World Cup 2022

[Zzzptm]

I stand corrected, they will have AC stadiums, so melting should be at a minimum.

Just so odd with World Cup happening in November!

[Charger]

They do have air conditioning but I think most of the effect is for the public not the players...

[Zzzptm]

I did read that average daily highs during November are still warm, but more like European summer. Shouldn't be too bad.

[Charger]

I did read that average daily highs during November are still warm, but more like European summer. Shouldn't be too bad.

Current forecast says day temps around 30-35C (85-95F) for this week...I think most players are used to playing in those conditions but it still doesn't make it easy.

[Jack the Stripper]

Qatar should never have been awarded the World Cup in the first place. Human rights abuses, oppressive regime and corrupt FIFA officials aside, the country doesn’t have the infrastructure and is just not a fan friendly place to host such a big International event. Also the fact they’ve had to have it in November because of the stifling hot conditions every other month of the year over there and interrupt all the domestic football competitions around the world when it’s usually held at the end of the domestic seasons just makes the whole decision even more ridiculous. But it’s there and is about to start so it is was it is.

Anyhow my thoughts

Winner: Brazil - They’re absolutely stacked with talent and a lot of their players are in red hot form in their respective domestic competitions in Europe. France would be my next pick. Wouldn’t surprise me to see a lot of upsets in this World Cup though.

Who Would I like to win: Whatever team I decide to have money on, which will probably be Brazil.

Golden Boot: One of the French strikers Mbappe or Benzema

Surprise packet. Denmark

As for Australia, they’ll be lucky to score a point. It is one of the weaker teams they’ve taken to a World Cup and they are in an incredibly tough group. Tunisia would be there best chance of getting points. One thing on their side though is that they are use to the conditions and playing in the stadiums in Qatar. Most of their qualifying games were held in Qatar because of COVID and strict quarantine rules in Australia at the time.

[Zzzptm]

Oh yeah, when Qatar got the nod, I could smell the corruption all the way over here. Probably asked Putin for tips on what kinds of photos to take of FIFA officials to make sure they had the proper blackmail material...

Brazil's always a fun side to cheer for. There's quite a lot of adverts here in the USA to try and convince everyone that This Might Be THE YEAR for USA men's soccer to drum up interest amongst the gridiron football fans. If the ratings work out like they did for oddly-timed Olympics events, then advertisers and networks won't care if the next World Cup is in Xinjiang or Siberia or the middle of a rumbling volcanic crater.

[Jack the Stripper]

[Jack the Stripper]

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

On paper Brazil always have World Cup winning players, but for what ever reason they often fall at the last hurdle. Having said that they must be one of the favourites this year, but there's probably about 6 teams who could win it, it may boil down to who has the best *team*!

[Charger]

And the TEAM part has been Brazil's problem for a long time...they always have a great set of individual talent but they just can't function as a team...usually comes down to big star egos I guess...

[Zzzptm]

Would there be better team play if there were salary caps for teams?

[Jack the Stripper]

Just add it to the pile
https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/112m-world-cup-sponsor-budweiser-could-be-banned-from-selling-beer/news-story/8814f6864de3b9fc21e5ab7347678078

Also rumours swirling that Qatar bribed 8 Ecuador players to fix opening match.

[Charger]

Well being an extremist islamic country the banning of alcohol shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone.

I was pretty sure allowing those "special areas where you can get alcohol" was just a stunt.


I saw that bribe thing as well...that's disgusting for sure but also not all that surprising considering who we're dealing with...

[Vyn]

Yeah, no alcohol anywhere near the stadium now. Not surprised. I've never been to Qatar, but worked in Oman years ago as a contractor. There were a couple (literally, two) places to drink booze if you wanted to, but was told (and believed beyond doubt) that if any of us were caught inebriated or with alcohol outside of those two places we'd spend at least six months in an Omani prison. Maybe other bad things, too, depending on the mood of the king.

I doubt much has changed in the Arabian peninsula, literally tribalism just with more people.

When I heard Qatar was going to host the World Cup, I laughed my ass off. I've read for a long time that FIFA is basically just a scam organization. That decision does nothing to help that perception.

I can't imagine the USA team is going to do much of anything. Unless they bribed the right people with enough money, of course. In that case they might win the whole thing

[Jack the Stripper]

I've never been to Qatar, but worked in Oman years ago as a contractor.

Wow! You learn something everyday. That must’ve been quite the experience.


In other news. Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup for France with injury. Whilst I’m sure they have great depth to cover him it’s still a big blow. He had been in career best form the last couple of years.