A Football Fan's Rooting Guide For the 2018 World Cup

Written by Sam DeCoste

For Americans, the Super Bowl is the pinnacle of domestic sport. Hundreds of millions of fans tune in for one night in February to witness two teams battle for the Lombardi Trophy every year. It is undoubtedly one of the most jubilant days in sports around the world. However, for the rest of the world, it is all about the FIFA World Cup.

Once every four years, thirty-two of the world's best national teams gather together to play for the World Cup, the world title, naming them World Champions. For the rest of the world, it is arguably the most jubilant, festive, and euphoric event in sports. If you don't like soccer, you still watch the World Cup. Unfortunately, the United States men's national team could not qualify this year, but that doesn't mean you still can't root for a team.

The 2018 World Cup kicks off this week in Russia. In this guide, I will tell you who you should root for in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, based on your favorite NFL team.

New England Patriots - Germany

If you want to root for a team guaranteed to succeed, Germany is your team. The best coach in international football is Joachim Löw, and he has been at the helm since 2006. Germany is constantly producing top tier talent in the world, with stars including Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller, Matt Hummels, and Jérôme Boateng. You may be wondering, who's the Tom Brady of the team? Well, the Germans are not necessarily led by one man like the Patriots. The star of the team is undoubtedly Manuel Neuer, the starting goalkeeper. However, until just recently, he did not play a game since September, due to an ankle injury. If fit, Neuer is the best goalkeeper in the world, and will shut down opposing attacks from around the world. Germany are the reigning champions going into the World Cup in Russia, and there is a great chance they retain their world title this summer.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Brazil

Brazil are the most successful World Cup team in history, winning the tournament five times, but have not won the World Cup since 2002. The Steelers can empathize with this, considering they have won more Super Bowls than anybody else, but they have since competed every single year, only to fall short each time. If the only soccer you watch is the World Cup every four years, you may remember the infamous night in Belo Horizonte in July 2014, where Germany annihilated Brazil on home soil in the semifinals, 7-1. Brazil have taken their time recovering from that loss, but now they are the favorites to win the 2018 World Cup. They are led by Neymar, the 26 year old phenomenon who plays for PSG. In 84 appearance with Brazil, he has scored 54 times, and is one of the top players in the world who will be showcasing their talents in Russia this summer. Brazil are man for man the strongest team in this tournament, so don't be surprised if they lift the World Cup for the sixth time this year.

Green Bay Packers - Argentina

Many football fans share the belief that Aaron Rodgers is the NFL's best player. He's the most complete quarterback, he's the funnest to watch, and he carries his team on his back week after week. You could argue that the Packers are lost without him. Enter Lionel Messi. You may recognize the name even if you are not a soccer fan, as Messi is an international superstar. He may be the best player in the world, and possibly the best ever. Ever! There's one problem, though. He has not been able to lead Argentina to World Cup victory in his career. He has yet to win an international trophy for Argentina, and whether he does it or not this summer, this may be Messi's swan song. But do not be fooled, Argentina are one of the teams that could win this tournament, but it will have to be because of Messi. Messi carries this team, and without him, they would have no chance. If Argentina win the World Cup, it cements Messi's legacy as the greatest player in soccer history. 

Atlanta Falcons - France

The Falcons have been the butt of NFL jokes and memes since they lost Super Bowl LI after forfeiting a twenty-five point lead to the Patriots. It's a shame considering the Falcons have so much talent on the roster. France is one of the most technically skilled teams in the World Cup, with individual quality glimmering all over the pitch. Just to name a few, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappé are the stars of this French national team marching into Russia. However, despite their talents, they have not won a trophy together yet, despite coming so agonizingly close. Two years ago, in the European Championship, which was hosted by France by the way, the home team fell to underdogs, Portugal, squandering a fantastic opportunity to win silverware for the first time since Euro 2000. But France have come back better than ever in 2018, with even more talent than in Euro 2016. They have the squad to win the 2018 World Cup, and they just might do it.

Seattle Seahawks - Spain

Seattle may be on the decline nowadays, but Spain suffered the exact same spell for many years. Ever since the Seahawks vanquished the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, which was five years ago, they have gradually regressed ever since. Spain won the World Cup in 2010, in style. Their tiki-taka passing style dazzled teams en route to their first ever world title. But the wheels fell off just four years later in 2014, where they fell in the first round of the World Cup, including a shocking 5-1 loss to the Dutch team which they beat in the 2010 final. They followed that up with a poor performance in Euro 2016, and have since put a new coach at the helm. But despite their struggles, Spain have the talent to win this tournament. Seattle has been known for their defense for many years. For Spain, their midfield is probably the best on the planet, boasting a surplus of talent to put on the pitch in Russia. "La Roja" could easily win the World Cup, but they could easily leave more to be desired in the end.

