The World Cup 2018 is being hosted by Russia (in case you did not know!) and World Cup Fever (excitement) has taken hold of everyone. Here are some useful English vocabulary football words and phrases that you might find useful.

Football is truly (really) an international language. When it comes to (when it arrives) the World Cup even those individuals who normally do not watch games will be glued to (watching enthusiastically) their TV screens. The tournament (competition) is well under way (has begun) and the excitement is building. Thirty two teams qualified for the final stages (the last part of the competition) after more than two years of qualifying matches in various regions (zones) all over the world. These teams came together and the competition kicked off (started) on the 15th June 2018. The qualifiers were divided in to eight groups of four teams (4 teams in each group A- H). The teams were seeded (separated/divided) so that all the best teams could not be drawn (placed) together in the same group. There were four seedings 1-4. This draw took place in December 2017so everyone has known for several months which teams they would play. Every team has now played the other three teams in its group. So each team has three matches (games) and the top two teams in each group qualify for the next stage (part/round) of the competition. This is referred to as the knock out stages (if you lose you go home!) or the last 16.
English Football Vocabulary

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English Vocabulary Football Words and Phrases
Here are some well known English vocabulary football words and phrases:
TO BLOW THE WHISTLE ON SOMETHING
This usually refers to somebody who tells the boss or someone in authority that something illegal or wrong is going on. In modern language they are called
“whistleblowers”.
ex. A whistleblower in the banks treasury department told the managers that some illegal trades were taking place. He blew the whistle on those traders.
TO KICK FOR TOUCH
When you are undecided or do not want/wish to commit yourself to something then you often kick for touch and hope to avoid having to make a decision immediately.
ex. His boss asked him to let him know if he would go to Hungary for 1 month to sort a business problem out. He really didn’t want to go for such a long period. He decided to kick for touch and told his boss he would give him an answer the following week.
OVER THE LINE
We usually use this phrase to confirm when a business deal has been concluded satisfactorily.
ex. He had been working on this potential client for 6 months. He was delighted when the client finally agreed to deal with his company and signed the contract there and then. The deal was finally over the line after a long six months.
A REAL TEAM PLAYER
A person who works well in a team. In business some employees are selfish and only interested in their own objectives and focus only on their career. Others help their colleagues work hard and late when
necessary and generally go the “extra mile” if asked by the boss. These are real team players and every business needs them.
ex. Chris is a real team player, he is always prepared to go the “extra mile” to get the job done.
Now when we have covered most useful English vocabulary football words and phrases, it’s time for you to get the best seats in the house and watch your favourite team play!
More Information
For more information in English Expressions, English Phrasal Verbs and English Grammar Rules, check ou the following links:
English Verbs Expressing Sounds
Present Simple vs Present Continuous
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