I've been doing this blog long enough that I did this for both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Anyway, third times the charm.
A is for Anthems
I forget which World Cup it was, but ESPN once decided to run a series of ads that were based on playing anthems from various countries. It was perfect. The anthems beginning the games are too. Arguably at its best in 2014, when anytime a South American team played, the fans sang out the second and third verses of anthems long after teh music ended. That is what it is all about. The anthems are a truly great way to start every game. Given how ridiculous all the nonsense is in the US, it is nice to see a place where teh anthem actually makes sense.
B is for Brazil's Redemption
I still remember where I was when 7-1 happened. I was actually at work, with the game DVRed at home. I was trying my best not to figure out what happened, but our main stakeholder, who was Brazilian, was wearing the result on his face. Four years later, Brazil should be set to explode. They are actually timed up to be better this time around than when they hosted. The Brazilian team should be great. Neymar is healthy. The nidfield is brilliant. The defense is still very questionable, but overall Brazil should be the full out Jogo Bonito team we all hoped they would be in 2014. They have a chance to make amends for a scarring defeat, and here's hoping they do it.
C is for Croatia
Croatia has always had talent. They made the semifinals in 1998, but then disappointed in 2002, 2006 and 2014, not making it out of the group stage each time. They are in a tough group, with Argentina, Nigeria (always a bit difficult), and Euro 2016 darlings Iceland, who given they won their qualifying group, have graduated beyond Cindarella at this point. Croatia's midfield might be the tournaments best, and while winning through the midfield is a bit more passe now than it was in 2010 and 2014, it shoudl still be great watching Modric, Rakitic and Perisic lob the ball back and forth. For Madric, this is probably his last shot at making some noise, and for a guy slowly piling up an impeccable resume at the club level, he deserves to make a knockout round.
D is for De Bruyne
Consider him representing the entire Belgium in this selection. De Bruyne had a great year at Man City, and headlines what again on paper is a superb team, from keeper Courtois, through a stacked midfield with De Bruyne and Hazard, to Lokaku up front. None of this matters if they can't make it to the quarterfinals and put up a better effort once there. De Bruyne is the best player on the team, and really needs to take it on himself to get it done.
E is for English Fumes
Oh the English, the country that still acts like they've invented the game, long after their national team stopped competing for titles, and even after their domestic league has been passed, at least in quality, by Spain. The handover to the new generation is complete, with few if any holdovers from their 'golden generation' that did no better than back to back quarterfinal appearances. The team should be decent, but you still get the feeling they are going to disappoint. Whether it be manager Gareth Southgate, whom no one seems to think that highly of, to a team full of slight above average players. The English got an easy enough group, but you still imagine it will be tough for them to break the seal into teh Semifinals; actually wouldn't give them a good shot at even the quarterfinals.
F is for Furia Roja
Spain's attempt to make amends for their own disaster in 2014 got a late curveball when Julen Lopetegui was announced (if not outed by rumor leaking) as manager of Real Madrid, set to take over once the World Cup ends. Apparently, Spain's federation president is so upset he's considering firing Lopetegui immediately, which would be hilarious. The Spain team is a bit different than their 2010 incarnation that tiki-taka-ed its way to ruthless brilliance, with a bit more verve and directness. They should be really fun to watch; let's just hope internal drama (especially if it was a Barca player who found out and outed Lopetegui) doesn't overshadow and outweigh a great team.
G is for Golden Generations
Every tournament has its 'Golden Generation' countries who are holding onto dear life their best set of players ever. There was a good gaggle of them in 2006 (France, Italy, Portugal, Argentina - some of them retooled very quickly); less so in 2010 (people thought Holland, but they extended their run surprisingly to 2014). In 2018, there are few candidates that jump off the page; one is Belgium, though their players are young enough to give a good go in 2022. To me, the best bet is Germany. Given they are Germany, likely they'll make the semifinals in 2022 anyway, but their core group that was so brilliant from 2008-2018 will be ending here. This is likely Neuer's last World Cup, same with Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Jerome Boateng, and others, having already lost Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger to the wind. Germany will always be great, but a special group, one that won a world cup, is heading out.
