Asamoah Gyan. Has been a revelation since returning to international football last year and taking over the national captaincy.
Most likely to be sent home in disgrace
Kevin Prince-Boateng. The man who has a private jet, 15 tattoos and a poor injury record caused, according to his fiancee, by the couple’s nocturnal workouts, seems to have mellowed since moving to Schalke from Milan.
The coach
Kwesi Appiah is the first black African coach to take Ghana to the World Cup, and spent a week at Manchester City studying Roberto Mancini earlier this year.
Grudge match
The bitter memories of that quarter-final in Johannesburg are still raw so seeing Uruguay placed in the opposite half of the draw was a national disappointment. Only a run to the semi-finals could set up a reunion with Señor Suárez and co, while any meeting with Nigeria in the knockout stages is likely to see the resumption of an on-off rivalry that has simmered for years.
Holed up
New changing rooms, relaid pitches and a special plan to ensure they never get stuck in traffic are just some of the schemes made by the local government since Ghana plumped to stay at the Radisson Hotel in Maceió. The city is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning coral reefs, widespread drug abuse and casual violence – it is considered the third most violent city in the world.
How they qualified
Top scorers in qualifying, making light work of their preliminary group and then demolishing Egypt 7-3 over two legs.
World Cup high
Reaching the quarter-final in 2010 on only their second appearance in the competition.
World Cup low
Being eliminated from the tournament thanks to a grinning Luis Suarez and his goal-line handball.
Familiar faces
Michael Essien (Chelsea), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough).
Title odds: 150/1
The stereotype is …
Expressive, crowd-pleasing football with a nice line in dance celebrations.
The reality is …
A cautious style, based on a powerful midfield, a rock-solid defence and playing on the counter-attack. Ghana’s progression to the verge of the semi-finals in South Africa four years ago was built on a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation that used Gyan at the fulcrum of the attack. Not much has changed under Appiah, with Prince-Boateng back in the fold to provide the link from midfield. The versatility of Kwadwo Asamoah of Juventus is key to the Black Stars’ approach, with Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien and André Ayew or Mubarak Wakaso completing an experienced midfield.
What are they known for?
Booming second-world economy 46 per cent
People called Boateng 30 per cent
Gold 20 per cent
Kofi Annan 4 per cent
How Google translates the national anthem
God bless our homeland Ghana, And make our nation great and strong, Bold to defend forever The cause of Freedom and of Right;
Duration
Around two minutes, if all three verses are sung.
How to dress like their fans
Lots and lots of paint. Face paint, body paint, hair paint. As a rule of thumb, if your friends can still recognise you, apply more paint.
Commentator’s go-to stat
One of the country’s major motorways is named after George W Bush. It’s well-kept, but sometimes it gets its junctions mixed up.
18 Chris Wondolowski forward, San Jose Earthquakes
19 Graham Zusi midfielder, Sporting Kansas City
20 Geoff Cameron defender, Stoke City
21 Timothy Chandler defender, Nürnberg
22 Nick Rimando goalkeeper, Real Salt Lake
23 Fabian Johnson defender, 1899 Hoffenheim
Star man
Landon Donovan has scored 57 international goals in 154 appearances and will only be 32 when the tournament kicks off. Klinsmann has given him new life, liberty and signposted the way for the pursuit of happiness with a more central role to exploit his intelligent passing and cold-blooded finishing.
Most likely to be sent home in disgrace
Frankfurt-born Jermaine Jones is leader of the squad’s German clique. Heavily tattooed and with a playboy lifestyle, the feisty midfielder has traded blows with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at former club Schalke, where he was exiled to train with the reserves by the manager Felix Magath.
The coach
A World Cup-winner as a player in 1990, Jürgen Klinsmann took Germany to the semi-finals on home soil in 2006 before a strange interlude as Bayern Munich manager. More a CEO than a tracksuit coach, he is big on management speak and PowerPoint presentations.
Grudge match
Mexico are the perennial regional rivals – USA fans like to chant “Dos a cero” after a string of recent scorelines. But this summer could also provide the Great Satan’s footballers with the opportunity to make a vague geopolitical point about nuclear non-proliferation or something – or more pointedly seek revenge for their 2-1 defeat at France 98 to Iran.
Holed up
The Americans will be based at São Paulo FC’s state-of-the-art Barra Funda complex and adjacent five-star hotel. The players had a training camp there in January and if they need inspiration to strut their stuff, they can look to Barra Funda’s resident flock of peacocks.
How they qualified
At the top of the fourth-round group with a four-point cushion over Costa Rica. They won all five home games but lost in San Jose and Honduras.
World Cup high
Semi-finalists at the inaugural tournament in 1930, though it took only two wins to get there before Argentina took them apart 6-1. Proving one man’s nadir is another’s apogee, the 1950 victory over England remains a stunning achievement.
World Cup low
Versus Iran in 1998, the second of three group defeats, which led to much hilarity and schadenfreude given the 20 years of diplomatic tension that preceded it.
Familiar faces
Tim Howard (Everton), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa).
Title odds: 125/1
The stereotype is …
Ten-fresh faced college boys with retina-scorching teeth and one hairy hippie play efficient boredom-ball with the emphasis on work-rate, set pieces, logic and good old native lack of pretension.
