1st Argentina: 9 points
World Ranking: 7
Key Players: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, and Gonzalo Higuain
Argentina comes to the world cup as a solid team, They have enough quality from back to front to pull of the big Brazilian Nightmare and win the World Cup. Although some talents have not always matched expectations, however the Albicelestes haven’t disappointingly and surprisingly failed to past the quarter finals. With no Brazil team to worry about, Argentina did what many expected and took the top spot in the Conmebol qualifier. They have the most productive offense in the region scoring 35 goals and a defense that only allowed a total of 15 goals, making them the second best defense. What’s a World Cup without Argentina? The Abilcelestes booked their 11th straight trip to the World Cup Finals. Argentina will set their sight on winning their 3rd World Cup on it’s most bitter rival’s home soil. So I have high expectations for Argentina this year, hopefully they can get passed the quarter finals and reach the top. No doubt that Argentina will take the high spot on this group.
2nd Nigeria: 7 points
World Ranking: 44
Key Players: John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, and Victor Obinna.
It hasn’t been easy for Nigeria, missing the 2006 World Cup and not advancing to the next round since 1998, but I see this Nigeria team a little different, they have ambition and hunger. If they could repeat what they did in the Conmebol qualifying matches, they could easily advance to the next round, Nigeria is the first African team to score its ticket to Brazil it all came after Nigeria easily bested Malawi, Kenya, and Namibia in their group. Some might say that Nigeria might not even go to the next round, but they are wrong, Nigeria has speed and talent. I could see a classic game between Nigeria and Argentina, with Argentina getting the upper hand. Hopefully Nigeria proves everyone wrong in this World Cup.
3rd Iran: 4 points
World Ranking: 37
Key Players: Reza Ghoochannejhad, Javad Nekounam, and Karim Ansari
For the 4th time in history, the Iranians are set to compete in one of the sport’s biggest stages and should be encourage that they only lost 2 games in the qualifying matches, Led by coach Carlos Quieroz, Iran will finally hope to get out of the group stage for the first time in history and advance to the next round and build their lone world cup victory, which came against the United States in 1998. Having top their group in the qualifying matches i could easily see the Iranians making a huge surprise in this world cup, nothing is written and soccer is all about taking risk. The Iran’s know what it takes to defend their Nation’s color and they would do that in the field to demonstrated the World that they could do better than anyone.
4th Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1 point
World Rank: 25
Key Players: Edin Dzeko, Vedad Ibisevic, and Miralem Pjanic
Bosnia enters the World Cup for the first time, having beaten their weak rival in the Comebol matches. Although they do have a good players that can do major damage in their first World Cup appearance, but whatever the result is in the Brazil I’m pretty sure this will help bring the young Nation together (21 years of Independence). Bosnia has come close to compete in other competitions but have failed to win since in 2010 and 2012, when they lost to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. All though its their first World Cup appearance the Bosnia’s can bring a great surprise to this World Cup. It will be shocking to see Bosnia beat Argentina (who are favorite to top group F) with great players the Bosnia will do damage. I’m really hoping that Bosnia proves me wrong and takes either 1st place or 2nd but it all depends on what they do on the field.
In Overall this group seems intersecting. We will get to see a classic game in Argentina Vs Nigeria. Last time they face was in June 25, 1994 with Argentina winning 2-1. That was Diego Maradona’s last game with the Abilcelestes. Other games will include, Bosnia vs Iran and Nigeria Vs Bosnia. Im sure their would be a lot of surprises in this group.