Brazil, you say? They know how to play football over there, don't they? But it's a long way for one so middle aged as I to travel.

So instead, I shall slouch into my leather armchair and view the tournament from this side of the Atlantic. I shall try and watch every game and will definitely make wildly inaccurate predictions too.

I do solemnly vow to give you a real sense of what it's like to not be at the World Cup. This is the blog where all the colour and atmosphere and passion of watching the world's greatest sporting tournament on a wall mounted widescreen really comes to life.

Wednesday, 2 July 2014

They Finished 9th: USA

There's a serious danger of soccer becoming more than just a minority sport in the States.Look at the support they got everywhere they played. Big numbers of passionate and loud travelling fans replete with flags and face paint, chants cheers and songs. Banners and banter. And look at their players. Never say die. No play acting. Plenty of skill too, unlucky to fall when they did as they could have gone further.

I predicted the USA would make it through their tricky group, so wasn't as surprised as many when they progressed. They are a top 16 team who always perform in the tournaments. And in Klinsmann they have a manager who knows what it takes to win these things.

So how about the USA v RUSSIA in the 2018 final in Moscow? Don't bet against it....