In most countries around the world soccer is not just a sport, it's a national pride. The first World Cup (WC) took place back in 1930 with Uruguay as the first champion and the tournament has continued to take place since, minus the WC dates that landed during World War II.
Now, I am Mexican so my loyalty remains with El Tricolor, even when they lose like they did against Chile (0-7) in Copa America or when they got sent home in the knockout round by a Dutch Penalty kick (#NoEraPenal). And that's the thing, even when your national team loses with seven goals against or has 20+ games where they haven't lost a game, something never done before by any other national team, you continue to wear the national jersey and paint your face with the national colors because there is nothing more patriotic than to stand by your national team in the best or the worst.
Every four years, 32 national teams get together to fight for the cup and with the cup have the ability to say "HA" to every country that seems to hate your national team because we seriously do take our national teams and soccer that serious. With the next WC less than two years away it's hard to not get excited for the celebration and insanity that is the WC.
1. RUSSIA 2018!!
Just thinking about it makes me break into an excited, happy, sad, anxious sweat at yet another chance to win the Cup! Not to mention I am still salty from the last WC and even though it has been two years it does not mean I do not get mad every time I think of June 29, 2014.
2. I am not honestly expecting Mexico to get the cup.
So Mexico is the team that has the talent, but sometimes just has terrible luck or they do something to let the game go. THIS DOES NOT MEAN I DO NOT HAVE HOPE just that I am not expecting for the Tricolor to be carrying the Cup at the end of the tournament, but if they do it will be a great day!
3. The Official World Cup song.
South Africa 2010 featured "Waka Waka" by Shakira and that song to this day shows the spirit of what the WC means. Brazil 2014 was given to Pitbull and although the lyrics of "We Are One" are great the rhythm was just not what I was expecting. The songs go on to say the world comes together in the name of soccer so I am patiently waiting on the release of Russia 2018's official song.
4. There is just so much energy.
When Mexico was playing Brazil, I was cutting watermelon and literally fell to the ground when Neymar was getting ready to shoot, but Ochoa was doing what he was getting paid to do and blocked a legendary header like the pro he is. Which is why soccer is so amazing and a cruel mistress, the game could be going great or you could be the best in the world and at the last minute the other team scores and takes the win. Not to mention when the game is so close the score keeps flipping or possession changes so often it seems there will be a goal coming only for a defender to sweep in and kick it over the net to avoid a goal costing them the game.
5. Have you ever been in any other country besides the U.S. during a World Cup?
I just so happened to visit Mexico half way through the tournament and let’s just say I was able to buy a lot of El Tri themed items like socks. YES, socks, but they were cool socks!
6. The dedication and self imposed challenge to watch every game in which your national team plays in.
When my dad was only able to get tickets to visit family in Mexico for June 29, the day Mexico was to play the Dutch in the knockout round, I download the Univision Deportes app and watched the game on the bus ride there while charging my phone on a portable battery because a few obstacles would not get in the way of watching my country play.
7. The tears.
I am not saying it's always fun because it is not. When Mexico lost in overtime because of a questionable PK I sat there in shock for a few minutes praying it wasn't true. Yes, it's that intense and I did want to cry on a bus while in the middle of the Texan desert.
8. The Refs and the bad calls.
Okay, some refs do have very shady calls that can bring out the worst in anyone. We can all say we have yelled very rude things at the refs, but they come from the passion cruising through our prideful veins. Sometimes they cost us the entire WC so we cannot forgive them or promise we won't be mad for a while. #NoEraPenal
9. It's a chance to check out players.
Obviously, I am a girl and we sometimes do talk about what players are the cutest, but we also look at how good they actually play and complain about why that one player made the final 23.
10. After the WC, top clubs have had a chance to look at new talent and go to buy them.
It's a great chance for players who have great talent to transfer to bigger clubs where they can gain more experience with world class players and the best part is you get to see how well they played before they make a transfer to your favorite club. Example, James Rodriguez transferring to Real Madrid.
11. The.Memes.
After most game there are some pretty creative memes circulating the web.
Like when Marcelo scored against Brazil while playing for Brazil.
Or When Sanchez Bit an Italian international and ended up suspended from playing in club and international soccer for months after the WC. I guess what happens in Brazil doesn't stay in Brazil.
Best of all when Ochoa blocked all of Neymar's attempts of scoring against Mexico in groups and the internet went mad and made him a memes god.
12. Family and friends
Not everyone loves soccer the same and having friends and family who do makes the watching experience so much more intense. Especially, if everyone is cheering for the same team, got their jerseys on, with paint all over there face and sometimes even the dog joins in on the face painting. They give you someone or a few someones there also experiencing the anger, sadness, or pure joy for your national team.
Most of all I am excited to see my country play its heart out and prove they are more than a few loses and they have the talent. So Russia 2018, I am more than ready for you to get here to celebrate, cry, or whatever you bring. I am ready to wave my flag and cheer for my country along with the other millions of people cheering for theirs.
