Qatar 2022 World Cup

[John Arne]

Kicking off on 21st November, with the final game on the 18th December in the newly constructed Lusail Stadium.

Qualifying kicked off today!

First round of the AFC prelims, 2 legs;

Mongolia 2-0 Brunei
Cambodia 2-0 Pakistan
Laos 0-1 Bangladesh
Macau 1-0 Sri Lanka
Bhutan 1-0 Guam
Malaysia - Timor Leste kick off later

6 winners progress to the second round when all the other Asian teams join in 8 groups of 5.

[Pleb]

Bhutan sounds like a typical Football Manager non league side.

I wouldn't be shocked if the next edition of the Nations League links with the UEFA qualification :sherlock:

[bruhnaldo]

U-S-A! U-S-A! Please fucking qualify.

[Baz]

I wouldn't be shocked if the next edition of the Nations League links with the UEFA qualification :sherlock:The Reid accidentally called it the League Of Nations last night and we decided it was a much better name for it. I unlocked a trophy on PES for saving a penalty, called Goalmouth Guardian, who wouldn’t definitely be part of the League Of Nations.

Having just looked it up, he’s a proper war nerd so probably knew it had already been a thing.

[John Arne]

New logo. It's alright, but there is a weird little ridge at the top of the logo that looks like a bad photoshop.

https://gyazo.com/3db9e02a6e6db289afe8131034c3d699.jpeg

[John Arne]

Also, Asian proper qualifiers start tomorrow. Vietnam travel away to Thailand after a somewhat dodgy AFC draw...

https://gyazo.com/c16871966ba2bae6728de7a78e31f3b6.jpeg

[bruhnaldo]

I really enjoy the long underline bit cause it looks like how some fonts look that don't translate all of the letters if you know what i mean

[ItalAussie]

We open up with an away against Kuwait. Tricky, but should be navigable, and nice preparation for the tough away trips we'll face to qualify.

[John Arne]

I heard it's about 50 degrees in Kuwait at the moment...

But yeah, you should win. New manager bounce and all that :)

[John Arne]

2022 World Cup dates confirmed. Final on the 18th December.

https://img.fifa.com/image/upload/t_tc1/v1594814383/kmadwbnkeuysu1jm2vsz.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

They'll have to stop club football in what, mid October? And resume it in January? Mental.

[Yevrah]

My roflcopter still hasn't recovered from when they were awarded the gig...

[Jimmy Floyd]

Part of me thinks club football should just play on with depleted squads like they do (or used to do at least) in MLS.

[Disco]

Clubs have enough players, they should just carry on like plenty of other sports do.

[SincereTheRebel]

Clubs have enough players, they should just carry on like plenty of other sports do.

I would like to see that too.

[Foe]

The club vs country row :drool:

[Spoonsky]

The location is obviously shit, the ethics of it are shit, but I think from a fan's perspective the very worst aspect is that it's happening in fucking December instead of the summer. Totally kills the mood of the tournament.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Opening match will be something like Qatar v Slovenia, kickoff 11am in the UK. I cannot wait.

[Manc]

The saving grace will be the quality of football.

[Lewis]

Part of me thinks club football should just play on with depleted squads like they do (or used to do at least) in MLS.


Clubs have enough players, they should just carry on like plenty of other sports do.

It works if you have play-offs to even things up at the end of the season, but it's not going to work with simply league structures.

[phonics]

Also FIFA aren't going to let other places play football during the World Cup so this is all a bit moot.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The biggest disgrace about the whole thing is the new Concacaf qualifying.

[Raoul Duke]

The location is obviously shit, the ethics of it are shit, but I think from a fan's perspective the very worst aspect is that it's happening in fucking December instead of the summer. Totally kills the mood of the tournament.

For novelty I reckon it'll be alright. Quite looking forwards to booking off most of December and just stuffing my face and being drunk for a month...oh, wait - that's what normally happens

[Giggles]

For novelty I reckon it'll be alright. Quite looking forwards to booking off most of December and just stuffing my face and being drunk for a month...oh, wait - that's what normally happens

Yeah we’re (hopefully) having our GAA championships in the winter this year running from October to the final the week before Christmas (normally May to Sept) and everyone is looking forward to that for the novelty. I think the WC then will be great as a one off.

[Baz]

Gonna try and get back into the international game for this, while it’s such a novelty.

[Giggles]

The international game is the only game.

[Baz]

The international game is the only game.

