it won‘t .. if FIFA actions from last 15 years haven‘t done it nothing would. football is simply too popular. it unfortunately gets continuously heavilly destroyed by it‘s governing body but it‘s popularity keeps it alive. it all sucks but that‘s how it is. 12 of my buddies are either already in qatar or will be on their planes tomorrow, bigger part of these boards as well, so it still attracts enough people, no matter what infantino and his crooks do. I do not want to judge what is right and what is wrong, but I am truly sad this world cup is happening.
Hi everyone, A quick reminder: TODAY the World Cup begins! (react however your heart feels led, I don't blame you ) That also means that as of today, the disciplinary measures outlined here are officially in effect. It is your responsibility to be aware of them, and to participate accordingly; in as fast-paced an environment as WC matchday threads, we don't have time to discuss and cajole posters into more amicable behavior. You cross the line, you go straight to timeout (including, but not limited to, matchday thread bans). ...no, we're not banning anyone for drinking alcohol, tho
Anyone hear as to whether the air conditioning system worked properly during the Qatar-Ecuador match? The players looked generally okay to me. Hopefully it will be a non-issue for the entire tournament.
It's been mostly in the 90s every day in Doha for the past couple of weeks, with high humidity, so if the A/C didn't work under those conditions, the players would definitely suffer. Fortunately it has cooled off somewhat in the last two days.
I went for Neymar but could see also some Dutch player. But it's tough to say who. If Neymar plays against Cameroon in the third group stage game and doesn't get rested he has a chance to finish the group stage with 3-4 goals.
Alot of empty seats at the start of Senegal v Holland - one of the more attractive matches of the group stage. And the stadium only has 40k seats.
Yes, very disappointing, especially compared to Russia which I think finished with 96% capacity occupancy.
Not surprising. It’s a bit of a disincentive to attend a World Cup where there is a good chance you will be sleeping in a tent or a shipping container.
And without any chances to have a normal beer at the stands, or for the case being, in your tent as well. A WC without beer is like not having a WC at all.
The stadiums have been nice. The metro system takes forever (according to google). Thanks goodness for the shuttles and taxi services. Got to see 1.5 games on Monday, but those were the only back to back games we had, the rest we will have 3 hours between matches. Right now the plan is to find a bar that is not packed to watch ARG vs SA, then make our way to a restaurant near the stadium for the MEX vs POL match. Weather was very good yesterday, there was no 1 pm game, so that helped, today feels a little warmer even at 10 am.
I will be making my first appearance in Doha tomorrow for Switzerland-Cameroon. Just flying in and out on the same day. I will then be back for the remainder of the group stage next week, staying on the MSC World Europe (cruise ship) where there will be no shortage of alcohol.
Some dude tried to test stadium security with a flag that has a rainbow over a christian cross. The dude expected security staff to recognize the banner as one of 20+ found in his country. It did not go well for the dude. Moral of the story: *be respectful of your host's sensibilities, you are not in Kansas anymore* Incredible: everyone is so panicked about the rainbow 🌈 flag that there was a snafu when this guy tried to enter a stadium with the flag of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco! He says his phone was taken and forced to delete a video of the incident. Fun times. https://t.co/E2LKEoeRVa— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) November 23, 2022
The football king and the 20th century world sports man, very sick with cancer. Nice to see they post his name everywhere in Qatar. The #1 ever, no one is close. I find it amusing when Europeans claim Messi is GOAT with no world cup to show for it. I tell them, he is your GOAT not the world's.
FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after campaigning for women’s rights and basic freedom in his country. We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment. pic.twitter.com/vPuylCS2ph— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) December 12, 2022