2014 World Cup Draw Reaction

Oh boy, this next World Cup is going to be the best one yet. I can't remember a time where the field was so strong. There really isn't a weak team in this summer's tournament. So without further ado, let's go take a look at these groups. Here's how I judge each group: each group has The Favorite, the team which should make it out of the group with relatively little trouble, generally these are the main contenders in the tournament. The Enigma can go both ways, either they're a sure thing or they have the potential to slip up. Some Enigmas are more to one way than the other. There is then The Sleeper, the team likely to give The Favorite and The Enigma unexpected trouble. Often times, The Sleeper ends up topping The Enigma. Finally, there's the Thanks for Playing category. This is the team least likely to make it out of the group. Also, a quick disclaimer, a lot can happen between now and the World Cup and the squads that each country brings to Brazil is still mostly unknown. Knowing this, I'll hold off picking a winner until just before the cup kicks off.

Group A

The Favorite: Brazil
The Enigma: Mexico
The Sleeper: Croatia
Thanks for Playing: Cameroon

2013 has been good to Neymar, could 2014 bring even greater returns?

Brazil are the favorites not just in their group but likely the entire tournament. After all, the tourney is on their home soil, the same home soil where they whipped Spain in the Confederations Cup final last summer. This tournament will also give Brazil's new golden boy, Neymar, another chance to prove that he truly belongs among the world's best. The rest of the group aren't exactly pushovers however. This group really hinges on which Mexico team decides to show up. They have a few months to sort out the issues that have plagued them throughout 2013 and perhaps we'll finally see the real Mexico show up in Brazil. Croatia are definitely the real sleepers of the group however, an attacking front of Mario Mandzukic, Nikica Jelavic, Luka Modric, and Mateo Kovacic can play with anyone. Cameroon is no pushover either, having a history of making into the knockout stages before. This is also likely the last World Cup for their star striker Samuel Eto'o. No country in this group will be an easy out for Brazil

Prediction: Brazil, Croatia

Group B

The Favorite: Spain
The Enigma: Holland
The Sleeper: Chile
Thanks for Playing: Australia

Diego Costa's decision to play for Spain over Brazil could be a deciding factor

This tournament is likely the last hurrah for the core that won the last World Cup and the last two Euro Cups. Spain really couldn't be happier with their draw. Aiding them in their fight will likely be controversial Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa who's been the subject of a tug of war between his two nationalities Spain and Brazil. Despite having already appearing twice for the Brazilian national team, Costa chose to represent Spain for the rest of his international career. Costa has been playing at an exceptional level for Atletico this year and could be a huge boost for Spain, who have been in need of a productive striker for the past two tournaments (sorry Fernando Torres). Their biggest test in this group will be the side they beat to win it all in 2010, Holland, who will likely be out to prove their disastrous Euro 2012 campaign was simply an aberration. Their outstanding collection of attackers will give any team fits. However, their lack of a strong defense could make them susceptible to an upset, perhaps by dark horse, Chile, who may boast the world's best midfielder in Arturo Vidal. Meanwhile, Australia looks to be a punching bag for this group.

Prediction: Spain, Holland

Group C

The Favorite: Colombia
The Enigma: Japan
The Sleeper: Ivory Coast
Thanks for Playing: Greece

Radamel Falcao and Colombia were brilliant in qualifying, could bigger things be in store?

Colombia has been listed as a World Cup dark horse for so long that at this point they are hardly even dark horses any more. By this point it wouldn't be unreasonable to put them on the favorites list, after all their wealth of talent is hard to ignore. Their qualifying campaign was magnificent but the biggest test of how far they've come will be in this tournament and while their draw is favorable, perhaps they might find themselves wishing they had a Germany or Spain to test their strength against. Japan and Ivory Coast might have something to say about that however, both squads feature their fair share of talents. Japan is another team that has been on the radar of the soccer world for the past year, being one of the first teams to qualify certainly helps your standing in that area. However, they found themselves out of their depth against top teams at the Confederations Cup last summer.  Greece may be capable of getting a result against one of the teams in the group but it should prove to be no easy task.

Prediction: Colombia, Japan

Group D

The Favorite: Italy
The Enigma: Uruguay
The Sleeper: Costa Rica
Thanks for Playing: England

It's been nothing but negative press for England the past few years, could they change perceptions in Brazil?

It's really been a tough year for England. Despite topping their group in qualifying, they were hardly convincing against competition that didn't even make it to Brazil. Not to mention several unimpressive performances against top level teams. Then came the news today that they were drawn into a group against powers Italy and Uruguay. Things never come easy for these guys do they? England still remains one of the more talented teams in the competition but face an uphill battle in their group. Italy retains the core that got them to the Euro 2012 final but coach Cesar Prandelli went on record saying that was going to bring his "top 24 athletes" to Brazil after being outmatched in the Confederations Cup last summer. Uruguay meanwhile boasts two of the world's best striker, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani and were semi-finalists in 2010. However, defensively they're not always the most sound team. Costa Rica proved that they have plenty of skill in qualifying, including a 3-1 win over the US on their home turf. They're more than capable of giving one of the other three teams here fits. Even so, the likely outcome is that Italy and Uruguay outclass the rest here.

