Arena The *Official* 2018 FIFA World Cup Thread

I don't know. I read it in a couple of different places, but not anywhere verifiable.

 

What are the odds of a Germany-Brasil Final? I'd say about 7:1

 

Assuming by "the usual suspects" you mean Ronaldo and Messi, there are a host of good talents to watch for, and for a number of different reasons. Here's just a few:

Kylian Mbappe (France) - he's a special talent, and all of 18-years old. If the French team can figure out how to leverage his strengths in the attack properly, they can win the cup. It'll be good to see him against some tough opponents, too, since his club games often have him matched up against incredibly overmatched teams.
Kaylor Navas (Costa Rica) - if you like goalkeepers, watch the Costa Rica games. Navas is arguably the best keeper in the world (I'd put him fourth, personally), but will have the opportunity to, once again, help carry his country to unexpected heights on the biggest stage, just like Costa Rica did four years ago.
Christian Pavon (Argentina) - Most likely to be bought by a European club not named Real Madrid or Bayern based on a few impressive moments in Russia
Gabriel Jesus (Brazil) - Most likely to be bought by Real Madrid (I don't care that he's at City)
Timo Werner (Germany) - Most likely to be bought by Bayern Munich
Harry Kane - Most likely to have a chance to send England through in a Knockout game (or in a score-and-you-advance-from-the-group-stages type moment) and blow it. Also, most likely to claim a goal he didn't score. And most likely to set Twitter aflame.
Fahad Al Muwallad (Saudi Arabia) - best player nobody has ever seen play before. 30% chance that Jose Mourinho buys him if he has a strong world cup, and then doesn't play him as an offensive weapon. Except maybe in a League Cup Game. Against a team from a lower division. And then uses his press conference to passive aggressively undermine his skills/ability/commitment.
Paul Pogba (France) - Most likely to be made of by @Diggy

 

Local Salzburg radio station were kind enough to play every German supporter's favorite football song this morning, "Three Lions (Football 's Coming Home".

The tournament can now begin, I'm ready

 

You forgot Mo Salah, currently the best player in the world 8)

 

Also, he's likely only going to be on the euch, but the button should always be kept at the ready

http://www.tomnash.eu/gomez-button.html


I have to admit, I miss the heady days of wild-eyed English optimism, "This is our year" "Joe Cole is world class, I tell you, world class!" and of course "Wayne Rooney, Player of his Generation!".

Good times.

 

Rooney wasn't even the player of his generation in the team he played for.

So they were indeed heady days.

 

Thought about including him, but he's gotten enough press coverage that he's not really under the radar. Plus, I wanted to get in a Jose Mourinho joke.

 

Russia definitely has the best theme song.

 

It is a fine anthem.

Though Germany's & France's are pretty great

 

Russia get the first goal of the tournament - 1-0.

 

Which brutal dictatorship is everyone hoping win this one?

 

USA didn't qualify, Digs

 

It's the World Cup, bro...

 

Russia is doing well in the goal department - 3-0 now.

 

4-0 now. Real good start for Russia.

Edit - 5-0.

 

haha ! I guess there's gonna be a few claims of fixing now .

 

Good start for Russia. Tomorrow is Egypt v Uruguay, Morocco v Iran, and Portugal v Spain.

 

I thought Russia was supposed to be crap , some of those goals were amazing .

 

Never underestimate how bad the Saudis are.

 

Yes, very cool for certain people that hold certain beliefs...Comrade Heels.