Now it's time to say some stuff I'll look back and cringe about later! We'll start off with Group A, featuring hosts Brasil.
BRASIL
Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Team Overview: The Brasilians are known for pace, finness and skill. Exciting to watch as always, this version includes star stiker Neymar Jr. How he and Scolari will handle the pressure of being the host nation will sink of swim the hosts chances this year.
X-Factor: The pressure cannot be overstated. Brasil may well have been one of the favorites without hosting anyway. This must win the World Cup. Anything else is a failure. How Brasil will handle the weight of an entire county and the world as a whole, watching their every will prove very interesting.
Where they'll Finish: It's win or go home for Brasil. The finals definitely look promising, but Germany and Spain, and possibly Argentina, await for Brasil. It's not going to be easy, but there's a pot of gold, and they may well be able to grasp it with both hands.
CROATIA
Manager: Niko Kovac
Team Overview: Crotia has some attacking power, with Luka Modric in midfield and Mario Mandzukic up top. How they use this power will be interesting to watch. The pieces are there, all Niko Kovac has to do is finish the puzzle.
X-Factor: Climate change. Niko Kovac stated, during an interview with WorldSoccer, that "We cannot use climate change as an excuse." The weather will still factor in, as competition behind Brasil includes Mexico and Cameroon, two warm-weather countries.
Where they'll finish: This team can shock the world. Croatia have a good team, but how well they can adapt and adjust to a varied climate will determine their postioning. If they can adjust quickly, then this team should be able to get out of the group stage and really make some noise.
MEXICO
Manager: Miguel Herrera
Team Overview: Talk about a close call. Mexico just barely qualified for the World Cup, but now that they're here, they are ready to make some noise. Manager Miguel Herrera is still realtively new at his job, so how he handles being a World Cup manager should be interesting to watch.
X-Factor: Miguel Herrera. It cannot be overstated how hard it is to bring in a new manager right before the World Cup. Being drawn with the host Brasil was not ideal. Just like Croatia, their going to have to adjust, and quickly.
Where they'll finsih: I hate to say it, but I don't like Mexico's chances to get out of the group stage. At the same time, this team took gold in 2012 in London, so maybe not all is not lost. El Tri are going to have to hope for a slip-up by Croatia or Cameroon, and put up a good showing against Brasil.
CAMEROON
Manager: Volker Finke
Team Overview: Cameroon didn't have the greatest showing in qualification, so they'll need to step up their game. Even so, I do like their chances here against Mexico with an inperienced manager, and a Croatia side struggling with climate change.
X-Factor: Samuel Eto'o. Where their star striker goes, Cameroon follows. There was rumoured to be a bit of a rift between Eto'o and his teammates, but that seems to have dissappered. For Cameroon's sake, let's hope that's all in the past.
Where they'll finish: Cameroon do have a good shot to advance. Even so, on paper, Croatia look to be the stronger side. Paper doesn't play football matches, though, so let's just wait and see what happens in Brasil this summer.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Brasil, Croatia
BRASIL
Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Team Overview: The Brasilians are known for pace, finness and skill. Exciting to watch as always, this version includes star stiker Neymar Jr. How he and Scolari will handle the pressure of being the host nation will sink of swim the hosts chances this year.
X-Factor: The pressure cannot be overstated. Brasil may well have been one of the favorites without hosting anyway. This must win the World Cup. Anything else is a failure. How Brasil will handle the weight of an entire county and the world as a whole, watching their every will prove very interesting.
Where they'll Finish: It's win or go home for Brasil. The finals definitely look promising, but Germany and Spain, and possibly Argentina, await for Brasil. It's not going to be easy, but there's a pot of gold, and they may well be able to grasp it with both hands.
CROATIA
Manager: Niko Kovac
Team Overview: Crotia has some attacking power, with Luka Modric in midfield and Mario Mandzukic up top. How they use this power will be interesting to watch. The pieces are there, all Niko Kovac has to do is finish the puzzle.
X-Factor: Climate change. Niko Kovac stated, during an interview with WorldSoccer, that "We cannot use climate change as an excuse." The weather will still factor in, as competition behind Brasil includes Mexico and Cameroon, two warm-weather countries.
Where they'll finish: This team can shock the world. Croatia have a good team, but how well they can adapt and adjust to a varied climate will determine their postioning. If they can adjust quickly, then this team should be able to get out of the group stage and really make some noise.
MEXICO
Manager: Miguel Herrera
Team Overview: Talk about a close call. Mexico just barely qualified for the World Cup, but now that they're here, they are ready to make some noise. Manager Miguel Herrera is still realtively new at his job, so how he handles being a World Cup manager should be interesting to watch.
X-Factor: Miguel Herrera. It cannot be overstated how hard it is to bring in a new manager right before the World Cup. Being drawn with the host Brasil was not ideal. Just like Croatia, their going to have to adjust, and quickly.
Where they'll finsih: I hate to say it, but I don't like Mexico's chances to get out of the group stage. At the same time, this team took gold in 2012 in London, so maybe not all is not lost. El Tri are going to have to hope for a slip-up by Croatia or Cameroon, and put up a good showing against Brasil.
CAMEROON
Manager: Volker Finke
Team Overview: Cameroon didn't have the greatest showing in qualification, so they'll need to step up their game. Even so, I do like their chances here against Mexico with an inperienced manager, and a Croatia side struggling with climate change.
X-Factor: Samuel Eto'o. Where their star striker goes, Cameroon follows. There was rumoured to be a bit of a rift between Eto'o and his teammates, but that seems to have dissappered. For Cameroon's sake, let's hope that's all in the past.
Where they'll finish: Cameroon do have a good shot to advance. Even so, on paper, Croatia look to be the stronger side. Paper doesn't play football matches, though, so let's just wait and see what happens in Brasil this summer.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Brasil, Croatia
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