Here we introduce all the participating World Cup Football 2014 teams.
32 national teams are finally qualified to participate in the 20th version of the World Cup Football which is going to commence from 12th June this year. Europe being the epicenter of most numbers of professional football leagues has the biggest share with 13 national teams in World Cup Football 2014 followed by South America with 6 countries. From the continent of Africa only 5 nations are participating while Asia and North and Central America are left with 4 national teams each. Here below we introduce each of the World Cup Football 2014 teams alphabetically.
Algeria
The team could qualify in the final version of the championship just securing a costly win in the play-off match against Burkina Faso in the African chapter of the qualifying round of the tournament. Though the team last time in South Africa could not manage to put any good display of football, many believe that the team since then improved much. Some of the key players at the side include Madjid Bougherra (center back), Islam Slimani (forward ) and Valencia's game-making midfielder Sofiane Feghouli. The coach of the team is Herzegovina born Vahid Halilhodzic.
Argentina
Argentina has always been one of the most favorite teams worldwide because of its skillful football, beautiful tapestry of small passes and some of the enigmatic football heroes who donned the world football. The two times winner of the tournament presently offer the greatest star in the world football, Lionel Messi and like every world cup boasts off a huge fan following world over. After a disastrous first round exit from the tournament last time, the attention of the world's football lovers are set on Messi and his team, especially as Messi elevated himself to the level of greatest football icons by winning FIFA Footballer of the Year 3 times. Key players in the squad are Lionel Messi (Midfielder, game-maker, forward ), Gonzalo Higuain (forward ) and Sergio Romero. The team is coached by Alejandro Sabella.
Australia
The team among the few entrants that would struggle to cross the group league stage is expected to do better than last world cup. After a trying qualification campaign if they can get over the group league hurdle it would be a big achievement. The key players in the squad include Tim Cahill (Midfielder), Lucas Neill (back) and Brett Holman (forward). The team is coached by Ange Postecoglou, a former Australian national team player turned coach.
Belgium
Many consider this strong European team a dark horse in the final league of world championship in Brazil and a prospective candidate to make up to the second round from the group H. The squad consists of a lot of young talents and throughout the qualifying round they put a really impressive display of skill and power and have been one of the most discussed teams to qualify. Some of the star talents of the squad include Eden Hazard (attacking midfielder from Chelsea), Vincent Kompany (Captain) and Romelu Lukaku (Everton forward). The coach of the team is Marc Wilmots who has a vast experienced in the international football, especially in world cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Maybe after 21 years of their independence this tiny nation can be underestimated on many score, but when it comes to football they actually can upset many calculations in this world cup. With a really young squad and some impressive star performers the team can produce some brilliant soccer display. Some of the key players in the team include Edin Dzeko (impressive Manchester City forward with a record of 10 goals in the qualifying round), Vedad Ibisevic (another equally dangerous forward with record of scoring 8 goals in the qualifying round), Asmir Begovic (one of the top keepers in the English Premier League) and Zvjezdan Misimovic (gritty gamemaker forward running the goal machine from behind. The legendary coach Safet Susic took the responsibility of creating a never before show that the national team of this tiny nation seems all set for.
Brasil
It is the team that enjoys biggest focus among the soccer playing nations of the world and in World Cup Football 2014 the pressure is double as the host team of this mega event. More than anything Brazil has to deal with the huge expectations of its football crazy supporters and followers throughout the country and beyond. Like always Brazil has no dearth of talents and even after getting over its golden age it boasts of some of the greatest stars of world football today. With the recent taste of success in Confederation Cup 2013 the five time world champion is certainly one of the top contenders of the title. Though this is a squad crowded with stars, some of the biggest names to watch out include Neymar (enigmatic FC Barcelona forward), Thiago Silva (one of the best defenders in the world now, playing in Paris Saint Germain) and Oscar (the impressive midfielder gamemaker of Chelsea). Louis Felipe Scolari, the enigmatic colorful coach who already gave Brazil the title is coaching the squad.
