Starts 3 weeks from yesterday


(wales is in)

11/1/2022 11:57:05 AM

US is in a group in which they can advance to knockout round, but they are out of form and have a lot of injuries

Favorites to win it
Brazil
Argentina
Belgium
France (though no Kante or Pogba makes their MF weak)

11/1/2022 1:12:32 PM

Ukraine wants Iran banned for their role in the war, and happen to be first in line to fill the void. I'd be fine with that. Iran probably wouldn't like it.

11/1/2022 7:09:40 PM

I'm pretty sure Italy would take Irans' spot. Which would be terrible for us.

11/2/2022 8:40:48 AM

Not sure the US was ever really in form in this qualifying campaign, but anything less than getting out of group would be a disappointment. We have the talent to beat Wales and Iran.

^Debatable whether they are first in line. UAE would be "next" although kicking Iran out would be absurd and hypocritical.

11/2/2022 8:43:46 AM

would it be another European team, I would think it would have to be someone from the Asian Federation, if I was the US and CONCACAF would fight Italy being added.

11/2/2022 8:44:28 AM

I didn't previously realize this gives Iran the chance to take revenge on three representative nations of the Western boogeyman.

11/2/2022 1:11:20 PM

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/14/sports/soccer/world-cup-beer-fifa.html

Quote :

"The message came from the highest levels of the Qatari state: The beer tents must be moved, and there would be no discussion about it. With the opening game of the World Cup only days away, Qatari organizers have been working hurriedly in recent days to relocate Budweiser-branded beer stations at eight stadiums after a sudden demand that three people with knowledge of the belated change said had come from inside the country’s royal family. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss sensitive planning details for the tournament. World Cup officials appeared to confirm the changes in a statement, however. Budweiser said it only learned of the new plan on Saturday — eight days before the tournament’s first game. ... ... "

11/14/2022 10:26:12 AM

https://www.espn.com/soccer/france-fra/story/4803102/lloris-too-much-pressure-on-players-to-protest-at-world-cup

Won't someone think of the poor players???

11/14/2022 12:14:19 PM

I've been seeing a lot of people posting a kinda cool circular bracket predictor image for the World Cup but I can't find out what site they are using. Anyone have a place that lets you set up your own bracket without requiring that you register on their site (and undoubtedly sell your info)?

I think Brazil is the likely winner this time around. France is really good, but historically the team that wins the previous world cup for whatever reason does poorly in the next one. Would love for England to do well, and even though they have the talent to do so, realistically they always choke. Should be able to get to the quarters or semis though.

11/14/2022 2:12:36 PM

^^I mean, am I missing something? Is it not an enormous copout to put all the protesting pressure on the players? I agree with Lloris 100%. The time to do something about it was 10 years ago when it was absolutely absurd that Qatar bribed their way to the bid over the US then. Then maybe again 4-6 years ago when there were various reports of slave labor and migrant deaths being used to build the stadiums.

It was also disgusting watching Blatter doing the media rounds over the last two weeks about the bribes instead of when he was in charge and could have done something about it.

How about just making it a requirement to put in a bid that your country uses already existing infrastructure (this should be the case for olympics too), that you don't have the ship in snow or hold the cup in the middle of the club season because the weather isn't suitable for the sports, and that you can serve fuckin beer at the events.

Sponsors/FIFA/governments/federations/media fans all could do something about it, but noone is. Everyone wants to play not it and point at the players so they can retain their virtue points while they enjoy the cup. Fuck that. I'm gonna put my head in the sand like everyone else about the human rightsand enjoy the games at the this point.

11/14/2022 3:49:34 PM

^pretty much sums up my thoughts on this as well.

11/14/2022 4:18:09 PM

Everyone involved is complicit (including me) but I don't want to hear you crying about pressure. Either make a stand or don't, I don't really have sympathy for the pressure of deciding to use your massive platform or not. What a first world problem. Just say you don't want to commentg/get involved and move on.

That said "10 years ago" is a BS, players could get together and boycott today, same for sponsors, federations, etc.

[Edited on November 14, 2022 at 4:25 PM. Reason : If he can't handle that pressure I worry if he ends up in Penalties! ]

11/14/2022 4:24:44 PM

I, for one, will not watch one second of the world cup.

Not because of egregious human rights violations, but because soccer sucks.

11/14/2022 5:15:14 PM

You bowed to the pressure...of not liking soccer

11/14/2022 5:35:34 PM

The True Cost of the 2022 World Cup

https://youtu.be/2ALeYFi_1hg

Beckham sold his soul to the devil.

11/14/2022 6:36:44 PM

Anybody playing in the WC or attending the WC doesn't care enough about the HR abuses. Everybody makes a choice. If one says they care, but they still go/play, then they care more about entertainment and/or money than they do about HR abuses, simple as that.

11/14/2022 11:04:55 PM

https://twitter.com/GrantWahl/status/1592655780792369152

Quote :

"I took a picture of the Qatar World Cup slogan on the wall of the media center today—and a security guard came over and demanded that I delete it from my phone."

This is going to be a dumpster fire, but an entertaining one from afar.

11/16/2022 10:38:30 AM

wth is going on?

