Five Teams to Watch Out for in the 2014 World Cup

With the World Cup just a few months away, many fans are now talking about which teams are most likely to get hold of the trophy by the end of the competition. Heated debates have already started in
the forums about the merits and chances of each team winning the tournament. So let’s take a look at some of the teams we think will be on top of their game this 2014.

Germany

Okay, so it isn’t really surprising that they are first on our list, but what they currently have is certainly one of the most convincing arguments for them being able to pull off another win this year. For one, their lineup from the previous World Cup is mostly intact. And considering that they fared in the 2010 editio9n with that set of players, this is certainly a good thing. Another major plus for their campaign is that their players have an extensive Bundesliga experience under their belts.

Brazil

The host country is also another unsurprising entry here, not only for that fact, but also for the fact that Brazil already has a long history of World Cup wins. And this coming year seems to be no different, as the Brazilians have stocked their lineup with young but experienced players. Add to that the fact that they are going to be aggressive in their campaign, as they don’t want to fail their expecting countrymen.

Nigeria

After having yet another dismal performance in the Cup, the country’s president Goodluck Jonathan infamously proclaimed that the national soccer team will be pulled out from any international competition for the next two years. While the threat was apparently never carried out, it definitely served to deliver the message that Nigeria is dead set in improving their World Cup performance. With young but highly talented players like Dele Adeleye and Lukman Haruna, all the team needs is some serious buildup to become a strong contender.

Costa Rica

The Latin American country nearly landed a qwualifying seat in the 2010 World Cup had it not lost its playoff match against Uruguay. This is why Costa Rica is very eager to show off its capabilities again this year. And for that reason, they have gathered a young but highly skilled roster, led by Esteban Alvarado, who was recently enlisted by AZ Alkarman.

Netherlands

The northern European country is definitely going to be one of the surprises come 2014. The team boasts of several international players in their ranks, including Wesley Snejder and Robben van Persia. They are also undeniably one of the best in international competitions, which says a lot about their chances of clinching the title

FIFA Forges Partnerships

As with any major sporting events, many companies have raced to get sponsorship and promotional rights for the 2014Brazil World Cup. After all, it would definitely be a big opportunity for them to strut their stuff in the most watched sporting events in the planet. So what do these companies have in store for soccer fans/ let’s go on and find out.

Adidas unveils World Cup line of shoes

The shoes and sportswear giant has been a regular partner of the World Cup for several decades now. And during that time, the company has released several lines of shoes tied to and li9censed by the World Cup 2014 is no different, as Adidas recently unveiled its Samba Pack line of cleats.

So, what makes the shoes special? Nothing much really, though the shoe line incorporates a lot of the newer technology seen in Adidas’ newest lines of footwear. However, the exclusivity of the line is certainly going to attract both avid shoe collectors and those simply wanting their hands (or feet) on a great looking pair of cleats for their game.

Adidas is highly optimistic that the line will do well as the World Cup nears. While it has faced competition from rival sportswear manufacturer Nike in other fields, Adidas has lorded over when it comes to the football field. The company also believes that the release of World Cup-related products will help boost the company’s presence in both the United States and Eastern Europe.

Extending sponsorships

And it seems that FIFA itself has high regard for the partnership with Adidas. Just this November, FIFA announced that it is extending its current partnership with the sportswear company up until 2030. According to Adidas Chief Executive Herbert Hainer, this new partnership will certainly establish the company as a premiere football brand.

For the 214 World Cup, Adidas’ main contribution will be again to provide the official ball to be used in all of the matches. It would be noted that in the 2010 World Cup, many players were complaining about how the “Jabulani” ball, saying that it was unpredictable and difficult to control. According to Adidas, the new “Brazuca” ball is designed to remedy those issues.

Other partnerships

Aside from Adidas, FIFA has also extended its partnerships with several other companies. Soft drink company Coca-Cola and carmaker Hyundai have also signed up extensions of their existing sponsorships until 2022. Budweiser’s was also extended to the same time.

FIFA has also forged a partnership with the Georges Malaika Foundation. Said partnership us aimed to promote grassroots development for football through the Kalebuka Football of hope Center. 

The World Cup and the Ballon d’ Or: a Behind the Scenes Look

While the World Cup games have always fascinated many spectators, the trophies awarded to both the best team and the best players have also drawn in a lot of curiosity. So what’s the story behind these awards? Let’s go ahead and find out.

The World Cup

At 6.175 kg and 36.8 cm, the World Cup is pretty light as far as sporting trophies are concerned. However, it is by no means inexpensive. The whole trophy is covered in 18-carat gold, which certainly makes it more than valuable. When asked about it, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke refused to give an exact figure on how much the trophy actually costs. He goes on to say that it being unique already makes the World Cup priceless.

Nevertheless, this has not stopped unscrupulous individuals from trying to steal the World Cup. In fact, the current trophy handed to the winners of the quadrennial meet is already the second one. The first one (enthusiastically referred to as the Jules Rimet, after the FIFA president) was first stolen in 1966, though discovered a few days later hidden in the bushes. The trophy would be stolen for a second time in 1983 in Brazil (where it was housed permanently as a reward for the country winning it three times). However, this time around, it was never recovered and no one knows its whereabouts ever since.

Luckily though, FIFA officials were quick to act the first time the trophy had been stolen. As early as before the 1974 World Cup, the organization has already commissioned Italian artist Silvio Gazaniga to create a design for the new trophy, only referred to as the World Cup. FIFA has also kept the trophy under tight watch ever since.

The FIFA Ballon d’ Or

Just like the World Cup, plenty of painstaking man-hours crafting the trophy that is to be awarded to the best player of the season. The task of building the trophy goes to the esteemed Mellerio dits meller group of jewellers. The design is pretty much the same as that of the original trophy handed to Alfredo Di Stefano in 1956, when the award was still known as simply the World Cup Best Player of the year. It waqs only this year that the award was renamed after it was combined with the independent Ballon d’ Or award given by France Football magazine.

When the 31 cm high trophy is given to this year’s recipient, his name will be first placed on the plaque attached to the plith at the bottom. After the formal ceremonies, his name will finally be permanently engraved on the top bauble, and he earns the right to permanently display it on his shelf for all to see.