OT-2022 World Cup-first match Sunday 11/20-USA opens 11/21-2 PM (EST)-OT

lousubcap

The link to the full 64 match schedule broadcast in the USA-
World Cup schedule linked here-
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/how-to-watch-the-2022-world-cup-on-fox-times-channels-full-match-schedule
USA group matches are all at 2 PM (EST).  We failed to qualify for the last World Cup so time to get it on!  Frictionless conduit here.  

kl8ton

After the world series, I kept you tube tv for this!

Acn

Great thing about working from home…I can enjoy weekday afternoon football.  The US (youngest team in the tournament) will make it out of the groups, in advance of an excellent showing when we’re the hosts in 2026.

Foghorn

Predictions for a winner anyone?  For sentimental reasons, I'll go with Argentina - and finally a World Cup for Lionel Messi.

Acn

Foghorn said:

Predictions for a winner anyone?  For sentimental reasons, I'll go with Argentina - and finally a World Cup for Lionel Messi.

I think it is South America's year; either Argentina or Brazil for the win, and I'd rather see Messi finally get one.  I think England is probably the strongest of the European teams, but I don't trust Southgate in late-stage matches (especially away from home soil).  France is really going to miss Pogba/Kante in midfield and will disappoint, Zidane will be in the fold before Christmas.   

lousubcap

And a change in the alcohol sales policy-
"Alcohol will not be sold to fans at the World Cup's eight stadiums in Qatar after Fifa changed its policy two days before the start of the tournament.

Alcohol was set to be served "in select areas within stadiums", despite its sale being strictly controlled in the Muslim country.

Those in corporate areas of stadiums at the tournament will still be able to purchase alcohol."

Acn

lousubcap said:

And a change in the alcohol sales policy-
"Alcohol will not be sold to fans at the World Cup's eight stadiums in Qatar after Fifa changed its policy two days before the start of the tournament.

Alcohol was set to be served "in select areas within stadiums", despite its sale being strictly controlled in the Muslim country.

Those in corporate areas of stadiums at the tournament will still be able to purchase alcohol."

And here's to Budweiser suing the h$ll out of FIFA to recoup that sponsorship fee.

I don't wish ill on the players or the fans who travel there, but I do really hope the game on the pitch is wonderful, but things off the pitch are a complete clusterf... and FIFA and Qatar need to completely own that this was an utterly indefensible award.

Foghorn

Yeah.  I entered the earliest ticket lottery and got the right to buy tickets to 4 games.  I passed it up because of the lodging and other issues and we are feeling really good about the fact that we chose not to go - even before we learned about the alcohol issues.

rekameohs

Acn said:

I don't wish ill on the players or the fans who travel there, but I do really hope the game on the pitch is wonderful, but things off the pitch are a complete clusterf... and FIFA and Qatar need to completely own that this was an utterly indefensible award.

I like watching the World Cup, but really don't want to give any support to Qatar.

Tspud1

Acn said:

lousubcap said:

And a change in the alcohol sales policy-
"Alcohol will not be sold to fans at the World Cup's eight stadiums in Qatar after Fifa changed its policy two days before the start of the tournament.

Alcohol was set to be served "in select areas within stadiums", despite its sale being strictly controlled in the Muslim country.

Those in corporate areas of stadiums at the tournament will still be able to purchase alcohol."

And here's to Budweiser suing the h$ll out of FIFA to recoup that sponsorship fee.

I don't wish ill on the players or the fans who travel there, but I do really hope the game on the pitch is wonderful, but things off the pitch are a complete clusterf... and FIFA and Qatar need to completely own that this was an utterly indefensible award.

I guess they are still going to sell Bud Zero what ever that is.

Tspud1

Belgium might slide in for win but hard to go against Brazil

Foghorn

I would love to see Belgium take it all.  They definitely have enough talent to pull it off.

Mark_B_Good

Belgium have to get through CANADA first. LOL. 

On a serious note, I'm hoping that from that group, Canada outshines Croatia ... I think that is a possibility.

Acn

Interesting, I don't have much confidence in Belgium at all; their golden generation has always underperformed, and now they're old.  I could see Canada and Croatia coming out of that group, and even if Belgium wins the group, I'm not sure they do much against whichever of Germany or Spain finishes 2nd in Group E.    

