Listen to the full interview via the podcast 

The World Cup is just nine days and Off The Ball and Tim Vickery are struggling to contain our excitement.

But there will be a twinge of regret for everyone after one of the most fearsome football predators in recent years misses out on his first and possibly only chance at playing at a World Cup finals.

Colombia striker Falcao was unable to recover in time to make the 23-man squad for Brazil in what is a personal and national blow for the hero and country.

BBC South American football expert Tim reiterated his point from the time Falcao first received his injury.

Firstly he says the drawn out nature of his cruciate injury means it is not a huge surprise. But there is another consideration.

"Colombia have an interesting generation of strikers and he's a player who they can replace, maybe not with exactly the same quality, but not far. Carlos Bacca of Sevilla is a player getting better season after season and he looked very impressive in their last friendly," said Tim who also picked out Porto striker Jackson Martinez as the main beneficiary of Falcao's misfortune.

But he believes that Colombia's real problems are at the other end, although he thinks that Bacca's inclusion could allow them to play the five-man midfield manager Jose Pekerman was reluctant to try out with Falco in the team.

He expects them to progress from Group C and believes their hopes hinge on the second round match against the team that emerges from England's group.

Tim also explained why Colombia kept missing out on World Cups since 1998 and why James Rodriguez and Juan Fernando Quintero are the country's most important players this summer.

Tim also gave us an insight into the mood in Brazil as the days count down to the opening ceremony and what might happen if the Selecao are dumped out early.