2022 World Cup Thread

[DiBiase is Good]

The biggest sporting event in the world starts in just under two weeks and as usual we will have a separate thread for the tournament itself. Please keep this thread for the tournament only and all other discussion to the normal thread.

Just want to clarify a few things :
Keep it civil. A bit of friendly piss-taking is ok, xenophobia is not. Don’t come in here just to post stuff to wind up people from a country when their team is eliminated.

We all know that Qatar is not going to win any humanitarian awards for their treatment of certain types of people. As disgusting as that is, please let’s keep it to football discussion. Despite the pleas of FIFA, there will undoubtedly be some protests off the pitch (and quite possibly on it as well) and whilst it’s ok to post that you show support for these protests, don’t let it be the main point of discussion.

That over with, let’s get to predicting. I’m really going to stick my neck out here and say that a team of minnows will win the whole thing and that team is Brazil. Belgium are always worth a bet as their squad will no doubt be over-flowing with class but as always with them it’s a case of waiting for the massive talent to not quite gel as a team and fall short. I’d like to see them win as it would be nice to see a new first-time winner but I just can’t see past Brazil.

[Fundertaker]

Is it ok to wish that the event loses a massive amount of money and that the TV ratings for the games tank?

[4real]

I predict Brazil to win every World Cup I think. I’m not changing that here.

Hoping England can do well but I’m not holding my breath on recent performances. I think we have the talent though and one of the strongest squads.

Also hope Wales do well in their first World Cup in 64 years. As long as they don’t beat England.

And will this be Messi & Ronaldo’s last chance to win a World Cup?

Hopefully we won’t see many more injuries occur. Don’t want to see players like Son & Mane miss this tournament you want the best players there.

[Hit Girl]

This is the only World Cup I won't be able to watch on Saturday evenings, because it clashes with Strictly Come Dancing.

[Famous Rocking Chimes]

Just a reminder of the group stage participants:

Group A

Qatar
Ecuador
Senegal
Netherlands

Group B

England
Iran
USA
Wales

Group C

Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Poland

Group D

France
Australia
Denmark
Tunisia

Group E

Spain
Costa Rica
Germany
Japan

Group F

Belgium
Canada
Morocco
Croatia

Group G

Brazil
Serbia
Switzerland
Cameroon

Group H

Portugal
Ghana
Uruguay
South Korea

[Push R Truth]

I can't bring myself to care about the sporting aspect of this disaster. Which is a shame because I was slowly drifting into fandom. I enjoyed the previous ones I've seen.

[Burst]

FIFA hasn't really done themselves any favors with this World Cup and the last one in terms of the host selection not coming off as super shady somewhere, though at the very least the next one is the shared North America hosting so that won't have the level of ick that this one and the last have had in terms of indirectly supporting dubious regimes, but I'll leave that at that.

I usually root for Germany, but I haven't been following much. Plus Brazil always feels like the Yankees when World Cups come around so I'll be sort of rooting against them, but we'll see.

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

Brazil is almost always the default favourite to win these things, but it’s even more so this time because of the different timeframe the tournament is being held in and so many players being banged up because of it being mid-season in the domestic leagues.

As for Australia, I’d just settle for scoring a goal that wasn’t from the penalty spot this time around. We pulled qualification out of our metaphorical arse, we’re lucky to even be in it.

[Jumpin' Jesse Walsh]

My predictions on group advancements:

Group A: Netherlands, Senegal

Group B: England, Whales

Group C: Argentina, Mexico

Group D: France, Denmark

Group E: Spain, Germany

Group F: Belgium, Canada (my riskiest guess)

Group G: Brazil, Switzerland

Group H: Uruguay, South Korea

These are just safe guesses, but I certainly wouldn't rule out one or two contenders flopping in the group stage.

[BRV]

I have nothing to add to the discourse about the World Cup other than:

[salz4life]

Can't wait for the event itself... just wish it wasn't taking place where it's taking place. I'm just hoping for the US to make the knockout round. I think they absolutely need to beat Wales. If they go into the Iran game needing a result, I fear for that game. I still remember Iran beating the US in France in '98.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

What is considered the Group of Death this year? Group B seems like a rough bracket for USA to be in, but Germany, Spain, and Japan all being in Group E is interesting, Costa Rica aren't usually slouches either.

[Cyno]

Qatar was Sepp Blatter's last "gift" to the football world before his incredibly corrupt reign as FIFA president was brought to an end.

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

Nov 9, 2022 23:33:04 GMT -5 Cyno said:

Qatar was Sepp Blatter's last "gift" to the football world before his incredibly corrupt reign as FIFA president was brought to an end.

