Brazil 2014 World Cup

This thread is to discuss and share news & multimedia related to the Brazil 2014 World Cup that begins today, June 12.

Good. Now I can talk football without seeing 'soccer' in the thread's title :)

I'll start off by saying that I don't expect Mexico to advance to quarter finals, if we do well on the first stage and advance to the second phase, we will face either Holland or Spain, so that's that.

My favorites to win the cup are Spain and Brazil.

I have an Italian background, so let's go Italy?! I would cheer for Canada, but you know.. they're Canada.

Copy/Paste from the Obligatory Football/Soccer Thread:

I'm pumped!! Can't wait for this to begin. Hope it's not as bad as the past one.

I think Spain repeats or Germany or Netherlands win it. Other teams that I am looking forward to watching are Portugal, Italy, Uruguay and Brazil.

I haven't watched any of the pre-World Cup friendlies, but if Spain shows up in the same form as they did for the Euro Cup 2 years ago, then they should cruise through this.

 Hoping Spain can repeat though.

Didn't mean to step on your toes, this thread is just temporary for the 1 month that the world cup goes for.

I've heard good things about Uruguay, there are high expectations for the latin american countries, especially Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil of course, but apparently Colombia and Chile have built pretty good teams that may surprise many.

Heard on the news this morning that Forlan has gastrointestinal issues though, not sure if he'll be 100% for their first match against Costa Rica. Although even without Forlan, they should be able to get the W.

Forlán had a glorious run in 2010 WC. Sucks he fell off a bit after the WC.

Forgot about Argentina. They do have a great squad for the WC; Messi, Agüero, Pipita, Lavezzi, Mascherano, Gago, di Maria, Zabaleta, Garay, etc. and they're also in Group F with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria, so they should be able to get out of that group easily.

Colombia should also get out of their group, however I don't like Chile's chances of getting out of their group since they're in there with Spain, Netherlands and Australia.

Uruguay FTW. Brazil is being overrated by a lot of people this year, but behind their home crowd they could easily make a run.

I don't know if Brazil's being overrated, they played great at the Confed Cup last year. I also think Uruguay will be awesome, they have Suarez who is probably playing as well as anyone in the world right now, and they also have guys like Cavani and Forlan in attack. Godin was crazy good in defense for Atletico this year as well.

I meant that a lot of people are picking them to win the cup. I just don't see them as the favorite to win.

Brazil will do fine.

Uruguay's club is indeed awesome.

Group D is possibly the toughest block and is a group that will produce some really good games I'm looking forward to.

USA USA USA!!!

In all seriousness though, Spain and Germany are the teams to beat IMO.

@sreimuth in that case, I agree with you.

My final pick to win it all is Brazil, tho there are many teams that have a chance...

1st tier:  Ja! Ve Ze Germans for example but ve have to many crippled players and ze Reus injury and the scurred manager Löw means too much to handle. Ve can be happy if ve reach the semis. Spain has a uber roster again but they just can't keep on winning that would be unfair. Seriously if they win again they will forever be known as the GOAT generation. Argentina has the messiah Messi and everything is possible with him, ****** defense on that team tho.

2nd tier: France has a young great first 11, if they can keep their **** together they will go far no doubt about that, Italy has Aids, (as a German I just can't help but hate on them) Netherlands and England I both like, although they hate ze Germans with a passion, still won't be enough for a title this year for both. Holland is a bit old and rusty and just hasn't the quality they once had, and England is a bit to young overall, they could surprise if Wilshere, Henderson, Sterling and Sturridge (and a few other) get to play tho.

3rd tier: Colombia will win their group but what happens then? Hard to say, would be awesome if they could go far. Portugal has a legit team and obviously a superstar in Puss-boy Ronaldo, I could see them reach the semis. Belgium, what a team! They will be 2nd if not 1st tier in 2 years at the next Euro Cup but they are prolly to young this time around. Uruguay, unfortunatly got a **** group with Aids-Italy and Engaaaaland hope they kick Italy out, if they can do that I could see them in the final four with some luck and the BEAST attack that is Suarez & Cavani. Same thing with Chile really, ****** group but if they can eliminate Spain or Holland they could make a run, at least to the quarter finals.

Ultra-dog pick is Switzerland, because Granit Xhaka plays for them...

I put 20 bucks on Brazil to win the cup at +275. 
Seemed like a good deal.

The US Open golf is on for the next 4 days so won't care about the world cup until then but looking forward to it!

I can't even watch Italy/England.. because the fights are more important. 

Check this out. In depth breakdown of all teams involved. Actually quite impressive. 

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/world-cup-2014/world-cup-preview/

The opening ceremony just started

are we allowed to post links to legit streams?

I still can't believe they couldn't get Gareth Bale to play for England rather than Wales ... that's the second time that's happened, though Ryan Giggs had Mark Hughes (who was his idol and was the star of his team at the time), and Ian Rush (legend) in his ear while as Bale just chose Wales out of patriotism, which is commendable, don't get me wrong, but not the best career move, since success in the major national tournaments translates very well financially and in terms of career fulfillment. I mean, look at Messi. Dude's done EVERYTHING a footballer can do but his career will always be second to Maradona's unless he wins the world title with Argentina.

I dunno, I get it, and it shows great character on his behalf (which makes it even worse for me), but man would I have loved to see him wearing those white shirts ...

Could Jennifer Lopez and this other girl make it any more obvious that they're lip syncing? Dear god.