A World Cup Without Robben, Gigi and Chile

The fastest football player on the planet won't be in Russia next year. So we won't see him devastating defense after defense in his own characteristic style. Gigi will also miss the World Cup given that Italy -- the country which has won this tournament more times than any country per capita except Uruguay -- failed to score against Sweden. It's always been a treat to have these icons on the pitch. Brazil will also be happy that Chile will not be making it given that they consider the side of Sanchez as one of their toughest opponents.

But Leo will be there after scoring a hat-trick. He will be in the good company of Neymar, Mane and stars we'll discover. Like those that play for the surprising national team of Iceland a country which has four times less people than Mauritius.

31% of Host Countries Won The World Cup

But Brazil didn't when it was organized there in 1950. It won 5 since then and there have been manifestations of the seleçao that looked out of this world but still didn't lift the trophy. That is to say it's kind of difficult to predict how a match will go. At least for mere mortals.

But not for Felipe Scolari who for example was hoping that Chile would not qualify for the World Cup because they have always been tough opponents. It appears to be a surprising statement until you watch the two sides play. So there are teams which seem to be naturally predisposed to give you a lot of trouble because of the size of the players, the game they play, the quality of passes, the discipline level and what not.

So when the auriverde meet the mannschaft Wednesday 00h00 to try to clinch their ticket to play the finals at the Maracana in Rio we're best to look forward for an exciting match. Given that the Germans have finished third or better 11 times. As long as Brazil wins that is.

And then on Thursday we'll have a rematch of the 1978 final.

Minister Magic Needed Here

That would be the Atacama Desert in Chile. He should go there -- the driest place on earth according to NASA -- and organise prayer sessions so that rain falls.

While he's in the area he shouldn't miss visiting the San Jose copper-gold mine and learn how out-of-this-world management saved thirty-three miners from practising cannibalism.

5 Miners Pulled Back From Hell

And 28 await their turn. The first one was 31-year old Bolivian Florencio Avalos. Find out about the rescue operation and watch live coverage.

Next Few Days Crucial For Trapped Miners

Now that the drill has reached them because the route to be taken by the capsule built on NASA's recommendations to bring them to the surface one at a time is tricky.