FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014

Less than a week until the World Cup kicks off at last with the hosts taking on Croatia next Thursday night, and I cant wait! Everton have five players playing in the tournament who Ill be keeping an eye on. Would likely have been six but for Bryan Oviedo's leg break. As well as of course the progress of a few popular ex Blues like Tim Cahill, Nikica Jelavic and Romelu Lukaku.

Group D

Long time since England had so much Everton representation at a tournament! John Stones was also in the squad on standby. Jagielka and Baines will be definite starters in the first choice back four, while Barkley has featured heavily lately, and impressed in his performance against Ecuador this week where he set up Rickie Lambert to score. 

England kick off against Italy on Saturday 14th June at 11pm UK time. They play next on Thursday 19th at 8pm against Uruguay, before finishing off against Costa Rice at 5pm on Tuesday June 24th. They are paired with group C, so should they progress to the knockout round, they will play one of Colmbia, Ivory Coast, Japan or Greece.

Group G

Tim Howard will play in goal for USA again. The States are in what is probably the group of death, starting against at 11pm on Monday June 16th, before Portugal at 11pm on June 22nd, and finishing up against Germany at 5pm on Thursday June 26th. Qualification will certainly be a big ask, but if they do, they will face a side from group H...

Group H

...which is where Kevin Mirallas will represent Belgium. Whether or not he starts is uncertain, partly due to Belgium having other players in his position, and also because he missed the end of the season after getting injured in the win over United at Goodison in April. Belgium are fancied by quite a few to do well at the tournament, and a kind group has certainly helped that fancy. The Belgians kick off against Algeria at 5pm on June 17th, before facing Russia at the same time on June 22nd. They will finish against South Korea at 9pm on June 26th.