The worlds most anticipated sporting event is upon us. Brazil will open the 2014 World Cup at home Thursday against Croatia. You can listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050, 690, 1260 and TEAM 1410 starting at 4pm et/1pm pt. Thirty-two nations will compete to achieve world-wide soccer supremacy over the next month with plenty of intrigue and drama to be had in the process. The question is, who is your pick to hoist the Jules Rimet Trophy as World Cup champion on July 13? One of the obvious choices is the host team. Anything but a first place finish for captain Thiago Silva and the Brazilians would be a massive disappointment for the soccer-crazed nation. The club is stacked with young superstars like Neymar up front with experienced veterans on defence like Dante and Dani Alves. Brazil has what it takes to win it all, but will have to handle the pressure of playing on home soil. To be the champ you have to beat the champ and that is Spain. The defending World Cup champions and two-time defending European champions will be vying for a fourth straight major title in Brazil. They definitely have the horses to get it done with Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta and Juan Mata leading the way. Forward Diego Costa is also 100 per cent healthy after suffering from a nagging hamstring, adding to Spains lethal scoring weapons up front. Then there is the team who has arguably the best footballer in the world. Lionel Messi and Argentina will look to capture their first World Cup title since 1986 in Mexico. They looked to be on that path back in 2010 in South Africa until Germany trounced them in the quarterfinals. Messi was unable to score at that World Cup and will be looking for retribution. Germany always seems to be in the mix and theres no reason 2014 should be any different. Germanys strength is their midfield which could be the best in the whole tournament. Even with the absence of Marco Rues and the questionable health of Sami Khedira, the German midfield is still one to be reckoned with. Germany is one of the most well-rounded squads in the tournament and will be a tough challenge for any opponent. Uruguay is a strong entry too, but with the uncertainty of elite striker Luis Suarez due to recent knee surgery, the South American team might be in a tough position. Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese club along with Belgium, Netherlands and Croatia are all teams that could surprise some people too. Its a tough call, but its yours to make. Who will win the World Cup? As always, its Your! Call. Austin Riley Jersey . That assertion is getting harder and harder to make, especially given the way 23-year-old Danilo Gallinari has been playing this season. Luis Polonia Jersey . - A lot of scenarios ran through Terrell Suggs head when the Baltimore linebacker prepared to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. http://www.custombravesjersey.com/custom-tucker-davidson-jersey-large-1827z.html . The 41-year-old Northern Irishman has proved a perfect fit at Liverpool since taking over from Kenny Dalglish in the summer of 2012 and steered the team to an unexpected title challenge in the Premier League last season. Ender Inciarte Jersey . Ribery terrorized the Schalke defence throughout and put the home side ahead in the 36th minute when he chipped the goalkeeper before stroking the ball into the empty net. The French winger struck again after the interval, combining with Thomas Mueller on the left before firing a deflected shot beyond the helpless Timo Hildebrand in the 55th, as Bayern bounced back from Wednesdays 1-0 loss at FC Basel in the Champions League. Bob Uecker Jersey . It was considered unlikely that Rielly would be loaned to Canada for the tournament, which begins Dec. 26 in Malmo, Sweden, though a stretch of three straight games in the press box made it something of a debate.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Panthers coach Ron Rivera expects to use a running back-by-committee approach against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.With starter DeAngelo Williams out with a sprained ankle and Jonathan Stewart doubtful with a sprained knee, Rivera said Friday that Fozzy Whittaker, Darrin Reaves and recently signed Chris Ogbonnaya will split carries.Rivera said Whittaker and Reaves will get the majority of carries, but hell gravitate toward using the back with the hot hand.It really depends on who looks the best early on, Rivera said. Each guy is going to get some carries early. ... It Fozzy starts having one of those games like he did against Kansas City or Pittsburgh (in the preseason) that could be exciting for him, and for us.Whittaker combined for 162 yards and two touchdowns in those two games and led the Panthers in rushing in the preseason.Mike Tolbert and Richie Brockel will not play, leaving the Panthers without a true fullback.The Panthers didnt sign a replacement free agent fullback this week. Rivera said tight end Brandon Williams and Ed Dickson could see action at that spot. However, Dicksons status for Sunday is up in the air. Rivera said he will make a game-time decision on Dickson (hip).Rivera said Stewart worked very well on the side, but isnt quite ready for game action.He took a big step, Riverra said.ddddddddddddWilliams, the franchises all-time leading rusher, will miss the next two games and possibly more. He tweeted a picture of himself earlier this week wearing a pink cast on his ankle.The Panthers (2-2) enter the game ranked 29th in the league in offence and averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, one of the main reasons for their current two-game losing streak.Quarterback Cam Newton has been a non-factor in the running game. One of the leagues most dangerous quarterbacks with his feet the past three seasons, Newton has only eight carries for 33 yards in three starts.Well see how he feels, Rivera said. Thats what is all based upon, how he looks and how hes feeling more so than anything else. We really havent had an opportunity to put the girth of his plays in for him. So well see. It will depend on how hes feeling.Defensive end Charles Johnson returned to work Friday after missing two days of practice with a hip injury and is probable for Sunday.The Panthers can ill afford to lose Johnson, particularly with Greg Hardy out indefinitely while dealing with the fallout from a domestic violence conviction and Frank Alexander suspended an additional 10 games this week for a second violation of the leagues substance abuse policy.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '