GROUP MATCHES FIFA WORD CUP 2014

After the draw was made in Bahia on Friday Dec 6, 2013 afternoon, Jim Knight provides a full run down of the odds for the 32 teams competing at next summer's tournament. Hosts Brazil will play Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon at the 2014 World Cup, while England tackle Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D. Here's a full list of the 32 teams on Group Matches FIFA Word Cup 2014.

GROUP A MATCHES
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Brazil vs Croatia at Arena Corinthians - 20:00 GMT

Friday, June 13, 2014
Mexico vs Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas - 16:00 GMT

Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Brazil vs Mexico at Estadio Castelão - 19:00 GMT

Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Cameroon vs Croatia at Arena Amazonia - 22:00 GMT

Monday, June 23, 2014
Croatia vs Mexico at Arena Pernambuco - 20:00 GMT
Cameroon vs Brazil at Estadio Nacional - 20:00 GMT

Brazil will come under enormous pressure – Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari can expect daily advice from all 200 million citizens – to not only win a sixth title, but to do it with the style. The rest of the group is wide open: Croatia and Mexico needed to navigate regional playoffs last month while Cameroon is Africa’s fourth-best team. Picks to advance: Brazil, Mexico.

GROUP B MATCHES
Friday, June 13, 2014
Spain vs Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova - 19:00 GMT
Chile vs Australia at Arena Pantanal - 22:00 GMT
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Australia vs Netherlands at Estadio Beira - Rio 16:00 GMT
Spain vs Chile at Estadio do Maracanã - 19:00 GMT

Monday, June 23, 2014
Australia vs Spain at Arena da Baixada - 16:00 GMT
Netherlands vs Chile at Arena Corinthians - 16:00 GMT

A delicious foursome, although Australia has surely lost its appetite. Based on history and roster strength, 2010 finalists Spain and Netherlands are clear favorites, but Chile advanced to the knockout stage four years ago, features Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez and will take comfort playing in South America.
Picks to advance: Spain, Netherlands.

GROUP C MATCHES
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Colombia vs Greece at Estadio Mineirão - 16:00 GMT
Ivory Coast vs Japan at Arena Pernambuco - 01:00 GMT

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Colombia vs Ivory Coast at Estadio Nacional - 16:00 GMT
Japan vs Greece at Estadio das Dunas - 22:00 GMT

Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Japan vs Colombia at Arena Pantanal - 20:00 GMT
Greece vs Ivory Coast at Estadio Castelão - 20:00 GMT

Guided by Radamel Falcao, Colombia has returned to world-class form after a decade-plus absence and will benefit from a middling group. The Elephants of Ivory Coast employ the skill and experience of a third consecutive appearance to succeed. Japan continues to rise on the world stage and could provide a surprise.
Picks to advance: Colombia, Ivory Coast.


GROUP D MATCHES
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Uruguay vs Costa Rica at Estadio Castelão - 19:00 GMT
England vs Italy at Arena Amazonia - 22:00 GMT

Thursday, June 19, 2014
Uruguay vs England at Arena Corinthians - 19:00 GMT

Friday, June 20, 2014
Italy vs Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco - 16:00 GMT

Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Italy vs Uruguay at Estadio das Dunas - 16:00 GMT
Costa Rica vs England at Estadio Mineirão - 16:00 GMT

Between them, Uruguay, Italy and England have won 7 of 19 World Cups. Luis Suarez, a brilliant but belligerent figure, will need to maintain top form for La Celeste to replicate its 2010 semifinal journey. Italy did not survive group play in South Africa, while England will endure its usual World Cup angst. Costa Rica has little hope. Picks to advance: Uruguay, Italy.

GROUP E MATCHES
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Switzerland vs Ecuador at Estadio Nacional - 16:00 GMT
France vs Honduras at Estadio Beira-Rio - 19:00 GMT

Friday, June 20, 2014
Switzerland vs France at Arena Fonte Nova - 19:00 GMT
Honduras vs Ecuador at Arena da Baixada - 22:00 GMT

Wednesday, June 25, 2014 Honduras vs Switzerland at Arena Amazonia - 20:00 GMT Ecuador vs France at Estadio do Maracanã - 20:00 GMT Switzerland is the top seed, based on FIFA’s flawed rankings, but might only be the third-best team. France, which suffered a 2010 meltdown and needed a playoff to qualify this time, will soar or self-destruct. Ecuador finished fourth in South American qualifying, while Honduras is making a second straight appearance. Picks to advance: Ecuador, France.

GROUP F MATCHES
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Argentina vs Bosnia-Herzegovina at Estadio do Maracanã - 22:00 GMT

Monday, June 16, 2014
Iran vs Nigeria at Arena da Baixada - 19:00 GMT

Saturday, June 21, 2014
Argentina vs Iran at Estadio Mineirão - 16:00 GMT
Nigeria vs Bosnia-Herzegovina at Arena Pantanal 22:00 GMT

Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Nigeria vs Argentina at Estadio Beira-Rio - 16:00 GMT
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Iran at Arena Fonte Nova - 16:00 GMT

Seeking a third world title, Argentina might be tested by Nigeria but should otherwise coast to the top position. The Nigerians possess the technical and physical attributes to secure passage. Bosnia is the only first-time qualifier in the 32-team field but in qualifying performed like a veteran group. Iran is a long shot. Picks to advance: Argentina, Nigeria.

GROUP G MATCHES
Monday, June 16, 2014
Germany vs Portugal at Arena Fonte Nova - 16:00 GMT
Ghana vs United States at Estadio das Dunas - 22:00 GMT

Saturday, June 21, 2014
Germany vs Ghana at Estadio Castelão - 19:00 GMT

Sunday, June 22, 2014
United States vs Portugal at Arena Amazonia - 22:00 GMT

Thursday, June 26, 2014
United States vs Germany at Arena Pernambuco - 16:00 GMT
Portugal vs Ghana at Estadio Nacional - 16:00 GMT

At first glance, the United States faces very long odds of advancing. At second glance, given the Americans’ steady rise, there is hope. Nonetheless, Germany, a top-four Cup finisher 11 times, and Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, are the front-runners. Ghana, which should’ve gone to the semifinals in 2010, is primed to disrupt Europe’s grip. Picks to advance: Germany, Ghana.

GROUP H MATCHES
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Belgium vs Algeria at Estadio Mineirão - 16:00 GMT
Russia vs South Korea at Arena Pantanal - 22:00 GMT

Sunday, June 22, 2014
Belgium vs Russia at Estadio do Maracanã - 16:00 GMT
South Korea vs Algeria at Estadio Beira-Rio - 19:00 GMT

Thursday, June 26, 2014
South Korea vs Belgium at Arena Corinthians - 20:00 GMT
Algeria vs Russia at Arena da Baixada - 20:00 GMT

The least-intimidating group, by far, eases Belgium’s return to the World Cup after 12 years away. This is the Belgians’ golden generation, but inexperience on the global stage could become an issue in the later stages. Russia had not qualified since 2002, while South Korea and Algeria are two of the weakest teams. Picks to advance: Belgium, Russia. kicks off on June 12 in Sao Paulo. The group stage comes to an end on June 26, with the first games of the round of 16 to take place only two days later in Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro. The four quarter-finals will then be staged on July 4 and 5, while the semi-finals take place on July 8 and 9 and the 2014 World Cup winners will be crowned on July 13 in Rio de Janeiro.