FIFA 2018: Bollywood's game plan

As the 2018 FIFA World Cup gets underway we look at who our actor-footballers are rooting for and which team they think could pull off a surprise win...

Ranbir Kapoor
Sports is a passion for me and I hope football becomes as famous in India as it is in Brazil and Argentina. I’m rooting for Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup this year.
John Abraham
I have a football club called the North-East United FC.We did not have a good season and hope to do better this year. As far as the World Cup goes, I wish I could say India but since that’s not happening, an exciting team I like and look out for is Germany. Will the Germans take the Cup home again? Well, this is the year of the underdog and I’d love to see an African nation lift the World Cup.
Ali Fazal
My association with football dates back to my days at the Doon School. I was really into hockey and basketball but football was the ‘joshila’ game we never missed. I’ve grown up juggling with the ball on the turf in school and also playing gali soccer in the sun and in the rain. I no longer play the game but when I see Ranbir (Kapoor) and the others, I think I should get back to the field again.
I’m very proud of India’s football team. We’re not playing the World Cup this year but it’s just a matter of time now. For now, I’m a die-hard Brazil fan, I grew up on their ball play and their flag tops my list. Brazil or Spain could win the Cup but Portugal could spring a surprise on fans.
Abhishek Bachchan
In 2014, I cleared my schedule to fly off to Brazil to catch the semifinal match of the FIFA World Cup, Germany versus Brazil, with the score card reading 7-1. I have supported Brazil since 1982 and it is my father’s (Amitabh Bachchan is a hardcore Brazil supporter) love for the team that influenced my liking for the boys in sunny yellow.
Bobby Deol
I used to play football in school. Then, I stopped because I broke my leg but I still watch it. It’s hard to predict who will win but I hope it’s Brazil. I’m rooting for Neymar and the boys. Iceland are the underdogs this year.
Arjun Kapoor
I am cheering for Belgium this year, as well as England and Argentina. But France could prove to be the dark horse as the team has been consistently playing well. Yes, I am a football fanatic, and though I am right now on the road, I will make sure I catch the big matches.
Kartik Aaryan
I’ve been playing football since I was a child. I was the captain of my college football team and now I play for the All Stars Football Club. When work permits, I play every weekend as it keeps me fit and is a great stressbuster. I think Croatia is going to surprise everyone this year. They have brilliant players like Ivan Rakitic and Luca. I’m supporting Portugal because I’m a huge Cristiano Ronaldo fan and he’s in top form right now. His hattrick against Spain was superb. They too have a good chance of winning.
Harshvardhan Kapoor
I’ve been watching football since I was 7-8 years old. I play once or twice a week but stopped playing during the release of 'Bhavesh Joshi Superhero' as I was busy and wanted to avoid injuries. I hope England win, they have a lot of Manchester United players in the squad, but I know it’s a long shot. I think Spain will take the trophy.
Amit Sadh
Growing up, I use to play in and after school every day. Now, given our hectic schedule, it can be tough to gather players and commit to a league. There are a few teams this year that look really strong, including Brazil, Germany, France, Spain and Belgium. I’m rooting for France, it’s a fantastic young team with hardworking players with a lot of flair. The underdog is Colombia. It’s not a team that figures in the list of potential winners for many but it’s a solid team -- team being the key word – and it’s in the easiest group.
Rithvik Dhanjani
I am a Messi fan but unfortunately, he hasn’t performed well at FIFA in the past so I don’t know what he will do this year. Although I’m busy shooting I heard stories of the freekick Ronaldo took the other day so I’m rooting for Portugal but I’m also cheering for Spain. Colombia are the underdogs.
Sikander Kher
I have always loved Brazil since I saw the re-runs of Pele playing. I have loved Ronaldo and now it’s Neymar Junior who’s fantastic. Brazil doesn’t play football, they dance under the leadership of Captain Marcelo Silva. I love cheering for them.