World Cup 2014 is arriving. Teams are busy getting ready to blaze the field and football lovers the world over are getting ready for the bonanza that’s about to be unleashed the next month. Everyone is bursting with one question. Who will hold aloft the World Cup at the end of the competition!
In trying to solve this riddle wrapped in enigma, we give you a reverse countdown on top teams likely to win.
No. 10
South Korea
Coach: Hong Myung-bo
Star Player: Son Heung-min
Other Group Contenders: Belgium, Algeria, Russia
Of the three Asian nations –Japan, Iran and South Korea- making their way to Brazil, Korea is the strongest. The Reds actually have it in them to shock the living daylights out of any team on their day. This is their straight eighth World Cup (they played the1954 version too). They made it to the last four in the 2002. And the captain of that team is now the Coach of the present team. No Asian team has ever won the world cup; can Korea create history in more ways than one this time?
No. 9
Belgium
Coach: Mark Wilmots
Star Players: Hazard, Lukaku, Kompany
Other Group Contenders: Korea, Algeria, Russia
They were semi-finalists in the World Cup 1986. After a long time of being mediocre, they are on the rise again. This team has everything going for them- star players, great attack, steady defense and midfield. They are still outsiders but they do seem to have an outside chance. Can they turn the odds in their favour?
No. 8
Cote d’ Ivore
Star Players: Drogba, YayaToure, Kalou, Bony
Other Group Contenders: Japan, Greece, Colombia
Like their Asian counterparts, no African team has ever held aloft the World Cup. Cote d’Ivore or Ivory Coast has great talent, many stars and an easy group. Their best in World Cup has been group stages in 2006 and 2010. Can they take a bigger leap this time?
No. 7
Portugal
Star Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Other Group Contenders: Germany, Ghana, USA
They have been nicknamed the Brazil of Europe. They have a Ronaldo to rival all the Ronaldos ever produced by Brazil. Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly world’s top footballer and in devastating form too. Portugal’s previous best in World Cup was no.3 spot way back in 1966. A talented and raring to go team, can they finally set Lisbon afire by holding aloft the World Cup?
No. 6
Germany
Star Players: Neuer, Schweinsteiger, Muller
Other Group Contenders: Portugal, Ghana, USA
3-time winners Germany have always been a giant in football. A force to reckon with in the World Cup and champs in 1954, 1974 and 1990, they have a great package of talent this time around as well. In a team full of both mature and young talent, can they get it right for a fourth time too?
No. 5
Uruguay
Star Playesr: Cavani, Suarez, Forlan
Other Group Contenders: Costa Rica, England, Italy
Uruguay, the Copa America champs, won their one and only World Cup way back in 1950. Though they did stand fourth in 2010 and have been on a steady rise since then. With formidable talent like Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego
Forlan, the star of World Cup 2010, Uruguay can be quite unstoppable. Will they be able to go the distance this time?
No. 4
Netherlands
Coach: Louis van Gaal
Star Players: Persie, Lens, Vaart, Robben
Other Group Contenders: Chile, Australia, Spain
The Oranje have always been a force to reckon with in world football. Runners up in 1974, 1978 and 2010, they have been so close yet so far at the victory podium. . In a talent exuding team packed with big names like Persie, Lens, Vaart and Robben , all in good form, can they be fourth time lucky?
No. 3
Argentina
Star Players: Messi, Tevez, di Maria
Other Group Contenders: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
Brazil’s arch-rivals, Argentina would love to come up trumps in a World Cup being held in Brazil. They won the trophies twice way back in 1978 and 1986 and since then have never made it beyond the quarter-finals. An easy group, a great striker in Lionel Messi, the 4-time Ballon d’Or winner and a brimming with talent team- they have a lot going for them. Can they lift the trophy high one more time?
No. 2
Spain
Star Players: Iniesta, Soldado, Negredo
Other Group Contenders: Chile, Australia, Netherlands
Till they lifted the coveted cup in 2010, Spain was jinxed to be ousted in quarter finals many a times. As defending champions, Spain has a team that may not be in the class of their last World Cup triumph but is still strong in every department. Can they defend their title successfully; can they pull off another miracle?
No. 1
Brazil
Star Player: Neymar, Hulk, Luiz
Other Group Contenders: Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Truly the host with the most, they have won the World Cup an astounding 5 times – 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Talent they have in plenty, chances they will have to create. They would like nothing more than lift the cup once more, at home, in front of home crowd. Can they unleash the biggest carnival ever across Brazil?
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