[ad_1]
The World Series is just barely in the rearview. The NBA season is rolling and dramatic, while American football is as intense as ever. The European club soccer season hit pause only about two minutes ago. Thanksgiving is approaching quickly, and you have to make plans. The election was a lot. And hey, work’s just been a beast lately.
The FIFA World Cup snuck up on you, in other words. It’s fine to admit it. It was bound to happen. This glorious event was perfectly dropped into just about the most inconvenient possible time of the year, and while you know how important it is, and you definitely want to get the most out of it, you’ve come to realize you’re running out of time.
Needless to say, ESPN has you covered from an overall coverage standpoint. We’ve told you about the 50 best footballers at the World Cup. We’ve predicted every game (E+). We’ve ranked previous tournaments. We’ve talked about “sportswashing” as it pertains to the host nation, Qatar.
We’ve tried to introduce you to the Qataris and migrant workers who actually comprise the country too, but let’s say you feel like you just want to know a little bit more about each team taking the field in the coming days: storylines, key players, the strange paths to get here and the favorable tournament draws.
Allow me to fill in that gap. Let’s walk through the field of 32 one last time before everything gets underway.
Contents
GROUP A
Odds to advance to knockout rounds (per Caesars Sportsbook): Netherlands -1200 (equivalent to 92%), Senegal -105 (51%), Ecuador +105 (49%), Qatar +400 (20%)
Louis van Gaal’s last go-round. Netherlands like familiarity. Over the past 30 years, they’ve hired Dick Advocaat as manager three times and Guus Hiddink twice. They’ve hired former Dutch stars like Marco van Basten and Frank de Boer, and when the…
[ad_2]
