Are you also excited to watch the World Cup?

I'm really looking forward to the World Cup 😉

Every tournament there’s usually one team that surprises everyone and another big favourite that completely disappoints. I’m curious who people think could be the "dark horse" this time.

I also wonder if international football is changing a bit now. In the past there were usually just a few countries with a realistic chance to win, but last few years it feels more open and unpredictable.

I've always enjoyed the atmosphere around the World Cup. Sometimes I place a few bets as well, but many matches become unforgettable even if you don’t have money on them. The late goals, penalty shootouts, underdogs winning… it’s one of the few events where our usually quiet pub, where just me and two mates normally watch football, suddenly fills up and everyone talks about football for a whole month. To be fair, that’s probably what I enjoy the most about it.

Which team are you most excited to watch? And who do you think could surprise everyone this time?

Hey, I was waiting for someone to bring this up because I love this time of year, too. Since it only happens once every four years, it’s great to soak up the atmosphere and watch the world’s best players. The clash between national teams from different corners of the world is also great, since everyone has different tactics; it’s not like the Euro, which is played every year, but it has a different energy. A lot of people are used to watching European soccer, but Asian, American, and similar leagues aren’t watched as much. 

Who do you think will be the "dark horse"? I’d guess maybe Norway, and I liked Morocco at the last World Cup. As for the winner, I’d bet on Spain or France. 

I can see you’re enjoying the atmosphere, just as I mentioned, and in a few days this year it will probably be even more special for your country, since you have your own team there. Based on the group, I think they could advance, but as you said, the matches and overall performances will be unpredictable. These days, it’s not like there are clear favorites who’ll beat everyone by a landslide, as was the case back in the day. Today, many teams can beat even the favorites because soccer has evolved. A great example is Japan’s win over Germany at the last World Cup, and if I remember correctly, Germany didn’t even advance from the group stage. 

I’m looking forward to the opening match. I remember how this same match opened the tournament in Africa in 2010, and South Africa, the host team, scored the first goal. I still get goosebumps when I think about it.😀

Morocco was definitely a great surprise at the last World Cup, I don’t think many people expected them to go that far. And yes, Japan beating Germany was another perfect example of how unpredictable football has become now.

Also fully agree that the World Cup just has a different atmosphere compared to normal club football or Euros. As you say, it offers people to see clubs with different techniques to meet each other and see which is better.

Though what I like most is that even people who never watch football suddenly start talking about it all the time 😄 I used to follow football quite a bit when I was at Uni, now I have less time for it outside big tournaments like these. World Cups just bring back that special atmosphere for me and I often meet people I haven’t seen in years as they come and watch football together.

Really looking forward to the opening match as well, not long to go now 😊