbahçe: The young striker is coming into his own. His brace in Nigeria’s away leg of a World Cup qualifying playoff against Ethiopia on Oct. 13 sent his side well on their way to Brazil and solidified his place as Keshi’s top choice up top.
Victor Moses, F, Liverpool: The versatile winger is making a push to start for Liverpool, where he is on loan from Chelsea, and he’s a first choice for Nigeria, especially after he opened the scoring in the Super Eagles’ 2-0 World Cup-clinching victory over Ethiopia on Nov. 16.
THE COACH
Stephen Keshi became one of two people to win the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach after he led the Super Eagles to this year’s title in February. He won with Nigeria as a player in 1994. Now he’s tasked with leading his team to the knockout round for the first time since 1998, and he’s doing it with a transformed roster that has brought about its fair share of criticism.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 3-0-3 12 pts. / 11 GF, 4 GA (first place in Africa’s Group F, beat Ethiopia in playoff)
Nigeria all but sealed their trip to Brazil when they pinched a 2-1 victory over Ethiopia, winner of Africa’s Group A and gunning for their first-ever World Cup berth, in the away leg of the two-leg playoff. The Super Eagles then sealed the deal with a 2-0 victory at home on Nov. 16 to become Africa’s first country to write their ticket to Brazil. It all came after Nigeria easily bested Malawi, Kenya and Namibia in their group.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Fifth appearance
Nigeria’s first trip to the World Cup came in 1994 when the United States hosted. Outside of 2006, the Super Eagles have qualified in every year since. Their most successful forays into the tournament came in their first two appearances. In '94, Nigeria advanced out of their group and lost 2-1 to Italy in the first knockout round. Then in 1998, Nigeria won their group, which consisted of Spain, Paraguay and Bulgaria, only to lose 4-1 to Denmark in the knockout round.
Ghana will not take Balotelli even if he wanted to play for us. Balotelli is so brain washed that he will die for Italian team. Smh. He also made some negative comments when asked to play for Ghana. I love Balotelli on the club level but fuck him on the international level.
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The insanity with Balotelli is that he continues to believe that he is Italian even though those people in the stands let him know otherwise. I never seen any Africans calling him monkey or throwing bananas at him.
I wonder if its more cultural than it is racial for him...
Yes culturally and even citizenship wise he is Italian, but at some point he needs to understand that being ghanian by heritage isn't a bad thing.
Africa never calls him a monkey or throws objects at him. Africa would except him with open arms.
Agreed. Has he come out consistently come against his heritage?
Can't wait. WC getting closer
GERMANY
They haven’t won it all since 1990, and the German national team is feeling big-time pressure to take home a trophy. The expectations are especially high in 2014, and for good reason. A loaded roster and success at the club level, with the Bundesliga sending two teams to the most recent UEFA Champions League final, have the country thinking big for Brazil.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Mesut Özil, M, Arsenal (pictured left): He’s the star among the stars, the central figure in the influx of young stars in German football and the piece that makes the side go. The lively playmaker and his lightening bolt for a left foot leads the team with 10 assists and is tied for second with five goals in 2013. And if his record transfer deal to Arsenal is any indication, Germany should be just fine.
Marco Reus, M, Borussia Dortmund: Considered the top German player in the Bundesliga, Dortmund’s young talent led the way for Germany with seven goals and was tied for second on the team with five assists. The young playmaker’s talents are not only good for club and country but inspire videos like this.
Mario Götze, M, Bayern Munich: The Cain to Reus’ Abel. Whatever his country’s Bundesliga fans may think of him, Götze completes the young attacking trio that has everyone raving about Germany’s possibilities of raising a trophy at the end of the World Cup. Five goals and five assists in 2013 show his versatility.
Manuel Neuer, GK, Bayern Munich: He’s not just one of the top goalkeepers in the world (10 goals alLöwed in 10 WCQ games), who sometimes wears a four-fingered glove, but he’s also caught the acting bug.
