The 2014 World Cup draw yielded several stacked groups for the opening round in Brazil. While FIFA labeled Spain's Group A the "Group of Death," England's Group D and USA's Group G appear just as, if not more, loaded. Below are the full results of the draw (via FIFA.com).
Group A:
Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon.
Group B:
Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia.
Group C:
Colombia, Greece, Cote d'Ivoire, Japan.
Group D:
Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy.
Group E:
Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras.
Group F:
Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria.
Group G:
Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA.
Group H:
Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic.
FIFA.com called Group B the 'Group of Death," with Spain (1), Netherlands (9), Mexico (15) and Cameroon (46). Calling Group B the best group, however, is arguable. Group D has Uruguay (6), Costa Rica (13), England (7) and Italy (31), and Group G has Germany (2), Portugal (5), Ghana (24) and USA (14).
Group B has an average ranking of 17.75, Group D an average ranking of 14.25 and Group G an average ranking of 11.25.
Spain and the Netherlands open Group B on June 13 with a rematch of the 2010 World Cup final. England opens against Italy, and USA opens against Ghana.
Brazil and Croatia kick off the World Cup on June 12 in Sao Paulo. For the full schedule of the World Cup group stage, visit HERE.
