It's almost here! The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is now hours away! If you’re new to soccer, or just a need a bit of help getting an idea of who the contenders are, or teams to look out here, here’s a really brief guide on all 32 teams taking part in this year's FIFA World Cup!

Group A

Brazil – Star Man: Neymar

My personal favourites to win. Brazil are the reigning Confederation Cup Champions (beating World Champions Spain in the final), and that home field advantage they’ll have is huge. Look out for exciting attacking and passing football. Neymar’s tournament?

Croatia – Star Man: Luka Modric

Won’t have an easy way out of their group, but there’s some talent on this team. Luka Modric is one of club football’s elite midfielders, and Mario Mandzukic is becoming a dangerous striker as well. Up and comers like Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic are ones to watch too.

Mexico – Star Man: Javier Hernandez

I don’t think we can expect too much from Mexico at this year’s World Cup, their squad just isn’t what it was from 4 years ago. Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez is going to need a massive tournament to take his country through, and I just don’t see that happening.

Cameroon – Star Man: Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o’s final tournament for Cameroon most likely, and he’ll have something to prove after being let go by Chelsea. Dude needs a job! There’s a couple of other decent players there too in like Barcelona’s Alex Song and QPR’s Stephane M’bia. If they can steal a game against Croatia or Brazil, then who knows?

Group B

Chile – Star Man: Artuto Vidal

I like the Chileans a lot, but they were REALLY unlucky to drop themselves in this group with both of the 2010 World Cup Finalists. Arturo Vidal is one of the world’s best midfielders, and Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez leads an underrated offence, but they HAVE to beat one of the big two to have any chance here.

Spain – Star Man: Andres Iniesta

I’m going to say it, this is the most loaded World Cup squad, EVER. All of the 23 are top flight stars, and they FINALLY have a headlining striker in Diego Costa that is World Cup.(I don’t know how they got away with Torres for so long) On paper, the favourites. Could be the greatest footballing era of players ever if they can retain the title.

The Netherlands – Star Man: Robin Van Persie

Always a very strong attacking team, and 2014 is no exception. Robin Van Persie is not 100%, but in great form for the Dutch, and with a support cast of Arjen Robben on the wing, and playmaker Wesley Sneijder in Midfield, they could overwhelm a lot of teams. And they’ll want revenge after a poor Euro 2012. My “dark horse” pick.

Australia - Star Man: Tim Cahill

The Socceroos have one of the youngest teams at the World Cup, and you may know Cahill from the New York Red Bulls too, but he leads a team in transition from the older guard to some fresh faces. But don’t expect them to get out of their group.

Group C

Colombia – Star Man: James Rodriguez

A big blow for Colombia was not getting star man Radamal Falcao healthy in time from his torn ACL, but Colombia still have a great attacking side with players like Monaco’s James Rodirguez and Porto’s Jackson Martinez set to feature strongly. And with any South American team, expect some strong fan support. Could surprise people if they find form.

Greece – Star Man: Sokratis

No, not the famous inventor, but Greece are boasting a decent all around team. Expect Fulham’s Karagounis and record signing Mitroglou to feature here. The outsiders of the group, but again, if they can poach a win somewhere, they could squeeze through.

Japan – Star Man: Shinji Okazaki

Don’t sleep on the Japanese to make a run. They have great attacking playmakers in Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa and Milan’s Keisuke Honda, and Mainz striker Shinji Okazaki is coming off a brilliant season in Germany. Another one to watch.

The Ivory Coast - Star Man: Yaya Toure

The Ivory Coast are probably the strongest of the African teams, with Yaya Toure having an incredible season for Prem Champions Manchester City, and have a high-powered offence in Roma's Gervinho and Swansea's Wilfried Bony to go alongside heavyweight striker Didier Drogba. Again, in such a close group, Ivory Coast being able to overwhelm opponents might be enough to take them over the top.

Group D

Uruguay – Star Man: Luis Suarez

Uruguay have got a stronger side than many give credit for. The key though, is arguably the world’s best striker, Luis Suarez, and whether he can be fit enough to make an impact in time. Even if he doesn’t, Diego Godin is a world class centre back, and Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan can pick up the slack. They made the Semi’s in 2010 for good reason.

Costa Rica – Star Man: Bryan Ruiz

You may remember Ruiz from his days at Fulham (The home of obscure footballing Internationals), but don’t expect Costa Rica to make it in here barring a melt down from the Big 3 in this group.

England – Star Man: Wayne Rooney

As for my home nation? Well, this is an exciting time for England for their younger talent coming through (Sturridge, Barkley, Sterling, Stones, Shaw, Wilshere), but I’m not sure they’re ready to contend. Even coming out of the group could be a struggle. But at least they won’t be as boring as heck to watch. Maybe.

Italy – Star Man: Andrea Pirlo

Italy are going into the World Cup with an awful record (1 win since September), and their squad isn’t quite as strong as the one that made the 2012 European Finals, but the usual kingpins or Pirlo, Buffon, Chiellini, De Rossi and more will be very tough to beat. Remember, they knocked out England and Germany to make that final.

