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I mean, I’ve never experienced fighting at a World Cup tbh. Well except the 7-1 when a few Brazilians started fighting inbetween themselves, but that was minor. Seen some brawls here or there, but nothing that wasn’t dealt with in two seconds. In fact, i hope anyone causing bother is taken to a jail without a roof in the desert.

They are, and there were no problems when over 5k fans welcomed the Brazilian players to their hotel last night. The question of alcohol is a cultural one, but even then it’s allowed in certain places. People are walking around in shorts which is considered rude and no one cares. I’m getting there Thursday and promise to keep you lot posted. I’m expecting the atmosphere to be better than in any other World Cup as all fans will be staying in one city only and not spread out over countries the size of Brazil and Russia.

Russia was more expensive in terms of accomodation (unless you are travelling solo or as a couple). Flights were more expensive for Brazil and SA if you were based in Europe. The big cost for Qatar is going to be alcohol and accessing these places as all hotels and restaurants are charging a fee just to be able to get into these venues. Fifa should get loads of stick for even allowing Qatar to host this as they aren’t a footballing nation. But the notion that the World Cup is far more expensive this time around isn’t true from my experience right now. Media are twisting things to the extreme in terms of cost and most of is based on the prices of beer and luxury hotels (that have always been ridiculously prized during world cups).

Yeah, no that’s definitely not the case highly doubt we’ll see 90k+ Argentinians. The numbers I saw were based on Hayya Card (WC visa that you need a ticket for) so they could definitely be skewed or people might have regretted it all after applying.

Seems as its confirmed that he will now miss the WC.

I can say that Brazil, Argentina and Mexico are coming in masses for the World Cup. Atmosphere has been insane in Doha tonight for the arrival of the Brazilian teams. Saw somewhere there is over 100 000 mexicans expected in Doha and roughly 100 000 Brazilians and Argentinians combined. Saudi is bringing huge following as well. Think media has made people forget it’s a World Cup after all and with 1 to 1.5 million foreigners expected in Qatar the atmosphere is bound to be crazy no matter what. I’m myself travelling there for the group stages and will report back.

Whole Netflix documentary on it.

Given it will be sold in hospitality areas they really have.

Tbh I think Brazil has been the favourite in every World Cup since then due to performances in qualifiers and Confederationa Cup. In fact, in 2002, we were terrible right until the WC. I do feel that this squad has loads of potential and most importantly Neymar is arriving as probably the most in form player in the world right now. That being said, anything can happen at a world cup and I’m shit scared of this group. Switzerland are so unpredictable and kept Italy from qualifying and Serbia won their qualifier with Portugal.

Been Elvedi and Akanji lately when healthy.

It’s crazy right? However, I have to say that despite the accommodation nightmare, the logistics have never been as easy for a WC as this one. You could potentially watch all four games in a day live if you wanted. Only Al Bayt stadium is outside Doha and it’s roughly 45minutes-1hour with metro+bus.

Both are expected to be on the bench for their respective openers I think. This group is far more difficult for Brazil than it looks on paper. Both European sides can beat anyone on a good day.

Been very good for a few weeks now. Needed some time to adjust. Been quite surprised how good he has been in non-important games given he actually only showed up in the important matches for Real last season.

:lol:

Spanish squad feels very meh as well.

He has.

His way of taking penalties. Maybe he should stop playing it short and chuck it to Wilson every time.

11 out of 67 in the PL apprently, but who’s counting?

Marco Reus out again because of injury apparently. Guy has no luck.

And this is why football is so boring. Everyone is supposed to play like a robot and do the exact same thing apparently.

I can tell you, I didn’t complain when he had the exact run up against Mexico in the Olympics last summer. That’s the way he takes penalties. Look at how Neymar does it, looks ridiculous and the day he misses it will be villified, but he has scored 500 straight penalties with that run up.

Watched the penalty, and was shocked to see he missed it above the bar as loads of other players have done. Reading the forum you’d think he made a spin running towards the ball and then panenka’d it over the stadium.

Tite doesn’t call up or even start bad penalty takers. Why Bruno is benched.

Feel like Firmino always misses penalties.

Derby gk could’ve as well picked up the ball there. Roughly two meters ahead of the line.