Let the games begin!
Our work with the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour showed us the power of the World Cup. It’s a chance to set aside differences and commune as people in the name of sport. To celebrate the beginning of this World Cup, we commissioned the help of Mitch Rozansky -- former division 1 footballer and prominent footy columnist. We hope you enjoy this wonderful preview compiled by Mitch and the 2018 FIFA World Cup!
The Beautiful Game's Most Grand Stage
By Mitch Rozansky
Every four years, the world gathers around their television boxes to watch one of sport’s most predominant events take place: the FIFA World Cup. In 2014, the World Cup final alone reeled in over one billion viewers. The most watched Super Bowl, to date, was Super Bowl XLIX in 2015 with 114.4 million viewers.
So yeah, this one’s pretty big.
Although the American squad won’t be traveling to Russia this year, thanks to a disappointing qualifying campaign, it’s still one of the most anticipated World Cups in recent years.
This time around, there’s no outright favorite to hoist the trophy come July. Instead, there are multiple front-runners who will certainly help make this an entertaining month.
The holders, Germany, are of course towards the front of the race again. Unbelievable squad depth and undeniable experience at this stage gives them a huge advantage. Germany usually steers clear of controversy, but this time around is different. Head coach Joachim Löw has come under fire for leaving star Manchester City player and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Young Player of the Year Leroy Sané at home. His decision to select Bayer Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt over Sané was an odd one considering the City winger boasted more goals and more than tripled the amount of Brandt’s assists this season.
Much of the attention will also be focused on German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who hasn’t played a professional match for eight months due to injury problems. Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he’s been named the starting goalkeeper despite his long absence. Overall, when it comes to the big stage, the experience of being there before is massive and Germany should have no problem getting far once again.
Both Spain and Brazil are looking to bounce back from embarrassing exits in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Just four years after winning the tournament in 2010, Spain bowed out of the 2014 competition after two crushing defeats in the group stage to the Netherlands and Chile. Don’t expect that to happen again. This year, Spain are poised to make a run. La Furia Roja, or ‘the red fury,’ are bolstered by a world-class midfield. Their creative, technical and smart midfield core will be key in just how far they can go this time around.
Brazil’s 2014 blunder came when they reached the semi-finals stage. A 7-1 defeat to Germany in their own backyard lead to a devastated country. Such a calamitous embarrassment cannot be tolerated by a team with such an exceptional history in the sport. This squad of Brazilians won’t let that happen again. The Seleção’s (The Squad) three-headed dragon of Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus will be a nightmare for any team’s defenders. Their sheer attacking threat matched with their magesterial Brazilian flair could easily propel them to World Cup glory.
France, Argentina and Belgium all have an equally good shot at winning the competition. France and Belgium both possess an immense array of talent in every position. From Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe to Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba... the French are a skilled bunch. Belgium boast that same talent with stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Vincent Kompany.
While both squads certainly have the arsenal of a World Cup winning team, they lack experience. France’s squad, more so than Belgium, consists of some very young players. As good as they can be on their day, it’s the notion of having been there before and playing with the pressure of knowing the entire country’s eyes are on you that could be their downfall. Belgium can also fall victim to the pressure. Their achilles heel over the past few years has been mental toughness. If the Red Devils can be strong psychologically and think together as a team, they’ll be a fun team to watch.
Argentina’s chances will rely on the solidity of their backline. While the likes of Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala will terrorize opposition teams, it’s their defense that has long been criticized. It’s no doubt that Messi will be at the center of Argentina’s success, but he needs his supporting cast for this one.
Favorites don’t always come out on top. Every sport or sports tournament has their dark horses and the FIFA World Cup is no different. Portugal, England and Croatia are the three teams that could find themselves in the tournament’s later stages. At 33-years-old, this could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last chance for, literally, the only trophy not in his cabinet. The Portuguese star has won everything there is to win, except the FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo and Portugal shocked the world two summers ago when they were crowned champions of Europe after finishing behind Hungary and Iceland in the group stages. With a squad full of talent, Portugal will look to repeat history at the biggest of stages.
England and disappointment go hand in hand. They haven’t lived up to the billing in recent years causing lots of skepticism among their fans. A new, younger generation of English stars will get their chance in Russia this summer. A killer instinct, confidence and optimism could prove to be the recipe for success for The Three Lions. The Croatian players are also no strangers to criticism from their own fans. In recent years, Croatian ‘supporters’ have questioned whether some players and coaches were giving their all. This has since caused a divide between fans and the majority of the players feeling upset. That being said, this summer provides the chance for new beginnings. A successful tournament is just what this country needs.
The only guarantee is that anything can happen. In 2014, both Spain and England didnt’t make it out of their groups and Costa Rica battled their way into the Quarterfinals.
Things are looking even more unpredictable this Summer. With the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referees), this will be a World Cup unlike any other. For the first time in this fight for international glory referees will have the opportunity to stop the game and give either his colleagues or himself a moment to review the play. VAR has been highly criticized around the globe, but FIFA were adamant in implementing it this summer.
If goals are what you want, you’ll have plenty. The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins June 14th in Russia.
