By James Louis-Charles / Haiti Tempo
The much-anticipated FIFA World Cup draw went on last Friday December 6th, 2013, with the usual disappointment and surprises. 
The biggest shock however was without a doubt the U.S. being placed in the Group of Death with heavily favored Germany. I’d like to take a moment to go over the Groups and offer my opinion on which teams are more likely to make it to the 2nd round and possibly to the Finals.
Group A:
Brazil, Cameroon, Croatia, Mexico
Host Brazil should make it out of the first round easily partly because they are heavy favorite and they are playing at home. Short of winning the World Cup at home however, they will be a huge disappointment for the fans at home.
Croatia should also make it out of this round because they are a better team than Cameroon and Mexico who struggled to make it to the World Cup.
Group B:
Australia, Chile, Netherlands, Spain
It is safe to say Spain will make it out of the first round. I don’t expect them to repeat as Champions though.
Netherlands should also make it out of the first round. The most interesting matchup in that round however is the repeat of the 2010 World Cup Final between Spain and Netherlands.
Group C:
Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Next to the Group of Death, which I will discuss more below, it is very difficult to determine who is going to make it out of this group. The only team certain to NOT make it out is Greece.
My money would be on Colombia because any team that finishes second in World Cup Qualifying in CONMEBOL is pretty legit. Besides, Falcao is arguably one of the best top 5 finishers in the world.
Ivory Coast is likely to make it out of to the next round as well. At least they better.
Group D:
Costa Rica, England, Italy, Uruguay
Although Uruguay will try to replicate their 2010 4th place finish, I don’t see them going unnoticed again. It is highly probable that Italy and England will be moving on to the next round because they are always heavy favorite to win the tournament.
Group E:
Ecuador, France, Honduras, Switzerland
France had a tough time making it to the World Cup, but their resilience will continue on with them moving on the 2nd round of the World Cup if not beyond.
Switzerland is also the other team I have moving on. They were one of the best teams in World Cup qualifying from Europe. 
Group F:
Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
A second round without Argentina is almost impossible. I don’t see them reaching the final which will be disappointing to most considering the event will be taking place in South America.
Bosnia-Herzegovina should also make it as I don’t see Iran and Nigeria taking that spot away from them.
Group G:
Germany, Portugal, United States, Ghana
It is unfortunate for the U.S. had to land in this group, because this U.S. team is one of the best teams I have seen in a while. The Americans have a few more weapons than Donavan and Dempsey this time around. But sadly that won’t be enough for them to move on to the next round in a very tough group.
I must say whichever team makes it out of this group should be considerate as a heavy favorite to win the cup as they would have been battle tested early. Unfortunately for the U.S., Germany is bound to take one of the two spots to move on.
The other spot will probably come down to the last game between one of the best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo versus the best African team of Ghana. I see Ghana making it to the next round because they are a solid team that could have won the last World Cup.
Group H:
Belgium, Russia, Algeria, South Korea
Belgium will make it out of the first round, and they could surprise everyone by how far they go also. They were very good early in World Cup qualifying, but still made it as they faltered a bit.
Russia also falls under the same category of teams that could surprise you. South Korea had a somewhat easy path to the World Cup and still struggled a bit. It wasn’t easy for Algeria either who had to beat Burkina Faso at home to make it.
So there you have it. I think it will be a very interesting World Cup with a very predictable first round. Once you make it to the 2nd round however, there are bound to be a few major upsets. But overall the heavy favorites will continue to move on.
As for the Finals, a European team will make it for sure, and my bet is on Germany. I don’t see Brazil or Argentina winning the World Cup in 2014.
James Louis-Charles
Haiti Tempo 12/09/13
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