FIFA World Cup 2022

[verno]

Is anyone feeling this yet? I can't seem to care about it. Maybe because its in Qatar, their human rights issues, Anti-LGBT stance, fact that's in winter, mighty Scotland didn't qualify lol. I feel no hype for it, very weird.

Not at all. Mostly I'm worried about my Arsenal guys getting injured, then there's the winter thing and the fact England have been shite lately. I feel like our group is a horror show waiting to happen.
Nice of Infantino to send that letter telling everyone to focus on the football. Sure, let's not focus on the thousands of migrant worker deaths, the bribery, the corruption, the oppression of women & LGBTQ people. Focus on the shiny, happy football while staying in your glorified shipping container & sipping on your 15 quid beer.
Bollocks to FIFA and bollocks to Qatar.

Bollocks also to Beckham, Neville all the other money grubbing hypocrites.

[Liam]

I am starting to look forward to the World Cup more now, even if I think Qatar is a completely inappropriate host for a number of reasons. I don't think it'll be a memorable one though with there being no pre-tournament preparation for teams, the fixtures being played closer together and there'll be a lack of atmosphere.

[Lupo Pazzesco]

Bollocks to FIFA and bollocks to Qatar.

Bollocks also to Beckham, Neville all the other money grubbing hypocrites.

Is the correct answer!

[Dels]

Not at all. Mostly I'm worried about my Arsenal guys getting injured, then there's the winter thing and the fact England have been shite lately. I feel like our group is a horror show waiting to happen.
Nice of Infantino to send that letter telling everyone to focus on the football. Sure, let's not focus on the thousands of migrant worker deaths, the bribery, the corruption, the oppression of women & LGBTQ people. Focus on the shiny, happy football while staying in your glorified shipping container & sipping on your 15 quid beer.
Bollocks to FIFA and bollocks to Qatar.

Bollocks also to Beckham, Neville all the other money grubbing hypocrites.

I agree with all of this.

Re: Beckham and Neville, I'm not surprised at Beckham at all, I think money has always been his top priority, but a little surprised at Neville, per his political leanings.

[Dels]

there'll be a lack of atmosphere.

Surely, not as bad as 2010? I literally watched every game on mute to drown out that buzzing.

[Liam]

The vuvuzela was annoying, but atleast it was an atmosphere and a unique thing to the country hosting it. Qatar doesn't have the population to fill the stadiums, there'll be a lot of empty seats imo.

[Dels]

So annoying. It was like listening to billions of wasps buzzing.

I was just reading that some of the stadiums and hotels might not be ready yet. Mental. I hope it was worth it Mr Blatter and Mr Platini.

[verno]

It kinda reminds me of the Commonwealth games in India or the Rio Olympic games. Still building and doing stuff as the event was ongoing.

Qatar doesn't have monkey bodyguards like they did in India tho so that's another rubbish thing.

[Dels]

Monkey bodyguards?

Now I heard this morning that shops they built aren't ready either. It starts on Sunday.

[verno]

The small monkeys were causing trouble and stealing things so they employed the larger langur monkeys to keep them in line. No joke.

Oh no where will the Wags go ?

Can't believe we've got a match on Monday.

[Dels]

The small monkeys were causing trouble and stealing things so they employed the larger langur monkeys to keep them in line. No joke.

That is the type of animal nonsense I watch on YouTube.

I think the wags might sit this one out. Apparently, its much hotter there than was led to believe, and they won't be able to wear skimpy clothing, women there have to be covered up. Faye Carruthers on TalkSport was telling of her experience so far, she has to have arms, abdomen, legs covered, can't remember about hair, she has said she is being stared at a lot and is often feeling uncomfortable and being segregated from men, even men she work with. If I had a partner going I'd stay home, I'm sure they'd understand.
Once again, I hope Mr Blatter is happy.

You'd never know you'd have a game on Monday, its all about Ronaldo, normally at this point talk would all be about the WC.

[Lupo Pazzesco]

Now the Quatari's are trying to ban alcohol, even if it is Budweiser, just two days before the tournament! The Beeb reporter said it was £12.50 a pint.................

[Lupo Pazzesco]

Well, despite Verno's pessimism , England played very well. It's a shame that the ground was a third empty though and most of the English contingent were very quiet throughout the match despite the performance, probably due to the lack of ale.

[Dels]

Higuain at it again

[Liam]

England were good, we'll see if it lasts.

Argentina were outfought, Saudi Arabia look much better than they did 4 years ago when Russia thrashed them.

[Dels]

Saudi's coach is that blonde French dude who pops up every 4 years with a random country at the WC and sometimes the AFCON. Won it with Zambia.

Really like Mexico's strip, that colour of green is pretty.

[Dels]

One thing that can be said for this WC it has given us some amazing results.
I would say most of the games have been entertaining so far.

[Lupo Pazzesco]

I would say most of the games have been entertaining so far.

Unfortunately England v USA was a borefest!

[Tangerine Romanista]

Was majorly against the tournament for a myriad of reasons beforehand, but against expectations I'm quite enjoying the WC so far (England's struggles last night were kind of enjoyable to some of us North of the border ).....

One aspect that was mostly forgotten was that for teams like Saudi Arabia and Iran its a pretty big deal having the chance to play WC matches in your own region. 

Their fans have certainly added to the in stadium atmosphere, which considering the costs of attending hasn’t been quite as bad as we feared…..

Good to see Brazil turning it on in the 2nd half the other day as well, a WC always needs a proper Brazilian team.

Can see their strength in depth carrying them to the title, if they can overcome France.....

[Liam]

The atmosphere in the stadiums has been better than I thought, there's certainly been a lot more travelling fans than I was expecting.

England's performance was a return to what I was expecting. The midfield is a problem which I feel often gets overlooked, they just don't create enough or work together well enough.