GROUP A
BRAZILAllen Chahad:
Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon compose a perfectly balanced group. The
Africans are not the scary team they were any more. Croatia are well below
Brazil's level . Mexico is the test, and the grudge match which the Seleção
needs to inspire it on the long road to the trophy. In Brazil, most are
already taking about the possibility of Spain or Netherlands in the Round of
16.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CROATIAAleksandar Holiga:
Obviously we can't be too happy with being drawn against the hosts,
especially given that we're playing our first match against them. The result
of that game will have a major impact on the team's confidence. But it's not
too bad, either. Both Mexico and Cameroon can be beaten...
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MEXICOMartha Guerra:
Despite the odds being seemingy stacked against us, Cameroon and Croatia are
teams El Tri can beat. They're of a similar level but different style to
Mexico. We have issues with Brazil, and the rivalry will grow again next
year. We have beaten them in Olympics and Confederations Cup, so it was good
to hear the quote from their former manager Carlos Parreira after draw: "Mexico
is a headache."-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAMEROON
Sam Crocker:
Could be better, could be worse. To be involved in the anticipation of the
first day is wonderful for Cameroon, and starting against Mexico will
certainly be interesting. I've never been impressed with Mexico at
international tournaments, so they are definitely beatable. Croatia’s
defence isn’t the strongest, so could scrape something from that game, but
Brazil, well… Cameroon will be unlikely to leave the group.
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GROUP B
SPAINGuillem Balague:
Either Spain or the Netherlands could have won the 2010 final. This will be a
chance for Dutch to get their revenge. Whatever happens it will be a great
test from a strong group, where Chile could well be the surprise package.
Could mean Brazil/Germany and Spain/Argentina semis with Spain maybe having
to face either, Uruguay, Italy or hopefully England from the fiendishly
difficult Group D in the quarters. Our first game is crucial:Holland, a key
test of our hunger.
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HOLLANDElko Born:
After the draw, the Dutch breathed a collective sigh of relief. Chile and
Australia look beatable on paper, and while reigning world champions Spain
are considered to be better than Holland, a replay of the World Cup 2010
final will surely inspire veterans like Arjen Robben. Luckily, group matches
don't go into extra time.
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AUSTRALIAJames Clark:
Not surprisingly Australia were drawn in a tough “Slow-Death" Group
B with Spain, Chile and the Netherlands. The Socceroos have it all to do
against the current champions and runners-up from South Africa 2010. On a
positive note, we avoided Brazil and France. Fans can now look ahead to
enjoying sangria, tapas, Pisco sours, and the odd Heineken with a slab of
gouda as we struggle “Down Under” to rise early from our warm beds to take
on the world’s best in Brazil.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHILEMatias Grez:
Although the draw may look daunting on paper, Chile will still be confident of
progressing to the knockout stages. A 2-2 draw in September against Spain,
in which Chile were by far the better side, gives a lot of hope. The South
American climate will also be to Chile’s advantage, and four points from the
games against Australia and the Netherlands look attainable. The biggest
worry is a potential last 16 tie against Brazil for the third World Cup
running (1998, 2010 & 2014).
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GROUP C
COLOMBIAJuan Arango:
Group C is kind, on paper. Falcao García said on Colombia radio that group "fits
Colombia’s style” but there are worries for manager José Pekerman. They will
face a Japan side that looks likely to take the next step at this level.
Ivory Coast bring power and experience and Greece will look to grind out
some more Cinderella magic.
