Group A: The Hosts and The Hopefuls
1. Brazil: If the hosts are to win glory, they need to give it their all on the pitch and block out what might be going on outside of the stadium.
2. Croatia: Luka Modric will be the force behind all Croatia attacks and if he can get the ball to the their strikers (Mario Mandzukic, Ivica Olic), they can have some success.
3. Cameroon: Samuel Eto'o and Alex Song are greta players, but they can't win by themselves, they are going to need others to step up.
4. Mexico: After struggling to qualifiy for the World Cup, Mexico will struggle in on the big stage.
Underrated Star - Hulk, FW, Brazil: While Neymar gets all the attention, Hulk can be even more effective as the main goal scoring threat up front. Coming off a 21 goal season fro Zenit St. Petersberg, Hulk is a dark horse for the Golden Boot.
Group B: The Two Finalists from Four Years Ago
1. Spain: The defending champs and two-time European champs are again one of the favorites to win the World Cup again and become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back championships.
2. Netherlands: The runner-ups of the 2010 World Cup Finals, the Netherlands are going to have to play up to their potential to make a run. If they can hide the facts that their defense sucks.
3. Chile: Chile has a lot of potential to make a big impact in this tournament. Led by Arturo Vidal, they
4. Australia: The lowest ranked team in the tournament in the FIFA Rankings (62nd), Australia has little to no chance of advancing in the knockout stage
Question Mark to Watch: Diego Costa, ST, Spain: The biggest problem the defending champs have faced is finding a consistent threat at the striker position. Costa, after a successful club season, may be that man.
Group C: Wide Open
1. Ivory Coast: Led by Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, the Ivory Coast have a ton of talent. The problem has always been winning with all that talent. They should at least make it to the knockout round.
2. Japan: Japan has a very good team that struggled in Brazil last year for the Confederations Cup. However, they will make up for their losses last year this time around.
3. Colombia: The loss of striker Radamel Falcao would have all but ruined their chances in almost any other group. However, they have a chance to make through in this group.
4. Greece: Ten years ago, Greece pulled off one of the most shocking tournament wins in national team history when they won the 2004 Euros. This year, they will need to capture a lot of that magic to make a serious run in the knockout rounds.
Midfielder to Watch - James Rodriguez, MF, Colombia: Without Falcao, Colombia is in need of someone to step up. That man will be the 22 year-old who currently plays for AS Monaco. Rodriguez is a playmaker who can set up himself and others. He is going to make a name for himself in this tournament if Colombia makes an impact.
Group D: Group of Death Jr.
1. Uruguay: With Luis Suarez healthy for the tournament, Uruguay can make another run into the semi-finals
2. Italy: While their defense has more holes than a screen door and they do not have the talent they are accustomed to, Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli will connect to score some goals and get them out of the group.
3. England: Even with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturidge up top, their midfield and defense is too suspect and inexperienced for the Three Lions to make a run.
4. Costa Rica: Will have a difficult time playing against the more experienced and talented squads.
Playmaker to Watch - Nicolas Loderio, MF, Uruguay: Uruguay's potential front line of Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan, and Luis Suarez is deadly, but they need someone behind them to set them up. That man is Loderio. He is going to be the playmaker for this squad and for them to make a deep run, Loderio needs to play at a world class level.
Group E:
1. Switzerland: The Swiss are hiding in the shadows and are ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey. If they can stay confident, the number six team in the FIFA Rankings will shock fans across the globe
2. France: Were lucky to get a favorable draw, but a serious run was all but shattered when star winger Frank Ribery was ruled out for the tournament
3. Ecuador: Ecuador could
4. Honduras: Honduras is in for a tough time in Brazil. They will have a chance to steal a couple of points, but advancing to the knockout round is very wishful thinking.
Breakout Star - Grandit Xhaka, CM, Switzerland: While Xherdian Shaquri will most likely get most of the headlines, Xhaka will be the playmaker in the middle for Switzerland and he could be a breakout star and become a transfer target after the tournament
Group F: Argentina and the Question Marks
1. Argentina: They have a surplus of attackers that can score with ease (Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain). If their questionable defense can play well, Argentina will
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosnia and Herzegovina is making it's first ever appearance in the World Cup and thanks to a favorable draw, are in line to make it to the knockout round.
3. Nigeria: Nigeria has had a great past two years. However, they have not had much success in the World Cup.
4. Iran: Iran has some good and promising young players, but they do not have enough experience to make a serious impact.
Forward to Watch: Vedad Ibisevic, CF, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ibisevic and Edin Dzeko will both be playing at the striker spot. Dzeko is the better and more intimidating striker and will get more attention. Because of that, Ibisevic
Group G: The Group of Death
1. Germany: The strongest midfield in the tournament will dictate games and if they can make up for the lack of depth up front, they will be in the finals
2. Portugal: Everything lies on Christian Ronaldo's shoulders. How far they go will depend on how far he can take them.
3. USA: Even without Landon Donovan, the US squad is still a decent roster. Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey are great players in the field and Tim Howard ranks amount the best in the world in net.
4. Ghana: While Ghana is not highly ranked in the FIFA Ranking, they have made it to the knockout round the last two World Cups (They were a shootout away from the semi's). They are always a threat to produce some magic.
Winger to Watch - Nani, RW, Portugal: With Cristiano Ronaldo possibly not at full strength, Nani is going to have to play extremely well. If he can create for himself and others, it will leave more room for Ronaldo to do work on the opposite wing.
Group H: One Lock and Three Others
1. Belgium: Led by Vincent Kompany in the back and Eden Hazard on the wing, the Red Devils have the potential to make a deep run in the tournament
2. Russia: After struggling in the 2012 Euros and failing to reach the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, Russia has a good chance to redeem themselves and make it to the knockout round.
3. South Korea: The South Korean squad is full of young and up-and-coming stars (Five players are returning from 2010). They have the potential to make a big run in the tournament.
4. Algeria: Algeria is just happy to be in the tournament. They may win a game, but it would be hard pressed anyone who has Algeria being in the top two of the group.
Keeper to Watch: Thibaut Courtois, GK, Belgium: Courtois shined on loan for Athletico Madrid this season and if he shines in the World Cup, he may force Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to move away from current goalie Petr Cech.