H is for Host Nation
Historically, the host nation always got a bit of a bump. The best examples were all fairly recent too, with the US making it to the Round of 16 in 1994, France winning in '98, Korea shockingly making the semifinals in '02, and Germany getting reborn making the semifinals in '06. That's gone away. South Africa crashed out in the group stage (first host ever). Brazil made it to the semifinals, but 7-1 may have well been a loss in the group stage. Russia has been building to this moment, but they seemed to peak 10 years ago, when they made the semifinals in Euro 2008. They've disappointed in international competition since and don't seem to have a path to do better. The group is easy (a little too easy....). There is a chance they surprise, but it will be interesting to see how the crowds react if Russia struggles.
I is for Iniesta
Iniesta is our token 'old guy looking for one last glory' this time around. He's not retiring from football, but given he's going to Japan he basically is. There are a lot of parallels to him and Zidane in 2006. Both were legendary central midfielders who accomplished everything. Both won the World Cup, and scored the World Cup winning goal, eight years prior. Both played for teams that still had vestiges of past glory, but time seemed to have slipped them by. Both had managers that no one trusted, made even more obvious by the current Lopetegui drama. Maybe, just maybe, Iniesta can have a similar final moment - hopefully without a nasty headbut at the end.
J is for Jerseys
Yes, I realize they're called 'kits' in this world, but whatever. Let's go with it. I love the reveal of what each team will wear. I love that they have to get creative, in that the basic tenets and color scheme will always be the same, but they have to find a way to be creative all over again. The Nigeria shirts have gotten all the press - selling 3m units in minutes - but all of them are great in their own way. I love Brazil going with a brighter blue than ever before. I love Germany's little chest design. I love the argyle pattern with Belgium, or the striping on Spain's shirt. They're all great. The colors of the World Cup is one of the special features that never gets old.
K is for Keylor Navas
He may be on his way out of Madrid (for the fifth straight offseason, seemingly), but he'll be well back at home at the World Cup for the tifos. Navas made his mark with Costa Rica's brilliant run to the Quarterfinals in 2014. The team is back, with mostly the same lineup (maybe they are the 'Golden Generation' team?). Navas can re-bolster his place at Madrid with another great world cup. I can't wait to see him try. The group is do-able, aside from Brazil, but even the game against Brazil should give ample opportunity for Navas to make more highlight saves.
L is for Lopsided Groups
The groups this time around seem so scattered. No true conventional group of death, but many that seem just weak, with a quartet that seem strong. Group A with Russia is a joke - makes you believe the hanky-panky with groups that Michel Platini recently alluded to is still going on. Group B of course has Spain and Portugal. Group C is back to joke-ville, Group D has Argentina, Iceland and Croatia. Group E is mainly just Brazil, while F has four teams that all have been good at various times - to where Korea, usually a competitor to get out of the group, basically has no shot. Group G is fun, but with no truly great team, and finally Group H is the anti-group-of-death. Just a weird tournament set-up.
M is for Messi
I'm pretty sure Messi was my 'M' in 2010 and 2014 as well. So long has he been a prominent player - arguably the prominent player. Since 2014, his Argentina lost a Copa America final, he momentarily quit International football, got his old coach fired, got a new one hired. Argentina is no better than it was in 2014, Messi himself is likely no better, but he can still produce some magic. Messi will technically be young enough to be back in 2026, let alone 2022, but likely not as a talisman-worthy player. This is last shot for that.
