Ranking the FIFA 2018 World Cup Matches by Watchability: Group Stage
It’s World Cup week. Finally. The planet’s greatest sporting event, and a given quadrennium’s greatest month, kicks off on Thursday, June 14, 2018. Whether you are a casual sports fan or a die hard, you need to know when to call in sick to work; when to urge your favourite bar to open early; when to schedule family outings; when to run errands. Very few people will watch every single game of a World Cup. There are 64 of them, after all. So we’ve put together a handy guide to the 2018 World Cup group stage. The following 1-48 ranking of the group games by watchability will help you decide which to mark on your calendar and which to skip. Source: Yahoo!Sports
Ranking the FIFA 2018 World Cup Matches by Watchability: Group Stage
Morocco vs. Iran | Friday, June 15
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Portugal vs. Spain | Friday, June 15
#11.0It’s the last two European champions. It’s neighbors. It’s Cristiano Ronaldo vs. arguably the best team in the world. It’s the second day of the tournament. You CAN'T miss this!
Germany vs. Mexico | Sunday, June 17
#22.0There’s even more potential for entertainment here than in the Iberian derby. There’s real upset potential – Germany looks at least somewhat vulnerable. And there are stakes. Oh, man, there are stakes. The loser will likely end up facing Brazil in the Round of 16 – if it makes it out of Group F at all.
Argentina vs. Iceland | Saturday, June 16
#33.0This is as much a narrative pick as a soccer pick. There’s a chance Argentina romps. But La Albiceleste also look ripe for frustration. Iceland is built to inflict just that. It would be the biggest upset that’s actually possible.
Argentina vs. Croatia | Thursday, June 21
#44.0There will be so much talent on the field – and no telling how it will match up or perform.
France vs. Peru | Thursday, June 21
#55.7A tremendous clash of unorganised, potentially under performing talent and a valiant, likeable, potentially overachieving unit. You’re going to fall in love with Peru!
Russia vs. Saudi Arabia | Thursday, June 14
#66.3It’s the World Cup opener. Never mind that it’s the least appealing World Cup opener ever. If you’re a soccer fan, you watch the World Cup opener.
Nigeria vs. Argentina | Tuesday, June 26
#76.7If Nigeria’s 4-2 victory over Argentina in November was any indication … yeah, you’re going to want to be parked in front of a TV. But again, there’s dead rubber potential.
England vs. Belgium | Thursday, June 28
#87.3On paper, it belongs in the top tier. But if both teams win their first two games – the expected outcomes – it might not mean much. So planning a day off of work is dicey.
Senegal vs. Colombia | Thursday, June 28
#99.0There’s a very good chance this Matchday 3 showdown is decisive. Also a very good chance it’ll be riveting, especially if both teams crave a win.
Portugal vs. Morocco | Wednesday, June 20
#1010.0If Portugal loses to Spain and Morocco beats Iran on Matchday 1, the pressure will be on the Portuguese. Pressure creates drama. Portugal could be in a similar situation to the one it found itself in four years ago against the U.S.
Brazil vs. Switzerland | Sunday, June 17
#1111.0There’s just something about getting a first look at a favourite; at this team you’ve read so much about, and maybe even picked to win it all, knowing all along that your evidence is more theoretical than actual. Even if Brazil’s opening opponent is dull, the Selecao‘s first game will be a spectacle.
England vs. Tunisia | Monday, June 18
#1212.0Will this England team actually be different? An entire nation might self-destruct if it stumbles against Tunisia.
Mexico vs. Sweden | Wednesday, June 27
#1313.0Sweden is going to be the most boring team at the tournament. But, unfortunately, it’s not a pushover. And this contest, especially if Mexico loses to Germany, could be for a place in the knockout round.
Poland vs. Colombia | Sunday, June 24
#1414.0A clash of styles, and a whole bunch of implications in Group H, which is completely there for the taking.
Denmark vs. France | Tuesday, June 26
#1515.0It all depends on scenarios. But if France slips up in one of its first two matches, this should be tremendous theatre.
