One year to go - Previewing Brazil 2014

Today marks exactly one year to the day before Brazil take to the field at the brand new Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo for the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. To mark the occasion, here is a little guide for what you need to look out for in the 364 days before your life is put on hold for an entire month.

Favourites: Germany have the right blend of youth and experience to go all the way. (Getty Images)

Early Favourites:

Germany

A European team has never won a World Cup held on the South American continent. If that record is to be beaten in 2014, it’s most likely going to be Germany to do it. They have the best young squad in the world, and will want to build upon their encouraging but ultimately disappointing Euro 2012 campaign. With the core of the German back line mostly playing for European Champions and defensive stalwarts Bayern Munich (Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber), don’t expect them to concede too many goals. Scoring goals won’t be a problem either, with Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Mezut Ozil and new Bayern recruit Mario Gotze leading the attacking charge. Germany, incidentally, are my pick to win it all.

Spain

The undisputed kings of the world, Spain have won the last World Cup and the previous two European Championships. Given their extraordinary depth and quality in midfield, it is not surprising. Spain are always a threat to win it all, and if they can get striker Fernando Torres firing again (perhaps if he moves away from Chelsea this summer), then they will only be even more dangerous. Only Italy and Brazil have ever won back to back World Cup titles, and the last time it was done was in 1962. So the odds are definitely against them, but Spain are a truly elite team and more than capable.

Brazil

Ranked 22nd in the world right now, Brazil have a long way to go if they want to reclaim their former glory. In Luis Felipe Scolari, they have the right man to do it. In 2002, “Big Phil” led the South Americans to a world cup title in Japan and South Korea, using passages from Sun Tsu’s “The Art of War” as inspiration for his team. Perhaps the same tactic will work again. Noticeably, the home nation tends to do well in World Cups (South Korea 2002, France 1998, Chile 1962) which is a stat that should bode well for them, although last time the World Cup was held in Brazil, the home nation lost the trophy to Uruguay. Brazil will want to avenge that in 2014. They aren’t the force they once were, but they still have plenty of star players to make it happen. The pressure will certainly be on for them, especially in the unforgiving atmosphere of the Maracana.

Hosts: Brazil would look to avenge the humiliating loss of the 1950 World Cup final and finally claim the trophy on home soil. (Getty Images)

Argentina

Lionel Messi’s search for a World Cup to add to his almost unbelievable collection of accolades continues here. If he gets it, he might overtake Pele and Maradona in the ‘best ever’ argument. That alone is enough to keep your eyes on the La Albiceleste. A draw with lowly Bolivia in March during South American qualifying is worrying for Alejandro Sabella’s team, but is only a minor setback in what has been a fairly comfortable qualifying campaign in the absence of neighbours Brazil. The fact that the tournament is in Brazil should be a motivating factor for them. If they can find a way to have Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain all perform on the same pitch, they will be unstoppable. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.

Netherlands

This might be the last legitimate chance for a World Cup trophy for some of Netherland’s stars of the past decade. Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder will all be in their early-to-mid 30s at the next World Cup in Russia in 2018. As the runner-up in South Africa 4 years ago, the Clockwork Orange will be eager to go the one step further. Hovering at the top of the FIFA rankings for the past few years, they will feel desperate to make that final push to become champions. A lot will depend on the form of van Persie and Robben, who were two of the best players in the world for their clubs this past season, and will be looking to produce the same in 2013/14. If they can do that and head to Brazil in similar form, as they have been in recent months, you have to think that they have a very good shot.