It’s nearly that time again. The 2018 World Cup is fast approaching, with the first match taking place on the 14th of June between Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Huge
It’s the most watched tournament in the world, with the last final expected to be watched by more than one billion people.
What I enjoy about the World Cup is that there’s constant football, memorable goals and most importantly, it’s stress free.
Why stress free? Well I have the pleasure of being South African, and while we’re pretty decent at sports, football is not one of them. As such, I watch World Cups without the stress of my team being eliminated.
I remember the last time South Africa were in the tournament, when we were hosting it in 2010, and the stress levels I dealt with would rival that of any big Arsenal game (nearly). I don’t want that! Arsenal give me enough stress as it is!
So, after the slight disappointment of my nation failing to qualify for the World Cup again, I become grateful because it means I can just sit back and enjoy the football.
However, you still have to root for a team, it’s no fun otherwise.
The main factor I look for in supporting an international team is simple; there must be an Arsenal player in it.
However, there are a number of Arsenal players heading to the World Cup, so which one to choose?
You can support all of them really, but let’s take a look at the Arsenal player who will be there and see if we can decide between their countries…
England
Many Arsenal fans will be supporting England with or without any Arsenal fans in the team, for obvious reasons – that they are English.
Another reason could be because Arsenal are an English club, thus, England could be the most logical pick.
There are two potential Arsenal players that could be playing for England this summer and that’s Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck.
Problem is, nether are guaranteed to be picked for the squad.
Wilshere’s recent form hasn’t been the greatest, but could sneak onto the plane if he played well in the final game of the season.
Welbeck has done well to come back from his injury, and with his great record for England, Gareth Southgate could be tempted to bring him as well.
The problem with England is Wilshere and Welbeck’s team-mates.
If England did well at the World Cup, that would mean the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Ashley Young being happy, which is a big no-no for me.
Germany
This wouldn’t be the worst team to support.
With Mesut Özil definitely going but Shkodran Mustafi unlikely to make the squad, Germany could be the team for Arsenal fans to support.
The main reason I would love the Germans to win the World Cup would be to further annoy all the pundits out there that have this ingrained hatred towards Özil.
If Özil can perform well on the biggest stage (again) it would further illustrate at what a great player he really is.
Switzerland
I remember how much hype there was around Granit Xhaka during Euro 2016.
He had received at least one man-of-the-match award and deservedly so.
It did end with a missed penalty in a shoot-out, but I enjoyed supporting Switzerland.
They have a tough group, playing Brazil, Costa Rica and Serbia, but could sneak through to the next stage via second place.
Egypt
The nicest man in football – Mohamed Elneny, plays for Egypt.
That should be reason enough to support them.
Nigeria
Alex Iwobi will be the only Arsenal player representing Nigeria this World Cup. However, people haven’t been the biggest fans of him this season.
Despite not meeting expectations this year, Iwobi still has been performing well for his country, like scoring the goal that sent Nigeria to the World Cup.
Hopefully any form Iwobi finds at the World Cup can be transferred to the new season.
Additionally, Nigeria definitively have the best kit, which is the all the more reason to support them.
Spain
Bellerin and Monreal could potentially go to Russia, though its less likely for the latter.
Even if Bellerin goes, he’s unlikely to start, with Spain having a number of talented players in defence such as Jordi Alba and Dani Carvajal.
France
France could be the best option here, unless you’re English of course.
Lacazette will almost certainly go, though may not start. Koscielny would have gone if it weren’t for his most recent Achilles injury and then there’s Giroud, whom I still count as an Arsenal player, despite playing for Chelsea now.
Additionally, the French team are just fun to watch.
They have great young talents like Mbappé and Demebélé, and aren’t outright favourites to win, which makes supporting them a bit more exciting.
However, the biggest reason to support France is because our soon to be former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is French.
Put simply, if France wins the World Cup, Wenger will be happy and if Wenger’s happy, then so am I.
And who knows, he could even be their next manager…