World Cup 2022

[Dylan]

Man, the players just all need to head home.

No world cup without players.

They won't, but they should

 

[Haydn]

I think you're forgetting what it was like when they were awarded it. It was not quiet and eventually lead to FIFA getting screwed left right and centre. The media were not silent about it

Time may have diminished my recollection, as to the volume of protests when Qatar was announced as the venue.

Sure, we all thought it was a bit off, if not totally bent. Same old FIFA.

I certainly don’t recall the same level of protest on humanitarian and moral grounds, that were as relevant then, as they are now.

It was as wrong then, as it is now.

Hopefully, the stink created by this corrupt award prevents a recurrence and the best choice for the fans is given priority in future.

Somehow I doubt it.

 

[barneygumble]

Im on the west coast of the USA, so I believe the games were at 1130 pm, 230 am, 530 am if memory serves. I watched pretty much all of the group stage games live then worked 8 am to 5 pm.

Course I was in my 20s at the time so it was manageable.

Haven't done that since, even with more manageable time zones.

Just watched a replay of the usa mexico knockout game with Spanish commentary this week. I remember why I loved that team.

Had a soft spot for that USA 2002 team, absolutely littered with players who’d run through brick walls for you, with some a little more quality laden.

Remember you losing to Germany and being gutted.

Again, another game I have no recollection of was your 2-0 against Mexico, must have been a bad time. But deserved maybe a little more that side a good blend of Experifnce and Youth.

 

[B8's REVENGE]

Bit annoying ots essentially starting on Monday isn't it. First game Friday evening would be nice

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

I don't drink these days, so this beer ban wouldn't really affect me, but I do think it's hilarious that FIFA has bent over backwards for the Qataris in order to force this tournament to happen and now they're having to get into a fight with one of the key sponsors as the Qataris are still being difficult

They forced Brazil to have beer in stadiums in 2014 it should be noted, even though it was banned there at the time, but I'm not sure they'll be able to bully the Qataris like they did the Brazilians

 

[B8's REVENGE]

This is insane. For all the pushing of equal rights in footy. And ot gets pushed hard. This is turbo hypocrisy.

 

[Billy Dean]

Had a soft spot for that USA 2002 team, absolutely littered with players who’d run through brick walls for you, with some a little more quality laden.

Remember you losing to Germany and being gutted.

Again, another game I have no recollection of was your 2-0 against Mexico, must have been a bad time. But deserved maybe a little more that side a good blend of Experifnce and Youth.

I have a vague memory of some dude with a mad haircut scoring in that game. Clint Mathis I think it was.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Got Switzerland in the work sweepstake

So yeah, not winning that then

 

[PhilM]

As @Dylan mentioned, BBC are reporting that Qatar have, with a few mere hours left, pushed FIFA to ban the sale of alcohol within the stadium perimeters.

I'm thinking the sponsors are going to push back against this, heavily. The news already reported that the fan village is absent of the key components, fans.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

As @Dylan mentioned, BBC are reporting that Qatar have, with a few mere hours left, pushed FIFA to ban the sale of alcohol within the stadium perimeters.

I'm thinking the sponsors are going to push back against this, heavily. The news already reported that the fan village is absent of the key components, fans.

FIFA have finally come up against an entity that doesn't sweat them

Places like South Africa and Brazil were just happy to have the thing and let FIFA get their way because they ultimately needed the tournament more than FIFA needed them

Qatar is rich and powerful enough that FIFA actually needs Qatar more than Qatar needs them

I'm dead set against this tournament being in Qatar for numerous reasons, but I also detest FIFA, so I'm darkly amused by Qatar handing them their arses like this

 

[Dylan]

I'm not watching any games, and I won't go out of my way to look at results

 

[PhilM]

FIFA have finally come up against an entity that doesn't sweat them

Places like South Africa and Brazil were just happy to have the thing and let FIFA get their way because they ultimately needed the tournament more than FIFA needed them

Qatar is rich and powerful enough that FIFA actually needs Qatar more than Qatar needs them

I'm dead set against this tournament being in Qatar for numerous reasons, but I also detest FIFA, so I'm darkly amused by Qatar handing them their arses like this

Does it, really? I'm sure there'll have been other takers for FIFA, which would have (rightly or wrongly) lined their pockets without having the backlash.

The Qatar is a prime example of sports washing, but I'm not sure if Qatar are going to come out of it with as many positives as they'll have wished.

Will the financial cost be worth it? This has cost them a LOT of money, but (it appears) the fans aren't turning up, nations aren't happy and nor are sponsors.

They'll hope the tournament itself will win people over, but players are already complaining about the intense conditions. This may impact on games.

Qatar have bet on this being a stellar jewel in their growing crown of influence, however it could tarnish them more than it will promote their growing power.

 

[MikeH72]

The media have had 12 years to highlight these issues, why did they only start 2 weeks before the tournament?

 

[barneygumble]

I have a vague memory of some dude with a mad haircut scoring in that game. Clint Mathis I think it was.

I think if I’m not mistaken, did he not have a thick Mohawk?

It was around the time Beckham had done it, and it was all the trend. Some poor children were allowed to get the Ronaldo one

 

[Azza]

This is all going well.