Brazil's national soccer team players Neymar and Fred are pictured at the Granja Comary training centre in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janeiro
Brazil's national soccer team players Neymar (C) and Fred are pictured at the Granja Comary training centre in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janeiro May 26, 2014. The Brazil national soccer team's training camp, in preparation for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, begins today, in Teresopolis city. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Teams Qualified: Brazil (1) & Mexico (2)

FIFA World Cup 2014 promises to be yet another extravaganza of sporting excellence. Probably the best part of this year's world cup is that it is hosted by a country which is often considered to be the greatest football-loving nation in the world. The fans are excited as Brazil breathes football. Let's look at the possibilities of the eight groups in the tournament. We start this series with Group A.

Teams in the group

Brazil, Croatia, Mexico & Cameroon are in Group A, which means they have to compete against each other before they qualify for the knock-out round. With one representative each from South America, Europe, North America, and Africa; the group looks interestingly poised. Brazil has already played against the other three countries in previous world cups.

Morale of the teams

Just like most other world cups in the past, Brazil looks strong enough to win the 2014 world cup. The confidence is sky-high after its successful campaign in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Mexico, on the contrary, had a pretty tough time of late. The national coach was changed twice in a period of 3 months. They almost lost the chance to qualify for the CONCACAF region. Croatia too changed its coach before the play-off which they needed to qualify. Cameroon, on the other hand, had an emphatic win to qualify.

Players on the spotlight

Brazil: Neymar, Thiago Silva & Fred

Croatia: Luka Modric & Mario Mandzukic

Mexico: Raul Jimenez & Oribe Peralta

Cameroon: Samuel Eto'o & Alexandre Song

Turning Point

The Croatia-Mexico match is expected to be a crunch match to decide the second spot in the group. Both teams look quite similar. Neither of the teams has a high morale due to their recent struggle. With Brazil looking like a clear number one in the group, this match should be the decider. If this match ends with scores level, things will look pretty confusing.

Predictions

Brazil will top the group with 3 wins. Cameroon will be the dark horse which may take advantage of a draw between Croatia and Mexico. One goal against either of the two will take them to the second spot.

Group B - Analysis & Predictions

Group C - Analysis & Predictions

Group D - Analysis & Predictions

Group E - Analysis & Predictions

Group F - Analysis & Predictions

Group G - Analysis & Predictions

Group H - Analysis & Predictions

What's your prediction? Use the comment section to tell us about it.

Reference: FIFA, NBS News