THE COACH
Joachim “Jogi” Löw (right) took over after serving as the top assistant under previous coach Jurgen Klinsmann. While Klinsmann was the master motivator, Löw was considered the tactical genius and has been credited with getting the most out of the next generation of young German talent and transforming the team’s style into an exciting, attacking variety while holding onto some trademark efficiency.
But now the pressure is on, and now Löw is expected to turn all those goals (36 in 10 WCQs) into hardware.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 9-0-1, 28 pts. / 36 GF, 10 GA (first place in Europe’s Group C)
Germany’s biggest stumbling block was a 4-4 draw in Berlin against Sweden, Group C’s second-place team, on Oct. 16 of last year. But nine wins, including a 5-3 revenge victory over Sweden on their home turf on Oct. 15, gave Germany the easy group victory by eight points.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
18th appearance
Germany are one of the most decorated international teams in the world, having won three World Cups (1954, 1974, 1990), finished runners-up four times and third place four times. The sting of Germany’s 1-0 loss to eventual Cup champions Spain in the 2010 semifinals still lingers; marking the first time since 1982 that the team with the highest goal differential (16 GF, 5 GA) in the tournament didn’t win it all.
PORTUGAL
If Portugal are going to ever make a run at the World Cup, the 2014 tournament is perhaps their best chance to finally join an exclusive list of eight countries which have claimed the world title. With the best player the country has ever produced -- Cristiano Ronaldo -- at the very top of his game, the stars may finally align. And Ronaldo will be plenty motivated -- a World Cup title would lift him above Argentina's Lionel Messi in the eternal debate about the No. 1 player in the world.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Cristiano Ronaldo (F, Real Madrid): Portugal's superstar, captain and goalscorer. He single-handedly punched his country's ticket to the World Cup, scoring all four of his team's goals in an aggregate-goal playoff win over Sweden.
Fábio Coentrão (D, Real Madrid): A steady defender and key cog on a backline that is often overshadowed by the attacking prowess of Ronaldo.
Nani (F, Manchester United): Although he can't find consistent playing time in England, he's a weapon for his national team. With the opposition keying on Ronaldo, the expert dribbler will have space to do damage.
THE COACH
Paulo Bento, hired on Sept. 20, 2010, took over a team with plenty of potential that was still struggling to find its way. Under his tutelage, Portugal have registered some promising results: an impressive 4-0 win over Spain and a semifinal appearance in Euro 2012.
Bento, a former defensive midfielder who collected 35 caps with the Portuguese national team from 1999-2002, has coached one other team – Sporting Club de Portugal, where he finished his playing career – prior to making the jump to the national team.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 6-3-1, 21 pts. / 20 GF, 9 GA (second place in Europe's Group F)
After finishing in second place in their group -- Russia grabbed the top spot -- Portugal faced a home-and-home aggregate goal series against Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden. The two-leg series resulted in one of the most memorable showdowns of all-time. Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo scored all the goals in the series, with Portugal pulling it out 4-2 on aggregate.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Sixth appearance
Portugal weren't much of a World Cup contender in the 1900s, making it to just two tournaments – finishing third in 1966 and 17th in 1986. However, since the turn of the century and with the emergence of talents like Luís Figo and Ronaldo, the Portuguese have been a mainstay, qualifying for three straight tournaments, including a fourth-place finish in 2006.
GHANA
They dashed US hopes in the last two World Cups and booked their tickets to Brazil by crushing Bob Bradley's Egypt in the final round of African qualifying. Now Ghana are quietly confident of going even further in 2014 than they did at South Africa 2010, where a sensational goal-line handball by Uruguay's Luis Suárez denied them a place in the semifinals.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Asamoah Gyan, F, Al Ain (UAE): He dropped off the radar a bit since his lucrative move to the Persian Gulf, but Ghana's captain led the team in scoring during qualifying and should be as hungry as ever to wash away the memory of his injury-time PK miss against Uruguay in 2010.
