FIFA World Cup 2014 Match Schedule, Groups of Death & Predictions: US to Face Germany, Portugal and Ghana on Elims Round

Over the weekend, the World Cup draw was completed, amidst some brouhaha over sexism from women's football groups, as reported here by the Telegraph. 

The draw itself though had many breathing a sigh of relief while others calling out the organizers for the results. The following is the breakdown from the groupings as reported by the Bleacher Report:

Group A would consist of the host team (Brazil) with Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon;

Group B has Spain, the Netherlands, Chile and Australia;

Group C assignments went to Colombia, Greece, Coto d'Ivoire and Japan;

Group D has Uruguay, Italy, England and Costa Rica;

Group E has Switzerland, France, Ecuador and Honduras;

Group F has Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nigeria and iran;

Group G has Germany, Portugal, USA and Ghana;

Group H is comprised of Belgium, Russia, Algeria and Korea Republic.

Among the noted draw result criticisms came from England's FA Chairman Greg Dyke himself, who according to the Daily Mail, showed his true emotions with throat cutting gesture, saying "we're dead".

One of the brightest stars in the world football scene may also have its chances snuffed out at the elimination round as it is grouped together with Germany, Portugal and Ghana. Group G has earned the "Group of Death" monicker for the tournament as reported in the Washington Post. In the said report, USA manager Juergen Klinsmann said, "Obviously it's one of the most difficult groups in the whole draw. It couldn't get any more difficult or bigger, but that's what a World Cup is about."

There is a sliver of hope though, as the U.S. has a habit of performing its very best under pressure in previous World Cups, as reported in CBS Sports. This, together with the historical tendency of Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's top striker, to melt under pressure; U.S. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann is a former German star and is familiar with Germany's system; while Ghana is a hodge podge of players that play professionally in both Europe and the U.S. Thus, these factors can be maximized to the benefit of the US team's chances in advancing past the Group stage.