FIFA World Cup

[Disco]

Telling that journalists have suddenly all learned that accommodation (usually shit) isn’t cheap during tournaments and major events. No shit Oxbridge boy, only took you 10-20 years to realise now you can slag places off.

 

2 hours ago, cubaricho said:

It’s bound to be a terrible tournament. But fear not. Like a phoenix rising in 2026, America will make the World Cup what it is meant to be once again. 

Unless you’ve gotta outside aircon or all the games are played at night I’d be surprised. Be good atmospheres though. 

[Rafalove]

 

[ponsaelius]

The atmosphere at a lot of games will definitely be weird I think. Prohibitive cost of travel/accomodation will make it more middle class than usual. Crowds will be boosted by a lot of expats who live and work in the gulf, with a lot of neutralsl football fans in amongst that.

 

That said, a lot of the same was said beforehand about Russia but this was from a UK/Euro centric perspective. What actually happened was you still had loads of Mexicans, South Americans etc travelling who didn't see what all of the fuss was about.

 

Argentina - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning will be interesting from an atmosphere perspective. That's in the main stadium and both of those are expected to have very big followings. If it's crap then you probably can write off any hope of the usual colour.

 

 

Edited November 20, 2022 by ponsaelius

[TheBrownBottle]

54 minutes ago, ponsaelius said:

The atmosphere at a lot of games will definitely be weird I think. Prohibitive cost of travel/accomodation will make it more middle class than usual. Crowds will be boosted by a lot of expats who live and work in the gulf, with a lot of neutralsl football fans in amongst that.

 

That said, a lot of the same was said beforehand about Russia but this was from a UK/Euro centric perspective. What actually happened was you still had loads of Mexicans, South Americans etc travelling who didn't see what all of the fuss was about.

 

Argentina - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning will be interesting from an atmosphere perspective. That's in the main stadium and both of those are expected to have very big followings. If it's crap then you probably can write off any hope of the usual colour.

 

 

 

All good points, though the difference with Russia is that it is a footballing country, not a tiny city state.

 

Personally, I’ve no real issue with the WC being held in the ME - it is a World Cup, after all.  As unedifying as it is, human rights abuses occur across swathes of the planet - and historically, said abuses don’t preclude major sports rocking up.  But a ME WC should be in Iran, KSA etc.  Large countries with sizeable footballing supports and histories (particularly Iran).  Holding a WC in Qatar is a bad joke. 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2022 by TheBrownBottle

[Ben]

4 hours ago, TheBrownBottle said:

All good points, though the difference with Russia is that it is a footballing country, not a tiny city state.

 

Personally, I’ve no real issue with the WC being held in the ME - it is a World Cup, after all.  As unedifying as it is, human rights abuses occur across swathes of the planet - and historically, said abuses don’t preclude major sports rocking up.  But a ME WC should be in Iran, KSA etc.  Large countries with sizeable footballing supports and histories (particularly Iran).  Holding a WC in Qatar is a bad joke. 

 

 

 

If the Middle Eastern world cup is about shining a light on the area and bringing together nations in peace and harmony then games should have been played across the whole region with the Final in Qatar. Probably a shit idea security wise but it would have made a better spectacle. 

[TheBrownBottle]

3 minutes ago, Ben said:

If the Middle Eastern world cup is about shining a light on the area and bringing together nations in peace and harmony then games should have been played across the whole region with the Final in Qatar. Probably a shit idea security wise but it would have made a better spectacle. 

100% agreed mate.  A ME WC would have been far more appropriate- and like you say, have Qatar host the final if that’s what is agreed.

 

Of course, we know the intention was no such thing.  This is about Qatar’s soft power - and also serves as a reminder to the world that it exists.  Much harder for a larger local despot to roll the tanks in if the west has actually heard of it. 

[gbandit]

 

[Flip]

9 hours ago, TheBrownBottle said:

That must mean that there are 92,000 Argentinians going because the Athletic are reporting that only 8,000 Brazilians are heading to Qatar.

 

https://theathletic.com/3636928/2022/11/11/qatar-world-cup-cost-fans/?amp=1

 

 

 

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. 

