World Cup 2018 - Day 14

The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is underway! Over the next month, players from the men's national teams of 32 countries will compete for top rank across 12 venues in 11 cities around the country. With a total of 64 matches (and plenty of GOOOALS!), the games will culminate at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15. 

This year's Doodle series celebrates the rich cultures and talent of all 32 participating countries by featuring guest artists hailing from each nation! Tune in to catch all 32 Doodles throughout the games, each illustrating the artist's interpretation of "What ⚽ looks like in my country."

Today's Featured Artists

Brazil – Pedro Vergani

Q: What does ⚽ mean in your country?
A: Football in Brazil is a state of mind, a moment when the country gathers to celebrate (or cry) together. It is an expression of an important part of our culture; it is art, rhythm, dance, hard work, teamwork, and a dash of cheekiness.

Costa Rica – Elizabeth Argüello

Q: What does ⚽ mean in your country?
A: In Costa Rica, soccer makes us believe in ourselves, that there are no goals that can not be achieved. Football is dreaming big. We are a small country that achieves very great things. There are no limits, everything is possible!

Germany – Sua Balac

Q: What does ⚽ mean in your country?
A: It is part of our culture and has played an important role in German history. Germany breathes and lives football, especially during the World Cup.

Mexico – Valeria Alvarez

Q: What does ⚽ mean in your country?
A: In Mexico, soccer is passion, tradition, and magic. When the game starts, only one thing matters: the ball – more powerful than any social barrier.

Serbia – Bratislav Milenkovic

Q: What does ⚽ mean in your country?
A: Football is very popular in Serbia, an excellent opportunity for friends to gather, either on account of a local derby or to show support to their favorite team in some global competition, at the stadium or in front of the TV screen. It doesn't take much for any conversation to go in the direction of football, and it soon proves itself true that there are as many opinions and soccer strategies in Serbia as the number of people included in the conversation. And they're all right :)

South Korea – Subin Yang

Q: What does ⚽ mean in your country?
A: Soccer has been and remains as one of the favorite sports of Korean people. We tend to look at soccer matches and see beyond a sport. When the soccer team wins a game, people also feel the pride for the country surge. Soccer, like many other sports, really brings Korean people together in unison, and the performance of the national team at the 2002 World Cup still remains as a legend for many people in Korea.

Sweden – Linnea Sterte

Switzerland – Chragi Frei

Q: What do you hope people take away from your Doodle?
A: If this doodle doesn't boost the team into the final it will at least boost our sausage sales.

Early sketches and drafts of the illustrations below

Brazil
 

Costa Rica

Germany
 

Mexico
 

Serbia
 

South Korea

Sweden

Switzerland