FIFA World Cup 2014: Biggest Winners and Losers from the draw

With the draw for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil finally over, there are sure to be plenty of teams who will be cursing their luck, whilst others who will be thanking the stars. So let us look at the three biggest winners and losers from the World Cup draw.

WINNERS

Brazil

Arguably one of the biggest winners of the draw held in Costa do Sauipeat are the host nation and five-time winners Brazil, who are in Group A alongside Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon. Brazil themselves couldn’t have picked this draw better, as Croatia, ranked 18th, are the highest ranked team that Seleção will have to face in the group stage. On the other hand, Cameroon are, as of now, the worst-ranked side of all the teams that were in the draw. With a draw like this, they will surely be looking forward and thinking about the knockouts already. But they will have to be wary of El Tri, who have a good record at the World Cup.

Belgium

One of the major dark horses for the tournament, Belgium couldn’t have hoped for a better draw, as they look to live up to all the hype that has surrounded them for the past year or so. With Algeria, Russia and Korea Republic alongside them in Group H, they have arguably the easiest group of all the sides, and are tipped to go a long way in the tournament. Russia are the only side who are in FIFA’s top 20, and the Belgians will be looking to make the most use of the situation that has been provided to them.

Argentina

Although they have a solid Bosnian team in their group, Nigeria and Iran are the other two who make up Group F and the Argentinians should make light work of both of them. Though the Iranians are the top ranked side in Asia, they should be no match for an Argentine attack that is brimming with talent. Nigeria, on the other hand, have only featured in the World Cup four times, although they did manage to go through the group on two of those occasions, and Bosnia, for all their talent, are only playing in their first World Cup and some nerves are sure to be expected.

LOSERS

England

England’s hopes going into the draw weren’t particularly high. But after the draw that they have got, they are perhaps non-existent. They are in Group D alongside four-time winners Italy, twice champions Uruguay and a Costa Rica side,who managed to out-qualify a talented Mexican side en route to Brazil. Although Roy Hodgson was still optimistic about his side’s chances, with two teams in the top 10 rankings in the same group as England, they couldn’t have had a worse draw than the one that has been handed out to them.

Spain

Whilst England fans will certainly be claiming that they are in the Group of Death, most football fans would argue that it is Spain upon whom that ignominy befalls. The reigning World Champions are in Group B alongside Netherlands, Chile and Australia. Whilst Spain look favourites to emerge from the group, nothing can be taken for granted, especially with the Dutch around. Chile, on the other hand, will be playing in familiar conditions and Australia have turned over a new leaf ever since changing their coach. The reigning champions will have their task cut out for them if they are to emerge as winners of the Group.

Germany

Ranked No. 2 in the world, the Germans could have been forgiven for thinking that they might get the rub of the green in the draw. But unfortunately for the Germans, they are in a group containing a Ronaldo-led Portugal outfit and a Ghanian side, who will be looking to build on their impressive run in the World Cup the last time around. If that wasn’t enough, they also have a USA side, led by their former legend, Klinsmann, who are currently ranked 13th in the world – ahead of the highly fancied Portugal and France. They are in one of the toughest groups, no doubt, but with the amount of talent at their disposal, the Germans should be able to see the others off.