Through blood, sweat, and tears, countries fight for a spot to compete in one of the world’s biggest competition every four years. Some may call it just a sporting event, but for many, it is more than that. It is war. The soccer field becomes a battleground and players become warriors fighting for the sake of their country’s glory until one final team is crowned the winner. Please welcome, the 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup.

In order to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, countries compete with other countries in their respective area. The qualifiers of those matches move on to compete in the cup, with eight groups and four countries in each group. And from the round-robin style group stages, only two will advance to the sweet sixteen, the do-or-die playoff matches. Now the question lies, which country has what it takes to not only move on, but win the tournament?

Starting with group A, it is without a doubt that Brazil, my pick for the champions of 2014, will advance with Mexico from the group stages. Without question, Spain and the Netherlands will also move on from group B with flying colors. Unfortunately, the group of death this year is group D, consisting of Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, and Italy. Although Uruguay, England, and Italy are all prestigious teams that have a shot at the cup, only two can move on, most likely Uruguay and Italy. If England had been placed into any other group, it would have had a higher chance of advancing.

With other elite favorites such as Argentina and Germany destined to make it to the top 16, the quarterfinals is going to be one heck of a series to watch. The quarterfinals, most likely, will be Brazil vs. Italy, France vs. Germany, Spain vs Uruguay, and Argentina vs. Portugal.

Brazil: creative, brilliant, talented, spirited, relentless, and Neymar, the team’s star player. With the famous liveliness of South American fans, alongside a world-class soccer club, Brazil should breeze past any team. Although the three-time champion Germany and its famous “attacking threats” offense will be a bother for Brazil in the semifinals, Brazil should not have a problem winning.

In the finals, Brazil will probably be facing off against neighbors Messi and Co., Argentina. Lionel Messi, one of the best soccer players to ever play the game, will definitely pester Brazil. However, the talent and passion of Brazil is more than enough to march past any team in the world.

It will be a classic way to finish with Brazil taking the trophy home. Oh wait, it is already home.