Starts Sunday. Qatar the host country. Any interest?

The qualifying countries…

Group A: Ecuador, Netherlands, Qatar, Senegal
Group B: England, IR Iran, USA and Wales
Group C: Argentina, Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia
Group D: Australia, Denmark, France and Tunisia
Group E: Costa Rica, Germany, Japan and Spain
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Croatia and Morocco
Group G: Brazil, Cameroon, Serbia and Switzerland
Group H: Ghana, Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay

Remember please, only soccer talk here, no politics.

Poland and USA !! :)

I don't watch many soccer league matches. I'm all in for the World Cup every four years. The 5AM early matches will be tough to get up for, but the USA plays at the more convenient time of 2PM.

It looks like a pretty tough group for the USA. Hopefully they can advance.

Good to see Canada in it for only the second time ever. I'm also rooting for my grandfather's home country of Poland.

The World Cup calls for the addition of a soccer smilie.

:soccer:

I don't watch many soccer league matches. I'm all in for the World Cup every four years. The 5AM early matches will be tough to get up for, but the USA plays at the more convenient time of 2PM.

It looks like a pretty tough group for the USA. Hopefully they can advance.

Good to see Canada in it for only the second time ever. I'm also rooting for my grandfather's home country of Poland.

The World Cup calls for the addition of a soccer smilie.

:soccer:

Yeah , me too ! Three of my four Grandparents were from Poland ( one Grandfather was Lithuanian ) but I'm mainly Polish !! :)

GO POLAND !:) But than living out here in LA , so many of my friends and neighbors are from Mexico or are of Mexican heritage , so that is tough too ! Wish Poland wasn't playing Mexico !! :confused:

So besides Poland and USA also Mexico, I guess ? But that would knock Poland out right?? :eek:

US and Wales tie 1-1, with US giving up a late penalty kick patriot::soccer:

Yeah , me too ! Three of my four Grandparents were from Poland ( one Grandfather was Lithuanian ) but I'm mainly Polish !! :)

GO POLAND !:) But than living out here in LA , so many of my friends and neighbors are from Mexico or are of Mexican heritage , so that is tough too ! Wish Poland wasn't playing Mexico !! :confused:

So besides Poland and USA also Mexico, I guess ? But that would knock Poland out right?? :eek:

Mexico-Poland tomorrow, 11am my time, 8am your time. Assuming Aregentina wins that group, only one of the two could advance to the knockout round.

Big upset today with Saudi Arabia beating Argentina. Which I didn't get to see because

The 5AM early matches will be tough to get up for

I missed one of the biggest upsets in World Cup History. Argentina hadn't lost in 36 matches since 2019. It probably wasn't quite as stunning as the USA beating the Soviet Union in hockey in 1980 but still a shocker to see the score.

I did get to watch 2 0-0 draws and France blowing out Australia.

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I do want USA to be in The World Cup.

I think USA will be the first team that isn't from Europe or South America to be in The World Cup.

Canada loses 1-0 to Belgium, still haven't scored in their World Cup history (which now consists of 4 games total)

Canada looked good. They missed a penalty kick and had some good scoring chances in the first half. I think they will score in their next two games. Croatia and Morocco look beatable.

They will co-host the 2026 World Cup with the USA and Mexico. They just don't play hockey up there.

U.S.-England tomorrow (Friday afternoon). Be nice to at least get a point out of this one.

Canada looked good. They missed a penalty kick and had some good scoring chances in the first half. I think they will score in their next two games. Croatia and Morocco look beatable.

They will co-host the 2026 World Cup with the USA and Mexico. They just don't play hockey up there.

Canada needs some power plays.

USA wins 0-0. Win against Iran and they advance. They should also be in with a tie as long as Wales doesn't go crazy against England.

They could have used Dave and Paul.

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They should also be in with a tie as long as Wales doesn't go crazy against England.


Don’t think so. Everything I’ve seen has them eliminated with a draw or loss. Need the win.

One of the stranger World Cup “controversies”

Saudi Arabia team denies rumors of Rolls-Royce Phantom for upsetting Argentina

A rumor that has gone viral on social media suggests that Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman is gifting each player of the Saudi Arabia soccer team a Rolls-Royce Phantom for their FIFA World Cup upset over Argentina. However, striker Saleh Alshehri and head coach Hervé Renard said there was no truth to it.

https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/fifa-world-cup-2022-saudi-arabia-team-denies-rumors-of-rolls-royce-phantom-for-upsetting-argentina/

(These, by the way, look to sell for about half a million each)

Don’t think so. Everything I’ve seen has them eliminated with a draw or loss. Need the win.

Hopefully they get the Iran against England and not Wales. Iran was pretty lucky with two stoppage time goals after the red card.