Spoken like a true <insert shit club> fan.

[mugbull]

I’d give the Czechs their best chance of qualifying since 06, especially if they blood in the young guns

[Baz]

The two Adams can lead them to glory.

[mugbull]

You’ve been reading my posts!!

[Lewis]

It's the draw lads. The draw for the shittest World Cup ever.

[Yevrah]

So fucking wet for this.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Is this a normal 32 team World Cup?

[Lewis]

Imagine winning a World Cup and then having to be back on dogshit club duty ten days later. Just in time for the Festive Fixtures here as well. :harold:

[Lewis]

You forget how lol that 7-1 was.

[Lewis]

Didier Deschamps and that kid have a whiff of Saddam Hussein and the British Airways kids.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why bring in some random fan?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Tim Cahill :cool:

They've brought in the big guns for the draw.

[Manc]

Jermaine Jenas selling his soul to the devil.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I might struggle to support USA against England.

[Waffdon]

Why are Mexico and USA in pot 2 and Canada in pot 4?

[Lewis]

'LvG' is going to cut some promo on the Qataris before/after that game.

[Giggles]

I’m glad we boycotted.

[Browning]

Couldn't they have saved a few quid from the bribes Qatar paid to employ someone who can pronounce "H".

[Giggles]

Have they always separated countries from continents like they’ve done with Uruguay there?

[Lewis]

Iran will love that.

[Yevrah]

Sir Gareth is going to spawn an easy draw again, isn't he. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Let's go Don :drool:

[Danny]

Iran and the yanks? Going to be 2006 all over again.

(I know it wasnt Iran, but its the US + shitter we should beat so far)

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lewandowski will shit on Messi and send the dickheads out.

[Waffdon]

Dream draw for England so far. Get scotland in that group pls driver

[Yevrah]

Lewandowski will shit on Messi and send the dickheads out.

That would involve him doing something in an international tournament.

England's draw is fucking boring.

[Lewis]

France vs France B looks like a must-miss as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Have France and Denmark ever not been drawn together?

[Lewis]

Where is the GROUP OF DEATH? Germany or Portugal going out (unlikely, the silly little Asians will be dazzled and let Ronaldo walk a hat-trick in) in the groups is as exciting as it gets. The rest look routine.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That would involve him doing something in an international tournament.

England's draw is fucking boring.

It's not his fault the rest of the team have been shit.

New manager in, it's going to happen this year.

[Yevrah]

What an opening game. So fitting.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I was really hoping for Cameroon in B, Aboubakar against Maguire would be tasty.

[Yevrah]

The fucking state of our group. :sick:

[Waffdon]

Mon :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

England
Ayatollahs
Subordinate Celts
Yanks

[Manc]

Is this the weakest WC ever?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Is this the weakest WC ever?

Until the next one, yes.

[Dave.]

Sir Gareth is going to spawn an easy draw again, isn't he. :D

A team from the Qatar group in the last 16 too (if we get through). :lol:

[niko_cee]

Say what you will about Southgate as a manager, I'd give him a Carteret Analysis 'high score' for luck of the draw, although I do recall the last time we drew the yanks . . .

[Spoonsky]

Bring it. :cool:

[Waffdon]

This has Gareth Bale scoring a worldie or two to knock scotland out all over it and then Wales doing a Euros 2016 and getting to the semis with an easy route

[Giggles]

Could they not have waited for the qualifying ties to be played before doing this?

[niko_cee]

Apparently not, which is a bit odd as you'd imagine there aren't really even any logistics to worry about.

[Waffdon]

A nice 10am start for some of the group matches and a 3pm final.

[Giggles]

The boycotting has went well. Wasn’t there a European team making big claims some time last year (Denmark? Sweden?). How did that all pan out?

[Shindig]

I don't see a proper group of death here but the I can see Brazil possibly getting dumped out of theirs. Actually, I think I'm expecting too much. Maybe Portugal wobble if Captain Giraffe has to do all the work.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia to battle it out for the worst goal difference.

[Browning]

Norway who boycotted it by not qualifying.

[Giggles]

Norway who boycotted it by not qualifying.

Ah, not quite as strong a claim when that happens.

[Giggles]

It’s definitely a ‘wait for the knockouts’ draw.

[Pepe]

Is it just me, or are all this groups dogshit?

[Pepe]

I guess the Spain group isn't horrible.

[Spoonsky]

Yeah. It makes you realize how absolutely rancid the World Cups are going to be from 2026 onwards when they start inviting 48 fucking teams.

