There’s a distinct buzz around Fifa World Cups. After all, it is one of only two truly global events — along with the Olympics — capable of bringing people from across the globe together for some fleeting moments of celebration.

This time round though, the buzz is not celebratory.

This World Cup feels divided, fragmented, uncertain. Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast and Senegal fans were unable to travel due to US travel restrictions. The Democratic Republic of Congo fans were unable to travel due to Ebola restrictions.

Iran’s players and officials were denied US visas, which meant they had to shift their training base to Mexico, despite having to play all their group stage matches on the US West Coast. A special order granted only Iranian players (and not their officials) permission to enter and leave the US on the same day as their matches.

Delegations from the Middle East and Africa struggled with visa acquisition and were detained at airports for hours upon arrival. An Iraqi official was deported from Chicago. The top African referee from Somalia was refused a visa. There was also a shooting incident injuring nine people near England’s training base in Kansas City.

Political controversies have put a dampener on the buzz surrounding the Fifa World Cup. If the action on the field changes that, here’s what to look out for in terms of teams and players…

Political controversies have put a dampener on the buzz surrounding the Fifa World Cup. If the action on the field changes that, here’s what to look out for in terms of teams and players…

By the time this is published, the most uncertain of Fifa World Cups would have kicked off in Mexico City, making Estadio Azteca the first stadium to host matches across three World Cups. The action on the pitch should, hopefully, take the centre stage from here on and restore excitement worldwide.

Here is a quick rundown of who you should be keeping an eye on over the next 40 days.

For the third World Cup in succession, France brings a squad which feels........

© Dawn (Magazines)