Russia 2018 is already shaping up to be a classic affair, with defending champion Germany just ousted by South Korea in the first round (Germans never seem to perform well in Russia), and longtime heavyweights like Italy (4-time champions) and the Netherlands (3-time runners-up) failing to even make the tournament. Regional giants like Ghana, Algeria, and Cameroon in Africa, and the United States in North America, also failed to make the tournament. Asia's five teams have all been eliminated as the second round begins. Africa's only hope is now (as of June 27) Senegal.
These crazy results should be reason to celebrate the World Cup, of course, and the beautiful game of soccer, but are also a good way to remind readers that the World Cup is still the place in sports where favorites rarely lose and minnows rarely survive.