[Pepe]

They should make it 16 only, if anything.

[Spoonsky]

I think the current format is perfect. Just the right mix of odd / random / shit countries to make it fun, but still a high enough ratio of good teams to make for a lot of interesting games.

[Giggles]

They should make it 16 only, if anything.

:drool:

Two groups of 8 and 7 games each before the knockouts. Continental teams to play each other in playoffs so we have less “spread it out” dross.

[Shindig]

I don't mind the 32 format. Gives one or two nations the chance to have a run. 16 makes it too much of a top table.

[Mellberg]

This has Gareth Bale scoring a worldie or two to knock scotland out all over it and then Wales doing a Euros 2016 and getting to the semis with an easy route

The fatalism in the face of opportunity :harold:

[Ian]

Yeah I think for the World Cup 32 is about right. Unless you're going to be brutal and say only three European teams can get there or something. :drool:

[Giggles]

10 European out of 16. Though you’d properly have it so the Denmarks are playing the Uruguays for a place in it once the continental qualifying is done. Say like a group of Europe 7, Europe 8, African winners, and South American 4 in a group to get one qualifier. It’d be like a tournament before the tournament.

[Offshore Toon]

The worst formats are the ones with situations where three teams can qualify from a group of four.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think 32 was the sweet spot.

[-james-]

As ever, the problem with giggles line of argument is that the "good" teams are often dogshit, and the best moments of the tournament are usually when they get lolled out by someone he doesn't think deserves to be there.

It's not a meritocratic format. 7 games against opposition of varying strength is an awful way of deciding who the best team is.

[Shindig]

The worst formats are the ones with situations where three teams can qualify from a group of four.

Yeah, although it did lead to some good drama last year. Still, it's contrived drama.

[Spikey M]

Get rid of the qualifiers. The World Cup should feature every country in the world. Every game is a knockout game and there should be no seeding.

[Giggles]

As ever, the problem with giggles line of argument is that the "good" teams are often dogshit, and the best moments of the tournament are usually when they get lolled out by someone he doesn't think deserves to be there.

It's not a meritocratic format. 7 games against opposition of varying strength is an awful way of deciding who the best team is.

Find the best team.

[-james-]

Find the best team.

Is the team that wins the final automatically the best team?

[Giggles]

Is the team that wins the final automatically the best team?

Closer to it after 7 more equal group games anyway. Top team in each group to the final.

[Lewis]

When did the 'best team' last not win it?

[Giggles]

When did the 'best team' last not win it?

We’ll never know.

[Spikey M]

2021 :happycry:

[-james-]

When did the 'best team' last not win it?

I don't know. A seven (or four) game sample isn't big enough to judge that. Just enjoy it for what it is.

[Spikey M]

A soulless money making machine?

[-james-]

A soulless money making machine?

I think it's the Binance thread you're after.

[Lewis]

1509950753229754380

The BANTER when the dozens of travelling fans boo their anthem and we win 4-0.

[Pepe]

'USMNT' has to be one of the worst things ever conceived.

[Yevrah]

Worse than Team GB?

[Pepe]

Hmmmm. I will go with yes.

[Shindig]

United States Mutant Ninja Turtles

[Don]

32 years of trolling and general hatred has culminated in this beaut. I wasn't succesful in the first round but I hope I can sort tickets for the US game in particular. England game might be better enjoyed here.

[Giggles]

'USMNT' has to be one of the worst things ever conceived.

We seem to have latched onto that type of shit too.

[SincereTheRebel]

Those Americans love an abbreviation.

[John Arne]

Australia beat UAE last night in the AFC playoff.

They will now face Peru in the intercontinental playoff.

[Queenslander]

Is Guus Hiddink busy?

[Don]

Meanwhile I and many others have failed in getting tickets in both rounds of ticket applications so far. General consensus seems to be it's more difficult this time so fuck knows what dodgy shit they're up to.

[John Arne]

Is Guus Hiddink busy?

I didn't watch it, but I heard it wasn't pretty. Both teams pretty crap, by all accounts.

[Queenslander]

Arnold is an awful International manager but it isnt all his fault as the players are clearly rubbish for the most part.

[Shindig]

Meanwhile I and many others have failed in getting tickets in both rounds of ticket applications so far. General consensus seems to be it's more difficult this time so fuck knows what dodgy shit they're up to.

