World Cup: 2018 FIFA World Cup

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Only a month left today. Come on people, where is the hype...

A lot of teams have already posted their preliminary squads.

Click to read more...

 

[robertmac43]

Still bitter that Ghana is not in the tournament, I was hoping for one more World Cup with Gyan in the mix

 

[Basement Cat]

Placed two wagers thus far - Uruguay and Belgium to win their respective groups.

Obviously very bummed about the United States not making it. It's going to diminish things just a bit for me, but I'm still thrilled that this tournament is right around the corner.

I am very excited to see what Poland can do. I am slightly concerned that they peaked a few years back in the Euros and a lot of key player are not on form right now (namely Krychowiak), but I think that they have a winnable group.

 

[robertmac43]

Obviously very bummed about the United States not making it. I

Welcome to life as a Canadian soccer fan....

 

[Eye of Ra]

swedish coaches sucks, both in hockey and "soccer". marcus rohden instead of sam larsson.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Starting to get hyped as the squads are being released and New Jersey could have legalized sports betting in two weeks

Though I think the lack of some "traditional" teams is taking the luster out of the tournament from neutrals and the fact the new seeding format means the groups aren't as competitive (on paper at least)

 

[kingsboy11]

I told myself back in October that I didn't want to watch the World Cup with the U.S. out , but I'll probably watch anyways to get my soccer fix. I guess I'll cheer for England or Germany.

 

[Gecklund]

I told myself back in October that I didn't want to watch the World Cup with the U.S. out , but I'll probably watch anyways to get my soccer fix. I guess I'll cheer for England or Germany.

Just tune in for the soccer. I’ll be cheering for France and Mexico.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Good decision.

 

[Gecklund]

Good decision.

Do you really believe it’s a good decision? Not trying to sound like an ass but I think Wilshere would be a great add for England

 

[KJS14]

He probably should have been a starter. England's midfield sucks.

 

[robertmac43]

Good decision.

I respectfully disagree! He deserves a spot on that roster, he is a complete MF who is great at running at and opening up defences

 

[koyvoo]

World Cup-bound referee Al Mirdasi handed life ban in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has asked FIFA to remove referee Fahad Al Mirdasi from the upcoming World Cup in Russia after he received a life-time ban for offering to accept a bribe to influence the outcome of a match.

World Cup-bound referee Al Mirdasi handed life ban in Saudi Arabia

 

[Vamos Rafa]

Is EA making a video game?

 

[Savant]

Reports that uncapped 19 year old Trent Alexander-Arnold has made the England squad.

 

[robertmac43]

Is EA making a video game?

There is a free Fifa 18 update coming out on May 29th that will have all the rosters and the stadiums

 

[Live in the Now]

Reports that uncapped 19 year old Trent Alexander-Arnold has made the England squad.

He deserves it. Very happy for him.

 

[Chimaera]

Probably.

I don't think he should play, but he's earned making the squad.

 

[robertmac43]

What are people's sleeper picks for this World Cup?

Personally I'm thinking Croatia

 

[Savant]

For a world cup sleeper you need an easy group, luck in the draw and possibly a player who can get ridiculously hot. Most likely candidates to me, in group order:

Egypt, Denmark, South Korea or Mexico, and the team most likely to me, Poland.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Good decision.

Bad decision. England's midfield has serious creativity problems and Wilshere's been in good form.

 

[HajdukSplit]

What are people's sleeper picks for this World Cup?

Personally I'm thinking Croatia

Always interests mehow outsiders rate Croatia highly despite doing little in big tournaments since 1998, some betting sites have us like 8th favorites. They see the squad but not the politics around the team and the mentality of the team Problem with Croatia is their path to the final is tough IF they finish 2nd. Though again I was negative before Euro 2016 as well

As a sleeper I would probably pick somebody from Group H to make a decent run (quarters). Poland or Colombia preferably, think they can beat Belgium/England in a one off to make the quarters and from there who knows

 

[Basement Cat]

Judging by England's WC squad, I might want to double down on my Belgium to win the group bet!

 

[kovacro]

Not sure why Poland would be considered a 'darkhorse' they are 10th in the FIFA rankings, FWIW, have a pretty solid squad which includes one of the best players in the world in Lewandowski.

I'm sure most people would view them and Columbia as the class of Group H.

A darkhorse to me, would be a country that could pull of what Costa Rica did 4 years ago in Brazil when they topped a difficult group that contained Italy, Uruguay and England and went on to the QF losing in penalties to Holland.

I think most 'experts' had them tipped to be rooted to the bottom of that group.

Who is a nation most would figure to be gone in group play that could go on a run.

As for Croatia, I could certainly see them finishing 3rd in their group behind Argentina and Nigeria. Just depends on the mood their in. I think the players like Dalic but we'll see what kind of tactician he is in a few weeks time. I just wonder about their backline, it's troublesome to me.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Wilshere's been in good form.

Are we talking about the same guy? He hasn't even been in Arsenal's squad in five of their past six PL games.