Men's World Cup storylines to keep an eye on

With a population of 335,000, Iceland is the smallest country ever to qualify for a World Cup. However, its hand-clapping, horns helmet-wearing fan base might prove to be the most vocal of any nation — as was the case during Iceland's run to the quarterfinals of Euro 2016. Looking for an underdog? Iceland is your team.

Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderweireld and the list goes on. Perhaps no team is deeper than the Belgians. With that comes the concern all that talent won't be able to thrive in an unselfish team concept that's usually needed to win the World Cup, which Belgium has never done.

At age 45, Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary could become the oldest player to see action in a World Cup match. Colombia's Faryd Mondragon currently holds that honor after facing Japan in 2014 at 43 years and three days old.

Though nobody hopes this will have to be enforced, World Cup referees will have the power to stop, suspend or even abandon play should any racist comments or actions be seen or heard while a match is in progress. Alleged incidents of racism during matches worldwide have been a hot topic heading into the tournament.

The somewhat controversial video assistant referee (VAR) will make its World Cup debut in Russia. The technology aides referees by providing video footage to review goals and any violations leading up to them, penalty decisions, direct red card decisions, and mistaken identity for penalties. NFL fans should be able to relate.

With 10 goals over 13 matches, Germany's Muller is the tournament's active goal leader. That leaves him six shy of fellow countryman Miroslav Klose, whose World Cup-leading 16 goals spanned four tournaments.

Will it be Thomas Muller? Maybe Cristiano Ronaldo? Or somebody from Belgium? Every World Cup we wonder if somebody will break — or even come close to — Just Fontaine's 1958 record of 13 goals in a single tournament. Since then, only one player (West Germany's Gerd Muller in 1970) has totaled double-digit goals (10) in a single World Cup.

Jose Mourinho is known for his sometimes smug form and often curt answers to post-match questions. So who else would we want providing World Cup analysis than the Manchester United manager? That's what the folks in Russia will get when Mourinho serves as a tournament pundit for RT, a government-owned television broadcaster.

To no surprise, Germany is again one of the favorites to win this year's World Cup, but recent history is not on the Germans' side. The last two tournament champions, Italy in 2006 and Spain in 2010, each failed to make it out of the group stage four years later while defending those titles. We don't see this mini-trend continuing in Russia, however.

Host Russia and its fans are eager to see their team open the tournament against Saudi Arabia on June 14. The question: Will anybody outside of the two nations have any interest considering Russia and Saudi Arabia are the two lowest-ranked teams in the World Cup? We'll see.

For the first time in World Cup history, teams will be allowed to use a fourth substitute in matches that go into extra time. It appears a game that is already going long will go even longer.

With plenty of veteran stars taking center stage in Russia, there's a good chance this will be the last time we see some of the world's greats competing in the World Cup. Spain's 34-year-old Andres Iniesta has mentioned international retirement, and Brazil's Dani Alves (35) — if healthy — and Thiago Silva (33) are nearing their international swan songs. The clock is also ticking on Croatia's Luka Modric (32) and Spain's David Silva (32). What about giants like Lionel Messi (31 on June 24), Cristiano Ronaldo (33) and Luis Suarez (31)?

OK, so you are a fan of U.S. soccer but still care about the World Cup. Who should you back? England makes sense, if anything for the entertainment value delivered by watching its fans endure continued heartbreak. Iceland is the feel-good story of the tournament, and Mexico is a friendly rival still in search of World Cup glory.

As with most major international sporting events, there are political undertones. The World Cup is no different, and various Russian foreign policy issues have state officials from the likes of the United Kingdom, Denmark, Poland and Iceland poised to boycott the tournament.

The Russian government also has not helped its image with reports it's killing stray animals, such as dogs and cats, in cities hosting matches to help clean up those regions and make visitors and spectators feel safe. A total of 11 cities within Russia, including Moscow, will play host to this year's contests.

After paying more than $400 million to televise the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, FOX Sports likely will take a hit in viewership this year with the U.S. not involved. Yet, eight of the network's 12 broadcasters calling the matches are American, most notably former national team keeper Tony Meola.

At 71 years old, Uruguay's Oscar Tabarez is the oldest manager in the 32-team field. Tabarez's Uruguay teams have qualified for four World Cups, and he has coached more games for one national team than anybody in history.

Whether's he's asked to press forward or drop back, right back Kyle Walker might be the key to how far England advances in Russia. The versatile Manchester City product has the speed and smarts to be effective all over the pitch, so count on Three Lions coach Gareth Southgate utilizing Walker's talents throughout the tournament.

It's the 20th anniversary of France's magical run to a World Cup title on its home soil, and once again, the French expect to challenge for it all. Following a runner-up finish in 2014, Argentina hopes to take the next step on the 40th anniversary of its first title in 1978. And it was 60 years ago in Sweden when a Brazilian known as Pele became the youngest player (17 years, 249 days) to take part in a World Cup final match. 

This will be the second-to-last World Cup featuring the customary 32-team field. Starting in 2026, the field expands to 48 nations. That means, ideally, the United States should have a good chance of qualifying.