N is for Neymar
Hey, here's another guy who has a lot to gain for his legacy! Neymar was very good in 2014, right until he hurt his knee in the quarterfinal. Neymar has always been at his best for Brazil - his scoring rate in the Brazil team is unreal. He gets a chance to spread his wings in this one, aged perfectly with a team too as well. More than the other top players, the ones who can truly make a lasting name with a World Cup, he's in the best position to do so. He had the strangest last twelve months, a strangeness that can only continue if he were to force his way out of PSG, but before we go back to transfer madness, he gets a chance to remind the world that ignored him in France just how good he can be.
O is for Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole
Ah yes, the singing and chanting, the true noise of the World Cup. Whether it is the everpresent 'Ole' chants, or the now pretty awful but still cool when done well Seven Nation Army, or the more recent one that has become pretty present in Spain. My biggest issue with the South Africa 2010 World Cup was vuvuzelas drowning out real crowd noise. Let's never allow that to happen again. Germany was great, Brazil was great. Russia should be great. Man, do I wish I planned my vacation better and went over to our great mother russia for two weeks right about now.
P is for PKs
At some point, the scourge of PKs will rear its ugly head. I've alternated between loving and hating the idea of PKs deciding big matches like this. On one hand, it truly is dramatic, giving us moments that have been removed since teh Golden Goal was taken away with after 2002. On the other, what a shit way to end a game after 120 minutes. I love the karma-driven reality where no team has won successive PKs in a tournament - we saw this in huge effect last time in 2014. In teh Round of 16, Costa Rica beat Greece, then lost to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, who lost to Argentina in the semifinals. Hopefully with offense imbuing the game - the Champions League was as wide open as ever - we can maybe escape PKs, but more likely, some Jens Lehmann type will get famous for reading a small index card of tendencies.
Q is for Qatar
The story has already been written, that this is the last 'true' World Cup, as the hideousy that is Qatar is fast approaching, be it the fact it has to happen in Winter (interrupting the domestic club season), and being played in a country that has literally killed hundreds of migrant workers building up stadiums that will likely not be used again to any real degree. I can't believe it is still actually going to happen. But anway, enjoy it when you can. Somehow, Russia will look like the above-board, normal World Cup four years from now. Isn't that something.
R is for Ronaldo
He has his major National Team trophy - leading Portugal to teh Euros in 2016. Of course, some will try to strip away his import because he got hurt and missed most of the final. Screw that. Ronaldo was great. Portugal has had great success under - even their losses in major competitions have been close (1-0 in '06, 3-2 in '08, 1-0 in '10, PKs in 2012). He has a slight chance to truly make a mark here, and it can start right away with Spain - suddenly in slight turmoil with La Affair Lopetegui - and if he can best them and win the group, the draw can really open up. It isn't impossible. In reality, it is impossible, but few things are for Ronaldo.
S is for Switzerland and South Korea
In each of the last four world cups, either one or both of these teams have made the knockout rounds. They've even won groups, and made deep runs (South Korea, stealing and PKing its way to the Semifinals in 2002). Neither plays a particularly attractive brand of soccer. Both have just one truly recognizable star anyone has to care about: Son Hueng-Min (25, plays at Tottenham) and Xherdan Shaqiri (26, Stoke - guess he's fallen further than I realized). Both are in groups that are stealable (2nd place, at least). One of them will annoyingly make it through, and play a drab, dour Round of 16 game.
T is for (el) Tri
I feel bad for Mexico, truly snake-bitten having been knocked out in the Round of 16 each time since 1994. They are a soccer-mad country; something I experienced first-hand when I was in Queretaro in 2014 - right before the last World Cup. The losses are harrowing, a 2-0 loss to the US in 2002, losing to Maxi Rodriguez's wonder-goal in 2006, getting screwed out of a goal in 2010 before a 3-1 loss to Argentina, and then Arjen Robben's dubious 93rd minute penalty to break a 1-1 tie last time around. At some point, it should end. Of course, one of the most likely outcomes for Mexico is finishing 2nd to Germany in Group F, and playing the winner of Group E in the quarterfinals: Brazil. There's no great outcome here. Maybe they shock the world, more likely they continue this ridiculous run of being good enough to be bad enough to lose in the Round of 16 time after time.
