The drums are starting to beat.
The 2014 World Cup kicks off in less than 100 days in São Paulo, Brazil.
The club seasons are winding down with teams playing in tournament knockout stages and every league game is becoming more and more essential.
But many players are keeping one eye on the South American giant, awaiting June 12.
The tournament groups were set in December and national teams are squirming to find the best 23 players available.
There is no doubt Group A is all about the hosts, Brazil. What used to be perceived as an immature team that was not quite there yet, the Brazilians are peaking at the right time.
The hosts are known for their quality attacking, with Neymar, Oscar and many more, but their back line does not get nearly the amount of attention it deserves.
Thiago Silva is the best central defender in the world. Marcelo and Dani Alves—who are known for their attacking on the flanks—can still be very solid defenders. It remains to be seen if they do not get exposed after trying to go forward too much, but expect them to play quite soundly.
Silva will likely run into the strong center forwards that each Group A team boasts (except for Croatia's Mario Mandžuki?, who is suspended for the opener). Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o and Mexico's Javier Hernández Balcázar are not stunning with their current clubs in England, but the potential remains.
Group B has been nominated by many fans as one of three potential "Groups-of-death." The big storylines are certainly the Spaniards and the Dutch, who battled—with 14 yellow cards given—for 120 minutes in the last World Cup final in South Africa.
The two European giants are the likely teams to advance. Spain has many aging talents, but are reloaded and will likely appreciate being somewhat under the radar. When you win three major tournaments in a row, you will never sneak up on anyone completely.
The Netherlands is also eager to get back into the international spotlight after its embarrassment in Euro 2012. They might advance, but have a lot to prove if they want people to set higher expectations for them.
Chile is the story in Group B not getting enough attention.
With stars like Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez, they will have a chance—even against the defending two world finalists.
What is also not getting mentioned regarding Group B is how European teams tend to struggle playing in South America—no team from Europe has ever won a South American-hosted World Cup. The Chileans will have a very strong advantage playing in more familiar environments.
The third group contains Columbia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.
The South American team attempting to assert themselves as giants in world soccer are stuck praying for a timely return of Radamel Falcao, but should still top Group C.
If Ivory Coast can get one more quality-tournament performance from Didier Drogba, alongside Yaya Toure, one of the most underrated players in the world running the midfield, it will result in many tough contests.
When the English saw its World Cup-draw include the Italians and the Uruguayans, there was a lot of uneasiness.
England is caught in an awkward time with youngsters like Jack Wilshere, Daniel Sturridge and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain needing four more years to be ready for the big stage and veterans Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard being past their prime.
If the Italians can harness the immense potential of Mario Balotelli their toughness can push them far into the tournament. But that seems to be the question surrounding the controversial—and often misunderstood—nature of Balotelli.
What are some other under-the-radar storyline for Groups A-D in the upcoming World Cup? Email Jonah at jonah.beleckis@dailycardinal.com and let him know. Stay tuned for more analysis on Groups E-H, including the United States and its chances escaping its group.
