The host country has only played the opening match since 2006
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
World Cup 2022
- Thread starter RAFUH
- Start date
- Status
The host country has only played the opening match since 2006
England played the opening game in 1966 - a 0-0 draw with Uruguay.
True. Forgot the first match varied before the 70s.
Still harsh to count all those years when the first match was the previous WC winner
ricer10
Player Valuation: £15m
Think Qatar is the first host to lose its first game ( opening match or not )
They will also be likely to be the second host to not get out of the group stage.
South Africa was the first.
ricer10
Player Valuation: £15m
I don't think they're getting out either but could see some funny business at Senegal's expense in that group match.
Meh. They were terrible today, but they looked more like themselves in the second half.
They are at their best when they suck everyone in and find an expansive diagonal ball. Everytime Afif dropped back to just be involved I cringed a little. He is not a Gareth Barry in a 4-2-3-1 set up.
TheBigIguana
Player Valuation: £100m
Watching NFL all day and then turning around and having the World Cup in the morning just feels off
perth_blue
Player Valuation: £15m
The home conditions usually favour teams and surrounding nations considerably.
The new stadia built will probably nullify that advantage to an extent also.
But let's not sugar coat it too much, Qatar are quite crape.
Sorry. A host nation has never lost it’s opening game in the tournaments history.
Nor get a point or a goal. Senegal and the Netherlands will steam roll them if yesterday is anything to go by.
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
England players taking the knee. Why, has Qatar got a problem with it? Do they not support black lives matter? New one on me this. I'm not sure of the significance or logic behind that as a protest against the Qataris?
I do feel sorry for Southgate and the England players (and the Welsh): caught up in the media blitz on this World Cup.
I do feel sorry for Southgate and the England players (and the Welsh): caught up in the media blitz on this World Cup.
lollollol
- Status