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With the World Cup just two weeks away, the teams will be busy preparing for the task at hand with utmost concentration. Some teams will be concerned with injuries, some will be concerned with the pressure of their fans, and some will be happy to just be there.
On the lighter side of things, the official slogans for all 32 competing teams in the tournament have been finalized. These slogans will be written on the sides of the buses carrying the teams at the 2018 World Cup.
The winners have been decided by votes, and the winners whose slogans were selected will be provided a free trip to Russia, sponsored by Hyundai. On that note, here are the selected slogans for all the 32 teams:
#1 Argentina
UNIDOS POR UNA ILUSIÓN
(Translation: Together for a dream)
In Argentina, the World Cup is still the biggest trophy in the world and no number of trebles will be worth more than that. For that reason, Maradona is looked up to as their greatest and not Messi.
The slogan, as cliched as it sounds, is true to the belief of every Argentine. The World Cup is their dream, their final frontier. Together, they will be hoping that the nation gets its hands on the trophy this time.
#2 Australia
BE BRAVE, BE BOLD, SOCCEROOS IN GREEN AND GOLD
Australia might not be expected to make much impact in the tournament, but they have arguably the best slogan in the tournament.
It rhymes, it has something characteristically Australian - Socceroos - and paints a clear picture of what their jersey will look like. 10/10 slogan.
#3 Belgium
RED DEVILS ON A MISSION
Before you wonder why Manchester United are taking place in the World Cup and whether Mourinho will park the bus against even the smaller teams, this is actually Belgium's. The nickname originated in 1906, inspired by their jersey color and the fact that their players "worked as Devils".
The slogan comes across as unimaginative, but Belgium's midfield should make up for it.
#4 Brazil
MAIS QUE 5 ESTRELAS 200 MILHÕES DE CORAÇÕES
(Translation: More than 5 stars, 200 million hearts)
After their humiliation at home in the last world cup, Brazil will be looking for revenge and looked hungry during their qualifiers. With all their players in form for the World Cup, they will be looking to get their hands on another World Cup.
As for the slogan, it comes off a little cliched with the mention of the population. Admittedly, it sounds cooler in Portuguese with all the rolling of the tongue involved.
#5 Columbia
AQUÍ VAN 1 SUEÑO, 3 COLORES Y 50 MILLONES DE CORAZONES
(Translation: Here goes 1 dream, 3 colors, and 50 million hearts)
Mention of dream: Check.
Mention of population: Check.
Mention of hearts: Check.
Colombia will travel the tournament as a walking cliche, and hopefully, their players have more creativity than their slogan.
#6 Costa Rica
NO HAY IMPOSIBLE CUANDO JUEGA TODO UN PAÍS
(Translation: There is no impossible when a whole country plays)
For those who are not familiar with this team, this country is where Keylor Navas comes from. Drawn in the same group as Brazil, Switzerland, and Serbia, Costa Rica will have a very difficult but not impossible road if they are to get out of the group.
They reached the quarter-finals in the previous edition of the tournament, so the slogan is not unnecessarily optimistic.
#7 Croatia
"MALA ZEMLJA. VELIKI SNOVI"
(Translation: Small country, big dreams)
Also known as the land of the creative midfielders, it is no surprise that Croatia has big dreams during the world cup. On their day, they are capable of going head to head against any of Europe's bigger nations.
Their group is relatively tough, but this country of 56,594 sq.kms will be looking to make a long run in the tournament.
#8 Denmark
SAMMEN SKABER VI HISTORIE
(Translation: Together, we make history)
After qualifying to the world cup through a 5-1 victory against the Republic of Ireland in the qualifiers, Denmark's chances of getting out of the group stages are pretty good. Having missed out on the previous edition, Denmark are ranked 12th in the FIFA rankings as of now.
The slogan may be too optimistic, but at least they didn't mention dreams.
#9 Egypt
لما نقول الفراعنة الدنيا تقوم تسمعنا
(Translation: When you say Pharaohs, the world must get up and listen)
However, with Salah injured and no certain news about his fitness, the Pharaohs are currently in a lull.
Assuming Salah is fit and scores a couple of goals, you can be sure that he will be winning every online poll imaginable.
Egypt takes up the award for the most thought-out slogan of the tournament with hands tied behind their back. It takes a lot of effort to come up with something like this without sounding cheesy, and props to the creator.
