The World Cup is upon us. Brazil, the host nation, kicks off the biggest sporting event in the world 4 days from now, on 12 June, against Croatia. The event will conclude with the final on 13 July. People from across the planet will be tuning in to see the tournament. In addition to the regular viewers of the ‘beautiful game’, billions, yes billions, of casual football viewers worldwide will wake up from footballing hibernation and will transform overnight into devoted followers for a month. Pakistan will be no exception to this global phenomenon. During the previous World Cup, large corporate-sponsored screens were put up in major cities across the country. People stayed up on weeknights for games kicking off at midnight local time, in some cases not even knowing the names of the teams playing, identifying them only by their shirt colours. This time will be different. But only in the sense that the excitement and viewership will be even higher. If you plan to be one of the billions following the World Cup over the course of the few weeks, you could do worse than reading this comprehensive guide to the FIFA World Cup 2014!

Format: A total of 32 teams will be competing at the World Cup. With the exception of Brazil, who automatically qualified for the tournament due to being the host nation, the other 203 national teams had to compete over a near 3-year long qualifying campaign to fight for the remaining 31 spots.

The World Cup is split into 2 stages - the group stage and the knockout stage. For the group stage, the 32 teams have been split into 8 groups of 4 teams each. Each team will play every other team in the same group once. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage. Points are used to rank the teams within a group. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. In the case that 2 teams are level on points at the end of the group stage, the ranking is determined by the goal difference of each team - the difference between total goals scored and conceded. The 16 teams advancing from the group stage will head to the knockout stage, a single-elimination tournament in which teams play each other in one-off matches, with extra time and penalty shootouts used to decide the winner if necessary. It begins with the round of 16 in which the winner of each group plays against the runner-up of another group. This is followed by the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, the third-place match (contested by the losing semi-finalists), and the final.

Past winners: Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), Italy (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), Germany (1954, 1974, 1990), Uruguay (1930, 1950), Argentina (1978, 1986), England (1966), France (1998), Spain (2010)

 TEAM-BY-TEAM GUIDE

Group A

Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon

BRAZIL

Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari

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

Tournament best: Winners 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002

Due to their status as the most successful World Cup nation ever, and being the host nation, there is a lot of pressure on Brazil to win the World Cup. A lot rests on the young shoulders of Barcelona forward and star player Neymar. Captain and central defender Thiago Silva will also play a key role in ensuring a solid defence and team unity. The flying full-back pairing of Daniel Alves and Marcelo, and the likes of Ramires and Oscar in midfield, will also be key. This Brazil side might not be as strong as those that have been past champions, but in Scolari they have a manager who led them to World Cup success in 2002. They might not be the favourites to win the tournament but bet against them at your own peril.

CROATIA

Coach: Niko Kovac

Key players: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla)

Tournament best: Third 1998

Croatia’s best World Cup outing by far was in 1998 when Davor Suker memorably led them to a third-placed finish and earned the Golden Boot, given to the highest goalscorer of the tournament, in the process. This current Croatia side isn’t quite expected to reach those heights, but in Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, they have an enviable midfield duo. The pair is expected to run the show for the side, and their cause will be assisted by the presence of target-man Mario Mandzukic upfront. Expect them to progress from the group, alongside Brazil, but anything more will be a bonus.

MEXICO

Coach: Miguel Herrera

Key players: Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Rafael Marquez (Leon), Giovani Dos Santos (Villareal)

Tournament best: Quarter-finals 1970, 1986

Mexico’s qualifying campaign for this World Cup was one of their worst in recent times. They finished behind the likes of Costa Rica and Honduras, and had to beat New Zealand in a play-off to reach the finals. Despite having an experienced leader in former Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez, playing his fourth World Cup, and an exciting forward duo in Javier Hernandez and Giovani Dos Santos, lack of team cohesion might be the undoing of Mexico’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.

CAMEROON

Coach: Volker Finke

Key players: Samuel Eto’o (unattached), Alex Song (Barcelona)

Tournament best: Quarter-finals 1990

Cameroon might be the dark horses of the group but they remain competitive. At 35, Samuel Eto’o might not be the player of old but he still has a knack for scoring game-changing goals as he has shown with Chelsea in the past season. Their chances may be slim, but with Alex Song anchoring midfield, and the likes of Stephane Mbia and Jean Makoun in support, they can’t be ruled out of getting second place just yet.

