The World Cup arrives, with its galaxy of stars
Among those who follow international soccer, whether traveling abroad or immersed in the weekend telecasts, the United States will not be missed at the World Cup, which begins Thursday in Russia.
The national team’s exclusion is, of course, inexcusable. Iceland, a country of just 330,000 people and only traces of soccer tradition, not only qualified but enhanced its reputation as a global force. The 32-team field is filled with countries who dramatically bucked the odds. The U.S., through decades of World Cup disappointment, has yet to produce a team with widespread charisma, elite-level players or consistent performance.