2014 FIFA World Cup group stage

The group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup took place in Brazil from 12 June 2014 to 26 June 2014: each team played three matches. The group stage was notable for a scarcity of draws and a large number of goals. The first drawn (and goalless) match did not occur until the 13th match of the tournament, between Iran and Nigeria: a drought longer than any FIFA World Cup since 1930. The group stage produced a total of 136 goals, nine fewer than were scored during the entire 2010 tournament. This is the largest number of goals in the group stage since the 32-team system was implemented in 1998 and the largest average in a group stage since 1958.

After the second set of games, six teams had already guaranteed their progress into the knockout stage: Netherlands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina and Belgium. In contrast, teams eliminated early after two losses included defending champions Spain and 1966 champions England, who were eliminated at the group stage for the first time since 1958. The 2006 champions, Italy were also eliminated who scored only two goals, their lowest tally since 1966. Spain became the fourth nation to be eliminated in the first round while holding the World Cup crown, the first one being Brazil in 1966, the second France in 2002 and the third Italy in 2010.

Eight of ten teams from the Americas (CONCACAF and CONMEBOL) advanced to the knockout stage, this being the first time CONCACAF had three teams among the last 16. Africa (CAF) got two teams in the knockout stage for the first time. By contrast, teams from Asia (AFC) put up their worst performance since 1990, all finishing at the bottom of their groups without winning any games. Only 6 of the 13 UEFA teams advanced to the knockout stage, the fewest under the present format (equalled in the 2010 World Cup).

Costa Rica overcame and won a group of three former World Cup Champions to reach their first knockout stage since 1990. Germany won a group made up entirely of knockout stage participants in the 2010 World Cup. Greece and Algeria qualified for the knockout stage for the first time. Nigeria (44th) were the lowest-ranked team in FIFA rankings to advance, while Spain (1st) was the highest-ranked team to be eliminated.