The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Thread

[The Archregimancy]

The 2014 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil, kicks off in less than a month.

Squads are being announced, excitement is building, and those of us living in unfriendly timezones are trying to work out whether we really want to get up at three in the morning to watch England v. Italy (answer: probably not - watching Australia get roundly bitchsmacked by the Dutch and Spanish, however, will be considerably easier).

A mandatory poll has been inserted in this OP, deliberately designed to allow NSG's anglophone majority to show that hope springs eternal and to claim that their nation is actually going to win the tournament, despite all available evidence to the contrary, therefore allowing thread participants from countries whose teams are actually quite good to justifiably laugh at us (or justifiably patronise us).

Given the latter observation, I'm going to ignore what my passport says, and point out that I grew up in Belgium; allez les Diables Rouges!



Official site: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/

BBC site: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/world-cup/2014

Guardian site: http://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-2014

[Saugeais]

US released their list of those on the first cut: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/so ... n/9004785/

I don't see the reasoning behind Beckerman and Yedlin's call up. Good form perhaps?

Also, Wondo getting the nod in the first cut. I really want to see him make the final 23.

As for final predictions, I can't not bet on Brazil to get their 6th star, and I hold hope for the USA to make it out of the group stage.

[Equestrian States]

U-S-A! U-S-A! Woooooooooooo!

Anyways, this looks like it's gonna be one hell of a World Cup. Can't wait for it to start.

Legitimate Predictions: I know that Brazil is gonna have home field advantage, but I still like Germany to win it all. Although I don't think they'll win the Cup, I am looking forward to watching Belgium. They've got more than a few good players, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them reach the quarterfinals.

[Blazedtown]

I never thought I'd cheer against my own country in a sport, but since I don't want soccer catching on here, I hope we lose bad in the first round.

[The united states of Saints]

US released their list of those on the first cut: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/so ... n/9004785/

I don't see the reasoning behind Beckerman and Yedlin's call up. Good form perhaps?

Also, Wondo getting the nod in the first cut. I really want to see him make the final 23.

As for final predictions, I can't not bet on Brazil to get their 6th star, and I hold hope for the USA to make it out of the group stage.

We made it to the semi's last time and because of that I have faith that the U.S. will win the world cup. It will be very hard but I hope we at least get to the semi's agan.

[The Blaatschapen]

Arch, I was under the impression that viewtopic.php?f=20&t=247228&view=unread#unread would just take over as Fifa thread when the time comes around ?

Edit: Ah, I see what you posted there.

2nd Edit: Though I don't see the need to split it personally *shrugs*

[Cyldavia]

DEUTSCHLAND! DEUTSCHLAND! DEUTSCHLAND! *pumps fists into the air*

Wir glauben an den vierten Stern!! DEUTSCHLAAAND!





Well... Not really. I'm definitely sure that we'll roflstomp our way past the group stage (can't wait to be the crap outta the yanks) and proceed at least toward the semi-final. From then on... meh.

[New Sideburn]

I confidently predict that one or two big teams will crash out in the group stage, these teams will hopefully be Spain and Holland and Big Mile will lift the World Cup and Australia hosts the 2022 World Cup instead of Qatar and Tim Cahill keeps playing until the age of 47

but I think that might be a long shot.

Realistically I have a good feeling we'll get two draws and a defeat, but that would definitely be punching above our weight. I'd settle for three respectable defeats in which we held our own.

Australian squad gets announced tomorrow. Whether prelimnary or the final 23, I can't recall.

[United Dependencies]

I don't know enough about the world football teams to make an educated statement. So I'm just going to be nationalistic and select America.

If I really did have to guess though, I'd bet it's either going to be Brazil or Spain.

[The Archregimancy]

I never thought I'd cheer against my own country in a sport, but since I don't want soccer catching on here, I hope we lose bad in the first round.

It's a bit late for that.

