As the football carnival is set to kick-off at 1.30 a.m., IST, on June 13, The Hindu takes a look at some of the top men
Argentina's Lionel Messi (left) celebrates with Sergio Aguero during a friendly match in La Plata, Argentina. The two-time champion Argentina is expected to enter the last four stage if Lionel Messi is at his best. Messi has scored 86 goals in his 38 international matches he has played. Photo: AP
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is another player to watch for. Ronaldo had a very good season this year and he has won the FIFA Ballon D'Or crown by beating Lionel Messi in 2014. Portuguese fans expect Ronaldo to fire from the start to at least end in the last four stage. Portugal's best finish in the FIFA World Cup is third place way back in 1966. Photo: AP
German's national soccer players Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski during a training session. Germany mainly depend on Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose. These three players should fire if Germany wants to enter the semfinal stage. Germany won the FIFA World Cup thrice. Klose holds the German record for the top goalscorers with 69 goals from 132 international matches. In the current squad, Podolski follows him with 47 goals from 114 matches. Photo: AP
Brazil, chasing a record sixth World Cup, host the tournament for the first time since their loss to Uruguay in the climax of the 1950 finals, when their neighbours inflicted a defeat which became a national trauma. Brazil will look to the skills of striker Neymar -- player of the tournament at the Confederations Cup last year -- to provide the attacking flair. Photo: AP
The defending champions Spain is expected to give their best in the FIFA World Cup 2014. Apart from being champions in 2010, their previous best finishes was entering quarterfinals four times and semifinals one time. With the likes of Iker Casillas (captain and goalkeeper), Javi Martinez, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, David Silva and Fernando Torres, Spain will play all-out football to defend their title in Brazil. Photo: AP
Netherlands was runner-ups thrice and fourth placed in 1998. Netherlands had a very good World Cup record by winning 10 out of 20 matches they played. In the 2014 World Cup UEFA qualifying round, the Netherlands won nine games and drew one, topping the group and earning automatic qualification. They were drawn into Group B, along with Spain, Chile and Australia. Robben is the player to watch out for in the current Netherland squad. Photo: AP
Croatia is expected to give their best in the opening game itself where they face the hosts Brazil. Croatia's best finish in the FIFA World Cup is third place in 1998. They are in Group A with Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico. Croatian fans expect Mario Mandzukic to take their team to qualify for the next stage. Photo: AP
Mexico had earlier qualified for the quarterfinals twice in 1970 and 1986. Mexico has qualified to fifteen World Cups and has qualified consecutively since 1994, making it one of only six countries to do so. Mexican fans expect Javier Hernandez (centre) to give their team any chance for the best possible finish in the FIFA World Cups. Photo: AP
Italy are the four-time champions in FIFA World Cups. The team has a very good World Cup record. Brazil is the only other team to have won the World Cup five times. Much depend on Andrea Pirlo (vice-captain) to take Italy to the semifinal stage. Pirlo with Gianluigi Buffon are the most capped players in the Italian side. Photo: AP
England had won only one World Cup way back in 1966. Their next best finish was fourth in 1990. England has a galaxy of stars like Wayne Rooney, Rickie Lambert, Daniel Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge. With these players in the rank, England is expected to finish at the top half in the FIFA World Cup 2014. Photo: AP
South Korea has the best finish of fourth place (2002) in the FIFA World Cup. South Korea depends on Ki Sung-Yueng to perform well. South Korea has won Asian Games three times. Photo: AP
France won the FIFA World Cup only once in 1998. France, in fact, had a very good World Cup record by finishing runners-up in 2006 and third place in 1958 and 1986. French fans expect much better performance from their players in FIFA World Cup 2014. France mainly depends on Remy Cabella, Bacary Sagna, Karim Benzema and Blaise Matuidi. Photo: AP
United States has the best finish of semifinals way back in 1930. After 72 years they entered quarterfinals in 2002. Much depends on Clint Depmsey (captain) as US' fans expect a much better performance from their side. Photo: AP
Even though Australia did not have a very good World Cup record, Australian fans expect their team to fight till the finish. Much depends on Tim Cahil (vice-captain) who has scored 32 goals from 69 international matches. Photo: AP
The most under-rated team Japan can spring a surprise or two in the FIFA World Cup 2014. Much depends on Shinji Kagawa (in picture second from right training with other players), Shinji Okazaki and Keisuke Honda. Japan is placed in Group C with Cote d'lvoire, Greece and Colombia. Photo: AP
Uruguay the two time champions (1930 and 1950) are expected to give their fans something to cheer about. Luiz Suarez (in picture) is the one to be watched for in this tournament. Diego Forlan, the most capped player for Uruguay with 110 matches is also expected to add fire to the team. In 1950, Uruguay beat Brazil in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The final was at the Maracana Stadium in Brazil. Uruguay came from behind to beat Brazil in a match which would become known as the Maracanazo. Many Brazilians had to be treated for shock after the event. Photo: AP
Switzerland had the best finish of quarterfinals (three times) in the FIFA World Cup history. Switzerland fans expect firepower from Xherdan Shaqiri (right) and Ricardo Rodriguez. They both are young and talented and had a very good season with their respective clubs. Photo: AP