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GREECELouis Economopoulos:
A good draw for the Greeks as all three teams, Colombia, Japan and the Ivory
Coast, are beatable. They are not teams that Greece has played often in the
past, but this is a positive, as it's best to play against a team which
isn't familiar with your style of play. The first match with Colombia should
be the key to what to expect the rest of the way. We should make the next
round.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IVORY COASTSalim Said:
We're very happy with the draw - for once, we haven't been drawn in the
dreaded Group of Death. In fact, we've avoided all the traditional World Cup
heavyweights. Colombia are one of the dark horses and will pose a stiff
test, but we have enough oomph to overcome Greece and Japan and qualify from
the group as runners up at least.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAPANAlan Gibson:
Initial reaction is that we missed the giants, but Japan tend to raise
their game against the 'big' teams, then often come up short in matches
against supposed 'lesser' opposition. On paper, especially bearing in mind
recent results against the likes of Belgium and Holland, this group is
easily negotiable. The reality could be something else.
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GROUP D
URUGUAYSam Kelly:
'A group of terror' is how Uruguay's biggest newspaper, El País, refer on
their sports website to their side being drawn with Italy, England and Costa
Rica. Perhaps I'm being a pessimistic Englishman, but I think it'll prove
kinder to Uruguay than to England. It's surely the group of death, but
Uruguay have plenty of reason to be optimistic of getting to the round of
16, at least.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COSTA RICAKim Tate:
It's a tough draw for Los Ticos. Costa Rica got the grudge match against
Uruguay I mentioned in my preview, and their European opponents, England and
Italy, will be especially difficult with the depth in both squads. It will
be an entertaining and challenging experience for this Concacaf team, that’s
for sure.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENGLANDHenry Winter:
Luis Suarez’s Uruguay, Mario Balotelli’s Italy and Keylor Navas’s Costa
Rica. The last time England failed to progress from the opening stage of the
World Cup was in 1950, also in Brazil. Roy Hodgson’s tenner on the team to
win looks safe. England's celebrities are heading into a real and
footballing jungle.
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ITALYJames Horncastle:
It's a tough group, granted, but that's how coach Cesare Prandelli wanted
it, to focus the mind. The Azzurri are unfazed. They overcame England on
penalties at Euro 2012 to finish runners-up and Uruguay in a shootout to end
the Confederations Cup in third. Their participation in that tournament a
year ago means they're familiar with the conditions, which could be a
slight advantage. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROUP E
SWITZERLANDPaul Knott
Danke, Merci, Grazie, Grazcha - the draw has given Switzerland something
close to their ideal group. An exciting challenge against arguably the most
beatable of our three big neighbours, France. Plus two unfancied teams, with
Honduras offering an opportunity to erase memories of the grim 0-0 draw that
put Switzerland out in the first round in 2010.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECUADORXoel Càrdenas:
Ecuador is extremely happy with their World Cup draw. As I mentioned in my
preview piece, La Tri wanted to see a group with Switzerland rather than
Germany, Spain or Belgium. Mission accomplished! Getting Honduras, formerly
managed by current Ecuador manager Reinaldo Rueda, is also a very manageable
task for Ecuador’s counterattack. France’s attack will be tough for La Tri’s
defence, but overall, Ecuador got off very lightly in Group E.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FRANCEJulien Laurens:
It is the ideal draw, the perfect one for France. We wanted to avoid the big
countries and, even if it could be tricky to face some so called “small”
teams early on, I prefer being in our position than in England’s or
Portugal’s. I expect France to qualify alongside Switzerland and get a lot
of confidence from some strong performances in that group stage.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HONDURASJoshua Nadel:
Honduras should be breathing a sigh of relief right now. Switzerland are the
weakest of the seeded teams, so the Bicolor have to be happy with that.
Plus, the game against them is in Manaus, where conditions will favor
Honduras. Though they could have drawn a weaker second European team, France
have played inconsistently of late. Ecuador likely presents the biggest
threat to La H. With this group the odds of a Honduran trip to the round of
sixteen have increased.
