One year to go - Previewing Brazil 2014

Today marks exactly one year to the day before Brazil take to the field at the brand new Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo for the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. To mark the occasion, here is a little guide for what you need to look out for in the 364 days before your life is put on hold for an entire month.

Favourites: Germany have the right blend of youth and experience to go all the way. (Getty Images)

Early Favourites:

Germany

A European team has never won a World Cup held on the South American continent. If that record is to be beaten in 2014, it’s most likely going to be Germany to do it. They have the best young squad in the world, and will want to build upon their encouraging but ultimately disappointing Euro 2012 campaign. With the core of the German back line mostly playing for European Champions and defensive stalwarts Bayern Munich (Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber), don’t expect them to concede too many goals. Scoring goals won’t be a problem either, with Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Mezut Ozil and new Bayern recruit Mario Gotze leading the attacking charge. Germany, incidentally, are my pick to win it all.

Spain

The undisputed kings of the world, Spain have won the last World Cup and the previous two European Championships. Given their extraordinary depth and quality in midfield, it is not surprising. Spain are always a threat to win it all, and if they can get striker Fernando Torres firing again (perhaps if he moves away from Chelsea this summer), then they will only be even more dangerous. Only Italy and Brazil have ever won back to back World Cup titles, and the last time it was done was in 1962. So the odds are definitely against them, but Spain are a truly elite team and more than capable.

Brazil

Ranked 22nd in the world right now, Brazil have a long way to go if they want to reclaim their former glory. In Luis Felipe Scolari, they have the right man to do it. In 2002, “Big Phil” led the South Americans to a world cup title in Japan and South Korea, using passages from Sun Tsu’s “The Art of War” as inspiration for his team. Perhaps the same tactic will work again. Noticeably, the home nation tends to do well in World Cups (South Korea 2002, France 1998, Chile 1962) which is a stat that should bode well for them, although last time the World Cup was held in Brazil, the home nation lost the trophy to Uruguay. Brazil will want to avenge that in 2014. They aren’t the force they once were, but they still have plenty of star players to make it happen. The pressure will certainly be on for them, especially in the unforgiving atmosphere of the Maracana.

Hosts: Brazil would look to avenge the humiliating loss of the 1950 World Cup final and finally claim the trophy on home soil. (Getty Images)

Argentina

Lionel Messi’s search for a World Cup to add to his almost unbelievable collection of accolades continues here. If he gets it, he might overtake Pele and Maradona in the ‘best ever’ argument. That alone is enough to keep your eyes on the La Albiceleste. A draw with lowly Bolivia in March during South American qualifying is worrying for Alejandro Sabella’s team, but is only a minor setback in what has been a fairly comfortable qualifying campaign in the absence of neighbours Brazil. The fact that the tournament is in Brazil should be a motivating factor for them. If they can find a way to have Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain all perform on the same pitch, they will be unstoppable. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.

Netherlands

This might be the last legitimate chance for a World Cup trophy for some of Netherland’s stars of the past decade. Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder will all be in their early-to-mid 30s at the next World Cup in Russia in 2018. As the runner-up in South Africa 4 years ago, the Clockwork Orange will be eager to go the one step further. Hovering at the top of the FIFA rankings for the past few years, they will feel desperate to make that final push to become champions. A lot will depend on the form of van Persie and Robben, who were two of the best players in the world for their clubs this past season, and will be looking to produce the same in 2013/14. If they can do that and head to Brazil in similar form, as they have been in recent months, you have to think that they have a very good shot.

Dark Horses:

Belgium

Belgium have spent the last few years slowly growing into the most exciting young footballing nation in the world. They have completely stormed the group stages of qualifying, conceding only 2 goals and dropping only 2 points so far in the seven qualifying matches played. Their squad, which was a well kept secret not two years ago, now reads like a list of the best players in the English Premier League. Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) and Eden Hazard (Chelsea) were both named to the EPL PFA Team of the Year just a couple of months ago, and with Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Moussa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Marouane Fellaini (Everton), Christian Benteke (Aston Villa) and Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) rounding out the team, they have recognised stars all over the field. Don’t forget Thibaus Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel too, who are making real names for themselves at Atletico Madrid, Werder Bremen (on loan from Chelsea) and Zenit respectively. Organised at the back, brilliant moving forward and seemingly without a weak link through the squad, this team can be destined for great things. Check out the article I wrote just a few weeks ago detailing the best of Belgium in greater detail here.

