NFT: World Cup 2022

how this all goes.

but I don't think the NFL is taking any notes.

I think it will be impossible for FIFA not to learn from this - by all counts this already the least-anticipated WC's in history, and the early returns on the ground are just horrific.

Hold my beer - NFL

In comment 15909823 bigbluehoya said:

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but I don't think the NFL is taking any notes. I think it will be impossible for FIFA not to learn from this - by all counts this already the least-anticipated WC's in history, and the early returns on the ground are just horrific.

I think it is eagerly anticipated around the world by fans of the sport and even though the location sucks, it will be wildly successful.

For whatever reason
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Catching it in Manhattan Black Friday.

If not, it will very tough to get out of the group.

cannot believe that the Qatar bid was upheld, its going to be a disaster. That said I can't wait for it to start, my favorite event in sports.

In comment 15909823 bigbluehoya said:

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but I don't think the NFL is taking any notes. I think it will be impossible for FIFA not to learn from this - by all counts this already the least-anticipated WC's in history, and the early returns on the ground are just horrific.

FIFA still needs a massive global blowback for their corrupt nature. The 22 WC will be the best opportunity. It sounds like a terrible experience coming up both for the fans as well as the players.

If the pitches are horrific and lead to a large number of injuries, you will have UEFA, all regional confederations, and sports leagues, as well as the public calling for greater scrutiny and hardball for major international events moving forward.

Hopefully, players across the globe will organize and push back against international and domestic schedules. The schedule is overloaded as it is.

FIFA was corrupt long before Qatar was awarded the WC, but the greed for the oil money kickbacks is threatening to damage the prestige of its signature event.

World Cup will get its ratings.

In comment 15909823 bigbluehoya said:

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but I don't think the NFL is taking any notes. I think it will be impossible for FIFA not to learn from this - by all counts this already the least-anticipated WC's in history, and the early returns on the ground are just horrific

But, but, who could have foreseen this? Where is Sepp when you need him? Why, right here, timing pitch perfect. lol
[url]https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/ex-fifa-president-sepp-blatter-regrets-2022-qatar-world-cup-pick-it-was-a-bad-choice-and-i-was-responsible/#:~:text=Blatter%2C%20now%2086%20and%20disgraced,says%20he%20regrets%20the%20decision.[/url]

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Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called the 2010 decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup a "mistake" just weeks before the tournament gets underway. Blatter, now 86 and disgraced after his exit from world soccer's governing body amid corruption allegations along with former UEFA chief Michel Platini, now says he regrets the decision. Qatar is about to host the international game's most prestigious competition later this month and will be the first Middle Eastern host nation in World Cup history. Blatter told Swiss publication Tages Anzeiger that Qatar is "too small of a country" to be successful hosts because "soccer and the World Cup are too big for it." "It was a bad choice, and I was responsible for that as president at the time," said Blatter. "Thanks to the four votes of Platini and his (UEFA) team, the World Cup went to Qatar rather than the United States. It is the truth."

They’ll pull everything off just like the Olympics always do. The blood soaked stadiums will look magnificent on TV, and the exclusive broadcast partner will make everything look like a soccer wonderland.

In comment 15909952 Jints in Carolina said:

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World Cup will get its ratings.

Indeed. It's the biggest sports spectacle on the planet, and nothing is close.

if these are the promotional pics imagine what these "rooms" are like in real life?

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Qatar has unveiled the first of its World Cup “fan villages” in Doha. ▪️ Up to 60,000 people ▪️ Twin single/One double bed ▪️ Mini-fridge, bathroom ▪️ Strict anti-alcohol policy These Al-Emadi rooms cost $203 a night.

In comment 15909987 Producer said:

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In comment 15909952 Jints in Carolina said: Quote: World Cup will get its ratings. Indeed. It's the biggest sports spectacle on the planet, and nothing is close.

This coming from an NFL junkie, but I can't fucking wait for the WC. And I am more a casual EPL fan, etc...

ill find a way to watch it all

In comment 15909995 djm said:

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In comment 15909987 Producer said: Quote: In comment 15909952 Jints in Carolina said: Quote: World Cup will get its ratings. Indeed. It's the biggest sports spectacle on the planet, and nothing is close. This coming from an NFL junkie, but I can't fucking wait for the WC. And I am more a casual EPL fan, etc... ill find a way to watch it all

I'm with you. I can't find the time to watch much EPL, though i do check up on all the big European leagues from time to time, and same with Champions League. I'll follow it and watch a few matches. But World Cup I'll try to set my schedule so I can watch at least a bit of every match. I fucking love it.

In comment 15909846 Producer said:

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If not, it will very tough to get out of the group.

Agreed… unfortunately Wales plays the exact style (defensive minded/well coached) that gives us issues… we have no “real” forward/scoring threats, so both Iran and Wales will be tough games for us, but we need to win both

From bribing other countries for their votes, to using (basically) slave labor to build the stadiums.

