With the final draw for Brasil 2014 less than a year away, now is a good time to ask politely for which teams I want to see at the final draw. Keep in mind that UEFA receives thirteen places, including four from intraconfederation playoffs, CAF receives five places, AFC receives four places, CONMEBOL receives four places, and CONCACAF receives three places. Add in Brasil as hosts plus the two intercontinental playoff winners (AFC-CONMEBOL, CONCACAF-OFC) and we have our final thirty-two contenders.
UEFA
Group A - Belgium
The young bucks striving for a shot at glory would be a fun team to watch. Christian Benteke, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Axel Witsel, Marouane Fellaini, and Vincent Kompany will all be aged 28 or less when Brasil 2014 comes around.
Group B - Italy
Would it be a FIFA World Cup without them?
Group C - Germany
See Italy.
Group D - Netherlands
They are aging, yes. They are in decline, yes, as evidenced by their flameout at Euro 2012. But they are clearly the class of their group, and after having lost three grand finals before, who would deny this generation of the Oranje one final shot at glory?
Group E - Switzerland
It's either them or Norway, folks. Let's see if Diego Benaglio can concede zero goals in the Swiss net like Pascal Zuberbuhler before him did at Germany 2006.
Group F - Russia
After their slipup in the playoffs against Slovenia in 2009 and their shock group stage elimination at the hands of Greece at Euro 2012, the Euro 2008 semifinalists who showed so much promise have yet to put it together on the biggest stage. With hosting privileges awaiting them in 2018, let's hope Russia can put together a run in 2014. Knocking Portugal five points off the pace in Group F was a good start.
Group G - Bosnia and Herzegovina
The strike force is world class, and a wish list is built around attacking football. Edin Dzeko, Vedad Ibisevic, Miralem Pjanic, and Zvjezdan Misimovic have combined for fourteen goals in four qualifiers so far. If they avoid the playoffs, they avoid bug-a-boo Portugal, thus qualifying for their maiden major international tournament.
Group H - Montenegro
The newest national team in UEFA has the inside track at making its first FIFA World Cup finals. Captain Mirko Vucinic would put a wonderful face on Balkan football at Brasil 2014, and young star Luka Dordevic could be a revelation. Center back Marko Basa, overlooked for Germany 2006 by Serbia and Montenegro, would make his first appearance at a FIFA World Cup finals.
Group I - Spain
Whether the two-time defending European champions and defending world champions get in via direct qualification or through the playoffs does not matter to me. It would be more interesting to watch the French media freak out during a playoff after the debacle at South Africa 2010 and the circumstances under which they defeated Ireland in the playoffs. Plus, I feel Spain are likely to snatch a victory in Saint-Denis when the two powers next meet in Group I play.
Playoff One - England
Perhaps going through the playoffs would unify a team that always seems to be disjointed in some fashion. Brasil 2014 would be better off with England around than at home with the talent they bring to the equation, and their high ranking would see them avoid being drawn with a France or Portugal in the playoffs, giving them a good chance to advance.
Playoff Two - France
They may not win their group, but the new crop of players is motivated to put South Africa 2010 behind them.
Playoff Three - Sweden
After the four-goal shows they put it to come back from 4-0 down in Germany for a tie in qualifying and to defeat England 4-2 in a home friendly, the world needs Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the showcase.
Playoff Four - Portugal
Why Portugal with the final spot? Perhaps I could have asked for Croatia or Greece, and indeed, Portugal have been a disappointment since making the semifinals of Euro 2012. Why, then, select Portugal? Simply put, Portugal have a better chance of going deep into any tournament than the other two teams do. Also, would you rather watch Mario Mandzukic, Georgios Samaras, or Cristiano Ronaldo? Exactly.
AFC
Group One - South Korea
See Italy, Germany.
Group One - Uzbekistan
What better way for the White Wolves to continue as the shining light in Central Asia than to be become the first Central Asian and third Soviet republic to make the FIFA World Cup finals (after Russia and Ukraine)? Midfielder Odil Ahmedov was the player of the year for his Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala, over Yuri Zhirkov and even Samuel Eto'o, but the world has yet to recognize his existence.
Group Two - Japan
They have already wrapped up a spot barring forfeiture of their final three matches. The world needs to be ready for Shinji Okazaki, Shinji Kagawa, Yuto Nagatomo, and the rest of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup champions.
Group Two - Australia
The Socceroos are having all sorts of difficulties at the moment, but would we truly prefer to see Jordan, Oman, or Iraq in their place? And miss the rise of Matt McKay, Alex Brosque, and Robbie Kruse? And miss the last hurrah of Brett Emerton, Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, and Lucas Neill?
Iran and Iraq were under consideration for spots in their respective groups. Honestly, though, who would not tune in to watch an Iran-Iraq fifth-place playoff series for the right to take on a South American opponent?
CAF
Spot One - Cote d'Ivoire
The golden generation needs to make it to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup to solidify its legacy. A kinder draw would be helpful, too. Also, winning the 2013 African Cup of Nations after finishing second in 2006 despite conceding no goals would earn them a trip to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup to acclimate themselves to the stadia in Brasil. The world already loves the old guard (Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Salomon Kalou, Boubacar Barry), and the world will fall for the new guard in time (Max Gredel, Gervinho).
