Have you listened to Empire of the Clouds by Iron Maiden? It contains some answers to all of the topics above...

Probably not, but maybe. Will have to have a listen :)

I was also surprised they allowed so many teams in it.

Waters it down a bit, but hey - makes for some big goals too.

I only watched one game so far. A bit disappointed by Croatia, they seemed kind of getting old and losing it,

Modric looks like he is about 60.

Team USA looks pretty solid.

Solid in the first half, but then they started falling over and backing into players and getting messy.