ENGLAND
Manager: Gareth Southgate
MVP: Raheem Sterling (Man City)
Best WC Result: Champions, 1966
The Three Lions have not won a knockout game at a major tournament for 12 years now, since the days of David Beckham and 2006’s ‘Golden Generation’. Although no England fan can ever be too confident given recent tournament results against the likes of Iceland, Costa Rica, and Algeria (and the general, deep-seated pessimism that rests in every Englishman’s bones), not making it out of a group including Tunisia and Panama would represent a major shock. Gareth Southgate’s side are solid all round but short on major star power, although City’s Raheem Sterling—fresh off his first league winning season—may see this as his opportunity to cross into the realms of world-class.
Ye Olde King's Head
116 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90041
The best English pub in California. There. We said it. Someone had to. Loads of screens (so many screens) and great draft beer and pleasingly no-nonsense bar staff and a genuinely fantastic Full English breakfast make it a firm favorite with football* fans. (*Remember to leave ‘soccer’ at the door)
TUNISIA
Manager: Nabil Maâloul
MVP: Aymen Mathlouthi (Al-Batin)
Best WC Result: Group stage: 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006
The first African side to ever win a match at a World Cup in 1978, Tunisia are back on the biggest stage for the first time since 2006. Tunisia’s preparations were rocked by the loss of key man Youssef Msakni to injury, and taking up the gauntlet in his absence is enigmatic Rennes winger Wahbi Khazri, resurrecting his career in France after a tricky spell in England. Third place in the group is probably the best they can hope for, but warm-up wins against Iran and Costa Rica should give fans hope that they can snatch at least a draw from their more illustrious opponents in Group G, Belgium and England.
PANAMA
Manager: Hernán DarÃo Gómez
MVP: Román Torres (Seattle Sounders)
Best WC Result: Debut
Sadly best known as the team that beat the USMNT to Russia, Panama’s first appearance at a World Cup is a landmark moment for the country. Captain Román Torres, whose last-minute winner against Costa Rica sent his country to the finals, leads Panama into a tough group, but with six players on more than 100 international caps in their squad, including veteran striker Luis Tejada up top (the country's all-time leading goal scorer), experience runs through the team.
BELGIUM
Manager: Roberto MartÃnez
MVP: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
Best WC Result: Fourth place, 1986
Blessed with an astonishing generation of Premier League talent, the Red Devils will be keen to ensure they make the most of their world-class window to win. Supporting Man United’s Romelu Lukaku is the handy pair of Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, arguably the two most talented players in their division, while a defense including Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderweireld, and Jan Vertonghen should be among the best in the tournament, even before you add in man mountain keeper Thibaut Courtois. Favorites to top their group, this team are the archetypal underdogs-who-are-actually-overdogs, and there’s no reason why they can’t go the whole way.
Little Bear
1855 Industrial St
Los Angeles, CA 90021
A killer cafe in the Arts District with plenty of Belgian (and Belgian-style) imported beers on tap. The place is absolutely jumping whenever Belgium have a game on, with the bright, spacious place packed to absolute capacity, the fans chanting "BEER! BEER! BEER! BEER!" as they go (we made up that last part, but you can never tell what will happen in the throes of World Cup Fever...)