Cameron
The best ever show of the team has been in 1990 when it reached quarterfinal and since then irrespective of a victory here and a draw there the team could not go beyond the second round. But this time the team came as topper in their respective qualifying round group. The leader Samuel Eto is a world acclaimed footballer having already past his career prime after playing in major soccer clubs, though his invaluable experience coupled with superb fitness, pace and powerful team game can alter many expectations. In the qualifying round the team only lost one match. Some of the key players in the squad include Samuel Eto (Chelsea veteran forward), Alexandre Song (experienced Barcelona midfielder) and Jean Makoun (veteran forward). The German coach of the team Volkar Finke having just a year of responsibility for the team did a good job in making the squad look and feel like a gritty soccer machine.
Chile
Having secured third place among the Latin American qualifiers and with their recent show of some brilliant football display they can really be a tough team to play with. Irrespective of their position as one of the top South American team they are often underestimated and though until now their world cup show has not been that impressive, this time they have some of the best skilled performers in their squad. Some of the top names in the team include Alexis Sanchez (FC Barcelona forward), Arturo Vidal (Juventus midfielder) and Claudio Bravo (captain and goalkeeper). Jorge Sampaoli's coaching really helped Chile to put an impressive show in the qualifying round.
Colombia
Considering the football skill this small South American nation shown to the world for years Columbia has always been an underperformer in the world cup. This time they are among the top nations in the FIFA world ranking after finishing in the second position just behind Argentina in the qualifying round in the Latin American chapter of the tournament. There is a host of high caliber attacking players in the team who can change the course of game at any point of time. Some of the key players in the squad include Radamel Falcao (Columbia's no.1 goal-getter forward), James Rodriguez (skillful gamemaker midfielder) and Mario Yepes (Columbia's captain and veteran spearhead in defense). Coach Jose Pekerman can be credited to a great extent for the impressive show in the qualifying round.
Costa Rica
The famous 5 men backline of Costa Rica can even be challenging for world's best football playing nations. After a great qualifying campaign the team is all set to offer great football in Brazil this time. Some of the top players to watch out in the team include Bryan Ruiz (Costa Rica captain and gritty Fulham midfielder/forward), Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica's goal-machine) and Joel Campbell (21 years old new star forward). This is the second stint of coach of Jorge Louis Pinto after being hired for the second time in 2011.
Croatia
Still the football lovers of the world could not forget the impressive show of the Davor Shker and company in 1998 when they just finished in the third spot behind the runners up of the tournament. Since then Croatia could not get back its elite status in the world football. The youthful team this time is said to have all for a fabulous display of skill, pace and teams spirit on the field. Some of the key performers in the squad to watch out include Darijo Srna (captain and the ultimate defense of the team), Luka Modric (Real Madrid midfielder) and Niko Kranjkar (midfielder). The last run of the team to get the ticket to Brazil can be credited to the short time work done by coach Niko Kovac.
Ecuador
Among the World Cup Football 2014 teams you can hardly see any team who developed their football so steadily in a span of just a decade or so. This small nation got birth in the world cup 3 times within just a span of 12 years. Some of the key players in the team to watch out for include Felipe Caicedo (forward), Walter Ayovi (midfielder) and Antonio Valencia (Manchester United midfielder). Coach Reinaldo Rueda has a great reputation as a shrewd football tactician and produced great success with the Columbian junior and national teams.
England
We are already habituated with the usual apprehension concerning England's chances to return to the days of glory by winning the cup after their one and only win in 1966. This year with the constellation of some of the greatest stars of world football the expectations again mounting. The star performers who can play decisive role in their team's campaign for the trophy include Wayne Rooney (Manchester United forward), Steven Gerrard (experienced Liverpool midfielder) and Frank Lampard (veteran Chelsea midfielder). Coach Roy Hodgson though have enough experience of coaching several teams across the world, still his stint with the England's national team has not gone through any major test in the world football.