Don't worry. Saudi Arabia will want their one of these sooner rather than later.

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

Nov 9, 2022 23:25:32 GMT -5 Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] said:

What is considered the Group of Death this year? Group B seems like a rough bracket for USA to be in, but Germany, Spain, and Japan all being in Group E is interesting, Costa Rica aren't usually slouches either.

I'd say Group F. Belgium, who have been one of the top nations for years (without anything to show for it, but still). Croatia, who were runners-up in the last World Cup. Canada, who have improved out of sight in CONCACAF and topped the qualifying round. And Morocco, who are kinda shit outta luck despite being the second-highest ranked team in Africa.

[Hit Girl]

Nov 9, 2022 23:25:32 GMT -5 Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] said:

What is considered the Group of Death this year?.

Qatar State Security.

[4real]

Nov 9, 2022 11:23:38 GMT -5 Jumpin' Jesse Walsh said:

My predictions on group advancements:

Group A: Netherlands, Senegal

Group B: England, Whales

Group C: Argentina, Mexico

Group D: France, Denmark

Group E: Spain, Germany

Group F: Belgium, Canada (my riskiest guess)

Group G: Brazil, Switzerland

Group H: Uruguay, South Korea

These are just safe guesses, but I certainly wouldn't rule out one or two contenders flopping in the group stage.

Glad I’m not the only one that thinks Canada will do well at this tournament.

See you haven’t got Portugal going through in Group H. They have a lot of talented players but at least one big side usually does go out in the groups. Also I thought Portugal were poor at the Euros last year despite having Ronaldo, Fernandes, Silva, Felix, Jota, Dias, Cancelo etc

[BRV]

I guess I lied a few posts ago. I guess I do care about the World Cup and do have something to add to the conversation. Here are my predictions.

GROUP A
Ecuador
Netherlands
Senegal
Qatar

GROUP B
England
United States
Wales
Iran

GROUP C
Argentina
Mexico
Poland
Saudi Arabia

GROUP D
France
Denmark
Australia
Tunisia

GROUP E
Germany
Spain
Costa Rica
Japan

GROUP F
Belgium
Croatia
Canada
Morocco

GROUP G
Brazil
Cameroon
Serbia
Switzerland

GROUP H
Portugal
Uruguay
Ghana
Korea Republic

ROUND OF 16
United States over Ecuador
Argentina over Denmark

Germany over Croatia
Brazil over Uruguay

Netherlands over England
France over Mexico

Spain over Belgium
Portugal over Cameroon

QUARTERFINALS
Argentina over United States
Germany over Brazil

France over Netherlands
Portugal over Spain

SEMIFINALS
Argentina over Germany
France over Portugal

2022 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL
France over Argentina

[4real]

England squad has been announced. Biggest omissions look like Sancho, Ward-Prowse, Tomori & Toney. Reece James missed out due to injury which is a shame rate him very highly. Ben Chilwell also misses out due to injury which is annoying as Luke Shaw is now the only natural left back we have but Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker do make it though.

Keepers:
Pickford (Everton)
Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Pope (Newcastle)

Defenders:
Shaw (Man U)
Walker (Man City)
Stones (Man City)
White (Arsenal)
Coady (Everton)
Alexander Arnold (Liverpool)
Trippier (Newcastle)
Maguire (Man U)
Dier (Spurs)

Midfield:
Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
Phillips (Man City)
Rice (West Ham)
Maddison (Leicester)
Foden (Man City)
Mount (Chelsea)
Grealish (Man City)
Gallagher (Chelsea)
Henderson (Liverpool)

Forwards:
Kane (Spurs)
Rashford (Man U)
Sterling (Chelsea)
Saka (Arsenal)
Wilson (Newcastle)

[Jumpin' Jesse Walsh]

Nov 10, 2022 1:03:59 GMT -5 4real said:

Nov 9, 2022 11:23:38 GMT -5 Jumpin' Jesse Walsh said:

My predictions on group advancements:

Group A: Netherlands, Senegal

Group B: England, Whales

Group C: Argentina, Mexico

Group D: France, Denmark

Group E: Spain, Germany

Group F: Belgium, Canada (my riskiest guess)

Group G: Brazil, Switzerland

Group H: Uruguay, South Korea

These are just safe guesses, but I certainly wouldn't rule out one or two contenders flopping in the group stage.

See you haven’t got Portugal going through in Group H. They have a lot of talented players but at least one big side usually does go out in the groups. Also I thought Portugal were poor at the Euros last year despite having Ronaldo, Fernandes, Silva, Felix, Jota, Dias, Cancelo etc

I’m feeling like there’s potential for them to flop.

Also, I didn’t want my predictions to be completely boring lmao.