Jose Mourinho makes World Cup final 16 predictions

Yahoo global football ambassador Jose Mourinho has kicked off our countdown to the 2014 World Cup by boldly predicting the 16 nations that will emerge from the group stages.

Talking to Yahoo's Melanie Collins and with the aid of a trusty tactic board, Jose navigates through each of the eight groups and does what most fans would do: by backing the people he likes most.

Nigeria's striker Michael Uchebo celebrates scoring the equalising goal against Scotland

 "I'm very emotional, I go always with my friends," Mourinho says before picking the Netherlands to finish as runners up in Group B behind Spain, since he and Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal worked together at Barcelona in the late '90s.
In Group C, he picks Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast to advance along with his surprise pick Greece - the Euro 2004 winners edging Colombia, much-fancied by some, and Asian champions Japan.
In Group D he couldn't choose, citing Uruguay's strength and his ties to England and Italy. "If I say England out, next season they don't let me coach here [at Chelsea]."

Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba celebrates qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

In Group E, Mourinho said, "I don't believe in another collapse for France" and chose them to win the group with Switzerland edging out Ecuador for the second spot.
In Group F, he has tipped Nigeria to edge out Iran - coached by his compatriot Carlos Queiroz - and Bosnia and Herzegovina to finish behind Argentina. Why? Well, the Super Eagles boast Chelsea's John Obi Mikel (Victor Moses was on loan at Liverpool all season, so I guess he doesn't count).

Cameroon's forward Vincent Aboubakar (R) celebrates with his teammates

In Group G, Mourinho is certain no one will finish with zero points, but he does see Germany finishing top with Portugal behind them. But, he added, that he's afraid for his native Portugal against the U.S.

Dutch forward Arjen Robben (L) vies for the ball with Ghanian midfielder Michael Essien

And finally, in Group H, he said "Belgium has the talent," but somewhat surprisingly went with Russia to finish first and Belgium second — perhaps due to their youthful inexperience. Bad news then for the Arab world's only representative, Algeria.

Algeria's forward Nabil Ghilas is congratuled by teammates after scoring

 And finally, in Group H, he said "Belgium has the talent," but somewhat surprisingly went with Russia to finish first and Belgium second — perhaps due to their youthful inexperience. Bad news then for the Arab world's only representative, Algeria.

 Here's how Jose sees the round of 16 shaping up...