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IT’S EXACTLY SEVEN months ago today that Ireland was spanked 5-1 by Denmark at the Aviva Stadium, ending the country’s chances of competing at its fourth World Cup.
The pain of that defeat for fans may have eased in the months since, but it’s about to all come flooding back as the largest sporting event of the year kicks off later today.
The build up to World Cups without Ireland always seem a little less exciting, especially to casual fans, and this is perhaps truer than ever this year.
But regardless of everything that’s gone before, the next month is about to be overtaken by football, so here’s a guide to everything you need to know.
Where’s it happening?
[image alt="Russia Soccer WCup Russia" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2018/06/russia-soccer-wcup-russia-630x420.jpg" width="630" height="420" title="" class="alignleft" /end]
Yes, there is baggage attached to the hosting of this year’s tournament.
Russia was announced as the host of the tournament way back in 2010, beating a high-profile bid from England. It was controversial at the time but in the years after it was somewhat overshadowed by the selection of Qatar for 2022, which was announced on the same day.
That was until a succession of events like the invasion of Crimea, MH17, Trump’s election and the poisoning of Sergei Skripal all put the focus on Russia’s hosting of the tournament.
In reality though there was never any question that Russia would be relieved of its hosting duties. The country has a long footballing pedigree and hosted the Winter Olympics as recently as 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was keen to host the tournament and has been at Fifa events in Moscow this week, officiating at events with Fifa President Gianni Infantino.
[image alt="Russia Soccer WCup FIFA Congress" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2018/06/russia-soccer-wcup-fifa-congress-630x441.jpg" width="630" height="441" title="" class="alignleft" /end]
Which brings us to now – today’s opening match is between Russia and Saudi Arabia at 4pm. It’s being held at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, which will also host the final on Sunday 14 July.
In total there are 11 cities hosting matches with the capital having two stadiums in the mix.
The most northern city is St Petersburg on the Baltic Sea and the southernmost is Sochi on the Black Sea, with a distance of almost 2,000 km between them.
Who should I follow?
[image alt="FIFA 2018 World Cup Draw in Moscow" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2018/06/fifa-2018-world-cup-draw-in-moscow-630x285.jpg" width="630" height="285" title="" class="alignleft" /end]
With Ireland not in the tournament it can be tricky to know who to support if you want to get involved in the action.
So here’s some information about some of the teams that might help you decide, or indeed just help you with the pub chat.
Group A is where the hosts Russia are placed and, along with the three other teams, is the weakest group in modern World Cup history.
Perhaps the biggest talking point in that group is about the fitness of Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah. The player was the top scorer in the Premier League this year and was talked about as a possible Ballon d’Or award winner.
That was until an injury forced him off the field in the Champions League final and placed his participation in the World Cup in doubt.
He has travelled to the tournament but there are doubts about how fit he’ll be. Egypt face Uruguay in their opening game and the two are the best ranked teams in the group.
[image alt="Egypt: Mohamed Salah Training Before World Cup in Russia" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2018/06/egypt-mohamed-salah-training-before-world-cup-in-russia-630x419.jpg" width="630" height="419" title="" class="alignleft" /end]
In Group B, the biggest talking point is the Saipan-esque development of the sacking of Spain‘s manager yesterday, 48 hours before the team’s opening match against Portugal.
Julen Lopetegui signed on to be Real Madrid’s manager for next year and Spain’s footballing bosses were apparently so annoyed that he went behind their back that they sacked him. It’s undoubtedly a blow for a team that was among the favourites for the tournament.
Group C may be a difficult one for Irish people to follow because it contains the aforementioned Denmark, who beat Ireland to a place at the tournament.
They’ll face one of the tournament favourites, France, as well as Peru, who are competing in their first World Cup since 1982.
Australia is the fourth team in the group, they’re known as the Socceroos.
Groups D and E contain the two South American footballing giants, Argentina and Brazil. The latter being the bookies favourite to win the tournament.
Many consider Argentina’s Lionel Messi as the best footballer of all time but he turns 31 during the tournament so his chances of winning the sport’s greatest prize are running out. The team were runners-up four years ago and Messi’s fans will be hoping the team can go one better this year.
Elsewhere in Group D is Iceland, who are the smallest nation in the tournament and won fans around the world in reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 two years ago.
Defending champions Germany are in Group F and are also among the favourites for the tournament. Mexico are also in the group and they’ve just been awarded the rights to host the 2026 tournament along with the USA and Canada.
For many Irish people though, Group G is where it’s at. If you can’t cheer for Ireland, maybe cheering for or against England is the best you’re going to get in terms of emotional investment.
England’s team is among the youngest in the tournament and will be fancied to get out of the group but could potentially face Germany in the quarter-finals.
