The World Cup 2014’s top contenders

It may be early days but we’re looking ahead and analysing some of the contenders to come away covered in World Cup glory next year.

The Netherlands

It’s the third World Cup finals reached by the boys in orange but they have never yet managed to win the whole thing. Will 2014 be their year? Judging by their form and performance in the qualifiers, it would seem that they are up there with a very good chance.

Their main strength is with Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben who form the attack nucleus of the team. They also have a lot of young, fresh players, including Martins Indi and Leroy Fer who will be able to inject some real passion and excitement into their performances.

Germany

The German national side is always strong and have been particularly impressive over the last few years. But they just haven’t managed to clinch it, always getting overwhelmed at the last moment. They are looking stronger than their last World Cup bid in 2010 when they were beaten in the semis by Spain, with a particularly brutal midfield line up, that includes Ozil, Kroos, Gotze and Schweinsteiger.

Spain

Are they unstoppable? Possibly. They have won one World Cup and two Euros in the last six years. However no one has managed to defend a World Cup title since Brazil in 1962 and their shaky performances recently have led sceptics to wonder. But they’re still a massive force to be reckoned with and it’s likely that they will do supremely well in 2014.

England

An outside chance, it has to be said, but they may just have a chance if they play in a way we haven’t seen for a good few years now. With the best will in the world, they’re unlikely to match the class of teams like Brazil and Spain, but stranger things have happened and, if it all comes together in a beautifully magic way, you never know! If it was on the force of sheer willpower from fans, England will definitely be bringing it home.

The editorial unit