FIFA World Cup 2014 Schedule and Team Previews

[target]

GROUP A - MATCHES

June 12 2014 17:00 BRAZIL VS CROATIA
June 13 2014 13:00 MEXICO VS CAMEROON
June 17 2014 16:00 BRAZIL VS MEXICO
June 18 2014 18:00 CAMEROON VS CROATIA
June 23 2014 17:00 CROATIA VS MEXICO
June 23 2014 17:00 CAMEROON VS BRAZIL

GROUP B - MATCHES

June 13 2014 16:00 SPAIN VS NETHERLANDS
June 13 2014 18:00 CHILE VS AUSTRALIA
June 18 2014 13:00 AUSTRALIA VS NETHERLANDS
June 18 2014 16:00 SPAIN VS CHILE
June 23 2014 13:00 AUSTRALIA VS SPAIN
June 23 2014 13:00 NETHERLANDS VS CHILE

GROUP C - MATCHES

June 14 2014 13:00 COLOMBIA VS GREECE
June 14 2014 22:00 COTE D`IVOIRE VS JAPAN
June 19 2014 13:00 COLOMBIA VS COTE D`IVOIRE
June 19 2014 19:00 JAPAN VS GREECE
June 24 2014 16:00 JAPAN VS COLOMBIA
June 24 2014 17:00 GREECE VS COTE D`IVOIRE

GROUP D - MATCHES
June 14 2014 16:00 URUGUAY VS COSTA RICA
June 15 2014 18:00 ITALY VS ENGLAND
June 19 2014 16:00 URUGUAY VS ENGLAND
June 20 2014 13:00 ITALY VS COSTA RICA
June 24 2014 13:00 ITALY VS URUGUAY
June 24 2014 13:00 COSTA RICA VS ENGLAND

GROUP E - MATCHES

June 15 2014 13:00 SWITZERLAND VS ECUADOR
June 15 2014 16:00 FRANCE VS HONDURAS
June 20 2014 16:00 SWITZERLAND VS FRANCE
June 20 2014 19:00 HONDURAS VS ECUADOR
June 25 2014 16:00 HODURAS VS SWITZERLAND
June 25 2014 17:00 ECUADOR VS FRANCE

GROUP F - MATCHES

June 15 2014 19:00 ARGENTINA VS BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA
June 16 2014 16:00 NIGERIA VS IRAN
June 21 2014 13:00 ARGENTINA VS IRAN
June 21 2014 18:00 NIGERIA VS BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
June 25 2014 13:00 NIGERIA VS ARGENTINA
June 25 2014 13:00 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA VS IRAN

GROUP G - MATCHES

June 16 2014 13:00 GERMANY VS PORTUGAL
June 16 2014 19:00 GHANA VS USA
June 21 2014 16:00 GERMANY VS GHANA
June 22 2014 18:00 USA VS PORTUGAL
June 26 2014 13:00 USA VS GERMANY
June 26 2014 13:00 PORTUGAL VS GHANA

GROUP H - MATCHES

June 17 2014 13:00 BELGIUM VS ALGERIA
June 17 2014 18:00 RUSSIA VS KOREA REPUBLIC
June 22 2014 13:00 BELGIUM VS RUSSIA
June 22 2014 16:00 KOREA REPUBLIC VS ALGERIA
June 26 2014 17:00 KOREA REPUBLIC VS BELGIUM
June 26 2014 17:00 ALGERIA VS RUSSIA

GROUP A

TEAM BRAZIL
World Cup Record: 67-15-15
World Cup Appearance: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002

Brazil last hosted a World Cup in 1950, when it lost in the final 2-1 to rival Uruguay at the Maracana. It’s one of the most-famous games in soccer lore. just to point out more than any other sport, soccer almost looks like something else entirely. This game might as well have taken place 200 years ago. Some combination of Paulinho, Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho and Ramires will shield the back four, leaving attacking duties to Neymar, Hulk and either Oscar or Bernard, interchanging across the final third of the field.

TEAM CROATIA
World Cup Record: 6-2-5
World Cup Appearance: 1998

Croatia is a solid team, among the best of the “second-tier” nations in the field of 32. Problem is, the draw does it no favors. If Croatia survives Brazil and Mexico, it’ll likely get Spain or the Netherlands in the Round of 16. Given that its key players Modric and Rakitic apply their trade in La Liga, maybe it gives Croatia a glimmer of hope. Modric and Ivan Rakitic. This lineup gives Croatia little more balance, even though it means Ivic Olic, Eduardo and Nikica Jelavić are either on the bench or out of position with Mario Mandžukić the lone striker. Mandžukić will miss the opener vs. Brazil due to a red card in qualifying.

