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World Cup: 100 things I can’t wait to see!

By Orri Benatar

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - DECEMBER 01: A general view during the Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia at the State Kremlin Palace on December 1, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - DECEMBER 01: A general view during the Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia at the State Kremlin Palace on December 1, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL – JULY 08: Oscar of Brazil reacts on the pitch as Germany celebrate their 7-1 win during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between Brazil and Germany at Estadio Mineirao on July 8, 2014, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL – JULY 08: Oscar of Brazil reacts on the pitch as Germany celebrate their 7-1 win during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between Brazil and Germany at Estadio Mineirao on July 8, 2014, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) /

81. The emotion of a penalty shootout

I love penalty shootouts in an exhibition. I hate them at World Cups. It is the worst way to lose at a tournament at this scale. They capture the essence of what sport is. I might hate them, but they are amazing to watch.

82. Thomas Muller going for the record

Thomas Muller has 10 World Cup goals to his name after just two tournaments. He turns it on for his country and I expect the same from him this summer. He needs six to tie Miroslav Klose’s record of 16.

83. The simultaneous group games

From June 25th to the 28th, I will have two TVs in my living room watching two games at the same time. That is gonna happen eight times in four days. Might be the closest thing to heaven.

84. The four games on June 16th

June 16th will be the lone date before the final group games where we get four matches. The third day of the tournament begins with France vs. Australia and continues with Argentina vs. Iceland. Peru will then play Denmark and we close the day with Croatia facing Nigeria. Soccer for 12 hours straight!

85. The face paint

Face painting is the strangest and oddest way to show team support. It is too awesome and too much fun to not do. Even I paint my face at home.

PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL – JUNE 22: A South Korea fan with a painted face cheers prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between South Korea and Algeria at Estadio Beira-Rio on June 22, 2014, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL – JUNE 22: A South Korea fan with a painted face cheers prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between South Korea and Algeria at Estadio Beira-Rio on June 22, 2014, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /

86. The chants

No “Will Grigg’s On Fire” sadly. I’m sure someone will come up with something. Egypt can do a rendition of the “Salah, Mane Mane” song. England fans can figure out a chant when things are going upwards. Nothing beats Will Grigg.

87. Luznikhi Stadium

Luznikhi Stadium will join the pantheon of great stadiums across the Earth as one to host a World Cup final. Games there will be crazy.

Moscow, RUSSIA – SEPTEMBER 22: (EDITORS NOTE: Image is a digital [panoramic] composite.) A general view of the Luzhniki Stadium on September 22, 2017, in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Moscow, RUSSIA – SEPTEMBER 22: (EDITORS NOTE: Image is a digital [panoramic] composite.) A general view of the Luzhniki Stadium on September 22, 2017, in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

88. Switching between the World Cup and Wimbledon

Wimbledon starts on July 2nd this year. That same day will be the third day of the Round of 16 matches. The Wimbledon finals will be on July 14th and July 15th. The 14th will be the third-place match and the 15th is the final. The couch will be my home that weekend.

89. The giant upset

Iceland seems like the team that will have that big upset. It could be Egypt. Costa Rica could play spoiler again. Someone will play the role of spoiler. But who will it be?

90. The rout

The World Cup always has a rout. 2014’s rout came much later than anyone expected when Germany trounced Brazil 7-1 in the semifinal (still the most shocking sporting event I have watched). We could see a couple of drubbings this time around with a lot of new faces. I’ll say France beats Peru 9-0.

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