Foghorn

Acn said:

Interesting, I don't have much confidence in Belgium at all; their golden generation has always underperformed, and now they're old.  I could see Canada and Croatia coming out of that group, and even if Belgium wins the group, I'm not sure they do much against whichever of Germany or Spain finishes 2nd in Group E.    

To be clear, I didn't say that I have any confidence in Belgium.  I just find them to be a talented bunch of likeable players.  

And don't underestimate Canada @Mark_B_Good.  They finished first in our region for a reason.  However, I don't think any player is more key to his country than Alphonso Davies - so whether or not he is truly recovered from his hamstring injury is crucial.

Foghorn

https://twitter.com/joepompliano/status/1592997689427660801?s=42&t=wUikM1ICBAN_8AFR7m-t6A

HeavyG

So how many extra Euros did the Qatari's feed into Infantino's swiss bank account for that idiotic rant he gave today?

Acn

HeavyG said:

So how many extra Euros did the Qatari's feed into Infantino's swiss bank account for that idiotic rant he gave today?

Probably less than the Qataris may have splashed out to refs…

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-11445381/World-Cup-FIFA-warned-unusually-HIGH-number-penalties-awarded-Qatar-warm-games.html

lousubcap

The plots and sub-plots are rounding into form.  Hopefully the matches are not filled with high drama but likely wishful thinking on my part. 

Tspud1

I hope the Qataris appreciate the new US team badge.
https://www.newsweek.com/usmnt-change-shield-rainbow-colors-lgbtq-world-cup-1759982

HeavyG

Tspud1 said:

I hope the Qataris appreciate the new US team badge.
https://www.newsweek.com/usmnt-change-shield-rainbow-colors-lgbtq-world-cup-1759982

It probably won't bother them as much as it bothered some US conservative types.

Foghorn

The plastic containers that they are using for "lodging" in the "fan village" are $175 Euros per night.  There are no showers and the water in the sinks is "brown".  Definitely glad we didn't go.

Mark_B_Good

Foghorn said:

Acn said:

Interesting, I don't have much confidence in Belgium at all; their golden generation has always underperformed, and now they're old.  I could see Canada and Croatia coming out of that group, and even if Belgium wins the group, I'm not sure they do much against whichever of Germany or Spain finishes 2nd in Group E.    

To be clear, I didn't say that I have any confidence in Belgium.  I just find them to be a talented bunch of likeable players.  

And don't underestimate Canada @Mark_B_Good.  They finished first in our region for a reason.  However, I don't think any player is more key to his country than Alphonso Davies - so whether or not he is truly recovered from his hamstring injury is crucial.

We shall all see it unfold over the next few weeks. We no longer need to speculate.

CPFC1905

Down to just 27 days left of the World Cup,  accepting it'll be about half that for both our teams.

I have no faith or expectation about England's chances, but it would be just typical of us to hang about until the end of this wretched tournament. 

One high-point though is that we are playing a tribute band for 80's New Wave sensations A Flock of Seagulls.   Get your synths out for the lads. 

lousubcap

If nothing else, pond bragging rights on the line Friday.  

Foghorn

England looking good so far (although I'm at work and not watching - but the scoreline looks good)

CPFC1905

That result makes it harder but not impossible to not progress to the knock-out stages.  
Defensive frailties and peculiar VAR could be the X factor we need to get us home soon. 

Botch

The alcohol sales, and bribed refs, are small potatoes.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMqLDhl8PXw

lousubcap

@Botch Netflix has a 4 part series "FIFA Uncovered" that gets to the core of FIFA and how the politics/$$$$$ work/worked in Qatar's case.  FYI-

lousubcap

World Cup article from The Atlantic;
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2022/11/qatar-hosting-fifa-world-cup-soccer/672171/?utm_

CPFC1905

lousubcap said:

@Botch Netflix has a 4 part series "FIFA Uncovered" that gets to the core of FIFA and how the politics/$$$$$ work/worked in Qatar's case.  FYI-

It’s a democratic institution and whoever is in power just piles cash in to the weakest 150 nations, which is not a great deal of cash - let’s be honest when you’re buying a bag of balls for the Solomon Islands - and is therefore guaranteed their vote and re-election.