[mosstef]

2 minutes ago, Flip said:

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. 

 

I read that a lot of people with tickets have regretted once they discovered the costs of accomodation.

[Rich]

No more sleeps.

[cubaricho]

10 hours ago, TheBrownBottle said:

Yes, it was a classic.

94

 

I mean you said it, not me. 
 

A classic it will be again. 

[Flip]

1 hour ago, mosstef said:

 

I read that a lot of people with tickets have regretted once they discovered the costs of accomodation.

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).

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2022 by Flip

[Dokko]

Canada & Mexico for 2026 as well. USA can't ruin it on their own this time.

 

I do like the idea of going back 30 odd years later to see how football has developed there. It certainly boosted public interest and gave it a springboard. I'm sure the US will do a good job this time. Would be a great WC to do. Visit those 3 countries at once.

 

 

Edited November 20, 2022 by Dokko

[Lazarus]

The Qatari authorities are aware that fans will be meeting up in huge numbers, literally by the thousand, in public places arnt they?

 

Everyone singing, dancing, shouting, blocking roads, being rowdy, at 3AM. What could possibly go wrong...

 

Do the Qataris think that the fans will stick to the fan zones when not at a match?

[TheBrownBottle]

1 hour ago, Flip said:

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. 

Yeah, it seemed odd - Brazil normally take big numbers and Argentina don’t usually outstrip them in ticket sales.

 

Ah well, I suspect the Brazilians who are there will have a good time watching the games (though not in a samba-style atmosphere).  Can’t see anyone but the Selecao winning it (would be good to watch Bruno win it too)

[TheBrownBottle]

2 minutes ago, Dokko said:

Canada & Mexico for 2026 as well. USA can't ruin it on their own this time.

I hope that the giant spider makes another appearance in Mexico

 

 

[Lazarus]

2 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

I hope that the giant spider makes another appearance in Mexico

 

 

I wanna see that remote control car bring the ball out again so I can tell it to fuck off

[Flip]

4 minutes ago, Lazarus said:

The Qatari authorities are aware that fans will be meeting up in huge numbers, literally by the thousand, in public places arnt they?

 

Everyone singing, dancing, shouting, blocking roads, being rowdy, at 3AM. What could possibly go wrong...

 

Do the Qataris think that the fans will stick to the fan zones when not at a match?

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.

[Dokko]

Just now, Flip said:

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.

 

Less alcohol and no Italians or Russians should equal less fights as well. 

[Flip]

7 minutes ago, Dokko said:

 

Less alcohol and no Italians or Russians should equal less fights as well. 

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.

[Dokko]

7 minutes ago, Flip said:

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.

 

The euros are usually the worst. Lots of countries holding grudges against each other. Usually England has a target on their back for the sins of our fathers, but drunk English fans will unite and fight when attacked. Italians and French are organised trouble makers. No alcohol, knives, and targeted. Russians even worse when they get a chance to get involved, but less effective as they can't go 5mins without a drink like the English. Poland have had their fair share as well.

 

Of course, sweeping generalisation, and it's only a minority, but things do escalate, especially when we'll planned. It would be nice if this one is the one where everyone is together and dare not get out of line due to tough laws. I'm sure as long as 2 men don't kiss each other everyone will be fine. 

 

[Dokko]

English football has a huge problem with coked up young chavs at league games. Can't see that translating to this tournament though. Too expensive and I'd imagine impossible to get hold of over there, so I'm hoping only a higher class of fan can make it. Mind, most England fans I've seen so far are paid actors. Quite happy for that to be our image out of this. 

[Rafalove]

 

[astraguy]

 

[RS]

Looks an absolute shambles before a ball has been kicked. 
Again if proof were needed of how rotten to the core  FIFA must be. 
 

I’m personally struggling to get any enthusiasm for it anyway, perhaps it’s because I’m enjoying NUFC for the first time in 20 years

Also had a statement email from my company saying due to human rights issues in the country we’ll not be promoting or televising any games in our offices (we have Chinese owners!)

 

 

Edited November 20, 2022 by RS