Golden Generation: Belgium have been playing some scintillating football during the lead up to the World Cup. (Getty Images)

Uruguay

Expectations are low because of a less than impressive qualifying campaign, and in fact Uruguay’s entry into the 2014 World Cup isn’t even guaranteed now. They currently hold the 5th spot in the South American qualifying table; good enough for the playoff spot that would see them battle it out with a nation from Asia for a spot in Brazil. If they make it, they will not be well favoured. However, it must be remembered that this team got to the semi-finals in South Africa in 2010, and have showed promise as an international team in flashes. They can certainly score goals; Luis Suarez is in the form of his life and Edison Cavani is even better. It will be tough to stop this team scoring on their home continent. However, if the Uruguayans are to have any chance come next June, they are going to have to keep things much tighter at the back. Only Bolivia and Paraguay, who occupy the bottom two spots in the table, have conceded more goals in qualifying.

Potential New Boys:

Uzbekistan

For Uzbekistan, Brazil 2014 would be a “we’re just glad to be here experience”. If the Asian side does indeed qualify (they currently hold a playoff place), this will be their first ever trip to a world cup in 5 attempts. Ranked #58 in the world by FIFA, and not sporting a single player in the squad that plays outside of Asia, the Uzbek’s are probably going to be on the receiving end of at least one demolishing should they make it to Brazil. However, I’m sure the young country will revel in their chance to share the world stage, and it would be an important development for football in the former soviet nation.

Players to look out for:

Neymar (Brazil) - For as long as Brazil find themselves in the 2014 World Cup, Neymar will be the most scrutinised football player in the entire world. Now that his long expected transfer to Barcelona has been completed, the young Brazilian will be one of the most popular players on the planet in 12 months’ time. Touted as the star to lead Brazil to glory on their home turf, there will be enormous pressure on the young striker to perform. He has the opportunity to become a national hero at 22 years of age. Let’s see if he can deliver.

Poster Boy: Huge expectations rest on the young shoulders of Neymar. (Getty Images)

Kevin Strootman (Netherlands) – Strootman is a relatively new name on the international scene. A highly-touted defensive midfielder, Strootman plies his trade for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league. His performances in the Eredivsie have led to him receiving a number of admirers, and he has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United among other clubs this summer. The 22-year-old has become a regular in the Dutch side since the World Cup final defeat four years ago, and is fast becoming a fan favourite due to his calmness in possession. If he does indeed move to the Red Devils this summer, his stock will only rise as more people across the world watch his excellence. He will be a key man for the Orange next summer.

Alan Dzagoev (Russia) - The young Russian midfielder made a real name for himself at Euro 2012 with good goal-scoring instincts; now he gets to test his mettle on an even bigger stage. Russia have had a fine qualifying campaign thus far, winning all but one game, and they will want to keep that form going in Brazil. Dzagoev, playing in the space behind the central striker, will be a vital cog in the attacking machine.

Isco (Spain) - Malaga’s young superstar Isco is a classic Spanish midfielder; diminutive but exceptional on the ball with real quickness in a short space. He has put in some eye-catching performances in the Champions League for Malaga this season, and has attracted the attention of most European heavyweights. He might not be a first team regular given the strength of the Spanish side, but all eyes should be on him when he does get his chances. If the paper talk is to be believed, Isco will be following Manuel Pellegrini to Manchester City very soon. That move, if he gets regular playing time for his new club, can only improve his chances of seeing more time on the field for Spain. Isco may well be a household name by this time next year.

The Boy Pharaoh: Stephan El Shaarawy has struggled to find the back of the net ever since Mario Balotelli moved to the San Siro. (Getty Images)

Stephan El Shaarawy (Italy) - The man with the least Italian sounding name in the world has burst on the scene for AC Milan in the past couple of seasons. El-Shaarawy could prove to be a real threat alongside the always entertaining Mario Balotelli at Brazil 2014. As one of the most exciting young players at the World Cup, he is not to be missed. However, there is a real concern that El-Shaarawy cannot play effectively with Balotelli, as the young striker’s goal-scoring has cooled dramatically since the former Manchester City striker’s arrival at AC Milan. The Confederations Cup, which kicks off in just a few days, will be a useful indicator of whether the concerns are legitimate.

James Rodríguez (Colombia) - Monaco’s new acquisition, James Rodríguez, is a strong and explosive forward. At only 21-years-old, the Colombian commanded a huge price tag (€45m – 10th most expensive transfer in history), and is considered to be one of the biggest talents to come out of South America in recent years. Carlos Valderrama, Colombia’s greatest ever player, has himself dubbed Rodriguez as his successor. While most who watch Colombia will fix their eyes straight on Radamel Falcao, it would be wise to grant Rodriguez your full attention in Brazil next year. He likely won’t disappoint.