***Official 2022 World Cup Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[NewlyRetired]

This is a interesting, albeit long article, filled with facts and figures.

For the TL/DR people, there was an interesting conclusion in that while we all lament Qatar stealing the WC from the US, that in may all turn out well in the end since both the team (which is a cycle too young in 2022) and more importantly the sport as a whole will benefit more from hosting in 2026.

The article believes that all the pieces are in place for a post 2026 boom which will have a bigger impact on the sport than the post 1994 boom did.

Is soccer now America's fifth major sport? Plenty of evidence that it has definitely arrived in the USA | Sporting News

The FIFA men's World Cup will be one of the most watched sporting events in the USA and from TV viewership and rights fees to infrastructure and investment, there's plenty of evidence the sport of the future has finally arrived as of the five major sports in America.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[The General]

Not a huge soccer fan but love almost any big sporting event like World Cup.

So to get this Qatar had to bribe many of the folks who run FIFA, right? Are those people still on the FIFA payroll?

The two biggest names of Platini and Blatter are long gone. We will never know how many smaller nations were bribed to get their votes so we can't say who is still involved and who isn't.

Netflix has a documentary on this corruption that is pretty amazing.

I will track this documentary down. Has to be a good story if they were able to get even some of the details.

 

[FairWarning]

What is considered the 5th sport now? NASCAR?

 

[NewlyRetired]

What is considered the 5th sport now? NASCAR?

I don't think there ever has been a so called "5th sport". The media, especially the older types, stick to the core 4.

NASCAR had a ginormous boom many years ago in the early 2000's but it is had since seen its popularity shrink in attendance and ratings.

It is also difficult to compare the individual touring sports (Tennis, golf, auto racing etc) with the team sports.

 

[NewlyRetired]

What is considered the 5th sport now? NASCAR?

I should also mention that the article presents enough data that it appears soccer (as a whole) has surpassed hockey (as a whole) in the US. When you start adding up the TV contract values for MLS, Champions League, the EPL, the World Cup, Liga MX, US Soccer etc etc, the numbers are in the multi multi billions.

It is mind boggling considering where the sport was just say 15-20 years ago. For example, 20 years you could not pay some one to own an MLS franchise. Today the average franchise value is $580m.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Not a huge soccer fan but love almost any big sporting event like World Cup.

So to get this Qatar had to bribe many of the folks who run FIFA, right? Are those people still on the FIFA payroll?

The two biggest names of Platini and Blatter are long gone. We will never know how many smaller nations were bribed to get their votes so we can't say who is still involved and who isn't.

Netflix has a documentary on this corruption that is pretty amazing.

I will track this documentary down. Has to be a good story if they were able to get even some of the details.

Not sure how many soccer guys here are already dialed into the Tifo football youtube channel, but this episode is the final installment of a 5-part series that gives a lot of facts not only about Qatar's selection but also some relevant points regarding that nation's history and how not just Qatar but also other middle-eastern countries' investments in European football.

Not sure I understood all of it, but among my takeways is that that the British seemed to have laid the groundwork for their system that abuses workers, and that this World Cup is exactly what the soccer world deserves, in that if they're going to keep taking middle-Eastern money, they need to accept everything that comes with it; can't have it both ways.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Jedi, raw and uncut.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Jedi, raw and uncut.

:reported

 

[El Floppo]

What the heck?

I was going to mention this also. I’m not sire you want to mention you feel gay in Qatar. The off the field stuff at this tourney will overshadow the play.

Well, no worries about being a migrant worker...unmarked grave in the desert or in the foundations of those brand new soccer stadiums for you!

Remember when everybody was up in arms about S Africa getting the WC because we're all racist? No? Me either.

So let alone the insane corruption at a bureaucratic political level...how many of these world elite players are going to get hurt now, or when the return immediately to the middle of their league season because they are doing this now and not the summer...you know..when they said they'd do it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

=============

Fabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano

Karim Benzema has suffered a problem in today’s training session with France, as advanced by RMC Sport. More tests will follow. #WorldCup2022 France staff will be on it to understand how to proceed with Karim’s problem.

