King Juan Carlos of Spain, reaching his old age, has said he will abdicate the throne. It is unclear if the dynastic soccer team from Spain is ready to do the same.
The reigning World Cup champions have won soccer’s past three mega-crowns (counting the European Championships of 2008 and 2012) employing a generation of talents who came up together through the junior ranks to the heights of international play. Many of those players have now entered their golden years, and as such Spain is the fourth choice (behind Brazil, Argentina and Germany) on tote boards and not a sentimental pick among those looking for fresh soccer hegemony.
To begin with, Spain must contend with two viable foes in Group B. The temperamental Dutch have explosive potential — to light up scoreboards and push to the late rounds, or to combust defensively and emotionally in the early going. And Chile, ranked No. 13 by FIFA and forged by South American qualifying, is no one’s idea of an easy out with its flummoxing, aggressive style of play.
Australia is simply overmatched in this group, where the remaining three teams will grapple for two spots. Spain is a likely quarterfinalist, but the revolution will happen one of these days.
Spain
Coach: Vicente del Bosque
Odds*: 13-2
FIFA rank: 1
Formation: 4-3-3
World Cup finishes: Defending champions from 2010 allowed just two goals in seven matches en route to trophy. Have advanced from group stage in six of past seven tournaments.
Players to watch: With the mesmerizing possession play of the Spanish midfield, it’s easy to forget about the defense. Center back Sergio Ramos is as polished as they come, and has a knack for clutch goal-scoring, to boot. Goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas is a proven leader, but some fear his best days have passed.
Overview: Spain is the most cohesive, pedigreed team in the tournament, with championship experience winning the past two European Championships in addition to the 2010 World Cup. Del Bosque has more talented midfielders than he knows what to do with, the aging wizards Xavi and Andres Iniesta bolstered by the likes of Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas and Juan Mata. Who will play striker, if anyone? Diego Costa is recovering from a bad hamstring injury.
Schedule: June 13 vs. Netherlands (Salvador); June 18 vs. Chile (Rio de Janeiro); June 23 vs. Australia (Curitiba)
Netherlands
Coach: Louis van Gaal (soon to take over Manchester United)
Odds: 25-1
FIFA rank: 15
Formation: 4-3-3
World Cup finishes: The Dutch are three-time runners-up, losing to Spain in a rugged final in 2010 after finishing second with the “Total Football” squads in 1974 and ’78.
Players to watch: Striker Robin van Persie, who now stars for Manchester United after a long run at Arsenal, has 43 goals in 84 appearances for country. Arjen Robben is always entertaining, whether he’s making a daring run off the wing or living up to his reputation as one of the sport’s worst floppers.
Overview: With van Persie, Robben and Wesley Sneijder, there’s plenty of creativity and attacking flair up front. The chances of the Oranje getting out of this group rely on an inexperienced defense and an untested keeper. Maarten Stekelenberg, the first-choice goalkeeper in recent years, was dropped from the squad, leaving Jasper Cillessen or Michel Vorm, with 21 international caps between them, in net.
Schedule: June 13 vs. Spain (Salvador); June 18 vs. Australia (Porto Alegre); June 23 vs. Chile (Sao Paolo)
Chile
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli (a native of Argentina)
Odds: 40-1
FIFA rank: 13
Formation: 3-4-1-2
World Cup finishes: Reached the Round of 16 in 2010 after failing to qualify for the two previous tournaments. All-time best finish was a run to the semifinals as hosts in 1962.
Players to watch: Alexis Sanchez, who plies his trade at Barcelona, is a stylish winger with speed and skill, capable of landing on the highlight reel. Don’t forget about midfield maestro Arturo Vidal, who is coming off knee surgery.
Overview: Off to a treacherous start in qualifying, Chile installed Sampaoli as coach. He instituted a fierce, pressing style, and the team’s fortunes reversed, qualifying third out of South America and holding its own in friendlies against global titans Brazil, Spain and Germany. Their defenders aren’t reluctant to push up the field and fluster more dynamic opponents. A sleeper pick.
Schedule: June 13 vs. Australia (Cuiaba); June 18 vs. Spain (Rio de Janeiro); June 23 vs. Netherlands (Sao Paolo)
Australia
Coach: Ange Postecoglou
Odds: 1,500-1
FIFA rank: 59
Formation: 4-2-3-1
World Cup finishes: Eliminated in group stage in 2010, after posting 1-1-1 record. Made a classic run to Round of 16 in 2006 after 32-year absence from the field.
Players to watch: Mile Jedinak, the team’s newly appointed captain, plays deep in the midfield, and he’ll be responsible for organizing the defense against the potent attacking teams in the group. With a generation of veterans on the outs and a youth movement underway, Jedinak, 29, is the rare Australian player in his prime.
Overview: The Socceroos are the lowest-ranked team in the tournament — and one of the youngest. Gritty veteran Tim Cahill, who plays in MLS with the Red Bulls, is the team’s totem and best chance of stealing a goal in a close match. But a win in this loaded group would be a big surprise.
Schedule: June 13 vs. Chile (Cuiaba); June 18 vs. Netherlands (Porto Alegre); June 23 vs. Spain (Curitiba)
* Odds courtesy Ladbrokes