World Cup Preview: Pot 1

First off we'll be reviewing the chances of the 32 teams that have qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Pot 1 includes Brazil,

AJ: Let me just start this off by saying that the FIFA World Rankings are a complete farce. Two of the teams in Pot 1 weren't even present for the 2010 World Cup (Belgium and Colombia), and Switzerland didn't really have anything to write home about in that tournament, other than a lucky victory against eventual champions Spain in the group stage. Okay, then. /endrant

Brazil

Neymar celebrating yet another goal in the Confederations Cup

FIFA World Ranking: #11

Jonesy Ranking: #2
Bonny Ranking: #2

Key Player: Neymar – brightest young talent in the world, he's been in excellent form for Barcelona, save for the last couple of games, and if he can carry this form into the summer, Brazil will be a tough team to beat.

Predictions:

AJ: Finalist. I've always had a soft spot for Brazil, but they were absolutely on fire in the Confederations Cup, and if they keep up that form they'll have no problems whatsoever burning their way through to the final. They'll have the full backing of the home-support, and with probably the best team spirit in the tournament, with the only real hole in their First XI being the man befitting of his boring-ass name, Fred. This team is an excellent example of the fucked up FIFA World Ranking system, but definitely not the last one I'll mention.  

Spain

The team to beat

FIFA World Ranking: #1

Jonesy Ranking: #1 (That was easy)

Bonny Ranking: #1

Key Player: Andrés Iniesta is one of the best players in the world, and he carries them in attack. Xavi's getting old and dusty, but he still has one last great tournament in him. 

AJ: I expect a Zidane in the 2006 World Cup kind of performance from Xavi – he'll put all he has into it.He might even retire after, the way he's going. 

Predictions: 

AJ: Finalist. I've learned to stop doubting them and just watch them win. It doesn't even matter if Casillas is off form, they have 5 choices at goalkeeper, from Diego Lopez to David De Gea if need be. The main problem is the defense, which seems to be a theme going into the World Cup, apart from Brazil and Italy. 

BS: I say Semi Finalists, don’t see them beating Brazil, Germany, or Italy, they only have one play style and will continue that even if they are losing 3 – 0 and concede all their goals from a counter.

Germany

Best playmaker in the world

FIFA World Ranking: #2

Jonesy Ranking: #3

Bonny Ranking: #3

Key Player: Mesut Özil is the best playmaker in the world, Real Madrid were stupid to sell him. Thomas Müller will also be hoping for a repeat performance of his 2010 Golden Boot performance.

Predictions:

AJ: Quarterfinals. Once again, it's a huge toss-up, but I don't think they consistently have it in them to beat Brazil, Spain or Italy on the big stage. Don't get me wrong – Germany have players that are in the top 3 in the world at every position, but I just can't see them pulling it off in 2014. However, they're always a threat, so don't be surprised if they do finally click and win the tournament. Their World Ranking is no fluke.

BS: They may struggle against Brazil and Italy, but they won’t have a problem against the rest. I see them as semi finalists.

Argentina

Best in the world?

FIFA World Ranking: #3

Jonesy Ranking: #5

Bonny Ranking: #5

Key Player: Lionel Messi – so-called best player in the world, definitely looking to prove that by putting in a good showing for Argentina at a major tournament. It's all down to him, in my opinion.

Predictions: Quarterfinals. After coasting through the CONMEBOL qualifiers, and with the huge array of attacking talent, Argentina will comfortably make it through the Round of 16 at least. However, their defensive frailty was on full display in South Africa when they got trounced by Germany 4-0. With basically the same defenders in the squad, they'll be looking to out-score all of their opponents on the way to glory and I can't see Messi showing up without a blue and red jersey on, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong. They have the most lethal strike force in the world, on paper. So many options. Alejandro Sabella will be ruing the fact he can't viably throw out a 1-1-8 formation.

Colombia

Loyalty personified. Definitely not in it for the cash.

FIFA World Ranking: #4

Jonesy Ranking: #10

Bonny Ranking: #9

Key Player: Radamel Falcao – the most loyal player in sport has been turning it on for club and country and they'll need him to carry his excellent form into the World Cup.

Predictions: Round of 16. Extremely overrated team whose best defender is Mario Yepes, however their attack is mouth-watering, with Falcao, Jackson Martinez and James Rodriguez leading the line. Similar to Argentina, with their creaky defense and lightning offense, they will win the group that FIFA has gifted them by ranking them 4^th in the world, and blast past the poor sods who finish second in their parallel group, then lose to a much better team in the Final 8.

Belgium

Cuddles!

FIFA World Ranking: #5 (!!!)

Jonesy Ranking: #14

Bonny Ranking: #13

Key Player: Vincent Kompany is one of the best defenders in the world, and a fantastic captain. Eden Hazard is another silky winger of the ilk of Arjen Robben that could propel his country to greatness.

Predictions:
AJ: Round of 16. Get the fuck outta here. Mark my words, Belgium is by far the most overrated national side in the world, with that ludicrous FIFA World Ranking, and they'll be found out just like they were on November 19^th when they were dominated by Japan's second choice squad. 

Their squad is an interesting mix of fantastic individuals and a team spirit that's held together by Vincent Kompany's leadership, and anything they do in Brazil will rely on that mix. 

They'll be absolutely PRAYING that they avoid one of the big guns that were shunted into Pot 2, and rightly so because it will be the difference between them winning their group or scraping by. Honestly, England (another vastly overrated side) would have them at a trot. I can't stress enough how overrated they are. Some people play too much FIFA I guess. Their label of “dark horse” by several writers is a joke, but that's not to say they don't have a lot of players with great potential. Look out for them in 2016 or 2018, but this will not be their year by any stretch.  

Uruguay

2/3 of Uruguay's scary attacking trio

FIFA World Ranking: #6

Jonesy Ranking: #8

Key Player: The ravenous Luis Suarez is one of the best players in the world, no matter how hard he tries (and succeeds) to make me hate him. Magical first touch and dribbling, one of the best attackers in Europe. Alongside Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlán (former United represent), they make up one of the deadliest attacking trios in the world.

Predictions:
AJ: Semi-finals. One of my dark-horse picks for the tournament, don't be too surprised if they make it 3 World Cup victories for the boys in blue. This team has great pedigree, and they pull it together on the big stage a lot better than Argentina does (despite the slight gap in talent between the two), evidenced by their Copa America victory back in 2011. Watch out, world.  

Switzerland

Yeah, whatever.

FIFA World Ranking: #7

Jonesy Ranking: #16

Key Player: 

AJ: Gokhan Inler, a solid box-to-box midfielder is just that. Solid. No world-beater though, in my definitely-not humble opinion. Xherdan Shaqiri has also been showing his class since 2011 when he was a starlet for Basel when they upset Manchester United in the Champions League, and since his move to Bayern Munich he has somewhat floundered as Robben's understudy, but he definitely has it in him to shine on the world stage.

BS: Diego Benaglio is the key player, as Switzerland will always get pushed by their opposition, and just like 2010 against Spain, they need amazing saves from Benaglio.

Predictions: 

AJ: Round of 16. If they weren't in Pot 1 it would be a different story, but I guess all of their meaningless friendly wins and dominating their ridiculously weak UEFA qualifying group makes them better than the Netherlands and Italy? Ludicrous.  They'll be praying they avoid any of the big guns in Pots 2 & 3.