It sounds bad. I think he was on short odds to be the golden boot winner too. Lots of betters going to be unhappy with this if true


ESPN FC

@ESPNFC

Karim Benzema will miss the Australia match due to injury and 'could also be out for the whole World Cup', per
@LaurensJulien

 

[Moe.]

Everything in the world sucks right now, I think I'm going to try my damndest to just enjoy the soccer. I'm just a humble mother ****er with a big ****, I can't change the world from here.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

TBH, after watching that Tifo fooball series I linked above, I'm actually hoping for Qatar advances out of the group stage. They are FIFA's ******* child, and I have soft spot for cripples, bastards and broken things.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Not a huge soccer fan but love almost any big sporting event like World Cup.

So to get this Qatar had to bribe many of the folks who run FIFA, right? Are those people still on the FIFA payroll?

Pretty good breakdown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHjbay54F4U

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Imagine losing Pogba, Kante and Benz and hardly missing a beat. We lose Miles Robinson and it creates a major selection crisis.

 

[AAABatteries]

ESPN reporting Benz out for the whole cup - damn. May need to update the GGG Better Ream Me bracket*


*Yes, I will keep posting it until somebody laughs

 

[NewlyRetired]

Imagine losing Pogba, Kante and Benz and hardly missing a beat. We lose Miles Robinson and it creates a major selection crisis.

And while we all like Miles, we all also acknowledge he is not the second coming of VVD. Just a decent player, nothing more.

France appear to have overtaken Brazil now on near limitless talent depth.

 

[NewlyRetired]

from ESPN

Benzema will be the first reigning Ballon d'Or winner to miss the World Cup since Allan Simonsen (Denmark, did not qualify) in 1978

 

[NewlyRetired]

from ESPN

Benzema will be the first reigning Ballon d'Or winner to miss the World Cup since Allan Simonsen (Denmark, did not qualify) in 1978

And Mane was the runner up in the Ballon d'Or too.....

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

**** this tournament.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

ESPN reporting Benz out for the whole cup - damn. May need to update the GGG Better Ream Me bracket*


*Yes, I will keep posting it until somebody laughs

No Migrant Workers Were Killed in Making These Picks already factored in a France meltdown.

 

[Sand]

I set up a very simple pick 'em bracket:

Here's the Link --> https://bracketchallenge.world?pool=Yanks+Rule+Limeys+Drool:R29Hb1Npcklhbg==

Password is: SuboptimalClearance

Name of the Pool is "Yanks Rule Limeys Drool"

I can't tell whether any personal info is shown, but my son, friends and co-workers are all invited so I'm trusting you all not to dox anyone.

In.

And completed.

In.

 

[The Gator]

Oof

But it’s just the same as Brazil / Russia


Hope they break a record for least watched opener tomorrow.

 

[El Floppo]

I set up a very simple pick 'em bracket:

Here's the Link --> https://bracketchallenge.world?pool=Yanks+Rule+Limeys+Drool:R29Hb1Npcklhbg==

Password is: SuboptimalClearance

Name of the Pool is "Yanks Rule Limeys Drool"

I can't tell whether any personal info is shown, but my son, friends and co-workers are all invited so I'm trusting you all not to dox anyone.

In.

And completed.

In.

In.

And pretty sure I can't get have a nice seasoned guy from it.

 

[Sand]

Oof

But it’s just the same as Brazil / Russia


Hope they break a record for least watched opener tomorrow.

I'll be cheering for my Ecuadorians - let's hope for a nice 6-1 drubbing to set the tone for the host country.

 

[The Gator]

I set up a very simple pick 'em bracket:

Here's the Link --> https://bracketchallenge.world?pool=Yanks+Rule+Limeys+Drool:R29Hb1Npcklhbg==

Password is: SuboptimalClearance

Name of the Pool is "Yanks Rule Limeys Drool"

I can't tell whether any personal info is shown, but my son, friends and co-workers are all invited so I'm trusting you all not to dox anyone.