Group B

Spain, Holland, Chile, Australia

SPAIN

Coach: Vicente Del Bosque

Key players: Xavi, Andres Iniesta & Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Iker Casillas & Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Tournament best: Winners 2010

La Roja have swept all before them in recent years. The defending World Cup champions are also the winners of the last two European Championships. Despite a smooth qualifying campaign, there are questions being raised about their chances at this World Cup, at times, it seems, because they have won so much in recent years. But this Spain squad, at the core, is still the same as the one that has led the team through all the success of recent years. The likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Ramos, Pique, Alonso, Villa have been there from the start of their golden era. This is still a group of winners and it wouldn’t be a big surprise if Spain emerge as the victors on 13 July.

HOLLAND

Coach: Louis Van Gaal

Key players: Robin Van Persie (Manchester United), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

Tournament best: Runners-up 1974, 1978, 2010

Being in the same group in Spain may give Holland a shot at partial redemption for the loss in the 2010 World Cup final, but chances of reaching the final again look very slim. In Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben, the ‘Oranje’ possess a world-class forward line but the same cannot be said for their midfield and, especially, their defence. Factor in the fact that a mid-World Cup ego-charged implosion is something of a Dutch footballing tradition, and things begin to look bleak. Should qualify from the group but can’t be counted as tournament contenders.

CHILE

Coach: Jorge Sampaoli

Key player: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Arturo Vidal (Juventus)

Tournament best: Third 1962

Alexis Sanchez will represent the biggest threat for Chile. He will be supported by playmaker Jorge Valdivia and midfielder Arturo Vidal, but a weak central defence will be Chile’s achilles heel. A team that isn’t shy to keep the ball on the floor and commit players to attack, they probably won’t qualify from the group but expect them to entertain.

AUSTRALIA

Coach: Ange Postecoglou

Key player: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls)

Tournament best: Last 16 2006

Australia are a team in transition. Their current manager was appointed recently and has only been at the helm for two games so far. Not ideal preparation, especially when you are grouped with the previous World Cup’s finalists. Losing star forward Robbie Kruse (Bayer Leverkusen) hasn’t helped matters. Expect them to finish bottom of the group.

Group C

Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan

COLOMBIA

Coach: Jose Pekerman

Key player: James Rodriguez (Monaco), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla)

Tournament best: Last 16 1990

Colombia will sorely miss Radamel Falcao, their talisman and one of the world’s leading strikers, who was unable to recover from a serious knee injury in time for the World Cup. However, given they are in one of the easier groups of the tournament, they can be optimistic about progressing to the knock out stage.

GREECE

Coach: Fernando Santos

Star man: Georgios Samaras (Celtic)

Tournament best: Group stage 1994, 2010

A team that has qualified for the World Cup on the back of defensive organization rather than attacking flair. They will look to Georgios Samaras for goals but will mainly rely on their ability to keep things tight at the back. Qualification to the knockout stage may not be probable, but it is a real possibility.

 IVORY COAST

Coach: Sabri Lamouchi

Key players: Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Gervinho (Roma)

Tournament best: Group stage 2006, 2010

Ivory Coast, unflatteringly nicknamed ‘The Elephants’, are probably the favourites to top the group and Africa’s best hope at the tournament. In Yaya Toure, one of the most complete midfielders in world football, and the likes of Didier Drogba and Gervinho, they have sufficient firepower to propel them into the knockout stage, but a suspect defence might mean they go no further.

JAPAN

Coach: Alberto Zaccheroni

Key player: Keisuke Honda (AC Milan), Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United)

Tournament best: Last 16 2002, 2010

The performances of midfielder Keisuke Honda and playmaker Shinji Kagawa will play a large part in determining the fate of Japan at the tournament. After a successful qualifying campaign, under experienced Italian manager, Alberto Zaccheroni, Japan come into the World Cup high on confidence. Favourites to qualify from the group alongside the Ivory Coast.

 Group D

Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

URUGUAY

Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez

Key players: Edinson Cavani (PSG), Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)

Tournament best: Winners 1930, 1950

The last time the World Cup took place in Brazil, Uruguay won it. Chances of that happening again may be remote but they are no pushovers. The defending Copa America champions possess a lethal strike duo of Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez. However, Suarez is currently recovering from a knee injury, and will most likely not be at 100%. Diego Godin provides leadership and solidity in defence. Qualification for the knockout stage will be difficult but not impossible.

