Despite the fact that USA soccer fans have been treated to the arrival of the majestic Zlatan Ibrahimović to the MLS, it hasn’t been a great 12 months for the men’s national team. For the first time in 28 years, the men in red, white and blue won’t be appearing at the Finals. Of course, Canada have only qualified for the Finals once before (in 1986), so young Canucks fans won’t be too aware of what they are missing out on.
Still, the World Cup (14th June – 15th July) is always an unmissable spectacle, regardless if your home nation is doing well or not. In light of that, here are three teams that fans from Ottawa to Miami can support in Russia, along with some ‘loosely defined’ reasons provided:
Costa Rica
Reason: Continental solidarity
It was tempting to plump for Mexico here, but Costa Rica were the heroes of the 2014 World Cup and won the adoration of fans around the globe en route to the quarter-finals in Brazil. The question is: can they emulate that stirring run once again? Sportsbooks have priced them at a huge 20/1 (+2000) to be eliminated in the quarter finals again, but those making predictions got burned last time around. They are the archetypical underdog going to the World Cup, but they play with a never-say-die attitude that make them worth watching. It will be tough for them to get out of a group containing Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia, but, if they do, watch them become everyone’s ‘second team’.
Germany:
Reason: Because you are likely backing the winner
Germany are the current world champions, so it seems almost unfair that they are arguably bringing a better squad to Russia than the one that won it all four years ago. The perfect blend of youth and experience, a brilliant coach and a winning mentality – what’s not to like? They are 9/2 to win the World Cup (co-favourites with Brazil) and you can check for free bets to back them when betting on sports in Canada with onlinesportbetting.ca. Incidentally, keep an eye on Manchester City star Leroy Sané in Russia. The young German has all the attributes to be the next Lionel Messi (if such a thing is possible) and could use the World Cup as a platform to truly announce himself as a bona fide superstar.
England:
Reason: Because we now pity them a bit
It used to be the case that everyone would to love to beat England in soccer, simply because the English press would spontaneously self-combust whenever a defeat was handed out to the Three Lions. This goes all the way back to their first World Cup in 1950 when USA handed a 1-0 defeat to the self-styled ‘best team in the world’. The arrogance of the media has been all but wiped out over the last decade, as England have faced disappointment after disappointment at major tournaments. England fans no longer dream of winning the World Cup – they are 16/1 to do so – but rather simply pray for a decent performance from their heroes. The thing is, this new-look England team may finally deliver after a decade of disappointment. Coach Gareth Southgate brings a young, dynamic side to Russia, one that could finally deliver some joy to long-suffering fans. Whisper it, but this England team is actually likeable. Good luck to them.
