I1st: Uruguay- 7 Points
World Ranking: 6
Key Players: Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Diego Lugano
Four years removed from an impressive but stinging semifinals run, Uruguay comes into the tournament with a chip on its shoulder, and a more equipped team. What? A better Uruguay team?! Yup. Luis Suarez has emerged as one the best playmakers in the game, let alone goal scorers in the front. Cavani has become a dependent option down the field, and Diego Lugano anchors the defense. The only question came in the past few days, when Luis Suarez had surgery and has to recover fully before their first match, but no one doubts he will come in ready with the motor that drives him.
2nd: England- 6 points
World Ranking: 11
Key Players: Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard
This is one of the more tough groups to be in. But England will make it out. With a lineup that features both star veterans and young talent, The Three Lions bring their best squad in a while. It will probably be Lampard and Gerrard’s last World Cup, and Wayne Rooney will have to make an impact to prove he is a superstar. With seemingly all the right pieces in place, England will definitely advance furthest it has been in a while. I would be crazy to see a team with Rooney, Gerrard, and Lampard not go down without a fight.
3rd: Italy- 4 points
World Ranking: 9
Key Players: Mario Balotelli, Giuseppe Rossi, Gianluigi Buffon
Italy will be a force, as always, but the question remains of how much. This year, Balotelli seems to be in charge of leading the rest of the players to championship glory, but there doesn’t seem to be too much else. Rossi is solid, but he is definitely no Mario, and Buffon can still make a few leaps, but he is overdue for international retirement. If age doesn’t wear the players down, Italy can make it far. Past history has shown that Italy can make win anytime, particularly against strong competition. Italy has always been a strong team, so don’t count them out.
4th: Costa Rica- 0 points
World Ranking: 34
Key Players: Bryan Ruiz, Joel Campbell
It’s been nearly a decade since Costa Rica has won anything major, but they always come back to qualify on the biggest international stage. They qualified after finishing second after the United States in a rather weak group, but still, captain Bryan Ruiz shows again and again that he is that skilled. Stronger help behind would be nice, but Ruiz has a tendency to score regardless. Joel Campbell can also be a force, and it could be these very two forwards that play a key role in the progression of Costa Rica.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