Harrison Afful, D, Espérance (Tunisia): Somewhat surprisingly, no one logged more minutes in the Black Stars' qualifying campaign than the reliable fullback. Slightly-built, but versatile and energetic: Consider him the right-footed Ghanaian version of DaMarcus Beasley.
Sulley Muntari, M, AC Milan: Seems like he's been around for ages, roving the midfields of Serie A and the English Premier League, and despite a tumultuous disciplinary history with his national team he looks likely to be an influential cog in Ghana's Brazilian adventure.
THE COACH
In a region full of hired-gun managers from abroad, James Kwesi Appiah is already in the history books as the first black coach to lead an African team to World Cup qualification. A presence on the Black Stars' technical staff for years, his appointment to the top job last year broke a long sequence of European managers: Serbians Goran Stevanovic, Milovan Rajevac and Ratomir Dujkovic and Frenchman Claude Le Roy.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 6-2-0 / 25 GF, 6 GA (First place in Africa's Group D, won two-legged playoff with Egypt)
Though they conceded just three goals in six group-stage matches, the Black Stars were tested by Zambia – the identity of the group winner wasn't certain until the final game of the round on Sept. 6, a 2-1 Ghana win at Baba Yara Stadium, their home ground in Kumasi. A little more than a month later, that same venue became a house of horrors for Egypt and their American coach Bob Bradley in a 6-1 mauling that effectively sealed the hosts' qualification.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Third appearance
For decades, Ghana were a sleeping giant of African soccer, missing out on one World Cup after another despite winning the African Cup of Nations four times. Those years of frustration finally ended with passage to Germany 2006, where they reached the round of 16, and further progress was made in a solid display on their home continent four years later.
BELGIUM
Among the most discussed teams to qualify, Belgium return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years. Featuring a young group stocked with stars, they have the talent to really impress in Brazil. In fact, their exploits in qualifying make them a dark horse candidate to make a deep run.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Eden Hazard, M, Chelsea (pictured left): The attacking midfielder is just 22, but he already has experience leading a team, as he helped lead Lille to a Ligue 1 title in France, and has been a fixture at Chelsea. He will be carrying the weight of expectation for what is expected to be a potent Belgian attack.
Vincent Kompany, D, Manchester City: With a young team expected to make waves at the World Cup, it will be up to the captain to keep the squad focused on and off the field. Despite his experience winning titles, Kompany has battled injury problems recently, and if he can’t get fully fit for the tournament, Belgium’s defense and attitude will likely take a big hit.
Romelu Lukaku, F, Everton: Belgium have an absolute embarrassment of riches up top, and 20-year-old Lukaku looks to be the latest to tap into his vast potential. The powerful striker will have the motivation to impress Chelsea boss José Mourinho at the World Cup, and could be the breakout player of the tournament.
THE COACH
Marc Wilmots, hired in May 2012 after serving as assistant coach, has vast World Cup experience, having played in three for Belgium during a successful playing career (1994, 1998, 2002).
Though he doesn't have a great deal of coaching experience, the former attacking midfielder has the respect of his team, and Wilmots has been credited with helping the Belgians deal with rising expectations during the qualifying campaign. The next step is to give an impressive showing in Brazil, with expectations soaring once more for the Red Devils.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 8-0-2, 26 pts. / 18 GF, 4 GA (first place in Europe’s Group A)
Belgium sailed through their qualifying group unbeaten, and impressively beat both Croatia and Serbia on the road. While it can be argued that the Belgians had a favorable group in qualifying, they bucked a generation of poor results, managed to back up the hype with results and qualified for their first major international tournament in 12 years.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
12th appearance
Prior to the recent World Cup drought, Belgium featured in six consecutive tournaments from 1982-2002. Their best showing came in 1986, when the squad finished fourth and budding star Enzo Scifo was named best young player of the tournament. In 2002, the Belgians were knocked out in the round of 16 by eventual champions Brazil.
