FIFA World Cup 2014: When does it start? Where can I watch it? Everything you need to know about the biggest stage of all

 Football's world showpiece kicks in to full swing this summer, find everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup here

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, left, and President of Brazilian Soccer Confederation Jose Maria Marin

Where and when does the FIFA World Cup take place?
The FIFA World Cup finals kick off on June 12 in Sao Paulo when hosts Brazil take on Croatia, kick off is at 9:00pm BST.
You can watch that game live on ITV1.
Brazil is the host nation for the second time in the tournament's history, but it's the first time that the FIFA World Cup has been held outside Europe for two consecutive years.
A total of 64 matches across 12 cities in either brand new stadiums or redeveloped stadiums.
For the first time in history goal-line technology will be used at the finals.
Who is taking part?

Group	A
Brazil	Croatia
Cameroon	Mexico

What the bookies say: Brazil are clear favourites to win the group at 1/4 and 1/19 to simply qualify. It would be a major upset if the hosts were not to get out of their group but it surely won't be an issue as the current crop of players go in search of Brazil's sixth World Cup.

Group	B
Australia	Netherlands
Chile	Spain

What the bookies say: Spain are favourites to qualify at 2/9 and understandably so, they are the current holders of both the World Cup and the European Championship but if you're feeling lucky you can get 100/1 on Australia to win this group.           

Swansea's Michel Vorm could be going to Brazil with the Netherlands

 

Group	C
Columbia	Ivory Coast
Greece	Japan

What the bookies say: This is a much closer group than the first two but Columbia are favourites (1/3) to qualify, however it remains unclear if their star striker Radamel Falcao will be fit to take part after he tore his ACL in January, requiring surgery. The recovery time for such an injury is 6 - 9 months but the Colombians surgeon is confident Falcao will be fit. Don't forget the Greeks, they know a thing or two about causing an upset at major tournaments and are the outsiders to qualify at 5/2.

Group	D
Costa Rica	Italy
England	Uruguay

What the bookies say: This is the most unpredictable group of the tournament, you could form a solid case for three of the teams to be favourites but only two can go through. Uruguay and Italy are joint favourites to qualify at 1/2. England are 4/6 with Costa Rica out at 12/1. The Uruguayans have a dangerous strike force in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani but have an under whelming midfield. Italian head coach Cesare Prandelli has used 42 players in the last 12 international matches but with the likes of Mario Balotelli, Riccardo Montolivo and Emanuele Giaccherini in their ranks, they're sure to play a part.           
Gallery: Players to look out for in Brazil

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Players to watch out for in Brazil

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Group	E
Ecuador	Honduras
France	Switzerland

What the bookies say: Despite having to go into the playoffs to get to Brazil, France are clear favourites at 1/5 to qualify which is largely down to the draw being very kind to Les Bleus.

Group	F
Argentina	Iran
Bosnia & Herzegovina	Nigeria

What the bookies say: Argentina are overwhelming favourites in this group, they are 1/19 to get out of the group and chances are they will do it at a canter. Head coach Alejandro Sabella could probably get away with resting the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero as the three group games will be little more than a training session for his players.           

'Argentina's Lionel Messi playing for his club side Barcelona

 

Group	G
Germany	Portugal
Ghana	USA

What the bookies say: The bookmakers think that both Germany (1/6) and Portugal (4/7) are going to qualify, which is likely to happen provided Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo gets the service he needs. The third favourite to qualify is the USA at 3/1 who will be hoping to toss a spanner in the works.

Group	H
Algeria	Korean Republic
Belgium	Russia

What the bookies say: Belgium are 1/5 favourites to get out of group H with the likes of Christian Benteke, Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas and Vincent Kompany in their ranks they have all bases covered and on paper are a world class outfit.   
      
FIFA World Cup 2014 in the media
Things are looking up in Brazil! Later this week, the country's president Dilma Rousseff is expected to open the new Itaquerao stadium in São Paolo. The celebrations mean that there will be a pitch, with most of a building around it and perhaps even a bench and a dressing room. Hurrah! Tom Bryant - Guardian

Anti-World Cup campaigners in Brazil have threatened demonstrations during the showcase tournament next month but FIFA insisted Monday that it would be an unfair target. Yahoo! News
England's bid for World Cup glory in Brazil this summer could be undone by a much-feared weather phenomenon. Climate researchers at the University of Reading say there is a 60% chance of an El Nino event hitting the country.

The scientists say the complicated meteorological system is likely to cause extremely dry and sunny weather in June and July. Matt McGrath - BBC News