Got to keep that corruption train rolling. I bet there's a massive 'delegation' party for the hosts.

[John Arne]

It may just be me, but there are no hotels available in Doha on the 21-23 November (England - Iran) according to Agoda.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hotels are a massive problem apparently, to the point where they're booking up hotels in Kuwait and running 50 extra flights a day to shuttle people between the two.

It's basically like trying to hold the World Cup on the Isle of Wight, but with even more hostility to gays and women.

[John Arne]

Hotels are a massive problem apparently, to the point where they're booking up hotels in Kuwait and running 50 extra flights a day to shuttle people between the two.

It's basically like trying to hold the World Cup on the Isle of Wight, but with even more hostility to gays and women.

Certainly seems so. Both Agoda and Google Hotel both return ZERO results.

Great. I'll watch it on TV.

[Don]

There was talk of cruise ships being parked nearby and tent fanparks (which could have been decent if it was in an actual country rather than an Arab shithole).

[Disco]

Does Doha have a proper sewage system or do they cart it out on trucks like in Dubai?

[niko_cee]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61889765

:happycry:

[Shindig]

A good host nation makes a World Cup better. They're going to need some very, very fixed matches.

[Manc]

Netherlands seem to always get an easy draw. Weghorst 150/1 for the golden boot.

[Lewis]

I watched that Gary Neville/David Beckham thing to see whether Neville held him to the same standard he expects of Eddie Howe. Disappointing.

[Ian]

Was it just however many minutes of him asking "What's it like being great, Becks??"

[Lewis]

He was weirdly cringe and girly around him to say they've been best mates for thirty years.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Netherlands seem to always get an easy draw. Weghorst 150/1 for the golden boot.

Would help if he started.

[Baz]

Netherlands seem to always get an easy draw. Weghorst 150/1 for the golden boot.

More chance (and massively better odds, surely) of Dumfries.

[niko_cee]

Bold to bet against Our Harry Kane given the state of England's group and their penchant for free flowing attacking football.

[John Arne]

Qatar continue their World Cup preparation with a 0-1 defeat to... Linfield :D

1539319554408587264

[phonics]

Breaking news.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Has anyone heard that Linfield beat Qatar? Apparently it was 1-0.

[Shindig]

I hear Mellberg's going to give the Binance thing a second shot.

[Gray Fox]

How did Qatar get on last night? Didn't catch the result.

[Disco]

It's ok, Bam will be along soon to tell us the result.

[Kikó]

Linfield beat Qatar. Lol at their world cup prep.

[niko_cee]

Lineal world cup hosts.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I could buy into that. Brazil v Cameroon in Armagh.

[John Arne]

I didn't realise so many of the World Cup Stadiums were so small, well, medium sized.

Lusail - 80,000
Al Bayt - 60,000
Khalifa - 45,416
Education City - 45,350
Ahmad bin Ali - 44,470
Stadium 974 - 40,000
Al Thumama - 40,000
Al Janoub - 40,000

I also checked out hotel rooms again - last time there were zero available, there are a small number now, starting at $900 per night :D I would have liked to have gone, but trying to get anything actually booked is impossible.

Is anyone going?

[Don]

I heard ticket holders have access to accomodation listings so it may not be as you see unless you're lookin on there. I tried to get tickets at every turn but wasn't able to (could get Iran-Wales tickets at the final round but ummed and ahhed for 20 mins as wanted the other 2 games at which point it was sold out. If I knew CQ was taking charge of us I'd have gone for that alone).

[Yevrah]

The flights are still pretty cheap so I was tempted given I’ve got the fist two weeks off, but fuck paying that for a hotel room.

[randomlegend]

Even just transiting through Doha airport was enough to make me never want to go back.

There's just this sinister feeling about the place.

[Yevrah]

Yep, never been anywhere near it but it's the gist I get from afar.

I think it'd genuinely more fun to be almost anywhere else warm in the World watching games in a bar than be in Qatar soaking up whatever passes for atmosphere there.

[Kikó]

My brother in law works at FIFA so yes arranged tickets for the MIL to go. I'm boycotting so boo.

[-james-]

I'm quite looking forward to getting cosy in a pub watching a whole day's games when it's dark and miserable out. Being around a load of England away fans is bad enough, let alone in fucking Qatar.

[Disco]

Education City - 45,350
Stadium 974 - 40,000


How to tell me you're a cardboard oil state without saying it out loud.


ummed and ahhed

I skimmed your post and for a split second thought this was who you were going with.