TEAM MEXICO
World Cup History: 12-13-24
World Cup Appearance - Quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986; Round of 16 in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010.

I just want to say for the Team Mexico In order to be eliminated from the World Cup for the third straight time by Argentina, it would mean El Tri advanced all the way to the final. That said, as improved as Mexico has been under Herrera, getting through a group featuring host Brazil and a likely Round of 16 match with either Spain or the Netherlands is probably too much to ask, unless Chicharito, dos Santos and the rest of the players from the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal-winning team finally live up to the hype. Mexico will be one of the only teams at the World Cup to play a three-man defense anchored by reestablished captain Rafa Marquez, relying on wingbacks like Andres Guardado or 34-year-old Carlos Salcido for attacking width.

TEAM CAMEROON
World Cup Record: 4-9-7
World Cup Appearance: Quarterfinals, 1990

This is 4th World Cup. By my count Eto’o and Gianluigi Buffon are the only two guys who’ll span both the 1998 and 2014 World Cups. Defender Gaëtan Bong is front-runner for best name of the World Cup. … This will be the first World Cup since 1990 not to feature Rigobert Song in Cameroon’s squad. Cameroon’s only match in 2014 has been a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Portugal.Evergreen Samuel Eto’o will play somewhere in the starting XI, potentially wide which given his declining pace wouldn’t be very smart. And the Alexandre Song and Eyong Enoh will anchor the midfield.

GROUP B

TEAM SPAIN
World Cup Record: 28-12-16
ApWorld Cup Appearance: Champions (2010), Semifinals (1950), Quarterfinals (1934, 1986, 1994, 2002)

Team Spain Produced now on a Factoring in the collective success of the players at club and international level, perhaps it was the golden generation in soccer history. Since 2008, their talisman, Xavi Hernandez, has won four Spanish titles, two Champions Leagues, a World Cup and two European championships. The problem with that much success: playing a lot of games. They were thin there at Euro 2012, which saw Cesc Fabregas deployed as a “false nine.” With better options in 2014, the Spanish may field a true one.

TEAM NETHERLANDS
World Cup Record: 22-10-11
World Cup Appearance: Finals (1974, 1978, 2010), Semifinals (1998), Quarterfinals (1994)

Cruyff. Van Basten. Bergkamp. Gullit. Seedorf. Rijkaard. Van Nistelrooy. Dutchmen populate the list of greatest soccer players in history. They dominate the list of greatest players to have never won a World Cup. Their teams are stocked with tremendous talents. They are often scuttled by equally tremendous egos. When things go well, they go very well. When they go poorly, they can go very poorly.Depending on how one groups the midfielders, the Dutch will field an attacking 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. They play two sober, responsible midfielders fronted by a central play maker, two attacking wingers and a lead striker. They can be lethal, if the egos align up front.

TEAM CHILE
World Cup Record:9-6-14
World Cup Appearance: Semifinals (1962), Round of 16 (1998, 2010)

The team Chile languished under Claudio Borghi, losing five of its first nine qualifiers. Once Sampaoli took charge, the team revived. The Chileans went 5-0-1 over the final six matches, outscoring opponents 17-6 and ensuring qualification. Chile also beat England 2-0 and drew Spain and Brazil in friend lies. Chileans field either a 3-4-1-2 or a 4-3-1-2 depending on the phase of play. His name is Mauricio Isla They are skillful and press teams hard in their own half. Like a basketball team that runs an effective full court press, they can irritate those far more talented.

TEAM AUSTRALIA
World Cup Record: 2-3-5
World Cup Appearance: Round of 16 (2006), Qualified (1974, 2010)

There`s a Qualifying form of the Team Australia. The Aussies earned an automatic qualification place, finishing second in AFC Group B on 13 points from eight matches. It was not an impressive performance They won just three of their eight matches in the final group. Two were against bottom side Iraq. German coach Holger Osciek was fired, after consecutive 6-0 friendly losses to Brazil and France.There`s a tactics of Australia In friendlies, he continued the 4-2-3-1 they were playing before he arrived. Normally, Australian teams are physical, hard-working, direct and try to rattle teams. They are sort of a less talented England without the mental hangups.

[target]

GROUP C

TEAM COLOMBIA
World Cup Record: 3-2-8
World Cup Appearance: (Round of 16, 1990.)

