We’ve grown accustomed, over many years, to hearing the organizers of each World Cup claim that theirs will be the best ever. There’s always some truth in that — the four-year gap between tournaments gives technology plenty of time to come up with wondrous improvements in all manner of things — from greater comfort for spectators to more sophisticated wizardry from VAR.

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Paul Gardner is a contributing writer and columnist for Soccer America Magazine's "Soccer Talk" column and blog on www.SoccerAmerica.com.