[randomlegend]

:lol:

[Lewis]

1572908019545145351

Thread of the various things to consider before going. Watching the games outside of the stadiums somehow seems like an even bigger hassle.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Expect an initial ticket check on the perimeter leading to fan zone compound (FIFA partners & alcohol sold here 3hrs ahead of game). No alcohol in stadiums. 0% beer.

:drool:

[Ben]

There’ll be no common man there anyway so nobody will care.

[igor_balis]

I skimmed your post and for a split second thought this was who you were going with.

Fuck :D

[-james-]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63066393

Classy clap clap clap

[Giggles]

What a load of absolute bollocks. Be better doing fuck all rather than clamouring for a pat on the back.

[Yevrah]

Yep, absolute shite. Might even be worse than Harry Kane's armband.

[Don]

Tasty af so great tribute to the worthless slaves.

[Disco]

I thought Hummel made paint so I guess this is working as intended.

[Ben]

I like that Qatar's defence of themselves is that they only killed 37 people, not hundreds.

[Shindig]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-63084459

Adidas, how could you? :D

[Boydy]

1577298655257690113

[John Arne]

Hold back the tears, Don Sardar Azmoun out for 4-6 weeks.

[Don]

Initially down as 6-8 had me in tears but latest update is 4-5 weeks so MON. Just need Taremi to stay fit. An injury there and I'll carry out a terrorist attack.

[John Arne]

Not World Cup related, but the Asian 2023 cup hosting has been won by... Qatar.

Which means 3 on the spin all hosted in the Middle-east, 2019 in UAE, 2023 in Qatar and 2027 in Saudi.

[Ben]

Bahrain 2031 for a full house of oil butchers.

[John Arne]

I wouldn't mind if they were well attended or decent events, but they aren't. Half-empty stadiums, shit atmosphere and just generally crap. I went to the opening game of UAE 2019 and it was worse than League 2 Crewe game. That and the UAE being a soulless desert.

[Don]

I went over too and it was without doubt one of the most shittest experiences of my life. I really missed the boat with the Aussie one.

[John Arne]

Fuck off Saudi in 2027 and give it to South East Asia. Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh (and their fancy new stadium). Jobs a good 'un.

The Morodok Techo National Sports Complex...


https://gyazo.com/103cdf90e8052f4c39d2b5a4078ca31d.jpeg

[Baz]

Anyone else collecting the stickers?

[Spikey M]

Nobody over 13, no.

[Baz]

Nobody over 13, no.
I’m hoping to do swaps on behalf of a 5 year old so cool story bro

[Spikey M]

Of course you are. You definitely haven't posted about collolecting them previously and taken a Covid Test just to go buy Pokemon Cards either.

[SvN]

I did it in 2014, but only filled about 70% and gave up. I've got the free album, but doubt I'll bother. When my son's a bit older I'll definitely get involved again.

[Giggles]

Bahrain 2031 for a full house of butchers.

Fixed

[phonics]

I did it in 2014, but only filled about 70% and gave up. I've got the free album, but doubt I'll bother. When my son's a bit older I'll definitely get involved again.

I think they worked out that you need to spend something like 1800 quid to fill the most recent one.

[Foe]

I completed the 2014 one and still have it in the drawer beside my bed for story time.

But no, not this time.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think they worked out that you need to spend something like 1800 quid to fill the most recent one.

That price is wrong, it's almost always around £500 with a max of £1000.

Although no one who completes it will ever spend that much as they'll swap and you can always buy the exact ones you need on the official website.

[SvN]

My plan at the time was to buy the last few off Ebay, but never got round to it. I looked a few years later and the costs were sky high.

[Shindig]

I had two complete sets of those Euro 96 coins from Sainsbury's but god knows where they are now. :moop:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I had two complete sets of those Euro 96 coins from Sainsbury's but god knows where they are now. :moop:

Those were amazing.

[SvN]

I'm sure the coins were World Cup 98. I've got them still, including a few unopened packets.

[Shindig]

Ah, that's right. Euro 96 was those terrible holograms I got out of packets of Frosties.

[Foe]

My plan at the time was to buy the last few off Ebay, but never got round to it. I looked a few years later and the costs were sky high.

This is how I discovered that now apparently “rookie” stickers are a thing. Got a whole lot of my “swaps” from 2014 that I might actually check and shove on eBay soon, now you’ve reminded me.

