It’s ‘either go hard or go home’ time. It’s ‘FIFA WORLD CUP’ time. Forget about La Liga or Premier League or even IPL for that matter. This is even bigger, better and baddest of them all. People, this is the Olympics of football. Even gods don’t miss a chance to watch it from the skies. This is the time when all friendships are at stake.
Everybody wants their favorite team to win and leave them with memories to cherish for lifetime. If you remember the goal scored by Andres Iniesta in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, you are at the right place. But in case you haven’t been able to follow FIFA World cup’18 lately, we’ve got your back buddy. Let’s steer you to Russia right away!
This month 32 teams will bring their A game to Russia and the best of them all is going to lift the winning Golden Cup. While Germany is going to defend their title with everything they’ve got but the race is even arduous than before. FIFA has been kind to all of the Indian fans as there some matches kicking off around 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 6:30 pm, 9:30 PM, 11:30 PM and 12:30 AM. Each day is going to be an absolute blood, sweat and tears for these teams. Catch these encounters live.
You can check the full schedules and fixtures right here!
Unpredictable Beginnings
The war began on the 14th of June when the hosts thrashed Saudi Arabia with 5-0 win, who is currently last in Group A. This World Cup has been a source of amazement with countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia qualifying, whereas countries like Italy (four times champions) and Netherlands have already whispered adieus. And yes, we all feel sorry Gianluigi Buffon and Arjen Robben.
Book a flight to Moscow.
If that wasn’t much of a shocker, try to mull over this. Germany lost their first match against Mexico where Mexico was the only goal scorer. There’s more, Iceland drew against Argentina, Brazil drew against Switzerland. So, three of the last world cup’s four semi-finalists had a second-rate start and one clearly didn’t even make it in the competition.
The Knockout Stages
All 32 teams are sorted into 8 groups and they will play against each other. The group stages will conclude by June 28th and all 8 groups will have two leaders that are likely to progress on to the next stage of the World cup. What is this next stage? The round of 16 i.e. the knockout stages. In short, it’s ‘ride or die’ time. The knockout stages will commence from the June 30th.
Enjoy St. Petersburg While You Can
Teams that progress through the round of 16 enter an elimination tournament. The Match up for the third place will also be played between the teams that are on the losing ends of the semi-finals.
The Final
And then comes the judgment day. The biggest and the most competitive face-off in the history of sports. The final takes place on the 15th of July and back to where it started at the Luzhniki Stadium. This is going to be the biggest Sunday of your lives people.
Contenders
Evidently, the defending champions, Germany are more likely to bag the world cup again despite their unanticipated loss to Mexico. But, sources have predicted that Brazil are also equally involved in the debate as they’ve beaten Costa Rica in their second encounter. Provided that their defence system has been rewired for good, Brazil might outshine other contenders. Spain are also looking to go all in and are possible semi-finalists along with France.
Book a hotel in Moscow
Argentina despite going through onerous qualifications, managed to qualify for this year’s world cup finals. But after their severe loss to Croatia, chances are very slender. But they are what we call ‘Dark Horses’ of this tournament. If they win against Nigeria, and Croatia beat Iceland, then only the chances are clear. Not to mention, Argentina has possibly the greatest football player ever to touch a football, Lionel Messi. Some say this is the last chance for Messi to become a real ‘God among Men’, as people already baptize him. Can he replicate what he did in the last world cup?
But, predictions are just predictions. The world cup is like a bag of Harry Houdini. We’d have to wait and see what comes and shines out of it. Also, watch out for England as they march to the land of Russia with their king Harry Kane waving their flag. Harry Kane is the current top goalscorer after scoring a hat-trick against Panama and sits on the top of the goals scoring chart with 5 goals followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku both with 4 goals each.
The stage is set and the gladiators are ready with their mighty swords and spears. 32 armies are going to have warfare as they look to conquer the world once again. Are you READY? We will come back soon!
