One year to go - Previewing Brazil 2014

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.