I knew it was going to be a tough group. I think they would have taken their chances against Iran going into the final match. They still control their own destiny.

One of the stranger World Cup “controversies”

Saudi Arabia team denies rumors of Rolls-Royce Phantom for upsetting Argentina

A rumor that has gone viral on social media suggests that Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman is gifting each player of the Saudi Arabia soccer team a Rolls-Royce Phantom for their FIFA World Cup upset over Argentina. However, striker Saleh Alshehri and head coach Hervé Renard said there was no truth to it.

https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/fifa-world-cup-2022-saudi-arabia-team-denies-rumors-of-rolls-royce-phantom-for-upsetting-argentina/

(These, by the way, look to sell for about half a million each)

Saudi's lose 2-0 today. Buy 'em Hyundai's instead.

Saudi's lose 2-0 today. Buy 'em Hyundai's instead.

How about that Poland !!! :)

AWESOME !!! :cool:

Now, GO MEXICO, beat Argentina !! ;)

I only got to see one game today, which was Canada getting their first World Cup goal, but also being eliminated from advancing to the knockout round by losing to Croatia.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) US-Iran, with the US needing a win to advance. Exciting. For 2 hours Americans all over the country will get to pretend they care about soccer.

USA survives and advances 1-0. That was a little too close for comfort. They will play the Netherlands in the Round of 16 on Saturday. Hopefully Christian Pulisic is healthy enough to play.

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Tomorrow (Tuesday) US-Iran, with the US needing a win to advance. Exciting. For 2 hours Americans all over the country will get to pretend they care about soccer.

:lol::D::lol::D:lol::D

USA USA USA !!! :cool:

NERVOUS !!! Tomorrow Poland vs. Argentina !!! :eek:

POLAND, POLAND ,POLAND !!!:);):heart:

NERVOUS !!! Tomorrow Poland vs. Argentina !!! :eek:

POLAND, POLAND ,POLAND !!!:);):heart:

Argentina dominated Poland today. Things got really close between Mexico and Poland for second in the group (at one point Poland was advancing because Mexico had more yellow cards) but a late Saudi Arabia goal against Mexico gave Poland second place by a one goal differential. So Poland advancing, Mexico out.

Poland loses 2-0 and still advances. Rarely does a loss feel so good. Mexico fails to qualify for the Round of 16 for the first time since 1978.

The FIFA tiebreaker rules are crazy. Can you imagine the NHL awarding the last playoff spot to the team who committed the fewest penalties in the season?

The FIFA tiebreaker rules are crazy. Can you imagine the NHL awarding the last playoff spot to the team who committed the fewest penalties in the season?

You have any ideas for something they don’t use? (official rules below)

Look at step 8. If they’re still tied after the yellow/red card stuff it’s basically pick a name from a hat to advance.



Here is FIFA’s step-by-step process for ranking teams in a group:

Step 1

1. Greatest number of points obtained in all group matches
2 Superior goal difference in all group matches
3. Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches

If two or more teams are equal on all three aspects of Step 1, FIFA moves onto Step 2:

Step 2

4. Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned (could be between two, three or even four teams)
5. Superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned
6. Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned

7. Highest team conduct score relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained:

i. Yellow card: minus-1 point

ii. Indirect red card (as a result of two yellow cards): minus-3 points

iii.Direct red card: minus-4 points

iv.Yellow card and direct red card: minus-5 points

8. Drawing of lots by FIFA

Cool Poland is still in ;), but a shame Mexico had to go !:( Wish Argentina was out!:p

Knockout stage is set. No more ties. Win or go home. Overtimes and penalty kick shootouts if necessary.

Here's the matchups:

Saturday, December 3

Netherlands vs United States, 10:00 a.m. ET
Argentina vs Australia, 2:00 p.m. ET

Sunday, December 4

France vs Poland, 10:00 a.m. ET
England vs Senegal, 2:00 p.m. ET

Monday, December 5

Japan vs Croatia, 10:00 a.m. ET
Brazil vs South Korea, 2:00 p.m. ET

Tuesday, December 6

Morocco vs Spain, 10:00 a.m. ET
Portugal vs Switzerland, 2:00 p.m. ET

Tough loss. The Dutch were too good today. The second goal was a dagger. They finished all their chances. They might win it all.

It was a good run for the USA. They were the second youngest team. They will be back in 2026. Go Poland tomorrow.

Tough loss. The Dutch were too good today. The second goal was a dagger. They finished all their chances. They might win it all.

It was a good run for the USA. They were the second youngest team. They will be back in 2026. Go Poland tomorrow.

:( USA :(

And YES , hope Poland does well !! :);)

And YES , hope Poland does well !! :);)

Hopefully you’re not reading this tonight and are sound asleep so you can be up for the 7am your time kickoff.

