World Cup Schedule 2014: Start Times, TV Coverage and More Fixture Info

Teams have been preparing for the start of the 2014 World Cup since the end of the last one. This makes every match extremely important for squads to accomplish their goal.

With each team only getting three matches in the group stage to earn a spot in the round of 16, any poor result could be devastating. Even the top contenders have to be at their best in every match to avoid missing out on necessary points that will help the team advance.

There will be a number of exciting contests to watch throughout the first phase of the World Cup, but here is a look at the toughest matches for each top contender in Brazil.

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D
Group E	Group F	Group G	Group H
Brazil	Spain	Colombia	Uruguay
Croatia	Netherlands	Greece	Costa Rica
Mexico	Chile	Ivory Coast	England
Cameroon	Australia	Japan	Italy
Switzerland	Argentina	Germany	Belgium
Ecuador	Bosnia-Herzegovina	Portugal	Algeria
France	Iran	Ghana	Russia
Honduras	Nigeria	United States	South Korea

Brazil vs. Croatia

The first match of the tournament might end up being one of the best.

Brazil will look to electrify their home fans with an exciting attack full of talented young players like Neymar and Oscar. This adds to one of the best defenses in the world with experienced players who have had success in Champions League and other high levels of competition.

However, Croatia come into this battle with plenty of confidence and without pressure. Midfielder Luka Modric explained to Fox Sports why he is actually looking forward to the battle against Brazil: "It’s going to be the easiest game for us. There is no pressure in that game, we just need to enjoy it. We don’t have any pressure at all. We can only win from this game."

Modric is a big reason the European squad has a chance to make a run this summer. He was a major factor in Real Madrid's run to a UCL title this season and is part of a talented midfield with his national team.

The fact that Mario Mandzukic will be banned from the match after picking up a red card in qualifying will be huge, but Croatia still have enough talent to make this a difficult battle.

Brazil have to make sure they do not let the situation get the better of them as the young team tries to start off a run to a championship.

Spain vs. Chile

The reigning World Cup winners are expected to once again contend for the World Cup title. The midfield that features Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Xabi Alonso and others will be back and brimming with the confidence of past success.

Things will be difficult right away for Spain with an opening match against the Netherlands in what will be a rematch of the 2010 final. However, the stars from the Dutch squad are seemingly past their prime while the younger players are not yet ready for the big time.

Instead, it seems the bigger challenge for Spain in Group B will be Chile.

Former Italian star Alessandro Del Piero explains that Chile are one of South America's overlooked teams, via Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports:

ESPN's Max Bretos considers the team at least a sleeper in Brazil:

With young talent all over the pitch, Chile can provide a serious challenge to Spain's attempt to repeat as World Cup champions.

Germany vs. Portugal

There are few teams with as much talent across the board as Germany. Even with various injuries, Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Miroslav Klose and others will find ways to score, while Philipp Lahm will help prevent any good opportunities on the opposing end.

Add in arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Manuel Neuer, and Germany will be incredibly difficult to beat.

Of course, if anyone is going to pose a challenge it will be Cristiano Ronaldo. The reigning Ballon d'Or winner has shown the ability to single-handedly carry his squad to victory with his knack for scoring from almost anywhere on the offensive end of the pitch.

Fortunately, he will not have to win by himself as Portugal have an experienced defense with quick midfielders capable of making plays with or without the ball. Ronaldo will simply be there to finish near the net when he gets a chance.

Germany have to make sure to stop the talented player while also attacking on offense. Otherwise, the squad could end up struggling right away in Brazil.