#10 England
SEND US VICTORIOUS
As England gets ready for another round of hoping and being disappointed, England's slogan might be harder to understand for non-natives.
Britain's national anthem goes:
God save our gracious Queen/ Long live our noble Queen/ God save the Queen!
Send her victorious/ Happy and glorious/ Long to reign over us/ God save the Queen!
Presumably, their slogan is a reference to that. After many years of waiting, this might finally be the year the World Cup comes home. God save England.
#11 France
VOTRE FORCE, NOTRE PASSION. ALLEZ LES BLEUS !!!
(Translation: Your strength, our passion! Come on Les Bleus!)
After coming close in the Euro 2016, this is France's chance to shine big. They have a great squad at their disposal and will be looking forward to the battles eagerly. Like the Egyptian slogan, they have steered clear of cliches and still delivered a decent one. Another slogan that sounds so much better in the intended language than in English.
#12 Germany
ZUSAMMEN. GESCHICHTE SCHREIBEN
(Translation: Let's write history together)
Although a closer translation is "Together. We write history" it was probably deemed too close to the Denmark slogan.
True to their stereotypes, the Germans have gone for a no-nonsense slogan, containing only the facts. The defending Champions are primed to retain the trophy this year, and they will take no hostages during the next month.
#13 Iceland
Látum drauminn verða að veruleika
(Translation: Let's make our dream come true)
For any other team, this would have been a bad slogan. But for Iceland, after their dream run in the Euros, and in their fairy-tale qualification story, no other slogan would have come close.
They can dream. They should dream. Whether it comes true or not, the Vikings will be proud of themselves.
#14 Iran
80 MILLION PEOPLE, 1 NATION, 1 HEARTBEAT
Population: Check.
Ridiculous use of numbers: Check.
Heart-beat: 1?
Why Iran went for a slogan in English, nobody knows. Besides, it doesn't even make complete sense.
They probably wanted to convey that all their 80 million hearts beat as one, but it doesn't convey that meaning in the shortened form. Sometimes, you are just happy to be part of something.
#15 Japan
いざ「闘え」、サムライブルー！
(Translation: It's time to battle, Samurai Blue)
The Japanese have gone full anime, and their slogan is pretty much how the average episode of B-grade animes are titled.
However, they get points for doubling down on the metaphor and calling their players to go to battle.
#16 South Korea
아시아의 호랑이, 세계를 삼켜라
(Translation: Tigers of Asia, conquer the world)
Not as cool as Japan's slogan, but the sentiment is much appreciated. A repeat of their semi-final run in 2002 is not on the cards and world-domination is far from reality for the tigers of Asia, as they have been drawn together with Germany, Mexico, and Sweden.
#17 Mexico
¡HECHOS EN MÉXICO!, ¡HECHOS PARA LA VICTORIA!
(Translation: Made in Mexico, Made for victory)
While it is written in the stars that Mexico will go out only in the round of 16 - not before and not after - the optimism is much appreciated.
Mexico are capable of pulling off some miracles as a team and it is a pity that they didn't for the cliched "1 team" statement. One of the few teams for which that slogan would have worked.
#18 Morocco
اسود الاطلس فخر المغرب
(Translation: The Atlas Lions, pride of Morocco)
This will be Morocco's first world cup in 20 years, and they have gone full in with the slogan. Nicknamed "The Lions of Atlas" owing to the sub-species of lions that inhabit the Atlas mountains that run through the nation, Morocco will be happy with just being part of the tournament.
They have not thrown in anything unnecessary, and are simply proud of their team.
#19 Nigeria
THE WINGS OF AFRICAN PRIDE
Disappointed with facing Argentina in yet another group stage, Nigeria hasn't even tried. Their slogan makes no sense on any level, and it is just disappointing that they chose this over something simple and meaningful.
The only possible explanation is that they chose wings because they are called the Super Eagles, but African pride when you are representing your country and not the continent is confusing and low-effort. 0/10 slogan.
#20 Panama
¡PANAMÁ! LA FUERZA DE DOS MARES
(Translation: Panama, the force of two seas)
Okay, this one is rather clever. It is impossible to think of Panama and not think of the Panama canal. Understandably, the Panama football team has an obsession with sea-related terms.