:soccer:

Hopefully you’re not reading this tonight and are sound asleep so you can be up for the 7am your time kickoff.

:soccer:


I just posted about this on the Muddle thread !! ;):D:wave:

Tough loss. The Dutch were too good today. The second goal was a dagger. They finished all their chances. They might win it all.

It was a good run for the USA. They were the second youngest team. They will be back in 2026. Go Poland tomorrow.

I did watch the USA v Iran game...I was glad that they won that game. Well...there's always 2026.

Lessons learned today---- Brazil still a powerhouse, and Japan not so good at the penalty kick thing.

The top tier teams are so much better than the other countries except for an occasional upset. Brazil put on a clinic.

Penalty kicks aren't quite as exciting as shootouts in hockey. If the goalie guesses the wrong direction, it's almost a sure goal if the shot is on target.

https://i.imgur.com/LDsQLyC.gif

Penalty kicks aren't quite as exciting as shootouts in hockey.

Tell that to the countries involved in the penalty kick shootout.

:soccer2:

I don’t think the goalie giving the finger to the shooter is considered good sportsmanship. Gotta be a yellow.

I'm not happy !!! Poland, USA and Mexico out !!:(

Quarter final games:

Friday, December 9

Croatia vs Brazil, 10:00 a.m. ET
Netherlands vs Argentina, 2:00 p.m. ET

Saturday, December 10

Morocco vs Portugal 10:00 a.m. ET
England vs France, 2:00 p.m. ET


Guess I'll have to root for Morocco here. In the Sesame Street song 'One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others', the other 7 are soccer giants and Morocco is the 'one'

If the goalie guesses the wrong direction, it's almost a sure goal if the shot is on target.



It always amuses me when the goalie dives to the right or left and the shooter puts the ball right down the middle where they were standing a second ago. Morocco did that twice today.

Quarter final games:

Friday, December 9

Croatia vs Brazil, 10:00 a.m. ET
Netherlands vs Argentina, 2:00 p.m. ET

Saturday, December 10

Morocco vs Portugal 10:00 a.m. ET
England vs France, 2:00 p.m. ET


Guess I'll have to root for Morocco here. In the Sesame Street song 'One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others', the other 7 are soccer giants and Morocco is the 'one'

Thinking the same thing ! Nice if Morocco would win ! Someplace different besides South America or Europe who always win ! ;)

But than there is that cute guy on Portugual's team ( I can't think if his name? , but the one all the girls and gay men think is hot !! :)But than I'm sure I could find a hotty on the Morocco team! ;)

Morocco did surprise me...no doubt it'll be Brazil v Portugal in The World Cup.

Thinking the same thing ! Nice if Morocco would win ! Someplace different besides South America or Europe who always win ! ;)

But than there is that cute guy on Portugual's team ( I can't think if his name? , but the one all the girls and gay men think is hot !! :)But than I'm sure I could find a hotty on the Morocco team! ;)

It has to be Ronaldo for Portugal. He’s the most famous. I don’t think I could name another guy on the team.

282946

Little time killer till tomorrow

UKAJTX1ruEY
https://youtu.be/UKAJTX1ruEY

Earlier I look at ESPN’s YouTube page, I notice Brazil lost to Croatia with a upset thanks to a penalty kick


https://www.foxsports.com/watch/play-6142654c9000983

Two great matches today. It almost felt like three with all the extra time. Croatia pulls off a huge upset.

The second match almost felt like a hockey game. You don't see too many bench clearing brawls in soccer. :boxing: 17 yellow cards is a World Cup record. Gutty effort by the Dutch to tie it. Tough way to lose it in penalty kicks.

A Croatia vs. Morocco final would be interesting. They are big underdogs.

Quite the roller coaster day of emotions in the South American soccer world.

Gotta go watch England-France soon to see who Morocco beats next

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b6/6c/c8/b66cc87b6d4e097a6999b2825a238c15.jpg

A Croatia vs. Morocco final would be interesting. They are big underdogs.

Croatia was in the 2018 finals (lost to France), so not as much underdogs.

Croatia was in the 2018 finals (lost to France), so not as much underdogs.

Round of 16 Odds:

Brazil +225
Argentina +450
France +500
Spain +650
England +900
Portugal +1200
Netherlands +1600
Croatia +3500
Japan +6500
Switzerland +6500
Morocco +8000
USA +9000
Senegal +10000
South Korea +15000
Poland +18000
Australia +20000

Croatia didn't receive that much respect before the tournament started as the 2018 runner-up.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/who-will-win-world-cup-2022-odds-country-qatar/auh4vmworaou3ekusliossal

Drunky post!

Harry Kane not gonna sleep well tonight.


