Group A of the World Cup will be one of the most interesting ones for a number of reasons. It features the host nation and World Cup favorites, but it also features an intriguing battle for second place. Here is a breakdown of how the group could play out.
Being a Brazilian soccer player has its advantages. The country has a history and legacy of soccer greatness that automatically paints you in a positive light. But that history also comes with its great pressure and expectations. To be truly considered amongst the best Brazilians, you have to deliver like the best Brazilians. Just ask Kaka. The former Ballon d'Or winner was seen as the next big thing when he headed to South Africa as El Selecao's top star. But the then-Real Madrid property crumbled under pressure, tainting his legacy among Brazil's elite superstars.
The bets are on and the favorites to win the FIFA World Cup this summer have been placed. The top five teams expected to win are as follows: Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain and Belgium. Spain is the current defending champions and despite being the team placed with the fourth best chance of winning, there are a number of arguments that could be made in La Furia Roja's favor. Here are those reasons.
No player faces greater pressure entering the 2014 World Cup than Argentina's Lionel Messi. Considered one of soccer's all-time greats, Messi is still without futbol's greatest prize on his resume. Will this World Cup determine his legacy?
As Brazilian organizers scramble to make last-minute preparations for the World Cup, set to begin June 12th, the protests against the event – despite the countries passion for the sport – continue to intensify in parts of the country.
Diego Costra has torn his hamstring and his status remains uncertain for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Is Spain in trouble heading into the World Cup?
Heading to Brazil to take part in World Cup 2014 festivities? Here's a few things you may need to know before heading down there for the biggest event in soccer.
The 2014 World Cup will place a tremendous amount of pressure on a number of major stars, among those is Argentina's Lionel Messi. Considered the best player in the world, Messi is often omitted from the conversation about whether or not he is the greatest soccer player of all time, and faces a similar situation that Diego Armando Maradona faced in the 1986 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico.
The FIFA World Cup is under fire because of the scheduled times and intense heat The 2014 World Cup will be played in the most historically successful soccer nation in the world, Brazil.
Zinedine Zidane. A living legend. But also a polarizing one. France's eternal superstar and one of the greatest players to ever put on the boots proved to be the hero for his country in one instance and its antihero in another. Zidane's great World Cup career took place over the course of two tournaments.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will have the attention of millions of fans as they watch matches live on television or on secondhand experience. For LiveU, the scale of broadcasting the World Cup tournament may be the biggest operation for the live-video transmission company.
Back in 1970 Gerd Muller scored 10 goals in the World Cup. Since then only one player has come anywhere near that standard. That man was the great Ronaldo, who managed eight goals in that tournament and holds the record for highest scoring player in World Cup history with 15. Ronaldo did not earn the Golden Ball for his performance in 2002; that honor was given to the nearly impenetrable Oliver Kahn. But Kahn, who had been dominant throughout the first seven games of the tournament (he only conceded one goal in that span), met his match in the decisive match and allowed not one, but two goals against the superstar forward.
With less than a month until the first ball kick, Brazil continues to see protests against the biggest sporting event of the year. Preparations for the World Cup have been followed by a specter of popular discontent, and as the games near. more people hit the streets to voice their displeasure with the government and the Cup.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is set to start in June from Brazil, and viewers in the United States are prepared to use their digital devices for better game viewing.
When one thinks of Asian superpowers in soccer, Japan and South Korea immediately come to mind. Iran is not usually included in that group. However, Carlos Queiroz's side has proven to be one to contend with and could surprise a few people in Brazil. The team has been placed in arguably the least competitive group of all and could finally earn its way to the knockout round. Can Iran pull off the historic feat?
Japan has grown into an Asian superpower in international soccer over the last few years. However, many have been waiting for the Samurais to take the next step and be contenders for the World Cup. Is this the year that Japan does it?
The last time a World Cup champion won back-to-back tournaments was in 1962, when a Pele-led Brazil managed the feet. That generation of players was widely considered the greatest international team of all time. However, another team has managed to enter into that conversation after being the first team to win three straight international tournaments in a row. That team is the current defending champion Spain, which enters the tournament after winning the 2008 and 2012 Euro Cups and the 2010 World Cup. Can Spain make history by winning its second straight World Cup and its fourth straight major tournament?
Barcelona FC is having a down year in the standings. FC Barcelona is having a down year in the standings. La Liga rival Real Madrid has usurped their position as the dominant team in Spain.
FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke inspected venues in Sao Paulo, Curitiba, and Cuiaba to verify if they would be ready in time to host matches for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