I watched every USNMNT qualifying match and was pumped to be back in the tournament.

Hard for me to get excited right now.

the NFL is a fraud too. Don't cheat yourself a great competition. We all deserve to enjoy it.

..... but I'll still be watching.

love the world cup and really became a more serious fan during covid when soccer was one of the first sports to return. This will be the first world cup ill actually know players outside of the couple mega stars and some US guys, ha.

That said it is going to be a complete mess. Hopefully the games wont suffer and i doubt they will (pitch issues would be the clear way that happens i guess). Hopefully FIFA is cleaning itself up because the corruption is absurd. There is zero reason (outside of bribes) that this should be in Qatar.

And their viewership will be fine. They wont be going against american football that often. And of course America is a huge TV market that they want to reach, but this is watched everywhere around the world.

the politics out of it with those hideous jerseys. Nauseating!

so it will be limited. I also think many people will DVR NFL games and watch the WC live when there is a conflict.

In comment 15910056 Beef Wellington said:

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the politics out of it with those hideous jerseys. Nauseating!

I just googled the jerseys, what is political about them?

In comment 15909994 Eric on Li said:
Eric, is that promotional photo real or photoshopped? Are privies included in those tiny boxes?

In comment 15910064 RicFlair said:

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In comment 15910056 Beef Wellington said: Quote: the politics out of it with those hideous jerseys. Nauseating! I just googled the jerseys, what is political about them?

I looked at the kits too. I have no clue how that is political.

not on their jerseys, but team/country affiliates places. As a kind of FU to the views Qatar has on that matter.

Pretty sad that people get their panties up in a bunch over stuff like that.

The pictures of those living quarters look terrible. And what happens when there's an issue with the AC unit? You couldn't pay me to go over there for this. But I'll be watching.

In comment 15910096 Jints in Carolina said:

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In comment 15910064 RicFlair said: Quote: In comment 15910056 Beef Wellington said: Quote: the politics out of it with those hideous jerseys. Nauseating! I just googled the jerseys, what is political about them? I looked at the kits too. I have no clue how that is political.

Are we serious with this? Qatar has a pretty terrible record on LGBT issues. Arrests, imprisonment, beatings, conversion therapy. USMNT is having a rainbow version of its crest and is wearing it over in Qatar (though not in gmaes). Agree with it or not, think it is the time and place for it or not, it is clearly a political statement about the Qatari policies.

for the games.

the event to begin with, but I'm sure the $$$$ was first rate.
Go SPAIN

No one outside the US, and many inside the US, could cre less about the television being opposite the NFL. It's in Qatar and while this is giving the media and many other human rights interest groups something to legitimately complain about, this all is back burner news come Sunday when the whistle blows. The world will be watching and will not care about any of the social issues that have dominated news coverage.

As for the USMNT, not certain how they get out of the group unless and until they figure out how to score. Midfield and wings not a problem, assuming that the good version of McKennie shows up and that Pulisic, Weah and Reyna can shake off the rust. Back line and the "strikers" are the issue. A great start is a 1-0 win over Wales, followed by a likely beat down from England and an all or nothing match against Iran. However, Wales could easily win that game and I can see a scenario where the US comes out of this with a single point--tying with Iran. In any event it will be a learning experience for the USMNT players and either the end of the Berhalter term or the beginning of his contract renewal.

In comment 15909827 Producer said:

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In comment 15909823 bigbluehoya said: Quote: but I don't think the NFL is taking any notes. I think it will be impossible for FIFA not to learn from this - by all counts this already the least-anticipated WC's in history, and the early returns on the ground are just horrific. I think it is eagerly anticipated around the world by fans of the sport and even though the location sucks, it will be wildly successful.

This.

Here in Brazil, any conversation I have had the past 10 days at some point became about the WC.

Fair overall assessment, Jeffrey. There is talent. It just has not been well deployed. If USMNT cannot get out of Group play, after the Klinsmann experiment disaster, and the treading water with Berhalter, USSF has to get serious and do an in depth self-assessment: coaching candidates and schemes; talent scouting and assessment; player promotion criteria; skills development; all of it. This should be undertaken with a healthy component of unaffiliated outsiders.

There has been a flood of men's talent into the game over the past 15 years and more and yet the USMNT is stuck in neutral, in fact has regressed since the Donovan/Dempsey years in terms of competitiveness. For all the USSF's litigious approach to USWNT, maybe they should study what works for that side. Exasperating.

In comment 15910196 ColHowPepper said:

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Fair overall assessment, Jeffrey. There is talent. It just has not been well deployed. If USMNT cannot get out of Group play, after the Klinsmann experiment disaster, and the treading water with Berhalter, USSF has to get serious and do an in depth self-assessment: coaching candidates and schemes; talent scouting and assessment; player promotion criteria; skills development; all of it. This should be undertaken with a healthy component of unaffiliated outsiders. There has been a flood of men's talent into the game over the past 15 years and more and yet the USMNT is stuck in neutral, in fact has regressed since the Donovan/Dempsey years in terms of competitiveness. For all the USSF's litigious approach to USWNT, maybe they should study what works for that side. Exasperating.