There`s a Qualifying form of the Team Colombia finished second to Argentina in CONMEBOL qualifying, reaching the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998 in the process.Base on my Research about of the tactics of Colombia from now. Even without injured star striker Radamel Falcao (50-50, at best, to make the final roster), Colombia will be one of the more attack-minded teams in Brazil. Colombia will be one of the few teams at the World Cup to deploy two out-and-out strikers at the start of games given Pekerman’s fondness for 4-4-2 — the missionary position of soccer formations.

TEAM GREECE
World Cup Record: 1-0-5
World Cup Appearance: 1994, 2010, 2014

There`s a History of Scoring of Team Greece has scored 696 goals and given up 811 goals, leading to an all-time record of 206 - 220 - 136 (W/L/D). Over the history of Greece, they have averaged 1.24 goals per game, which is average for goals per game. Additionally, Greece has given up 1.44 goals per game, which is about average across all national teams.The Greece's all time leading scorer is Nikolaos Anastopoulos, and the team's all time leader in appearances is Giorgos Karagounis.

TEAM COTE D`IVOIRE
World Cup Record: 2-1-3
World Cup Appearance: 2006, 2010, 2014

The Côte d'Ivoire's all time leading scorer is Didier Zokora, and the team's all time leader in appearances is Didier Zokora.
There`s are over all Scoring of the Côte d'Ivoire has scored 814 goals and given up 506 goals, leading to an all-time record of 263 - 125 - 113 (W/L/D). Over the history of Côte d'Ivoire, they have averaged 1.62 goals per game, which is average for goals per game. Additionally, Côte d'Ivoire has given up 1.01 goals per game,which is a lot less goals than most teams allow.

TEAM JAPAN
World Cup Record: 4-3-7
World Cup Appearance: 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

The Japan's all time leading scorer is Kunishige Kamamoto, and the team's all time leader in appearances is Yasuhito Endo.
In total Japan has scored 1,230 goals and given up 920 goals, leading to an all-time record of 319 - 260 - 149 (W/L/D). Over the history of Japan, they have averaged 1.69 goals per game, which is well above the average for all national soccer teams. Additionally, Japan has given up 1.26 goals per game, which is less goals than most teams allow.

GROUP D

TEAM URUGUAY
World Cup Record: 18-12-17
World Cup Appearance: (Winners 1930, 1950,) 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2010, 2014

Uruguay have historically fared better in this fixture, winning six, drawing two and losing none of their eight previous meetings with Costa Rica. Uruguay is without a win their last three World Cup matches. After drawing 1 – 1 with Ghana in the quarter finals four years ago and then scraping through on penalties, La Celeste subsequently recorded two straight 3 – 2 defeats, against the Netherlands in the semi-finals and Germany in the match for third place.

TEAM COSTA RICA
World Cup Record: 3-1-6
World Cup Appearance: 1990, 2002, 2006, 2014

Meanwhile, Costa Rica is without a victory in five matches. After beating China PR 2 – 0 in 2002, los Ticos drew their following match and lost the next four in a row. Prior to Costa Rica, the only CONCACAF side that Uruguay had met twice in the World Cup were Mexico, against whom Charruas drew 0 – 0 in 1966 and won 1 – 0 in 2010. The Costa Rica's all time leading scorer is Rolando Fonseca, and the team's all time leader in appearances is Walter Centeno.

TEAM ENGLAND
World Cup Record: 25-18-13
World Cup Appearance: 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, (Winners 1966,) 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 1990, 2002, 2006, 2014

The England's all time leading scorer is Bobby Charlton, and the team's all time leader in appearances is Peter Shilton. Preview of all of the score of the England 2,053 goals and given up 927 goals, leading to an all-time record of 527 - 183 - 218 (W/L/D). Over the history of England, they have averaged 2.21 goals per game, which is well above the average for all national soccer teams. Additionally, England has given up 1.00 goals per game, which is a lot less goals than most teams allow.

TEAM ITALY
World Cup Record: 44-21-15
World Cup Appearance: (Winners 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014

The Italy's all time leading scorer is Luigi Riva, and the team's all time leader in appearances is Gianluigi Buffon. The 2006 winners came through the qualifiers undefeated, topping a group that contained Denmark, Czech Republic and a resurgent Armenia. Winning this group ensured that the Azzurri have now qualified for every World Cup since 1962. With a squad containing a subtle blend of youth and experience taking shape heading into the 2014 tournament, this time around; the quarterfinals should be the minimum expectancy for Prandelli’s side.