Group H is the final group and is somewhat symmetrical in having one team each from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. So for that alone it’s probably an interesting one to watch.
How to watch it?
RTÉ is showing all 64 games of the World Cup and has announced some familiar and new faces as part of its coverage.
The regular team of pundits Eamon Dunphy, Liam Brady, Richie Sadlier, Damien Duff and Didi Hamann will all be part of the programming.
Former Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given and retired United States international Hope Solo also part of the punditry team. Solo, one of the biggest names in women’s football, is both a surprising and controversial addition to RTÉ’s team.
There is Irish interest elsewhere though.
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane will both be part of the punditry team for ITV’s World Cup coverage.
The Ireland pairing will join a team of 11 ITV pundits that includes Keane’s former teammate and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.
ITV is sharing the UK rights to the tournaments with BBC. The BBC has 33 live matches while ITV has 32.
BBC announced its punditry line via a spoof WhatsApp group video on social media.
Enjoy the football!
I assume they were going to drive onto a premises rather than pop out of the boot on a street?
Now that would have been a sight to behold.
Congratulations An Garda Siochana. Pity the judicial system didnt do their jobs as well.
I was standing at Goldenbridge luas stop one afternoon last year and a car pulled up on the side of the road alongside the luas stop and the boot popped open, none of us paid any heed, I assumed someone was being dropped off to get the luas, until a man jumped out of the boot, hopped over the railings, ran to the far side of the luas stop, grabbed a rather large handbag off an older woman and ran back across and dived over the railings back into the boot of the car and pulled it closed after himself as the car sped off. All happened so fast I don’t think anyone standing at the luas realised what was happening until after, and all this took place right in the view of the luas stop cctv cameras.
What will happen them when they get to court? Nothing! They would get 15 to 20 in the USA. be out in 18 months in Ireland. The Garda catch them, then the courts release them. its just like fishing catch and release. A lawless country a place with no consequences.
15 to 20 seems a bit much.
Nature or nurture?
These people have a bad start in life so we need to make some allowance for this.
We don’t see any rich kids turning to crime its usually poorer people with drug addictions.
No rich kids do it white collar crime and get away with it. They also take drugs.
What can they be charged with?
Not wearing a seat belt will only get them a couple of penalty points.
@ Voteno Voteno
What an utterly ridiculous comment trying to make excuses for criminals and crime, are you a defense lawyer by any chance.
Next time spare a thought for victims before coming out with such tripe
no rich kids ever beat anyone to death out side a night club….
Over 300 people believe 15 to 20 years for not being properly seated and in possession of several questionable items is within US sentencing guidelines.
Great work well done to the Garda.
The best police force in the world.
Haha your a funny troll
I agree. The vast majority of the Guards do a fantastic job. They should feel very proud indeed.
I think we are lucky to have a dedicated unarmed police force
I think the Organised crime and drugs unit are infact armed. Having said that we are lucky that they very rarely ever use their guns and i cant recall last time a Garda shot anyone.
Great work well done to the Gardaí but let’s not go over the top………
If SF want to deal with thugs who assault and burgle innocent people up and down the country with slash hooks and sawn-off shotguns, then they’ll get my vote.
Thought you were an Italian ,Voteno .
Karen, you have a short memory
Loving this proactive policing we are seeing lately.
Were they charged as extra baggage?
Was the meter running on the Taxi?
The taxi driver will deny all knowledge of the occupants in the boot. And then tell the judge he hasn’t had a fare increase for years.
They’re most likely out on bail as we speak
Gobsh!tes
We have some real characters with taxis in this country.
Sounds like the Gardai stopped a St Patrick’s Day Banker’s float by mistake ….
right then lads where r ye off to?
Umm Booterstown?
Should have just impounded the car and to hell with the goons in the boot..
Journal…. Men found in “car boot of car”?? Think you need to do a bit of editing
Good job by the garda the don’t always get it wrong
Tip off?
Fancy dress party maybe ?
Those fecking taxi drivers .. carrying extra passengers in the boot….
Maybe they were transvestites that just wanted to practise for the Piste? That would account for the ski masks & wigs, and sure the knives might just have have been to pare their apples? Innocent till proven gullty & all that.
I blame the Catholic Church
Sorry, but I just laughed my ar*e off after reading that headline.
Ha ha ha ha
They were no nidge’s , bunch of idiots .
Well done to *these* Gardai, much better job than their colleague, who was pepper spraying the homeless guy, because the force is somewhere between 50-90% sound. That 10-50% though, we gotta do something quick.
Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xssyCecm2TY
Let me disrupt the Garda love in…..
The fellas who travel in the boot are usually going to a bog.
Was one of the implements a shovel?
Interesting the only one not barred (bail condition) from stoneybatter is the taxi driver ….so your taxi driver tonight might be a suspected armed robber
have your say