U is for Uruguay
I intentionally omitted them when talking about teams with a closing Golden Generation, because they are that team. Uruguay fits perfectly, with generational talents and generational stability, dating back to their Semifinal run in 2010. With 2014, with a Suarez that wasn't suspended for biting people, maybe they beat Colombia in the Round of 16. The team is still largely the same as 2006, with captain Diego Godin, goalkeeper Muslera, guys like Cavani and of course Suarez. Even the coach, in Oscar Tabarez, is the same. Other than maybe Suarez, none of the names mentioned are likely to return in four years time. This is it for the rebirth of Uruguay, the country that, lest we forget, won the first World Cup. The rebirth has been great, from that particular hue of blue on the jerseys, to their anthem, to their Atletico Madrid-esque style. It has all been great.
V is for Viking Clap
Oh Iceland, the great story of all time is back. I still am dumbfounded by their 2016 run, especially those ridiculous stats like '30% of the country is in the stadium' or whatever it was. Nothing was better than the team leading the Viking Clap after each successive win - even if it led to the Minnesota Vikings sadly trying to co-opt it. Anyway, Iceland is back on merits, winning its qualifying group, actually one of the Pot 2 teams in the World Cup group (ie: expected to go through on merit). Iceland is so great. Chances are they'll go back to being a world football minnow eventually, but for right now just fucking enjoy this amazing run by the smallest country competing in this tournament.
W is for Wingbacks?
This is my stand-in for whatever tactical nuance takes over in this edition. In 2010, it was tiki-taka. In 2014, it was countering, and playing three in the back with two wing-backs - I remember Holland getting a lot of plaudits for this. That syle permeated club football as well in the subsequent years - including with Juventus. What will it be this time - maybe a continuation of playing over the top, which worked so well for Liverpool, or a more fluid style. It is an interesting time in world football tactics wise, with no prevailing method other than the pressing. Of course, given Real has no discrenable style the last three years, maybe this is the time period of anti-tactics.
X is for X-Raying Refs
OK, it should have been VAR, but whatever. We've had VAR now in major European leagues (notably not the Champions League), but this will be interesting at the World Cup. Overall, I like VAR so far, it has done a good job of not being too intrusive but still correcting issues. What I don't like is the recent rumors that linesman have been told to err on the side of letting plays go on because VAR can correct a play given on-side when off, but not the reverse. In theory, it makes sense, but I don't want VAR to change the way the refs do their job, just correct them when they do it.
Y is for Youth
In 2006, it was Messi and Ronaldo. In 2010, it was Muller and Suarez. In 2014, it was James Rodriguez. Each world cup produces superstars, people that would beecome integral figures in teh sport in the years to come. Who will it be this time? The headliners are guys like Kylian M'bappe (still just 19), or Marco Asensio (21), or maybe it is some unknown on a country we aren't really thinking about that makes a shock run to the quarterfinals. There will be a player, someone who gets bought by Real Madrid or Barcelona in August. I can't wait until that player reveals himself.
Z is for Zidane
He was my 'Z' in 2010, which made some sense he had dominated the previous World Cup. He was my 'Z' in 2014 too, but that was mostly trying to shoehorn him in for some reason. Of course, he is a lot more relevant to World Football in 2018 than he was in 2014, given all he did in the interim three years was win teh Champions League THREE TIMES. His legacy will loom large, whether it be over Didier Deschamps job - anything short of a semifinals and he's probably sacked with the idea of Zidane taking over, to even the fantasy reddit idea that he may come in to take over from a quickly-axed Lopetegui (not going to happen). In reality, I just wanted to talk about Zidane again. But let's put it this way, Zidane is responsible for two of the greatest moments in the World Cup in the last 20 years. Twenty years ago he scored twice to beat Brazil on home soil. Twelve years ago, he headbutted Mattarazi. Can someone, for reasons good or bad, match these moments?