The reality is …
Proficient counter-attacking team with a solid keeper who seem perennially unable to break through to the elite, particularly in this incarnation because they are prone to defensive lapses. The USA are a hardworking, competitive team at their most dangerous on the counterattack. Far from being johnny-come-latelies to the soccerball business, the USA were semi-finalists at the first World Cup in 1930 and have qualified eight times since and finished first in qualifying. They line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Bradley and Jones as the defensive midfielders, although the latter can be pushed on to aid the attack. The defence have a new look but the team cannot now count on the vastly experienced Landon Donovan up front after he was dropped. Recently repatriated Dempsey, late of Fulham and Spurs, is the main source of goals, perhaps unsurprisingly given that the first-choice striker is Altidore.
What they’re known for?
Kardashians 36 per cent
Syrupy bacon 17 per cent
Cheese that tastes of despair 29 per cent
Khaki trousers 18 per cent
How Google translates the national anthem
Into Latin: ubi nunc isti sent, tam superbo veto, furiali pugna territos et claymore, esse nos cum terra
Duration
Two minutes and 49 seconds for the extended 12 inch remix.
How to dress like their fans
Hen party red stetson, stars, stripes, Uncle Sam costumes, khaki “pants” and tears to profess love of the “Ewe Ess Ay, Ewe Ess Ay, Ewe Ess Ay”.
Commentator’s go-to stat
The average American child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jam sandwiches before he or she graduates from high school.
7 Cristiano Ronaldo (captain) forward, Real Madrid
8 João Moutinho midfielder, Monaco
9 Hugo Almeida forward, Besiktas
10 Vieirinha midfielder, Wolfsburg
11 Éder forward, Braga
12 Rui Patrício goalkeeper, Sporting
13 Ricardo Costa defender, Valencia
14 Luís Neto defender, Zenit Saint Petersburg
15 Rafa Silva midfielder, Braga
16 Raul Meireles midfielder, Fenerbahce
17 Nani midfielder, Manchester United
18 Silvestre Varela midfielder, Porto
19 André Almeida defender, Benfica
20 Rúben Amorim midfielder, Benfica
21 João Pereira defender, Valencia
22 Beto goalkeeper, Sevilla
23 Hélder Postiga forward, Lazio
Star man
Cristiano Ronaldo will carry the weight of a nation’s expectations on his shoulders, plus a Louis Vuitton man-bag packed with an astonishing quantity of hair gel. His brilliant second-leg hat-trick made the difference for Portugal in their play-off against Sweden
Most likely to be sent home in disgrace
Real Madrid centre-half Pepe was banned for 10 games in 2009 for kicking a Getafe player who had fallen to the floor twice and slapping another. Three years later he walked into a referee’s dressing room after a 1-1 draw with Villarreal and called him a “swindling motherf—–“.
The coach
With his silver-flecked hair and Portugueseness, Paulo Bento is an ersatz José Mourinho, albeit without the same glint in the eye. He impressed by leading Portugal to the last four at Euro 2012, but qualification for the World Cup was more of a struggle.
Grudge match
The Battle of Nuremberg in 2006 has lost none of its entertainment value in the past eight years. Portugal might have beaten Holland 1-0 to reach the last eight in 2006 but this was more of a brawl in a city centre on a Saturday night than a football match, with both sides having two men sent off and the referee, Valentin Ivanov, having to show 16 yellow cards. Sixteen!
Holed up
Owned by 82-year-old Portuguese-born biscuit baron Armindo Dias, The Palms is the exclusive – that’s just 116 rooms – boutique hotel hidden in a corner of a massive resort. Not only have they forced all staff to sign contracts banning them from requesting autographs, there are reports of special treatment being offered to one CR9: his own VIP suite complete with scented pillows, chamomile and caramel are a popular choice, six bodyguards and heated mirrors that do not steam up.
How they qualified
Defeat in Moscow and draws with Israel, twice, and Northern Ireland left them with a tough play-off tie against Sweden, which almost went topsy-turvy in Stockholm until Cristiano Ronaldo in dazzling style scored twice in two minutes to complete his hat-trick and drag them through, clinging to his coat-tails.
World Cup high
Third in 1966, with Eusebio, the darling of Goodison Park, winning the golden boot with nine goals, his eighth coming in the semi-final defeat b yEngland and, specifically, Bobby Charlton.
World Cup low
Beat England in their first group game in Mexico in 1986 only then to lose to both Poland and Morocco and the ‘golden generation’ were dumped out in 2002 by co-hosts South Korea and their Beatlemania-revival, screeching fans.
Familiar faces
Nani (Manchester United) and his former-team-mate/global-brand, CR7.
Title odds
25-1
The stereotype is …
One-man band, Ronaldo single-handedly driving his extravagantly-tattooed team-mates through a combination of individual brilliance, cajoling by example and grandiose petulance.
The reality is …
Surprisingly vulnerable at the back given their pedigree and Bento’s tastes as a club coach and player but capable of swift, fluid counter-attacking waves all in service of Ronaldo, who is more conductor and principal soloist than entire orchestra.
What they’re known for?
