The draw for the 2014 Men’s World Cup has completed, and there are a number of teams who will not be pleased with the outcome. Chief amongst them, perhaps, are the Netherlands, whose first match in Group B is against the team that defeated them in the 2010 final, Spain.

Host nation Brazil have a comparatively easy time in Group A, where the tournament opener will see them face Croatia. They then face Mexico and Cameroon.

In Group D, Costa Rica look to be the underdogs against 2010 semifinalists Uruguay, 2006 champions Italy, and England. The lowest ranked of the seeded teams, Switzerland, were placed in Group E and will face Ecuador, France, and Honduras.

The most challenging group appears to be Group G, featuring two strong UEFA sides in Germany and Portugal, plus the Ghana and United States squads that will now meet in three consecutive Men’s World Cups.

The Brazil-Croatia opener on THU 12 JUN 2014 kicks off a month long footballing carnival, wrapping up with the final on SUN 13 JUL 2014.

• Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
• Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
• Group C: Colombia, Greece, Côte d’Ivoire, Japan
• Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
• Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
• Group F: Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
• Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, United States
• Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Rep