April 2014

Groups

Kris 4:42 AM 2014 , Brazil , FIFA , Group A , Group B , Group C , Group D , Group E , Group F , Group G , Group H , World Cup No comments

Eight World Champions, a Finalist, Six Semi-finalists, Four Quarter-finalists, Six more teams who tasted Knockouts, Six more hungry to taste one and a Debutante forms the thirty-two teams competing in eight groups for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

With three former cup winners, Group D is considered to be the "Group of Death" while Groups C and G are also coveted to be tough. Groups B, D and G feature sure-to-be-hit exciting European bigwig match-ups with fan-favorite teams and star players pitted against each other

Group A

Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon

Likely to Qualify: Brazil and Mexico

Players to Watchout for: Neymar(Bra), Modric(Cro), Hernandez(Mex), Eto'o(Cam)

Blockbuster Match: Brazil vs Mexico on June 17th at Fortaleza

Key Match: Croatia vs Mexico on June 23rd at Recife

Potential for Upset: Croatia

Group B

Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

Likely to Qualify: Spain and Netherlands

Players to Watchout for: Iniesta(Esp), Robben(Ned), Alexis Sanchez(Chi), Cahill (Aus)

Blockbuster Match: Spain vs Netherlands on June 13th at Salvador

Key Matches: Spain vs Chile on June 16th at Rio De Janeiro, Netherlands vs Chile on June 23 Sao Paulo

Potential for Upset: Chile

Group C

Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan

Likely to Qualify: Colombia, Greece

Players to Watchout for: Falcao(Col), Karagounis(Gre), Drogba(Civ), Honda(Jpn)

Blockbuster Match: Colombia vs Greece on June 14th at Belo Horizante

Key Matches: Colombia vs Ivory Coast on June 19th at Brasilia, Greece vs Ivory Coast on June 19th at Fortaleza

Potential for Upset: Ivory Coast

Group D

Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

Likely to Qualify: Uruguay, Italy

Players to Watchout for: Saurez(Uru), Ruiz(Crc), Rooney(Eng), Balotelli(Ita)

Blockbuster Match: England vs Italy on June 15th at Manaus

Key Matches: Uruguay vs England on June 19th at Sao Paulo, Italy vs Uruguay on June 24th at Natal

Potential for Upset: England

Group E

Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras

Likely to Qualify: France, Switzerland

Players to Watchout for: Shaqiri(Sui), Valencia(Ecu), Ribery(Fra), Palacios(Hon)

Blockbuster Match: Switzerland vs France on June 20th at Salvador

Key Matches: Switzerland vs Ecuador on June 15th at Brasilia, Ecuador vs France on June 25th at Rio De Janeiro

Potential for Upset: Ecuador

Group F

Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

Likely to Qualify: Argentina, Bosnia

Players to Watchout for: Messi(Arg), Dzeko(BIH), Nekounam(Irn), Obi Mikel(Nga)

Blockbuster Match: Nigeria vs Argentina on June 25th at Porto Alegre

Key Matches: Argentina vs Bosnia on June 15th at Rio De Janeiro, Nigeria vs Bosnia on June 21th at Cuiaba

Potential for Upset: Nigeria

Group G

Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA

Likely to Qualify: Germany, Portugal

Players to Watchout for: Ozil(Ger), Ronaldo(Por), Boateng(Gha), Donovan(USA)

Blockbuster Match: Germany vs Portugal on June 16th at Salvador

Key Match: Ghana vs USA on June 16th at Natal

Potential for Upset: Ghana

Group H

Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea

Likely to Qualify: Belgium, Portugal

Players to Watchout for: Hazard(Bel), Taider(Alg), Akinfeev(Rus), Lee Chung-Yong(Kor)

Blockbuster Match: Belgium vs Russia on June 22th at Rio De Janeiro

Key Matches: Russia vs Korea on June 17th at Cuiaba, Korea vs Belgium on June 26th at Sao Paulo

Potential for Upset: Korea

Main Draw

Out of the 203 nations which played for a place in the World Cup finals, 31 teams from six Confederations joined Brazil, the tourney hosts, for the Main Draw held on the the 6th of December 2013, at the Costa do Sauipe Resort, Bahia, Brazil
The teams were drawn into 8 groups of 4 teams with hosts Brazil placed in Group A and the reigning World Champs Spain drawn into Group B which also features 2010 runners-up Netherlands.
The top two teams in each group would qualify for the Round of 16, the first Knockout Stage on the way to July 13th Finale
*FIFA rankings updated as on 5th June, 2014

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Venues

Kris 6:31 AM 2014 , Belo Horizonte , Brasilia , Brazil , Cuiaba , Curitiba , FIFA , Fortaleza , Manaus , Natal , Porto Alegre , Recife , Rio de Janeiro , Salvador , Sao Paulo , World Cup No comments

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil - Venues

The 2014 FIFA World Cup is played around twelve cities around Brazil during the just-over-a-month period from 12th June - 13th July, 2014
Out of the eighteen shortlisted cities for hosting privileges, Maceio withdrew and Belem, Campo Grande, Florianopolis, Goiania and Rio Branco were rejected
As part of the preparations for the cup, five new stadiums are being built, one rebuilt and the remaining renovated
Arena de Sao Paulo would host the inaugural match and Estadio de Maracana in Rio would host the tourney finals

Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte

Home to Athletico Mineirao and Cruzerio, the stadium has undergone complete renovation for the cup. Four group games, a round of 16 game and a semi-final is scheduled here

Estadio National de Brasilia, Brasilia

Popularly known as Estadio Naciaonal Mane Garrincha after Brazilian legendary striker, this stadium is proudly rebuilt by the national capital. Scheduled to host four group games, a round of 16 encounter, a quarter-final and the third place playoff

Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba

The Green Stadium of Brazil built specifically for the World Cup based on sustainable approach of recycling and environmental care and can be reduced in size or can be used for exhibitions or fairs and other shows after the cup is over. Cuiaba hosts four group matches

Arena de Baixada, Curitiba

Home ground of Atletico Paranaense, its both one of the oldest as well as the modern stadiums in Brazil. After renovation fot the event, the stadium hosts four group games

Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza

This remodeled stadium which hosts local clubs Ceara and Fortaleza will feature four group games including Brazil's second encounter and also a round of 16, quarte-final matches

Arena Amazonia, Manaus

Built in the city which is at the heart of Amazon rain forest, the newly erected stadium would feature four group games in the 2014 World Cup

Estadio das Dunas, Natal

Built on the area where the previous football stadium, Machadao used to be, Estadio das Dunas, which takes its name from the sand dunes in Natal, will host four first round games

Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre

The home stadium of Internacional, known to fans as The Giant of Beira-Rio for being the largest stadium in southern Brazil, the construction of which was actively participated by the fans themselves, is renovated for the World Cup and will host four group games and a round of 16 encounter

Arena Pernambuco, Recife

A new stadium is built in Recife for the World Cup, which is expected to improve the economy of the deprived area. The stadium hosts four group games and a round of 16 match

Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro

The grandest and historically significant stadium in Rio, which hosted the memorable finale of 1950 edition between Brazil and Uruguay, will be renovated accordingly to host this year's Final again. Once the world's largest stadium, Maracana would host four group games, a round of 16 game and a quarter-final before marking end of the tournament on the 13th of July

Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador

A new stadium built on the site of the old Fonte Nova stadium in the historic first capital of Brazil would feature blockbuster matches during its four first round allocation, including the rematch of last editions final. The stadium also hosts a round of 16 encounter

Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo

Locally referred to as Arena Corinthians after the local club in the neighborhood of Itaquera, the stadium is scheduled to host four group games including the opening game of the tourney, a pre-quarters and a semi-final. A new stadium is being built for the World Cup

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Curitiba

Kris 4:50 AM 2014 , Arena da Baixada , Brazil , Curitiba , FIFA , World Cup No comments

Arena da Baixada of Curitiba, is scheduled to be renovated to host four World Cup group games. The construction although delayed due to legal tangles, the oldest venue of the tourney is set to be finished just in time

The City

Curitiba, literally "Pine Nut Land", is the capital of the southern state Parana and has an estimated population of 1.75 million. It's one of the most successful industrial zones of Brazil and is high on economic index

Arena da Baixada

Also known as Estadio Joaquim Americo Guimaraes, the stadium is belongs to Atletico Paranaense, a Brazil Serie A side. The renovation activities were delayed due to several security breaches noted by Brazilian labor tribunal. On completion, the stadium would have an increased capacity of 40,000. The stadium has a very modern look even before its scheduled renovation

Matches

Match 12 - Iran vs Nigeria - June 16

Kris 4:44 AM 2014 , Arena Pernambuco , Brazil , FIFA , Recife , World Cup No comments

The newest ground of Recife, Arena Pernambuco is constructed to host five cup matches including a Round of 16 game. After its opening in May 2013, it has hosted three games in 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup

The City

The Recife Metropolitan in the northeast state of Pernambuco is a culture rich, although economically deprived region. With an estimated population of nearly 4 million, it is famous for its cuisine, tropical beaches and historically significant monuments but notorious for the crime rate. The many bridges and rivers makes it a major tourist attraction

Arena Pernambuco

Set to be home to Nautico, one of the three local clubs of Recife, Itaipava Arena Pernambuco is a purpose built stadium for FIFA World Cup and in process would also help the economy of Garand Recife. The stadium with the capacity of 46,000, also contains a 1MW solar plant which will meet the energy requirements of around 6000 people after the Cup

Matches

Match 6 - Ivory Coast vs Japan - June 14

Match 24 - Italy vs Costa Rica - June 20

Kris 3:26 AM 2014 , Brazil , FIFA , Group A , Group B , Group C , Group D , Group E , Group F , Group G , Group H , World Cup No comments

Sort in Alphabetical Order Group A Brazil		Sorted by Groups Croatia
Mexico		Cameroon
Group B Spain		Netherlands
Chile	Australia
Group C Colombia		Greece
Ivory Coast	Japan
Group D Uruguay		Costa Rica
England	Italy
Group E Switzerland		Ecuador
France	Honduras
Group F Argentina		Bosnia & Herzegovina
Iran	Nigeria
Group G Germany		Portugal
Ghana	United States of America
Group H Belgium		Algeria
Russia	Korea Republic