2014 FIFA World Cup Draw (December 6th)

[Da Schwab]

I don't know if this was mentioned here yet, but not only did the US get the group of death, but they also have the longest travel itinerary at just a shade under 9000 miles. Yes, you read that right, not 900... 9000 MILES IN GROUP PLAY. That's the most of any other team in the tournament.

How is that fair to anyone?

[Effercon]

This year's group of death is Group D, in my opinion. Uruguay, England, and Italy in the same group? Flat-out nasty.

[J-Mezzy]

I've got the US finishing 2nd in their group, sending Portugal home.

Greece can finish 2nd, but we need to win that Colombia opening match. Japan will give us problems and I really don't want to have to deal with Yaya Toure (Olympiakos created you, show mercy). I like this tough group though because it means Santos can't coach like a coward or else we'll get humiliated.

You guys actually have a chance to beat us. Colombia generally doesn't do well against teams that park the bus, especially when we use that stupid 4-4-2 formation.

Having said that, Colombia ABSOLUTELY can not afford to lose that match. Greece is considered the weakest team out of the group and losing the first game would bring horrible memories to the country and the players and they might just end up being left out of the knock out stages all together. Take into consideration that Colombia will be playing in very similar weather to their home field and that there will be thousands of Colombian supporters in Brazil and I say we should win that match whether Greece parks the bus or not.

If your coach does decide to attack, you might take advantage of our average D, but our attack would be a bit too much for you guys IMO. Either way, good luck. This is a very interesting group.

[KF10]

Croatia were awesome in qualifying until the final 4 matches, when Belgium pulled away and because they had locked up 2nd early they took the foot off the pedal, same reason Italy's record in qualifying took a hit at the end. Plus that was in europe where it's much tougher to qualify than Concacaf. Croatia are favorites for second in that group by a fair bit, both on talent and on form in qualifying.

I wouldn't say they are on-form right now, they struggled to get a win in the last 6 qualifying games. They got their first win in the second leg in a playoff against Iceland: 2-0 win (1st leg: 0-0). At the very least, they are under-performing. The same can be said about Mexico. They had an excellent 2012 which people had them as darkhorses as WC contenders but unfortunately they had a disaster 2013 campaign. After multiple coaching changes, Miguel Herrera has put together a team that can compete and are currently are getting better and better every game.

Yes, Croatia is very talented (particularly the midfield) but don't overlook Mexico. There is 6 months left before the WC. They can hit their strides just before the WC and regain some of the magic a couple of years ago. Honestly, the second-placed position is pretty wide open between the 3 teams. You can make a case for either teams to advance imo.

[J-Mezzy]

I think you guys are overlooking Chile. They have been on terrific form lately. I actually expect them to send either Spain or Netherlands home.

[J-Mezzy]

By the way, looks like I will be hiiting Croatia, Turkey, and Greece around that time. Might not wear my Colombian jersey out in public in Greece lol

[MaliBrah]

Ghana is going to send the US packing for the 3rd straight world cup and also upset portugal.

[cgf]

Croatia were awesome in qualifying until the final 4 matches, when Belgium pulled away and because they had locked up 2nd early they took the foot off the pedal, same reason Italy's record in qualifying took a hit at the end. Plus that was in europe where it's much tougher to qualify than Concacaf. Croatia are favorites for second in that group by a fair bit, both on talent and on form in qualifying.

I wouldn't say they are on-form right now, they struggled to get a win in the last 6 qualifying games. They got their first win in the second leg in a playoff against Iceland: 2-0 win (1st leg: 0-0). At the very least, they are under-performing. The same can be said about Mexico. They had an excellent 2012 which people had them as darkhorses as WC contenders but unfortunately they had a disaster 2013 campaign. After multiple coaching changes, Miguel Herrera has put together a team that can compete and are currently are getting better and better every game.

Yes, Croatia is very talented (particularly the midfield) but don't overlook Mexico. There is 6 months left before the WC. They can hit their strides just before the WC and regain some of the magic a couple of years ago. Honestly, the second-placed position is pretty wide open between the 3 teams. You can make a case for either teams to advance imo.

Croatia fell behind Belgium in their group but locked up a playoff spot with a bunch of games left in the group stage. That's when their form dipped until they again needed to win, i.e. the playoff round. That to me is what makes their slump different from mexico's as el tri almost failed to qualify because of their slump, while croatia's chances to advance never changed through their slump.

Coaching is a big concern for them, and they don't have as many genuine widemen as a team with that many talented CMs should, but their qualifying campaign is not something you can really hold against them like with the Mexicans.

[KF10]

Croatia fell behind Belgium in their group but locked up a playoff spot with a bunch of games left in the group stage. That's when their form dipped until they again needed to win, i.e. the playoff round. That to me is what makes their slump different from mexico's as el tri almost failed to qualify because of their slump, while croatia's chances to advance never changed through their slump.

Coaching is a big concern for them, and they don't have as many genuine widemen as a team with that many talented CMs should, but their qualifying campaign is not something you can really hold against them like with the Mexicans.

Okay, that's fair enough.

[Little Italia]

This WC is giving me that feeling that this could go down as one of the best in history.

I mean so many group's of deaths. So many great teams facing each other early, which could pave the way for a few teams to win their first WC.

There will be plenty of upsets coming this summer. A few Cinderellas, so many dark horse picks to choose from.

[BUCKnation]

I don't know if this was mentioned here yet, but not only did the US get the group of death, but they also have the longest travel itinerary at just a shade under 9000 miles. Yes, you read that right, not 900... 9000 MILES IN GROUP PLAY. That's the most of any other team in the tournament.

How is that fair to anyone?

FIFA, much like the IOC, hates the USA.

US against the world.

[Foye]

Couldve been worse for Germany.

[Ted Lasso]

Italy was ranked in the top 7 for like two years, until October. now they are back in the top 7. They tied their last two qualifying games, as they were already qualified (were one of the first uefa teams to qualify) and those two draws made them drop in the October rankings. to base the seeding off the month of October alone makes no sense.

Oh Italy should absolutely have Uruguay's spot, but I'm fine with the Swiss being ahead of them, they get no where near as much hype as the Belgians but are every bit as dangerous.

WC 2010

Switzerland: Knocked out in the group stage.
Italy: Knocked out in the group stage.

Euro 2012

Switzerland: Did not qualify.
Italy: Lost in the final.

CC 2013 (Not that it should count for much)

Switzerland: Did not qualify.
Italy: Lost in the semi-final.

WC 2014 Qualification

Switzerland: Undefeated against Iceland, Slovenia, Norway, Albania, and Cyprus. Collected 24 points.
Italy: Undefeated against Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Malta. Collected 22 points.

Result: Switzerland somehow ahead of Italy in the FIFA rankings for one fleeting month and consequently seeded. Italy unseeded.

That picture doesn't look fine to me.

[Ted Lasso]

Well there are going to be a lot of nervous Brazilians when round 2 comes around.

Wouldn't surprise me if they were actually delighted. They have a chance to slap Netherlands around for 2010.

[AdamTheGreek]

By the way, looks like I will be hiiting Croatia, Turkey, and Greece around that time. Might not wear my Colombian jersey out in public in Greece lol

Good idea. I strongly advise you don't wear it.