Date	Match	Group	Time (ET)	TV	Venue
June 12	Brazil vs. Croatia	A	4 p.m.	ESPN	Sao Paulo
June 13	Mexico vs. Cameroon	A	12 p.m.	ESPN2	Natal
June 13	Spain vs. Netherlands	B	3 p.m.	ESPN	Salvador
June 13	Chile vs. Australia	B	6 p.m.	ESPN2	Cuiaba
June 14	Colombia vs. Greece	C	12 p.m.	ABC	Belo Horizonte
June 14	Uruguay vs. Costa Rica	D	3 p.m.	ABC	Fortaleza
June 14	Ivory Coast vs. Japan	C	6 p.m.	ESPN	Recife
June 14	England vs. Italy	D	6 p.m.	ESPN	Manaus
June 15	Switzerland vs. Ecuador	E	12 p.m.	ABC	Brasilia
June 15	France vs. Honduras	E	3 p.m.	ABC	Porto Alegre
June 15	Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina	F	6 p.m.	ESPN	Rio De Janeiro
June 16	Germany vs. Portugal	G	12 p.m.	ESPN	Salvador
June 16	Iran vs. Nigeria	F	3 p.m.	ESPN	Curitiba
June 16	Ghana vs. United States	G	6 p.m.	ESPN	Natal
June 17	Belgium vs. Algeria	H	12 p.m.	ESPN	Belo Horizonte
June 17	Brazil vs. Mexico	A	3 p.m.	ESPN	Fortaleza
June 17	Russia vs. South Korea	H	6 p.m.	ESPN	Cuiaba
June 18	Australia vs. Netherlands	B	12 p.m.	ESPN	Porto Alegre
June 18	Cameroon vs. Croatia	A	3 p.m.	ESPN	Manaus
June 18	Spain vs. Chile	B	6 p.m.	ESPN	Rio De Janeiro
June 19	Colombia vs. Ivory Coast	C	12 p.m.	ESPN	Brasilia
June 19	Uruguay vs. England	D	3 p.m.	ESPN	Sao Paulo
June 19	Greece vs. Japan	C	6 p.m.	ESPN	Natal
June 20	Costa Rica vs. Italy	D	12 p.m.	ESPN	Recife
June 20	Switzerland vs. France	E	3 p.m.	ESPN	Salvador
June 20	Ecuador vs. Honduras	E	6 p.m.	ESPN	Curitiba
June 21	Argentina vs. Iran	F	12 p.m.	ESPN	Belo Horizonte
June 21	Germany vs. Ghana	G	3 p.m.	ESPN	Fortaleza
June 21	Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Nigeria	F	6 p.m.	ESPN	Cuiaba
June 22	South Korea vs. Algeria	H	3 p.m.	ABC	Porto Alegre
June 22	United States vs. Portugal	G	6 p.m.	ESPN	Manaus
June 22	Belgium vs. Russia	H	12 p.m.	ABC	Rio De Janeiro
June 23	Australia vs. Spain	B	12 p.m.	ESPN2	Curitiba
June 23	Chile vs. Netherlands	B	12 p.m.	ESPN	Sao Paulo
June 23	Brazil vs. Cameroon	A	4 p.m.	ESPN2	Brasilia
June 23	Croatia vs. Mexico	A	4 p.m.	ESPN	Recife
June 24	Italy vs. Uruguay	D	12 p.m.	ESPN	Natal
June 24	Costa Rica vs. England	D	12 p.m.	ESPN2	Belo Horizonte
June 24	Japan vs. Colombia	C	4 p.m.	ESPN	Cuiaba
June 24	Greece vs. Ivory Coast	C	4 p.m.	ESPN2	Fortaleza
June 25	Nigeria vs. Argentina	F	12 p.m.	ESPN	Porto Alegre
June 25	Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Iran	F	12 p.m.	ESPN2	Salvador
June 25	Honduras vs. Switzerland	E	4 p.m.	ESPN2	Manaus
June 25	France vs. Ecuador	E	4 p.m.	ESPN	Rio De Janeiro
June 26	United States vs. Germany	G	12 p.m.	ESPN	Recife
June 26	Portugal vs. Ghana	G	12 p.m.	ESPN2	Brasilia
June 26	South Korea vs. Belgium	H	4 p.m.	ESPN	Sao Paulo
June 26	Algeria vs. Russia	H	4 p.m.	ESPN2	Curitiba

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