Port 27 per cent
Narcissistic managers 41 per cent
Shellfish detritus in soup 13 per cent
Hello! features at home with Sir Cliff Richard 19 per cent
How Google translates the national anthem
Kiss the soil thy jocund, the ocean roaring of love, and your arm, the winner, gave new worlds to the world.
Duration
Long enough at 1min 22sec to let Brazil fans put their hands on hips and sigh “so you discovered us did you?”
How to dress like their fans
Red, green or gold vests, Glastonbury-style jester’s hats and acres of cotton wool to drown out the sound of the weapon with the bass drum.
Commentator’s go-to fact
After Manoel II, Portugal’s last king, was deposed in 1910, he lived in exile in Twickenham and although he died at the age of 42 he was godfather to more than 300 children.
22 Roman Weidenfeller goalkeeper, Borussia Dortmund
23 Christoph Kramer midfielder, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Star man
Julian Draxler. Arsenal are one of the many teams keeping an eye on the attacking midfielder, currently enjoying a fine season with Schalke.
Most likely to be sent home in disgrace
Sami Khedira’s occasional tendency to “tell it like it is” in interviews may land him in hot water one day.
The coach
Joachim Low is well-liked, but unless he wins something with the riches at his disposal, the temptation to replace him with Jurgen Klopp will remain.
Grudge match
Only Italy (19) have featured in more World Cups than (West) Germany (17)but meetings with Holland used to bring out the worst in both teams –you’ll recall Frank Rijkaard applying the wrong kind of hair conditioner to Rudi Völler’s mullet in 1990 – but relations have become more cordial now that Germany are playing beautiful, unsuccessful football. Italy are the No1 angstgegner (bogey team), having never been beaten in a major tournament.
Holed up
Campo Bahia, in the eastern province of the same name, is a luxury beach resort completed in April by constructors from Munich. It’s designed to be “optimal” for the team – “the whole place has been laid out so as to foster a team spirit,” says the man in charge – with a German agronomist flown in to look after the training pitches.
How they qualified
Ominously. Played ten, won nine, and even the one they didn’t was a thrilling 4-4 draw with Sweden.
World Cup high
Won it three times, in 1954, 1974 and 1990, but none since the mullet was in fashion.
World Cup low
Not being invited to compete in the 1950 World Cup, reportedly because of the naughty stuff they did in the war.
Familiar faces
Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), André Schürrle (Chelsea), Mesut Özil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal).
Title odds: 5/1
The stereotype is …
Dull and joyless, and yet consistently punch above their weight at major tournaments.
The reality is …
An unbelievably gifted squad who have arguably underperformed at major tournaments of late. Swift, deadly and yet fairly beatable. Germany play an aesthetically pleasing but slightly fragile 4-2-3-1 that comes with a Barcelona button: Löw can switch veteran striker Miroslav Klose for a false nine (Mario Götze) if need be. No Germany team have had this many fine attacking midfielders and wide players at their disposal, but there is also lot of good, old-fashioned angst around the left-back spot and central midfield, where key players are either out of form (Bastian Schweinsteiger), just back from injury (Sami Khedira) or ruled out entirely (Ilkay Gündogan).
What are they known for?
The Best League In The World, Bar None 99 per cent
National Socialism 1 per cent
How Google translates the national anthem
German women, German loyalty, German wine and German song shall retain in the world their old sound.
Duration
Clocks in at just over a minute. The full version consists of just three verses.
How to dress like their fans
Heidi pigtails for the ladies, sensible casual wear for the gentlemen. Rudi Voller moustache optional.
Commentator’s go-to stat
It’s 37 years since Germany lost a major penalty shoot-out. Expect Gary Lineker to whip that one out at some stage.
Group F at the 2014 FIFA World Cup comprises of South American giants Argentina, European newcomers Bosnia-Herzegovina, African champions Nigeria and Asian representatives Iran. Argentina, a traditional football powerhouse, have flattered to deceive in recent international competitions but have been blessed with a fairly comfortable group to wade through.
Bosnia-Herzegovina will be making their debut in the FIFA World Cup finals, having failed to qualify in four previous attempts. Nigeria, crowned African champions in 2013, are making their fifth appearance at the World Cup while Iran have benefitted from their diasporas in European nations to continue their unusual trend of qualifying for alternate World Cup finals since the turn of the century.
Group F Schedule
Date
Match
Time
Venue
June 16
Argentina vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
23:00
Rio de Janeiro
June 17
Iran vs Nigeria
20:00
Curitiba
June 21
Argentina vs Iran
17:00
Belo Horizonte
June 22
Nigeria vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
23:00
Cuiaba
June 25
Nigeria vs Argentina
17:00
Porto Alegre
June 25
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Iran
17:00
Salvador
Venues
Each of the six encounters in Group F will be hosted by different cities – Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Cuiaba, Porto Alegre and Salvador. The opening game between Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina will be staged at the fabled Maracana Stadium in the picturesque seaside city of Rio de Janeiro.
The Maracana Stadium
Estadio do Maracana (Rio de Janeiro)
Capacity: 79,000
This historical venue was once the largest stadium in the world with a capacity close to 200,000. Originally built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, the Maracana underwent major reconstruction prior to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. It will also host this year’s final.
A modernisation project which cost $287 million has completely changed the look and feel of this arena located in the third largest city in Brazil. This venue will also have the privilege of hosting a semi-final.
