World Cup build up thread

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I have no expectations, but will be following England. I normally have Italy as my backup, but not this time.

Also, it isn't the same - Italy in a 'normal' game, Italy every time. Italy v England (as in the last WC), England all the way.

Unlike club, there is no choice.

PS If you saw my garden for the Royal Wedding (Mrs No7 99%), you'll see I am 'quite' patriotic :)
 
Denmark will be my second team this year. Found out recently I have Danish ancestry. Japan my third team because, as per everyone, I love Yoshi and Japanese culture in general.
 
I don't understand how people don't support their country as I don't really see it as a choice similar to club. Understandable if people don't like international football in general but you get people who like watching international football but actively dislike their country, it's weird.

I bet most in the latter group would take an interest should we find ourselves in the semi finals. Much like all the Saints fans who didn't care about the league cup until we were 1-0 up against Liverpool...

It’s the same in every sport. I got a colleague at work who loves rugby, openly English, but supports Wales because he hates the English arrogance. It discombobulates me.
 
It’s the same in every sport. I got a colleague at work who loves rugby, openly English, but supports Wales because he hates the English arrogance. It discombobulates me.
He supports Wales because he hates the English arrogance!! The mind boggles. I lived in Wales when they were in the ascendency...what English students had to put up with when rugby was in town would be called racism now. Arrogance has nothing to do with whether you are Welsh, English or Scottish...it is to do with whom is on top at any particular time.
 
So I assume everyone here will be supporting England, either willingly or due to a sense of obligation, but who will be your second and third teams (let's not go more than that because then it'll get silly if you end up supporting like 16 teams because of players in different squads or for other reasons).

For me, I'll be supporting Iceland and Egypt. I've visited both countries and they're both amazing in their own ways, plus it's Iceland's first ever world cup and Egypt's first since 1990. I hope Salah is back in time...

I am supporting Mexico. I would love Egypt, Iran, Nigeria and the other African nations to put out any European team. Other than Argentina or Brazil, I hope the other South and Central American teams all excel. OK, that is my romantic dream, so if I have to pick a realistic team to win, I hope it is France.
 
Please not Germany....their modesty in victory is hard to take. [HASHTAG]#sarcasmmode[/HASHTAG]
Not the French [HASHTAG]#rememberagincourt[/HASHTAG] :)
That leaves the rest of the world...especially England (who I hope will play well at least).

I hope Raheem Stirling has a brilliant WC, I really do.
 
He supports Wales because he hates the English arrogance!! The mind boggles. I lived in Wales when they were in the ascendency...what English students had to put up with when rugby was in town would be called racism now. Arrogance has nothing to do with whether you are Welsh, English or Scottish...it is to do with whom is on top at any particular time.

Me too. I was at Cardiff uni (then called UWIST) from 73 onwards and supporting England at the Arms Park was tough. Admittedly, Wales were magnificent, but I can’t handle the arrogance of any supporters .....
 
It’s the same in every sport. I got a colleague at work who loves rugby, openly English, but supports Wales because he hates the English arrogance. It discombobulates me.

Isn't English arrogance an example of the Mandela effect?

I also have a soft spot for Iran because I saw an Iranian film once about a group of women who try to smuggle themselves into a world cup qualifying game but get caught. It was quite a good film. Though women are allowed in stadia now.