England are out but here Sportsmail takes a look at the 10 reasons still to be cheerful about the 2014 World Cup

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It’s all over. England are jumping on a jet plane next week leaving the world’s best teams to carry on without them.

Thankfully, however, it’s far from over for the armchair viewer. Brazil 2014 is shaping up to be one of the best World Cups and the fun-filled fiesta still has until July 13th to run.

Looking on the bright side, the departure of Roy Hodgson, Steven Gerrard and Co means no more gnawed nails, no more sore throats caused by shouting at the TV, no more cursing schoolboy defending, no more Twitter thumb…no more caring.

The shackles can come off. We can settle back, cruise along in neutral, and enjoy what’s on offer.

There are so many reasons to be cheerful, and here Sportsmail outlines the top 10…

1) The battle for the Golden Boot:

So far this World Cup has been all about goals, goals and more goals.

Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie spearhead a European race to finish tournament top scorer with three apiece.

Van Persie’s diving header against Spain is still top contender for goal of the tournament and that is in the group stages, where historically teams have put caution before attack.

2) The Brazilian national anthem:
Spine-tingling singing by fans and players have turned the traditionally ‘boring bit’ into its own soap opera. David Luiz almost shouting, Neymar blubbering.

And the hair on the back of the neck standing to attention. For that reason alone, Brazil have to go all the way.

3) Gung-ho approach:

Even when there have been no goals, Brazil v Mexico for instance, there has been plenty of enterprise and entertainment.

In South Africa four years ago teams tended to be far more timid, far too frightened to lose.

Once the knock-out phase starts, the incentive will be even greater to go for it.

Bring it on.

4) Guillermo Ochoa’s future:

The Mexican goalkeeper was absolutely outstanding against Brazil, sending Twitter into overdrive.

Whether or not he has six fingers on one hand is still to be confirmed but what is not disputed is that he is a free transfer this summer.

Let’s have fun linking him to English clubs – presuming Mexico at least draw against Croatia on Monday.

5) The celebrations:

Daniel Sturridge’s wiggle may be absent but Colombia have set the bar high with their amazing choreographed dance.

Stand by for some more invention as the tournament goes on – and hopefully no more 23 players piling in on one another.

6) Neymar’s hair:

The Brazil striker has blond highlights and shaved sides for the Mexico game and has a tendency to keep changing his hairstyle every time he plays – no superstition there, then.

As long as he leaves the Mohican to last, he should be fine.

7) Martin O’Neill v Andros Townsend:

Eyebrows have been raised at the introduction of Spurs youngster Townsend as a pundit, for obvious reasons.

Veteran Martin O’Neill has already tagged him ‘whippersnapper’ and automatically disagrees with everything he says.

It makes for compulsive viewing.

8) Premier League links:

England may have gone but the domestic Premier League is still very much alive and well in Brazil. This is the point where club loyalties begin to dictate and teams get adopted.

Belgium is full of familiar faces, we all love to hate ex-Chelsea winger Arjen Robben and a keen eye will be kept on Mario Balotelli and Luis Suarez, the bad boys with a touch of class.

We can feel part of the World Cup, by association.

9) Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Copacabana:

That iconic view never pales. And pictures of bare-footed boys playing football on the sand, usually watched by attractive Brazilian women (even more gratuitous pictures) work every time.

The Brazil tourist board must be delighted.

10) And finally…the tears:

England fans have shed theirs so now it is the turn of other, better, countries to face heartbreak.

Watching grown men and women cry because their team has lost a football match is actually quite funny – especially if aforementioned men and women have painted faces, silly hats and keep pointing to the big screen.