Why you shouldn't watch the 2018 Men's World Cup

The World Cup is no different than the all-star games presented by the four major sports competitions in North America. Not long ago, those exhibitions, and World Cup tournaments, presented customers and viewers with unique opportunities to watch the best of the best play against each other in massive stadiums and in front of thousands of screaming supporters during contests we otherwise could only read about.

It's 2018. The jig is up. People around the world can consume as much club football as they wish on a weekly basis thanks to television providers, streaming services, and dodgy links intelligent adults know they should avoid but don't because we're gluttons for all the football and we just can't help ourselves.

Fifteen and even 10 years ago, fans crossed their fingers and hoped to locate standard definition feeds for matches featuring their favorite clubs. Now, you don't have to leave the office if you want to sneak views of a Champions League fixture during a phone conference. Quite frankly, those who follow European seasons that begin in mid-August and end nine months later need the annual summer breaks.

Power outage

It just so happens the 2018 World Cup is the perfect time to realize you wouldn't miss the tournament if it disappeared as quickly as a Chris Wondolowski miss soaring out of play. Joining the red, white and blue as spectators this time around are usual soccer powers Italy, Holland, Chile and Wales, among others. A World Cup without Gianluigi Buffon, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Sanchez and Gareth Bale is like a steak cooked medium-well: a fine original idea that's bungled before it arrives.

Political and social discord in Russia

The footballing matters ignore the controversial issues hovering over Russia, the World Cup host nation that may attempt to seize control of my personal Facebook page once this piece goes public. According to an article from Martha Kelner of The Guardian published last November, "LGBT fans will be warned about holding hands in public and other outward displays of affection when in Russia for the World Cup next summer."

In May, the BBC reported the Russian Football Union was fined £22,000 because of racist chants that occurred during a friendly between Russia and France played at Krestovsky Stadium in St Petersburg, a venue scheduled to host World Cup matches.

"But the World Cup celebrates the athletes and the pride they feel representing their national sides," apologists may retort. That's great and all, but as Dan Rydell asked during an excellent "Sports Night" episode regarding an NFL player falling from the first to the second round of a fictional draft: Why should we care?

Club over country

Tottenham Hotspur supporters throughout England will watch as five club players feature for the Three Lions at the World Cup. They'll cheer for their national squad, sure, but they'll also cringe whenever Harry Kane is on the wrong end of a crunching challenge or if Dele Alli tweaks a calf muscle. Winning the World Cup wouldn't be worth Kane tearing an ACL. It's a secondary tournament for people who commit 75 percent of their years to a single Premier League team.

Legacies no longer on the line

Legacies are no longer defined in World Cup play. Lionel Messi shouldn't be any greater or any less in your eyes because of what Argentina does or doesn't do in Russia. Mohamed Salah will be a Ballon d'Or candidate even if Egypt goes winless. Some reading this may not remember who scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup Final. The shine is off the apple.

Domestic options

Americans in need of summer football can follow Major League Soccer, the U.S. Open Cup, USL, NPSL and smaller local clubs. Following the Champions League Final, it will be only about six weeks before cash-grab preseason friendlies and competitions such as the International Champions Cup return to the States. That's less time than it takes to go through the NBA Playoffs!

Call it a protest against either an alleged corrupt footballing power or a nation Human Rights Watch recently claimed was in the middle of its worst human rights crisis since the Soviet era. Say you only care about the USMNT. Practice your beach soccer skills near an ocean or lake. Sit this World Cup out if you're not feeling it, and recognize you're not alone.