So sad that over half of the world cup has already gone. It feels like a blur of VAR, diving, Ronaldo and upsets.
General World Cup Chat
So sad that over half of the world cup has already gone. It feels like a blur of VAR, diving, Ronaldo and upsets.
Salmon's All time FIFA World Cup Rankings
Based on the scientifically accredited and patented Salmon 07 system of: 4 points for 1st place, 3 pts for 2nd, 2 for 3rd and 1 pt for 4th
(Note: Germany = West Germany)
Here are the all time rankings:
Germany 37pts
Brazil 32
Italy 25
Argentina 17
France 12
Netherlands 12
Uruguay 11
Sweden 8
Hungary 6
Czechoslavakia 6
England 5
Spain 5
Poland 4
Austria 3
Portugal 3
USA 2
Chile 2
Croatia 2
Turkey 2
Yugoslavia 2
USSR 1
Bulgaria 1
Belgium 1
South Korea 1
Brazil cannot bump Germany off top spot in this World Cup
anyone else noticed how all the fans in the stadiums have big ID cards hung around their necks?
I don't recall that at a WC before
anyone else noticed how all the fans in the stadiums have big ID cards hung around their necks?
I don't recall that at a WC before
Required by the Russians. https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/fan-id/...
What is the FAN ID?
The FAN ID is an identification document required by the Russian authorities. All ticket holders need to hold a FAN ID together with a valid match ticket in order to enter the stadiums hosting matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™. Fans can apply for a FAN ID after obtaining a ticket or receiving a ticket confirmation for a ticket to a 2018 FIFA World Cup™ match.
The FAN ID provides visa-free entry to Russia for foreign citizens that have purchased 2018 FIFA World Cup™ match tickets.
The FAN ID entitles holders to use certain free transport services, including inter-city trains and public transport in the host cities upon presentation of a FAN ID card and a 2018 FIFA World Cup™ match ticket.
Posted in the Sky thread but thought I'd ask here too...
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I have a question for anyone watching on Prime, is the coverage ok? Is it HD, are there ads during the game?
I figure I can save $40 by turning off sky sports and my HD ticket for the rest of the tournament
Posted in the Sky thread but thought I'd ask here too...
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I have a question for anyone watching on Prime, is the coverage ok? Is it HD, are there ads during the game?
I figure I can save $40 by turning off sky sports and my HD ticket for the rest of the tournament
Yea seems fine to me. Not sure about the HD. Certainly no ads during the game.
How long has it been since a World Cup Quarter Finals hasn't included at least one of Germany, Argentina, Spain, Italy & Holland. I know Italy and Holland aren't at this world cup but they are regular quarter finalists. Point I'm trying to make is so many of the so called big football nations are not in the last eight.
How long has it been since a World Cup Quarter Finals hasn't included at least one of Germany, Argentina, Spain, Italy & Holland. I know Italy and Holland aren't at this world cup but they are regular quarter finalists. Point I'm trying to make is so many of the so called big football nations are not in the last eight.
Never happened - closest you get is 1950 but they didn't have quarter finals then, just a final group stage, Germany, Argentina and Netherlands weren't there, Italy went out in first round and Spain finished 4th
1962 comes close as well, Netherlands weren't there, Italy, Argentina and Spain all went out in first round, (West) Germany got to Quarter finals
The only time Germany didn't get to the Quarters finals was in 1978 and thats again because they didn't have any, the teams went into 2 groups with the winners playing for the final and group runners up for 3rd and 4th place
How long has it been since a World Cup Quarter Finals hasn't included at least one of Germany, Argentina, Spain, Italy & Holland. I know Italy and Holland aren't at this world cup but they are regular quarter finalists. Point I'm trying to make is so many of the so called big football nations are not in the last eight.
1950 World Cup, also when they had a different format and went from groups to another group stage before final two teams played. What is even more impressive is if you use those national teams up to the Semi-finals you still have to go back to 1962 world cup before you don't see them in the semi-final round.
*This includes Germany being counted as West Germany back in the earlier World Cups
One of our own possible in running for a finals game. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12086213&ref=NZH_fb
How long has it been since a World Cup Quarter Finals hasn't included at least one of Germany, Argentina, Spain, Italy & Holland. I know Italy and Holland aren't at this world cup but they are regular quarter finalists. Point I'm trying to make is so many of the so called big football nations are not in the last eight.
1950 World Cup, also when they had a different format and went from groups to another group stage before final two teams played. What is even more impressive is if you use those national teams up to the Semi-finals you still have to go back to 1962 world cup before you don't see them in the semi-final round.
*This includes Germany being counted as West Germany back in the earlier World Cups
Not entirely accurate. 1950 was a final group including Uruguay, Brazil, Spain and Sweden. Results meant that the final match between Uruguay and Brazil happened to be an ersatz Final. There was no actual final that year
I'll be at the backbencher for the semi finals 6am Wednesday and Thursday if anyone wants to join me.
