# What teams are you rooting for in the World Cup? And why? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 13, 2014, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688 "2014-06-13T07:42:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/61 "2014-06-15T20:02:08Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > As always, at World Cup time, I root for whichever team is playing against the USA. Because the sooner the American team is eliminated, the sooner the American media will stop pretending they give a rat’s ass about soccer, and the sooner they’ll go back to covering sports Americans actually care about. > > Whenever the U.S. team is eliminated, tune in to sports radio the next morning and pay attention to what you WON’T hear! Namely: > > 1. Anybody calling into to scream for Coach Klinsman’s head! > 2. Anybody calling in to complain about the team’s poor performance. > 3. Anybody calling in who’s heartbroken or angry about the result. > > That will remind everyone once again just how important this event is to most Americans. This fact-free rant brought to you by the Coalition for Americans Deluded About American Exceptionalism ™. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/62 "2014-06-16T02:39:27Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > This fact-free rant brought to you by the Coalition for Americans Deluded About American Exceptionalism ™. Which “facts” (or, if you prefer, “assertions”) would you like to rebut? It’s fine if you think I’m misguided, but what did I say that was demonstrably incorrect? ---
**Author:** ![nani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@nani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nani)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/63 "2014-06-16T04:33:39Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Which “facts” (or, if you prefer, “assertions”) would you like to rebut? > > It’s fine if you think I’m misguided, but what did I say that was demonstrably incorrect? Lots of Americans care about soccer. Enough for the media to make money off of it. Most Americans don’t seem to be fans of any one sport, with the possible exception of Football. Interest in the World Cup also continues at a significant level after the US is eliminated, if previous Cups’ TV ratings are any guide. I can sympathize with your dislike of how the American media covers the world cup though. Some of the ads have been particularly irritating (like Kia’s). But on the whole I’m happy I can see the games and hear some analysis. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/64 "2014-06-16T05:30:45Z")
I primarily root for the **U.S.A.** – because I’m American, obviously. After that I root for **Nigeria**. (So far it looks like I’m the only one.) When the World Cup came to the U.S. in 1994, I went with some family members to the [game between Argentina and Nigeria](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_D#Argentina_vs_Nigeria). We mingled and chatted with many of the foreign fans, and I was struck by how polite and, I don’t know, let us say \*dignified \*the Nigerians were. Since then, I’ve pulled for the Super Eagles and their awesome fans. (In contrast, the Argentina-backers at the game were, to my 14-year old self, loud and obnoxious, so to this day I root mildly against Argentina.) My tertiary preference is for **The Netherlands**. I don’t know why. The country seems like a nice place to live, and the orange uniforms are cool. :shrug: ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/65 "2014-06-17T04:01:38Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > The USA. The most likely way for them to get through the group is beat Ghana, tie Portugal, and get through on goal differential. Probably won’t happen, but it’s not a crazy set of games to make that happen. This isn’t looking too crazy at all at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/66 "2014-06-17T04:32:31Z")
I am English, but really don’t care much for English football ( if it were Rugby that’s another story) but one can’t help not be a bit patriotic, although I am jacking in any support if I ever see a reference to 1966 again, time to let it go. My wife is Argentine and we are permanent US residents working on citizenship so the order of support is ; Argentina (hey I don’t want to sleep on the sofa!) England = USA As it is really unlikely any of those will meet I am pretty safe in not having to make a call against any of them. On the 'Any one but" support I will support anyone playing against Portugal and Uruguay because I find several of the players who play for them embody everything I really don’t like about football. Oh and Italy because watching Italy play international football is a soul destroying experience of seeing 13 blue shirts camped on their one goal line, and they can never be forgiven for the ref giving the 2006 round of 16 game to Italy when Australia should have won. I think I will end up supporting Germany against Brazil in the final. Then again I just looked at the schedule and the 1A and 1G teams will meet in the semifinals so unless Brazil or Germany throw a game then no chance of a Brazil Germany final. So I will end up supporting in the final; Argentina over Brazil, or Brazil over Netherlands, but that’s because of an insufferable Dutch person I know. He probably thinks the same about me though, the difference is , his team will at least make semis ☹ ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/67 "2014-06-17T05:43:37Z")
When I root I root for the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/68 "2014-06-17T07:42:08Z")
What a weird question I don’t root for a team, I am way too clumsy, shy and inexperienced. My girlfriend and I just do it because it is pleasurable and brings us closer together. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/69 "2014-06-17T11:29:22Z")
The USA, because when the Random Number Generator was rolled at the moment my soul came off the assembly line, it dropped me in a hospital about half a mile away from a cornfield in the Midwest. (Or my preferred explanation: God put me here 'cuz I can do the most good here). Germany, 'cuz I’m German on my Dad’s side. Is Ireland in this thing? If so, Ireland, 'cuz Mom’s side of the family. England, same reason. I am pointedly not rooting for Russia or Brazil. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/70 "2014-06-17T13:11:51Z")
Nope, no Ireland. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/71 "2014-06-20T17:57:08Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > Costa Rica just handed Uruguay their ass. 😃 Off to a good start. And here’s yer ass, Italy! 😃 Man, this game can be so much fun sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/72 "2014-06-20T19:52:01Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > As always, at World Cup time, I root for whichever team is playing against the USA. Because the sooner the American team is eliminated, the sooner the American media will stop pretending they give a rat’s ass about soccer, and the sooner they’ll go back to covering sports Americans actually care about. > > Whenever the U.S. team is eliminated, tune in to sports radio the next morning and pay attention to what you WON’T hear! Namely: > > 1. Anybody calling into to scream for Coach Klinsman’s head! > 2. Anybody calling in to complain about the team’s poor performance. > 3. Anybody calling in who’s heartbroken or angry about the result. > > That will remind everyone once again just how important this event is to most Americans. You know what they say, a picture is worth a 1,000 words, so save yourself some time and instead of reading this silly rant, look at this image and you’ll understand all there is to understand about it: [http://files.abovetopsecret.com/files/img/kt504c9783.jpg](http://files.abovetopsecret.com/files/img/kt504c9783.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/73 "2014-06-20T20:39:56Z")
I’m American but I must pull for Colombia. That’s where Mrs Iggy. She and Iggyette are _hinchas_. I would not live it down if I didn’t pull for _Los Cafeteros_. Gratefully they have gotten off to a great start. Looking ahead I see it is possible Colombia and the USA could face off in the quarterfinals or even the final. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/74 "2014-06-20T20:55:23Z")
Ecuador, because I spent the 2002 World Cup there (the first time they qualified) and I’ll always have a soft spot for them. I’ve lived in Chile, Australia, and the US. I root for those three teams in roughly that order. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/75 "2014-06-22T18:13:10Z")
Today I’m rooting for Belgium over Russia, and of course US over Portugal. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/76 "2014-07-10T07:51:46Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > **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… Quoted for truth. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/77 "2014-07-10T11:20:03Z")
Deutschland, Deutschland über alles! ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688/78 "2014-07-10T16:02:25Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Deutschland, Deutschland über alles! Ironically, the only folks who still say/sing this are now _Argentinian_ citizens. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-teams-are-you-rooting-for-in-the-world-cup-and-why/690688.md?page=3)