[Kikó]

That price is wrong, it's almost always around £500 with a max of £1000.

Although no one who completes it will ever spend that much as they'll swap and you can always buy the exact ones you need on the official website.

I did that with the last euros. I'm sure I spent around £400.

[Baz]

I think they worked out that you need to spend something like 1800 quid to fill the most recent one.

According to author and football finance expert Kieran Maguire, there are 670 stickers to collect for this year's album, which, assuming were all bought on the first go, would cost £120.60.

However, Mr Maguire explained that based on probability, it is more likely to set fans back £883.80.

https://news.sky.com/story/amp/how-much-will-this-years-panini-world-cup-sticker-album-cost-to-complete-12685902

I’ve spent £94 and reckon I can swap to complete it. :yn:

[niko_cee]

Calls for Taz's boys to be chucked out over these drones. :happycry:

[Jimmy Floyd]

They'd be replaced by the UAE, so be careful what you wish for.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

According to author and football finance expert Kieran Maguire, there are 670 stickers to collect for this year's album, which, assuming were all bought on the first go, would cost £120.60.

However, Mr Maguire explained that based on probability, it is more likely to set fans back £883.80.

https://news.sky.com/story/amp/how-much-will-this-years-panini-world-cup-sticker-album-cost-to-complete-12685902

I’ve spent £94 and reckon I can swap to complete it. :yn:

You can also order the singles you need for like 20p from Panini.

[Ben]

Calls for Taz's boys to be chucked out over these drones. :happycry:

They've all lined up on the northern border ready to have a pop at Azerbaijan as well. That'll be interesting.

[Don]

Would absolutely love to get involved in some of these sporting sanctions. Giving a bye to USA on behalf of our supply of drones, not even use :D

[Lewis]

Why is the Foreign Secretary being moaned at for suggesting that the gays wind it in in Qatar? What sort of travel advice is he meant to offer?

[Giggles]

Exactly. If he told them to go wild then they’re being led down a road to bad times. It’s a shitter but it’s a country that’s not for changing at this stage.

[Baz]

Someone alerted me that England's first game is on a Monday (21st November) at 1pm. I'm supposed to be visiting an addiction recovery centre all day. Surely that'll get cancelled. Right?

[Shindig]

Get the game on for the gamblers.

[Foe]

Get the game on for the gamblers.

I’ve taken a leaf out of yevrahs book and taken the two weeks of the group stages off work.

Fuck it.

[Yevrah]

It's the way forward. I just need to find somewhere warm in the World to be watching it from now.

[-james-]

The 10am starts for the first week are going to be glorious. I'm going to get absolutely nothing done.

[niko_cee]

The world Cup being a month away feels wildly wrong. I've no idea how badly wrong things can realsitcally go (probably not very) but fingers crossed that they do. Wayward nuke or something wiping out the whole of fifa.

[Giggles]

I’m still proud we’ve boycotted.

[Don]

The gays kicking off because they can't rim eachother in the stadiums is great bants.

I've taken the 2 Iran early KO days off, the rest of the 10am days will be WFHs having done 5-day weeks in the office for 3 weeks to build up my bank. Should work out pretty sweetly, just need to find decent spots to watch the Iran games now. Mates proposed I follow them to boxpark which I lolled at, I'd detonate a backpack in there long before KO.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Anyone of this persuasion going anywhere near these states wants their head checking. Why go somewhere you are deemed illegal.

[Don]

By all means oppose things but channel the opposition at FIFA not at the fucking country you're a guest in.

[Yevrah]

By all means oppose things but channel the opposition at FIFA not at the fucking country you're a guest in.

Indeed. The idea of influencing, let alone changing a regime, through fucking football is cute at best.

[Shindig]

Anyone of this persuasion going anywhere near these states wants their head checking. Why go somewhere you are deemed illegal.

Shopping.

[Lewis]

I got Morocco in the work sweepstakes. One pound down the bog.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sweepstakes are such bollocks. Imagine if Morocco actually did win the World Cup, and all you got was 32 quid.

[-james-]

On the other hand, you might get the mighty Three Lions at 32/1

[Yevrah]

Sweepstakes are such bollocks. Imagine if Morocco actually did win the World Cup, and all you got was 32 quid.

Indeed. I got Greece in 2004 and got £10 for my troubles. An actual quid on them would have returned somewhere between one and two hundred pounds.

