FIFA World Cup 2018

[Stavros]

This thread is for the World Cup in Russia, 14 June to 15 July.

Any current thoughts on overall winners, the top goalscorer?

Argentina, Germany, France and Brazil are the four favourites, but with Mohamed Salah in such dazzling form for Liverpool, could Egypt be the surprise qualifiers in their group with Uruguay at the expense of hosts Russia? Will Iceland cause upsets in their group as they did in the Euros? Will England progress beyond the group stage?

So far Messi has been a flop at world cup games, Ronaldo has not done that much better, and Neymar was injured for most of the last competition. Is this the moment for Aguerro, or Griezmann?

And, will there be racist chanting as is common at Russian football matches and will the use of VAR be reasonable or controversial?

https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/

[Stavros]

Let's be honest, is anyone surprised by this?

Disgraced former Uefa president Michel Platini has claimed "a little trickery" was used in the 1998 World Cup draw to increase the chances of France and Brazil meeting in the final.
"France-Brazil in the final, it was the dream of everyone," Platini told radio station France Bleu Sport in an interview to be broadcast in full on Sunday.
The 62-year-old was laughing as he added: "There was a little trickery. We did not spend six years organising the World Cup to not do some little shenanigans. Do you think other World Cup hosts did not?"




https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...draw-increase/

[Tiger7]

Think Brazil will win it but Spain have a really good chance as well they have a great squad.
The semi finals will be Brazil, France, Spain & Germany I think anyway.

[Stavros]

Senegal to be the 'surprise' quarter finalists, but the final most likely to be France -v- Portugal.

[Stavros]

Russia's 'psychic' cat Achilles has predicted that Russia will beat Saudi Arabia in today's opening match...




https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...ing-world-cup/

[Stavros]

A lovely photo-essay on the World Cup family, their highs and lows-

https://www.theguardian.com/football...tian-sinibaldi

[Tiger7]

It's coming home

[Laphroaig]

It's coming home

Oops.

[Tiger7]

It was fun while it lasted