IN

 

[ChiefD]

I cannot wait for the 2026 Cup. There will be a bunch of pent up boozery and nude danish chicks and general debauchery and singing and lots of hugging of random foreigners stinky or not and a massive amounts of stories…….

There might be a mountain of Budweiser cans laid end to end from sea to shining sea and back again to form an art piece called:

“Suck It Qatar This Is How Its Done!”

 

[The Gator]

I cannot wait for the 2026 Cup. There will be a bunch of pent up boozery and nude danish chicks and general debauchery and singing and lots of hugging of random foreigners stinky or not and a massive amounts of stories…….

There might be a mountain of Budweiser cans laid end to end from sea to shining sea and back again to form an art piece called:

“Suck It Qatar This Is How Its Done!”

also in

 

[QuizGuy66]

I did not see a Fifa World Cup Contest Group listed anywhere in here so I made one.
Here's the Link. Sorry this is so late - tbh I figured you guys would have already made one. If there already is one please reply with the link to it otherwise this is it.
Gotta defend my impossible title from the Euros after all.

Linky - gotta go through the URL

Here's the code - 4RTQ82W7 - group is called FBG World Cup

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

I assume Bud Zero was the drink for Qatar in the drinking game?
-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

I set up a very simple pick 'em bracket:

Here's the Link --> https://bracketchallenge.world?pool=Yanks+Rule+Limeys+Drool:R29Hb1Npcklhbg==

Password is: SuboptimalClearance

Name of the Pool is "Yanks Rule Limeys Drool"

I can't tell whether any personal info is shown, but my son, friends and co-workers are all invited so I'm trusting you all not to dox anyone.

IN

Also In - even though I created a super boring bracket.
I would think there is huge potential for chaos but man the groups don't seem to support it. Plus I think it's hilarious that Mexico gets knocked out in the round of 16 every single time and I couldn't resist keeping that streak going.
-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

I set up a very simple pick 'em bracket:

Here's the Link --> https://bracketchallenge.world?pool=Yanks+Rule+Limeys+Drool:R29Hb1Npcklhbg==

Password is: SuboptimalClearance

Name of the Pool is "Yanks Rule Limeys Drool"

I can't tell whether any personal info is shown, but my son, friends and co-workers are all invited so I'm trusting you all not to dox anyone.

IN

Also In - even though I created a super boring bracket.
I would think there is huge potential for chaos but man the groups don't seem to support it. Plus I think it's hilarious that Mexico gets knocked out in the round of 16 every single time and I couldn't resist keeping that streak going.
-QG

while it is fun to chuckle, since it's Mexico, we should also acknowledge that what they have done is fairly remarkable.

France, Germany, England, Argentina, Italy, Holland and pretty much every other country on the planet has not managed to make the knock out round 7 straight times.

One Brazil can match Mexico's consistency in getting out of the group.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Italy has not made the knock out stages since 2006....holy hell.

Out in Group stage in 2010
Out in Group stage in 2014
Did not qualify in 2018
Did not qualify in 2022

 

[AAABatteries]

It’s finally here gentleman.

I know a lot of you have seemed kind of indifferent about this WC but we only get these players on this stage representing theirs countries once every four years. Count me in the super psyched group.

LET’S ****ING GO!

 

[AAABatteries]

…..watch Qatar v Ecuador

Ok, maybe this does suck for today. But tomorrow - LET’S ****ING GO!!!

 

[The Z Machine]

…..watch Qatar v Ecuador

Ok, maybe this does suck for today. But tomorrow - LET’S ****ING GO!!!

We can all enjoy some Qatari *** kicking today.

 

[The Z Machine]

I went to WC2006 and it feels like a lifetime ago.

 

[AAABatteries]

I went to WC2006 and it feels like a lifetime ago.

‘94 almost seems like a dream at this point. I’m going to be super bummed if I can’t land tickets to watch at least one match in 2026.

 

[AAABatteries]

PSA: Replay of 2018 Final about to start on FS1.