France
With some experienced veterans in the world football and a bunch of talented newcomers France this time in Brazil can produce some astonishing result. If the team peaks up in the right time we can as well see a new French upheaval. This is also the tournament to bid befitting adieu to some veteran stars of the team and what can be a better way than winning World Cup Football 2014. Some of the key players to watch out in the side include Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich forward who has been the contender for the FIFA Footballer of the Year in 2014), Oliver Giroud (Arsenal forward) and Mathieu Valbuena (gamemaker midfielder). Coach Didier Deschamps was the member of the world cup winning squad back in 1998 and in qualifying round he shown his tactical brilliance as a coach.
Germany
3 time world champion is once again looking confidant as a contender for the trophy. The success of two German clubs in the European football circuit has been a strong signal of revival for the German football. Whether dubbed as favorite by the reviewers or not, Germany can never be left out from the prospective candidates for the trophy, especially when it comes to World Cup Football. Some of the key stars who can create the new history of German football include Mesut Ozil (Arsenal midfielder), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund midfielder), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich midfielder) and Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich goalkeeper who is dubbed as one of the greatest keepers at this moment). Coach Joachim Low is already considered as a tactical genius in the football circuit.
Ghana
Ghana has been the team to dash US hope in two World Cups and got the entry in Brazil world cup after a sensational win against Egypt in the final stage of African chapter of qualifying round. Though in the last world cup in Africa the team was denied a place in the semifinal by an overlooked goal-line handball by Uruguayan player Luis Suarez, this time they are confident enough to go much further than the first round of play. Some of the key players in the squad are Asamoah Gyan (forward), Harrison Afful (defender) and Sulley Muntari (midfielder). The coach James Kwesi Appiah already created history as the first black coach to lead an African nation beyond the qualifying round.
Greece
Given the fact that this European nation could not produce any stupendous result so far in the world cup, the neutral choice can likely leave aside the country from the list of possible contenders in Brazil. But still, the team has some potential to create some odds against the giants of world football and at least can be seen playing the second round. Some of the key players in the side include Kostras Mitroglou (forward), Georgio Karagounis (Fullham midfielder) and Orestis Kranezis (goalkeeper). Coach Fernando Santos has a lot of experience in coaching Greek club sides and spent quite a length of time with the side after taking charge from the Auto Rehhagel who made Greece European champion back in 2004.
Honduras
This tiny central American nation for the first time in their history could make up to the greatest sporting event consecutively for two years in a row. After some recent football success to their credit like semifinal berth in the Gold Cup and good show in the 2013 Olympics the team is looking confident to do something that can make the nation proud. Some of the key players in the sides include Roger Espinoza (midfielder), Carlo Costly (forward) and Emilio Izaguirre (defender). Coaching Louis Fernando Suarez is an experienced coach who helped Honduras in more than one way to fulfill their dream to rise as one of the tough contenders in world football in recent time.
Iran
Iran may always be considered as the underdog qualifier in the history of the cup, but this time they gained enough confidence from their brilliant show in the qualifying round where they only lost two matches. Iran can create some odds in the group to upset one or two calculations and by going up to the second round. The key players to watch out in the squad include Javad Nekounam (midfielder), Reza Ghoochanejhad (forward) and Jalal Hosseini (defender). The status of Iran as a group phase dark horse can be much credited to coach Carlos Queiroz.
Italy
Irrespective of the fact that you cannot make an assured judgment of this world favorite squad because of the huge unpredictability that the team is always known for, you just cannot leave aside Italy from the contenders list in any world cup. Naturally among the World Cup Football 2014 teams whether Italy would make up to the final or not is the most topsy-turvy question to encounter. There has been times when this ever favorite football playing nation irrespective of their foul show in the group stage was left out from the calculations but in the end won the world cup by upsetting many predictions. Italy is always known to play their best when they are really under pressure and so among the football heavyweights they are the most unpredictable team as well. The disastrous defeat in the European championship is still live and this is time to show the worth of Buffon and co. Some of the key star players at the side include Gianluigi Buffon (presently one of the best goalkeepers in the world), Mario Balotelli (AC Milan forward) and Pablo Osvaldo (sensational Argentine born midfielder). Coach Cesare Prandelli is credited to the attacking style of playing that is being observed in this Italian side.
