My country, Norway, isn’t in Brazil, obviously. No surprise there, as we’re absolute crap these days. Shockingly, though, neither Denmark or Sweden made it in this time either. Not a great WC to be a Scandinavian.
So, I’m pinning my loyalties on Costa Rica. Two of their players used to play for my local team, so they’re my guys.
Also, the Netherlands. I was in Amsterdam during the previous WC, which is a nice memory that stays with me. (Well, at least the parts I can actually remember. :p)
Germany, first of all, because I’ve been following German soccer for a long time. Also, my wife was born there, and both our moms are German. Finally, I like them because I know their consistency has 100% to do with their skills as a soccer-loving country. It’s just a fact.
The US is my second team. Since I’m American, this does create some conflict with my soccer watching friends, but whatever.
Brazil. And just because. 20 years ago I watched my first cup and said “Hm, Brazil looks like a good team to root for.” And it has stuck that way.
My second is Mexico, more for sentimental reasons than anything.
And I’m glad the OP is rooting for Costa Rica or another “less favorite” team. It does irk me a bit when someone says “Rooting for Brazil is so clichéd, I’m rooting for Argentina/Germany/Italy/any of the other multi-champions.”
Note that if you root for one of the other multi-champions, I’m only irked in that circumstance above. Otherwise, let’s watch the game.
England born and bred, which usually makes for excitement if not success.
Me too, high emotions go hand in hand with being an England fan.
I got Costa Rica in the office sweepstake however!
Belgium. Normally they don’t even qualify for these things, but this year many pundits are saying they have one of the strongest squads (though I don’t really follow the leagues these days, so I recognize approximately zero of the names) in the tournament, and they qualified with ease.
Gonna be interesting to see that WTF play out.
I got Spain, undoubtedly one of the better picks (especially as ours also pays out for 2nd and 3rd place, and top goalscorer) but nothing is guaranteed. So much as I don’t really want them to add another trophy to their cabinet, I have to root for them for financial reasons - assuming they don’t end up meeting England, in which case patriotism trumps cash.
In the absence of those two from the final, I don’t really care who wins.
England. Having lived there, I always root for them.
I really want the US to do well. I started liking them in 2002 when they played good football amongst some truly awful European play… and frankly if they do the impossible and win, I am just looking forward to the inevitable mass suicides in Europe that will surely follow.
Which is why this Scandinavian will be cheering for her adopted home country: Italy.
I’m always rooting for the underdog, so I suppose United States will be my team!
My second is England as others on this board. Love the football culture in England and the general spirit for sport. Not for any Man U players though, I’m all Arsenal. 
Also Brazil, Mexico, Argentina I’ll be excited to watch. Still, I’d love to see an unexpected, underdog kind of final.
Argentina and Germany. I think they’re the two overall, long-term soccer powers who are a bit overdue for a World Cup win (they last won in 1986 and 1990, respectively).
I think it would be cool if they met in the finals. For semi-finalists, I’d be happy with some combination of Uruguay, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Or maybe Brazil. Or, what the heck, throw Ivory Coast in there.
My ancestors came from Croatia so i am rooting for them.
Holland foremost.
Usually Brazil second, as my mother was Brazilian - but not when they get the game just handed to them by a shitty call, like yesterday.
In the last WC i stopped rooting against Germany - their play was just to fun. don’t think I’ll ever root forthem, though.
Still actively rooting against Argentina.
When Holland is eliminated, I’ll root for any African team showing promise. (A legacy of Cameroon handing Argentina its ass in 1990)
Forever and always. England and Argentina have regular grudge matches. I actively hate them, which i realise is irrational but I can’t help it.
I don’t want Brazil to win either, as I get really bored by the hype that exists around them. My one Brazilian friend just won’t STFU about how football is in their blood. Look, who invented pro football? Hmm? Hmm?
Deutschland
I’m American but I studied German in college
I think they have a better chance than the USA lol
Australia - because someone has to.
I’ll also be giving a supportive nod to my friends across the southern border, which probably makes me unique in Scotland.
As almost always, Italy. (The lone exception being Trinidad & Tobago in 2006, then Italy after the opening round.) We lived in Italy during the 1970 World Cup when they lost to Brazil in the final, and I’ve rooted for Italy ever since.
England, because I’m a masochist.
Plus I was born and bred there.
USA 'cause it’s my adoptive country.
Colombia 'cause I was born there.
Germany 'cause my wife was born there.
Yesterday, I would have said, in order:
[ul]
[li]USA, for home-country reasons. Though expect this to be moot by the knock-out rounds. [/li][li]If forced into it, Spain, due to family connections (I’d rather see a non-favorite win it, but Spain over the other favorites). [/li][li]Netherlands for small-country underdog who actuall have a shot reasons (and one of the sprout’s favorite books right now involves a trip there)[/li][li]Whoever is playing Italy (nasty arrogant divers who didn’t deserve the Cup they won), Argentina (ditto) or Mexico (also nasty arrogant divers, plus US rivals)[/li][li]England for linguistic kinship reasons (and being screwed by the “Hand of God”)[/li][li] Underdogs generally. Except Russia for anti-dictatorship/kleptocracy reasons. [/li][/ul]
After yesterday, I’m adding
[ul]
[li]Croatia for ‘deserve some justice’ reasons and[/li][li]Whoever is playing Brazil, for the same reasons.[/li][/ul]