Arena Fonte Nova (Salvador)
Capacity: 55,000
The Arena Fonte Nova is a brand new stadium constructed for this tournament. Completed in April, it was in the news recently after a part of the roof collapsed due to torrential rains in the port-city. It will play host to the final game of Group F and one quarter final.
Beira-Rio Stadium (Porto Alegre)
Capacity: 50,000
It’s a race against time for the organisers to get this stadium ready for the event with FIFA also recently voicing its concern over the progress of work. Fans from Argentina and Nigeria have a treat on their hands in this football-mad city, also home to local clubs Gremio and Internacional.
Arena Pantanal (Cuiaba)
Capacity 43,000
Located in the western part of the country, this stadium is slated to host four group stage fixtures. This region experiences scorching weather conditions in the summer with temperatures rising upto 40 degrees centigrade.
Arena da Baixada (Curitiba)
Capacity: 41,000
Home to Atletico Paranaense, this stadium was almost stripped off its World Cup hosting rights after an inspection by FIFA at the turn of the year. It is considered to be one the most modern stadiums in Brazil equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for players, fans and media personnel.
Team Guide
Argentina
Argentina, ranked fifth in the world, would want to take the trophy in their regional arch-rivals Brazil’s home turf this time. They displayed their class in the friendly they won 3-0 against Trinidad & Tobago, letting everyone know that they are playing in the 2014 World Cup to take home no less than a win.
The team’s record at the mega event has been impressive, as they have bagged the biggest title twice. In this edition of the tournament, the squad has been prepared by Alejandro Sabella, also known as ‘the Magician’, while the beloved Lionel Messi will continue to lead the team.
Ever since Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona led their country to two World Cup trophies in 1978 and 1986, respectively, Argentina have failed to fulfil their potential and make a mark in the international arena. They have failed to get past the quarter-finals stage since 1990. But with a frontline (Messi, Aguero, Higuain, Di Maria) that would scare the living daylights out of any defence in the world, expectations have risen but so has the pressure on Sabella’s side to deliver.
The Sabella-Messi combination has proved to be fruitful for Argentina, and Sabella’s first decision as the coach was to make Messi the captain of the side in 2011.
The mystery team for the Group F will be Bosnia and Herzegovina. The team’s most impressive feat on paper is their Fifa ranking. They are the second best team after Argentina in the group, ranked at 21 in the world. This will be the debut for a nation that arrived at the football circuit in 1995.
Manchester City star Edin Dzeko together with Vedad Ibisevic and Miralem Pjanic will be the players to watch from Bosnia and Herzegovina. With a growing number of players from this country plying their trade in some of the best clubs across Europe, Bosnia-Herzegovina have finally found the right mix of talent which has propelled them to their first-ever World Cup finals. The likes of Dzeko, Spahic, Pjanic and Begovic have successfully carried their excellent club form to the international level which also resulted in a stellar qualifying campaign. The Bosnian side scored 30 goals and conceded just six in their ten qualifying games.
Iran are a single step ahead of Nigeria on the 43rd position in the Fifa world rankings. Their team is led by Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who is a former Real Madrid manager. He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Iran’s national football team, which will end after the World Cup.
Their forward Reza Ghoochannejhad, captain Javad Nekounam and Karim Ansari will be on the radar of the players to watch.
With a tough group stage staring at them, Iran might not be able to make much headway in the tournament, but the standard of football in Iran has been given a huge boost with several players now foraying into European club football. A victory for Iran would be counted as an upset and will put the cat among the pigeons in Group F.
The Nigeria-Argentina fixture in the world cup has now become a tradition. They have met four times before. Nigeria are better known as the team against which Argentina legend Diego Maradona played his last match in the World Cup. The South Americans won 2-1 in 1994.
The main players who can make an impact for Nigeria in the grand event are midfielders John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Victor Obinna. Stephen Keshi has steadily groomed a side with the right mix of youth and experience and the seeds of his efforts bore fruit when Nigeria romped to glory at the African Cup of Nations in 2013. Nigeria’s squad for Brazil 2014 resembles the squad which lifted the trophy last year. But Nigeria have failed to go past the first hurdle in their last two World Cup finals and with a group as tightly contested as theirs, John Obi Mikel and his boys will have to perform out of their skins to upset the odds.
Argentina vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (June 16, Rio de Janeiro)
While most people have predicted a relaxed group stage journey for Argentina, Alejandro Sabella will be mindful of the form that Bosnia and Herzegovina are carrying into the tournament. Edin Dzeko would be itching to take advantage of the South Americans’ defensive deficiencies and any kind of complacency that might creep into the Argentinian camp. Bosnia won’t have anything to lose and they can be expected to go all out in the opening clash of Group F. The winners of this game are certain to emerge as table-toppers.
Nigeria vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (June 22, Cuiaba)
The likely tussle between Bosnia and Nigeria for the second place will reach its summit when the two sides go head-to-head in Cuiaba. With both sides expected to lose to Argentina and defeat Iran, this game could turn into a potential knock-out for either side. A draw would bring Iran into the picture and make the permutations even more interesting. Coaches from both camps, Stephen Keshi and Safet Susic, would already be preparing for this tie which could have far reaching repercussions on their World Cup aspirations.