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/sport/world-cup-football-qatar-camera-b2226275.html

(with video)

Quote :

"Qatari official threatens to break reporter’s camera during live World Cup broadcast A Qatari official threatened to break a Danish reporter’s camera during a live broadcast on Wednesday, 16 November, days before the World Cup. TV2 reporter Rasmus Tantholdt was broadcasting in Doha when staff approached him, trying to obscure the camera lens. The journalist presented his press accreditation, but a security guard claimed the camera would be destroyed if they did not stop recording. “‘You want to break it? Go ahead. You’re threatening us by breaking the camera,” Tantholdt said. Tantholdt said they received an apology from the Qatar International Media Office and the Qatar Supreme Commitee"

11/16/2022 11:34:12 AM

I bought the sticker book thing for my boys. Hoping it makes the World Cup more fun for them.

11/16/2022 5:12:42 PM

Starts on Sunday, US vs Wales on Monday @ 2:00PM.

11/17/2022 11:45:00 AM

Looks like Qatar recanted and will no longer allow booze to be sold. I imagine AB is upset.

11/18/2022 7:27:17 AM

wowwwwwwwwww

11/18/2022 8:09:25 AM

I imagine most of the foreign soccer fans are upset. Qatar conveniently decided to do this after they all traveled there.

11/18/2022 8:15:49 AM

I would say this will be a pretty massive lawsuit against FIFA from AB.

11/18/2022 8:28:50 AM

This should shock no one, though its not a total ban....yet I would assume by the time the first match kicks off Qatar will be dry again.

Doesn't affect me as I am not there and can consume all I want in my house or local sports bar.

FIFA made this bed they have to sleep in it.

11/18/2022 8:31:32 AM

Yep, I’m all for FIFA looking like fucking idiots.

11/18/2022 9:39:08 AM

LOLLLLLLLLLL

11/18/2022 9:59:44 AM

I went to Qatar on vacation and all I got was this lousy bottle of non-alcoholic Budweiser.

11/18/2022 6:45:05 PM

If one found themselves at a parent's house with no cable (including base fox) , how would one watch the US game


NM looks like Peacock if I'm good with Spanish, or a fubo trial

[Edited on November 20, 2022 at 9:00 PM. Reason : E]

11/20/2022 8:57:23 PM

Have you considered bally

11/20/2022 9:26:21 PM

So the nations that wanted to wear the OneLove captains armband backed off after FIFA said if they wear it the player will get a yellow card to start match. FIFA just continues to look dumber and dumber.

Ecuador fans could be heard chanting "We Want Beer" yesterday as the stadium looked almost empty after halftime. Great start to this shit show.

11/21/2022 7:48:00 AM

^^^ i have youtube tv and they are offering free trials.

11/21/2022 8:28:26 AM

imagine starting sterling over foden...it's gonna be like when we start weah over reyna.

I've been watching all sorts of pundits talk about the strength of this iran team and how they could be dangerous for the US, but with how slow and unathletic they look in this england game, anything less than a decisive victory will be a massive miss for the Americans IMO.

11/21/2022 8:54:21 AM

Sterling seems to have worked out.

11/21/2022 9:17:30 AM

Meh, everybody and their mom scored against Iran. Put it this way, I definitely hope that they play Sterling against us over Foden. Foden would cook Dest all day long.

11/21/2022 12:42:30 PM

Quote :

"England 6 : 2 Iran ? xG: 2.19 - 1.74"

11/21/2022 2:25:25 PM

early yellows and now Wals is diving all over the place.

11/21/2022 2:32:57 PM

Holy shit that was pretty

11/21/2022 2:38:03 PM

That Save was awesome

11/21/2022 3:37:14 PM

What a stupid fucking tackle

11/21/2022 3:43:33 PM

This ref is awful.

11/21/2022 3:50:02 PM

Yea i'm not sure he was bad FOR Wales or not but he was a clown

11/21/2022 4:02:20 PM

Wales should have had like 4 more yellows and we definitely should have had more stoppage time. So frustrating to give up a penalty like that.

11/21/2022 4:02:34 PM

It’s not exactly like more stoppage time would have helped us…guys were looking gassed and the ball was just pinballing around.

Disappointing as hell based on how we looked in the first half

11/21/2022 4:05:19 PM

I’m an extremely casual soccer guy but

Quote :

"Disappointing as hell based on how we looked in the first half"

Yes I agree

11/21/2022 4:18:34 PM

- Where the hell was Gio? I was hoping Morris would never touch the field in meaningful minutes
- More lack of creativity in the mid-field. This was basically how we looked in the last 6-7 games. It boggles the mind that we don't try something else.
- I love that apparently Jesus' is #3 on the depth chart behind Sargent and Haji
- What a bone-headed tackle by Zimm
- We may have to draw against England to get out of groups. I definitely don't want to leave it up to England beating Wales with nothing on the line.


[Edited on November 21, 2022 at 4:21 PM. Reason : why the fuck is pulisic taking set pieces... he is actual trash]

11/21/2022 4:20:10 PM

Only half watched the Netherlands-Senegal game, but man the refs in both England-Iran and USA-Wales were awful. Inconsistencies across the board and missing tons of cards. Shaping up to be a shitshow on the pitch and off the pitch.

11/21/2022 9:32:11 PM

Argentina is trying to set a record for most offside goals.

11/22/2022 5:37:08 AM

Just turned on this Argentina game

[Edited on November 22, 2022 at 7:01 AM. Reason : .]

11/22/2022 7:01:15 AM