Their nicknames are Los Canaleros (The Canal Men) and La Marea Roja (The Red Tide), and it is only natural that their slogan references the seas (possibly the two oceans - Atlantic and Pacific). 10/10 slogan.
#21 Peru
¡ESTAMOS DE VUELTA! ACÁ VIAJAN MÁS DE 30 MILLONES DE PERUANOS
(Translation: We are back! 30 Million Peruvian are traveling here)
Peru takes the cake for being fully committed to the cause. Not just content with sending their thoughts and dreams, they have pledged to even travel to Russia, all 30 million of them. Also, "We are back" sounds so hard-core and rousing.
#22 Poland
POLSKA DAWAJ!
(Translation: Go Poland!)
If Poland got the same number of points as the number of seconds that went into thinking up their slogan, they'd have zero. There is no justification for sending your team to the World Cup with this as their tagline. Absolutely pathetic. 0/10 slogan.
#23 Portugal
O PASSADO É GLÓRIA, O PRESENTE É HISTÓRIA
(Translation: The past is glory, the present is history)
Sure, the slogan sounds absolutely maniacal and pretentious in English, but it is simply glorious in Portuguese. This is how slogans should be - rousing and inspiring. Hope Portugal does well in the tournament for this simple reason.
#24 Russia
ИГРАЙ С ОТКРЫТЫМ СЕРДЦЕМ
(Translation: Play with an open heart)
What could be more cold than this? True to their name, the Russians have delivered a slogan as warm as a bowl of ice-cream.
As host nation, all Russia wants is simply to be there and have absolutely no expectations out of this. A welcome break from the usual mention of population.
#25 Saudi Arabia
فرسان الصحراء
(Translation: Desert knights)
Move over Poland, you've got competition. Saudi Arabia hasn't bothered much about this, and have gone with just the nickname. At least, Desert Knights as a nickname is as cool as it is possible. Lazy, but if it is stupid and it works, it ain't stupid.
#26 Senegal
IMPOSSIBLE N'EST PAS SÉNÉGALAIS
(Translation: Impossible is not Senegalese)
At the outset, this sounds heavily cliched, but it is one of the best slogans. For context: French is the official language of Senegal (despite being only spoken by few) and this being a reference to Napolean's famous quote is simply genius. If you were looking for a reason to support Senegal, this is it.
#27 Serbia
Jedan tim, jedan san - Srbija!
(Translation: One team, one dream - Serbia!)
Now that's how you do cliches. Serbia has gone for the most generic slogan in the book and simply tacked on their name at the end, hoping no one would notice. Well, we notice Serbia. You need to step up your game.
#28 Spain
JUNTOS SOMOS INVENCIBLES
(Translation: Together, we are invincible)
Until the last World Cup, no one would have any problems with Spain calling themselves invincible.
But after watching Robin Van Persie and Robben rip them apart, it is not easy. Still, they are one of the favorites for this World cup and would be looking at an invincible run. No mentions of numbers though, so I can get behind this.
#29 Sweden
TILLSAMMANS FÖR SVERIGE!
(Translation: Together for Sweden)
Let us first take a moment to note that the slogan for Sweden was submitted by a user named "Dane in Sweden". Coming to the slogan, it is nothing special. Nothing to see here. Just routine stuff.
#30 Switzerland
FOUR LANGUAGES, ONE NATION
This is either brilliantly ironic or just poorly thought out. Switzerland has four official languages - German, French, Italian and Romansh, but they decided to have the slogan in English. More importantly, they decided to have THAT slogan in English. 10/10 or 0/10. Not entirely sure which.
#31 Tunisia
يا روسيا جاوك النسور. يد وحدة ملاعبية و جمهور
(Translation: Russia, here comes the eagles; hand in hand, players and fans)
So, after some digging around in Reddit, this is not as bad as it sounds in English. Apparently, it rhymes in Arabic - the words of eagles and fans rhyme in Arabic, but it is lost in translation. We can drop the pitchforks.
#32 Uruguay
BRILLA EL SOL EN RUSIA, EL CIELO ES TODO CELESTE
(Translation:The sun shines in Russia, the sky is all light blue)
My personal favorite, it is the perfect use of imagery and words to create a picture without resorting to anything generic. They have mentioned the color of their clothes, that they want to do well in Russia - all with the subtlety the other teams have lacked. It's hard to not fall in love with the slogan.
