all things World Cup 2022 thread

[George.]

And people say American football is dumb?

It's not that it's dumb. It's that no one else cares.

[Ted Hoppe]

The current German Japan is going! Soooo good!

[Garret]

It's not that it's dumb. It's that no one else cares.

No argument with that. I just have never understood the appeal of football/soccer. Add the current issues with FIFA & Qatar & there are even fewer reasons to watch.

[Ted Hoppe]

Japan scores. Up by 1. Wow!

[Ted Hoppe]

Japan wins! What a game! May have shattered Germanys chances to go forward. World Cup history made.

[Decourcy]

No argument with that. I just have never understood the appeal of football/soccer. Add the current issues with FIFA & Qatar & there are even fewer reasons to watch.

This. If you watch corruption and abuse without acting, you contribute to that corruption and abuse.

[George Jung]

Lots of controversy, with how Qatar manipulated the bid. Not sure that's a bad thing - likely more 'press' as a result.

The importance 'we' put on athletics, though.... wow. And the psychology of losing, and how those teams are treated, as a result. It must be important!

[George.]

Stunning!

[JimD]

Canada v Belgium in a couple hours. Canada has never scored a goal in the history of the World Cup. I'm hopeful we'll get at least one this time around. It will be historic!

[Ted Hoppe]

Spain is on fire now. Up 2 in the 22nd minute against Costa Rica. A Tough bracket is proving to be an epic early cup series.

[Jimmy W]

[Joe (SoCal)]

After their shocking win against Germany, Japan fans stayed after the match to clean up the stadium.

Respect.

F575C335-9556-4912-A145-AD5E3CC2EA27.jpg

[bamamick]

Belgium gets by Canada 1-0. There have really been some great matches in this thing so far.

Mickey Lake

[RFNK]

So - you start with a game that forbids the use of humans' most important physical attribute (hands/opposable thumbs), then you add in a totally corrupt/chickensh!t organization (FIFA) and set the games in an intolerant, corrupt country. Huh?

And people say American football is dumb?

American football IS dumb! Soccer's a great game when played properly. But these days it's just all about deceit and idolatry. The women's game is much more entertaining.

American football has the worst CTE record but possibly only because the Americans were the first to start looking for it. The wearing of helmets, paradoxically, may cause a higher incidence of CTE but it seems very likely that Aussie Rules, rugby, soccer and plenty of other sports will have to make changes soon. It's unlikely but possible that headers could be phased out at some point.

Of course, some might argue, given the behaviour of soccer fans, that watching soccer may be even more dangerous.

PS France should be disqualified for egotistical behaviour and any team defeated by them should be granted automatic entry to the next round!

[George.]

Of course, we all know why so many Americans don't like football - real football.

It is because they are no good at it. America likes sports it dominates, even if it is because no one else plays.

[Paul Pless]

current and four time world cup champions. . .

[Ted Hoppe]

Son Heung-Min of South Korea does rock the Carbon Fiber mask.

[Garret]

C'mon Paul - we know women's sports don't matter...

Just like FIFA & Quatar don't it seems.

[RFNK]

current and four time world cup champions. . .

Fantastic team.

[Breakaway]

current and four time world cup champions. . .

Sing it brother!




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[George.]

That bicycle kick was the prettiest goal I saw so far in the Cup.

[George.]

Fantastic team.

Of course they are. But the World Cup is not an ordinary tournament. It is the closest to "enjoying" a war that peaceful nations get. The teams are national. Brazil plays Serbia, not the Brazilian men's team plays the Serbian men's team. Anthems are sung full throated before the battle, not just for the winners. National flags are the symbol of each side.

Like in any war, you send your best warriors, which means young men. Of course some women fight fiercely in wars, always have. But unfortunately, anatomy makes it so that it would be very, very difficult for even the best female player to play with the guys at top level.

[oldcodger]

Imagine if Qatar had not won the competition to host the World Cup.

Most people would either not have heard of it or have a vague sense that it was somewhere in the Middle East. They certainly would not have a view on its civil rights record.

Thanks (inadvertently) to FIFA it is now common knowledge and the row about armbands is getting coverage that no civil rights campaign could achieve.

[Paul Pless]

fair point

[Ted Hoppe]

USA vs England! In 60 seconds! Can the US win like they did in 1950?

will be an uphill battle for the US.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Of course they are. But the World Cup is not an ordinary tournament. It is the closest to "enjoying" a war that peaceful nations get. The teams are national. Brazil plays Serbia, not the Brazilian men's team plays the Serbian men's team. Anthems are sung full throated before the battle, not just for the winners. National flags are the symbol of each side.

Like in any war, you send your best warriors, which means young men. Of course some women fight fiercely in wars, always have. But unfortunately, anatomy makes it so that it would be very, very difficult for even the best female player to play with the guys at top level.

You don’t play cricket.

[AndyG]

Twenty minutes in, here, the: "you cheatin' bxxxxxxd" has been officially emitted.

Andy. Thing is, England? Don't really care. Good, fair, footie? Aye, I'll have 90 minutes of that.

[Ted Hoppe]

Ended best for the US. They were not hurt and played well in mids. Iran game on Tuesday will be a make or break.

[RFNK]

Of course they are. But the World Cup is not an ordinary tournament. It is the closest to "enjoying" a war that peaceful nations get. The teams are national. Brazil plays Serbia, not the Brazilian men's team plays the Serbian men's team. Anthems are sung full throated before the battle, not just for the winners. National flags are the symbol of each side.

Like in any war, you send your best warriors, which means young men. Of course some women fight fiercely in wars, always have. But unfortunately, anatomy makes it so that it would be very, very difficult for even the best female player to play with the guys at top level.

Maybe in Brazil it's seen that way but certainly not in countries where other sports dominate. Our women's soccer team is the most popular team in the country and we love to see them win but it has nothing to do with war or warriors. I have to say too that guys rolling around on the ground pretending to be dying from a bump on the shoulder doesn't look very warrior-like to me. Soccer's just a game like any other. Attaching nationalistic baggage to teams is unfortunate.

[George.]

You don’t play cricket.

No, but I am aware of how seriously it is taken in former British colonies, including India, which is a big deal. Still, cricket is not followed much in countries that don't play it much.

Meanwhile, in India, which never even came close to qualifying for a World Cup:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63645416

[George.]

Meanwhile, FIFA shows that it does care about prejudice and people's feelings:


https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/25/s...cli/index.html

FIFA told CNN: “Crusader costumes in the Arab or Middle East context can be offensive to Muslims. That is why anti-discrimination colleagues asked fans to wear things inside out or change dress.”

Problem is, the "Crusader Flag" is the English flag. I don't recall FIFA telling the Saudis they can't display their flag at the games, complete with the sword of Islam that slay so many Christians over a millenium of warfare.

[Ted Hoppe]

Morocco gets a historic win against Belgium in second half. What an upset.

Canada has to beat Croatia today. Canadian coach is promising a great game against this powerhouse.

[Ted Hoppe]

Canada up 1 in the first 20.

[Ted Hoppe]

The Canadians are leaving the door open in front of the goal. Croatia could capitalize on that soon.

edit -whew canada just got a break... they are leaving the door open

[bamamick]

I guess the biggest surprises here are the successes of the non-European countries. Morocco's win today? Wow.

I am afraid that Iran is going to put everyone in the box in front of their goal on Tuesday and keep the US out of it. A 0-0 draw sends Iran through with England and sends the US home. I have a bad feeling about that match.

Mickey Lake