To be excited about the World Cup starting!

[user1471517900]

I know FIFA and Russia and whoever is involved is horrible in some way... But it's the actual World Cup. Mexico v South Korea suddenly becomes hugely important to my life! England have a likeable squad and manager. Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar. Spain sacking their manager yesterday.

It's so exciting isn't it!

Peru along with Iran and Morocco should be kicked out of the world cup for their fans using those fucking awful vuvuzelas.

Loathe football with a passion, load of millionaires kicking a football around. Fortunately H agrees.

@ginghambox it was just awful yesterday. I agree

Bit of a generalisation there. Not many millionaires kicking a ball around in the lower leagues.

Loathe football with a passion, load of millionaires kicking a football around. Fortunately H agrees.

Thanks for coming on to a thread all about the FOOTBALL World Cup to tell everyone though.

The football I normally watch doesn't have any millionaires in fact most of them don't have any money at all seen as they are 11. The World Cup is an example to them of how the game is played by those at the top of their game and what hardwork can achieve. I think Iceland's came today was a good example of that as all the kids thought Argentina would win as 'they have Messi' today was a good example that it takes more than one good player to win a match.

Seeing Iceland hold Argentina to a draw is what the world cup is all about imo!

Also really enjoyed Peru vs Denmark, although I wish Peru had got a goal.

Really enjoyed Argentina vs Iceland. I was rooting for Iceland as the underdog and they held their own brilliantly. Doubt they'll get much further though as defence won't win games in the end.

Iceland are ‘plucky’

@BitchQueen90 I'm not so sure. They're in a tough group but equally an open group, one win might be enough to get them out of the group stages- when they'd play France or Denmark. After today, both teams look beatable. France made Austrailia look hard work and Denmark lacked much threat upfront.

At the quarter finals they'd meet Spain or Portugal, who should in theory beat them. Portugal won't underestimate them after the Euros.

But for tonight they can dream about taking their giant killing all the way!

Iceland is not just a defensive team, they have a good attacking force too.

@LadyLance they definitely have a lot to celebrate! Argentina were always going to be a tough team for them. Defence was great.

Nigeria not doing so great at the moment are they.

To be honest none of the "strong" teams have seemed that good so far. France, Spain, Argentina not that impressive!

I've seen a few people putting bets on Argentina not getting out of the group stages- it's looking possible. They're having to play with a 3rd choice goalie due to injury which was always going to be tough for them, and Messi never seems to bring it for his country in quite the same way.

Croatia do have some quality players (although also the oldest team in the competition) and could top the group.

I'm sure I'll be eating my words in two weeks time.

I think the real favourites are Germany and Brazil though.

I can see Germany winning it this year. No evidence at all - just a feeling!

Nigeria were bound to be shit I have them in a sweepstake

Oh gingham I hate that feeling!

I have thoroughly enjoyed today. Although I thought this match would be the most exciting I actually got most behind Australia this morning. I thought they were astute and sensible and deserved a point.

I hope Iceland continue to do well. It would be nice to believe that England came a cropper to a team ascending in the last Euro’s, but also I like to see things mixed up a bit!

yes it´s so exciting!

love the big football tournaments, so much fun

But this year, being Icelandic, it is extra special for me :)

so happy about the game today!

I think England will do better than the last world cup. Well I'd like to think so anyway! Quarter finals at least.

I think it will be a Brazil win this year.

I have a sneaky feeling an outside might win it this time.

BitchQueen90 I hope you're right. I live in Brazil and things are shitty at the moment. It would give the country a moral boost. I've never seen Brazilians so disinterested, some people are slightly trying to give a shit but not like it used to be. Although Argentina not doing well might life everyone's spirits .

I love football. So obviously love the world cup. My dad (also a massive football fan) died on the night England got knocked out of the world cup in 1998. Three Lions was huge at the time and it's only very recently that I can listen to it without it bringing tears to my eyes. Today I heard it for the first time in a long while and realised that the 1998 version not only reminds me of him but also sums up the hopes and dreams that we had of the 96 Euro tournament. So near,so far, so many hopes. such pride. Never equalled since. But I hope it will be again.

Re Iceland: . Doubt they'll get much further though as defence won't win games in the end.

I give you Greece 2004 Euros.

Not that I think Iceland will win but hey, they could go further than we expect

Oh alibongo (love the name by the way) that's a powerful mix of emotions there. Football, music, England, and of course your dad. I can imagine what that all beings up for you. Have a squeeze and a

linoneum (another great name!) It feels a bit like that on England to be honest. I have never known such a low key build up.

Aww @BitOutOfPractice - thanks. That's made me well up again! Thanks for the flowers. Every tournament is a bit emotional! As was when our team Chelsea won the Premiership the first time - I just wished he was here to see it. There was a Cancer Research advert around the time that showed someone saying "you should have been here" in a football crowd and that's just how I felt. That advert made me cry every time too.