Group B might be the toughest group at the 2018 World Cup. Portugal is the reigning European champion, but the team to beat is Spain, which was a second-tier seed but enters the tournament with a20-game unbeaten streak. But one or both teams might not make it out of the group. Frenchman Herve Renard has […]
World Cup Watch
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World Cup Watch: Expectations for Belgium ramped up
The consensus is clear: Belgium is taking the strongest squad in its history to the 2018 World Cup. It is also taking heavy expectations. It is stacked with quality players — EdenHazard, Kevin de Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois — throughout the roster and is led by Spanish manager Roberto Martinez, hiredtwo years ago […]
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Mexico arrives in Russia after a loss and party controversy
After a paltry 2-0 loss to Denmark on Saturday, the mood surrounding Mexico slid from slight unease to possible panic. Andres Guardado (18) and Jesus Gallardo (21)during Mexico’s 3-0 win over Iceland in March. (Photo byConall Gaffney) Anything but a quarterfinal finish for El Tri would be unacceptable for its fans, and reports of a […]
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World Cup Retro 2010: Five names to have at your fingertips
Here are five names to have at your fingertips about the 19th World Cup, hosted by South Africa and won by Spain. Nelson Mandela. The first African nation to host had been banned, because of itsApartheid government, from international soccer from 1963 to 1992. Nelson Mandela, who had been imprisoned for 27 years, credited South […]
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Brazil firing on cylinders one week ahead of opener
Brazil’s comfortable 3-0 win against Austria allayed fears about Neymar‘s fitness as the Selecao dazzled against a team that beat the world champion last week.
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Paul Pogba, a victim of his own talent?
French national team coach Didier Deschamps has worries like few other World Cup coaches. On just about any other national team, Paul Pogba would be an automatic choice tostart in Russia. On Saturday night, the Manchester United star should start against the USA at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium, where he will be playing for a spot […]
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World Cup Retro 2006: Five names to have at your fingertips
Here are five names to have at your fingertips about the 18th World Cup, hosted by Germany and won by Italy. Angela Merkel. “A Time to Make Friends” was the officialslogan of a World Cup in which Germany would have a chance to show it’s a “hospitable, joyful and modern nation bursting with ideas,” said […]
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Germany's most exciting young player cut by Coach Loew
Leroy Sane, the most talented dribbler Germany has recently produced, won’t be on display at Russia 2018. If the dynamic 22-year-old winger, whose Manchester City exploits earned him2017-18 PFA Young Player of the Year, was on the brink of bringing his outstanding club form to Die Mannschaft, Coach Joachim Loew didn’t believe so. pointed out, […]
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Why to be bullish on Brazil
With a score to settle after that game against Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinals, Brazil, as usual, looks to be one of the top five teams in Russia. Any fear thatNeymar would lack game sharpness after a three-month injury layoff was squanched when he took the field in the second half against a […]
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World Cup Retro 1998: Five names to have at your fingertips
Here are five names to have at your fingertips about the 16th World Cup, hosted and won by France. Major League Soccer. In the first World Cup since MLS’s 1996 launch, U.S.coach Steve Sampson’s squad included 16 MLS players, among them 1994 World Cup players who had returned from Europe to play in the new […]