A is for Anthems
I forget which World Cup it was, but ESPN once decided to run a series of ads that were based on playing anthems from various countries. It was perfect. The anthems beginning the games are too. Arguably at its best in 2014, when anytime a South American team played, the fans sang out the second and third verses of anthems long after teh music ended. That is what it is all about. The anthems are a truly great way to start every game. Given how ridiculous all the nonsense is in the US, it is nice to see a place where teh anthem actually makes sense.
B is for Brazil's Redemption
I still remember where I was when 7-1 happened. I was actually at work, with the game DVRed at home. I was trying my best not to figure out what happened, but our main stakeholder, who was Brazilian, was wearing the result on his face. Four years later, Brazil should be set to explode. They are actually timed up to be better this time around than when they hosted. The Brazilian team should be great. Neymar is healthy. The nidfield is brilliant. The defense is still very questionable, but overall Brazil should be the full out Jogo Bonito team we all hoped they would be in 2014. They have a chance to make amends for a scarring defeat, and here's hoping they do it.
C is for Croatia
Croatia has always had talent. They made the semifinals in 1998, but then disappointed in 2002, 2006 and 2014, not making it out of the group stage each time. They are in a tough group, with Argentina, Nigeria (always a bit difficult), and Euro 2016 darlings Iceland, who given they won their qualifying group, have graduated beyond Cindarella at this point. Croatia's midfield might be the tournaments best, and while winning through the midfield is a bit more passe now than it was in 2010 and 2014, it shoudl still be great watching Modric, Rakitic and Perisic lob the ball back and forth. For Madric, this is probably his last shot at making some noise, and for a guy slowly piling up an impeccable resume at the club level, he deserves to make a knockout round.
D is for De Bruyne
Consider him representing the entire Belgium in this selection. De Bruyne had a great year at Man City, and headlines what again on paper is a superb team, from keeper Courtois, through a stacked midfield with De Bruyne and Hazard, to Lokaku up front. None of this matters if they can't make it to the quarterfinals and put up a better effort once there. De Bruyne is the best player on the team, and really needs to take it on himself to get it done.
E is for English Fumes
Oh the English, the country that still acts like they've invented the game, long after their national team stopped competing for titles, and even after their domestic league has been passed, at least in quality, by Spain. The handover to the new generation is complete, with few if any holdovers from their 'golden generation' that did no better than back to back quarterfinal appearances. The team should be decent, but you still get the feeling they are going to disappoint. Whether it be manager Gareth Southgate, whom no one seems to think that highly of, to a team full of slight above average players. The English got an easy enough group, but you still imagine it will be tough for them to break the seal into teh Semifinals; actually wouldn't give them a good shot at even the quarterfinals.
F is for Furia Roja
Spain's attempt to make amends for their own disaster in 2014 got a late curveball when Julen Lopetegui was announced (if not outed by rumor leaking) as manager of Real Madrid, set to take over once the World Cup ends. Apparently, Spain's federation president is so upset he's considering firing Lopetegui immediately, which would be hilarious. The Spain team is a bit different than their 2010 incarnation that tiki-taka-ed its way to ruthless brilliance, with a bit more verve and directness. They should be really fun to watch; let's just hope internal drama (especially if it was a Barca player who found out and outed Lopetegui) doesn't overshadow and outweigh a great team.
G is for Golden Generations
Every tournament has its 'Golden Generation' countries who are holding onto dear life their best set of players ever. There was a good gaggle of them in 2006 (France, Italy, Portugal, Argentina - some of them retooled very quickly); less so in 2010 (people thought Holland, but they extended their run surprisingly to 2014). In 2018, there are few candidates that jump off the page; one is Belgium, though their players are young enough to give a good go in 2022. To me, the best bet is Germany. Given they are Germany, likely they'll make the semifinals in 2022 anyway, but their core group that was so brilliant from 2008-2018 will be ending here. This is likely Neuer's last World Cup, same with Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Jerome Boateng, and others, having already lost Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger to the wind. Germany will always be great, but a special group, one that won a world cup, is heading out.
