Despite All Roadblocks: FIFA World Cup 2014 (Men) is a Go!?

Are you ready for some football?

Despite all the issues such as stadium preparation, traffic, labor disputes and continuous violence throughout the country, Brazil is a go for this year's FIFA Men's World Cup 2014.

32 teams have qualified late last year through confederational matches as well as the intercontinental playoffs. Brazil, the host country will begin play on Thursday as they take on Croatia.

Spain and Netherlands will play on Friday, a rematch of the FIFA World Cup final from 2010.

With several key players out for their respective teams, here are my odds for the 32 teams competing in Brazil:

Germany 5-2
Argentina 4-1
Uruguay 7-1
Brazil 8-1
Ghana 10-1
Netherlands 12-1
United States 12-1 (was 5-1 until Klinsmann's decision to not Landon Donovan play)
Spain 15-1
Italy 15-1
Nigeria 15-1
Belgium 20-1
France 20-1
Cameroon 25-1
Costa Rica 25-1
England 25-1
Switzerland 25-1
Ivory Coast 27-1
Japan 30-1
Russia 30-1 (we know the fix is in)
Honduras 32-1
Mexico 45-1
Australia 50-1
Croatia 50-1
Colombia 60-1
Greece 70-1
Chile 75-1
Ecuador 85-1
Portugal 90-1
Bosnia & Herzegovina 100-1
Republic of Korea 105-1
Iran 105-1
Algeria 150-1

Always note: when the World Cup is in the Americas a South American team wins (see the '94 World Cup for details). Could Brazil or Argentina do it? Who knows.

Remember, it starts Thursday and every match is live on Univision, UniMAS and ABC free-to-air and ESPN, here in the states.

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Brazil

106 days to go until the opening ceremonies of Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Brazil.

Brazil first competed in the winter Olympics was at Albertville 1992, and mostly in Alpine skiing. They have no medals to show for.

One spot is available for Sochi for Brazil, and it will come by way of ladies' singles figure skating.

Up next: British Virgin Islands

Wrong Way Kimi!

Check out this mishap by 2007 F1 champ Kimi Raikkonen at the F1 finale at Sao Paulo on Sunday:

Luckily he didn't crash. Good driving.

London 2012: Action Shots of the Day, day 1

Some of the first day of action in the Games of the XXX Olympiad! Women's football!

Men's football later today!

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Brazil

184 days to go until London. Next on the parade of nations: Brazil (BRA).

The host nation of the 2016 summer Olympics (Rio), they have been in summer Olympics competition since 1920. Since then, 91 medals were won.

At Beijing 2008, there were big winners from Brazil. One is Cesar Cielo Filho. Cielo Filho (pictured) won gold in the men's 50m free in the pool. Since then, he has faced suspensions for substance abuse (per Fina and WADA regulations). At Shanghai in July, he made his return to the pool.

Also at Beijing, women's volleyball won gold. It is one of three golds won by the Brazilian indoor volleyball teams in the summer Olympics. The other two were won by the men-at Athens 2004 and before then, at Barcelona 1992.

The nation also boasts a hearty beach volleyball program, with two teams winning gold since the sport was added to the slate of summer Olympic events at Atlanta 1996.

As of now, 16 sports will have at least one Brazilian athlete representing-including team sports. Both men's and women's basketball and football (soccer) will be there, as will women's handball and men's volleyball.

Up next: British Virgin Islands