Call it the biggest sporting showpiece and you won't be wrong, say the host country is the biggest footballing country in the world, you won't be wrong either, so it is very right if we conclude then that, the World Cup to be hosted in Brazil come June is going to be the greatest and most memorable one of the century, with the long list of great players who will be representing their various national teams and ready to thrill the world with their spectacular skills.
With thirty two participating teams set to jostle it out against each other for the trophy, it is important to look at the fire power of the teams which puts them as either a COMPETITOR or a PARTICIPATOR.
Though 'upsets' cannot be ruled out to in a World Cup tournament, it doesn't still rule out the fact that some teams stand a better chance to win the trophy more than the others, such teams who are more liable to go home with the trophy will be regarded to in this write-up as COMPETITORS and others who are less liable will be referred to as PARTICIPATORS.
Although the World Cup to be hosted in Brazil has thirty two participating teams, you will agree with me that the contenders for the trophy are limited.
Given their array of stars and recent form in their run towards qualification for the showpiece, the trophy definitely is more likely to head towards Spain, Brazil, Germany or Argentina as they are considered strong favourites, while teams like Italy, France Netherlands and England stand an outside chance, other teams, thou may create an upset here and there in the cause of the tournament are less likely to lay claims to the trophy come July when the tournament concludes.
COMPETITORS
SPAIN: Having dominated the football world in recent times - winning two successive European tournaments and the last World Cup but losing to Brazil at the final of the Confederations Cup, Spain remain the most likely team to win the World Cup.
With most of the likely invited players set to come from Barcelona and Real Madrid – the two leading clubs in La Liga – the understanding and cohesion of the team will be next to none, allowing them to play seamlessly, bamboozle and outplay any team they come across.
BRAZIL: Thou the 'Samba Boys' have had hard times in recent years with strings of poor performances and results, however Brazil has played their way into the heart of their fans recently with spectacular displays, colourful results, and recently defeating the world champion, Spain in an emphatic 3-0 win at the finals of the Confederation Cup.
The Luiz Felipe Scolari led team has been revitalized having improved after every game since the former World Cup winning Coach took over and the exploits of players like Neymar, Oscar, Hulk, Paulinho, Thiago Silva to mention but few making the difference and putting them in a strong position to win the trophy for the sixth time.
GERMANY: The German Machine have been in superb form in recent years and has been able to make it to at least the semi-final stage of the last three tournaments they have participated in, the Joachim Low led team have a good chance to develop on their recent performance at the last World Cup in South Africa where they were eliminated by Netherland at the semifinal stage and will strive to win the World Cup for the fourth time in the history of the country.
ARGENTINA: Many say this team doesn't do well when it comes to the World Cup, Yes, it may be true but who says this year won't be an exception.
Having dominated the South American region during the qualifying stages and with four time Ballon d'OR holder, Leonel Messi leading the array of stars the Argentines are likely to parade, Argentina stands a good chance to lay claims to the elusive trophy they last won in Mexico 86 but will have to overcome a familiar foe in Nigeria first in the group stage of the competition.
It is not to say that these four national teams are the only likely winners of the competition, we are saying they stand a better chance than others, teams like Italy, France, Netherlands, and England also have a good chance to claim the trophy.
France has been a good force to reckon with in recent years, the 'Les Blues' have suffer 'dip in form' when it matters most as they are plagued with infighting within the team and not too convincing displays against oppositions. They could however repeat the heroics of the 1998 team if they are able to step-up their game and put-up a fierce fight in the course of their campaign in Brazil.
England: Rich with individual good players, the 'Three Lions' have not been able to impress as a team since they last won the World Cup in 1966. The team currently led by Roy Hudson has great leaders in the team, players like captain of the team, Steven Gerrad, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole, and also talented young wizards like Jack Wilshere, Raheem Sterling e.t.c.
Hopefully England will be able to make use of their rich talents this time around in their quest for the trophy.
Netherlands is another team who has an outside chance of winning the trophy.
Fondly Known as the greatest underachievers in the world of football, the 'Oranje Boys' have participated in ten World Cup competitions since inception; the most by any team, coming runners-up three times (1974, 1978, 2010) but as never won it.
Now under the tutelage of Louis Van Gaal and captained by the team's all-time highest goal scorer, Robin Van Pierse, the team will look to turn their fortunes around and put the acronym attributed to them aside and put into good use the wealth of experience and skills they have in Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart, Dirk Kuyt, and others to lay claims to the much elusive trophy.
Italy: The 'Azzuri' of Italy is another team which has been not too impressive in recent times, given a number of unconvincing performances, but having won the 2006 tournament as under dogs and the wealth of experience they parade in Pirlo, Chielini, Baloteli, Montolivio, Giovinco and inspirational captain, Gianluigi Buffon to mention but few, the Italians also stand a chance to compete for the trophy.
There are other teams to also look out for as the competition draws close as they also have wealth of experience and skillful player and a great deal of team cohesion and spirit. Portugal led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Mexico with Carlos Vela and Chicarito leading the attack, Uruguay with inform Suarez, Forlan and Edison Cavani upfront though are not looked at as favourite in contending for the trophy, neither are they given any chance whatsoever, but 'the fear of these teams is the beginning of wisdom'.
PARTICIPATORS
With all due respect, some teams will have to make do with just taking part at this footballing showpiece because they don't really have a strong stake in the tittle challenge, they might have a group of individual talented and spirited players, but the experience, team cohesion and spirit needed to perform on the big stage puts the favourites at an advantage.
There are however positives to take from being a Participator at this tournament apart from the Financial gain, the teams will have the opportunity to showcase their talents thereby giving their players an avenue of playing in big teams in Europe which will eventually rob off on the national team in future when they can be able to put up a strong challenge for the tittle in subsequent edition.
Another thing is that the Teams in this group are not under any pressure to win at all cost, in-fact they are granted the liberty to just go out there and express themselves thereby giving them room for upsets here and there, win or lose the fans will still appreciate them, so its not a total loss for them at all.
To all African representatives and those from Asia who fall in these group, a couple of countries from Europe and South America not leaving out North America, 'hope and believe, there might be something at stake if you put in your best', 'upsets is part of the game'.
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