So FIFA has announced a change in schedule, and as it turns out Senegal-Holland will now be the 2022 WC opening match. Qatar-Ecuador has been rescheduled to be the third game of the tournament. This is the first time the host nation doesn’t open the cup, no?
The rationale is no one was going to watch Qatar-Ecuador .... well, according to FIFA it’s to benefit the fans of the teams and accommodate best to their TV schedules The new schedule would provide the most beneficial time for both television viewers around the world and spectators at the venues. Ecuador is eight hours behind Qatar and the alteration means the timing for fans back in South America is now more convenient. Or maybe the sheikhs just wanted to go at a later time for their own convenience. The Iran-England game will also be played before Qatar’s match, making the host nation the last game of opening day. However, it appears the opening ceremony will still take place before the Qatar-Ecuador game, rather than prior to the other two earlier games.
So, will we have Shakira shaking her goods during the opening ceremony or is that stuff frowned upon in Qatar? But yeah, an opening game that does not have the host is strange. But loco is right. As much I love the World Cup, I don’t think I was going to stay up and watch the entire match between Qatar and Ecuador. Now, the Senegal v Netherlands game is a bit more fun. I’ll check that out.
We may get treated to some Arabian classical music. To be honest having become more mature I rarely watch opening ceremonies of any kind. Just lets get on with it please.
I don’t think I’ve seen a luckier team than Real Madrid. The amount of luck they’ve had over the years is unreal.
Wow. Inter all but threw away their chance in getting a second star on their shirt. There is 4 games left and Milan have a 2 point cushion and have the tiebreaker. I got to the game in the last ten minutes, so I don’t know how the likes of Toro, Tucu and Dominguez played.
Casemiro should’ve had at least two yellows by now and yet he is still on the pitch. Such a shitty player. Vinícius diving all over the place, you know the usual…
As usual, the ref played for Real madrid plus City being PSG 2.0 when it matter. Pep has emulated Mou by not winning CL for over a decade.
So, looks like Chile is trying to sneak their way into the WC in place of Ecuador... They filed a formal motion with FIFA today
This Juve-Inter game has been thrilling. Dybala played a big role in Juve’s goal and Lautaro won a penalty, which he did not take unfortunately. Tucu has come on as a sub and has caused problems for Juve. Inter look a lot better with him than Dzeko.
https://football-italia.net/italy-still-have-a-chance-to-play-in-the-world-cup/ Franco Chimenti, the current president of Italy’s Golf Federation and a former member of the CONI committee, sees a concrete chance for the Azzurri to play in Qatar in November. “There is still a chance to see Italy at the World Cup and it’s more concrete than what people think,” he told GR Parlamento, as quoted by La Repubblica. “Apparently, Ecuador have used a player who was not allowed to be on the pitch and could pay for it. “If it happens, another country should replace them and the FIFA rules state that the highest country in the FIFA ranking should be recalled, at the moment, it is Italy.” Uhh, that would be some BS.
Wtf why wouldn't it be Peru (Colombia to playoff)? Edit: after reading it looks like Chile would benefit directly from the points. Either way screw Italy
As loco stated above, it was Chile who started these complaints. Regardless, the Chief of the Italian FA that there was no possibility that they’d get the spot. They spoke to FIFA and the outcome was not good.
This what they’re apparently going to offer him. I do have to chuckle that Real Madrid and their fans are crying about this. They’re crying about it because they can’t control players anymore. When PSG turned down 200+ME for him last year, you knew they did not care about money. This was not some club where an owner cares about selling players for money and etc.
Uruguay could be a problem in the tournament. They’re in a tough group but I expect to come out. Since finally removing Tabárez, they’ve done quite well, winning their last four qualifiers. If they do come out first, they may send Portugal into a collision course with Brasil. Speaking of Portugal, I watched majority of the match v Spain, and Spain looked pretty good but Portugal managed to get the draw.
Also, Uruguay has a good track record againts European teams as they beat the likes of England, Portugal & Italy in last 2 WC. I hope they progress to KO stage, cause they really could trouble some other big teams. Even in 2010, they almost matched Netherlands & Germany. Although friendlies is never conclusive, but when it comes to Mexico, its pretty much their ceiling.
I hope they progress too. And they should trash CR7 and his mediocre team while they are at it and knock them out in 1st round