This is a tough one for me.  Dutch coach Frans Hoek who has spent the last 25 years helping soccer in northern California serves as the assistant coach for Saudi Arabia.  Russia is the host country and let’s be honest, do you really think Putin will let Russia lose the World Cup opener in his backyard? Will VAR play a prominent role in Russia?  By VAR, I am not referring to the usual Video Assisted Refereeing, but Vladimir Assisted Refereeing.   Do you think Putin has direct access to the referees ear piece or will he settle for communicating through other means?  Rumor has it he likes Facebook.  Don’t be surprised if Russia wins 1-0 on a penalty kick in extra time, but after their 2-1 loss to Germany last week, I’m throwing my support behind Frans Hoek and the Saudi win.

This game features Liverpool FC past (Luis Suarez) vs Liverpool present (Mohamed Salah).  Suarez adds bite to the Uruguay attack and Salah will have to shoulder a lot of the responsibility if Egypt is to find success in Russia.  Egypt’s last appearance in the World Cup came during Cleopatras rule (circa 28 years ago) so they have no pressure or expectations.  Suarez and company will be too much for Egypt to handle.

When the bracket expands to 48 in 2026 this game might be considered a dream matchup but in 2018 it might be the game to skip. Kudos to Morocco and Iran though as the United States and three other perennial contenders -Italy, Holland and Chile – didn’t qualify.  That is the risk when it is a true global event, unless that event is #worldseries, which includes 29 American teams and a token Canadian team.  But I digress…I’m feeling a tie on this one.