Each group has 4 teams and each group has a top seeding.
Group A sees host nation Brazil lead the group with Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon each facing off against each other. The opening game of the World cup in just over a week's time sees Brazil host Croatia to kick off the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Brazil are hot favourites to go through with Croatia probably the bookies favourites to join them in the second round.
Group B posts one of the toughest groups as current World Cup holders Spain top the group, and are drawn against fellow European powerhouse's Holland. Chile also are in the group posing a very difficult question as to who will go through to the second round with Australia rounding out the 4. Most would expect Spain and Holland to go through, but Chile are at good odds to cause a upset.
Group C is anyone's guess as Greece, Columbia, Ivory Coast and Japan all fight for the right to go through to the round of 16. Greece will be stubborn in defence, and Ivory Coast will be strong with Toura and Drogba steering the ship!!! Columbia will also be tough in South America and Japan will not want to go home early.
Group D is a very strong group with Italy, England and Uruguay all heavily fancied, whilst Costa Rica look set to make up the numbers. The key will be the first encounter as England and Italy face off in hot temperatures. Uruguay hold hopes on Surez and are expected to go through, but both England and Italy will have other ideas.
Group E also hosts 2 strong European countries, with France and Switzerland. Ecuador will hope to cause an upset and Honduras make up the final 4. With Ecuador on home Continent, you would expect them to put up a fight, but most bookies have them at long odds behind the highly regarded European teams.
Group F has one of the favourites as Argentina look to put their World Cup curse behind them. Argentina have some of the best players in World Football including Messi, but can they fire in Brazil? They will come up against Iran, Nigeria and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Argentina are expected to get through the group stage quite comfortably but 3rd place will be a tough one to predict.
Group G is one of the toughest groups to predict as the USA were dealt a tough hand. They will face the highly fancied Germans and Portugal, whilst Ghana also poses a very tough test. The 2 European giants will be at best odds, however Ghana are known to spring surprises with big named players, and the USA will also not be pushovers.
Group H is surly the weakest group, with Belgium expected to do well topping the seedings. South Korea, Russia and Algeria are the other nations and will all be hoping to exceed expectations and go through to the second round.
The World Cup always springs surprises and there are no certainties in Football. What is assured is the billions around the world that will be tuning in for one massive footballing month.
Wesley Tronson is a bank manager on the Gold Coast and lived in England for seven years to 2010 in banking and soccer.
Wesley Tronson's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/wesley-tronson.html