1. The United States
How they qualified: Already guaranteed a top 3 finish in the 4th round of North American qualifying
Last time: Last 16, lost 2-1 to Ghana after extra-time
FIFA Ranking: 13
What are their chances in Brazil? Since hosting the tournament 20 years ago, the United States have become an increasingly credible force in world football. Like with Australia, America is a nation with a lot of resources and time devoted to sport, but where football is given considerably less attention than their own national events. However, inroads are being made with Major League Soccer becoming more and more popular and the national team becoming better and better. Legendary German forward Jurgen Klinsmann has been in charge since 2011 after a strong showing with his home country in the 2006 World Cup, laying the foundations for the current team. In his first few matches Klinsmann's America performed extremely poorly, but during 2012 they won more games than in any previous year, including an excellent friendly victory over Italy. This year, Klinsmann followed that up with a 4-3 win over his homeland, showing that on their day the US are capable of beating most quality opposition. They currently top the final North American qualifying group, having already secured their place in the World Cup with two games to go against Jamaica and Panama. Meanwhile, in July, the US beat Panama to win their fifth Gold Cup. The ease of their Gold Cup triumph, winning every game, scoring 20 goals and conceding just 3, gives a pretty good impression of the confidence with which the American team is currently playing, even if it is against opponents that are hardly world class. British fans are already completely familiar with the quality of player that America can produce. Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is a solid presence at the back and, in Aston Villa's Brad Guzan, he has a very capable deputy. Going forward, former Everton loanee Landon Donovan has over 50 goals and over 50 assists in a 153 game international career, while MLS club Seattle Sounders' capture of Tottenham's Clint Dempsey this summer was a surprise coup for a player who still has plenty of quality left in him. In the last World Cup, the United States topped England's group. It would be foolish for us to overlook them again. They will be competitive in Brazil and will probably have their eyes on matching their best ever performance, the Quarter-Finals in 2006. Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Bosnia-Hercegovina are all among the teams that can add their names to this list tonight. Hopefully by next week we can add England too.