Prediction: Italy and Uruguay

Group E

The Favorite: Switzerland
The Enigma: France
The Sleeper: Honduras
Thanks for Playing: Ecuador

Switzerland was one of Europe's best teams in qualifying; can they translate that to cup success?

Switzerland, of those teams in Pot 1 for the draw, was considered to be the more favorable opponent one could get from that pot. However, the Swiss might have a few things to say about that. They crushed all opposition in qualifying, finishing 7 points ahead of second place Iceland. The real tests will come in Brazil, but it's not as if the Swiss aren't a talented side. France is capable of winning it all when their talent comes together but were hardly convincing during qualifying. The team has loads of talent in it's midfield, especially Juventus' Paul Pogba, if it all comes together France will shock everybody. However, their last two major tournaments have been weak at best. France will need to show up otherwise they could be caught by sneaky good Honduras.

Prediction: Switzerland, France

Group F

The Favorite: Argentina
The Enigma: Nigeria
The Sleeper: Bosnia & Herzegovina
Thanks for Playing: Iran

Lionel Messi and Argentina have their best team in his tenure; can they capitalize?

The next team on the group of title contenders belongs to the world's reigning best player (until the next Ballon D'Or is announced at least). This is the best team that Argentina has ever fielded since Lionel Messi joined their ranks, with an almost unfair amount of world class attacking talent. Not only that but Messi's legacy could also be on the line, as his critics say he'll never be known as the greatest ever until he finds success in the World Cup. The group Argentina has been drawn into should only help that cause as it's most likely the weakest. Nigeria shouldn't simply be tossed to the side however, they are the reigning African Cup of Nations winners and are Africa's most complete side. Bosnia was one of the most surprising names in the draw having practically been dragged there by Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko. The Bosnians could also give the Argentinian's trouble with their physicality. However, their flaws could be exposed by more complete and skilled teams like Argentina or Nigeria. Iran was the first team to qualify for the tournament but it's unlikely that they'll get beyond any of the teams they've been drawn with.

Prediction: Argentina, Nigeria

Group G

The Favorite: Germany
The Enigma: Portugal
The Sleeper: Ghana
Thanks for Playing: United States

Mesut Ozil and Germany will be gunning for Spain this World Cup

Similar to England, the United States really got the short end of the stick when it comes to their group. European superpowers Germany and Portugal will loom large over them making their first game against Ghana, the team that knocked them out of the last World Cup, all the more important. There are several tough groups in this World Cup but none compares to this one which features four solid teams. The U.S. has the potential to give any team fits with the style they play, if Jozy Altidore is in form for the competition, the U.S. could surprise. However, the lack the deep pool of talent that Germany has, the gamebreaking potential Portugal has with Cristiano Ronaldo, or the athleticism and speed of Ghana. To put things bluntly, a lot of things will need to go right for the Americans to even make it out of this group. The Germans have their sights on the title and are known for blitzing their opponents in the group stages. It's rare that an opposing team is able to catch the Germans off balance. Portugal was shaky in qualifying, needing a superhuman performance from Ronaldo just to see off Sweden in a playoff. Regardless, they're a team to be feared now that they're in the competition. To go far however, they'll need their supporting players to help Ronaldo out. Ghana was one of the darlings of the 2010 World Cup, being a victims of a Luis Suarez 'hand of god'. This is a tough group that could go one of several ways. I do believe that the U.S. is good enough to sneak a win against Ghana or Portugal. However, Germany might be a little too tough for them.

Prediction: Germany, Portugal

Group H

The Favorite: Belgium
The Enigma: Russia
The Sleeper: South Korea
Thanks for Playing: Algeria

The Belgians are loaded with talent; can they live up to the hype?

Like Colombia, the Belgians are hardly dark horses anymore. Being able to field an all-star starting eleven chock full of Premier League talent hardly ever goes under the radar. The football world has been bristling with anticipation to see what these guys can do in a major tournament. They have their chance this World Cup and the draw was more than favorable to them. The Belgians should cruise through the group with little difficulty. The later rounds should be a better barometer of just how good these guys are. The one thing the team is lacking at this point is experience, the last time Belgium was in a World Cup was 2002. On a similar note, the Russians are back in the World Cup under the leadership of Fabio Capello. The Russians won their group in qualifying and seem to have developed some consistency under their new manager. The South Koreans are a consistently good team in this competition, having made it out of group stages two out of the last three World Cups. It's safe to say the Koreans won't be an easy out. Algeria is back in their second straight World Cup, however it's hard to see them getting past the other three teams here.

Prediction: Belgium, Russia