GROUP E

TEAM SWITZERLAND
World Cup Record: 9-6-14
World Cup Appearance: 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2014

Switzerland has never beaten South America opponents in the World Cup. Since drawing 2 – 2 with Brazil in 1950, the Helvetians have run up four successive defeats against CONMEBOL sides, losing 3 – 1 to Chile in 1962 2 – 0 Argentina in 1966, 2 – 0 Colombia in 1994 and 1 – 0 again to Chile in 2010. This is the 30th World Cup game contested by Switzerland, who has accumulated nine victories, six draws and 14 defeats to date.

TEAM ECUADOR
World Cup Record: 3-0-4
World Cup Appearance: 2002, 2006, 2014

Ecuador qualified for the 2014 World Cup by finishing 4th in the CONMEBOL group. An excellent win against a strong Uruguayan team with just a couple of games left secured their place in Brazil, sparking joyous scenes across the country. But an overall lack of organization, poor form on the road and a lack of talented defenders and central midfielders implies that, while they may be capable of causing a large upset, it is doubtful they will progress past the group.

TEAM FRANCE
World Cup Record: 25-11-18
World Cup Appearance: 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

Team France we have 1 Runner up 2 Third Place 1 Fourth Place and 1 Championship in 1998. France’s topsy-turvy World Cup story continues in 2014, but only just. They were placed in the only 5-team group, with reigning world champions Spain who inflicted their only loss, a 0-1 defeat at home. For them to succeed, they will need to eradicate their constant lapses in concentration, which have impeded them in big games and maintain a harmonious team spirit in what is an often fractious group of players.

TEAM HONDURAS
World Cup Record: 0-3-3
World Cup Appearance: 1982, 2010, 2014

Honduras team the one of the low stats of Fifa World Cup qualified for Brazil with relative ease. They finished third in the CONCACAF group standings, leaving Mexico and Panama to battle it out for the final spot. Heading into what will be the nation’s third World Cup, their primary objective will be to win a game. In their six World Cup outings to date, that has escaped them: having drawn three times and lost on a further three occasions.

[target]

GROUP F

TEAM ARGENTINA
World Cup Record: 37-13-20
World Cup Appearance: 1930, 1934, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

Argentina we have 16 Appearance and 2 Runner Up 2 times Champion in World Cup. Expect a strong showing from this talented group. A semifinal appearance is a very strong possibility, and if Messi can weave his magic, then the Argentineans have a wonderful chance of glory. Argentina has kicked off their last five World Cup campaigns with a win. Their last opening-day defeat dates back to 1990 when, as defending champion, they lost 1 – 0 to Cameroon. Between 1994 and 2010 the Argentineans successively beat Greece 4 – 0, Japan 1 – 0, Nigeria 1 – 0 Cote d`Ivoire 2 – 1 and Nigeria again 1 – 0.

TEAM BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
World Cup Record: None
World Cup Appearance: 2014

Bosnia-Herzegovia is the only tournament newcomers in this edition and the 77th team to play in the World Cup since its inception. Whilst it will be their first ever appearance in a World Cup, when you look at their squad it is no surprise that they have qualified; it is packed with technical players and well established goal scorers. A group containing Argentina, Nigeria and Iran gives this team a wonderful chance of progressing to the knock-out stages. With Argentina the standout favorites, Bosnia’s clash with the Super Eagles looks set to be the vital clash in this group.

TEAM IRAN
World Cup Record: 1-2-6
World Cup Appearance: 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014

Iran are themselves without a win in four World Cup games, having followed up a 2 – 1 victory over USA 1998 with three losses and draw. This trend looks set to continue as they enter as one of FIFA’s lowest ranking teams, and are many people’s pick to become the whipping boys of the tournament. Still, Queiroz’s team will still arrive in Brazil as rank outsiders. With their current place is FIFA’s rankings and their past disappointment of World Cup competition, the best hope for The Persian Stars is reaching the round of the last 16. They certainly won’t be as bad as many people expect.

TEAM NIGERIA
World Cup Record: 4-2-8
World Cup Appearance: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014

Having already won the African Cup of Nations earlier this year, Nigeria then eased past Ethiopia in the World Cup play off. Nigeria is winless in their last eight World Cup matches. Since beating Bulgaria 1 – 0 in 1998, the Super Eagles have racked up just two draws and six defeats. Nigeria is certainly capable of making a strong run in this tournament and the knockout stages are by no means out the question. Consistency and maturity will be key if these hopes are to come to fruition.