H is for Host Nation
Historically, the host nation always got a bit of a bump. The best examples were all fairly recent too, with the US making it to the Round of 16 in 1994, France winning in '98, Korea shockingly making the semifinals in '02, and Germany getting reborn making the semifinals in '06. That's gone away. South Africa crashed out in the group stage (first host ever). Brazil made it to the semifinals, but 7-1 may have well been a loss in the group stage. Russia has been building to this moment, but they seemed to peak 10 years ago, when they made the semifinals in Euro 2008. They've disappointed in international competition since and don't seem to have a path to do better. The group is easy (a little too easy....). There is a chance they surprise, but it will be interesting to see how the crowds react if Russia struggles.
I is for Iniesta
Iniesta is our token 'old guy looking for one last glory' this time around. He's not retiring from football, but given he's going to Japan he basically is. There are a lot of parallels to him and Zidane in 2006. Both were legendary central midfielders who accomplished everything. Both won the World Cup, and scored the World Cup winning goal, eight years prior. Both played for teams that still had vestiges of past glory, but time seemed to have slipped them by. Both had managers that no one trusted, made even more obvious by the current Lopetegui drama. Maybe, just maybe, Iniesta can have a similar final moment - hopefully without a nasty headbut at the end.
J is for Jerseys
Yes, I realize they're called 'kits' in this world, but whatever. Let's go with it. I love the reveal of what each team will wear. I love that they have to get creative, in that the basic tenets and color scheme will always be the same, but they have to find a way to be creative all over again. The Nigeria shirts have gotten all the press - selling 3m units in minutes - but all of them are great in their own way. I love Brazil going with a brighter blue than ever before. I love Germany's little chest design. I love the argyle pattern with Belgium, or the striping on Spain's shirt. They're all great. The colors of the World Cup is one of the special features that never gets old.
K is for Keylor Navas
He may be on his way out of Madrid (for the fifth straight offseason, seemingly), but he'll be well back at home at the World Cup for the tifos. Navas made his mark with Costa Rica's brilliant run to the Quarterfinals in 2014. The team is back, with mostly the same lineup (maybe they are the 'Golden Generation' team?). Navas can re-bolster his place at Madrid with another great world cup. I can't wait to see him try. The group is do-able, aside from Brazil, but even the game against Brazil should give ample opportunity for Navas to make more highlight saves.
L is for Lopsided Groups
The groups this time around seem so scattered. No true conventional group of death, but many that seem just weak, with a quartet that seem strong. Group A with Russia is a joke - makes you believe the hanky-panky with groups that Michel Platini recently alluded to is still going on. Group B of course has Spain and Portugal. Group C is back to joke-ville, Group D has Argentina, Iceland and Croatia. Group E is mainly just Brazil, while F has four teams that all have been good at various times - to where Korea, usually a competitor to get out of the group, basically has no shot. Group G is fun, but with no truly great team, and finally Group H is the anti-group-of-death. Just a weird tournament set-up.
M is for Messi
I'm pretty sure Messi was my 'M' in 2010 and 2014 as well. So long has he been a prominent player - arguably the prominent player. Since 2014, his Argentina lost a Copa America final, he momentarily quit International football, got his old coach fired, got a new one hired. Argentina is no better than it was in 2014, Messi himself is likely no better, but he can still produce some magic. Messi will technically be young enough to be back in 2026, let alone 2022, but likely not as a talisman-worthy player. This is last shot for that.
N is for Neymar
Hey, here's another guy who has a lot to gain for his legacy! Neymar was very good in 2014, right until he hurt his knee in the quarterfinal. Neymar has always been at his best for Brazil - his scoring rate in the Brazil team is unreal. He gets a chance to spread his wings in this one, aged perfectly with a team too as well. More than the other top players, the ones who can truly make a lasting name with a World Cup, he's in the best position to do so. He had the strangest last twelve months, a strangeness that can only continue if he were to force his way out of PSG, but before we go back to transfer madness, he gets a chance to remind the world that ignored him in France just how good he can be.
