Goal's team of global experts conduct a health-check for 10 of the leading contenders for next summer's tournament in Brazil
With the final domestic season before the 2014 World Cup up and running, attentions turn to qualification for the tournament, with two sets of key fixtures coming up over the next few days which will go a long way to deciding who will be out in force in Brazil.
Goal takes a look at each national team's state of health, considering their qualification campaigns, key players' form and fitness, morale, recent results, on and off field issues, as well as any potential disruptions over the next nine months. And with the help of our experts around the globe, we rank them accordingly from 1 to 10, with number 1 being the team with the most settled squad, in the best shape and condition, and 10 the team with the biggest problems.
Please note that the ranking is based strictly on the criteria above and is not an indication of a team's favourites' tag or where they are expected to finish in the finals.
Goal takes a look at each national team's state of health, considering their qualification campaigns, key players' form and fitness, morale, recent results, on and off field issues, as well as any potential disruptions over the next nine months. And with the help of our experts around the globe, we rank them accordingly from 1 to 10, with number 1 being the team with the most settled squad, in the best shape and condition, and 10 the team with the biggest problems.
Please note that the ranking is based strictly on the criteria above and is not an indication of a team's favourites' tag or where they are expected to finish in the finals.
With three games still remaining in Group I, Spain stand in a strong position at the top of the sector. The World Cup holders regained first place by beating France in Paris back in February and finish with two games at home following Friday's trip to Finland. Home matches against Belarus and Georgia will round offla Roja's qualifying campaign and three wins will see the world and European champions advance to Brazil 2014 as group winners. With France just a point behind, however, Spain cannot afford to slip up in any of their remaining fixtures.
Either way, Vicente del Bosque's side will be expected to progress to the World Cup next summer and they will be looking to prove a point after losing the Confederations Cup final 3-0 to Brazil in late June. Key issues will concern goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas, who has lost his place at club level with Real Madrid, as well as the strikers, after David Villa, Fernando Torres and Roberto Soldado all failed to completely convince at the Confeds.Germany coach Joachim Low may have taken his fair share of criticism in recent months following a string of calamitous defensive performances, but there can be no doubting the wealth of quality at his disposal. Qualification for the World Cup has seen a shift in personnel of sorts. The likes of Marco Reus and Marcel Schmelzer are now fully-fledged first-teamers, while Ilkay Gundogan is making a strong case for a starting berth.
Either way, Vicente del Bosque's side will be expected to progress to the World Cup next summer and they will be looking to prove a point after losing the Confederations Cup final 3-0 to Brazil in late June. Key issues will concern goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas, who has lost his place at club level with Real Madrid, as well as the strikers, after David Villa, Fernando Torres and Roberto Soldado all failed to completely convince at the Confeds.Germany coach Joachim Low may have taken his fair share of criticism in recent months following a string of calamitous defensive performances, but there can be no doubting the wealth of quality at his disposal. Qualification for the World Cup has seen a shift in personnel of sorts. The likes of Marco Reus and Marcel Schmelzer are now fully-fledged first-teamers, while Ilkay Gundogan is making a strong case for a starting berth.
There have been some worries, though. Holger Badstuber's long-term absence leaves his participation in Brazil in doubt, while Bastian Schweinsteiger has missed an extraordinary number of games through injury in recent months. With or without the Bayern duo and despite some shakey showings in friendlies, their performances in qualification, the freak 4-4 draw against Sweden aside, have been highly impressive.
Their path to the tournament could be assured as soon as Tuesday and Low will have a full nine months to fine tune his troops before their opening game.Brazil's place at the 2014 World Cup has been assured since 2007 when they won the right to host the tournament.
They may not have had to endure a gruelling qualification process together, but Luiz Felipe Scolari has settled on a core group to the squad, one that he guided to victory in the Confederations Cup in June. The euphoria of that win, which included triumphs over Italy, Uruguay and reigning World champions Spain, took a dent with defeat away to Switzerland last month, however.
One of the Selecao's issues evident in that game was a lack of striking options and with Fred joining Dani Alves and Hulk on the injury list, such worries may surface again. Jo or Alexandre Pato, who has struggled for game time since moving to Corinthians, will now have to prove themselves worthy. Questions may also be asked as to whether the likes of Marcos Rocha, the Barcelona right-back's replacement, have the experience to warrant a place in the squad while Rafael da Silva still remains an outcast following his Olympic final disaster.
Yet the support of the home fans proved immense at the Confederations Cup. The vast crowds roaring the national anthem will provide plenty of motivation for the players to push for a place in the final next summer. And with such a following it will be tough to stop them from doing just that.