They'd be better off studying other top European men's national teams than the uswnt who have had an easy field for 25 years. The US is favored to get out of the group, but they need to win that first game against Wales. If the fire Berhalter I'd like to see them go with either a euro coach or at least a coach with solid euro experience.

It wouldn't have been so bad if it was a Middle East WC or an Arab Nations WC, regions with interesting, diverse cultures and food and an insane passion for the game, but just Qatar is a ridiculous farce.

the managers role, but this US team has so much talent but cant put it together. They had that nice run of games like a year or so ago, but now they look awful again. Cant put the ball in the net.

In comment 15910219 Italianju said:

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the managers role, but this US team has so much talent but cant put it together. They had that nice run of games like a year or so ago, but now they look awful again. Cant put the ball in the net.

This is probably the best collection of pure talent we have had, but it also probably one of the more inexperienced squads too. I think we should brace for a disappointment but be open to a surprise. It is possible this team coheres at just the right time and give us a magical ride to the quarters. But also know there is still an athletic gap between our team and the top 5 or 6 european clubs and Brazil, at the very least. We don't have those kinds of athletes, yet. I am always surprised by the size and speed of top euro players compared to our guys, never mind the skill, craft and nuance their top players have.

Citizenship!

I'm glad that Qatar won their bid cleanly.

In the development of the USMNT. The problem is not talent as there are more Americans playing Europe than ever before and the quality of the MLS is at an all-time high despite incredible expansion diluting the pool of players. The problem is the lack of player development under a coherent system. There is a German style and a Brazilian style but the US is just a collection of talented and high upside players lacking an identity as a team. Additionally, coaches like Berhalter have consistently tried to implement a system without regard to the skill set of the available talent. Find your best 26, determine their strengths and weaknesses and develop a system to maximize their potential to succeed. No need for designated stars, just figure out what gives them the best chance to function and advance as a team.

I really like Pulisic, hate what has happened to him at Chelsea and still hope that Berhalter does not try to force him into a role he is not suited for. Pulisic is a wing who should be allowed to play wide, drive at opposing players and make runs into the box and create chances for others. Play him centrally or at the top of the attack and he will get knocked off the ball, chopped down and never be productive. Someone bigger and stronger needs that role—a young Altidore would be fine if he existed. Let’s go get a win on Monday and put the US in a position to advance.

In comment 15910071 ColHowPepper said:

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In comment 15909994 Eric on Li said: Eric, is that promotional photo real or photoshopped? Are privies included in those tiny boxes?

i dont think it's photoshopped but i'm not sure if it's a promotional photo or just a photo that was taken by media. i assume the privies are in the tiny boxes.

In comment 15910113 KDavies said:

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In comment 15910096 Jints in Carolina said: Quote: In comment 15910064 RicFlair said: Quote: In comment 15910056 Beef Wellington said: Quote: the politics out of it with those hideous jerseys. Nauseating! I just googled the jerseys, what is political about them? I looked at the kits too. I have no clue how that is political. Are we serious with this? Qatar has a pretty terrible record on LGBT issues. Arrests, imprisonment, beatings, conversion therapy. USMNT is having a rainbow version of its crest and is wearing it over in Qatar (though not in gmaes). Agree with it or not, think it is the time and place for it or not, it is clearly a political statement about the Qatari policies.

1. I didn’t see rainbow crests on their jerseys.

2. Shaming Qatar for their human rights atrocities is a positive, not a negative.

In comment 15910504 Eric on Li said:

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In comment 15910071 ColHowPepper said: Quote: In comment 15909994 Eric on Li said: Eric, is that promotional photo real or photoshopped? Are privies included in those tiny boxes? i dont think it's photoshopped but i'm not sure if it's a promotional photo or just a photo that was taken by media. i assume the privies are in the tiny boxes.

Those are 20 ft shipping containers..guess it was cheaper to convert thousands of those vs building actual hotels...

In comment 15910605 section125 said:

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Those are 20 ft shipping containers..guess it was cheaper to convert thousands of those vs building actual hotels...

Ha! Living the life in the desert. So, when oceanic freight rates started to normalize, Qatar put the surplus to good use. Good management skills, FIFA, take notice for next WC award.

Carlos Quierosz wrote a document on how the US can better develop our players. It was called the Q-report. Much of it is outdated now but he once had a big voice in how the US program functioned.

for the first half of their World Cup Preview, particularly to cover France and Argentina in Group C & D.

USA has a chance to fly under the radar and get results against Wales and Iran. But this is a tough group, no slouches.
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