tSwill Official World Cup Thread

[MiamiSpartan]

Yeah, yeah, blah blah blah, soccer sucks, whatevs. Got that out of your system? Good.

The World Cup kicks off tomorrow at 11am with the Human Rights Cup (Russia v Saudi Arabia). Shitty match for an opening game, but the host always plays the opening game, and Russia, who pretty much sucks, needed to bribe their way to get an even shittier opponent. Spain-Portugal on Friday is one of the best matchups of the group stages, though.

Spain fired their coach this morning. Took a job yesterday to be Real Madrid's new coach, where he would take over after the World Cup. Spain said, "Nah, fuck you then, bitch."

The World Cup is not the best soccer that you'll see, but it's definitely the most high profile soccer event, and having multiple high level games on every day is fucking awesome.

[Floyd Robertson]

Argentinian prisoners are going on a hunger strike because they can’t watch the World Cup

Dear God I hope the TV never gets fixed.

[DWags]

So, the U.S. Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 cup. Pretty cool.

[tGreenWay]

Mods, please move to the soccer thread. Miami,

[Watch Out Pylon!]

Go Iceland!

[Watch Out Pylon!]

So, the U.S. Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 cup.  Pretty cool.

How's that gonna work when we're at war with Canada?

[MiamiSpartan]

Mods, please move to the soccer thread. Miami,

No, that's "Travis' and Matty's, let's suck each other off about Liverpool" thread.

[Tim Wakefield]

France wins it

[MiamiSpartan]

So, the U.S. Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 cup.  Pretty cool.

It definitely is. The nearest games to you folks in Michigan will be Toronto or Cincinnati (if they get it). Nothing as great for the area as the Silverdome was in 94.

It's also going to be a great, 8 year troll of the serious soccerphobes.

[tGreenWay]

Go Zimbabwe!

[MiamiSpartan]

Fun fact....England are the only non-sovereign state in the World Cup.

[tGreenWay]

Kinda played fast and loose with the word fun, Miami.

[DWags]

Great Britain = England, Scotland, and Wales
UK = England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (and the full name is the “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”)
England = Just the part of the island that is England
England is the only country in which the UK does not devolve any powers and instead it is legislated directly by the UK government.The confusion over the definition of these four countries, in reference to the UK, is further muddied up in sporting competitions. There are several international sporting events, like the commonwealth games, and football competitions, in which each of the four has their own team, and do not compete under a unified national team. When competing under these conditions, their nations are referred to as “home nations”. Because each team is from a specific home country, it can lead some to think these countries have political autonomy as well. Given the inebriated thought processes attained during the enjoyment of these competitions, it’s not too hard to understand where this drunken confusion comes fr

[MiamiSpartan]

Is your wife's nickname, "fun", GreenWay?

[Other Teams Pursuing That]

Any chance it’s in dever, Miami? Denver, CO. I’m asking Miami.

[Travis of the Cosmos]

Mods, please move to the soccer thread. Miami,

No, that's "Travis' and Matty's, let's suck each other off about Liverpool" thread.

And it’s fabulous.

I thought France would win until I watch them last weekend against the US and was like bros tighten up. Loris seems to be in a rut in goal. Outside of them Germany has the built in advantage of basically being Bayern, so they very well could win it but in the interest of not picking an unlikely repeat I’ll go with Brazil.

I’m rooting for Mexico. And I’m rooting against any team that has a Liverpool player on it. (Apparently there’s a rule that says that the players get 4 weeks off or something, so if they advance out of the group stage they definitely won’t be in the giant hole in Ann Arbor when I see them in person on July 28. I’d prefer they just lose to give me that chance. They still might not play, but it’s the last US preseason game so you never know. Also so Ramos doesn’t hurt them in the WC. He’s a dickhole.)

[Other Teams Pursuing That]

I’m with Travis. Mexico!

[Travis of the Cosmos]

Otpt Denver is on the list of possible locals for the 2026 WC. You think you’ll still be living there by then bruv?

[Other Teams Pursuing That]

Oh shit that’s 8 years from now. Haven’t thought about it. Huh.

[Travis of the Cosmos]

Yeah, it’s gonna be a bit but it’ll be cool as hell. Not as cool as July 28 in the giant shithole, but still cool

[MiamiSpartan]

What Travis said, regarding Denver being a potential site. But yeah, when you're young and single like OTPT, who knows where you'll be in 8 years. Try your best to go, especially involving some decent teams with good followings. I went to all four games at the Silverdome in 94. It's a rare experience and if nothing else it is one of those things to say that you've done.

And Travis, it is a hell of a lot better than a friendly, even if it does involve your favorite club.

[MiamiSpartan]

Seriously, you guys, rooting for Mexico? Jesus Christ, that's like rooting for Michigan because they're a Big 10 school. Ok, OTPT I understand, because he's kind of a closet blue, but Travis? Come on, man.

[Travis of the Cosmos]

Seriously, you guys, rooting for Mexico?  Jesus Christ, that's like rooting for Michigan because they're a Big 10 school.  Ok, OTPT I understand, because he's kind of a closet blue, but Travis?  Come on, man.  

I dunno I took a quiz and it came out with Mexico. Also I feel like it would upset the 7 hardcore trump fans that also like soccer in the country.