ALGERIA
Many North American viewers will remember them first and foremost as the hard-luck victims of Landon Donovan's late heroics in the USA's 1-0, group-winning victory in the 2010 World Cup.
But there's more to Algeria than that painful moment in Pretoria. Now led by canny Bosnian manager Vahid Halilhodzic, Les Fennecs (Desert Foxes) have ushered in a new generation of talent while keeping on course for a second straight qualification from the always-rugged Confederation of African Football.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Madjid Bougherra, D, Lekhwiya (pictured left): The center back starred for Rangers FC during their last stint atop the Scottish Premier League and now provides a veteran anchor for a youngish Algeria side.
Islam Slimani, F, Sporting Clube de Portugal: Les Fennecs' leading scorer during qualification – he found the net nearly once every 90 minutes – made a big move from domestic club CR Belouizdad to one of the Portuguese top flight's giants over the summer.
Sofiane Feghouli, M, Valencia: One of the flashiest jewels in Halilhodzic's youth movement, Feghouli is the latest of many to draw comparisons to another French-born Algerian talent, the one and only Zinédine Zidane, and has the potential to enliven the traditionally cautious Foxes.
THE COACH
Vahid Halilhodzic (pictured right) wears no beard but he might just have a case for “most interesting man in the world” given his peripatetic journey in the game.
Fleeing war-torn Herzegovina in the early 1990s, he climbed up the coaching ranks from the French lower divisions to Morocco – where he won the African Champions League with Raja Casablanca – to the bright lights of Paris as the boss at PSG, and on to myriad other jobs in places like Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Ivory Coast.
His evenhanded leadership kept the latter team from completely unraveling at the 2013 African Cup of Nations after a deadly terrorist attack on the Togo national team near Ivory Coast's home base.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 6-2-0 / 16 GF, 7 GA (first place in Africa's Group H, won two-legged playoff with Burkina Faso)
Algeria began the road to Rio by cruising past Mali, Benin and Rwanda in group play. After a 3-2 loss in Ouagadougou, the Foxes carved out a tense 1-0 win over the Burkinabé at home in the second leg to advance to Brazil on the away-goal tiebreaker.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Fourth appearance
Algeria sprang one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's annals when they shocked West Germany 2-1 at Spain 1982, only the second victory by an African side in World Cup history. But the knockout rounds remain elusive, as they were unable to escape the group stage in '82, '86 or '10.
RUSSIA
“Competitive, if unspectacular” is the conventional wisdom on the current Russia side. But the nation's soccer history is full of quirky characters and enigmatic teams, including the swashbuckling edition that nearly won the 2008 European Championship with a flowing attack fostered by Dutch manager Guus Hiddink.
The future looms large for Russia in 2014, with a positive display in Brazil seen as an important step in the countdown to their own hosting of the 2018 event.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Igor Denisov, M, Dynamo Moscow (at left): A strong-willed, combustible character, Russia's captain can anchor a midfield like few others in Europe when he's focused and fit.
Aleksandr Kerzhakov, F, Zenit St. Petersburg: One of the top finishers in Russian history, the veteran led his country in scoring during 2014 qualification A charismatic character who earned a rare honor as one of the torchbearers for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Sergei Ignashevich, D, CSKA Moscow: At age 34, he's getting a bit long in the tooth, but the veteran center back remains important to the cause as a calming influence at the heart of defense.
THE COACH
Fabio Capello (at right) surely did not relish the disappointing performance of his England team at the 2010 World Cup, yet the well-traveled Italian has rebounded in some style with an efficient renewal of a Russian team which was stunned to miss out on the tournament in South Africa.
Capello's teams are built on discipline, diligence and organized defending, and sure enough, Russia conceded just five goals in 10 qualifiers. His next challenge: Conjure up enough attacking dynamism to give the team a chance to make real noise in Brazil.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 7-2-1, 22 pts. / 20 GF, 5 GA (first place in Europe’s Group F)
Russia edged Group F favorites Portugal to the top spot by one point, overcoming back-to-back 1-0 road losses to Northern Ireland and Portugal over the summer by virtue of their perfect (5-0) record on home soil.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Ninth appearance
Their trip to Brazil ends a decade-plus World Cup drought for the Eastern Europeans, who lost out to Japan and Belgium in the group stage in 2002. The country's best finish was a fourth-place run in 1966 under their former identity as the USSR.
