Group F Team Previews of the 20th FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014.
Argentina (FIFA Ranking- 5th)
This will be their 16th appearance and the South Americans have been crowned world champions on 2 previous occasions (1978 & 1986). Despite a couple of hiccups early on in their qualifying campaign, they finished on top of their group thanks to a stellar display. They have made 4 appearances in the final with their 1st being in 1930.
Star players- Lionel Messi & Javier Mascherano (Barcelona)
Sergio Aguero & Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)
Ezequiel Lavezzi (PSG)
The Sky Blue and Whites will meet Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria and will top their group. They will have to be wary of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Nigeria with Iran most probably being a stroll.
Progress– Their attacking options are second to none and can be expected to make it right to the end. They should at least reach the semifinals.
Bosnia & Herzegovina (FIFA Ranking- 21st)
The only debutants in the tournament, the once war torn country took 25 points from a possible 30 as they secured qualification.
Star players- Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
Miralem Pjanic (AS Roma)
Vedad Ibisevic (Stuttgart)
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
They will hope to get past the group stage but will have to fight for 2nd spot with Nigeria.
Progress– They should reach the last 16 but all depends on their performances against Nigeria and Iran along with other results.
Iran (FIFA Ranking- 43rd)
This will be their 4th appearance and they qualified after beating South Korea in their final qualifying game. Their 3 previous appearances have not been impressive and they will find it difficult to break that trend.
Star player- Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham)
They will be the team to beat and not in a good way as they will find it tough against the other 3 teams.
Progress– They will crash out at the group stage.
Nigeria (FIFA Ranking- 44th)
The Super Eagles will make their 5th appearance in Brazil and will hope to get past the group stage. They quite comfortably reached the playoff and beat Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate.
Star players- Efe Ambrose (Celtic)
John Obi Mikel (Chelsea)
Victor Moses (Liverpool)
Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City)
Shola Ameobi (Free agent)
They will surely be expected to do better than they did in their previous outing and progress to the last 16. Top spot is out and they will have Bosnia & Herzegovina to deal with if they are to grab 2nd place.
Progress– They have the chance to progress but will have to beat Iran and fellow challengers Bosnia & Herzegovina.
