For those in the know when it comes to Soccer, June 12 marks the beginning of the one of the biggest tournaments in all of sport - The FIFA Soccer World Cup. The world’s best soccer teams, 32 to be exact, compete in a knockout tournament to determine who's p[laying at the pinnacle of their sport.

If you’re unsure on any of the major aspects of the tournament, or if you need a little context to help you out after seeing all the coverage for the game last week, allow me to lend you my hand.

Qualifying

Did you know that 203 different countries took part trying to qualify for the final tournament? Yeah, including soccer powerhouses Belize, Jordan and even newcomers Curacao. (Being honest, even I had to Google that one.)

I could be really thorough in explaining how this works, but I’ll give you the simple version: FIFA divides the 32 final tournament spots in proportion according to the continents, and then everyone who applies is split in groups. They then play in a Round-Robin format, and at the end, the allocated places go the countries at the top of the table.

For example, in North America, the USA, Costa Rica and Honduras get the three automatic spots, while fourth-place Mexico had to go into the playoff pool to try and qualify. It goes to show how strong the European teams are as Sweden didn’t qualify after being knocked out by Portugal. (No Zlatan at the World Cup is a travesty).

The World Cup Tournament

Once we have our 32 teams, they’re drawn into eight groups of four, with the hosts and the top seven countries in the world spread out evenly.

The four teams in each group play each other once to determine the top two to advance. The final 16 features the No. 1 finishers playing the No. 2 finishers; the ensuing rounds becomes a default bracket tournament until a winner is crowned.

So, how’s America’s chances?

Well, I have to be honest - It’s not looking good. Not because there’s this bad stigma that America is bad at soccer (We're 13th in the world right now!), it’s because you’re stuck in what’s often called the “Group of Death.” The Group of Death is a given nickname that determines the pool with the most talent -- a backhanded compliment, if you will.

USA is in Group G with Germany, Ghana and Portugal. Three teams that all have advanced to the quarterfinals in recent history. I really like the US team this year -- it’s the best they’ve had in a long time, and could cause a minor upset for sure!

Tournament Favorites

Spain - The reigning World and European Champions. The team so devastating, they don’t even NEED a striker upfront. They’re getting a bit on the older side, but still on paper will be the team to beat. Arguably, the strongest midfield in depth in the history of the sport, with Barcelona’s Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, and Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso all featuring.

Germany - Runners up at the last World Cup in 2010. Wonderful blend of younger talent bursting through and a very well balanced side. They have the world’s best keeper in Bayern’s Manuel Neuer, and have top pound-for-pound players across the field in Bayern’s Philip Lahm, Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinstieger, Arsenal’s $70 million playmaker Mesut Ozil, and Dortmund’s Marco Reus. Always contenders.

Brazil - Never, EVER, doubt the power of home-field advantage. The last time Brazil lost a competitive game in their own country? 1975!! That’s 17 years before I was even born! Despite the huge pressure to win (Been waiting since 2002), they dominated the Confederations Cup last year and that really was Neymar’s tournament. The 21-year-old Barcelona winger is the talisman that could take them over the top.

Argentina - See Brazil. A lot of Argentine fans will cross the border in support, and Argentina are even more desperate for another World Cup. Their offence is incredible, and when you have the world’s best player in Lionel Messi spearheading it, there’s no limit, not to mention Gonzalo Higuain, and Carlos Tevez in support. Not sure they can defend though…

Italy - European runners-up two years ago, and that Italian defensive, controlling core is still super strong from their home league (Series A). Expect Juventus’ Andrea Pirlo to dominate from midfield, supported by Roma’s Danielle De Rossi, and the incredibly unpredictable yet potentially devastating Mario Balotelli upfront.

Teams to Watch

The Netherlands - The Dutch have underachieved a lot lately, but have fresh life in new manager Louis Van Gaal (Manchester United Bound?), and a team hungry to avenge getting knocked out in Round 1 of the European Championships. Another team with a really strong attack, with Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder in the team.

Belgium - I know they’re everyone's dark horse pick, but they have a ton of young talent coming through, like EPL all-stars Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku, the Premier League’s best playmaker in Eden Hazard, and a strong defence of Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertongen and Thomas Vermaelen. Don’t be surprised if they make the semi-finals.

France - A national team in a bit of a mess due to internal drama, but have all the talent they need to do some damage. They have Franck Ribery in his prime (FIFA’s Best In Europe winner), as well as Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema upfront, as well as Samir Nasri and Hatem Ben Arfa in midfield representing the Premier League. If they can gel, and work together, the new breed can make a deep run.

Are you an avid soccer watcher? Looking forward to the World Cup? Who do you think will win? Any underdog picks or predictions? Let me know in the comments, or you can tweet me @Harrison101HD!