Any England fans in Tauranga heading into an establishment to watch?
Anywhere in the Auckland 'burbs showing the England game?
I reckon the refereeing has been excellent. Maybe the VAR has helped by getting players to behave themselves better off the ball which in turn makes the on-the-ball action more controlled.
I reckon the refereeing has been excellent. Maybe the VAR has helped by getting players to behave themselves better off the ball which in turn makes the on-the-ball action more controlled.
Its been interesting and agree there hasn't been any really bad refereeing. Have seen more penalties given at this World Cup than any before but there has only been four red cards so far with two games to go.
Have loved this world cup, so many exciting games.
Its a shame in the future its going to become so large and cumbersome when FIFA expand it past whats sensible.
Have loved this world cup, so many exciting games.
Its a shame in the future its going to become so large and cumbersome when FIFA expand it past whats sensible.
That's what people said when it went from 16 to 24 to 32 teams. Time will tell, but remember many were lamenting the absence of teams like Netherlands, Italy etc, and if we end up with the occasional lop-sided game I don't think it matters. It's not like every single major European league or Champions League game is a close one
Have loved this world cup, so many exciting games.
Its a shame in the future its going to become so large and cumbersome when FIFA expand it past whats sensible.
That's what people said when it went from 16 to 24 to 32 teams. Time will tell, but remember many were lamenting the absence of teams like Netherlands, Italy etc, and if we end up with the occasional lop-sided game I don't think it matters. It's not like every single major European league or Champions League game is a close one
Thing is though Europe are only getting 3 extra spots with the increase to 48 teams, so you'll still get big teams from there missing out
Have loved this world cup, so many exciting games.
Its a shame in the future its going to become so large and cumbersome when FIFA expand it past whats sensible.
That's what people said when it went from 16 to 24 to 32 teams. Time will tell, but remember many were lamenting the absence of teams like Netherlands, Italy etc, and if we end up with the occasional lop-sided game I don't think it matters. It's not like every single major European league or Champions League game is a close one
I thought the increase to 32 was perfect at the time.
Im not worried about lop sided games.
Hosting the event will become more problematic and expensive, more combined hostings will have to take place which in essence isnt a big problem except its going to be more involved when putting together bids, having compatible partners and even though the cost would be split between countries its going to cost even more to host. The need for more venues just puts hosting out of reach for more countries. Australia and NZ for example simply wouldnt be able to put in a combined bid to host the new larger event. We just couldnt handle the requirements. I couldnt imagine the countries in Central and Southern Africa being able to put a bid together, maybe the northern countries. Imagine a combined USA/Canada bid, the tournament would be played across a massive area.
Also as I understand it the group stage will have 3 teams per group which means the maximum number of games for a team will be 2 in the group stages. Right now if NZ were to be at a WC we would see our team play 3 games at least. Not sure I would be happy to go watch them only get 2 games. More groups being decided by the fair play rule or a coin toss.
Part of the magic of the WC is the qualifying process, we will end up with essentially automatic qualification which will feel just as unfair as currently having to go through via South America. European qualification is going to become substantially easier.
I thought at the time 32 was just right, still do. I find the Champions League boring these days, its too big, too many teams and too many group games in total. Theres a point where people just switch off when things get to big and cumbersome
I thought the increase to 32 was perfect at the time.
Im not worried about lop sided games.
Hosting the event will become more problematic and expensive, more combined hostings will have to take place which in essence isnt a big problem except its going to be more involved when putting together bids, having compatible partners and even though the cost would be split between countries its going to cost even more to host. The need for more venues just puts hosting out of reach for more countries. Australia and NZ for example simply wouldnt be able to put in a combined bid to host the new larger event. We just couldnt handle the requirements. I couldnt imagine the countries in Central and Southern Africa being able to put a bid together, maybe the northern countries. Imagine a combined USA/Canada bid, the tournament would be played across a massive area.
Not sure where you have been hiding, but you don't need to imagine this; 2026 has already been announced as being hosted by combined Canada-USA-Mexico.
Will be so convenient to watch Netherlands-Nigeria in Mexico City, then pop up to New York for Brazil-England, then over to San Francisco for Sweden-NZ, then Toronto for Uruguay-Japan.
Meanwhile we have 32 nations compressed into an area 1/3 size of Belgium for 2022 in Qatar.
And FIFA wonder why people think they are a circus.
I thought the increase to 32 was perfect at the time.
Im not worried about lop sided games.
