And, whilst the final spot is still technically up for grabs, it would take something akin to a miracle for Jordan to overcome their 5-0 deficit against Uruguay when they travel to Montevideo for the second leg of their play-off.
That makes us confident enough to include Uruguay players in this list, but Liverpool fans will be left disappointed, as Luis Suarez misses out alongside compatriot Edinson Cavani.
The forward continues to bang in the goals for Brendan Rodgers’ side at Anfield, but he can’t displace some of the big names in the starting XI.
It’s the same story for Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, who also pays the price for a 4-2-3-1 formation we’ve decided to employ.
Despite his goals for David Moyes at Old Trafford, he’s unable to break into this stunning side.
And so, without further ado, let’s crack on with the FIFA World Cup 2014 Dream Team. Let us know what you think, and who should have made this stunning side…
GK – Manuel Neuer - Germany
The 27-year-old stopper first donned the national team’s gloves in 2009, and has made the position his own with some imperious performances ever since.
He was first capped whilst playing for Schalke, and his move to Bayern Munich in 2011 has certainly helped keep him in the spotlight, winning Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy at the Allianz Arena.
Other keepers worth mentioning and unlucky not to make the team include Thiabut Courtois (Belgium), Hugo Lloris (France) and the legendary Gianluigi Buffon (Italy).
RB – Philipp Lahm – Germany
Arguably the most consistent full-back of his generation, Lahm has helped make Germany an extremely tough nut to crack on the international stage.
Joachim Low’s side play an exciting brand of football, and the 30-year-old has been part of it ever since the manager’s arrival in 2006. Indeed, he won the first of his 104 caps in 2004 – the same year Low became the assistant manager of the national team.
Captain of club and country, Lahm is another important cog in the Bayern Munich machine, and has been ever since he returned from a loan spell with Stuttgart.
Other honourable mentions in the position include Dani Alves (Brazil), Gregory Van der Wiel (Netherlands) and Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina).
CB – Thiago Silva – Brazil
Generally considered to be the best centre back in the world, this 29-year-old could hold the key to success for his nation on home soil in the summer.
Whilst the attacking players grab the headlines, the defence has often been Brazil’s area of weakness on the big stage. That could change with Silva in top form for the samba stars.
A Ligue 1 title winner with PSG, he appears to be finding his very best form at just the right time.
CB – Ezequiel Garay – Argentina
A potentially contentious selection, but Garay appears to be getting better as other more established names in world football begin to decline.
The Benfica defender has been linked with a number of top clubs in recent months, and his stock is certainly on the rise heading into this summer’s major tournament.
Of course, a number of others have missed out, with the likes of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique (both Spain) unlucky not to make the cut. Vincent Kompany
and Giorgio Chiellini will also hope to have big tournaments.
LB – Jan Vertonghen - Belgium
Whilst Vertonghen might prefer to play at centre back, he’s finding himself more and more in the left back position for club and country.
And, he’s certainly capable of doing the job, with the Spurs star strong in the tackle, solid in the air and capable on the ball. Belgium could go far in 2014, and it will be built on solid defensive performances.
Jordi Alba is another unlucky Spaniard at the back, whilst England duo Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines are both right up there in the world right now.
CM – Yaya Toure – Ivory Coast
Many pundits predicted the Ivorians would go well in 2010, but they ultimately failed to get out of the group stage.
This time, things might be different if the draw is kinder and Yaya produces his very best on the big stage.
CM – Andres Iniesta - Spain
Still only 29, the Barcelona superstar seems to have been around for an eternity - yet still produces the goods time after time for La Roja.
For a long time, Iniesta wasn’t the man stealing the headlines after making his international debut back in 2006. However, his winner in the World Cup final changed all that three years ago, and he’s now the main man for Vicente del Bosque’s side.
His inclusion means teammate Xavi doesn’t make the cut however, whilst Italian legend Andrea Pirlo is another to fail to make the cut. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) is another to miss out.
RW – Arjen Robben – Netherlands
To the business end of proceedings, and it’s Dutch winger Robben who makes the cut out wide on the right.
True, he benefits from this being the position that ‘the big two’ don’t occupy, but it would be hard to argue against the Bayern Munich star being in the team anyway because of his raw pace and ability to turn a match on its head.
The 29-year-old has 73 caps to his name, and this will be his sixth major tournament. After going so close in 2010, he’ll be eager to impress and go one better this year.
His inclusion means Angel di Maria (Argentina) and Thomas Muller (Germany) miss out.
CAM – Mesut Ozil - Germany
Playing behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation is German playmaker Ozil, who has taken the Premier League by storm so far this season at Arsenal.
The 25-year-old burst onto the international stage at the World Cup in South Africa, and hasn’t been out of Joachim Low’s side since when it comes to the big games.
He has the eye for a goal, but more importantly can create a chance from
nothing for his teammates.
Missing out, it’s Brazilian starlet Neymar who might feel the most aggrieved, whilst Spanish trio Cesc Fabregas, Isco and David Silva all have their qualities. Wayne Rooney might also have a case for England in this position.
LW – Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Having booked his nation’s place in the World Cup finals with another hat-trick, it would be simply impossible to not include Ronaldo in this dream team.
Power, pace, accuracy and agility are all words to describe the winger, who is more than capable in the air and can produce devastating delivery from set-pieces.
His inclusion means FIFA Ballon d’Or rival Franck Ribery misses out in the harshest of snubs, whilst Eden Hazard (Belgium) and Landon Donovan (USA) might also make an impact in South America.
ST – Lionel Messi – Argentina
He might not be your most traditional striker, but Messi is certainly a major asset when leading the line for club or country.
The diminutive Argentine has done it all in football – except win the World Cup
for his beloved Argentina of course, and that will certainly spur the 26-year-old next summer as he looks to add to his 37 goals.
Compatriot Sergio Aguero misses out, with Colombian hitman Radamel Falcao also unlucky to not make the cut. Robin van Persie is another who is amongst the world’s very best, whilst Luis Suarez is another who just falls short.
SUBS:
Replacements in a 23-man squad:
Gianluigi Buffon, Thiabut Courtois;
Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba;
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Andrea Pirlo, Franck Ribery, Neymar;
Radamel Falcao, Sergio Aguero, Robin van Persie.
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