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast has only one of the few teams among the World Cup Football 2014 teams that remained undefeated in the qualifying round. This tiny African nation for some years has been a consistent performer in the world stage thanks to an array of talented players spearheaded by sensational forward and heart and soul of the team Didier Drogba. With an undefeated qualifying round run-up the team has not only the ability to go beyond the group stage but can upset many calculations. Some of the key talented players in the team include Didier Drogba (captain and a goal-getting genius who pioneered the success of the team), Yaya Toure (Manchester City midfielder) and Kolo Toure (Liverpool defender). Former France national team midfielder Sabri Lamouchi is coaching the side and until now added enough value to the side which is visible from their qualifying round result.
Japan
It is the fifth consecutive world cup berth for Japan but like all the previous times they are only eyeing to get past the group stage and that would only be the sigh of their emerging dominance beyond the Asian football playing nations. In every world cup Japan offers a great fast paced football display with some gritty skills but this time we will like to see this beautiful football being compensated by some great results. Some of the key performers in the squad include Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United midfielder), Keisuke Honda (midfielder) and Shinzi Okazaki (former). Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni after taking the responsibility in 2010 made Japan Asian champion and gave them a smooth run in the qualifying round.
Korea Republic
Korea Republic or formerly South Korea has always been the most accomplished among the Asian teams in the world stage and this time they evoked new hope after a sensational 2-1 win in a friendly match against Switzerland. Though in the Asian chapter of the qualifying round they only finished behind Iran, since then the team only continued to develop and is looking a confident side at this moment. Some of the key players to watch out include Park Chu Young (Arsenal forward), Lee Keun Ho (forward) and Son Heung Min (Bayer Leverkusen forward). Coach Hong Myung Bo has been the most capped players of the nation and until now his coaching has been above any controversy.
Mexico
This Latin American nation in the recent time has not gone through a good time as they have almost fallen flat in both Confederation Cup and Gold Cup and only could manage a ticket to the Brazil world cup by securing a play-off win against New Zealand. Irrespective of having some of the best forwards and scorers in the squad what went missing they have to find out if they really want to go beyond the group stage and make a good show. Some of the key players in the team include Javier Harnandez (Manchester United forward), Oribe Peralta (forward) and Giovanni dos Santos (forward). Coach Miguel Herrera was hired on October 2013 just with the simple task of assuring the country a sure berth by winning the play-off matches in the qualifying round and though he has done that quite successfully, he still has to do a lot if Mexico really wants to go in the second round.
Netherlands
Netherlands in the world football has always been regarded as the most talented underperformer team even though they made up to the final in the last world cup in South Africa. Again with many of the star footballers of world football at this moment the team is looking confident enough to make up to the last four. Their individual skills coupled up with brilliant tactical moves can make many teams struggle once they face the orange jersey on the green field. Some of the key star performers in the squad include Robin Van Persie (sensational Manchester United forward ), Rafael Van Der Vaart (Hamburg midfielder) and Arjen Robben (greatest winger midfielder of the country who shaped their sensational run in the last world cup). Coach Louis Van Gaal in his second stint seem to be determined to go beyond the so called 'underachiever' tag attributed to the team by football lovers of the world.
Nigeria
Nigeria irrespective of producing great many football superstars could never actually get rid of their stereotype underdog mindset so common in African and Asian nations and this is probably the reason their football always went through brilliant peaks and huge pitfalls. This proud African team has many great footballers who can change the face of the game at any point of time but how they peak up as a team that would decide their fate in Brazil. Some of the key players at the side include John Obi Mikel (Chelsea midfielder), Emmanuel Emenike (forward) and Victor Moses (Liverpool forward). Stephen Keshi as a former player of the national team has already been witness to some early success of the nation in world football and in February by winning the Africa Cup of Nations as a coach he became the first person to taste success both as player and coach.
