World Cup Group Stage Guide

     The FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014 is less than one month away. Across the footballing globe, excitement is growing, teams are being announced and are playing their final games before the big occasion in June. So who will progress, how will your team do? Sit back and enjoy the Total Football World Cup Group Stage Guide.

Group A

1) Brazil
2) Croatia
3) Cameroon
4) Mexico

The hosts should get through to the knockout stages relatively easily in one of the weaker groups in the tournament. Although Mexico have a quality strike force in Manchester United Javier Hernandez and Villarreal's Giovani dos Santos, I feel that they lack in other areas of the field to provide them with chances. This is why Group A will be close battle for 2nd. A shaky defence is what could cost Cameroon, with Benoit Asoou-Ekotto their only real solidarity. Therefore world class players such as Mario Mandzukic and Luka Modric could hurt them in the crucial game on 18th June.

Group B

1) Spain
2) Netherlands
3) Chile
4) Australia

Any other group and Chile might have stood a chance of progressing, but unfortunately for them they have been thrown into a group with the finalists from last time out. Players such as Aturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez deserve a chance to shine in the biggest tournament of all. Australia aren't expected to produce with League 1 and A-League players in their squad. In Group B, it's just fingers crossed that we don't see the same, dirty game of football we did in the 2010 World Cup Final.

Group C

1) Ivory Coast
2) Greece
3) Columbia
4) Japan

This is one of the tighter groups in this year's competition. Stars such as Yaya Toure, Gervinho and Didier Drogba should see Cote D'Ivoire top Group C. So the dogfight in this group will be for second. Japan don't particularly have strength in depth when it comes to quality of leagues their players come from, so will most likely finish bottom. Greece are littered with big name players (in more ways than one) from the world's top leagues with Theofanis Gekas always finding his form when he plays for his country. However, Radamel Falcao and Jackson Martinez cannot do everything themselves, so a lack of creativity in behind may put a dent in Columbian hopes.

Group D

1) Italy
2) Uruguay
3) England
4) Costa Rica

My prediction will come as a shock to many Englishmen, but I do not feel they have the quality or big tournament knowhow. Italy are by far the best team in the group, they are used to the climate and have many international class players, thus seeing them top the group. Uruguay too are used to the conditions and have a devastating forward line which could tear the inexperienced Lions apart. They will almost certainly pick up three points off Costa Rica, but a lack of experience could be costly for Roy Hodgson and England.



Where did I predict your country? Should you finish higher? Do you have a chance of winning? Comments are welcomed below!!