Why you should watch the 2018 Men's World Cup
Did you hear? The United States did not qualify for the World Cup. Of course you know that, but it's OK, really. There are plenty of other ways to get your soccer fix.
The tournament also will go on even though usual world soccer powers Italy, the Netherlands and Chile didn't make it, either. There's still a tournament — we're certain — in Russia starting June 14.
Yes, the matches are all the way in Russia, and we do hope Vladimir Putin attends the event wearing a shirt, but most of the daily group action begins at 8 a.m. on the East Coast and should conclude around 4 p.m. There's your excuse to hit the neighborhood pub for a long lunch.
Even the casual, every-four-years fan who tunes in to see if Alexi Lalas is wearing socks in the studio — bet on yes, it's colder in Russia than Brazil — should make it a point to watch this year's event for more than fashion.
Why? Because the World Cup is great theater. It has everything you would find in a Netflix series minus the monthly subscription.
Featured attraction
It has a marquee name in Germany, the clear-cut favorite looking to become the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 (with that guy Pele) to repeat as World Cup champion. Should the Germans win it all, they would tie Brazil for the most World Cup titles with five, so even more history is on the line.
Redemption story
You need a solid supporting cast, right? Brazil also is pretty good and motivated more than ever after bowing out on its home soil in 2014 with an embarrassing 7-1 loss to Germany in the semifinals. Talent-rich nations in Belgium and Spain also expect to challenge for the title and won't be intimidated by anyone.
Everyone's favorite underdog
There's the heroic underdog in Iceland: the smallest country to ever qualify for a World Cup but one whose national team became the darlings of the international soccer world while making an improbable run to the quarterfinals of the European Championships two years ago. The Icelanders are poised to surprise again in front of their thunder-clapping, horn-helmet wearing faithful.
The mad biter
Of course, there is always a villain. Uruguay's Luis Suarez played that role to much acclaim in 2010 and again four years ago. Thus, any match featuring the Uruguayans should be appointment television simply to see what potential controversy Suarez will stir up.
Underachievers
We've got the tortured soul, otherwise known as England, which is still looking for its first World Cup title since 1966. Every World Cup, the Three Lions boast one of the most talented sides in the field — this year is no different — and every year since '66 they've fallen way short, including 2014, when they didn't make it out of the group stage. Plus, the reaction shots of dejected and anguished England fans in pubs back home are always entertaining, at least to those outside of the U.K.
Battle of the stars
Finally, there are the stars. Pretty boy Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Argentina's Lionel Messi are two of the most recognizable names not only in international soccer, but in all of sports. Messi fell short of the title with a runner-up finish in 2014, and the closest Ronaldo has gotten to hoisting that shiny trophy was a fourth-place result in 2006. With Ronaldo, Messi and even Suarez in their 30s, this could be the last time we get to see them all compete together in the same World Cup.
Yes, we know some American soccer fans won't have a rooting interest, but the World Cup is not about one country and certainly not one with as dismal a soccer history as the red, white and blue. It's about the best in the world coming together for a one-month event that rivals prolonged versions of the Olympics, Wimbledon or a Yankees-Red Sox series.
Regardless who is in the field, the World Cup truly is a fascinating event that often has the power to keep those non-die-hard soccer fans tuned in for the drama (1994 for me).
It's worth watching a match or two — or 10. Or at least until that Netflix subscription kicks back in.
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