Today I feel excited. I feel conflicted. I feel 90% made of caffeine. And that's because the World Cup is less than 24 hours away. This is the Golazo Starting XI, and if that opening line confused you, just imagine how everybody felt listening to FIFA president Gianni Infantino deliver an infinitely more bizarre version of it.
Thankfully, the games start tomorrow. So today we're here to provide you with some basics, to make sure you've got everything you need when Infantino finally stops talking.
And while you're at here, sign up for our new newsletter covering the beautiful game in all its glory, including daily updates about the World Cup, here.
Remember, when the World Cup ends and Champions League resumes you'll be able to catch all the action on Paramount+. Use offer code ALLYEAR now to get 50% off the annual plan. We've got UEFA club competitions, Serie A, NWSL, FA Women's Super League and more just one click away.
⚽ The Forward Line
Back to basics: What to know ahead of World Cup
A very brief, very simple World Cup primer. We have 32 teams paired in eight groups of four. The top two from each group will advance to the knockout stages. There will be matches flying at a breakneck pace in the first two weeks before we get to the final 16. Are these the best 32 teams in the world? Not really. Qualifying is done by region, with each region allotted a certain number of teams. North America, or more technically Concacaf, got three spots automatically plus their fourth best team went to playoffs, which Costa Rica won. So there are four teams (United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) in the tournament.
Check out our staff picks for our top four:
It will not surprise anybody that Europe and South America are the two powerhouse regions. There has never been a finalist from outside those two continents in the history of the tournament, which dates back to 1930. In fact, there are only two nations that ever finished in the top four from outside Europe and South America. Drumroll please ... the United States of America (1930) and South Korea (2002). In the inaugural edition of the World Cup, the U.S. advanced out of their group directly to the semifinals where they lost to Argentina. South Korea upended Italy and Spain on their way to the top four.
The favorites, at least according to Caesars Sportsbook, are Brazil at +360 and Argentina at +500. They're followed by a handful of European teams: France (the defending champions), Spain, England and Germany. And, if for some reason you really, really, really wanted to bet on somebody not from South America or Europe winning the competition well after you get through the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Denmark, Uruguay, Croatia and Serbia, you can look to Mexico, Senegal and the United States men's national team (along with Poland, Switzerland and Wales) at +100000. Go nuts, kids.
Here's everything we're providing to help you keep track of the world's biggest soccer tournament.
- We've got a wall chart. It's great. You can fill it out and everything.
- Our schedule post to keep you updated on the basics. Got to know who's playing and when.
- Our staff picks. If nothing else, they'll be very important to hold onto so you can laugh at the dummy who picked England to win.
- Initial Power Rankings. We'll be updating these after each matchday.
- And finally don't miss tomorrow's opening ceremony. Apparently, a performer from BTS will be there.
Craving more World Cup coverage? Listen below and follow House of Champions, a daily CBS Sports soccer podcast, bringing you top-notch analysis, commentary, picks and more during the big games in Qatar.
🔗 Midfield Link Play
Once more into the Ronaldo breach
Before we go all World Cup all the time, the Cristiano Ronaldo saga with Manchester United keeps on rolling. While he's with Portugal preparing for the main event, Manchester United are back home trying to figure out if they can void his contract after he lit into everybody -- from manager Erik ten Hag to front office staff to Wayne Rooney in pubic -- last week in an incendiary interview. Chuck Booth looks at Ronaldo's legacy.
Broadcaster Eric Krakauer, who has his finger on the pulse of all things Portugal, joined the House of Champions podcast to make note that "as much as Cristiano Ronaldo is a celebrity globally, in Portugal he is an institution." And on the Bruno Fernandes snub accusations: "Nobody on that team would publicly embarrass him."
Now, let's hit some links:
- Jimmy Conrad is in Doha and you never know who might pop in to say hi during the live taping of the In Soccer We Trust podcast. Last night, it was Mo Edu and Cobi Jones who joined Conrad, Heath Pearce and Charlie Davies.
- Speaking of In Soccer We Trust, the crew breaks down who they think should be starting for the USMNT against Wales.
- Here We Go: Our soccer insider Fabrizio Romano breaks down the impending divorce between Ronaldo and Man United.
- England and Wales say they're prepared to wear the 'One Love' armband even if FIFA fines them for it.
- On the House of Champions podcast, the guys look at the favorites, Brazil and Argentina. Our Ian Paul Joy says Serbia can make some noise in their group.
- Remember you can catch the Champions League, Serie A, NWSL and more on Paramount+ -- get 50% off the annual plan with promo code ALLYEAR!
Listen below and follow In Soccer We Trust: A CBS Sports Soccer Podcast where your three favorite former USMNT players cover everything you could possibly want to know about the United States men's national team during the World Cup in Qatar.
💰 The Back Lines
Best bets
Let's pick some winners for the tournament, shall we?
All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
- Winning Continent
💰 THE PICK: North/South America (+140). Yesterday, some dummy with a newsletter told you that England were going to win the whole thing. Today, he's telling you to pick a winner from North/South America. What gives? Well, the reason I picked England is that if the bracket holds, Argentina and Brazil are headed for a semifinal showdown making it very hard to pick between them. With the continent bet ... you don't have to. - Golden Boot
💰 THE PICK: Harry Kane (+800). Barring injury, he's going to play every minute. He's going to take all of England's penalties, if they get any. He's a set piece machine on a team that loves its set pieces. And, most importantly, England might have the easiest route to the quarterfinals in the tournament. There's a reason he's the favorite - To Reach the Semifinals
💰 THE PICK: Uruguay (+700). I'm just a big believer in the strength of South America and this bet reflects that in two ways. First, it hinges on Uruguay topping Portugal in their group (a +188 proposition on its own) and then second, it's relies on Brazil not slipping up so that Uruguay face whoever finishes second to Brazil out of Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon. I like those odds on both fronts.
