Group D was the only group in World Cup history with three former champions, yet underdog Costa Rica topped it undefeated, eliminating England and Italy.
Key Facts
- Teams in group
- Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
- Former world champions
- 3 (Uruguay, England, Italy)
- Group winner
- Costa Rica (undefeated)
- Play period
- 14 June – 24 June 2014
- Top-10 FIFA ranked teams
- 3 (as of October 2013 draw)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 2014 FIFA World Cup draw placed Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, and Italy in Group D, creating the only group in tournament history to contain three former world champions. Costa Rica entered as heavy underdogs, widely predicted to finish last among the three title-winning nations.
Matches in Group D were played between 14 and 24 June 2014 in Brazil. Costa Rica defeated Uruguay and Italy while drawing no games lost, finishing top of the group. England and Italy, both former champions, were eliminated in the group stage, while Uruguay advanced as runners-up.
Costa Rica's group-stage dominance shocked the football world and foreshadowed their run to the World Cup quarter-finals. England and Italy's early eliminations marked significant failures for two historically strong football nations, prompting widespread debate about their respective programs.