[wullie]

I always do a matching bet just in case, so far I've just thrown money away at double the speed but you never know

[Jimmy Floyd]

Last World Cup I had Germany, everyone went 'Oh, you've got Germany have you?' rolling their eyes, as most sweepstake participants were in the warehouse and for an office man to draw the mighty reigning champions was a grave disappointment to them. A few days later, as the third South Korean goal crashed into the back of the net to death-cries of 'Scheisse!' (I can't actually remember how the game went, this is poetic licence), I felt like Mr Bumble being overthrown by the orphans as they filed in to dance upon my sausage-laden grave.

[-james-]

Just seen Japan have announced their squad. Was it a 26 man group last time as well?

Surprised to see Maeda the only one of the Celtic trio to make it. Mitoma is in though. :cool:

[Don]

Japan and South Korea have a propensity for basic defensive frailties but their tempo and class ensure entertainment at every turn. Both could go deep.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just seen Japan have announced their squad. Was it a 26 man group last time as well?

Surprised to see Maeda the only one of the Celtic trio to make it. Mitoma is in though. :cool:

It was 23 last time.

[Don]

Also, you need to be having most goals conceded or some shit in a sweepstake to keep the Morocco wankers interested.

[-james-]

I've watched quite a lot of Japan games over the years, mostly qualifiers against the likes of Oman/Vietnam, and their problem is nearly always that they have nobody that can score goals. They are basically Brighton. If it's Takuma Asano leading the line then that's basically ritual suicide.

[Lewis]

Last World Cup I had Germany, everyone went 'Oh, you've got Germany have you?' rolling their eyes, as most sweepstake participants were in the warehouse and for an office man to draw the mighty reigning champions was a grave disappointment to them. A few days later, as the third South Korean goal crashed into the back of the net to death-cries of 'Scheisse!' (I can't actually remember how the game went, this is poetic licence), I felt like Mr Bumble being overthrown by the orphans as they filed in to dance upon my sausage-laden grave.

Similarly, all of the good teams went to women who don't have a club. 'Are Brazil good?' 'What are France like?'

[Manc]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/01/gareth-southgate-criticised-for-claiming-qatar-workers-united-in-wanting-world-cup

A rare clanger dropped by Sir Waistcoat.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Cancel him.

[Yevrah]

He's such a disingenuous individual.

[Pepe]

The Qatari Supreme Committee, which is responsible for organising the tournament

:cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's pretty clear (especially from the attitude of my old mate Red Nev) that even the more progressive elements within the professional football community just don't want to talk about the various issues surrounding this tournament, because they find doing so to present far too much of a challenge to the gravy train. Disingenuous doesn't begin to cover it.

[Lewis]

I think the problem is that the people in a position to say anything worthwhile are trivial people, so they think that the problem with Saudi Arabia is that they killed a journalist, and that the problem with Qatar is their employment laws. They either wouldn't comprehend that they are thirteenth century holes with air conditioning, or wouldn't dare question why, which is why Gary Neville freely admits to being thick and/or naive enough to think that access to elite sport would help reform the Middle East, because, in his mind, a World Cup is worth reforming your employment laws and therefore your entire society.

[Yevrah]

It's pretty clear (especially from the attitude of my old mate Red Nev) that even the more progressive elements within the professional football community just don't want to talk about the various issues surrounding this tournament, because they find doing so to present far too much of a challenge to the gravy train. Disingenuous doesn't begin to cover it.

It's horrific, isn't it. If you don't care then fine, to a degree, but to have spent so much time claiming you do and accusing others of being scum for not towing your line while you were doing so, only to then do all this. There probably aren't words that do it justice.

[Shindig]

I think the problem is they don't want to rile Qatari authorities because they'd very much like to not end in prison.

[John Arne]

Apparently Dunk and Welbeck have been included on the pointless 55 man longlist for the England squad - which also reminded me of this line up from November 2018, when they somehow managed to beat USA 3-0.

https://gyazo.com/bece8ce9d1d77ab959375794e78caddd.jpeg

Has there been a worst XI? I seem to remember Peter Taylor picking a completely random XI including Seth Johnson once.

[Kikó]

The team that England put out to Australia years ago. Edit: actually wasn't that bad

England: James; Neville, Ferdinand, Campbell, Cole; Beckham, Lampard, Scholes, Dyer; Owen, Beattie.

[niko_cee]

Didn't Rooney make his debut in that game or something? A dark day on Green Street, if it's the game I'm thinking of.