Peru vs. Denmark | Saturday, June 16
#1616.0A battle of Group C’s two middle-tier teams will set the tone for the rest of the round robin. And it’ll be Peru’s first World Cup game since 1982.
Brazil vs. Costa Rica | Friday, June 22
#1717.0Potential for Brazilian exasperation or the soccer equivalent of a fireworks display. Or boredom.
Iran vs. Portugal | Monday, June 25
#1818.0Portugal might need a result. Iran is capable of denying Ronaldo and co.
Egypt vs. Uruguay | Friday, June 15
#1919.0Starpower? Check. But less so if Mohamed Salah doesn’t recovery from a shoulder injury in time. And it won’t exactly be a free-flowing game.
Brazil vs. Serbia | Wednesday, June 27
#2020.3Watch for one team, not the other!
Spain vs. Morocco | Monday, June 25
#2120.7Watch it for the Spaniards!
Russia vs. Egypt | Tuesday, June 19
#2222.3OK, this doesn’t really fit the tier’s title. But Salah will certainly be back, and could condemn Russia to failure.
Spain vs. Iran | Wednesday, June 20
#2322.7Spain could struggle here. Tension levels, though, will depend on Matchday 1 results.
France vs. Australia | Saturday, June 16
#2424.0It’s our first look at France, the biggest name that could bump into group stage obstacles. But it’s also super early in the morning.
England vs. Panama | Sunday, June 24
#2525.0There’s definitely going to be a silly red card in this game. Top three candidates are Blas Perez (obviously), Dele Alli and Roman Torres.
Uruguay vs. Russia | Monday, June 25
#2626.0Luis Suarez potentially sticking the dagger in the hosts? Sign us up.
Iceland vs. Croatia | Tuesday, June 26
#2727.0Should be Matchday 3 implications here.
Croatia vs. Nigeria | Saturday, June 16
#2828.0If you aren't too busy, you can give this a shot!
Poland vs. Senegal | Tuesday, June 19
#2929.0If you have too much time in hand!
Belgium vs. Panama | Monday, June 18
#3030.0First look at Belgium, but we won’t learn much.
Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia | Wednesday, June 20
#3131.0Could be 5-0. Could also be a dull 2-0.
Morocco vs. Iran | Friday, June 15
#3232.0Root for a winner, as opposed to a draw, because that ups the ante in the Portugal-Spain clash an hour after the conclusion of this one.
Germany vs. Sweden | Saturday, June 23
#3333.0If you don't have anything else to do, watch this game!
Belgium vs. Tunisia | Saturday, June 23
#3434.0If you have an hour to spare...
Serbia vs. Switzerland | Friday, June 22
#3535.0Should be the Group E decider.
South Korea vs. Mexico | Saturday, June 23
#3636.0Squeaky bum time if Mexico loses to Germany and doesn’t get an early goal here. Oh, also, you should watch every Mexico game.
Colombia vs. Japan | Tuesday, June 19
#3737.0You can skip this to hang out with friends!
Costa Rica vs. Serbia | Sunday, June 17
#3838.0Use this time to get your groceries done!
Germany vs. South Korea | Wednesday, June 27
#3939.0Only a die hard fan will watch this game!
Australia vs. Peru | Tuesday, June 26
#4040.0Meh!
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt | Monday, June 25
#4141.0Only tune in if it matters.
Nigeria vs. Iceland | Friday, June 22
#4242.0Iceland is a great story, but this has a chance to be very dull.
Japan vs. Senegal | Sunday, June 24
#4343.0You might as well plan a party of your own and skip the match!
Poland vs. Japan | Thursday, June 28
#4444.0This is going to be boring!
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica | Wednesday, June 27
#4545.0Do something useful with your time!
Panama vs. Tunisia | Thursday, June 28
#4646.0Get some sleep, clean your room, do the task you have been putting off for the World Cup. Nothing but this match.
Denmark vs. Australia | Thursday, June 21
#4747.0
Sweden vs. South Korea | Monday, June 18
#4848.0Nondescript teams. early Monday morning. I might even sleep in and skip this one.
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