World Cup 2014 Groups Table: Updated Rankings Following Group-Stage Draw

After an eventful draw for the 2014 World Cup, the groups are set.

The Americans, who enter this tournament with arguably their strongest team ever, were certainly part of the excitement. 

It will not be an easy path to the knockout stage for the USMNT. 

The Americans have climbed to No. 14 in the FIFA rankings, but that is only good enough to have them as the third-highest ranked team in Group H. 

No. 2 Germany heads up the group. They are followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and his fifth-ranked Portugal side. 

At No. 24, Ghana is the only team in the group that is ranked lower than the Americans. Still, that is the same Ghana side that has defeated the Americans in the past two World Cups. 

As if the fierce competition wasn't enough, the Americans will also have to attempt to overcome this fact: 

Of course, Group G isn't the only group worthy of being considered the "Group of Death." Group B is among those that will also be a fierce battle. Defending champion and current world No. 1 Spain sits at the top. With No. 9 and defending runners-up Netherlands, No. 15 Chile and No. 59 Australia, this group is going to be a fun one to track. 

On the whole, the draw sets up for a fantastic tournament. 

Looking past the group stage, the potential is there for compelling knockout games. No. 10 Brazil, No. 4 Colombia, No. 8 Switzerland, and No. 2 Germany head up the groups on one side and No. 1 Spain, No. 6 Uruguay, No. 3 Argentina, and No. 11 Belgium head up the groups on the other side. 

Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
Team	Confederation	FIFA Ranking
Brazil	CONMEBOL/Hosts	10
Croatia	UEFA	16
Mexico	CONCACAF	20
Cameroon	CAF	51
Team	Confederation	FIFA Ranking
Spain	UEFA	1
Netherlands	UEFA	9
Chile	CONMEBOL	15
Australia	AFC	59
Team	Confederation	FIFA Ranking
Colombia	CONMEBOL	4
Greece	UEFA	12
Ivory Coast	CAF	17
Japan	AFC	48
Team	Confederation	FIFA Ranking
Uruguay	CONMEBOL	6
Costa Rica	CONCACAF	31
England	UEFA	13
Italy	UEFA	7
Team	Confederation	FIFA Ranking
Switzerland	UEFA	8
Ecuador	CONMEBOL	23
France	UEFA	19
Honduras	CONCACAF	41
Team	Confederation	FIFA Ranking
Argentina	CONMEBOL	3
Bosnia-Herzegovina	UEFA	21
Iran	AFC	45
Nigeria	CAF	36
Team	Confederation	FIFA Ranking
Germany	UEFA	2
Portugal	UEFA	5
Ghana	CAF	24
United States	CONCACAF	14
Team	Confederation	FIFA Ranking
Belgium	UEFA	11
Algeria	CAF	26
Russia	UEFA	22
South Korea	AFC	54

All that is left now is to wait until June for the action to start. ...Is it June yet?