Predictions
Group F Predictions
Position
Team
Played
Win
Loss
Draw
Points
1
Argentina
3
3
0
0
9
2
Bosnia & Herzegovina
3
2
1
0
6
3
Nigeria
3
1
2
0
3
4
Iran
3
0
0
0
0
Summary
Argentina, with all their class and oodles of talent, should end up as comfortable group winners with the physical Bosnian side the only one that could bother the South Americans. Messi and co. will be hoping to bag all nine points on offer and avoid a potential round-of-16 encounter with France.
It will be a close fight between Bosnia and Nigeria for the second spot and whichever team comes out on top in their duel should qualify for the knock-out stages. The quality of the Bosnian team should be able to surmount the challenge of the Africans. Carlos Queiroz and his team should savour the experience of the World Cup finals while they can, as Iran might have to return home empty-handed from Brazil.
As hard as it may sound for Chelsea fans, Mikel John Obi was the creative force behind last year’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in South Africa. Having been hailed as the successor to Jay-Jay Okocha a decade ago, the 27-year-old had become used to being ridiculed in his homeland for an increasingly defensive approach. All has now been forgiven and – free from the constraints of José Mourinho’s bus – Mikel’s big moment may have arrived.
Most likely to be sent home in disgrace
Celtic’s Efe Ambrose was sent off against Burkina Faso but the likelihood as ever with Nigeria is the government, or FA, shooting themselves in the foot and alienating the players by withholding payments or making asinine knee-jerk condemnations
The coach.
Known as The Big Boss, Keshi is reminiscent of a middle-aged Obi-Wan Kenobi for possessing an unwavering belief in his own ability. The decision to resign within 24 hours of the Africa Cup triumph before performing a U-turn showed the sort of balls required to survive repeated battles with the prickly NFF.
Grudge match
Drawn for the second time against Argentina, Nigeria will be looking to improve on a pair of timid 1-0 defeats in their final Group F match in Porto Alegre. The opening match against Iran will also carry an interesting subtext – Nigeria’s pro-Iranian Shia Muslim community was virtually non-existent 30 years ago but now comprise about 5% of the country’s 80 million Muslims, with close ties remaining between Tehran and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
Holed up
Located 96km from São Paulo in one of Brazil’s oldest cities, the Vitória Hotel Concept in Campinas has four restaurants, 253 rooms and a heliport. That could come in handy when the issue of player bonuses inevitably rears its ugly head.
How they qualified
Won the Cup of Nations this year and were unbeaten in six group games before a 4-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia in the two-legged play-off which owed a debt of gratitude to the fine form of Lille’s unbreachable goalkeeper Victor Enyeama.
World Cup high
Eighty-eight minutes into their round of 16 match at their debut tournament in 1994 against 10-man Italy, Nigeria were 1-0 up until Rip Van Baggio at last awoke and equalised with a superb shot and then scored the extra-time winner from the spot.
World Cup low
Two defeats, one to Greece, and a draw in 2010 enraged Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, to such a peak of Rumpelstiltskin rage that he banned the team from playing international matches for two years before backtracking a week later.
Familiar faces
Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea) and John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Victor Moses (Chelsea), Shola Ameobi (ex-Newcastle United), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City).
Title odds
250/1
The stereotype is …
Chaotic organisation, defensive indiscipline, John Obi Mikel doing his Ray Wilkins crab-dance and flash, amusement arcade forwards more interested in winning goal of the tournament than the golden boot.
The reality is …
Excellent goalkeeper, industrious and mean defence, Mikel less inhibited and betraying hints of why Chelsea fought so hard to get him and a dangerous, bullocking forward in Emmanuel Emenike. The key to Keshi’s success since taking over the Super Eagles in 2011 has been managing to get the best out of Mikel. Deployed in a more advanced role than he is used to for Chelsea, Nigeria have long abandoned 4-4-2 and play a variation of 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, with Lazio’s Ogenyi Onazi providing the bite alongside Mikel and Africa Cup hero Sunday Mba offering support. Victor Moses, Emenike and a potential recall for Odemwingie could make for an exciting front three.
What they’re known for?
Potent Guinness 12 per cent
419 scams 21 per cent
Band on the Run 9 per cent
Oil 40 per cent
Sub-Australian standard soaps 18 per cent
How Google translates the national anthem
Help our youth the truth to know, in love and honesty to grow
Duration
A breezy, Ronnie Hazlehurst-esque 55sec.
How to dress like their fans
Green and white face-paint, green and white Harpo Marx wigs, green and white clothes. Think Plymouth Argyle or retro, spearmint-flavoured, sickly confectionery, Pacers, formerly Opal Mints.
Commentator’s go-to stat
One sixth of Africa’s population lives in Nigeria. Ameobi scored as many England Under-21 goals (seven) as Jermain Defoe.
20 Steven Beitashour defender, Vancouver Whitecaps
21 Ashkan Dejagah midfielder, Fulham
22 Daniel Davari goalkeeper, Eintracht Braunschweig
23 Mehrdad Pouladi defender, Persepolis
Star man
Reza Ghoochannejhad – Gucci to his Charlton Athletic team-mates and those who struggle with tongue-twister surnames – suggested he could solve the country’s goalscoring woes when he struck nine times in his first 11 matches after making his debut in qualifying. Technically deft and endowed with a terrific shot he represented Holland at youth level, his parents having moved to the Netherlands when he was a child.
