World Cup Group Breakdown: Group E

Easily the most difficult group to predict, knockout round spots could be filled by Switzerland, Ecuador, France, or Honduras.   

Switzerland, FIFA World Ranking: 7
The Swiss defense has been very strong only conceding goals in 30% of their qualifying matches, however their attack has not been able to match their defensive performance.  
Predictions: Win over Honduras and Tie with Ecuador & France

Ecuador, FIFA World Ranking: 23
Struggling to score more than one goal per game, Ecuador will likely score and concede a low number of goals.
Predictions: Lose to France and Ties with Honduras & Switzerland

France, FIFA World Ranking: 17
Les Bleus have looked well organized in the back and will be hoping for good form from an inconsistent group of forwards.
Predictions: Wins over Ecuador & Honduras and Tie with Switzerland

Honduras, FIFA World Ranking: 36
With players unable to maintain a steady run of form, Honduras will likely be heading back home early.
Predictions: Losses to France & Switzerland and Tie with Ecuador

Group Stage Predictions:

1st. France

2nd. Switzerland

3rd. Ecuador

4th. Honduras

World Cup Group Breakdown: Group D

The first of the two groups of death featured in this tournament, Group D will force Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, and Italy to be at their bests just to avoid being sent home early.

Uruguay, FIFA World Ranking: 6
Lead by star forwards Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, Uruguay look ready to breeze through the opening group stage.
Predictions: Wins in all three games

Costa Rica, FIFA World Ranking: 34
Placed in a tough group, the Costa Ricans should consider leaving their suitcases packed.
Predictions: Losses in all three games

England, FIFA World Ranking: 12
If Wayne Rooney & friends are able to play at top form, they might just be able to sneak through to the knockout stage.
Predictions: Win over Costa Rica, Lose to Uruguay, and Tie with Italy

Italy, FIFA World Ranking: 8
Veterans looking a bit too gray and rookies looking a bit too green, Italy are entering this tournament in a time of transition.
Predictions: Win over Costa Rica, Lose to Uruguay, and Tie with England

Group Stage Predictions:

1st. Uruguay

2nd. England (on goal difference)

3rd. Italy

4th. Costa Rica

World Cup Group Breakdown: Group C

Group C features four teams from completely different areas of the planet, with Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, and Japan set to meet in Brazil this summer.

Colombia, FIFA World Ranking: 5
Unlikely to make a full recovery from his knee injury, star striker Radamel Falcao will be greatly missed by the Colombians. However, the squad certainly has talent to make it out of group stages.
Predictions: Wins over Japan & Ivory Coast and Tie with Greece

Greece, FIFA World Ranking: 13
The solid Greece defense will need to work hard to hold off opponents long enough for their offense to generate some goals.
Predictions: Win over Japan and Ties with Colombia & Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast, FIFA World Ranking: 24
Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba will likely see their side underperform, in signature Ivory Coast fashion.
Predictions: Win over Japan, Loss to Colombia, and Tie with Greece

Japan, FIFA World Ranking: 48
Shinji Kagawa and his teammates will need to make the best of every little chance that may come their way.
Predictions: Losses in all three games

Group Stage Predictions:

1st. Colombia

2nd. Greece

3rd. Ivory Coast 

4th. Japan

World Cup Group Breakdown: Group B

Featuring a rematch of the pervious World Cup final, Group B will see Spain, Holland, Chile, and Australia squaring off against one another.

Spain, FIFA World Ranking: 1
The reining world champions will be arriving in Brazil hoping to do the unthinkable, winning back-to-back World Cups to match their back-to-back Euro Cups.
Predictions: Wins over Australia & Chile and Tie with Netherlands

The Netherlands, FIFA World Ranking: 11
Relying heavily on Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben for their attack, the Netherlands will hope their stars can avoid recurring injuries.
Predictions: Win over Australia and Ties with Chile & Spain

Chile, FIFA World Ranking: 15
Alexis Sánchez and the rest of Chile's attack will need to convert many goals if they want to offset their weak defense.
Predictions: Win over Australia, Loss to Spain, and Tie with Netherlands

Australia, FIFA World Ranking: 63
The Socceroos should try to quickly visit Brazil's sights before they're sent home.
Predictions: Losses in all three games

Group Stage Predictions:

1st. Spain

2nd. Netherlands

3rd. Chile

4th. Australia

World Cup Group Breakdown: Group A

Up against Croatia, Mexico, and Cameroon, Brazil are heavy favorites to finish first in Group A.

Brazil, FIFA World Ranking: 9
Young, wild, and fast, La Selecao will fight to win their nation's sixth World Cup in a way no Brazilian team ever has, as a host nation.
Predictions: Wins in all three games.

Croatia, FIFA World Ranking: 15
Real Madrid's Luka Modrić will cleverly orchestrate the Croatian attack, but a less than reliable back line may prove to be this nation's weakness.
Predictions: Loss to Brazil, Tie with Cameroon & Mexico

Mexico, FIFA World Ranking: 20
The 2012 Olympic Gold Medalists will face a much higher level of competition in this tournament, but the squad has become infamous for their last minute stunners.
Predictions: Win over Cameroon, Loss to Brazil and Tie with Croatia

Cameroon, FIFA World Ranking: 50
With most of their starting 11 past the peak of their careers, Samuel Eto'o and his team will need a combination of extraordinary form and luck if they are to move on.
Predictions: Losses to Brazil & Mexico and Tie with Croatia

Group Stage Predictions:

1st. Brazil

2nd. Mexico

3rd. Croatia

4th. Cameroon

Spain's JV Squad

Feeling bad for the large number of quality players I didn't include in my Spanish World Cup squad, I decided to make a back-up 23. This squad would still be competitive in this summer's tournament.

Keepers:

Diego López

 Andrés Fernández

Vicente Guaita

Defenders: 

Marc Bartra 

Raúl Albiol

Juanfran

Cesar Azpilicueta

Daniel Carvajal

Iñigo Martínez

Midfielders:

Santi Cazorla

Isco

Thiago Alcantara

Koke 

Javi Garcia

Mikel Arteta 

Gabi

Beñat Etxebarria

Asier Illarramendi

Forwards:

Fernando Torres

Fernando Llorente

Cristian Tello

Rubén Castro

Bojan