World Cup 2022 thread (football only)

[joe jordans teeth]

7 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Brazil are doing zero to impress me

Certainly shows how strong our squad is,could pretty much replace like for like the whole 11 where others can’t

[italian dave]

Just now, Ronnie Sinclair said:

Another load of idiocy that should have long since been abolished, the booking for shirt removal

It might be idiotic, but it’s very clear. And when you’re already on a yellow……

[Lanterne Rouge]

Just now, Ronnie Sinclair said:

Another load of idiocy that should have long since been abolished, the booking for shirt removal

Exactly. Scoring an injury time winner v Brazil FFS. If you can`t milk that moment when can you?

[Kid in the Riot]

5 minutes ago, TomF said:

So as it stands not a single team won all three group games

England have qualified with the best record of any team.

So much for "safety first" and "leaving the handbrake on" 

[italian dave]

Just now, Lanterne Rouge said:

Exactly. Scoring an injury time winner v Brazil FFS. If you can`t milk that moment when can you?

Can you not milk it with your shirt on?!

[Numero Uno]

1 minute ago, Kid in the Riot said:

England have qualified with the best record of any team.

So much for "safety first" and "leaving the handbrake on" 

I was thinking that. If you substituted Brazil for England tonight people would be going mental……..

[Northern Red]

Southgate Out!

[ExiledAjax]

This world cup is so mad that England might just win it.

[TonyTonyTony]

What a great end to that game. Bloody brilliant

This is Englands moment. Now or never.

[RUSSEL85]

2 minutes ago, TonyTonyTony said:

What a great end to that game. Bloody brilliant

This is Englands moment. Now or never.

I know it’s not a given Senegal and appreciate it will be a tough game but if we can beat France in Quarters, I think its our best chance ever! 

[Harry]

17 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

England have qualified with the best record of any team.

So much for "safety first" and "leaving the handbrake on" 

Interesting isn’t it. 
Only England, Netherlands and Morocco unbeaten so far. 

[Super]

26 minutes ago, TomF said:

So as it stands not a single team won all three group games

I don't think many teams have over the years.

[Bris Red]

A huge chance for England to win this now i feel, I’ve said from the beginning i tip us to get to at least the semi’s - starting to feel like we can definitely win it now though.

[ExiledAjax]

Last 16 starts tomorrow.

This schedule is relentless.

[ExiledAjax]

13 minutes ago, Super said:

I don't think many teams have over the years.

First time since '94 that none have managed it.

3 teams managed it in 2018. 4 in 2014. 2 in 2010. 4 in 2006.

So there's normally multiple teams that achieve it.

Edited December 2, 2022 by ExiledAjax

[Davefevs]

27 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

England have qualified with the best record of any team.

So much for "safety first" and "leaving the handbrake on" 

The toughest group too, according to FIFA rankings, with only 15 place between “best and worst” teams.

[cityexile]

This format works. Two go through from a group of four. Games kick off at same time, twists turns and what have you.

Throw it all in the air to have 48 teams. Most likely best placed 3rds. Loses a lot of this drama.

[italian dave]

The last games of the group stage this year have been such a contract to some previous years. When there have been games on which nothing hinges. Or games where a 0-0 suits both sides. 

[Davefevs]

Just now, cityexile said:

This format works. Two go through from a group of four. Games kick off at same time, twists turns and what have you.

Throw it all in the air to have 48 teams. Most likely best placed 3rds. Loses a lot of this drama.

They are thinking of revisiting and going groups of 4 in 2026

[italian dave]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

The toughest group too, according to FIFA rankings, with only 15 place between “best and worst” teams.

Mmmmm……think that may say more about the FIFA rankings than about the real strengths of each group?

[ExiledAjax]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

They are thinking of revisiting and going groups of 4 in 2026

But with Euro's style top 2 go through plus the 8 best 3rd place teams or whatever numbers work. So still lowers the jeopardy and imo makes it less interesting.

[cidercity1987]

9 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Last 16 starts tomorrow.

This schedule is relentless.

They've caught up with the usual schedule now at least, 2nd round always starts on a Saturday.

Seems a bit unfair on Australia and Argentina though to play Wednesday and Saturday

[cidercity1987]

5 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

They are thinking of revisiting and going groups of 4 in 2026

If they want 48 they need to do a preliminary stage for the outsiders imo

Better still just stick to the absolutely perfect number of 32

[cityexile]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

They are thinking of revisiting and going groups of 4 in 2026

Yep, heard that. Either 16 groups of three, winner goes through, or 12 of 4, top two and eight best 3rds for a round of 32.

First one, long way to go for two games, Second, not a huge fan of 3rd places. This has been quite a spectacle with the last matches in a group, final whistles go, it’s over one way or the other.

[cidercity1987]

1 minute ago, cityexile said:

Yep, heard that. Either 16 groups of three, winner goes through, or 12 of 4, top two and eight best 3rds for a round of 32.

First one, long way to go for two games, Second, not a huge fan of 3rd places. This has been quite a spectacle with the last matches in a group, final whistles go, it’s over one way or the other.

Total farce seeing it written down 

[ExiledAjax]

1 minute ago, cidercity1987 said:

They've caught up with the usual schedule now at least, 2nd round always starts on a Saturday.

Seems a bit unfair on Australia and Argentina though to play Wednesday and Saturday

But there's normally a day or two off between the end of the groups and the Last 16. 2018 you had last group games on 28 June, then the last 16 started on 30 June. So one free day. 

I guess where fans don't need to travel hundreds of miles it maybe isn't needed, but I'm sure there's some bleary-eyed journalists that would fancy a free day!

[cityexile]

Just now, cidercity1987 said:

Total farce seeing it written down 

I don’t like it, but it’s the Euro groups x 2. Extra game of course as well.

[The Bard]

40 minutes ago, Harry said:

Interesting isn’t it. 
Only England, Netherlands and Morocco unbeaten so far. 

We're the best team in it. 

Look on social media and apparently we don't have a proper manager....

 

 

[PHILINFRANCE]

4 hours ago, BigTone said:

In my tiny mind all of this could have been avoided if everyone had said "no way" when FIFA awarded the tournament in the first place.

Better still, all round and for all parties concerned, had FIFA said ‘No Way’ when Qatar said they would like to make a bid.

But then, of course, a lot of people would have lost out on a lot of money.

[BigTone]

Just now, PHILINFRANCE said:

Better still, all round and for all parties concerned, had FIFA said ‘No Way’ when Qatar said they would like to make a bid.

But then, of course, a lot of people would have lost out on a lot of money.

I think we all agree that a select few made a tidy profit on the back of the tournament. Think FIFA needs a complete overhaul to prevent the same situation being repeated.