Most likely to be sent home in disgrace …
The Persepolis midfielder Mehrdad Pooladi underwent surgery on the little finger of his right hand after the mother of all hissy fits on being substituted in the first half of an Iranian league match in October 2012, smashing a glass door in frustration.
The coach
Carlos Queiroz didn’t immediately endear himself to certain sections of the Iranian hierarchy by appointing an American assistant manager but an impressive qualifying campaign featuring some public taunting of South Korea has made him a popular figure.
Grudge match
First and foremost, the Great Satan. Iran’s one finals victory was arguably the most politically charged in Word Cup history – the “mother of all games” meeting with the United States in 1998 staged in Lyon and it ended up 2-1 to Iran and cue the mother of all celebrations. But rivalry with South Korea took a bitter twist during the latest qualifiers, when the then-Korea manager Choi Kang-hee bemoaned “bad treatment’ by the hosts after his team lost in Tehran. When the teams met again in Korea, Quieroz pinned a photograph of Choi to his shirt and wore it throughout the buildup. When Iran won again, Quieroz turned to a make an up yours gesture to the Korean bench.
Holed up
Iran will use Corinthians’ training ground in São Paolo and have persuaded the club’s general manager, the former Arsenal midfielder Edu, to help run the sessions. Fitness tips may be harder to find at their hotel in the city of Guarulhos, which means “big-bellied people” in the Tupi language.
How they qualified
Beat South Korea to top spot in Group A in the AFC region beating them home and away in the process, with the match in Tehran played in front of a crowd just shy of 100,000.
World Cup high
It will be hard to beat the 2-1 victory over the ‘Great Satan’ USA in Lyon in 1998.
World Cup low
A 1-1 draw with Scotland at the 1978 World Cup was sandwiched between comprehensive defeats to Netherland and Peru which well and truly burst the bubble of reaching the finals for the first time.
Familiar faces
Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham).
Title odds: 500/1
The stereotype is …
A team fuelled by hatred of the West and roared on by fans burning American flags.
The reality is …
A mild-mannered bunch of footballers listening to bad music on oversized headphones just like everyone else.
What they’re known for
Ayatollahs 45 per cent
Revolution 30 per cent
Beards 12 per cent
Good food 8 per cent
Argo 4 per cent
Cradle of civilisation 1 per cent
How Google translates the national anthem
Went into the horizon October khavaran. Blaze the believers. February, our faith oven
How long it lasts
Long enough for the players to shed a tear or two.
How to dress like their fans
Green. White, Red. Everywhere. Your face, your hands, your clothes, your hair. Get it on there.
Commentator’s go-to stat
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has seen 23 managers come and go during his time as Supreme Leader. Puts Roman Abramovich’s hiring and firing into perspective.
17 Senijad Ibricic midfielder, Kayseri Erciyesspor
18 Haris Medunjanin midfielder, Gaziantepspor
19 Edin Visca forward, Istanbul BB
20 Izet Hajrovic midfielder, Galatasaray
21 Anel Hadzic midfielder, Sturm Graz
22 Asmir Avdukic goalkeeper, Borac Banja Luka
23 Sejad Salihovic midfielder, 1899 Hoffenheim
Star man
Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko, 33 goals in 60 internationals, is an obvious figurehead, but the playmaker Miralem Pjanic is key. A lovely attacking playmaker, one for the purists, and provides excellent service to Dzeko and Stuttgart’s Vedad Ibisevic.
Most likely to be sent home in disgrace
The Bosnian FA. Fifa briefly (2011) banned the Bozzers from international football for refusing to nominate one, rather than three, FA presidents.
The coach
Safet Susic has the whole country behind him after masterminding dynamic, exciting qualifying charge that saw the Dragons bang in 30 goals.
Grudge match
The collapse of Yugoslavia and resultant Bosnian war from 1992-95 would suggest a crack at Croatia might reflect local political tensions but a run of World Cup misses features one side twice: Portugal – play-off defeats before the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, with the second-leg of the latter tie lost 6-2 – are Bosnia’s bogeymen.
Holed up
The Dragons’ (Zmajevi) den in Brazil is the Casa Grande in the seaside resort of Guarujá, known as “The Pearl of the Atlantic” and 40 miles from São Paulo. Training takes place at the not-quite-finished yet Estádio Municipal Antônio Fernandes. Susic says the locals will be impressed: “I’ll be bringing 23 young lads, charming ones with good manners. Everyone will have something nice to say about us.”
How they qualified
Dramatic final match day saw them finish level on 25 points in group G, but bested Greece on goal difference to qualify automatically.
World Cup high
This! The young nation of Bosnia-Herzegovina is mighty proud as its talented team heads to its first World Cup.
World Cup low
Losing to Portugal in the play-offs to qualify for 2010 (Portugal repeated the dose in the euro 2012 qualifying play-off as well).
The stereotype is …
Fair to say that most English football fans will be unburnt by preconceptions about Bosnian team. Probably more skilful than our mob.
