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World Cup fan faces in photos

The World Cup has been superb on the pitch but equally as good off it as fans from all over the world congregate, decked in their finest gear, to support their national teams.

Here's a selection of the very best on display in 2018 through the group stages.

This Brazil fan enjoyed the Selecao grabbing a late victory over Costa Rica in their second Group E game.

Iran were a serious outsider's pick to advance from Group B but they gave it their all, narrowly missing out on reaching the last 16 when they failed to beat Portugal in Saransk. This fan was devastated by the 1-1 draw in which Team Melli had several chances to stun Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. in the closing minutes.

Another team we're sad to see go is Senegal who became the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated on the fair play tie-breaker, having accumulated more yellow cards than Japan, who would finish second in Group H. This fan took in the Lions of Teranga's impressive 2-1 win over Poland in their opening game.

We couldn't figure out who this fan was supporting but they were a hit at Senegal's 1-0 defeat vs. Colombia on the final matchday in Group H.

The fans who made the long trek from Peru were a notable hit in Russia as a reported 45,000 did whatever they could to make it to La Blanquirroja's first World Cup since 1982. Alas, two defeats in their opening two games meant they couldn't advance from Group C, as this fan realised during their 1-0 loss to France in Yekaterinburg. At least they went home on a high note, thumping Australia 2-0 in their final match.

It hasn't been the easiest World Cup for Argentina so far but it didn't stop their fans turning out in full force, full voice and full facepaint, as evidenced by this happy lad during their 1-1 draw with Iceland. Thanks to the unlikeliest heroics of Marcos Rojo, the Albiceleste booked their spot in the last-16 with victory in their final game vs. Nigeria.

Thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal advanced from Group B and brought a few colorful fans with them for the ride.

The only team left from Asia, Japan will compete in the round of 16 and brought plenty of vibrant support to Russia.

It took Colombia until late in their third group game to secure a spot in the knockout rounds but fans like theirs won't care. Can James Rodriguez recover from a mild injury to suit up alongside Radamel Falcao against England in the next round?

Are we sure there's not a way to put Senegal in the next round? This fan wouldn't be opposed to it!

For nearly 40 years, women weren't allowed in stadiums to watch Iran play but that ended in historic fashion during the 2018 World Cup, as male and female supporters were allowed into Azadi Stadium in Tehran to cheer Team Melli on. These fans watched on as Iran narrowly lost 1-0 to Spain in their second Group B game.

Nobody expected Switzerland to make much noise but they finished second in Group E after Serbia failed to beat Brazil in their final group game. Will this crowd turn out in force against Sweden in the last-16?

Uruguay were one of only three teams to win all three group games in 2018, breezing into the last-16 scoring five goals and conceding none in Group A.

The World Cup fan zones around the country were a big hit for all fans including those from host nation Russia. Making it sweeter was the fact that they were a surprise outfit in Group A, scoring freely and setting up a last-16 date with Spain.

Japan are all-in for this World Cup! Nobody expected them to advance from Group H but a 2-1 win over Colombia in Saransk set them on their way.

Iceland brought their fearsome supporters for their first-ever World Cup appearance and wowed Russia with their Viking Clap. Alas, they finished bottom of Group D, losing twice after drawing 1-1 with Argentina in their opening game.

Can Brazil bring home a record sixth World Cup this summer? This fan's ready and decked out in gold just in case.

Cheeky! Portugal won Euro 2016 and their fans are hoping they can bring home another trophy in 2018.

Nigeria narrowly missed out on advancing from Group D after losing 2-1 to Argentina in their final match but this fan enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Iceland in matchday two.

Uruguay are known (among many things) as "the Sky Blue" and Luis Suarez & Co. will be hoping their fans bring the sunshine for their last-16 clash with Portugal.

It was a stunningly bad tournament for reigning champions Germany, who will not get to defend their crown following a shocking Group F exit. Joachim Low's side lost to Mexico and South Korea en route to finishing dead-last in their quartet, marking their worst World Cup since 1938.

Mexico also brought a bright, noisy and joyful contingent to Russia this summer. Despite a shocking 3-0 thumping by Sweden in their final Group F game, El Tri still advanced thanks to Germany's defeat. Can they go on and knock Brazil out in the next round?

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