One month countdown to the World Cup: What kind of World Cup will Russia bring
At 23:00 on June 14, 2018, Beijing time (18:00 local time), the 21st World Cup will be held The opening match will start in Moscow. The four-year promise of the Green Green Festival will arrive in one month. Russia, which will become the host for the first time, will bring much anticipation to what kind of World Cup it will bring.
Besieged on all sides,
Can Russia successfully host the World Cup?
From the exposure of the vote-buying scandal to criticism of racism, from criticism of football hooligans to concerns about terrorist threats, from questions about reception and security capabilities to disputes over stadium construction...from 2010 After winning the right to host the World Cup at the end of the year, Russia has been in the vortex of external public opinion.
In March this year, Russia was in a diplomatic dilemma due to the poisoning case of former agents Skripal and his daughter. Politicians from many countries and some heavyweights even issued a boycott of this World Cup.
Such a dilemma was obviously something that Russia did not expect when it applied to host the World Cup. But for this reason, the successful hosting of this competition is a "rigorous need" for Russia, which is currently in adversity. On this summer's stage that attracts global attention, Russia will do its best to show its great power as an excellent host. style, win more positive reviews and public support, and improve the current situation of being "embattled on all sides".
At the beginning of this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated after visiting the First Olympic Stadium in Sochi that Russia’s preparations for the 2018 World Cup have basically been completed. On the same day, FIFA President Infantino also said after listening to the preparatory work report in Russia that Russia has actively worked hard to complete various preparatory and organizational work. FIFA looks forward to working with Russia to organize this World Cup into a unique and unique event. An unforgettable sporting event.
Utilitarian football is prevalent,
Can the World Cup in Russia produce classics?
▲The newly built World Cup Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia
Looking through the dusty World Cup historical materials, the records of classic battles are basically patents of the last century, and those that still make people immerse themselves in blood Zhang's pictures and plots have become lifelong treasures for fans.
But after entering the new century, with the expansion of commercial interests, utilitarian football has become increasingly popular. In the minds of many coaches and players, the outcome of the game has become the only criterion for measuring the success or failure of the event, and the artistry and appreciation of the game process have become victims of "conservatives" and "1:0ism."
With the four-time World Cup champion Italy and the uncrowned Dutch team being eliminated in the qualifying rounds, the "Blue Jackets" and "Orange Storm" who have brought great enjoyment to the audience will be in Russia It has become a memory, and many fans believe that the enjoyment of this cup will be further compromised.
But the modern football world has lasted for more than a hundred years. In this World Cup cycle, new characters and stories have been added. Therefore, although the process and results of this World Cup are difficult to predict, some events have already been foreshadowed as "collections" due to the "grievances and hatreds" in the football world.
With its strength plummeting,
Will Russia become the worst host after South Africa
?
In the history of the World Cup, there was a famous "host law": the host must qualify from the group. But this "law" was broken during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and the South African team was eliminated in the group stage.
As the host of this cup, the Russian team is also in an embarrassing situation. Since the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the Russian team has never qualified for the group stage in the World Cup. In the group draw last year, the Russian team's world ranking was at the bottom of the participating teams. In the latest world rankings released by FIFA, the Russian team barely surpassed the Saudi team in the top 32.
But in this cup, the "Fighting Nation" will not be willing to let itself become the second South African team. As the host nation, Russia, which was among the seeded teams, was able to get into the draw and was placed in Group A with Uruguay in South America, Egypt in Africa and Saudi Arabia in Asia.
Before the World Cup in Brazil four years ago, the Russian team's world ranking was once as high as eighth. However, its strength has seriously declined in recent years, and its ranking has continued to decline.
In order to regain its momentum in this cup, the Russian team has naturalized several German and Brazilian players. The current heavy pressure from international public opinion is bound to stimulate the blood and fighting spirit of the "fighting nation". Perhaps, the host country's placing itself as a "dark horse" will also be a highlight of this "unique and unforgettable sports event".