Semi sked:

Tuesday, Dec. 13
Argentina vs. Croatia 2 p.m. ET (Fox, Telemundo)

Wednesday, Dec. 14
France vs. Morocco 2 p.m. ET (Fox, Telemundo)

Round of 16 Odds:

Brazil +225
Argentina +450
France +500
Spain +650
England +900
Portugal +1200
Netherlands +1600
Croatia +3500
Japan +6500
Switzerland +6500
Morocco +8000
USA +9000
Senegal +10000
South Korea +15000
Poland +18000
Australia +20000

Croatia didn't receive that much respect before the tournament started as the 2018 runner-up.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/who-will-win-world-cup-2022-odds-country-qatar/auh4vmworaou3ekusliossal

I had all my money on Canada :(

It'll probably be France v Argentina in the finals.

It'll probably be France v Argentina in the finals.

Unfortunately , I think it will go that way too ! I hope not ! :(

Gotta go watch England-France soon to see who Morocco beats next

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b6/6c/c8/b66cc87b6d4e097a6999b2825a238c15.jpg

GO MOROCCO ! OR CROACIA !! :cool:

BOO to France and Argentina ! :p

Let's go!!

https://res.cloudinary.com/teepublic/image/private/s--O7IIFcci--/t_Resized%20Artwork/c_fit,g_north_west,h_954,w_954/co_000000,e_outline:48/co_000000,e_outline:inner_fill:48/co_ffffff,e_outline:48/co_ffffff,e_outline:inner_fill:48/co_bbbbbb,e_outline:3:1000/c_mpad,g_center,h_1260,w_1260/b_rgb:eeeeee/c_limit,f_jpg,h_630,q_90,w_630/v1525556280/production/designs/2657956_0.jpg

Argentina was too good today. Lionel Messi was magical. Croatia looked like they were out of gas after their extra time matches. They would have lost to Morocco anyway, but they still had a good tournament.

https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.579461566.0651/flat,750x,075,f-pad,750x1000,f8f8f8.u2.jpg

There goes Croatia. Oh well. After Morocco beats up on France it will be fun to watch them whip Argentina.

FOX should bring in Al Michaels to call the games.

mCmGEev3AxQ
https://youtu.be/mCmGEev3AxQ

All I can say is F***!!!! :(

Let’s go!! *

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* a somewhat obscure reference in the photo up there. If anyone gets it, god bless you

Remaining games:

Saturday December 17
Third place game-- Croatia vs Morocco, 10 am ET, FOX, Telemundo

Sunday December 18
Final-- Argentina vs. France, 10 am ET, FOX, Telemundo

Morocco had their chances. That bicycle kick would have been the goal of the tournament if it went in. Third or fourth place is nothing to sneeze at.

Sorry about Morocco today ! :(

I hope the French players choke on snails and frogs legs!!:p::D

Being that Argentina is notorious for harboring Nazis after WWII, I virtually never root for them. (Maybe against Germany, but not much else.)

I'll be rooting for France big time.

Being that Argentina is notorious for harboring Nazis after WWII, I virtually never root for them. (Maybe against Germany, but not much else.)

I'll be rooting for France big time.

I do want to make a film franchise called Soccer it to Me. In the 3rd installment, I have USA in The World Cup and...

Team USA plays against Argentina in The World Cup...and wins. And Argentina's coach is Arthur Hilter III Jr..

Croatia takes 3rd place.

And team handball rules!!

283388

Argentina won!

Congratulations to Argentina. It was a thrilling final match to a great tournament. They could sell soccer to more fans with exciting matches like that. France showed the heart of a champion by rallying in the second half. Tough way to lose it on penalty kicks. I'm going back to hockey until the Women's World Cup next July in Australia and New Zealand.

Argentina won!

For about 3/4 of the game it looked like a somewhat dull Argentina domination. What happened from then on made it an insta classic.

I wouldn’t recommend it as a regular strategy, but losing the opener to Saudi Arabia may have helped Argentina to focus and come together as a team.

Next (mens) Cup expands to a 48 team field and is a cohost between US, Canada, and Mexico. No official word yet that those three are already qualified (hey, it’s FIFA after all), but it’s expected to happen. Which gives the US 4 years to find a scorer or two. And to learn to defend against the cutback cross pass.

I'm going back to hockey until the Women's World Cup next July in Australia and New Zealand.

I wonder if hockey would be better with more Spanish announcers

https://media.tenor.com/QK6Z0ad_7z8AAAAC/goal-soccer.gif

Andres Cantor (see the Letterman vid I linked earlier in the thread) calls Argentina’s game winning penalty kick. Starts crying too…

FWOawyOF4_E
https://youtu.be/FWOawyOF4_E