World Cup 2014 Team Spotlight – Algeria
This is the 4th time that Algeria has qualified for the World Cup. It should come as no surprise that the results have not been great.
This is the 4th time that Algeria has qualified for the World Cup. It should come as no surprise that the results have not been great.
Korea has been one of the most successful Asian teams having participated in the last 8 World Cups. In 2002 they co hosted with Japan though it was still a surprise that they stormed their way to a 4th place finish.
After enjoying a lot of international success in the 1980’s and 1990’s – a golden generation – Belgium has missed the last few World Cups. Their best finish was in 1986 at Mexico – 4th. It was the only time they made it past the round of 16.
Given the political history of the USSR Russia is a relative newbie on the international soccer scene. They have only qualified twice before in the USA (1994) and in Korea/Japan (2002).
Nigeria has qualified for the World Cup 4 times before and twice advanced past the group stage. Amazingly in three of the four times they have found themselves in the same group as Argentina.
Qualifying out of Asia is not as tough as some other regions but Iran has only made three previous World Cup appearances.
This is a relatively new nation and this will be their first trip to the World Cup. They are the only nation making their debut at this level in this event and nobody thinks they are going to embarrass themselves based on what we have seen during qualifying.
They have won it twice which is two more times than a lot of nations that think they are futbol powers. There is usually an advantage for those nations that are on the continent of the host nation, which could especially be the case if Brazil stumbles.
This Central American nation is the minnow in Group D. Unfortunately, someone has to be.
The Italians have always been part of world football aristocracy, and they’ll expect commensurate results in this summer’s World Cup, even being in such a tricky Group D.
Uruguay is one of the storied international clubs in South America, with 12 World Cup appearances and winning it in 1930 and 1950. However, that is a long time ago.
The pressure on the Three Lions, coming from a country where the media is relentless, is always intense. However, manager Roy Hodgson and his England squad might be feeling more unburdened than past years because domestically, the expectations are low.
So far, the trend for Japan has been to go out early in the World Cup finals, advancing only one time past the group stage and never past the round of 16 in five previous tries.
With one of the World’s best strikers and an impressive qualifying campaign, Colombia is hoping that it’s past World Cup final luck will change in 2014, as they enter this year’s tournament beaming with confidence.
With the likes of Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba among their ranks, the Ivory Coast are perhaps the best of the African teams playing in this year’s World Cup final.
Although Greece has only appeared in two World Cup finals and have not progressed beyond the group stage, with a solid squad that has some good attacking talent and a staunch defense, they are poised to make a strong run this summer in Brazil.