With how the build-up to this World Cup was, you are almost wary of saying certain things but there is no getting round it, this has been a classic tournament so far. The organisation has been close to perfect for the supporters and for the press. There was a mix-up with one of the digital systems before the first England game, which was one of those teething problems that can happen, even if it was infuriating for some fans before that match.

Other things like transport, stadium lay-outs and information have been exemplary whether you like it or not. If I was to be picky, I would be a bit miffed with FIFA not allowing personal wi-fi in the stadiums because FIFA has provided its own - unfortunately that is a very hit-and-miss tech during the games - but in reality it eventually comes down to the quality of the games and the atmosphere during the matches, and they have been as good as any of the last six tournaments in this first stage.

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Surprise after surprise

What has really made the experience special has been the upsets and the unexpected games. From Saudi Arabia beating Argentina to Japan seeing off Germany, it has led to many nations deciding to have a go instead of defending in numbers and playing on the break. They know that this time, anything can happen.

It doesn’t help with the job of being a summariser/pundit when everything points one direction then from nowhere, everything flips. I was at the Iran v Wales game and considering how bang average the Iranians were against England, I expected Wales to edge it. However the Iran players, even under extreme pressure politically and personally, put on a show that underlined they will be fearless on the field from here on. They might not make it through, but Christian Pulisic’s USA will have to be at their very best to withstand the passion and the quality their next opponents clearly have.

Another huge surprise was of course the Belgium v Morocco game when our own Hakim Ziyech turned in a phenomenal display to spoil the party for Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne’s team. Nothing can be taken for granted, especially when you are playing against teams who have energy levels that seem close to inhuman.

Yesterday, I was at the Serbia v Cameroon game and at 3-1 to the Europeans, I was convinced we could pack up and go home because this game was basically over. A quick substitution, some spectacularly good play by Vincent Aboubakar, and a couple of, yes I am going to say it, brilliant VAR calls and the stadium erupted and stayed that way right up until the end of the match. The 3-3 draw wasn’t a great help to either side but it was classic cup-tie football that any competition anywhere in the world would be proud of.

Just to make sure they weren’t left out, Ghana and South Korea decided they would have at least the same passion in their 3-2 epic that followed. The last 15 minutes when Son and co. threw everything including the kitchen sink at the Africans was passion personified. You can see the reactions from the fans on TV, and at the stadiums it is intense everywhere.

I am staying fairly close to the Souk where the fans tend to congregate for celebrations afterwards and it is a glorious sight to behold. The Tunisians to be fair looked perfectly at home on the Souk as they partied and sang like there was no tomorrow after that Belgian win.

Showing its best side

The other joyous thing is of course that it feels very safe. World Cups are spectacular that way, the mixing of so many nations’ fans is the perfect antidote to all the negativity that understandably surrounded the build-up. There are many different beliefs and ideologies around, but the most noticeable thing is the respect and understanding for other cultures between the fans.

Football is often considered to be good at driving division, and it can certainly do that, but here at the World Cup you see far more examples of the power of the game in bringing peoples together than driving them apart. This will of course upset some people and I get that, there are many things about some cultures I will always dislike and disagree with, but there have been many more moments where that has been put aside, for a while anyway.

I recall being blown away by the friendliness and kindness of the Russians at the last World Cup and four years on that might sound very naïve with all that has happened. I did however get some words of wisdom one night when I said to a Russian friend in St Petersburg, ‘You know, I have loved your country and your people, but I can’t say I like the leadership you have.’ Her answer was telling, ‘So how do people in the west feel about their leaders?’ Touché!

So yes, I admit I am enjoying the World Cup, even getting close to loving it. The football has been immense, the peoples of all nations generally very friendly and the game is trying to show its best side, through its best people, those being the players and the fans.

Right now I am trying to put together a team of players I previously didn’t know very well before the tournament who are my new favourites. It tends to come down to talent but also to passion and to work rate. It’s not that I can’t find 11 of them, it is more about whittling it down to that number. I could watch Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun every week and Tunisia’s Aissa Laidouni is as mad as a box of frogs, but in a good way. He can also play! There are so many others too.

The business end of the groups is upon us and I suspect it will continue to be just as exciting and unpredictable. As long as when we get to the final, a Chelsea player scores the winner, I’ll continue to enjoy the spectacle.