O is for Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole
Ah yes, the singing and chanting, the true noise of the World Cup. Whether it is the everpresent 'Ole' chants, or the now pretty awful but still cool when done well Seven Nation Army, or the more recent one that has become pretty present in Spain. My biggest issue with the South Africa 2010 World Cup was vuvuzelas drowning out real crowd noise. Let's never allow that to happen again. Germany was great, Brazil was great. Russia should be great. Man, do I wish I planned my vacation better and went over to our great mother russia for two weeks right about now.
P is for PKs
At some point, the scourge of PKs will rear its ugly head. I've alternated between loving and hating the idea of PKs deciding big matches like this. On one hand, it truly is dramatic, giving us moments that have been removed since teh Golden Goal was taken away with after 2002. On the other, what a shit way to end a game after 120 minutes. I love the karma-driven reality where no team has won successive PKs in a tournament - we saw this in huge effect last time in 2014. In teh Round of 16, Costa Rica beat Greece, then lost to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, who lost to Argentina in the semifinals. Hopefully with offense imbuing the game - the Champions League was as wide open as ever - we can maybe escape PKs, but more likely, some Jens Lehmann type will get famous for reading a small index card of tendencies.
Q is for Qatar
The story has already been written, that this is the last 'true' World Cup, as the hideousy that is Qatar is fast approaching, be it the fact it has to happen in Winter (interrupting the domestic club season), and being played in a country that has literally killed hundreds of migrant workers building up stadiums that will likely not be used again to any real degree. I can't believe it is still actually going to happen. But anway, enjoy it when you can. Somehow, Russia will look like the above-board, normal World Cup four years from now. Isn't that something.
R is for Ronaldo
He has his major National Team trophy - leading Portugal to teh Euros in 2016. Of course, some will try to strip away his import because he got hurt and missed most of the final. Screw that. Ronaldo was great. Portugal has had great success under - even their losses in major competitions have been close (1-0 in '06, 3-2 in '08, 1-0 in '10, PKs in 2012). He has a slight chance to truly make a mark here, and it can start right away with Spain - suddenly in slight turmoil with La Affair Lopetegui - and if he can best them and win the group, the draw can really open up. It isn't impossible. In reality, it is impossible, but few things are for Ronaldo.
S is for Switzerland and South Korea
In each of the last four world cups, either one or both of these teams have made the knockout rounds. They've even won groups, and made deep runs (South Korea, stealing and PKing its way to the Semifinals in 2002). Neither plays a particularly attractive brand of soccer. Both have just one truly recognizable star anyone has to care about: Son Hueng-Min (25, plays at Tottenham) and Xherdan Shaqiri (26, Stoke - guess he's fallen further than I realized). Both are in groups that are stealable (2nd place, at least). One of them will annoyingly make it through, and play a drab, dour Round of 16 game.
T is for (el) Tri
I feel bad for Mexico, truly snake-bitten having been knocked out in the Round of 16 each time since 1994. They are a soccer-mad country; something I experienced first-hand when I was in Queretaro in 2014 - right before the last World Cup. The losses are harrowing, a 2-0 loss to the US in 2002, losing to Maxi Rodriguez's wonder-goal in 2006, getting screwed out of a goal in 2010 before a 3-1 loss to Argentina, and then Arjen Robben's dubious 93rd minute penalty to break a 1-1 tie last time around. At some point, it should end. Of course, one of the most likely outcomes for Mexico is finishing 2nd to Germany in Group F, and playing the winner of Group E in the quarterfinals: Brazil. There's no great outcome here. Maybe they shock the world, more likely they continue this ridiculous run of being good enough to be bad enough to lose in the Round of 16 time after time.
