2018 FIFA World Cup Megathread

[Yaana Noore]

Anyone here (Russian or otherwise) planning to attend any of the games at the World Cup, or have done so at a previous tournament?

I was at the Euros in France in 2016 and had a great time, disappointed that I can't make it to the WC though. Would if I could, despite supporting England, but just don't have the money for it.

[Nazis in Space]

I had missed the point about Netherlands victory in 2014 until now and it's sad how the Uruguain Celeste suffered a gradual decadence after 1950.

This is a wonderful, wonderful error.

[Infected Mushroom]

This year, France WILL PREVAIL!

France will rise again. Germany will be stopped.

[The Blaatschapen]

I had missed the point about Netherlands victory in 2014 until now and it's sad how the Uruguain Celeste suffered a gradual decadence after 1950.

This is a wonderful, wonderful error.

I did not even consider it an error.

[The Archregimancy]

Anyone here (Russian or otherwise) planning to attend any of the games at the World Cup, or have done so at a previous tournament?

I attended all of the matches in Orlando during the 1994 World Cup.

1st Round:

Mexico 2 - 1 Rep. of Ireland

Belgium 1 - 0 Morocco

Belgium 1 - 0 Netherlands (sorry, Blaat)

Morocco 1 - 2 Netherlands


2nd Round:

Netherlands 2 - 0 Rep. of Ireland

[The Archregimancy]

This year, France WILL PREVAIL!

France will rise again. Germany will be stopped.

But at least two members of the French national football team were born in other countries.

Steve Mandanda was born in Kinshasa, DRC.

Samuel Umtiti was born in Yaounde, Cameroon.

How can you possibly support a team that contains invidious traitors to their country of birth, who are clearly devoid of any concept of honour?

[Wopruthien]

Will I ever see Wales attend a World Cup? We had an easyish qualifying group going off the back of a brilliant Euro campaign (never thought I'd see us at a major tournament!) but completely blew it.

I'd really like a first time winner for this WC.

I'm trying to get excited for the world cup. I'd love an African team to win, but I just don't see it happening within the next two decades. I'll be cheering on Egypt if Salah is fit (fingers crossed), and probably Iceland. I like a lot of the Belgium players so will be rooting for them as well.

I'm really trying to get behind England, I'm enjoying this pessimism a lot more than the in your face entitlement they've had for the past several competitions. It is a lot more endearing. You just know if England win that will be it for the next have century. Thankfully they don't stand a chance!

[Reploid Productions]

Germany so far looks like the best team around, but I wouldn't discount Spain and France either.

I will head straight over to the semi finals for me which are to be the following teams:

Germany
Brazil
Argentina
Spain

I am hoping if Argentina could revenge it's 2014 final but it will be a tough competition from there with the 4 top notch teams. All hail to the best team (I am a football lover!) . It was a dream to see national players right in front of me in Russia, but though cannot afford the tickets hence I am about to LINK REDACTED from the comfort of my home

[Infected Mushroom]

This year, France WILL PREVAIL!

France will rise again. Germany will be stopped.

But at least two members of the French national football team were born in other countries.

Steve Mandanda was born in Kinshasa, DRC.

Samuel Umtiti was born in Yaounde, Cameroon.

How can you possibly support a team that contains invidious traitors to their country of birth, who are clearly devoid of any concept of honour?

I only care about France winning.

It doesn't matter how France wins, so long as France wins, I will be very happy.

I might even travel to France again so that I can support my team from there

[Yaana Noore]

Depends how it goes for Wales. Doubt they'll make the next one if Giggs is around, and Bale will be 33 by then. So it all depends on what comes in the future. The reality is that they blew their biggest chance though. They weren't actually very good under Coleman. Pretty easy qualifying group for Euro 16 (it's hard to not qualify if you're not semi-decent now), and then one good performance against Belgium got them to the semis. Little to do with Coleman's tactics, just some good displays from Bale, Allen, and particularly Ramsey. Beating Slovakia, Russia and Northern Ireland wasn't that big an achievement, their run to the semis was pretty easy, but this still led to people hyping up Chris Coleman who is in reality just a poor manager even for the Championship. Their WC qualifying group was a bit harder but they should have qualified - the players and the manager let the success go to their heads and blew their best chance in a long time.