The reality is …
Modern, sophisticated team with genuine attacking élan, top-class goalie. Inspirational skipper in defender Emir Spahic. The coach says his “tactical gamble” – playing all his star forwards at once in a flexible 4-1-3-2 – is for the good of the game. “When you have players such as these, it would be unfair to the fans, to the sport itself, not to unleash all our talent.” It worked in qualifying: 30 goals scored in 10 games.
What they’re known for
Horrible war 85 per cent
Idiot footballers thinking that the free transfer case was the Bosnian Ruling 15 per cent
How Google translates the national anthem
Still being finalised, but so far the Bosnian lyricists have got: “You are the light of the soul Eternal Flame Burner”
Duration
One minute 40, and it sounds quite like ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’.
How to dress like their fans
Blue and yellow are the order of the day. Support of team has been a major touchstone of new nation’s identity.
Commentator’s go-to stat
The highest peak in Bosnia and Hercegovina is Maglic Mountain. It is not believed to have Maglical properties.
Look no further than Lionel Messi, though as the Barcelona forward has spent the majority of his life in Catalonia, many fans of La Albicelesteprefer the more workaday talents of the much-missed Carlos Tevez. But when the coach Alejandro Sabella says: “Messi is irreplaceable” he’s telling you nothing you don’t already know.
Most likely to be sent home in disgrace
Javier Mascherano has enlivened up many a European night with his poor behaviour, but his finest hour is surely a red card for kicking a medic during a match with Ecuador recently.
The coach
Small and balding, Sabella has come a long way from the Osmonds lookalike who turned up at Sheffield United in the late 1970s. But hold your Crazy Horses, he has won titles at River Plate and Estudiantes, and won the 2009 Copa Libertadores. When Daniel Passarella was national manager, Sabella was part of his staff and followed him to Parma, the Uruguay side, Monterrey and Corinthians. A lightweight midfielder, he was popular at Bramall Lane but less so at his next side, Leeds United. He played in relegation seasons at both clubs.
Grudge match
The rivalry with neighbours Brazil is rather special. In 1920, Brazil fielded only seven players in protest at a critical article in an Argentinian newspaper. Argentina followed suit by dropping four of their XI, then beating their opponents 3-1. In 1939, Argentina walked off in dispute over a last-minute penalty, leaving Brazil to score the winner into an empty net. In 1946, a barrage of kicks and punches resulted in broken legs and a police baton charge. The teams cooled off by avoiding each other for 10 years.
Holed up
Argentina will rest up at Cidade do Galo, Atlético Mineiro’s training grounds in Belo Horizonte. It’s a choice that betrays Sabella’s superstition: he won the 2009 Copa Libertadores in the city when his Estudiantes side beat the local team Cruzeiro.
How they qualified
After stuttering start, including first-ever defeat to Venezuela, hit their stride to win 14 qualifiers straight and top the South American qualifying group.
World Cuphigh
Although Maradona in 1986 was obviously great, the 1978 win on home soil, with the country in crisis, had even more resonance.
World Cup low
Getting tonked 6-1 by Czechoslovakia in Sweden 1958 and going out at the first hurdle.
Familiar faces
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur), Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United).
Title odds
6/1
The stereotype is…
Passionate Latins, silky skills, accomplished cheats, diminutive powerful little hustlers with fantastic technique.
The reality is …
Gifted but prone to rather limp displays at recent World Cups; tactics basically amount to “give it to Leo”.
Messi, Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín and Angel di María are all practically undroppable, so Argentina have little option but to attack. A lot of responsibility rests on the shoulders of the holding midfielder Mascherano, and on coach Sabella, who must do what Diego Maradona couldn’t do in 2010, and ensure his team keep a little shape – and their heads. He also stresses that Argentina cannot rely on Messi alone.
What they’re known for
Malbec 40 per cent
Steak 30 per cent
Pampas 20 per cent
Mickey Mouse currency 10 per cent
How Google translates the national anthem
Mars himself seems to encourage. Greatness nestles on her breasts.
Duration
Official version described as “excessively long”. Radio edit is one minute six seconds.
How to dress like their fans
Be an attractive woman in a tight football T-shirt, wear a Diego mask or get a blue and white top hat.
Commentator’s go-to stat
Argentina has the highest number of psychiatrists per capita of anywhere in the world. Most of them work exclusively on Maradona.
Switzerland were strong in the qualifiers, getting through to the finals with a game to spare and have a great chance of topping Group E. France has a squad of big name players but the focus will be on whether they can play as a team, and not have a finals dominated by player politics as in previous world cups. Controversially Didier Deschamps decided to leave Sami Nasri at home for these reasons. Ecuador have an outside chance, they will be better equipped to deal with the climate over their European rivals who hale from a much milder climate.