I'm not one of those fanatics who claim that soccer will ever 'catch on' in the United States to the level of more 'traditional' American sports - it likely won't - but compare the situation in 2014 to the situation when I first moved to the United States in 1981...

The NASL was collapsing, soccer was virtually invisible on television, when it appeared in print media at all it was largely so journalists could make fun of the sport, and I could only snatch glimpses of the 1982 World Cup on a small black and white television in North Carolina, mostly on a fuzzy PBS signal (though I think the final was on ABC?).

In 2014 Americans get saturation coverage of the World Cup across the ABC/ESPN network, NBC is broadcasting English Premiership matches, and an increasingly financially stable MLS has the third-highest attendances for a professional league in the US, behind only the NFL and MLB (granting that comparing MLS to the indoor arenas used for basketball and hockey is invidious).

There was no sudden conversion on the road to sporting Damascus; but comparing the position of the World Cup specifically and soccer generally in the US in 2014 to where it was in 1982.... It caught on well enough.

Arch, I was under the impression that viewtopic.php?f=20&t=247228&view=unread#unread would just take over as Fifa thread when the time comes around ?

Precedent's admittedly mixed for the World Cup itself, but we do typically have separate threads for major international sporting events, like the Olympics and Rugby [Union] World Cup. I thought one was warranted here given there'll be interest among people who don't typically post in the general football season thread.

[Blazedtown]

I never thought I'd cheer against my own country in a sport, but since I don't want soccer catching on here, I hope we lose bad in the first round.

It's a bit late for that.

I'm not one of those fanatics who claim that soccer will ever 'catch on' in the United States to the level of more 'traditional' American sports - it won't - but compare the situation in 2014 to the situation when I first moved to the United States in 1981...

The NASL was collapsing, soccer was virtually invisible on television, when it appeared in print media at all it was largely so journalists could make fun of the sport, and I could only snatch glimpses of the 1982 World Cup on a small black and white television in North Carolina, mostly on a fuzzy PBS signal (though I think the final was on ABC?).

In 2014 Americans get saturation coverage of the World Cup across the ABC/ESPN network, NBC is broadcasting English Premiership matches, and an increasingly financially stable MLS has the third-highest attendances for a professional league in the US, behind only the NFL and MLB (granting that comparing MLS to the indoor arenas used for basketball and hockey is invidious).

There was no sudden conversion on the road to sporting Damascus; but comparing the position of the World Cup specifically and soccer generally in the US in 2014 to where it was in 1982.... It caught on well enough.

Arch, I was under the impression that viewtopic.php?f=20&t=247228&view=unread#unread would just take over as Fifa thread when the time comes around ?

Precedent's admittedly mixed for the World Cup itself, but we do typically have separate threads for major international sporting events, like the Olympics and Rugby [Union] World Cup. I thought one was warranted here given there'll be interest among people who don't typically post in the general football season thread.

A trend I wish would reverse.

[United Dependencies]

I could only snatch glimpses of the 1982 World Cup on a small black and white television in North Carolina, mostly on a fuzzy PBS signal (though I think the final was on ABC?).

I didn't know you spent any time in my favorite state.

[United Dependencies]

A trend I wish would reverse.

Oh yawn, there's plenty of viewership to go around.

[New Sideburn]

A trend I wish would reverse.

If you hate football this much then maybe you should leave the thread rather than whining about how the sport unacceptably has supporters in the USA? Just a thought.

[Blazedtown]

A trend I wish would reverse.

If you hate football this much then maybe you should leave the thread rather than whining about how the sport unacceptably has supporters in the USA? Just a thought.

No, I love football. I dislike soccer. Real football is played with your hands for 5 second at a time. It seems like every time someone has a football thread you end up with at least ten references to handegg. If its okay for soccer fans to do it our threads, why can't we do it to yours?

[Saugeais]

Well we are off to a flying start.

It certainly isn't an NSG thread without someone getting mad over a small detail.