I hope England win first, then whoever plays the best football second.

[Ethel mermania]

I still wonder how is it even possible that no one is boycotting it.

I mean, it isn't like there's so much difference with the 1936 Olympics.

Are we going to finance an imperialist dictator and go along with his propaganda efforts?

The dutch are boycotting it.

The Americans as well.

Edit: Dammit ninja'ed by everyone.

[DesAnges]

The dutch are boycotting it.

The Americans as well.

Edit: Dammit ninja'ed by everyone.

What do you think of your chances at getting 2026?

[Ethel mermania]

The Americans as well.

Edit: Dammit ninja'ed by everyone.

What do you think of your chances at getting 2026?

I am not a fan of hosting these large international events, the security is ridiculous and a massive pain in the ass for the local populations. I don't mind the world cup as much as I object to the Olympics, but still I would rather not. Let Taiwan have it.

[Starblaydia]

I'm really trying to get behind England, I'm enjoying this pessimism a lot more than the in your face entitlement they've had for the past several competitions.

2010 and 2014's abject performances have rid all but the most one-eyed of England fans of any genuine thoughts of winning the World Cup. Now it lives on only in dreams.

[Forsher]

I'm really trying to get behind England, I'm enjoying this pessimism a lot more than the in your face entitlement they've had for the past several competitions.

2010 and 2014's abject performances have rid all but the most one-eyed of England fans of any genuine thoughts of winning the World Cup. Now it lives on only in dreams.

And awesome songs.

[Negarakita]

I really would like Senegal or Nigeria to do well, especially senegal because I like Senegalese music. Belgium would be good too since I will be living there next year so might as well start cheering them on. Russia or poland too would be nice, as would the almost impossible Iran vs Saudi game. No NZ to cheer on sadly.

[Wopruthien]

Depends how it goes for Wales. Doubt they'll make the next one if Giggs is around, and Bale will be 33 by then. So it all depends on what comes in the future. The reality is that they blew their biggest chance though. They weren't actually very good under Coleman. Pretty easy qualifying group for Euro 16 (it's hard to not qualify if you're not semi-decent now), and then one good performance against Belgium got them to the semis. Little to do with Coleman's tactics, just some good displays from Bale, Allen, and particularly Ramsey. Beating Slovakia, Russia and Northern Ireland wasn't that big an achievement, their run to the semis was pretty easy, but this still led to people hyping up Chris Coleman who is in reality just a poor manager even for the Championship. Their WC qualifying group was a bit harder but they should have qualified - the players and the manager let the success go to their heads and blew their best chance in a long time.

I absolutely agree. Coleman was able to unite the players after the death of Speed and utilised it. I know you say it was easy but for a team like Wales who are regularly beaten by Slovakia, Russia and about on par with N. Ire it was a big achievement. I was glad when Coleman left, the tactic seemed to be give to Bale and hope he does something. Once Bale wasn't in the team tactically it was a nightmare. We really should of gotten to the World Cup and I don't see how we will in the future. Really not a fan of Giggs, and wasn't happy with his appointment.

[DesAnges]

What do you think of your chances at getting 2026?

I am not a fan of hosting these large international events, the security is ridiculous and a massive pain in the ass for the local populations. I don't mind the world cup as much as I object to the Olympics, but still I would rather not. Let Taiwan have it.

Morocco is the other option. I like Morocco, it's a nice place.

[Yaana Noore]

Gary Speed's death was such a shame. I remember watching his Wales side and it seemed like they were making genuine progress - I really thought they were going places. Coleman picked them up well from that but otherwise I wouldn't give him much credit.

Russia were awful though, absolutely awful. Probably the worst team at the whole tournament. Don't see how Wales beating them was a major achievement. Slovakia slightly better but again not that good. Northern Ireland were genuine minnows and much worse on paper than Wales, their team was a bunch of League One, Championship and Scottish Prem players and they had nobody anywhere near Allen/Ramsey/Bale, just a really talented coach. Wales were better than all three of those teams and should have won, which they did. Not their fault the new format has seriously weakened the competition, they just took advantage of it. The win against Belgium was impressive but that was the only game where they were the underdog. On the face of it semi-finals is a massive achievement but when you look at it closer it's not the sort of minnow-triumphing-against-the-odds story it is made out to be.