Philadelphia Eagles - Portugal

What stands out about the Eagles and Portugal is they have won championships in the recent past, much to the surprise of neutral sports fans. The Philadelphia Eagles won their first ever Super Bowl title this past season, which was frankly, shocking, if you weren't an Eagles fan. Portugal lifted their first ever trophy two years ago in Euro 2016, which many people didn't expect, especially when their star player left the final with an injury. Anybody ever hear of Cristiano Ronaldo? Portugal's best ever player and one of the world's best players went off injured in the Euro 2016 final against France very early on, putting Portugal in a tough spot. Does this sound familiar, Eagles fans? Remember when Carson Wentz tore his ACL, missed the rest of the season, and everybody wrote the Eagles off? Well, both teams were victorious in the end, winning championships in the process. For Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo has had yet another brilliant season for Real Madrid, scoring 44 goals in as many games in the 2017-18 season, and is in great form. Many feel that Portugal is a one-man team going into Russia, but they are reigning European champions. Doubt Portugal and Ronaldo at your own peril.

Los Angeles Chargers - Belgium

Nobody questions the talent that the Chargers have. The question is can the Chargers put it together and win anything, like a division title, or merely a wild card spot. It is astonishing that the Chargers have not been to the playoffs in five years considering they have arguably the best roster in the NFL. Belgium boasts the same amount of talent going into the World Cup. While they are not one of the marquee teams in the tournament, and they have never won a championship, Belgium are stacked with riches. Thibaut Courtois is the man between the sticks, with a back three including Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany, and Toby Alderweireld. Going forward, Belgium can score goals with Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, and the list goes on. Point blank - Belgium have talent. But the question is how far can they go in the World Cup, and can the golden generation of domestic talent win something?

Kansas City Chiefs - Switzerland

The Chiefs are the king of early to mid season power rankings. Nobody can question that. But in the end, everybody knows that they won't do anything in the playoffs. Switzerland are just as timid in knockout football as the Chiefs. There is nothing exciting about the Swiss national team. They have qualified for every World Cup going back to 2006, but have never advanced beyond the Round of 16. You may be fooled if you simply look at the FIFA rankings, since with less than a week to go until kickoff, Switzerland are somehow ranked sixth in the world according to the FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking. Any soccer fan will shrug if you ask them how on earth this is the case. Considering they had a brilliant qualifying campaign, winning nine and losing one game, they were never in doubt to make it to Russia. But in the end, Switzerland are not threatening any team when games matter.

Dallas Cowboys - England

If you are a neutral football fan, you wonder how on earth the Dallas Cowboys are considered to be "America's Team" considering they have not won anything since the 1990s. England are a good comparison to the Cowboys because of their poor track record despite their enormous hype going into every tournament. Since winning the World Cup in 1966, England have not returned to the World Cup final, and have hardly come close to challenging for another title. England infamously lost to Iceland (!) in the Euros just two years ago in the Round of 16, and failed to qualify from the group in Brazil 2014. England are known for underachieving, and despite the hype that may surround them, the Three Lions will be lucky to advance to the knockout rounds and from there, as Cowboys fans have witnessed for twenty years, will finish second-best in any knockout game.


Honorable Mention: New York Giants

Baltimore Ravens - Uruguay

Uruguay has previously won two World Cup titles, and are always a tough nut to crack for any team going against them. Like the Ravens, Uruguay are known for their stout defense. Led by Diego Godin, Uruguay will stand firm against any opposition who confront them in the World Cup. But unlike the Ravens, Uruguay are far from one-dimensional. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani lead the line for the South Americans, and are two of the world's top goal-poachers. While winning the World Cup is a long shot for them, Uruguay are undoubtedly in that second-tier below the top nations in the world who will not go down without a fight. Just ask the Patriots if they enjoy going up against the Ravens in the playoffs. I can assure you that the top dogs in the World Cup do not want to go up against Uruguay. Expect a far run from Uruguay in Russia, to the quarterfinals, maybe even the semis.


Honorable Mention: Denver Broncos

Carolina Panthers - Poland

The Panthers and Poland are blessed to have two great players at their disposal. For the Panthers, Cam Newton is the man, and the Panthers will only go as far as Newton takes them. Despite Newton's greatness, Carolina can be hot and cold and struggle to cause any significant impact in the playoffs. Poland are similarly timid and workmanlike in tournament football, despite the fact that they are led by Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich striker is one of the elite strikers in world football, and is without a doubt Poland's leader. With him, Poland have a better chance to win. But they are still an average team with him, and while they may give a big team a hard fight in a quarterfinal, that may just be their ceiling.

Buffalo Bills - Iceland

For the first time in the twenty-first century, the Buffalo Bills qualified for the NFL postseason this past season. It was a remarkable story, considering many young Bills fans have never seen their team play in a game that mattered, and the jubilant scenes of Bills fans cheering, celebrating their victory, pulled at the heartstrings of many neutral fans around the country. Iceland have a similar underdog story. With a population of just 330,000 people, Iceland are the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, and they will compete in the tournament for the first time ever in 2018. Their best ever victory undoubtedly came two years ago, when they beat England in the Round of 16 in Euro 2016. Ever since, Iceland has been everyone's favorite underdog. If you are pulling for an underdog, Iceland is the team.