 

[AAABatteries]

I had forgotten the controversy over France’s first goal.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I did not see a Fifa World Cup Contest Group listed anywhere in here so I made one.
Here's the Link. Sorry this is so late - tbh I figured you guys would have already made one. If there already is one please reply with the link to it otherwise this is it.
Gotta defend my impossible title from the Euros after all.

Linky - gotta go through the URL

Here's the code - 4RTQ82W7 - group is called FBG World Cup

-QG

Just a little bump for those who just woke up. Won't be a big group unfortunately.
-QG

 

[AAABatteries]

I did not see a Fifa World Cup Contest Group listed anywhere in here so I made one.
Here's the Link. Sorry this is so late - tbh I figured you guys would have already made one. If there already is one please reply with the link to it otherwise this is it.
Gotta defend my impossible title from the Euros after all.

Linky - gotta go through the URL

Here's the code - 4RTQ82W7 - group is called FBG World Cup

-QG

Just a little bump for those who just woke up. Won't be a big group unfortunately.
-QG

I think I got signed up - I suck at these though.

 

[QuizGuy66]

And what is this thread without fully explicating my picks that will surely go wrong. Here's predictions for the whole tournament...

GRPA	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	DIF
NED	3​	0​	0​	9​	5​	0​	5​
QAT	1​	1​	1​	4​	2​	2​	0​
SEN	0​	1​	2​	2​	2​	4​	-2​
ECU	0​	2​	1​	1​	1​	4​	-3​
GRPB	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	DIF
ENG	2​	0​	1​	7​	5​	2​	3​
USA	1​	0​	2​	5​	3​	2​	1​
IRN	0​	1​	2​	2​	0​	1​	-1​
WAL	0​	2​	1​	1​	2​	5​	-3​
GRPC	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	DIF
ARG	3​	0​	0​	9​	8​	1​	7​
MEX	2​	1​	0​	6​	4​	4​	0​
KSA	1​	2​	0​	3​	3​	6​	-3​
POL	0​	3​	0​	0​	3​	7​	-4​
GRPD	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	DIF
DEN	3​	0​	0​	9​	5​	1​	4​
FRA	2​	1​	0​	6​	4​	2​	2​
TUN	0​	2​	1​	1​	3​	5​	-2​
POL	0​	2​	1​	1​	3​	7​	-4​
GRPE	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	DIF
ESP	1​	0​	2​	5​	5​	2​	3​
GER	1​	0​	2​	5​	4​	3​	1​
JPN	0​	1​	2​	2​	3​	4​	-1​
CRC	0​	1​	2​	2​	1​	4​	-3​
GRPF	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	DIF
BEL	2​	0​	1​	7​	5​	2​	3​
CRO	1​	0​	2​	5​	4​	2​	2​
CAN	1​	1​	1​	4​	4​	5​	-1​
MAR	0​	3​	0​	0​	1​	5​	-4​
GRPG	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	DIF
BRA	3​	0​	0​	9​	7​	1​	6​
SUI	2​	1​	0​	6​	2​	1​	1​
SER	1​	2​	0​	3​	3​	5​	-2​
CMR	0​	3​	0​	0​	1​	6​	-5​
GRPH	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	DIF
URU	2​	0​	1​	7​	6​	1​	5​
POR	1​	0​	2​	5​	7​	3​	4​
RSK	0​	1​	2​	2​	3​	5​	-2​
GHA	0​	2​	1​	1​	1​	8​	-7​

