On our first trip into the South American confederation, we explore an often overlooked team that has an impressive history and a realistic chance at an impressive run in Russia. Is this the type of team that will score highly on Joe's scale, or will they be overlooked yet again?

For the first time we look at a team in the US's own confederation: Costa Rica. Will Joe find a rooting interest in this plucky fellow CONCACAF team, or will the 2 stinging defeats Costa Rica inflicted on the US during qualifying be too much to look past?

With the US absent, Australia became the only English speaking former British colony to qualify for the World Cup. With so much in common, will Joe find the Socceroos a familiar choice for his fandom, or will their hopes of moving on spin in the opposite direction into the rubbish bin?

This is the first episode of the "Joe Picks A World Cup Team" podcast, season 2 of the "Joe Picks" series. If you like it, search your podcast app for "Joe Picks A World Cup Team" and subscribe for more episodes.

This is the first episode of the "Joe Picks A World Cup Team" podcast, season 2 of the "Joe Picks" series. If you like it, search your podcast app for "Joe Picks A World Cup Team" and subscribe for more episodes.

A quick update on the fantasy playoffs, then we start planning the JPAWCT podcast and start assigning categories to the superfan volunteers.

A little past midway through the NFL season, we check in with Joe to see how his fandom has been going. Is he happy with his choice? We also open up the mailbag and see what both old and new superfans have to say.

It all comes down to this. In our longest podcast ever, every angle is analyzed, every detail examined, every fact scrutinized, and perhaps, if we are lucky, Joe will fulfill the destiny of this podcast series and pick an NFL team.

Four teams come in, and only two make it out of this episode. How can making two decisions take over two hours? Listen to find out...

Four teams come in, and only two make it out of this episode. How can making two decisions take over two hours? Listen to find out...