Also… if anyone is interested in participating in a bracket challenge for the World Cup send me a message. I created the league and am handling all of the money, it’s a group with me and my friends. $20, only one entry
It’s on fifas main website, the bracket challenge. Message me if interested!
I got a bet in locally for Portugal at 27 to 1. They aren’t a favorite but that price is way too high. They’ve gone to the quarters, semis, and finals and they won the Euro 2016.
I just like the odds;)
General thoughts leading in:
I have always been the biggest fan of Suarez. Whereas his antics (biting people, stories of being involved in attempted assassinations, his miracle goalkeeping, etc.) put him off to some, the man is honestly the grittiest player out there. Sure there are others physically tougher out there, but he perfectly personifies Uruguay’s self professed caged animal/fighting spirit by always giving his all and willing to do nearly anything for his team. Coupled with his quality and the effort continously poured out by the Uruguanos they are just a joy to watch.
I am hoping to see Salah play, a growing star for the sport.
Kaliningrad has to be a weird place for teams to prepare for. Completely separated from the rest of Russia, being the former Koenigsburg (former capital of Prussia) it should have some interesting storylines when the announcers talk about the host cities.
Group H looks to be absolutely the most competitive (with each other) and therefore fun to watch/speculate
I wonder what the Russians are going to do to try and advance considering how bad their team is.
Group B is effectively the all Iberian group. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco have centuries of history with one another. Iran being coached by another Iberian to top it off too.
I am glad Peru’s captain was allowed to play at the world cup. Coca tea =/= Snorting Cocaine. Never realized the potential lack of sense from CAS prior to this incident.
Last, but not least, lets go Germany!
Mythbusters did an episode where if you eat a poppy bagel you’ll test positive for opiates.
RIP … Zizou was the man, my fav player, sucked when Italy beat France in that final 
It’s great to see this many replies so far!
I just took a better look at group stage & possible playoff pairs and here is my prediction for Ro8.
Portugal vs FranceBrazil vs EnglandSpain vs ArgentinaGermany vs Poland
Portugal surprises France and meets Brazil, Spain vs Germany is another pair in Ro4 and hopefully final match is Brazil vs Germany.
Biggest question mark in my eyes is Belgium, this isn’t even the first World Cup when they’re supposed to have strong team yet don’t manage to achieve anything too great. That’s why I expect group G victory from England.
I decided to take a look at the bracket as well - since predictions/guessing is always fun:
Uruguay vs France
Brazil vs Belgium
Spain Vs Argentina
Germany Vs Colombia
The above are my picks. Belgium just has such a talented squad that if they perform they should absolutely top their group over England. England has too much a history of choking plus its organization doesn’t look anything special. Portugal likewise has a mediocre squad and I don’t think Ronaldo can carry this aging squad forward. Group H is quite competitive and I think whoever wins the group: Colombia/Senegal/Poland has very good odds of beating an overrated English squad to make the Ro8.
From here:
Uruguay vs Brazil and Argentina vs Germany
France has more quality at the moment, but the experience on the Uruguayan team can not be underestimated - so I could see the upset if the bracket went down this route. Argentina vs Spain is tough to call one way or the other, but I do think this is a bit of a weaker Spanish team. If Argentina can gel I think they win the head to head.
Finals: Germany wins over Brazil
Just Announced:
2026 FIFA will be held in USA, Canada, and Mexico.
80% of the games will be in USA.
This is exciting:)
Only way you can qualify? 
By the way, Spain just commited suicide…
Are you still sure about that 
Was also really tempted to do the panini sticker book like the old days!! But I don’t have money to waste on bits of paper meant for kids…
My money is on france to win (i have bet on them). Not only do i think they have the best starting 11 they also have the most depth in their squad and a good long serving manager who knows the players well and has alot of experience at this level.
As for the other big teams…
Brazil are going to be there or there abouts as well but i think they will fall at the last.
Spain with FH as manager are at risk of failing again via self inflicted wounds but i do think they will get out of the group.
Germany are another team who i expect to go far for similar reasons to france, good team and good manager.
Argentina and belgium im crossing off for the simple fact that they bottle tournaments and just dont seem to be able to live up to their amazing potential by actually winning an international competition, both have really good squads however argentina have few stand outs other than their 4 forwards, di banme and ottamendi.
England wont get there they just dont have a good enough team and some of our selections of certain players over other better players have been questionable to say the least.
Portugal, uruguay and the rest just dont stand a chance in my opinion, aging squads, 1 man teams or they simply dont have the quality. It is very very rare for actual upsets in world cups in terms of who wins overall.
The (most likely) semi final match between France and Brazil will be awesome. Happy World Cup day!
Im so hyped for this to start!
There it is! Was hoping the host team would get the opening goal!
I’m glad go see the US get to host the cup again, I remember the excitement back in 94. I was 5 at the time and it sparked my interest in the game.
Same! The 94 Cup final is the first soccer game I can remember.
And Roberto Baggio has been taken the piss out of ever since. 
Oh what a miss.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpbkRApq9qY
And Dianna Ross. Jeez!
*football 
To be honest, I’m surprised at how many fans of football (soccer!) there are here on E4. It really is a beautiful game that brings the whole world together.
I hope everyone enjoys the tournament as much as I will.
Would anyone be up for organising a sweepstake?!