GROUP G

TEAM GERMANY
World Cup Record: 60-19-20
World Cup Appearance: 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

Another team from World Cup of full of experience of this game. There`s a stats of this team 4 times Runner Up 4 times Third place 1 time 4th place and 3 times Championship. The Germans are looking exceptionally strong. With this level quality within their ranks, anything less than glory has to be seen as disappointment this summer. The squad is absolutely crammed with a class. Loew can choose from combination of thorough-bread, experienced winners and some of the world’s top young talents. The result is a team that has developed a fearsome reputation and a rightful tag as one of the favorites to win a fourth World Cup.

TEAM PORTUGAL
World Cup Record: 12-3-8
World Cup Appearance: 1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

This team is a supreme counter attacking outfit. They will sit in their own half and allow teams to come onto them before springing from deep positions and exploiting the space in behind. The back four is pretty settled, but they have regularly struggled to garner a suitable balance in the middle of the pitch.Nani and Ronaldo provide threat from the wide areas, but questions linger as to whether Helder Postiga has the class to lead the line.Arguably the best player in the world today, CR7 has been nothing short of extraordinary over the last few years. At the time of writing, he has amassed an incredible 32 goals in just 22 games for both club and country this season.

TEAM GHANA
World Cup Record: 4-2-3
World Cup Appearance: 2006, 2010, 2014

Team Ghana one of the underdog team of this event but don’t underestimate. Particularly in midfield, where they have a glut of excellent options. Michael Essien is the most familiar of these names and since his return from injury – and despite his lack of action for Chelsea – he always seems to perform when pulling on the Ghanian national shirt. He’s ably supported by the likes of Juventus’ Kwadwo Asamoah, Milan’s Sulley Muntari and FC Schalke’s Kevin-Prince Boateng; three players who have played and performed well on some of Europe’s biggest stages in their careers to date.

TEAM USA
World Cup Record: 7-5-17
World Cup Appearance: 1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

The United States qualified for the World Cup by winning the hexagonal group stage, suffering just one defeat in their ten games. The squad that United States are expected to take to Brazil are a gritty group, brimming with experience, energy and enormous work-rate. Klinsmann has created togetherness within this squad which not many teams in this tournament can match.

GROUP H

TEAM BELGIUM
World Cup Record: 10-9-17
World Cup Appearance: 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014

Belgium coach Marc Wilmot’s is his country`s all-time top scorer at the World Cup with five goals. The former midfielder`s last strike came against none other than Russia in that 3 – 2 win in 2002. The ‘football hipster’ would have told you long ago that Belgium will be a dark horse for this tournament. And during the qualifying campaign, we’ve heard many experts come out and say this team looks a good outside bet for the title.

TEAM ALGERIA
World Cup Record: 2-2-5
World Cup Appearance: 1982, 1986, 2010, 2014

This tournament will mark consecutive World Cup’s for Algeria for the second time in their history. And whilst most will remember their dreary and abrasive efforts in the 2010 World Cup, this is a team much improved from the one that played in South Africa four years earlier.Hilihodzic has struggled to introduce similar quality in the defensive positions though, and this is arguably the biggest challenge facing this team ahead of their fourth World Cup bow. But he will be hoping the team can maintain similar solidarity and togetherness to the 2010 side, which were notoriously difficult to break down. England, of course, found this out to their peril.

TEAM RUSSIA
World Cup Record: 2-0-4
World Cup Appearance: 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 2002, 2014

Russia has collected three victories in as many World Cup matches against African teams. The east Europeans overpowered Cameroon 4 – 0 in 190 (as Soviet Union) and again 6 – 1 in 1994 when Oleg Salenko gabbed five goals, before downing Tunisia 2 – 0 in 2002. Capello will be looking to better his previous World Cup performance with England in 2010. In South Africa the three lions were downright boring to watch and were given a lesson by a vibrant young Germany outfit.

TEAM KOREA REPUBLIC
World Cup Record: 5-8-15
World Cup Appearance: 1954, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

Team Korea 9 times Participate of this event. Korea Republic has played Belgium three times and is yet to win. The 1st two meetings took place in the World Cup and resulted in a 2 – 0 Belgian victories in 1990 and a 1 – 1 draw in 1998. Their last skirmish dates back to 1991 in Seoul, where Les Diables Rouges plundered a 2 – 1 win. Aside from that, there is little genuine quality within their ranks. Much depends on Son Heung Min, who has the capability to create and score goals, but they are very, very dependent on being well organized and disciplined.