Hosting the event will become more problematic and expensive, more combined hostings will have to take place which in essence isnt a big problem except its going to be more involved when putting together bids, having compatible partners and even though the cost would be split between countries its going to cost even more to host. The need for more venues just puts hosting out of reach for more countries. Australia and NZ for example simply wouldnt be able to put in a combined bid to host the new larger event. We just couldnt handle the requirements. I couldnt imagine the countries in Central and Southern Africa being able to put a bid together, maybe the northern countries. Imagine a combined USA/Canada bid, the tournament would be played across a massive area.
Not sure where you have been hiding, but you don't need to imagine this; 2026 has already been announced as being hosted by combined Canada-USA-Mexico.
Will be so convenient to watch Netherlands-Nigeria in Mexico City, then pop up to New York for Brazil-England, then over to San Francisco for Sweden-NZ, then Toronto for Uruguay-Japan.
Meanwhile we have 32 nations compressed into an area 1/3 size of Belgium for 2022 in Qatar.
And FIFA wonder why people think they are a circus.
Convenient for who? Those wealthy enough to travel across a continent a number of times during a tournament to watch games?. Qatar is building the stadiums to handle it. Will be far more convenient for those of us in the working classes to travel fro venue to venue in Qatar than North America.
Pop up there, skip down there, gosh how lovely old chap
I thought the increase to 32 was perfect at the time.
Im not worried about lop sided games.
Hosting the event will become more problematic and expensive, more combined hostings will have to take place which in essence isnt a big problem except its going to be more involved when putting together bids, having compatible partners and even though the cost would be split between countries its going to cost even more to host. The need for more venues just puts hosting out of reach for more countries. Australia and NZ for example simply wouldnt be able to put in a combined bid to host the new larger event. We just couldnt handle the requirements. I couldnt imagine the countries in Central and Southern Africa being able to put a bid together, maybe the northern countries. Imagine a combined USA/Canada bid, the tournament would be played across a massive area.
Not sure where you have been hiding, but you don't need to imagine this; 2026 has already been announced as being hosted by combined Canada-USA-Mexico.
Will be so convenient to watch Netherlands-Nigeria in Mexico City, then pop up to New York for Brazil-England, then over to San Francisco for Sweden-NZ, then Toronto for Uruguay-Japan.
Meanwhile we have 32 nations compressed into an area 1/3 size of Belgium for 2022 in Qatar.
And FIFA wonder why people think they are a circus.
Convenient for who? Those wealthy enough to travel across a continent a number of times during a tournament to watch games?. Qatar is building the stadiums to handle it. Will be far more convenient for those of us in the working classes to travel fro venue to venue in Qatar than North America.
Pop up there, skip down there, gosh how lovely old chap
Sarcasm. Sorry, know it is not everyone's cup of tea. Exactly the point. Although Qatar is not ideal, for a travelling fan it is at least practical to get to multiple games, exactly as you say.
I thought the increase to 32 was perfect at the time.
Im not worried about lop sided games.
Hosting the event will become more problematic and expensive, more combined hostings will have to take place which in essence isnt a big problem except its going to be more involved when putting together bids, having compatible partners and even though the cost would be split between countries its going to cost even more to host. The need for more venues just puts hosting out of reach for more countries. Australia and NZ for example simply wouldnt be able to put in a combined bid to host the new larger event. We just couldnt handle the requirements. I couldnt imagine the countries in Central and Southern Africa being able to put a bid together, maybe the northern countries. Imagine a combined USA/Canada bid, the tournament would be played across a massive area.
Not sure where you have been hiding, but you don't need to imagine this; 2026 has already been announced as being hosted by combined Canada-USA-Mexico.
Will be so convenient to watch Netherlands-Nigeria in Mexico City, then pop up to New York for Brazil-England, then over to San Francisco for Sweden-NZ, then Toronto for Uruguay-Japan.
Meanwhile we have 32 nations compressed into an area 1/3 size of Belgium for 2022 in Qatar.
And FIFA wonder why people think they are a circus.
Convenient for who? Those wealthy enough to travel across a continent a number of times during a tournament to watch games?. Qatar is building the stadiums to handle it. Will be far more convenient for those of us in the working classes to travel fro venue to venue in Qatar than North America.
Pop up there, skip down there, gosh how lovely old chap
Sarcasm. Sorry, know it is not everyone's cup of tea. Exactly the point. Although Qatar is not ideal, for a travelling fan it is at least practical to get to multiple games, exactly as you say.
Outside of the cost, I for one would not bother having to fly for over 5 hours to watch the games at the venues mentioned.
Maybe they’ll have 3 points for a win, 2 points for a penalty shootout win, 1 point for penalty shootout loss, 0 points for general game loss (re 2026) for the group games...48 teams is over inflated though.
Maybe they’ll have 3 points for a win, 2 points for a penalty shootout win, 1 point for penalty shootout loss, 0 points for general game loss (re 2026) for the group games...48 teams is over inflated though.
... and a point deducted for writhing on the ground clutching a knee, head, chest and an arm before settling on clutching an ankle