Giggs appointment was a joke, weak pool of candidates but still. Personally I thought they should have gone for Mark Hughes, or Osian Roberts if they wanted someone unproven for a gamble. Giggs has done nothing to earn that job, he's done more to justify not giving it to him than anything.

[DesAnges]

Gary Speed's death was such a shame. I remember watching his Wales side and it seemed like they were making genuine progress - I really thought they were going places. Coleman picked them up well from that but otherwise I wouldn't give him much credit.

Russia were awful though, absolutely awful. Probably the worst team at the whole tournament. Don't see how Wales beating them was a major achievement. Slovakia slightly better but again not that good. Northern Ireland were genuine minnows and much worse on paper than Wales, their team was a bunch of League One, Championship and Scottish Prem players and they had nobody anywhere near Allen/Ramsey/Bale, just a really talented coach. Wales were better than all three of those teams and should have won, which they did. Not their fault the new format has seriously weakened the competition, they just took advantage of it. The win against Belgium was impressive but that was the only game where they were the underdog. On the face of it semi-finals is a massive achievement but when you look at it closer it's not the sort of minnow-triumphing-against-the-odds story it is made out to be.

Giggs appointment was a joke, weak pool of candidates but still. Personally I thought they should have gone for Mark Hughes, or Osian Roberts if they wanted someone unproven for a gamble. Giggs has done nothing to earn that job, he's done more to justify not giving it to him than anything.

Bellamy turned up for his interview with a massive prospectus on how he wanted to coach the team and how to shape a proper identity throughout Welsh football for years to come. He said he felt like he was only there to make up the numbers and the choice had already been made.

[Ethel mermania]

I am not a fan of hosting these large international events, the security is ridiculous and a massive pain in the ass for the local populations. I don't mind the world cup as much as I object to the Olympics, but still I would rather not. Let Taiwan have it.

Morocco is the other option. I like Morocco, it's a nice place.

Better time zone for me than Russia, I support.

[Lamoni]

Germany so far looks like the best team around, but I wouldn't discount Spain and France either.

I will head straight over to the semi finals for me which are to be the following teams:

Germany
Brazil
Argentina
Spain

I am hoping if Argentina could revenge it's 2014 final but it will be a tough competition from there with the 4 top notch teams. All hail to the best team (I am a football lover!) . It was a dream to see national players right in front of me in Russia, but though cannot afford the tickets hence I am about to LINK REDACTED from the comfort of my home

*** Warning for posting an illegal link ***

[Starblaydia]

2010 and 2014's abject performances have rid all but the most one-eyed of England fans of any genuine thoughts of winning the World Cup. Now it lives on only in dreams.

And awesome songs.

I had forgotten that 'song'.

How dare you.

Amazing how so many terrible 'ordinary bloke' songs come along around World Cup time, all trying to capture the Three Lions magic and failing miserably. Throw in Vindaloo and World in Motion and that's the beginnings of a decent football-related playlist.

[Forsher]

And awesome songs.

I had forgotten that 'song'.

How dare you.

Amazing how so many terrible 'ordinary bloke' songs come along around World Cup time, all trying to capture the Three Lions magic and failing miserably. Throw in Vindaloo and World in Motion and that's the beginnings of a decent football-related playlist.

Assuming you mean Football's Coming Home... that song's so boring I couldn't manage a minute of it.

[Starblaydia]

I had forgotten that 'song'.

How dare you.

Amazing how so many terrible 'ordinary bloke' songs come along around World Cup time, all trying to capture the Three Lions magic and failing miserably. Throw in Vindaloo and World in Motion and that's the beginnings of a decent football-related playlist.

Assuming you mean Football's Coming Home... that song's so boring I couldn't manage a minute of it.

Unless you were English in the 90s and had depressingly managed to not qualify for the 94 World Cup, then somehow ended up hosted the 96 Euros with a team that could almost win it, and having it sung by sold-out stadium crowds... probably wouldn't tug at your prideful heartstrings in quite the same way.