The New York Times put out a special World Cup preview section on Saturday, and one of their bits of information for each team was "How to sound smart talking about __________". You can find the preview here, but they didn't appear to include this bit online. Some are better than others.
Russia: "How curious that, after so many years with the Berezutski brothers in defense, Russia now has the Miranchuk twins on the field."
Saudi Arabia: "I really feel Fahad al-Muwallad could have offered something to Levante, if only he'd been given a chance."
Egypt: "Salah's form has been spectacular, but I still wonder what Mohamed Aboutrika could have done if he'd moved to Europe."
Uruguay: "Of course it's easy to praise Suárez, but the best example of garra charrua is Diego Godín."
Portugal: "Arguably, Ricardo Quaresma has just as much natural talent as Cristiano Ronaldo."
Spain: "It would be a fitting goodbye for Andrés Iniesta for Spain to win this competition."
Iran: "There will be a few teams hovering around Alireza Jahanbakhsh, given his form for AZ Alkmaar."
Morocco: "For a team drawn from so many countries, it's amazing how well Morocco speaks the universal language of soccer."
France: "The irony of this quarterfinal exit is that France could have named an entire other squad and done just as well."
Peru: "I think we have to face the very real possibility that Jefferson Farfán is immortal."
Denmark: "Kasper Dolberg has the talent to be a Danish equivalent to Zlatan Ibrahimovic."
Australia: "I wonder if they've tried to tamper with the ball, the way they did in cricket."
Argentina: "It's a shame that a team built around Lionel Messi in attack has to be built around Nicolas Otamendi in defense."
Croatia: "The midfield is as good as anything in the tournament, but I question whether Mario Mandzukic is reliable enough at this level."
Iceland: "This story really is powerful evidence for nurture in the age-old debate against nature."
Nigeria: "I have many strong opinions on Ogenyi Onazi, but look at that jersey. It's just incredible."
Brazil: "I do wonder if Roberto Firmino should be leading the line here, given his ability to lead a press from the front."
Switzerland: "It is amazing how one country can produce so many enthusiastic but ineffective strikers."
Costa Rica: "I've never quite understood why Real Madrid spent every summer trying to sign a goalkeeper when they have Navas."
Serbia: "You can see why they compare Milinkovic-Savic to Paul Pogba when he plays like this."
Germany: "It was telling that they did not differentiate between midfielders and forwards when announcing the squad: it's just so fluid."
Mexico: "Hirving Lozano just needs an impressive tournament and he'll be leaving PSV Eindhoven, that's for sure."
Sweden: "Victor Lindelof has really grown in stature during his year at Manchester United."
South Korea: "Ki Sung-yueng is as big as Beckham in Seoul, you know."
Belgium: "They have the players, but does Martínez have the defensive acumen? That's the question."
England: "By breaking the last bond with the golden generation, this finally feels like a team worth supporting."
Tunisia: "Hopefully the squad can overcome the domestic rivalry of Esperance and Etoile du Sahel to come together."
Panama: "Imagine what this team could do if Julio Dely Valdés was still young enough to be involved."
Poland: "Lewandowski is just so obvious. Piotr Zielinski's blend of technical ability and long-range goals is Poland's real strength."
Colombia: "Yerry Mina, Stefan Medina, Davinson Sanchez: this Colombia is strong at the back, and that's the difference."
Senegal: "Keita Balde has the pedigree to be one of this summer's breakout stars."
Japan: "Actually, it was an American, Tom Byer, whose coaching program helped Japan produce the vast majority of this team."
Russia: "How curious that, after so many years with the Berezutski brothers in defense, Russia now has the Miranchuk twins on the field."
Saudi Arabia: "I really feel Fahad al-Muwallad could have offered something to Levante, if only he'd been given a chance."
Egypt: "Salah's form has been spectacular, but I still wonder what Mohamed Aboutrika could have done if he'd moved to Europe."
Uruguay: "Of course it's easy to praise Suárez, but the best example of garra charrua is Diego Godín."
Portugal: "Arguably, Ricardo Quaresma has just as much natural talent as Cristiano Ronaldo."
Spain: "It would be a fitting goodbye for Andrés Iniesta for Spain to win this competition."
Iran: "There will be a few teams hovering around Alireza Jahanbakhsh, given his form for AZ Alkmaar."
Morocco: "For a team drawn from so many countries, it's amazing how well Morocco speaks the universal language of soccer."
France: "The irony of this quarterfinal exit is that France could have named an entire other squad and done just as well."
Peru: "I think we have to face the very real possibility that Jefferson Farfán is immortal."
Denmark: "Kasper Dolberg has the talent to be a Danish equivalent to Zlatan Ibrahimovic."
Australia: "I wonder if they've tried to tamper with the ball, the way they did in cricket."
Argentina: "It's a shame that a team built around Lionel Messi in attack has to be built around Nicolas Otamendi in defense."
Croatia: "The midfield is as good as anything in the tournament, but I question whether Mario Mandzukic is reliable enough at this level."
Iceland: "This story really is powerful evidence for nurture in the age-old debate against nature."
Nigeria: "I have many strong opinions on Ogenyi Onazi, but look at that jersey. It's just incredible."
Brazil: "I do wonder if Roberto Firmino should be leading the line here, given his ability to lead a press from the front."
Switzerland: "It is amazing how one country can produce so many enthusiastic but ineffective strikers."
Costa Rica: "I've never quite understood why Real Madrid spent every summer trying to sign a goalkeeper when they have Navas."
Serbia: "You can see why they compare Milinkovic-Savic to Paul Pogba when he plays like this."
Germany: "It was telling that they did not differentiate between midfielders and forwards when announcing the squad: it's just so fluid."
Mexico: "Hirving Lozano just needs an impressive tournament and he'll be leaving PSV Eindhoven, that's for sure."
Sweden: "Victor Lindelof has really grown in stature during his year at Manchester United."
South Korea: "Ki Sung-yueng is as big as Beckham in Seoul, you know."
Belgium: "They have the players, but does Martínez have the defensive acumen? That's the question."
England: "By breaking the last bond with the golden generation, this finally feels like a team worth supporting."
Tunisia: "Hopefully the squad can overcome the domestic rivalry of Esperance and Etoile du Sahel to come together."
Panama: "Imagine what this team could do if Julio Dely Valdés was still young enough to be involved."
Poland: "Lewandowski is just so obvious. Piotr Zielinski's blend of technical ability and long-range goals is Poland's real strength."
Colombia: "Yerry Mina, Stefan Medina, Davinson Sanchez: this Colombia is strong at the back, and that's the difference."
Senegal: "Keita Balde has the pedigree to be one of this summer's breakout stars."
Japan: "Actually, it was an American, Tom Byer, whose coaching program helped Japan produce the vast majority of this team."