​

​

​

​

Games in next post
-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

QAT	1​	ECU	0​
SEN	0​	NED	2​
QAT	1​	SEN	1​
NED	2​	ECU	0​
ECU	1​	SEN	1​
NED	1​	QAT	0​
ENG	1​	IRN	0​
USA	2​	WAL	1​
WAL	0​	IRN	0​
ENG	1​	USA	1​
WAL	1​	ENG	3​
IRN	0​	USA	0​
ARG	3​	KSA	0​
MEX	2​	POL	1​
POL	1​	KSA	2​
ARG	2​	MEX	0​
POL	1​	ARG	3​
KSA	1​	MEX	2​
DEN	1​	TUN	0​
FRA	2​	AUS	0​
TUN	2​	AUS	2​
FRA	0​	DEN	1​
AUS	1​	DEN	3​
TUN	1​	FRA	2​
GER	2​	JPN	1​
ESP	3​	CRC	0​
JPN	1​	CRC	1​
ESP	2​	GER	2​
JPN	1​	ESP	1​
CRC	0​	GER	0​
MAR	0​	CRO	2​
BEL	3​	CAN	1​
BEL	1​	MAR	0​
CRO	1​	CAN	1​
CRO	1​	BEL	1​
CAN	2​	MAR	1​
SUI	1​	CMR	0​
BRA	3​	SER	1​
CMR	1​	SER	2​
BRA	1​	SUI	0​
SER	0​	SUI	1​
CMR	0​	BRA	3​
URU	2​	RSK	0​
POR	4​	GHA	0​
RSK	1​	GHA	1​
POR	1​	URU	1​
GHA	0​	URU	3​
RSK	2​	POR	2​

NED	3​	USA	1​
ARG	2​	FRA	0​
ESP	1​	CRO	3​
BRA	2​	POR	2​	(3-1PK BRA)
ENG	4​	QAT	0​
DEN	1​	MEX	1​	(4-3 PK DEN)
BEL	0​	GER	1​
URU	1​	SUI	0​	(AET)
NED	1​	ARG	2​
CRO	2​	BRA	3​
ENG	1​	DEN	1​	(3-2 PK DEN)
GER	2​	URU	0​
ARG	4​	BRA	2​
DEN	0​	GER	0​	(4-2 PK GER)
BRA	1​	DEN	0​	3RD PLACE
ARG	3​	GER	1​	CHAMPIONSHIP

So there you go!
-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

I did not see a Fifa World Cup Contest Group listed anywhere in here so I made one.
Here's the Link. Sorry this is so late - tbh I figured you guys would have already made one. If there already is one please reply with the link to it otherwise this is it.
Gotta defend my impossible title from the Euros after all.

Linky - gotta go through the URL

Here's the code - 4RTQ82W7 - group is called FBG World Cup

-QG

Just a little bump for those who just woke up. Won't be a big group unfortunately.
-QG

I think I got signed up - I suck at these though.

LOL I don't know a thing and did well so ya never know. Good luck

And still time for everyone else!

FIFA World Cup™ Fantasy

The official FIFA World Cup™ Fantasy game. Only available on FIFA+

play.fifa.com

-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

OptaJoe

@OptaJoe
Qatar are set to become just the third team to play their first ever #FIFAWorldCup match while hosting the tournament, after Uruguay in 1930 and Italy in 1934

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Ecuador 6 Qatar 0 Bank it.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Just an hour now to find out if this has a 1919 World Series feel eh? Ecuador has never been more popular, no?
-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Ecuador 6 Qatar 0 Bank it.

This one a very dubious 1-0 for the hosts.
-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

I did not see a Fifa World Cup Contest Group listed anywhere in here so I made one.
Here's the Link. Sorry this is so late - tbh I figured you guys would have already made one. If there already is one please reply with the link to it otherwise this is it.
Gotta defend my impossible title from the Euros after all.

Linky - gotta go through the URL

Here's the code - 4RTQ82W7 - group is called FBG World Cup

-QG

Just a little bump for those who just woke up. Won't be a big group unfortunately.
-QG

I think I got signed up - I suck at these though.

LOL I don't know a thing and did well so ya never know. Good luck

And still time for everyone else!

FIFA World Cup™ Fantasy

The official FIFA World Cup™ Fantasy game. Only available on FIFA+

play.fifa.com

-QG

Ok I am in. thanks for setting it up.

the 4-4-2 was a strange formation for the game to choose since most teams play a form of 4-3-3 these days.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Just an hour now to find out if this has a 1919 World Series feel eh? Ecuador has never been more popular, no?
-QG

It definitely will make watching this opening game have a different feel. I almost never pay too much attention to the ref but if something bad happened off the field, either the ref or players were bought.

I will be rooting for Ecuador mostly because a win will for them will hopefully mean the corruption did not reach the field.