[Jimmy Floyd]

People only think that team was bad because Francis 'Franny 'Fox in the Box'' Jeffers got a few minutes.

The real dreadful XIs were Hodgson-era.

EDIT: just looked up Francis Jeffers. 52 career goals. Is that the lowest ever for someone selected by England as a striker?

[Shindig]

http://www.englandfootballonline.com/teammgr/Mgr_HodgsonPlyrsApps.html

We never got to see Kane and Austin up front. :(

How did Tom Heaton get 3 minutes? Was it his birthday?

[Kikó]

People only think that team was bad because Francis 'Franny 'Fox in the Box'' Jeffers got a few minutes.

The real dreadful XIs were Hodgson-era.

EDIT: just looked up Francis Jeffers. 52 career goals. Is that the lowest ever for someone selected by England as a striker?

What was Michael Ricketts premier League tally?

[SvN]

EDIT: just looked up Francis Jeffers. 52 career goals. Is that the lowest ever for someone selected by England as a striker?

I had a think about this, and came up with a few names and checked their career goals.

Frazier Campbell - Somehow 104
Gabby Agbonlahor - 87
Michael Ricketts - 96

To be fair to poor Franny, it looks like these 3 did play a lot more games than him, and at lower leagues as well.

[Shindig]

Yeah, Francis was never really a regular outside of Everton and Sheffield Wednesday. I thought he retired early but it looks like he carried on just as a squad fodder. Actually, he packed in at 32 so maybe a bit of both?

[SvN]

Even Dean Ashton, who basically lost a foot at age 25, outscores him by more than double with 111.

[wullie]

Shout out to Dave Nugent having 9 top flight goals to go with his goal a game England record.

[SvN]

https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/371588/w768xh576_GettyImages-676946014.jpg?ts=1566491512

6 Premier League goals.

[wullie]

He was still somehow banging the goals in over in Japan last I saw as well. I remember when he left us for Perugia, they also signed a woman and Colonel Gaddafi's son to their squad at the same time.

[Kikó]

Dean Ashton was a lovely player. Shame he broke.

[Alex]

People only think that team was bad because Francis 'Franny 'Fox in the Box'' Jeffers got a few minutes.

The real dreadful XIs were Hodgson-era.

EDIT: just looked up Francis Jeffers. 52 career goals. Is that the lowest ever for someone selected by England as a striker?

This is a good thinker!

In terms of people who have finished their career Alan Smith came to mind. He apparently racked up a career total of 47 and I believe played up front for England.

I'm talking about the Leeds United variant Alan Smith here. The other, older one was obviously a lot more prolific. And I suppose to be fair to him too, in terms of his low career tally, I think Ferguson largely converted him to a midfielder when he joined Man United and I'm not sure to what extent he ever went back to playing up top. He actually managed 19 England caps when I've looked it up, which surprises me.

[SvN]

72 in all competitions, so he beats Franny.

I'm pretty sure he spent most of his post-United time as a midfielder as well, certainly at Newcastle.

[Alex]

Poor fact checking on my part. I apologise, Alan. I'm obviously still sore from the (completely unavailable) cross-Pennine betrayal.

[wullie]

I'd like to nominate former Liverpool forward Steven Caulker for consideration

[niko_cee]

Danny Cadamarteri managed fewer career goals than Jeffers I think, which is some going off 350 appearances mostly in the lower leagues [even more so when you think he scored a third of his career goals for Everton], but his shiny new thing shtick never got him that full England cap sadly.

[John Arne]

What's the forum plan for the World Cup? One thread per group, and a separate thread for each round thereafter?

[-james-]

One thread per group doesn't make much sense. One thread for each round imo.

[Ben]

I’d just go one thread for the whole group stage. Idiots like me don’t have a clue who is in which group and there’s no way I’m scouting out that information prior to passing judgement on some Costa Rican fella.

[niko_cee]

Monthly football thread.

[SvN]

I think a thread for group stages, another for knockouts, then one for the final.

[randomlegend]

No threads, as an act of defiance against the Supreme Council.

[Boydy]

A thread per match.

[Giggles]

Some email Ital and get him to set up a separate forum.

[Manc]

England v Iran will need it's own thread.

[Don]

We're closing the gaff up after that.

[SvN]

Some email Ital and get him to set up a separate forum.

And only invite people that aren't going to be mean about England.

[Ian]

We ended up with a thread per round last time despite some weirdos thinking we all have so much to say we couldn't possibly survive on as few threads as that.