Spot Two - Zambia
The 2012 African champions were one point away from qualifying from United States 1994 in spite of suffering a tremendous loss of life in a plane crash in 1993. They have placed the sad memory away for motivation and instead are living the dream, having taken their maiden continental title in the same country (Gabon) where that plane went down. The Chipolopolo have stockpiles of underappreciated talent with Rainford Kalaba, Chisamba Lungu, Emmanuel Mayuka, and Stoppila Sunzu all still early in their career arcs. Also, if Zambia qualify, that means Ghana are out, and quite frankly I am tired of watching the Black Stars' anemic offense magically reach the knockout stages of FIFA World Cups on the backs of penalty kicks resulting from handballs in the box by their opponents.
Spot Three - Nigeria
For all the disarray in which the Super Eagles have found themselves, they remain one of the premier teams in Africa. They even placed their women's side at Germany 2011. What fan base in Africa could be more passionate than that of the overly-demanding Nigerian fans?
Spot Four - Egypt
Oh, right, the Egyptian fans, the only group more passionate and desparate than the Nigerian fans. Egypt won four African Cup of Nations since 1998, including three consecutive cups between 2006 and 2010, yet they have not made it to a FIFA World Cup finals since Italy 1990. Much maligned American coach Bob Bradley has a chance to prove his doubters wrong and to bring joy to a country now struggling to reestablish its government and political stability.
Spot Five - Mali
Spot five contenders included Ethiopia, Senegal, and Tunisia. The allure of Tunisia would be the opportunity to see Youssef Msakni on the big stage for the first time. Senegal would bring the strike force of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse to the table. Ethiopian qualification would shed light upon the Horn of Africa, a region often overlooked in the footballing world but now on the rise following Ethiopia's shock qualification for the 2013 African Cup of Nations. Also, it would be interesting to see if Saladin Said would be able to use the platform to facilitate a move abroad to a major club, the first for a habesha player in quite some time. However, the choice was Mali because Les Aigles have been so close to continental glory on so many occasions only to fall at the semifinal hurdle four times since 1994. Plus, who doesn't want to see Seydou Keita and Mahamadou Diarra make one appearance on the grandest of stages before exiting the international scene?
CONCACAF
Spot One - Mexico
Mexico believe they are in a golden generation, having won the 2007 and 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cups along with the 2012 Olympic gold medal. Will this finally be the tournament where they advance to a quarterfinal away from home soil? Five straight trips to the Round of Sixteen, four straight losses and a shootout exit in 1994. Their only win in the knockout stages was at home in 1986. Mexico's all-time record in the knockout stages is a depressing 1 win, 5 losses, 2 draws with 2 penalty shootout losses. If this team cannot make the breakthrough as a potential seed, can we say for certain that Mexico are jinxed?
Spot Two - United States of America
See Italy, Germany, South Korea.
Spot Three - Panama
This team is big and physical. Felipe Baloy in the back is a tank. Luis Tejada up top is a bulldozer, and his strike partner Blas Perez is a great finisher. La Marea Roja has been on the rise for the past eight years, and in fact made a quiet appearance in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup final match, which they drew with the United States only to fall on penalties.
Playoff with OFC - Honduras
With regards to the playoff, I simply do not see this incarnation of New Zealand as being as bright as the 2010 version. This is why I wish for a fourth CONCACAF side to advance. Quite honestly, any of the remaining three teams would have much to offer, but Costa Rica and Jamaica simply do not speak to me the way Los Catrachos do. Oscar Boniek Garcia is a midfield maestro, and with forwards Mario Martinez and Jerry Bengston, center back Victor Bernardez, and midfielder Roger Espinoza in tow, no other country could better exemplify the strength of Major League Soccer. All I know for certain is that the CONCACAF Fourth Round will be spectacular.
CONMEBOL
Hosts - Brasil
See Italy, Germany, South Korea, United States of America.
Spot One - Argentina
Who would deny the world a chance to see Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, and Angel di Maria up top in Brasil 2014? Also, see Italy, Germany, South Korea, United States of America, Brasil.
Spot Two - Colombia
Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Guillermo Cuadrado, Freddy Guarin... Feel free to start drooling at any time.
Spot Three - Ecuador
Would it not be spectacular to see four former constituent countries of Gran Colombia at a FIFA World Cup finals together (Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela)? Especially after none had qualified for the previous tournament?
Spot Four - Venezuela
One of the most underrated footballers of his generation would finally get his due on an international stage in what may well be his last attempt to qualify for the grandest of stages. Juan Arango, the left winger and undisputed greatest player in the history of La Vinotinto, is highly regarded by German fans since his stint in the Bundesliga began in 2009. With his exploits going unnoticed by the biggest clubs in the world, it is a fair question to ask if the reason he has not received a transfer to a big club is because of his nationality. If Venezuela make it to Brasil 2014, the stigma attached to their players should vanish and never again would a talent like Arango be overlooked.
Playoff with AFC - Uruguay
I was debating either Iran or Iraq for the final spot, but with the tournament finals being held on continental soil, the party would be better served with another South American side. Chile are in disarray in terms of discipline within their ranks, and though I would love to see Peru with Paolo Guerrero, Juan Vargas, Jefferson Farfan, and Claudio Pizarro in attack, their road form in qualifying will surely let them down. The choice is Uruguay, who are no strangers to the playoffs, having claimed CONMEBOL's playoff spot in the past three tournaments.
The picture for this article is a reflection of a draw I made based on the current ELO ratings and the thirty-two teams for which I have politely asked to be at Brasil 2014.