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GROUP F
ARGENTINAMarcela Mora y Araujo:
Nigeria is the derby of the group, we've met at World Cup Finals thrice
before. Bosnia and Iran... "Is this a football group or a NATO mission"
is one much-retweeted observation... The make up of the groups means most
media attention has turned to figuring out when (not if) Argentina get to
meet Brazil, and if both finish first in their groups it's not until the
final. So, that's the aim, then. Group F - for Final.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINASlaven Niksic:
We have been relatively lucky. We weren't moved from the fourth to second pot,
but then we got Argentina. Bosnia have a fair chance of progressing but,
let’s be honest, the games against Iran and Nigeria are going to be the
deciders. The first game against Argentina at Maracana doesn’t look crucial,
but a good start there could keep spirits high.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IRANJames Montague:
That could have gone much, much worse. Nigeria were okay in the
Confederations Cup – although they conceded against Tahiti – and poor for
most of the first game against Ethiopia in the African play-offs. Bosnia is
a fantastic team but have never been here before. Argentina to win the
group. But Team Meli has a chance in this group, make no mistake.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NIGERIAColin Udoh:
Why oh why do we always get Argentina?! Well, seeing as I hoped for Iran
earlier, I could say I got both my dream and my nightmare, so it balances
out. I expect that as long as we keep it respectable against Argentina, both
Iran and Bosnia should be there to be had. We ought to make the knockout
stage behind Argentina.
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GROUP G
GERMANYRandall Hauk:
It's never ideal to be drawn into the fabled "Group of Death," but,
let's face it, Germany are the biggest bully in Group G. The USA beat
Germany in June. Portugal have (arguably) the world's best player right now.
Ghana are among Africa's best. But Germany fears nobody, "death"
group or no.
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PORTUGALChris Mendes:
First up Germany, followed by USA and Ghana. It's not the group we dreamed
about, nor is it Group D. England's group of death and doom featuring Italy
and Uruguay. Fifa's world rankings suggest Portugal will finish second
behind Germany. Not for the first time, I'm going to disagree. Portugal in
top spot, the Germans close runners-up.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GHANAFiifi Anaman:
Yeah, you don't want to be Ghanaian at this point. You've been drawn against
one of the tournament's most effective teams, Germany. Some respite? No.
You've got Cristiano Ronaldo and his army of Portuguese staring at you. The
chills! The USA? We still maintain our three-peat hopes. If Twitter speaks
for Ghana, then the mood is that of pessimism. But deep down, we all
secretly harbour a scintilla of optimism, because, you know, this is
football. And this is Ghana.
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UNITED STATESLiviu Bird:
As expected, the USA drew an extremely difficult group. Part of the reason
it is so difficult, though, is that the USA are stronger contenders now on
the world stage than in World Cups past. The team should see it as an
opportunity to turn heads rather than be afraid of anybody.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROUP H
BELGIUMJohn Chapman:
Belgium will be happy with the draw – Russia, Algeria and South Korea – as
they’ve avoided any of the world’s current top 20. Given the quality of the
squad, they should qualify. If they do, the only downside is that they’ll
probably meet Germany or Portugal in the last 16.
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ALGERIAMaher Mezahi:
From an Algerian perspective, Group H is manageable. As nominally impressive
as Belgium are, they remain relatively untested. Conversely, both Russia and
South Korea have ample experience in international tournaments and should
give a good account of themselves. Algeria will approach Group H with
humility, but also with hope, for they know that advancing to the knockout
stages is absolutely viable.
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RUSSIASasha Groyunov:
Russia's group looks manageable. Whilst the Belgians' style and quality in
most positions would make them uncomfortable opponents, they are one of the
weaker top seeds. South Korea were beaten in a recent friendly by an
experimental Russian side. Algeria are unimpressive. Many would see the
group as easy but it is hard to forget past embarrassments, especially
against similar opposition in 2002.
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SOUTH KOREAJohn Duerden:
It’s
an excellent draw for South Korea. They wanted to avoid the strong South
American nations and got two of the weaker teams from Europe and Africa into
the bargain in Belgium and Algeria. Russia hold no fears either. Korea will
be looking to take points from all three games.
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