Ever since I was a little kid, soccer has been a huge part of my life. My dad was a college soccer coach and I played all throughout my childhood and through high school, even receiving some offers to play college soccer. As a soccer fan, the World Cup is the biggest event for the sport and it only happens every four years.

This year France defeated Croatia 4-2 in a riveting classic of a game. The 2018 World Cup has been an exhilarating month of world-class soccer. It is a time where even people who don't like soccer or follow it much tuned in to watch the games and see world-class players. However, this World Cup provided some outstanding moments, such as Cristiano Ronaldo single-handedly carrying his Portugal team with 5 goals in 4 games; Harry Kane coming into his own and starring for an England team who made it all the way to the semi-finals.

As fans, we got to see 19-year old Kylian Mbappe show off on the world's biggest stage and win the "silver ball award" for the best young player in the tournament. As well, underdog Croatia, led by former underdog Luka Modric, defy all odds and make it to the World Cup for the first ever time. In the end, however, the second youngest team in the World Cup and the absolute juggernaut that is France would end up winning the whole thing in the pouring rain in Moscow.

Overwhelmingly this could be considered to be one of the most exciting World Cups in history and we, as soccer fans should all be incredibly grateful for this. What is even better news as a soccer fan, is that people became soccer fans this summer just by following the exciting games that took place in the World Cup.

The World Cup is coming to North America in 2026. Hopefully, the United States team will make the World Cup for that one. Overall, from the bottom of my soccer-loving heart, I want to say thank you to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.