KOREA REPUBLIC
Korea Republic didn't take the easiest route to their eighth consecutive World Cup, finishing second to Iran in their AFC group, and it cost their previous manager, Choi Kang-Hee, his job. But some recent results, most notably a 2-1 victory over eighth-ranked Switzerland in a friendly on Nov. 15, has given Asia’s most accomplished side hope for a productive tournament.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Park Chu-Young, F, Arsenal (at left): He’s one of his country’s most popular players, who started his club career with FC Seoul, before rising to fame thanks to a crucial free-kick goal in a 2-2 draw against Nigeria that sent the South Koreans to the knockout round of the 2010 World Cup. He also scored the first goal in Korea Republic’s 2-0 win over Japan in the bronze medal game of the London Olympics. And he leads his team with six goals in WCQ games for this year’s tournament.
Lee Keun-Ho, F, Sangju Sangmu Phoenix: He has 18 goals for the Taegeuk Warriors and five in qualifying games for this year’s tournament. A club player in Korea Republic’s top league most of his career, even spurning offers from top European sides along the way, he’s scored 14 times for his current club in 2013.
Son Heung-Min, F, Bayer Leverkusen: He may not have received much run under the Koreans' former coach through qualifying, but new boss Hong Myung-Bo appears ready to hand him the reigns. Still only 21, many are waiting for Son to be the country’s next big thing. He certainly has some highlight-reel goals, including this one.
THE COACH
Hong Myung-Bo (at right) is Korea Republic’s most-capped player who was on the field for the country’s proudest moment when they advanced to the semifinals on their home soil in the 2002 World Cup. Now the onetime LA Galaxy defender takes over for much-maligned Choi, giving his countrymen hope he’ll lead their team back to the promised land.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 4-2-2, 14 pts. / 13 GF, 7 GA (second place in Asia’s Group A)
The South Koreans made it by the skin of their teeth, nicking Uzbekistan only on goal differential for the second spot in their group and finishing behind Iran. They lost twice to Iran, both by 1-0 score lines, and also fell 2-1 to Lebanon. But thanks to big back-to-back wins over Qatar (4-1 on June 8, 2012) and Lebanon (3-0, June 12), the Taegeuk Warriors made it through.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Ninth appearance
Korea Republic’s fourth-place finish as the host country, along with Japan, in 2002 is still held up as the standard. That year, they finished atop their group, which included the USMNT, beat Italy 2-1 in a memorable extratime game in the round of 16, and then a legendary win over Spain on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals. Their historic run ended with a 1-0 loss to the Germans in the semifinals, before losing 3-2 to Turkey in the third-place game. But only one other time have they advanced out of group stage, the second being in the 2010 tournament when they lost 2-1 to Uruguay in the first knockout stage.
Here's a list of some upcoming friendles for those who want to get an early jump on your nation of choice.
