Only two days until the 2018 World Cup kicks off in Russia and so on today’s football-language podcast we take a look at two of the groups in the tournament: Groups A and B. We will also be looking at our World Cup predictions competition – there is still time to join! For this audio report there is a transcript and a worksheet, great for learners and teachers of English, which can be freely accessed here. If you have questions or comments, email us at: [email protected] (Damon=DB, Damian=DF).

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Transcript of the show (13th June 2018)

Learn English through Football Podcast: 2018 World Cup Preview – Groups A and B

Introduction (Download Worksheet and Answers Here)

DF: You are listening to languagecaster.com’s football-language podcast. Hello everyone and welcome everyone to the podcast for all those interested in improving their English skills and who love the beautiful game of football. My name is Damian and on this audio report – only two days to go until the World Cup starts – we take a look at the first two groups in the World Cup: Group A and Group B. For this audio report we have a transcript and a worksheet, both of which are great for learners and teachers of English and which can be freely accessed here.

Stinger: You are listening to Languagecaster.com (in German).

Group A

* Russia (70th)

* Saudi Arabia (67th)

* Uruguay (14th)

* Egypt (45th)

There have been 21 editions of the World Cup and on 13 occasions the host nation has reached the last four, with six of those teams actually winning the title. This time, however, only the most fervent Russian optimists would support the host’s chances of progressing to the semi-final of this year’s tournament with some even suggesting that they could emulate South Africa’s ‘achievement’ of being the only host nation not to make it out of the qualifying group. The good news for the hosts is that Group A is the weakest group in the tournament based on FIFA rankings though of course Russia have not played a competitive match for a long time. This means that Russia may make it out of the group, particularly if they defeat outsiders Saudi Arabia in the opening game. The ‘Green Falcons’ did qualify above Australia in their Asian qualifying group but will need to take something from this opening game to stand any chance of making it to the last 16.

Uruguay are one of the World Cup