Who do you think will lift the FIFA trophy on July 13, 2014? Check out the predictions here to know which teams are most likely to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is still a few months away, but that hasn’t stopped people from making predictions about which team will win the tournament. Scheduled to take place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014, this year the tournament will feature 32 teams - broken out into eight groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group will move on to the knockout stage for a thrilling single-elimination playoff. And in order to reach the finals, the teams will have to compete against their fellow group members in a round-robin system and perform at their optimum capacity. Of course, it is impossible to tell precisely now, as to which team will become the champion. However, there are certain points based on which we can predict that which teams will perform better than others. For instance, some teams have already lifted the FIFA cup in the past; some teams were outstanding during qualifying, whereas some teams have a large number of world-class players. Now, let’s take a look at the top contenders for the popular title of FIFA World Cup Champions 2014.
2014 World Cup Favorites
Favorites
Brazil has remained one of the most popular teams at the FIFA World Cup. They are the only team to have participated in each and every World Cup and they have even won the title 5 times - more than any other nation. However, this year, the main factor in their favor is home advantage. The 1950 FIFA World Cup was also held in Brazil and that time they were the runners-up. Besides Brazil, Spain also has a very good chance for two reasons - they are the defending champions and second they are the only team to win the Euro Championships. Germany is also one of the top favorites to win the title. They have won 3 World Cups in the past.
Serious Contenders
Italy is a serious contender for this year’s World Cup. They have won the FIFA World Cup 4 times - only second to Brazil. And then there is Argentina in the list who won the World Cup title two times.
Outside Chance
England, Netherlands and France are three teams, who also have the chances of winning the most desirable trophy in soccer. So, keep an eye on them too throughout the tournament.
The Dark Horse
Nobody would give much of a chance to Portugal, but this team is definitely a dark horse which is capable of pulling off the unexpected. The main reason is Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently the best footballer in the world, and he will try his best to take his team right through the tournament and win the title. They might go unnoticed at the beginning, but they’ll make their presence felt more and more as the tournament would progress.
Punching Bags
Besides above mentioned teams, others hardly stand a chance of winning the coveted FIFA World Cup. But this does not mean that they’ll just come and go. Just remember, some teams are more than capable of beating even the best, but only on their day.
Predicting Each Group Stage Winner:
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
Image Source: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is still a few months away, but that hasn’t stopped people from making predictions about which team will win the tournament. Scheduled to take place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014, this year the tournament will feature 32 teams - broken out into eight groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group will move on to the knockout stage for a thrilling single-elimination playoff. And in order to reach the finals, the teams will have to compete against their fellow group members in a round-robin system and perform at their optimum capacity. Of course, it is impossible to tell precisely now, as to which team will become the champion. However, there are certain points based on which we can predict that which teams will perform better than others. For instance, some teams have already lifted the FIFA cup in the past; some teams were outstanding during qualifying, whereas some teams have a large number of world-class players. Now, let’s take a look at the top contenders for the popular title of FIFA World Cup Champions 2014.
Favorites
Brazil has remained one of the most popular teams at the FIFA World Cup. They are the only team to have participated in each and every World Cup and they have even won the title 5 times - more than any other nation. However, this year, the main factor in their favor is home advantage. The 1950 FIFA World Cup was also held in Brazil and that time they were the runners-up. Besides Brazil, Spain also has a very good chance for two reasons - they are the defending champions and second they are the only team to win the Euro Championships. Germany is also one of the top favorites to win the title. They have won 3 World Cups in the past.
Serious Contenders
Italy is a serious contender for this year’s World Cup. They have won the FIFA World Cup 4 times - only second to Brazil. And then there is Argentina in the list who won the World Cup title two times.
Outside Chance
England, Netherlands and France are three teams, who also have the chances of winning the most desirable trophy in soccer. So, keep an eye on them too throughout the tournament.