30.05. 19:30
Uruguay
Northern Ireland
30.05. 20:30
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Ivory Coast
30.05. 20:30
Chile
Egypt
31.05. 10:00
Croatia
Mali
31.05. 10:00
Norway
Russia
31.05. 12:00
Algeria
Armenia
31.05. 13:00
Romania
Albania
31.05. 14:30
Netherlands
Ghana
31.05. 14:30
Portugal
Greece
31.05. 14:45
Italy
Ireland
31.05. 16:00
Mexico
Ecuador
31.05. 17:00
Colombia
Senegal
31.05. 20:00
Panama
Serbia
01.06. 14:00
USA
Turkey
01.06. 14:30
Germany
Cameroon
01.06. 14:30
Sweden
Belgium
01.06. 15:00
France
Paraguay
01.06. 21:00
Honduras
Israel
02.06. 21:00
Costa Rica
Japan
03.06. 12:00
Brazil
Panama
03.06. 12:00
Czech Republic U21
Austria U21
03.06. 13:00
United Arab Emirates
Georgia
03.06. 14:30
Czech Republic
Austria
03.06. 14:30
Switzerland
Peru
03.06. 19:00
Greece
Nigeria
03.06. 21:30
Mexico
Bosnia & Herzegovina
04.06. 12:00
Honduras
Ivory Coast
04.06. 14:30
Algeria
Romania
04.06. 14:30
Hungary
Albania
04.06. 14:30
Netherlands
Wales
04.06. 14:45
Italy
Luxembourg
04.06. 15:00
Ecuador
England
04.06. 16:00
Iceland
Estonia
04.06. 18:30
Argentina
Trinidad & Tobago
04.06. 19:30
Uruguay
Slovenia
04.06. 20:00
Chile
Northern Ireland
04.06. 21:00
Ivory Coast
Salvador
05.06. 15:00
Jamaica
Egypt
06.06. 10:00
Russia
Morocco
06.06. 12:00
Gibraltar
Malta
06.06. 14:00
United Arab Emirates
Georgia
06.06. 14:45
Germany
Armenia
06.06. 15:00
Brazil
Serbia
06.06. 19:00
Colombia
Jordan
06.06. 19:30
Croatia
Australia
06.06. 19:30
Japan
Zambia
06.06. 20:00
Costa Rica
Ireland
06.06. 20:00
Greece
Bolivia
06.06. 21:30
Mexico
Portugal
07.06. 12:00
Cameroon
Moldova
07.06. 13:00
Estonia
Tajikistan
07.06. 14:30
Hungary
Kazakhstan
07.06. 14:45
Belgium
Tunisia
07.06. 15:00
Argentina
Slovenia
07.06. 16:00
Spain
Salvador
07.06. 16:45
England
Honduras
07.06. 18:00
USA
Nigeria
08.06. 12:00
Trinidad & Tobago
Iran
08.06. 14:30
San Marino
Albania
08.06. 15:00
France
Jamaica
09.06. 19:00
South Korea
Ghana
10.06. 19:00
Portugal
Ireland
30.05. 19:30
Uruguay
Northern Ireland
30.05. 20:30
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Ivory Coast
30.05. 20:30
Chile
Egypt
31.05. 10:00
Croatia
Mali
31.05. 10:00
Norway
Russia
31.05. 12:00
Algeria
Armenia
31.05. 13:00
Romania
Albania
31.05. 14:30
Netherlands
Ghana
31.05. 14:30
Portugal
Greece
31.05. 14:45
Italy
Ireland
31.05. 16:00
Mexico
Ecuador
31.05. 17:00
Colombia
Senegal
31.05. 20:00
Panama
Serbia
01.06. 14:00
USA
Turkey
01.06. 14:30
Germany
Cameroon
01.06. 14:30
Sweden
Belgium
01.06. 15:00
France
Paraguay
01.06. 21:00
Honduras
Israel
02.06. 21:00
Costa Rica
Japan
03.06. 12:00
Brazil
Panama
03.06. 12:00
Czech Republic U21
Austria U21
03.06. 13:00
United Arab Emirates
Georgia
03.06. 14:30
Czech Republic
Austria
03.06. 14:30
Switzerland
Peru
03.06. 19:00
Greece
Nigeria
03.06. 21:30
Mexico
Bosnia & Herzegovina
04.06. 12:00
Honduras
Ivory Coast
04.06. 14:30
Algeria
Romania
04.06. 14:30
Hungary
Albania
04.06. 14:30
Netherlands
Wales
04.06. 14:45
Italy
Luxembourg
04.06. 15:00
Ecuador
England
04.06. 16:00
Iceland
Estonia
04.06. 18:30
Argentina
Trinidad & Tobago
04.06. 19:30
Uruguay
Slovenia
04.06. 20:00
Chile
Northern Ireland
04.06. 21:00
Ivory Coast
Salvador
05.06. 15:00
Jamaica
Egypt
06.06. 10:00
Russia
Morocco
06.06. 12:00
Gibraltar
Malta
06.06. 14:00
United Arab Emirates
Georgia
06.06. 14:45
Germany
Armenia
06.06. 15:00
Brazil
Serbia
06.06. 19:00
Colombia
Jordan
06.06. 19:30
Croatia
Australia
06.06. 19:30
Japan
Zambia
06.06. 20:00
Costa Rica
Ireland
06.06. 20:00
Greece
Bolivia
06.06. 21:30
Mexico
Portugal
07.06. 12:00
Cameroon
Moldova
07.06. 13:00
