THE Greatest Show on Earth begins on June 12 in the mecca of football, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thirty-two teams will clash in Groups A – H, building up to the grand finale on Sunday, July 13.

Every Tuesday for the next 57 days, t e e nAG E will be providing you with a guide to all the groups, the players and possible winners of World Cup 2014.

BRAZIL

Brazil, for many, the historic home of beautiful football, will be expected to be the frontline warriors in ensuring that a European doesn’t win a World Cup hosted in South America for the first time.

The Selecao will be looking for a sixth tournament win at this the 20th Cup. Whether they will be buoyed or crumble under the pressure of their passionate fans remains to be seen.

Appearances: Brazil has played every one of the 20 World Cups.

Wins: Again, Brazil stands alone in having five wins in: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.

Road to Rio: The hosts automatically receive a place in the tournament.

Key Players: Neymar (Barcelona), Thiago Silva (PSG), Oscar (Chelsea)

Coach: Luis Felipe Scolari

Strengths: Brazil has an abundance of flair and pace as well as mobile midfielders and a fortress of leadership at the back in Thiago Silva. They will be expected to score, particularly with the inevitably raucous Selecao crowds cheering them on.

Weaknesses: While they have excellent players all over park, England lack a secure partner for Thiago Silva with the mercurial David Luiz holding that slot in recent games. Also vast pressure will be on the young Neymar and the team in general and it is unsure just how this team will react.

Expected finish: Brazil’s people will expect nothing less than the Cup. Especially with their recent Confederations Cup win, a berth in the final will be the least expected of them.

CROATIA

Croatia is relatively new on the block, not only in terms of being a sovereign country, but also in producing world-class players for the top leagues in the world. They are always improving, however, and could surprise a few teams who might underestimate them.

Appearances: Five — 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014

Wins: None, their best finish was third on their 1998 debut.

Road to Rio: Croatia beat Iceland 2-0 at home, and on aggregate, to qualify from UEFA second-round play-offs.

Key Players: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Darijo Srna (Shaktar Donetsk), Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Dejan Lovren (Southampton)

Coach: Niko Kovac

Strengths: Croatia has an abundance of creativity in the middle with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic. They also have reliable leaders at the back who can control their line.

Weaknesses: Their forward line blows hot-and-cold — Mario Mandzukic, Nikica Jelavic et al are not players who can create something on their own and can go missing in games. They also have a severe lack of pace and true wingers.

Expected finish: Round of 16

CAMEROON

Les Lions Indomptables, or the Indomitable Lions will be one of Africa’s main hopes going into the tournament. However, they will be remembered for having underperformed several times before when more was expected of them.

Appearances: Seven – 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, and 2014 Wins: None, best finish was a quarterfinal berth in 1990.

Road to Rio: Beat Tunisia 4-2 on aggregate in the play-offs to finally qualify.

Key Players: Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea), Alex Song (Barcelona), Joel Matip (Schalke)

Coach: Volker Finke

Strengths: Cameroon has reasonable pace and power all over the pitch.

Weaknesses: With an aging Eto’o, they lack the true difference-makers needed to break down World Cup-quality teams.

Expected finish: Group-stage exit.

MEXICO

El Tricolor will be the primary CONCACAF challengers, arguably just edging the USA. They have overachieved at tournaments recently and the country of Mexico will be willing them on to do it again.

Appearances: 14 — including consecutive appearances since 1994.

Wins: None, quarter-final berths in 1970 and 1986.

Road to Rio: Mexico, as the fourthplaced team from CONCACAF played the winner from OFC, and trounced New Zealand 9-3 on aggregate.

Key Players: Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Rafael Marquez (Leon [Liga MEXICO])

Coach: Miguel Herrera

Strengths: Javier Hernandez is quite the poacher and Mexico are big-game performers, especially in tournaments.

Weaknesses: They simply lack the firepower and quality needed for an extended run in the Cup.

Expected finish: Group-stage exit.