[MiamiSpartan]

I feel like the media is trying to sell Americans to root for Mexico. Sports Illustrated cover calling them "AMERICA'S other TEAM". Uh, really? What about Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, and Uruguay? Or Costa Rica and Panama? They're all as "America" as Mexico. Seems like FOX and others are trying to push Mexico, too. I get it, they want to give people a rooting interest, and more people in the US than ever have Mexican heritage, but I hope they lose every game.

England I don't hate as much as usual, which is odd. I will probably feel different if they win a game and they all start jizzing themselves over there.

I like a lot of French and Belgium players, but those countries so often fail to live up to expectations.

[DWags]

fuck that, I'm going with underdogs here. Iceland is the underdog correct? I'll go for them.

[Travis of the Cosmos]

fuck that, I'm going with underdogs here.  Iceland is the underdog correct?  I'll go for them.  

Depends on the degree of underdog you’re looking for. Iceland’s still Europe so, not exactly going out on a ledge by picking a team from the equivalent of the SEC. as far as picking an SEC team that isn’t Bama to root for, yeah Iceland or Sweden. If you want a real underdog then go with Saudi Arabia or Nigeria or something. But they’ll be out in three games so maybe not.

I had no idea they still made sports illustrated. Haha, Fox is pushing them to get people to watch. I get that. Honestly, I’m probably not really rooting for anyone. At least at first. Once Liverpool players get through the group stage and I give up on my dream of seeing them play the most important preseason game ever, then I’ll probsbly start rooting for them.

[MiamiSpartan]

First blood to the Pinko Commies. Russia up 1-0.

[aualum06]

Are the Saudis in the Asian qualification?

[MiamiSpartan]

Are the Saudis in the Asian qualification?

Yes.

Strangely, so is Australia.

[MiamiSpartan]

2-0 Russia. Saudi Arabia is bad.

[Watch Out Pylon!]

Are Russian hooligans going to be a problem?

[MiamiSpartan]

5-0 final. Beautiful fourth goal with the outside of the foot.

There are definite concerns about Russian hooligans. There have been issues with them at times when European club teams have traveled to Russia. And racism is rampant among Russian fans to the point that some clubs have been sanctioned and had to play a match or two behind closed doors (no fans...very surreal to watch). But Putin probably rounded up anyone remotely suspected of possibly thinking about doing shit, or even not thinking of doing anything, all without due process, of course. Four years ago, Brazil rounded up a lot of "undesirables" (homeless, criminals, suspected criminals, etc.) and shipped them off somewhere for the duration of the World Cup. All to put on a pretty face for the world. Putin likely went to even greater lengths to polish the Russian turds.

[MiamiSpartan]

It's also worth pointing out that this does not, in any way, mean that the US is worse than Saudi Arabia. The US should have had a cakewalk in our region, of course, and it's fucking embarassing. But the Asian confederation is even worse.

It's also worth pointing out that Saudi Arabia's coach was fired from Chile in the fall after not getting Chile to the World Cup, despite being back-to-back South American champions.

[Nordic]

the Dutch didn't qualify either??? Fuck this shit

[Cym Jim]

So, the U.S. Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 cup.  Pretty cool.

It definitely is.  The nearest games to you folks in Michigan will be Toronto or Cincinnati (if they get it).  Nothing as great for the area as the Silverdome was in 94.

It's also going to be a great, 8 year troll of the serious soccerphobes.  

Two nice things about that - my (now 13 year old) will be playing for US team by then (unless he doesn't turn in to much, and will have to play for England ) and automatic qualification for the USA! Maybe - FIFA hasn't resolved that, but they will have to do it. Not sure that's good for the US though - will friendlies replace what the US players learn from the qualification slog?

As for today - if that's modern world football, count me out. Corrupt world leaders shrugging at each other after goals, my god. So many things we wrong about that, but I'm hopeful for things getting better. As for England - average team, below average coach, lack of media expectation - we might actually win a game beyond the group stage. Don't count on it though.

Not here much these days, but I hope you all enjoy the tournament. Especially the Liverpool fans.

[Cym Jim]

Are Russian hooligans going to be a problem?

Hopefully they've been rounded up as Miami says. And I think after the Euros, most firms won't even bother going over there looking for trouble - not much chance against an army of Nazi Russian body builders.

[MiamiSpartan]

Yeah, the corruption on top of corruption on top of corruption is distasteful, isn't it? The fluff pieces about the host nations are always kind of nauseating, more so now. I try to just enjoy the sport side of it.

Jim, so Bielsa is actually happening for Leeds? I hate Leeds, but have always loved Bielsa. They will be fun to watch. I kind of hope they get promoted to the PL while he's still managing.

[MiamiSpartan]

Uruguay get the 89th minute winner to top Egypt. Salah not brought on, as Egypt was hoping to cling to a 0-0 draw. But Egypt should be able to beat Russia and Saudi Arabia to advance.

[MiamiSpartan]

Today is a day of dull of games with late winners.

Hopefully Spain-Portugal is more exciting. It definitely should be, but Portgual will probably try to grind and claw and slow the game down, while hoping for Ronaldo to get a moment of magic.

[steveschneider]

So I’m trying to figure out who to root for. Im thinking I’m all in for Mexico, France and Nigeria.

Mexico- neighbors to the south
France - my pick of the European teams this time around
Nigeria - dope jerseys.

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