COLOMBIA
Manager: José Pékerman
MVP: James Rodríguez
Best WC Result: Quarter-finals, 2014
Dragged kicking and screaming to the quarter-finals almost single-handedly by James Rodríguez (and the occasional thunderous volley) in 2014, this time around veteran goal-getter Radamel Falcao is available, too. Add in Juan Cuadrado, Carlos Bacca, and Davinson Sánchez, and there’s no reason this team can’t surprise some of the bigger names. March’s 3–2 win in France after going 2–0 down shows they can defeat anyone on their day.
La Fonda Antioqueña
5125 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90004
LA’s best Colombian joint is run by a guy named German. German’s been here thirty years, crafting La Fonda Antioqueña into the quintessential representation of Antioquia in this city.
“The people feel the culture in the food,” says German, beaming at our table. “We put the same spices and flavors as back at home. We have the restaurant decorated with Colombian ornaments, too, and many Colombian customers in the area have never visited their homeland—or even eaten many Colombian dishes in a while—so when they come into the restaurant the feel sentimental and start to tear up.”
We can’t blame them. The menu is rich with choice and flavor. We went for a piled-high plate of bandeja paisa, a north Colombian favourite. Steak with beans, rice, plantain, fried egg, avocado, and chicharrón colombiano—a beautifully crispy slab of fried pork belly. On one plate. Moving after this, you ain't. Luckily they show plenty of soccer so this summer you won’t have to. With German and his patrons all mad for the game, scarfs adorn the ceilings, shirts along the walls, and games on the television.
“Colombians have developed some good talent that play in European leagues,” says German, “and here at the restaurant, we follow our players on television. And this World Cup? We will be full. The restaurant always fills during the games as we televise them all and, as a matter of fact, from my knowledge Colombia has a couple of 4am games, and we’ve been having phone calls for weeks from customers asking if we would be open during those early hours...”
POLAND
Manager: Adam Nawałka
MVP: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Best WC Result: Third Place, 1974, 1982
In Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik, Poland boast one of the most fearsome striking duos at the World Cup. Jakub Błaszczykowski is the heartbeat of the side, and although keeper Wojciech Szczęsny had his shaky moments with Arsenal, his maturation in Italy has seen Juventus line him up as Gianluigi Buffon’s successor. Ranked fifth in the world as recently as last year, Poland will be slight favorites to top Group H, but a second-round date with Belgium or England could make for a genuinely fascinating contest.
JAPAN
Manager: Akira Nishino
MVP: Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)
Best WC Result: Second Round, 2002, 2010
A sixth straight World Cups for the Japanese, who rest their—admittedly slim—hopes of making the knockouts on midfield pair Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, alongside 50-goal hero Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City. Defenders Yūto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida, and Hiroki Sakai add experience, both at the international and major European league level. A genuine contender to challenge Nigeria for the best jersey of the tournament, too.
SENEGAL
Manager: Aliou Cissé
MVP: Sadio Mané (Liverpool)
Best WC Result: Quarter-Finals, 2002
The majority of Senegal’s hopes hang on Liverpool’s Sadio Mané. The winger is joined on the flanks by Keita Baldé, another jet-heeled goal threat who plays for Monaco in France. Drawn into one of the most competitive groups in the tournament, Senegal will fancy their chances of progressing if they can get a result against Colombia or Poland. Time to channel the spirit of Papa Bouba Diop—a man affectionately nicknamed ‘The Wardrobe’—and replicate the shock opening game win against France in 2002.