U is for Uruguay
I intentionally omitted them when talking about teams with a closing Golden Generation, because they are that team. Uruguay fits perfectly, with generational talents and generational stability, dating back to their Semifinal run in 2010. With 2014, with a Suarez that wasn't suspended for biting people, maybe they beat Colombia in the Round of 16. The team is still largely the same as 2006, with captain Diego Godin, goalkeeper Muslera, guys like Cavani and of course Suarez. Even the coach, in Oscar Tabarez, is the same. Other than maybe Suarez, none of the names mentioned are likely to return in four years time. This is it for the rebirth of Uruguay, the country that, lest we forget, won the first World Cup. The rebirth has been great, from that particular hue of blue on the jerseys, to their anthem, to their Atletico Madrid-esque style. It has all been great.
V is for Viking Clap
Oh Iceland, the great story of all time is back. I still am dumbfounded by their 2016 run, especially those ridiculous stats like '30% of the country is in the stadium' or whatever it was. Nothing was better than the team leading the Viking Clap after each successive win - even if it led to the Minnesota Vikings sadly trying to co-opt it. Anyway, Iceland is back on merits, winning its qualifying group, actually one of the Pot 2 teams in the World Cup group (ie: expected to go through on merit). Iceland is so great. Chances are they'll go back to being a world football minnow eventually, but for right now just fucking enjoy this amazing run by the smallest country competing in this tournament.
W is for Wingbacks?
This is my stand-in for whatever tactical nuance takes over in this edition. In 2010, it was tiki-taka. In 2014, it was countering, and playing three in the back with two wing-backs - I remember Holland getting a lot of plaudits for this. That syle permeated club football as well in the subsequent years - including with Juventus. What will it be this time - maybe a continuation of playing over the top, which worked so well for Liverpool, or a more fluid style. It is an interesting time in world football tactics wise, with no prevailing method other than the pressing. Of course, given Real has no discrenable style the last three years, maybe this is the time period of anti-tactics.
X is for X-Raying Refs
OK, it should have been VAR, but whatever. We've had VAR now in major European leagues (notably not the Champions League), but this will be interesting at the World Cup. Overall, I like VAR so far, it has done a good job of not being too intrusive but still correcting issues. What I don't like is the recent rumors that linesman have been told to err on the side of letting plays go on because VAR can correct a play given on-side when off, but not the reverse. In theory, it makes sense, but I don't want VAR to change the way the refs do their job, just correct them when they do it.
Y is for Youth
In 2006, it was Messi and Ronaldo. In 2010, it was Muller and Suarez. In 2014, it was James Rodriguez. Each world cup produces superstars, people that would beecome integral figures in teh sport in the years to come. Who will it be this time? The headliners are guys like Kylian M'bappe (still just 19), or Marco Asensio (21), or maybe it is some unknown on a country we aren't really thinking about that makes a shock run to the quarterfinals. There will be a player, someone who gets bought by Real Madrid or Barcelona in August. I can't wait until that player reveals himself.
Z is for Zidane
He was my 'Z' in 2010, which made some sense he had dominated the previous World Cup. He was my 'Z' in 2014 too, but that was mostly trying to shoehorn him in for some reason. Of course, he is a lot more relevant to World Football in 2018 than he was in 2014, given all he did in the interim three years was win teh Champions League THREE TIMES. His legacy will loom large, whether it be over Didier Deschamps job - anything short of a semifinals and he's probably sacked with the idea of Zidane taking over, to even the fantasy reddit idea that he may come in to take over from a quickly-axed Lopetegui (not going to happen). In reality, I just wanted to talk about Zidane again. But let's put it this way, Zidane is responsible for two of the greatest moments in the World Cup in the last 20 years. Twenty years ago he scored twice to beat Brazil on home soil. Twelve years ago, he headbutted Mattarazi. Can someone, for reasons good or bad, match these moments?