Portugal
This is high time that Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the greatest stars in club football ventures to give his country the highest title of world football. Portugal has always been a star campaigner among the top football playing nations but could never bag the title. With a constellation of star performers and some of the great success stories behind as their motivation Portugal can really make a great show in Brazil. Some of the star players in the team include Cristiano Ronaldo (world famous Real Madrid forward who just became the FIFA 'Footballer of the Year' in 2013), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid defender) and Nani (Manchester United forward). As a coach Paulo Bento got a team of huge potential and just sitting on the heaping expectations as he is going to start the world cup campaign in Brazil.
Russia
Russia is another team from Europe that can as well be considered as underperformer as and when we look into the depth of their football culture over the years. Russia is credited to produce some of the most enigmatic characters and skillful display of the game in world football and irrespective of their coming close to major football titles never actually could make it through. As they are going to organize the event next time in 2018, to make a good show of their football genius is a question of their national honor. Some of the key performers in the squad include Igor Denisov (midfielder), Aleksandr Kerzhakov (forward) and Sergei Ignashevich (defender). The Italian coach Fabio Capello is all set to renew the quintessential Russian spirit of football in the most befitting manner in World Cup Football 2014, in Brazil.
Spain
When the champion team of the last world cup will go to Brazil they will try to set few landmarks. No European team ever won the title in South America so far and no nation became consecutive world champion except Brazil. Given the skills, constellation of star performers and their invincible record in the last few years, they are still the side that can set and alter all these landmarks by winning the title but for that first of all they have to deal with huge pressure of focus and expectations that would continue to rise. Almost the same youthful talented team of the world champion team of South Africa is going to start the Spanish campaign in Brazil and they are really looking formidable from every angle. Some of the key star players in the squad include Xavi (impressive gamemaker midfielder from Barcelona), Iniesta (sensational skillful gamemaker from Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid defender who is famous for his both defensive and attacking abilities) and Cesc Fabregas (skillful goal-getting forward and sometimes a shrewd midfielder). Coach Vincente Del Bosque will try to become the first ever coach to win 2 consecutive world cup titles along with a European cup title.
Switzerland
Suddenly swiss football seems to get a big leap following their 2009 victory in under-21 European championship. Their consecutive 10 match undefeated run in the qualifying round and consequent FIFA ranking on 8th position is a sure proof of the upheaval of Swiss football. Switzerland after being undefeated for long can really upset many contenders in the Brazil world cup. Some of the key players in the side include Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich midfielder), Granit Xhaka (midfielder) and Gokhan Inler (Napoli midfielder). Coach Ottmer Hitzfeld could nicely integrate the emerging young talents in the team to produce a seemingly competitive and formidable team game that Switzerland is already known for.
Uruguay
Irrespective of a constellation of some of the most talented stars in the world football why Uruguay has to wait for a play-off win to get the ticket to Brazil is still a mystery. The team has undisputed depth as far as the skills and the individual brilliance is considered and is capable to beat many football superpowers but how in the peak of the moment they will deliver that is the million dollar question. Some star campaigners in the side include Luis Suarez (prolific Liverpool striker), Edison Cavani (Paris Saint Germain forward) and Diego Lugano (defender). Coach Oscar Washington Tabarez is spearheading the squad for some years and is credited for the new upheaval of Uruguayan football in the world stage.
USA
Coac Klinsmann almost made a complete makeover of the squad and if all his tactical moves fall in place in Brazil we can see US players to get past the group league chapter rather quite easily. Some of the key players of the team who have the ability to make a difference in the fate of the game include Jozy Altidore (forward), Michael Bradley (Roma midfielder) and Tim Howard (Everton goalkeeper). Former German scoring machine is coaching the squad and can be credited with the new energy and brilliance in US football.
|
|
Comments:
