World Cup 2014 Draw: 5 Teams England Could Face In A Worst Case Scenario

1. Japan

A team that can spring a surprise but failed to do themselves any real justice when taking part in the Confederations Cup in the summer is Japan. The current AFC Asian Cup champions after their triumph in Qatar back in 2011, the Samurai Blue were the first team other than Brazil to qualify for the tournament after they won their Asian Fourth Round group with just one loss. Their appearance in Brazil in the summer will have given them a taste of what to expect next year, and they will probably be remembered for their devastating display against Italy in which they went 2-0 up before succumbing to a 4-3 defeat. The side coached by Italian Alberto Zaccheroni boast several stars in their side including Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa and CSKA Moscow's Keisuke Honda, and are famed for their possession based, dominating style. One problem with the side that became apparent in Brazil was their lack of potency up front, and coupled with a certain naivety in defence, the team were destined to fail. Next year however, they will return more experienced and with more resolve, and we are sure to see their better side once they get going in the group stage, continuing their rise since they co-hosted the competition in 2002. Who do you think England will draw in the group stage? Can they avoid the big teams?