1. Netherlands
The Dutch, as is quickly becoming the norm, were absolutely imperious in their qualifying group, sealing a spot in Rio with two games to spare. The Dutch were just too strong for everyone really.
From the opening match, they looked galaxies away from their competitors. Changing manager and a mini squad-overhaul after the disastrous Euro 2012 campaign turned out to be a tonic for the side as the newfound freshness, hunger, unity and order has translated in brilliant, ruthless and efficient performances on the pitch.
2. Germany
Germany will always be there or thereabouts when it comes to major tournaments.
That is as accurate a statement as 1+1 = 2. Germany has been an almost ever-present at continental and global competition.
They have qualified for every FIFA World Cup finals, with two exceptions, doing
so automatically as hosts or holders five times.
3. Spain
The current holders of both the European and World Cups head into Brazil as the team everyone wants to beat.
Brazil already did it at the Confederations Cup in the recent past and if for nothing else, the manner of that defeat may well have given many other nations a glimmer of hope and a blueprint of how to finally be able to get the better of a La Roja side that had become ultra-dominant for the better part of half a decade.
4. Argentina
Two time champions Argentina qualified somewhat easily for the World Cup, topping the ten-team round-robin pool and booking their place with a game to spare.
Third on the FIFA rankings, the Selleccion have transformed into a force to really be reckoned with. Recent friendly victories against Brazil, Germany, Sweden and Portugal have gone some way into illustrating just how far they have come in the journey back to the top of the footballing pyramid.
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