World Cup 2014: Brazil, Germany Squads Announced
This week, Brazil and Germany announced the squads that will be representing their countries in the World Cup 2014, to be played in Brazil starting June 12.
Both nations are power houses in football and always favorites to win the title. Brazil — which holds a record five titles — is also the host nation this year and as such has the advantage of the very colorful fans that are sure to pack every match the national team plays, displaying their gigantic flags and the green, yellow, and blue.
Germany — winners of three World Cups — though more subdued, but no less passionate about their team, are heavy favorites in any international competition and not to be taken lightly.
Brazil’s 2014 World Cup squad is a young team and will have no starters with winning experience at this level, since the team’s manager, Luis Felipe Scolari, did away with Ronaldinho, Kaka, and Robinho. Not a surprise to most, though some fans were not happy when they found out.
For the World Cup 2014, 23 players were capped, of those, six play in the Premier Legaue — mostly Chelsea — three for La Liga, four in the Brazilian league and the rest in other European countries, such as Italy, France, and Germany.
Brazil will play in Group A with Croatia, Mexico, and Cameroon and most believe they will have no trouble moving to the round of 16.
A projected starting roster (via Bleacherreport.com) for Brazil in the 2014 World Cup could be: Julio Cesar, Marcelo, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho, Neymar, Oscar, Bernard, and Fred.
http://t.co/Av6BDYzHu4 #Brazil2014 pic.twitter.com/xqgDt2j5xd
— InsideWorldFootball (@insidewldftball) May 8, 2014
Only five players return from the squad that played in the South Africa 2010 World Cup.
Germany also announced the provisional roster that will head to the 2014 World Cup, after having a very easy time in the qualifiers. However, that will all change, as they were chosen to play in the “Group of Death” — Group G — which includes Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, the US, and Ghana.
Most experts and fans anticipate the European nation will advance to knockout phase, since they have finished third or better in the previous three World Cups.
Manager Joachim Low capped an impressive squad in order to satisfy their demanding fans, who always expect the white and black to do very well.
The biggest surprise when it comes to omissions is Mario Gomez, who was expected to make it, but has been plagued by injuries and was not called up. Khedira’s call up was somewhat unexpected, as he too, has suffered from injuries all season long.
A mix of youth and experience make up the German 30-man roster for the 2014 World Cup, which also includes veterans such as Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose, who are sure to leave their mark. In 2010, Low capped Germany’s youngest squad in 76-years and many return to Brazil.
The projected starting squad for Germany could look something like this (via Bleacherreport): Manuel Neuer, Marcel Schmelzer, Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, and Mario Gotze.
pic.twitter.com/1jMFctn2Yj
— German Gooner?? (@ItsPatgro) May 6, 2014
As the rosters for the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil are announced, 35-days prior to kick-off, things are starting to take shape and fans are getting excited to see their favorite players and teams take the field in the biggest football tournament on Earth.
[Image via Shutterstock.com]
