The world’s most popular sport, on sports' grandest stage. It doesn't get much bigger than the soccer World Cup and it is just a few days away. Lives are about to be altered for the next month as us football and sport lovers turn in to what should be a celebration of the great game. Club rivalry is put to the side as nations go head to head to be crowned World Champions. Brazil will be rocking as the host nation has been waiting for this event for many years and know how to throw a party. With so much to get excited for I have picked the 5 things I’m most looking forward to in the 2014 World Cup:

1)      Seeing the Belgium team turn heads

The dark horse for this year’s world cup is most definitely this Belgium outfit. Maybe it’s my bias towards the Premier League, but there is so much talent in this squad that you can’t help but feel this could be a memorable tournament for them. With the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Jan Vertonghen, Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany and of course Arsenal’s club captain Thomas Vermaelen, there is just too much class here for anyone to overlook. Obviously all the pessimists out there talk about how there is little World Cup experience and the conditions won’t suit them, but so what! I really do think they will make the quarterfinals at least and will ruffle a few feathers. Please don’t let me down.

2)      Brazil’s boys playing in Brazil

They say there is nothing like watching a Brazil football game in Brazil. I assume a World Cup final in Brazil featuring Brazil would be right up there as well. All the pressure will be on the Brazilian team heading into this tournament as the millions of home town fans will expect nothing less than winning the trophy on their own soil. The whole atmosphere in Brazil will be something to behold and I’m sure they will get behind the other teams as they live and breathe football over there. It would be a right royal shame for the Brazilian team not to make it to at least the semis in the tournament, so for their sake I hope they go well.

3)      Cristiano Ronaldo

Regardless of his Portugal team being super average, it’s nice to still be able to watch Ronaldo perform his magic. You only have to look back as far as the Qualification playoffs to see that 1 man can potentially carry a team. He scored all the goals across the two game playoff and single-handedly carried them. He is currently the best footballer in the world, and on the biggest stage, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ronaldo show off his talent. I mean if I was him I would. Without him this Portugal team wouldn’t even be in the tournament so he might as well make it his show. I hope he does, because I am eagerly awaiting it.

4)      The African teams springing their 4 yearly upsets

Last time round it was Ghana who flew the flag for the African nations, making it through to the quarter finals before losing to Uruguay. In saying that they were a handball cheat away from going through to the semis so it was a pretty decent effort. This time round there is no real stand out African team, which in a way excites me. These nations thrive on the underdog status that is placed upon them, as they generally only have one or two well-known players and the rest are all local league players or footballers who have battled away their whole careers to get to where they are. Some teams will obviously be there for the experience and to see what it’s all about, however I believe the likes of Ivory Coast and Nigeria have a chance to be the darlings of the tournament. I will be watching them closely as at any moment these teams can spring an upset, and I am hoping to see a couple.

5)      England fans losing their shit

Every World Cup seems to be torture for all England fans. Whether it’s the coach not picking a fan favourite or another loss on penalties, England just always seem to screw things up. Expectations are always high regardless of how good the team is and you can bet for sure that the media will be all over them. Considering all this, maybe this England squad have it easier. A number of young players have been selected who have never really felt the brunt of the national squad outrage that is generally hammered down on them. They have a clean slate, which can’t be said for past English players. If they can put in a decent showing in the first game against Italy and manage at least a draw, I think they could go alright in Brazil. Whether they do or not is a whole another outcome. With so much expected it would be nice to see the English do well for once, but there will be millions out there who hope for the usual World Cup failure.

My tip for the Cup is Argentina. With the conditions suiting their South American style and not as much pressure on them as the Brazilians, I think they will go very well in the tournament. Any team with both Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero has to feared and I believe this could be their opportunity for greatness.