Football: A look at the Pot 1 teams ahead of the World Cup draw
Dec 6, 2013, 10:36 pm SGT
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PARIS (AFP) - Pot 1 comprises of eight seeded teams.
ARGENTINA (Manager: Alejandro Sabella)
Argentina cruised through South American qualifying, topping the group. World champions the last two times the World Cup was held in Latin America, in 1978 and 1986, Sabella's side must be contenders to triumph next year. Their attack, led by Lionel Messi, also features world-class talent in Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.
BELGIUM (Manager: Marc Wilmots)
Hopes are high that Belgium can make an impression in their first appearance at a major tournament finals since the 2002 World Cup. Under Marc Wilmots, who played at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups, They cruised through qualifying without losing a game. Their squad is full of players starring in Europe's leading leagues, from Thibaut Courtois in goal to Vincent Kompany in defence to Eden Hazard in midfield to Romelu Lukaku in attack. Matching their best finish of fourth in 1986, however, is a big ask.
BRAZIL (Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari)
The pressure on the hosts is immense as they look to go one better than 1950 when they finished as runners-up in the last World Cup to be held on Brazilian soil. Amid concern about performances, Mano Menezes was sacked late last year, with Scolari, the coach of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning side, returning to the helm. He led the Selecao to glory at the Confederations Cup on home soil earlier this year, with Brazil destroying world champions Spain 3-0 in the final. The five-time winners can call on the likes of Thiago Silva and Neymar, although they perhaps lacks the depth of some of their rivals.
COLOMBIA (Manager: Jose Pekerman)
Colombia qualified comfortably behind Argentina in South American qualifying to reach their first World Cup finals since France 1998. Pekerman has developed an attractive side with Radamel Falcao leading the line but with the likes of Carlos Bacca, James Rodriguez and Jackson Martinez also featuring. Los Cafeteros have never previously made a major impression at a World Cup finals but they are currently ranked fourth in the world and are considered dangerous outsiders by many heading to Brazil.
GERMANY (Manager: Joachim Loew)
Since coming third at the 2006 World Cup on home soil, Germany have continued to fall just short of major tournament glory under Loew. Runners-up at Euro 2008, beaten semi-finalists at the 2010 World Cup and at Euro 2012, they are expected to feature prominently again in Brazil. Germany cruised through qualifying, dropping just two points and scoring 36 goals in 10 games. The three-time world champions have a wealth of attacking options, including Mario Goetze, Marco Reus and Thomas Mueller.
SPAIN (Manager: Vicente Del Bosque)
Spain are the reigning world champions and winners of the last two European Championships, so will head to Brazil with confidence. They were beaten 3-0 by Brazil in the final of this year's Confederations Cup, though, and key players from recent years, such as Xavi Hernandez, are on the wane. Goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas has lost his place at Real Madrid, but plenty of others are still very much at their peak, including Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
SWITZERLAND (Manager: Ottmar Hitzfeld)
The Swiss qualified for the finals from probably the weakest European group, finishing top despite being held to draws by Cyprus and Iceland. This will be their second World Cup finals under Hitzfeld - in 2010 in South Africa, they beat Spain in their opening game and yet failed to make it out of their group. With a favourable draw, they will hope to progress this time.
URUGUAY (Manager: Oscar Tabarez)
A World Cup in Brazil will be special for Uruguay, who famously beat their neighbours in the decisive game at the Maracana to win the title in 1950. The current team are unlikely to match that remarkable achievement, but Tabarez's side did reach the semi-finals in South Africa in 2010 before winning the Copa America in Argentina in 2011.
You can follow The Straits Times Sports Desk on Twitter (@STsportsdesk) from 11.45pm tonight and get live updates as the draw takes place.