The Definitive World Cup Preview (in Haiku Form)

Forget 140 characters; 17 syllables is all you really need to make a point.

The 2014 World Cup kicks off in Brazil on June 12, running until the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. Which groups are toughest? Which are easiest? Who are the top players to watch? Who might score some upsets, and who might get sent packing earlier than expected?

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Below, you'll find links to comprehensive previews of all eight World Cup groups. From Brazil's easy path to the knockout stage, to France's quest for redemption -- it's all there. As an added bonus, we've included mini previews in haiku form. Just because we love you.

Group A: Brazil, Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon

Neymar and Brazil

The team will feel right at home

This one's theirs to lose

In this Oct. 15, 2013 file photo, Brazil soccer team poses prior to the start their international friendly soccer match against Zambia at the Bird's Nest national stadium in Beijing, China. Credit: Ng Han Guan

Group B: Spain, Chile, Netherlands and Australia

Spanish dominance

Threatened by the Dutch again

But Chile lurks hard

Spain's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas, right, holds up his team's 2010 World Cup trophy before the start of an international friendly soccer match with Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Wednesday Aug. 11, 2010. Credit: Claudio Cruz

Group C: Colombia, Greece, Côte d'Ivoire and Japan

Radamel Falcao

The striker's gimpy leg is

One key to Group C

Colombia's Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Chile during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. Credit: Carlos Julio Martinez

Group D: Uruguay, Italy, England and Costa Rica

Rooney Rooney Roo

Will he score a goal at last?

England could use that

England's Wayne Rooney applauds the fans as he walks round the pitch after the World Cup Group H qualification soccer match between England and Poland at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth

Group E: Switzerland, France, Ecuador and Honduras

Oh France, quelle drama

2010 was a disgrace

It's redemption time

In this March 26, 2013 file photo, France's Christophe Jallet, left, and Yohan Cabaye challenge Spain's Andres Iniesta Lujuan during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris Credit: Christophe Ena

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria

For Messi and friends

Iran and Nigeria

Should be good to go

Peru's Gianmarco Gambetta falls to the ground while fighting for control of the ball with Argentina's Sergio Aguero during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. Credit: Eduardo Di Baia

Group G: Germany, Portugal, USA and Ghana

This harsh Group of Death

Means getting out alive is

One big ugly mess

Credit: Arnulfo Franco

Group H: Belgium, Russia, Algeria and South Korea

Belgium is so young

But Hazard? Freaking genius

Can they meet the hype?

Belgium's Eden Hazard, center, passes between Macedonia's Aleksandar Lazevski, left and Nikolce Noveski, right, during their World Cup 2014 Group A qualifying soccer match, at Philip II arena in Skopje, Macedonia, Friday, March 22, 2013. Credit: Boris Grdanoski

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