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All 32 coaches onstage after the draw in Brazil
Group A
GROUP A HEAD-TO-HEAD
Brazil have faced Mexico a remarkable 38 times at senior level, three times at a World Cup finals (1950, 1954 & 1962), with Brazil victorious on all three occasions. The hosts have played Croatia twice before, one friendly draw and a victory over the Croats in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup. A Selecao beat Cameroon in the 1994 World Cup, but lost in their most recent meeting - at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Mexico and Cameroon have met just once before, a win for El Tri in a 1993 friendly match. Mexico have played Croatia three times before, winning their only World Cup meeting in 2002. Cameroon and Croatia will meet for the first time on 18 June in Manaus.
SCOLARI ON CROATIA & MEXICO"I am satisfied with the draw. But we shall be paying close attention to the opening phase. That should give us an incentive. I am not concerned with the second phase. Mexico is a classic going way back, I am happy with the match sequence."
Group B
GROUP B HEAD-TO-HEAD
Spain and Netherlands open their World Cup campaigns after playing their most recent World Cup fixture against one another - the 2010 Final. That has been their only World Cup game in ten meetings. Australia and Chile have met four times, once at the 1974 World Cup, which ended in a goalless draw. The holders have met Chile ten times before and twice at the World Cup (both wins for La Roja, 2-0 in 1950 and 2-1 in 2010).
The Netherlands have failed to beat Australia in their three friendly meetings, drawing twice and losing in 2008. The Socceroos have never faced La Roja and the Netherlands have faced Chile just once - a 2-2 draw in the 1928 Olympic Football Tournament.
DEL BOSQUE ON CHILE, AUSTRALIA & BRAZIL"Chile have expert players and are very physical. We know they will be a very difficult team to face. Australia are a little less well known, but they have qualified from the Asian groups and I imagine they also have good players. I imagine that Brazil will finish first and so we have to give everything to make sure we win our group too."
DEL BOSQUE ON THE NETHERLANDS"Holland have changed a little bit, especially in the middle of the park, but they still have (Arjen) Robben, (Robin) Van Persie, (Rafael) Van der Vaart and (Wesley) Sneijder. I think it is good for our mentality that we have to prepare from the first day. Holland will demand that we start at our highest level.
"Everything depends not just on our opponents, but on ourselves and the way we mentally approach this competition. They make the game very uncomfortable for the opponents. They have had the same style of play for a few years now."
Group C
GROUP C HEAD-TO-HEAD
Colombia and Greece have met once before, a friendly win for the Colombians in 1994.
Côte d'Ivoire and Japan will face off for the first time in a competitive match on 14 June, with Japan winning two out of their previous three friendly meetings. Côte d'Ivoire have never before faced Colombia or Greece.
Japan beat Greece in their only ever meeting, at the 2005 Confederations Cup.
Japan have not beaten Colombia in their two meetings to date, a 2003 Confederations Cup win for the South Americans and a goalless friendly draw in 2007.
Group D
GROUP D HEAD-TO-HEADEngland have faced Italy 24 times, with a 2-1 win for Gli Azzurri at Italy 1990. Their most recent meeting came in EURO 2012, with the Italians putting England out on penalties. The Three Lions have faced Uruguay twice at the World Cup, a win for La Celeste in 1954 and a goalless draw in 1966, when the hosts went on to secure their only World Cup to date. England have never before faced Costa Rica, who in turn have only met Italy once - a friendly win for the Azzurri in 1994.
Italy and Uruguay have faced off twice at the World Cup before, a draw at 1970 and a 2-0 win for the hosts at Italy 1990.
Uruguay and Costa Rica have met eight times, with the latter never having won. La Celeste saw off Costa Rica in the 2010 World Cup qualifiying play-off - 2-1 on aggregate.
Group E
Group F
KLINSMANN VERSUS LOWJurgen Klinsmann and his former assistant for the Germany national side Joachim Low are set to face off in Recife on 26 June. "That's one of those crazy stories football writes," said Klinsmann.
MARC WILMOTS REACTION"It’s an interesting group. There are no world class players within our opponents. I’m not saying it will be an easy group, but our first objective to reach the Round of 16 is still the same."
Group H
MIRALEM PJANIC REACTION
"Reasonably happy with the draw, Argentina are favorites. I think we'll compete with Nigeria for second place. We hope to do it."
"Reasonably happy with the draw, Argentina are favorites. I think we'll compete with Nigeria for second place. We hope to do it."
FABIO CAPELLO REACTION"Our group is not as hard as others, like B and G for example. Each team is very different in our group. People might say Belgium is the favourite thanks to their good qualifiers, but we still hope to top the group."
DIDIER DESCHAMPS REACTION"It could have been more complicated, let’s be honest. We’ll have our Swiss neighbours, one south American team and Honduras playing a similar style. We were worried about playing in the north because of the heat. Finally not, it’s better for the recuperation. People said Ukraine was a good draw and see what happened. But yes, it could have been harder. First game is against Honduras, it’s the most important one, winning it would put us in the best position. No opponent is easy, we need to be ambitious but reasonable. Before and after the draw our objective is the same: Round 16."
JOACHIM LOW REACTION
"So, we will be meeting old friends. It's already something special to have the USA in our group. Jurgen and I have had a very good and close relationship for a long time. We have always exchanged ideas on a regular basis, but that will certainly change before the World Cup match."
"So, we will be meeting old friends. It's already something special to have the USA in our group. Jurgen and I have had a very good and close relationship for a long time. We have always exchanged ideas on a regular basis, but that will certainly change before the World Cup match."
NIKO KOVAC REACTION
"It is very special. Brazil in the first game with the whole world watching, it will be something. We will try to make it difficult for them but it won't be easy. Look at 2006 though, we gave them a very difficult game. Dida made some good saves and Kaka scored a very late goal. I think Brazil is the obvious favourite but second place is wide open. Mexico may have struggled recently but they are always strong at the World Cup. It is really tight for second place."
"It is very special. Brazil in the first game with the whole world watching, it will be something. We will try to make it difficult for them but it won't be easy. Look at 2006 though, we gave them a very difficult game. Dida made some good saves and Kaka scored a very late goal. I think Brazil is the obvious favourite but second place is wide open. Mexico may have struggled recently but they are always strong at the World Cup. It is really tight for second place."
WAYNE ROONEY REACTION"If we want to be the best, we have to beat the best. Tough group but really looking forward to it! Roll on Brazil 2014!"
KWESI APPIAH REACTION"It's nice to meet Germany, and also USA who we beat in Round of 16 in 2010. We are a better team than in 2010 and I'm sure there will be a lot of surprises in this group."
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI REACTION
"It is good. England, Italy, Uruguay, that is the toughest group and we are not in this one! We open against a European team, which was my preference. We have the clasico, which will be very tough, in the middle. Then Cameroon. I think it's good for us"
"It is good. England, Italy, Uruguay, that is the toughest group and we are not in this one! We open against a European team, which was my preference. We have the clasico, which will be very tough, in the middle. Then Cameroon. I think it's good for us"
OTTMAR HITZFELD REACTION"A very tense and level group with different mentalities. European teams facing teams from South America and from Central America. It's a very interesting group to play in. France is a very effective opponent to play, but no need to complain. We must use the time that we have to prepare for the conditions that we are going to face."
"DREAMS CAN COME TRUE"
Jerome Boateng and Kevin Prince-Boateng will face off again at the World Cup, for Germany and Ghana respectively in Group G, after meeting each other in 2010.
Jerome Boateng and Kevin Prince-Boateng will face off again at the World Cup, for Germany and Ghana respectively in Group G, after meeting each other in 2010.
JORGE SAMPAOLI REACTION"Really tough group, so we will try to be competitive enough to qualify. Del Bosque didn't want Chile, but we also didn't want Spain"
DIDIER DESCHAMPS REACTION"The most important thing when you start a competition is to win your first match. To not play against Switzerland is an advantage."
