FIFA World Cup 2014 Team-by-Team Rough Guide

Welcome to Bleacher Report’s team-by-team guide to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. You may know all about your own nation’s prospects, but have you checked in on the competition yet? Here, we provide a full preview and analysis of all 32 qualified nations. They’re in ascending order using FIFA World Rankings, all quotes were obtained firsthand, and all betting odds are from Bet365.com. Got... 

Hodgson’s Latest England Squad a Last-Chance Saloon for Fringe Players

The usual cocktail of ferver and anticipation surrounded Roy Hodgson‘s England squad announcement for the friendlies against Chile and Germany Thursday, and as usual, the manager has thrown up a surprise or two. The line most national newspapers will take will be the Joe Hart versus Fraser Forster debate, as the Manchester City No. 1 is under intense pressure following numerous gaffes and mistakes... 

Michu’s Spain Call Deserved Reward for Taking Swansea to Next Level

The BBC have confirmed Michu has been called up to the Spain squad ahead of La Roja’s crucial World Cup qualifiers, and by all accounts it’s richly deserved. With David Villa forced to pull out of Vicente del Bosque’s squad due to injury, Roberto Soldado not involved and Diego Costa not featuring (yet?), Michu joins Alvaro Negredo and Cesc Fabregas in the forward corps. Premier League... 

Why Joe Hart Must Start for England in 2014 World Cup Qualifiers

Wednesday was another uncomfortable night for Joe Hart as he continued his poor streak of form in goal. Manchester City fell by a 3-1 scoreline to a dominant, spectacular Bayern Munich side, but Hart’s ability and concentration was called into question for both Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben‘s goals. On the seven-minute mark, Ribery cut in from the left and released a powerful shot aimed... 

Power Ranking the Top 20 World Cup Teams on Qualifying Form

With no domestic football in sight, B/R turns its attention to the World Cup qualifying race as it draws to a close. We’ve ranked the top 20 nations in world football on account of their qualifying records, delving into the matter of who’s hot and who’s not as we edge closer to the showpiece event in Brazil. The rankings are solely based on qualifying results and performances, so... 

Why Yevhen Konoplyanka Is a Threat to England and a Fit for the Premier League

England take on Ukraine in Kiev on Tuesday night in a pivotal World Cup qualifier, and Yevhen Konoplyanka is the man to watch out for in yellow and blue. The dynamic winger has also recently been linked with a move to the Premier League, and Mirror Football’s Ed Malyon believes he could well be the subject of another—this time successful—bid in the next 12 months. “There... 

Could a Gerrard, Lampard & Wilshere Midfield Prosper for England in Brazil?

England’s 4-0 victory over Moldova on Friday night was essentially a stroll in the park, but it did at least serve as a marker for Roy Hodgson‘s potential tactical forethoughts. Aside from the Rickie Lambert question mark up front, focus can be placed in the midfield, and the gaffer pulled no punches in starting a midfield trio of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere... 

Key Battles to Watch in FIFA U-20 World Cup Quarterfinals

As the FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinals approach, we preview the key battle in each of the four games. How will South Korea respond after being taken to penalties by Colombia? What can Iraq and Uzbekistan do to extend their fantasy runs in the competition? France have stormed into form and Spain carry a four-game win streak—are these the two favourites to win? Read on and enjoy the slideshow! Begin... 

U-20 FIFA World Cup: Previewing Every Quarter-Final Game

The FIFA U-20 World Cup round of 16 matches are over and we have our quarter-final dates. It’s where the competition really begins to hot up and the floating voters start to take more notice—can you spot world football’s next biggest star plying his trade? Some progressed with ease. For others, it took extra time and penalties. Here, B/R previews each of the four quarter-final matchups... 

7 Up-and-Coming Countries Better Suited to Qualify for the 2018 World Cup

The 2014 FIFA World Cup has come four years too soon for some countries. Whether they’re likely to qualify and make little impact or set to miss out altogether, we’ve picked out seven nations who, in four years’ time, will represent formidable opponents. Who joins David Alaba’s Austria on our list? Read on to find out! Begin Slideshow  Read More →

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