World Cup 2014 qualified teams heading to Brazil

Now that the playoffs are out of the way we can get a decent view of all 32 teams heading over to Brazil next year for this prestigious footballing tournament that even gets non-soccer fans cheering on their respected nation, or their favourite national side. From what we can see many of the same old big guns will be challenging for this major trophy, as we expect some passionate moments and a few surprises along the way.

With Brazil as hosts we can expect them to be favourites especially with a background of winning five tournaments since the World Cup began, but we could also see the neighbours Argentina with Messi and co being right at home playing for their third star along with Uruguay.

With a heavily congested group of talents heading over from Europe we are sure the emergence of Spain coming off the back of the last World Cup win and a European Cup also look like candidates for their second World Cup win, while Germany are also a force to be reckoned with at major tournaments looking to join Italy on four wins of this prestigious trophy.

World Cup 2014 qualified teams heading to Brazil 2

Italy are another team you cannot rule out and as slow starters they will be aiming to halt Brazils reign as five time winners and claim that fifth title for themselves, while the likes of England and France, like Spain have only one World Cup success to show for their times competing in this tournament.

The likes of Holland always produce great teams but still have not managed to get that all important World Cup win, so 2014 could be their opportunity to show the world they are one of the top contenders in world football.

Other teams that are normally regarded as relative outsiders like Portugal, Belgium, Colombia, Switzerland, Russia, Chile and Greece look like decent outfits going into 2014, while teams from territories yet to win a World Cup have also shown their fans that they have evolved as footballing teams.

USA seemed to have grown stronger over the years and a decent run in Brazil could accumulate the kind of soccer fanbase the likes of Pele and Beckham couldn’t. In addition, African sides like Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana are much improved sides along with Asian nations including Japan and the Korea Republic, not to mention the emergence of Australia.

The FIFA website lists the teams and venues for next year’s tournament along with current FIFA World Rankings, and the draw will be held in the Brazilian state of Bahia on 6th December. Therefore, do you think the group seeding from the upcoming draw will give us more of an idea which teams will progress? Alternatively, who you are tipping to become next year’s World Champions?

World Cup 2014 - 32 Teams - InfoGraphic

Uruguay secured their safe passage past Jordan on Wednesday night, and now the 32 nations are fixed.

After a long qualification campaign across planet earth, 32 nations have now booked their places at Brazil 2014.

The draw for the World Cup is set to be made on December 6th, and in the meantime many international federations will be computing the various possible groups which could be formed for next summer’s showpiece finals.

Overall Africa will have five representatives at next summer’s tournament, Asia has four, North America has four, South American has six while Europe has 13 nations present.

Below are a series of graphic illustrating the 32 countries who have qualified for the 2014 World Cup finals.

5 Biggest Nations Who Might Miss Out - Brazil 2014

The 2014 World Cup is now just 18 months away, with 31 places remaining to join host nation Brazil at world football's biggest and most prestigious competition.

In some continents' qualifying competitions, it is simply too early to cast judgement on the possible winners and losers. However, in Europe and South America we are reaching the halfway stage and starting to gain an idea of which countries are set to qualify.

While I must stress that this is still guesswork, to some extent, let's take a look at five well-respected footballing nations who face challenges to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

1.Uruguay 

The South American qualifying section is a long, drawn-out affair with all the continent's sides playing out what is effectively a nine-team league campaign.

Now, with nine of 16 rounds already completed, we are starting to get an idea of how the competition is finally shaping up, with Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador currently flying high.

However, for Copa America champions Uruguay, the picture is not so bright.

La Celeste currently lie fifth, in a playoff position, level on points with both Chile and Venezuela. In their next four games, Uruguay face difficult away trips to both their major rivals for qualification, as well as a visit to Lima to face Peru.

First up for Uruguay is a fixture at home to Paraguay which is now a must-win encounter ahead of the three long journeys.

Fail to win the game in Montevideo, or lose to both their major rivals, and Uruguay could be cast adrift in the race for Brazil 2014 with games to spare.

2.Portugal 

Portugal are already facing a massive challenge to qualify for Brazil 2014, finding themselves lying in third place in their group with four of 10 fixtures already played.

Five points behind leaders Russia, it already looks a major challenge for the Iberians to qualify automatically. However, level with Israel on seven points, it will be far from straightforward to even ensure a playoff spot.

Portugal have recent history of qualifying for major tournaments through the playoff process, but they face six gruelling matches, including visits to some of Europe's more distant outposts, before they even reach that stage.

Should they reach that point, there are always risks attached with relying on a knockout tie to progress to the finals.

3.France 

It seems very harsh to describe a side who are currently unbeaten in their qualification campaign as candidates to miss out on the World Cup.

Unfortunately for France, though, they are in the same group as reigning champions Spain, with only one side progressing automatically to the finals.

France may have drawn away to their major rivals. However, in spite of that result, recent years would suggest that the Spaniards remain favourite for progression.

Should that be the case, then France will have to deal with the potentially difficult process of the playoffs and whatever opposition that entails.

Didier Deschamps appears to have got a decent balance to his side and is moving in the right direction. Their second seed status, though, could come back to haunt them if they fail in the playoff stages.

4.Paraguay 

To date, Paraguay have qualified for four consecutive World Cup tournaments. However, with the country languishing at the bottom of the pile in qualifying for 2014, they look unlikely to make a fifth. 

After nine games Paraguay lie five points off qualification, while their upcoming trips to Uruguay and Ecuador are not promising in terms of gathering a fruitful points return.

Paraguay's qualification hopes currently look bleak at best. 

Scoring goals has been the Albirroja's biggest downfall, with just six in nine matches a sure recipe for disaster.

To stand any chance, new coach Gerardo Pelusso must get them scoring and look to improve a record of no points from five away games.

5.Serbia 

Serbia were handed a tough task to qualify for Brazil 2014, with strong Croatia and Belgium sides also within their group. The two favourites have justified their status and currently lead the group by a six-point margin.

In four group stage games so far, the Serbian side have managed just one win—a 6-1 victory at home to Wales. However, that triumph was followed by disappointing defeats at home to Belgium and away to Macedonia.

In their remaining fixtures, Serbia must navigate difficult away fixtures against both favourites for the group, as well as a trip to Cardiff to face Wales.

Their chances of progression already look minimal, without qualifying even having reached its midway point.

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CHRISTOPHER ATKINS