COSTA RICA

Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto

Key player: Bryan Ruiz (Fulham), Joel Campbell (Arsenal)

Tournament best: Last 16 1990

Costa Rica had a good qualifying campaign, finishing ahead of Mexico, but qualifying from this group will be a tall order. They will look to rely on tactical discipline to frustrate opponents. Losing all three group games is a real possibility.

ENGLAND

Coach: Roy Hodgson

Key players: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Tournament best: Winners 1966

With only days left to the start of the tournament, Roy Hodgson still seems uncertain over what his starting XI will be. After misfiring in recent major championships for England, the pressure is on Wayne Rooney to produce the goods. The tournament will be the last chance for the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard to make an impact. England should qualify from a tough group, but it is far from certain.

ITALY

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

Key players: Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)

Tournament best: Winners 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006

Despite being 35, Andrea Pirlo still looks imperious on the football pitch and continues to be the heartbeat of this Italian side. Mario Balotelli provides flair and unpredictability at the front, while Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini continue to provide a solid defensive base. The Euro 2012 finalists may not be favourites but they are contenders. Expect them to be there or thereabout at the business end of the tournament.

 Group E

Switzerland, France, Ecuador, Honduras

SWITZERLAND

Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld

Key player: Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Gokhan Inler (Napoli)

Tournament best: Quarter-finals 1934, 1938, 1954

In former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich manager Ottmar Hitzfeld, Switzerland have one of the most experienced and successful managers at the World Cup. Hitzfeld has formed a solid unit with Xherdan Shaqiri as the focal point in attack, Napoli duo Gokhan Inler and Valon Behrami in midfield, and the likes of Juventus’ Stephan Lichsteiner in defence. Expect them to qualify from the group in second position behind France.

ECUADOR

Coach: Reinaldo Rueda

Key player: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)

Tournament best: Last 16 2006

Antonio Valencia may be the most important and famous player in this Ecuadorian side, but for Manchester City player, Felipe Caicedo, is also central to the success of this team, having scored 7 goals in the qualifying stages. Despite having reached the round of 16 in the 2006 World Cup, anything more than a win against Honduras would be a bonus at this World Cup.

FRANCE

Coach: Didier Deschamps

Star man: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Yohan Cabaye (PSG)

Tournament best: Winners 1998

The man that will be managing France from the touchline is the same man who held aloft the World Cup as captain in 1998. However, the chances of Didier Deschamps repeating that feat are narrow. Expectations aren’t high either, but their fans are hoping a spirited showing will help heal the scars from the disastrous pantomime at the 2010 World Cup which contained strikes, rows, resignations and recriminations. Expect France to progress from the group, but anything beyond the quarterfinals would be a bonus.

HONDURAS

Coach: Luis Fernando Suarez

Star man: Wilson Palacios (Stoke City)

Tournament best: Group stages 1982, 2010

Premier League fans would be aware of Stoke City’s Wilson Palacios but that’s about it as far as Honduras’ big name players are concerned. They did well to finish ahead of Mexico in the qualifying stages, but qualification for the knockout stage is extremely unlikely.

Group F

Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

ARGENTINA

Coach: Alejandro Sabella

Key players: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel di Maria (Real Madrid)

Tournament best: Winners 1978, 1986

Lionel Messi. Any discussion about Argentina’s chances would be incomplete with him. When you have one of the best players of all time, you build your team around him. Alejandro Sabella, the manager, has done just that. Sergio Aguero, in his own right a wonderful player, will be supporting Messi upfront. Javier Mascherano will provide leadership and protection to the defense. Angel di Maria will be constant threat on the wings. One of the favourites for the tournament.

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

Coach: Safet Susic

Key players: Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)

Tournament best: Never qualified

This may be Bosnia & Herzegovina’s debut World Cup appearance but don’t get any false ideas about them only being there to enjoy the ride. They mean business, and although Argentina are overwhelming favourites to win the group, a second spot finish, above Iran and Nigeria, and progression to the knockout stage, is very much achievable.