Estonia
Tajikistan
07.06. 14:30
Hungary
Kazakhstan
07.06. 14:45
Belgium
Tunisia
07.06. 15:00
Argentina
Slovenia
07.06. 16:00
Spain
Salvador
07.06. 16:45
England
Honduras
07.06. 18:00
USA
Nigeria
08.06. 12:00
Trinidad & Tobago
Iran
08.06. 14:30
San Marino
Albania
08.06. 15:00
France
Jamaica
09.06. 19:00
South Korea
Ghana
10.06. 19:00
Portugal
Ireland
ARGENTINA
A proverbial favorite seemingly at every World Cup, Argentina boast enough quality from front to back to pull off the big Brazilian nightmare that would be winning the World Cup next summer. Talent has not always matched expectations, however, as the Albiceleste have disappointingly and surprisingly failed to advance past the quarterfinals since 1990.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Leo Messi, F, Barcelona: Arguably the best player in the world right now, Messi will be counted upon to lead a talented Argentina team to a World Cup title. The 26-year-old with an incredible knack for scoring and playmaking may already have more than enough hardware, but claiming a winner’s medal would add to the argument that he is one of the best to ever lace them up.
Gonzalo Higuaín, F, Napoli: Messi will undoubtedly shoulder much of the offensive load, but Higuaín will need to do his best to help alleviate that responsibility much in the same way he did during qualifying. Higuaín added nine goals to the Argentine captain’s 10, providing a goal-scoring threat that did not allow for opposing defenses to solely zero in on Messi.
Sergio Romero, GK, AS Monaco: After watching from the sidelines in Argentina’s first two qualifiers, Romero won the starting job and never looked back. He started the remaining 14 games for Argentina and posted four shutouts at a position the Albiceleste have historically struggled to fill.
THE COACH
Alejandro Sabella is the latest in a laundry list of managers hoping to guide Argentina back to the promised land. Hired on Dec. 16, 2011, after the firing of Sergio Batista, Sabella stepped in and helped the Albiceleste navigate through qualifying successfully and with relative ease.
The 59-year-old Argentine spent time at several clubs, including Leeds United and River Plate, during his 15-year playing career but his coaching resume is significantly shorter. Sabella managed Estudiantes de La Plata in his native Argentina from 2009-11 before being handed the national team job.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 9-2-5, 32 pts. / 35 GF, 15 GA (1st place in South America)
With no Brazil to worry about, Argentina did as many expected and took the top spot in CONMEBOL qualifying. They unsurprisingly had the most productive offense in the region, scoring 35 goals, and the defense conceded the second-lowest goal total with 15. Not too shabby.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
16th appearance
What’s a World Cup without Argentina? The Albiceleste booked their 11th straight trip to the World Cup finals and 16th overall by topping the nine-team South American table. Now, they will set their sights on winning a third World Cup trophy on its most bitter rival’s home soil -- and a first since Diego Maradona led them to glory back in 1986.
Their defense it not good, their midfield(central midfield to be more specific) is average at best and Willy Caballero should be the first choice keeper.
He's not even on the shortlist!Sergio Romero doesn't even start for Monaco!
The sickest final would be Brazil vs Argentina though.
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