The Dark Horse
Nobody would give much of a chance to Portugal, but this team is definitely a dark horse which is capable of pulling off the unexpected. The main reason is Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently the best footballer in the world, and he will try his best to take his team right through the tournament and win the title. They might go unnoticed at the beginning, but they’ll make their presence felt more and more as the tournament would progress.
Punching Bags
Besides above mentioned teams, others hardly stand a chance of winning the coveted FIFA World Cup. But this does not mean that they’ll just come and go. Just remember, some teams are more than capable of beating even the best, but only on their day.
Predicting Each Group Stage Winner:
Group A
| Country | Best Result | Qualification | Odds |
| Brazil | 5-time World Champions 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 | Host Nation | 3/1 |
| Croatia | Third Place 1998 | UEFA Play-off Winners | 125/1 |
| Mexico | Quarter-finals 1970, 1986 | CONCACAF-OFC Play-off Winners | 150/1 |
| Cameroon | Quarter-finals 1990 | CAF Third Round Winners | 1000/1 |
Group B
| Country | Best Result | Qualification | Odds |
| Spain | Winners 2010 | UEFA Group I Winners | 5/1 |
| Netherlands | Runners-up 1974, 1978, 2010 | UEFA Group D Winners | 15/1 |
| Chile | Third Place 1962 | CONMEBOL Round Robin 3rd Place | 33/1 |
| Australia | Round of 16 2006 | AFC Fourth Round Group B Runners-up | 500/1 |
Group C
| Country | Best Result | Qualification | Odds |
| Ivory Coast | Group Stage 2006, 2010 | CAF Third Round Winners | 100/1 |
| Japan | Round of 16 2002, 2010 | AFC Fourth Round Group B Winners | 150/1 |
| Greece | Group Stage 1994, 2010 | UEFA Play-off Winners | 250/1 |
| Colombia | Round of 16 1990 | CONMEBOL Round Robin Runners-up | 500/1 |
Group D
| Country | Best Result | Qualification | Odds |
| Italy | 4-time World Champions 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006 | UEFA Group B Winners | 7/1 |
| England | Winners 1966 | UEFA Group H Winners | 15/1 |
| Uruguay | Winners 1930, 1950 | AFC v CONMEBOL play-off Winners | 500/1 |
| Costa Rice | Round of 16 1990 | CONCACAF | 1000/1 |
Group E
| Country | Best Result | Qualification | Odds |
| France | Winners 1998 | UEFA Play-off Winners | 15/1 |
| Switzerland | Quarter-finals 1934, 1938, 1954 | UEFA Group E Winners | 80/1 |
| Ecuador | Round of 16 2006 | CONMEBOL Round Robin 4th Place | 150/1 |
| Honduras | Group Stage 1982, 2010 | CONCACAF Fourth Round 3rd Place | 2000/1 |
Group F
| Country | Best Result | Qualification | Odds |
| Argentina | Winners 1978, 1986 | CONMEBOL Round Robin Winners | 6/1 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Debut | UEFA Group G Winners | 200/1 |
| Nigeria | Round of 16 1994, 1998 | CAF Third Round Winners | 250/1 |
| Iran | Group Stage 1978, 1998, 2006 | AFC Fourth Round Group A Winners | 2500/1 |
Group G
| Country | Best Result | Qualification | Odds |
| Germany | 3-time World Champions 1954, 1974, 1990 | UEFA Group C Winners | 5/1 |
| Portugal | Third Place 1966 | UEFA Play-off Winners | 28/1 |
| United States | Third Place 1930 | CONCACAF Fourth Round Winners | 150/1 |
| Ghana | Quarter-finals 2010 | CAF Third Round Winners | 200/1 |
Group H
| Country | Best Result | Qualification | Odds |
| Belgium | Fourth Place 1986 | UEFA Group A Winners | 14/1 |
| Russia | Fourth Place 1966 | UEFA Group F Winners | 50/1 |
| South Korea | Fourth Place 2002 | AFC Fourth Round Group A Runners-up | 250/1 |
| Algeria | Group Stage 1982, 1986, 2010 | CAF Third Round Winners | 1500/1 |
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