 IRAN

Coach: Carlos Queiroz

Key player: Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC)

Tournament best: Group stage 1978, 1998, 2006

The manager Carlos Quieroz - former Real Madrid and Portugal manager and former Manchester United assistant manager - successfully led Iran to the top their qualifying pool ahead of South Korea. However, the chances of them making their first ever appearance in the knockout stage of the World Cup this summer are remote.

NIGERIA

Coach: Stephen Keshi

Star man: Victor Moses & John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City)

Tournament best: Last 16 1994, 1998

Chelsea’s Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel are the mainstays of the ‘Super Eagles’. Peter Odemwingie and Ahmed Musa form a pacy strike partnership upfront. Expect a tight battle between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Nigeria for the second spot in the group.

Group G

Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA

 GERMANY

Coach: Joachim Low

Key players: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Mesut Özil (Germany), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

Tournament best: Winners 1954, 1974, 1990 (all as West Germany)

Many see Germany as Europe’s best hope, ahead of Spain, of winning the World Cup this summer. After having shown lots of promise and having reached the semi-finals at Euro 2012 and World Cup 2010, many feel the time is now right for them to go one, or maybe even two, steps further. The core of this German side has grown up and matured together. One of the strong favourites for the tournament. Anything less than reaching the semi-final will be a failure.

 PORTUGAL

Coach: Paulo Bento

Key players: Cristiano Ronaldo & Pepe (Real Madrid), Joao Moutinho (Monaco)

Tournament best: Third 1966

Cristiano Ronaldo has had a prolific season with Real Madrid. In him, Portugal possess a player who has the ability to change any game at any team, as he so aptly showed in the play-off against Sweden. However, it is also the over-dependence on Ronaldo that meant they finished behind Russia in qualifying, and had to compete in the play-off to begin with. Expect them to qualify from the group, alongside Germany, but World Cup contention is unlikely.

GHANA

Coach: James Kwesi Appiah

Star man: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain), Michael Essien (AC Milan), Kevin-Prince Boateng (FC Schalke)

Tournament best: Quarter-finals 2010

Those who watched the 2010 World Cup will remember the dramatic quarterfinal between Ghana and Uruguay, when Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty at the end of extra-time that would’ve put Ghana through. Ghana would be keen to emulate that run but they are in a tough group. However, given that results against Portugal and the United States are realistic possibilities, progression to the knockout stage can’t be ruled out.

UNITED STATES

Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

Star man: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Tim Howard (Everton)

Tournament best: Third 1930

Football isn’t one of the sports the USA is renowned for, but make no mistake, this is a very competitive unit that Jurgen Klinsmann has honed over the years. They topped their qualifying group, and with the likes of Clint Dempsey providing goalscoring options and Tim Howard in goal, you can expect them to cause problems for the big boys in the group. Qualification for the group stage would be a tall order but don’t count them out just yet.

Group H

Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea

BELGIUM

Coach: Marc Wilmots

Key players: Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspurs)

Tournament best: Fourth 1986

Belgium are making their first appearance at the World Cup in over a decade. This squad is generally considered as Belgium’s new golden generation. And rightly so too. Belgium ooze quality from back to front. The squad possesses strength and depth in attack, midfield and defence. Most of the squad plays in the major leagues and clubs of Europe. They are not being talked about much but they might very well end up being the dark horses of the tournament.

ALGERIA

Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic

Key player: Madjid Bougherra (Lekhwiya)

Tournament best: Group stages 1982, 1986, 2010

Despite being in one of the weaker groups, Algeria are very unlikely to qualify for the knockout stages. The weakest African side in the tournament, had a poor showing at the most recent African Nations Cup, and they are expected to struggle in Brazil as well.

RUSSIA

Coach: Fabio Capello

Key player: Alexander Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St. Petersburg)

Tournament best: Fourth 1966 (as the USSR)

Former Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid and England manager Fabio Capello led a successful World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing ahead of Portugal in their group. The reward has been a spot in one of the easier groups of the tournament, in their first World Cup appearance since 2002. Russia haven’t progressed past the group stage since 1986, but this World Cup provides a realistic opportunity to fix that.

SOUTH KOREA

Coach: Hong Myung-bo

Key player: Son Heung-min

Tournament best: Fourth 2002

Preparation hasn’t been great, having lost 1-0 in their last home friendly before leaving for the World Cup. Progress to the last 16 cannot be ruled out, but it will be an uphill task. At the very least, they would require a win against Algeria and a result against Russia to have any chance of progression.