Black Cat Bone

France to beat Belgium in the final...Germany & Uruguay beaten semi finalists.

Unbelievable!

I thought it was bollocks Real announcing it when they did. I’m glad their fa have sacked him.

I’d quite like Spain to win now

But then again...Ramos

Goat Boy wrote:But then again...Ramos

Yeah, nah.

Diamond Dog wrote:France to beat Belgium in the final...Germany & Uruguay beaten semi finalists.

I'm thinking that too, though maybe Germany in the final.

Skipping to 2026... USA, Mexico & Canada win the right to host - do all three countries receive automatic places... or none... or one.. or two (and, if so, which ones - and why?)!

Diamond Dog wrote:Skipping to 2026... USA, Mexico & Canada win the right to host - do all three countries receive automatic places... or none... or one.. or two (and, if so, which ones - and why?)!

As I understand it, it will be all three. Mind, there will be plenty of places - there will be 48 countries taking part in the finals by then. I think FIFA want to encourage bids from multiple nations to host, if only because it will be far too big and expensive for most countries to take on by themselves.

borofan wrote:

Diamond Dog wrote:Skipping to 2026... USA, Mexico & Canada win the right to host - do all three countries receive automatic places... or none... or one.. or two (and, if so, which ones - and why?)!

As I understand it, it will be all three. Mind, there will be plenty of places - there will be 48 countries taking part in the finals by then. I think FIFA want to encourage bids from multiple nations to host, if only because it will be far too big and expensive for most countries to take on by themselves.

Ah yes... we have the (completely unrelated) vote on making it 48 teams soon, don't we? Thank you - I'd forgotten that.

Indeed, there will be 48 teams in that tournament so why not.

In 2030, the tournament will be hosted by the entirety of Asia and there will be 431 countries competing.

FIFA will then completely collapse under the weight of its own avarice, with the result that the 2034 tournament will be held in Vanuatu and it will be a one-off match between them and Belize.

The 32-team tournament is fine - speaking as a younger poster who only remembers Italia 90 and USA 94 from the era of smaller tournaments - as it gives a place to more teams from around the world without really diluting the quality (modern defensive tactics have more to do with that). Anything more is ridiculous, though.

And there is much more romance and excitement in one country hosting, although I guess all the wealthy footballing countries have had a go. A joint bid from somewhere more exotic would be preferable to three giants like the North America one. I'd rather see a World Cup in, say, Australia-New Zealand, the Balkans, the Benelux countries (they had a good Euros)? It's only FIFA's greed (refusing to pay tax, gobbling up all the profits) that makes it so expensive to host.

Anyhow, I am officially excited.

I should be able to watch most of the opener tomorrow, though it will mean being a bit late for the school prom... which as Head of Year for the graduating students I really ought to be there for.

I finish work on Friday, but some daft buggers I know have scheduled their wedding on Saturday so I'll miss all the games then. And of course with small kids it's hard to see afternoon or teatime games - here's hoping there are good highlights shows!

My tips? France. Or Germany.

I think Brazil might crash out again; beyond Neymar (who is an injury doubt) I don't see that there is serious quality, with lots of flashy but inconsistent players like Coutinho and an aging defence.

England will do fine in the group but might have it tough if they get Colombia in the second round.

Top scorer? Cavani or Suarez might bag a hatful in the group stage. Or even Kane or Lukaku if their decidedly unreliable teams fire.

Best player? Messi probably.

PENK wrote:And there is much more romance and excitement in one country hosting, although I guess all the wealthy footballing countries have had a go. A joint bid from somewhere more exotic would be preferable to three giants like the North America one. I'd rather see a World Cup in, say, Australia-New Zealand, the Balkans, the Benelux countries (they had a good Euros)? It's only FIFA's greed (refusing to pay tax, gobbling up all the profits) that makes it so expensive to host.

Australia would be able to put on a pretty damn fine WC - the stadiums would not be a problem, and neither would the infrastructure. It's just a case of distance and revenue for FIFA clearly.

I imagine Britain will get 2030, with all 4 federations getting in on the act. We're due a tournament more than any other country or region in Europe with maybe the exception of Scandinavia.

I think the regional format is a good one going forward.

I quietly fancy Cavani or Lukaku as top goal scorer too.

Diamond Dog wrote:

PENK wrote:

Toby wrote:Spain have got more than enough quality to oversee an issue with the coach going to Real. Think Bobby Robson and Italia 90.

They have just sacked him. Two days before playing Portugal in their first game.

That's a potential meltdown... crazy.

I mean what sort of cunt conducts negotiations about his role after the World Cup, in the week leading up to the first game, doesn't inform the national FA and then announces it on the eve of the tournament? Bold move by the Spanish FA and one I totally agree with.

It could just be a catalyst for the players (who are plenty good enough) to take over - as per Robson 1990, allegedly- and just go and win the World Cup. They're certainly got all the required talent to do so.

Yeah, its funny how often an outside factor can galvanise the squad into that little bit extra. A grievance, or a tragedy.
That said, these days the coaching, and more specifically the tactical organisation, needs to be that much tighter, and they could struggle in that department.

Toby wrote:I imagine Britain will get 2030, with all 4 federations getting in on the act. We're due a tournament more than any other country or region in Europe with maybe the exception of Scandinavia.

I think the regional format is a good one going forward.

Unlikely- I dont think the FA will risk it when they have been rebuffed so often. Lets face it, were not going to get much support from UEFA are we?

Mind you, I can still see Qatar going south, and somebody having to step in at short notice.England could manage that.

Toby wrote: We're due a tournament more than any other country or region in Europe with maybe the exception of Scandinavia.

Scandinavia has the infrastructure, resources and interest but not the stadia. I think there are only 5 or 6 20,000-seaters across the five countries.

Not.

^ Fourth goal, surely, it was a beaut.

Saudi Arabia were awful, only the superbly named Al-Faraj seemed to have any kind of quality, but Russia looked surprisingly strong on the counter attack. It'd be interesting to see how they do against Uruguay, see if it was just the timidity of the opposition which made 'em look good.

Oh come on Saudi Arabia were a fucking joke. That was the feeblest excuse for a rigged match I've seen in years.