PAULO BENTO REACTION
"It's a tight group with a favourite - Germany - because of their history and potential. Both USA and Ghana have good teams, well organised and good players in some of the best European teams. But our ambition does not depend on the group. We want to be in the round of 16 and that's what will fight for"
"It's a tight group with a favourite - Germany - because of their history and potential. Both USA and Ghana have good teams, well organised and good players in some of the best European teams. But our ambition does not depend on the group. We want to be in the round of 16 and that's what will fight for"
HONG MYONGBO REACTION
"We played a friendly against Russia in November but we will have to study them again, things changed. People may think it's an easy group, but it's not true. We should not underestimate any of our opponenents, they are all strong and can go through"
"We played a friendly against Russia in November but we will have to study them again, things changed. People may think it's an easy group, but it's not true. We should not underestimate any of our opponenents, they are all strong and can go through"
VAN GAAL ON POTENTIAL ROUND OF 16 GAME
"You obviously expect to progress and we will then meet a team from Brazil’s group [A Selecao, Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon]. We might meet Brazil in the next round, so it's not the best of draws from a Dutch perspective."
"You obviously expect to progress and we will then meet a team from Brazil’s group [A Selecao, Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon]. We might meet Brazil in the next round, so it's not the best of draws from a Dutch perspective."
VAN GAAL ON GROUP B"You can’t really do anything about it, but it's fair to say that it's not a good draw for us. We will play the reigning world champions, Australia, whom we have never beaten, and Chile. I saw them play against Colombia when they went 3-0 up and showed that they are a good team. If we look at our opponents, it sure is a difficult draw."
ANGE POSTECOGLOU REACTION"This is the World Cup. It’s the best football nations on the planet and we will embrace the challenge that lies ahead of us. We will see some great football played in our group and it’s up to us to play a part in that. We wanted to play some big nations. We want to test ourselves against the best nations on the biggest stage"
MATCH SCHEDULEFrom Brazil-Croatia on 12 June, right up to the Final on 13 July, we've got every single match covered.
VAHID HALILHODZIC
"We could have had a much more difficult group but there’s no easy group or no group of death. Belgium is a big football nation with lot of quality. In my opinion, it could well be one of the surprise of the tournament. I also know Russia well, who have a great coach. Korea Republic is also very skilful, lots of passing, movement. This team have a few good players. It’s a very complicated group. We’ll come to try and surprise. We won’t come as tourists, but it will be very difficult."
"We could have had a much more difficult group but there’s no easy group or no group of death. Belgium is a big football nation with lot of quality. In my opinion, it could well be one of the surprise of the tournament. I also know Russia well, who have a great coach. Korea Republic is also very skilful, lots of passing, movement. This team have a few good players. It’s a very complicated group. We’ll come to try and surprise. We won’t come as tourists, but it will be very difficult."
LUIS SUAREZ (HONDURAS COACH) REACTION
"I leave with good taste in my mouth, with one exception: I didn’t want to face Ecuador. Not only for Reinaldo (Rueda, coach of Ecuador), but also for the country: they mean a lot to me. Ecuador helped me to develop my career, I owe them many things. But anyway, draws are like that. We’ll try to face this situation as real professionals. We want to reach the Round of 16."
"I leave with good taste in my mouth, with one exception: I didn’t want to face Ecuador. Not only for Reinaldo (Rueda, coach of Ecuador), but also for the country: they mean a lot to me. Ecuador helped me to develop my career, I owe them many things. But anyway, draws are like that. We’ll try to face this situation as real professionals. We want to reach the Round of 16."
REINALDO RUEDA REACTION"I was the coach of Honduras in 2010 and now destiny makes me face them with Ecuador. That’s football, and that’s life! They have a great group, and already experienced the World Cup in South Africa. They will be a difficult opponent. Switzerland and France? Despite the fact of being Europeans, both of them have different styles. It’ll be a very challenging group."
SCOLARI ON CROATIA & MEXICO"I am satisfied with the draw. But we shall be paying close attention to the opening phase. That should give us an incentive. I am not concerned with the second phase. Mexico is a classic going way back, I am happy with the match sequence."
KLINSMANN VERSUS LOWJurgen Klinsmann and his former assistant for the Germany national side Joachim Low are set to face off in Recife on 26 June. "That's one of those crazy stories football writes," said Klinsmann.