Group E

Switzerland – Star Man: Josip Drmic

If there was an award for “most underrated squad”, then the Swiss would take it. They have an awesome full back pairing of Stephan Lichtstiener and Ricardo Rodriguez (Who’s a MAJOR star in the making), and Josip Drmic just had a monster season in the Bundesliga. Don’t sleep on Napoli’s Behrami and Inler either. AND Xherdan Shaqiri. Another serious “dark horse” team.

Ecuador – Star Man: Antonio Valencia

Manchester United’s “Tony V” leads an Ecuador team that can definitely do some damage if they’re up for it. They did just draw 2-2 against England in the warm-ups, so the potential is there. Not sure if they’ll bring it when it counts though.

France – Star Man: Karim Benzema

France were dealt some awful luck with Ballon D’Or 3rd place finisher Franck Ribery suffered an injury pre-tournament, but Antonie Grizemann absolutely stepped up when they beat Jamaica 8-0 in warm-ups. With many of the ego’s out of the squad like Nasri, and an easier draw, France could easily make the Semi’s.

Honduras –Star Man: Wilson Palacios

They just got a draw with 10-men against England in Sun Life Stadium, but I don’t think there’s enough attacking talent to win any games here.

Group F

Argentina – Star Man: Lionel Messi

Best attacking football team in the world? The world’s best in Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and then some! Plus they’ll be a lot of Argentian fans making the trip across the border to cheer them on. And again, their side of the draw is easier, so if Argentina ever has a chance to replicate the Maradona days, this is their chance. Can Messi step up?

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Star Man: Edin Dzeko

Bosnia have Manchester City’s underrated Edin Dzeko and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for Stoke in there too, and despite sailing through the qualifiers, they have to be careful as Nigeria are going to fight them hard for that 2nd group spot here.

Nigeria – Star Man: Emmanuel Emenike

Nigeria boast a lot of attacking talent, with Emmanuel Emenike headlining from Fenerbache (A FIFA fan favourite), Victor Moses from Chelsea, and Cardiff’s Peter Odemwingie. Like I said, the Bosnia match up will be key as to who finishes 2nd in the group.

Iran – Star Man: Ashkan Dejagah

Yet another decent Fulham International (Spotted the pattern there?), but Iran are outsiders in this solid group, assuming Argentina will probably walk the group.

Group G

Germany – Star Man: Philip Lahm

Germany are another serious contender. A well-balanced, strong squad in Goal, defence and midfield, and never sleep on Miroslav Klose up front, who needs just 1 more goal to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, breaking the tie with Ronaldo (15). If that wasn’t enough, Bastian, Ozil, Muller, Boateng, Hummels, Lahm and Gotze will make Germany a force to be reckoned with.

Portugal – Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo

Or as I like to call it: “Ronaldo and friends!” Portugal’s hope pretty much rests on whether he can carry over his record breaking season as World Footballer of the Year. Hopefully others like Pepe, and exciting prospect William Carvalho step up to help.

United States – Star Man: Jozy Altidore

The American squad drew controversy when Klinsmann didn’t take Landon Donovan, their all-time leading scorer. And while it’s one of the older squads, it’s also one of their best ever, and it’s a darn shame that they’re stuck in such a difficult group. Will struggle to get through, but that’s no shame with Portugal, Germany and Ghana around them.

Ghana – Star Man: Kevin-Prince Boateng

Ghana were one Luis Suarez handball away from the Semi Finals in 2010, and their squad is still very strong now too. KPB leads the creativity, with Andre Ayew from Marseille and Juventus’ Kwadwo Asamoah set to feature strongly as well. Watch out, their midfield is one of the strongest in the tournament, but need a big win to get though.

Group H

Belgium - Star Man: Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard headlines a very strong individual Belgium squad, with big talent in there like Kevin Mirallas, Adnan Januzaj, Vincent Kompany, Thibaut Courtois and more. They‘re the popular “dark horse” pick, and if they can play well together, could, and should make the Semi Finals. But they are unproven at this level...

Russia – Star Man: Alan Dzagoev

Pretty sure Russia are the only team with all their talent picked form their own national league. Alan Dzagoev of CSKA Moscow is one to watch for his playmaking, and Russia should make it in as 2nd in group.

Algeria – Star Man: Riyad Mahrez

There’s a few nice players in Algeria’s squad, like Saphir Taider from Inter Milan, Riyad Mahrez from newly promoted Leicester City, and Sofiane Feghouli from Valencia, but overall, I don’t rate their chances in this group.

Korea Republic – Star Man: Son Heung-min

Again, odds are unlikely for South Korea here, but look out for Son, the Bayer Leverkusen winger had 16 assists and made the Bundesliga team of the year this past season, ahead of Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller on the right wing.

And that’s my quick thoughts on ALL 32 World Cup teams? Any thoughts of your own? Sound off in the comments here, or follow me on twitter @Harrison101HD! Thanks for reading!