Stat of the Day

If you’re a not-so-diehard World Cup fan (read: ever since Landon Donovan dropped out of sight, you’ve stopped keeping track of the scores), this story ought to (re) pique your interest: Eight percent of Russians believe their national team will win the World Cup, despite the fact that it never qualified for the tournament, an ...

If you’re a not-so-diehard World Cup fan (read: ever since Landon Donovan dropped out of sight, you’ve stopped keeping track of the scores), this story ought to (re) pique your interest:

Eight percent of Russians believe their national team will win the World Cup, despite the fact that it never qualified for the tournament, an independent poll has showed.

Russian pride was shattered when its team was denied a place at the world’s most-watched sporting event, currently underway in South Africa, when they were defeated by Slovenia in the qualifying stage.

The poll, conducted by Russia’s Levada Center between the 18th and the 22nd of June, surveyed 1,600 Russian adults across 130 cities.

Clare Sestanovich and Sylvie Stein are researchers at Foreign Policy.

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.