MARC WILMOTS REACTION"It’s an interesting group. There are no world class players within our opponents. I’m not saying it will be an easy group, but our first objective to reach the Round of 16 is still the same."
MIGUEL HERRERA REACTION"We have three hard opponents. We have to work hard to compete properly. But we have to be realistic. It is a hard group and the potential Group B opponent (in the knockout stages) is even harder. But we want to achieve certain aims."
DEL BOSQUE ON CHILE, AUSTRALIA & BRAZIL"Chile have expert players and are very physical. We know they will be a very difficult team to face. Australia are a little less well known, but they have qualified from the Asian groups and I imagine they also have good players. I imagine that Brazil will finish first and so we have to give everything to make sure we win our group too."
DEL BOSQUE ON THE NETHERLANDS"Holland have changed a little bit, especially in the middle of the park, but they still have (Arjen) Robben, (Robin) Van Persie, (Rafael) Van der Vaart and (Wesley) Sneijder. I think it is good for our mentality that we have to prepare from the first day. Holland will demand that we start at our highest level.
"Everything depends not just on our opponents, but on ourselves and the way we mentally approach this competition. They make the game very uncomfortable for the opponents. They have had the same style of play for a few years now."
"Everything depends not just on our opponents, but on ourselves and the way we mentally approach this competition. They make the game very uncomfortable for the opponents. They have had the same style of play for a few years now."
FERNANDO SANTOS REACTION"It might not look like that, but this is one of the most dificult groups of the World Cup, because there are four teams with good chances to qualify. Colombia is very strong in the attack, Ivory Coast is an experienced side with great players like Drogba and Gervinho and Japan wants to surprise on the world stage. But Greece has every chance to reach the Round of 16"
MIRALEM PJANIC REACTION
"Reasonably happy with the draw, Argentina are favorites. I think we'll compete with Nigeria for second place. We hope to do it."
"Reasonably happy with the draw, Argentina are favorites. I think we'll compete with Nigeria for second place. We hope to do it."
FABIO CAPELLO REACTION"Our group is not as hard as others, like B and G for example. Each team is very different in our group. People might say Belgium is the favourite thanks to their good qualifiers, but we still hope to top the group."
DIDIER DESCHAMPS REACTION"It could have been more complicated, let’s be honest. We’ll have our Swiss neighbours, one south American team and Honduras playing a similar style. We were worried about playing in the north because of the heat. Finally not, it’s better for the recuperation. People said Ukraine was a good draw and see what happened. But yes, it could have been harder. First game is against Honduras, it’s the most important one, winning it would put us in the best position. No opponent is easy, we need to be ambitious but reasonable. Before and after the draw our objective is the same: Round 16."
JOACHIM LOW REACTION
"So, we will be meeting old friends. It's already something special to have the USA in our group. Jurgen and I have had a very good and close relationship for a long time. We have always exchanged ideas on a regular basis, but that will certainly change before the World Cup match."
"So, we will be meeting old friends. It's already something special to have the USA in our group. Jurgen and I have had a very good and close relationship for a long time. We have always exchanged ideas on a regular basis, but that will certainly change before the World Cup match."
NIKO KOVAC REACTION
"It is very special. Brazil in the first game with the whole world watching, it will be something. We will try to make it difficult for them but it won't be easy. Look at 2006 though, we gave them a very difficult game. Dida made some good saves and Kaka scored a very late goal. I think Brazil is the obvious favourite but second place is wide open. Mexico may have struggled recently but they are always strong at the World Cup. It is really tight for second place."
"It is very special. Brazil in the first game with the whole world watching, it will be something. We will try to make it difficult for them but it won't be easy. Look at 2006 though, we gave them a very difficult game. Dida made some good saves and Kaka scored a very late goal. I think Brazil is the obvious favourite but second place is wide open. Mexico may have struggled recently but they are always strong at the World Cup. It is really tight for second place."
WAYNE ROONEY REACTION"If we want to be the best, we have to beat the best. Tough group but really looking forward to it! Roll on Brazil 2014!"
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