Group E Schedule
Match
Fixture
Date
Time
Stadium
9
Switzerland v Ecuador
15 June
17.00
Estadio Nacional, Brasilia
10
France v Honduras
15 June
20.00
Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre
25
Switzerland v France
20 June
20.00
Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
26
Honduras v Ecuador
20 June
23.00
Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
43
Ecuador v France
25 June
21.00
Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
44
Honduras v Switzerland
25 June
21.00
Arena Amazonia, Manaus
Locations
Estadio Nacional in Brasiilia will be among the more comfortable stadiums to play in, especially for the European teams. Mean temperatures in June are around 27-29 degrees celsius, but humidity levels could be a concern. In mid June, when Group E’s Brasilia match is scheduled to be held, humidity levels average in excess of 90%. Therefore again, tiring and frequent breaks can be expected
Estadio Biera-Rio having a capacity of 50,000 people approximately, will host the 2nd game of group E between France and Honduras. The stadium is known for its unique location in Porto Alegre, as it is placed right next to the Guaiba River.
Arena Fonte Nova (Salvador)
Capacity: 55,000 The Arena Fonte Nova is a brand new stadium constructed for this tournament. Completed in April, it was in the news recently after a part of the roof collapsed due to torrential rains in the port-city. It will play host to the 3rd game of Group E and one quarter final.
The Arena da Baixada located in Curitiba, Parana is one of the oldest stadiums in the world and has been renovated several times before the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It was opened in 1914 and has a capacity of 42,000 people approximately. The stadium will play host to the game between Honduras and Ecuador
The Estadio do Maracana located in Rio de Janiero, is the grandest stadium of the Selecao. With a capacity of 75,000 people approximately, it will host the game between Ecuador and France and will also play host to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.
Arena Amazonia in Manaus follows suit with wet conditions and a 40% chance of thunderstorms and expected humidity up to 80 %. Honduras, should have climate as an advantage in their clash at Manaus v Switzerland.
Teams
France
World Cup 1998 winners France hung by a thread during their qualification for the 2014 tournament. They went down 2-0 to Ukraine in the first leg of a qualifier and were forced into a win or walk-away situation. But Les Bleus came back with a 3-0 performance to aggregate a win. Didier Deschamps’ side do not provide their fans with high hopes, but they will be striving to improve after a bad run at the 2010 tournament.
The team will fight with a mix of youth and experience this year. However, if we look at the goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris, midfielder Paul Pogba and strikers Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud, France do have a strong spine. They also form a strong defence line with Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal) and Raphael Varane (Real Madrid). But in a group containing mostly underdogs, it is beyond any doubt that they won’t be tested much.
Deschamps will face concerns while choosing his goal-scoring options. Ribery was the top scorer with five goals in qualifiers, while Giroud and Benzema could only muster a brace apiece, however Ribery has ruled himself out with a back injury.
From 1966 to 2006, Switzerland had qualified only once for the World Cup in 1994, which was held in the US. But their entry in the 2014 edition of the tournament sees them qualifying for the third consecutive time. They beat Albania 2-1 in their second-last qualifier to guarantee their place in the event with a match to spare.
With promising players making the cut, the satisfaction among the squad is palpable. But judging from their inexperience, it seems they have come four years too early in the tournament. Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld may be happy with his team topping their qualification group, but the task at hand will prove to be a much tougher test.
With Gokhan Inler – who plays for Napoli – leading the pack of the Swiss, they come into the tournament with only a few big names such as defenders Stephen Lichtsteiner (Juventus) and Philippe Senderos (Valencia). In the midfield, Inler and Bayern Munich’s midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri will be holding possession for the side. Meanwhile, forward Granit Xhaka, who has forged a very good reputation for himself in the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach, is being courted by a number of top European clubs, including Liverpool and Juventus. He is one player who can be tasked with rejuvenating the front line.
Ecuador are coming into the 2014 World Cup as a surprise package. This will be their third appearance in the tournament after they finished fourth in the South American qualification. La tri may have arrived with little historical success, but they beat Uruguay, their more well-known neighbours on the penultimate match in Quinto for a spot in Brazil.
Coach Reinaldo Rueda has been playing his team in an economic style, with major emphasis on teamwork, which they are hoping will see them qualify for the second round. They will have an advantage of playing in familiar conditions as two other teams in the group, France and Switzerland, come from a more moderate European zone.
Their best World Cup result was qualifying for the round of 16 in 2006, and they will be looking to equal, if not improve, this record.
The least fancied team of the tournament, Honduras come into the 2014 World Cup by taking much heart from the defeat they inflicted upon Mexico in the qualifiers at the Azteca. The win earned them a third place in their group.
However, Luiz Fernando Suarez’s side has a dearth of star names and will be relying on a collective effort of the team. Full-back Maynor Figueroa of Hull City is the only player worth mentioning in a side mostly comprising local players, a few from Chinese second division and a contingent that play in England who have had very little game time for their respective clubs.
The team, which lost to Spain and Chile and drew against Switzerland in the 2010 edition, is wanting in experience and talent. The most probable result for the team seems to be a group stage knockout, and anything other than that will be a shock for the football fans.
Switzerland topped the European section of qualifying with a margin of seven points to the closest chasers Iceland, and the team seems to be the most promising to qualify for the second round behind France. Despite some serious performance issues with France, Deschamps’ side has some big names in its squad and they showed glimpses of their greatness against European and world champions Spain by pushing them to a draw and finally sweating it out against Ukraine in the qualifications. Honduras and Ecuador, who barely made it through the qualifiers, will surely be wary of the threat French and Swiss players pose to their dreams of qualifying for the second round.
World Cup 2014 - BRAZIL 