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 😊

Yes, I think sports can bring a country and many people together, and for a moment at least, everything seems harmonious. It’s wonderful when even people who aren’t that into sports try to understand everything or just enjoy it. That’s what sports are all about, too.

I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s kickoff. I hope this tournament will pleasantly surprise us. It’s just a shame that it’s in the US and I can’t watch every game, haha. 😀

Fully agree 😊 The timing is a shame though. Being from Europe puts many matches in the worst possible midnight-6am window, including tonight’s Czech Republic game I really wanted to watch. But luckily there are still many games in the "pub opening time window".

And sports really can bring people together. I remember back in 2006 me and my mates went to a Prague centre to watch a World Cup game on a big screen TV. Some guys released smokestacks/smoke flares and it actually looked like an argument might start with other people nearby who didn’t like it. We genuinely thought we might have to leave. Then Czech Republic scored a goal and within seconds the whole atmosphere completely changed and suddenly everyone was hugging and celebrating together 😄

I honestly haven’t seen many things that can unite completely different people that quickly apart from big sports events like this.

Yeah, yeah, exactly. To be honest, I have nothing against the US, but the time differences make it tough to watch some of the games. But they’ve had to adjust things quite a bit so that Europe can watch most of the games; otherwise, they wouldn’t make as much money from TV rights.

Hehe, that’s a really nice memory. I like it, and like I said, that’s what sports are all about. Thanks to it, I’ve met a lot of great people, and basically, sports are still a big part of my life today. I think everyone’s excited, and I believe it’s going to be an awesome month-long ride. I’m rooting for you guys too, and I hope your country makes it as far as possible. At the very least, advancing from the group stage is a realistic goal.

I’m curious to see what we’ll talk about tomorrow after the first matches. 😀🍀

Haha, well after the first matches we already have some surprises 😄

Shame about the Czech Republic result against Korea, that definitely wasn’t the ideal start, especially with how competitive groups are now. But at least it’s only the first match and there’s still plenty to play for. Sometimes teams actually improve after an early shock result.

Germany 7:1 was crazy though 😅 and Japan getting a draw against the Netherlands again showed how unpredictable international football has become.

Yes, you're right. I think there have already been enough surprises for the start, even though some of them aren't really that surprising to me. I consider Japan a dark horse, so I was expecting that; it was a nice match to watch. After Germany conceded the goal to tie it at 1-1, that was the Germany I know. So far, they’re probably the only team among the contenders for the title that hasn’t fallen short of expectations. The biggest surprises for me were Spain and Cape Verde. The Swiss also surprised me when they conceded a goal in the 95th minute to tie the game at 1-1. 

I believe the Czech Republic will beat South Africa; based on their performance in the first match, I’d say the Czech Republic will win comfortably, but this is the second match, both teams have 0 points, and it’s essentially a do-or-die match for both of them. 

I watched Argentina a bit today, and Messi, despite his age, is still great. The French struggled in the first half against Senegal but showed their strength in the second. Jordan surprised me with how hard they tried, and they actually didn’t do too badly against Austria. I’m still curious about Portugal today, but I probably won’t have time to watch it. We’ll see if Ronaldo follows in Messi’s footsteps.😀

Yes, Messi is a legend! Surprised though about Ronaldo, expected him to have at least a few good shots if not a goal. Portugal drawing with DR Congo was probably the biggest shock of yesterday for me, just like Spain and Cape Verde earlier. I genuinely wonder sometimes if the big names can handle the pressure when a smaller team has nothing to lose. DR Congo were brilliant to watch though, fair play to them.

England 4-2 Croatia was great to see if you like goals, though I missed the last one😄 Had to wake up early due to work this morning so called it a night when England was 3-2, hoping Croatia won't score and it was nice to wake up to a 4-2 result. Really like English football, in case Czechia gets out, I'll be supporting England. Have spent 3 years of my life near London (including the year of the Olympics there) and went to a few Premier League games and English football is just another level at least compared to the games you see here in Czechia.

But honestly right now my head is completely elsewhere. The game of Czech Republic vs South Africa is today at 6pm my time and I'm so nervous about it! After losing to South Korea it really is do-or-die, just like you said. I was really disappointed with the South Korea game, especially given we were ahead first. South Africa also got hammered by Mexico and had two red cards, so logically Czech Republic should win… but that's what makes football so unpredictable, isn't it. I'll be watching this one for sure, fingers crossed.🤞

Yeah, yeah, I even bet on Portugal to win, but they didn't show much. Sometimes I wonder how it’s possible that when the Euros are underway, teams dominate, and then they come and play against a total underdog and it ends up like this. I get that it’s the first game, and the atmosphere and various other factors can probably play a role, but even so, it’s sometimes inconceivable to me.

England vs. Croatia has been the best match of the tournament I’ve seen so far. You’re right, football in England and the Czech Republic probably can’t be compared. But you’ll always have fond memories of the matches you went to see.

I watched your match yesterday, and I have to say it’s a shame. The Czech Republic had a brilliant start and even scored a goal, which is probably what every team wants, to settle in early. From that point on, there were a few more good plays, but for the most part they sat back, and to me it looked as if they just wanted to defend that 1-0 lead, which ultimately cost them the win. Honestly, South Africa played well below average; even that penalty was basically just a fluke because they hadn’t had any chances up to that point. After the goal that tied the game at 1–1, however, they went all out, and I’d have liked to see if, with more minutes left on the clock, they could have turned it around, because South Africa definitely had at least one chance there 

at the end. But never mind, even though Mexico won, the Czech Republic is still in a position where they can finish decently and advance, though they’ll need a win over Mexico, who can’t lose first place now. So maybe they’ll take it easy in that last match. We’ll see.🙂

Fully agree with everything you said about the Czech match, it's frustrating because you're right. Czech Republic had a brilliant start, scored very early, and then seemed to just sit back and try to protect that lead. That approach cost us badly in the South Korea game too. You just can't do that at this level.

The penalty towards the end was really heart-breaking because honestly South Africa didn't really deserve it from what I watched. But a handball is a handball I suppose 😅

So now it's all down to Mexico, and like you say, maybe they'll take their foot off the gas a bit since they've already won the group. I'd normally feel more optimistic but after two dropped games I'm just struggling to see it coming out as I'd hope. Still hoping though! 😄

On other games, will probably watch the whole of Scotland vs. Morocco just about to start. Guess that Morocco will be an easy win but somehow I wish Scotland wins, but guess the only reason is I have a few Scottish friends and nothing else, but if there are any more big surprises, be it Scotland. And USA beating Australia was a decent game too. This tournament keeps throwing surprises at you every single day which is what makes it so fun to follow even when your own team's results are difficult to watch.

I'm glad we see it the same way, after all, it's the World Championship. I understand that players who haven't been on the team for a long time are trying their hardest, and sometimes they just lack experience. But just being there is an achievement in itself, so you have to enjoy it. You can still advance even from third place.

As for the upcoming matches, yes, this one could be exciting. Maybe we should take a cue from countries like Cape Verde and others. They don’t have high-level technique, but their heart and fighting spirit often put them in a position where they take points from teams that would never have expected it. Uruguay could have seen that for themselves this morning. I still don’t understand how they managed to draw 2–2, but since Cape Verde also held Spain to a draw, there must be something to it. The U.S. is a pleasant surprise. I like the way they play, how they don’t let up after scoring a goal and keep pushing forward. Today I might watch Argentina and Austria, and maybe a bit of France. I’m curious to see if there will be any surprises today as well.🙂