Blazed, I really hate to be the bearer of bad news but association football (Soccer) was invented well before American football, so the whole thing about which is more "real", I guess by your definition is 'which came first,' should be tossed by the wayside; and they both exist in the current dimension, so technically they are both "real". Second, rugby (also known as rugby football) is played with an egg-shaped ball and uses your hands as well, ever think of giving that sport a shot?

[New Sideburn]

If you hate football this much then maybe you should leave the thread rather than whining about how the sport unacceptably has supporters in the USA? Just a thought.

No, I love football. I dislike soccer. Real football is played with your hands for 5 second at a time. It seems like every time someone has a football thread you end up with at least ten references to handegg. If its okay for soccer fans to do it our threads, why can't we do it to yours?

When did I say it was alright in gridiron threads? It's ridiculously obnoxious no matter what.

[The Blaatschapen]

Not the thread for bickering about the name of a sport, folks.

[The Sarian]

Just 30 days to go now!

What are people's thoughts on the England squad for this World Cup?

Personally, I welcome the experience (Although it is more then likely only for three games) that the youngsters in the squad will gain, though I do have concerns about the lack of prominent senior players such as Ashley Cole.

The England defence, which was formally Cole - Terry - Cahill - Johnson, used to be extremely stable with three of the four players playing every week with each other, as such our defence was, in my humble opinion, our greatest asset. Now, not so much. And let's face it England supporters, we aren't the best attacking or best play making side in the world, so where will our quality come from?

[Agritum]

My heart goes for Italy, of course.

[The Sarian]

We made it to the semi's last time and because of that I have faith that the U.S. will win the world cup. It will be very hard but I hope we at least get to the semi's agan.

I think you may be getting confused, last year America went out in the Round of 16 to Ghana, alongside England who fell 4-1 to Germany. (Still hurting about that last one)

[Britcan]

I'm really quite pleased with the England squad this year. It's a relatively young group of players, but they've all earned their place on the team. I'm really hoping that we manage to make our way past Italy and Uruguay in the group as I reckon that we could do alright.

If When England go out I'll probably be cheering for Brazil to win over the likes of Germany or Spain.

[Starblaydia]

Personally, I welcome the experience (Although it is more then likely only for three games) that the youngsters in the squad will gain, though I do have concerns about the lack of prominent senior players such as Ashley Cole.

As Roy Hodgson said, do you take a player like Ashley Cole just for a substitute appearance here or there, or a hopefully-not-injury to Baines? No room for three left-backs in the squad, so why not take the best one and the give the big tournament experience to future best one? Just because the previous best one is still around, doesn't mean he has to go.

And let's face it England supporters, we aren't the best attacking or best play making side in the world, so where will our quality come from?

If Gerrard, Lallana, Rooney, Sterling and Sturridge can't find the keys to unlock a defence together, I'm not sure who can (save #DareToZlatan, maybe?)

[Respawn]

Australia v USA final, with a worldwide viewership of only 10 people. You heard it here first.

U-S-A! U-S-A! Woooooooooooo!

Okay seriously, the other three teams in Group G are all better than the US. But don't feel too bad. Australia is in a far worse situation. I'm just hoping we might be able to pull off a few upsets like in 2006.

Once Australia is out, my allegiances will shift to Russia.

[The Archregimancy]

Of interest to our American cousins...

Ghana's squad was announced overnight: http://www.theguardian.com/football/201 ... out-essien

The Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been selected in Ghana's 26-man squad for the World Cup finals. The squad will be cut to 23 at the start of June.

Asamoah Gyan, the former Sunderland striker, and Sulley Muntari, the former Portsmouth midfielder, are also set to appear in their third consecutive World Cup finals.

Richard Kingson, Isaac Vorsah and the former captain John Mensah – for whom there had been calls for a recall despite not having played for the national side for two years – all miss out.

Ghana's slim hopes of progressing from a difficult group that includes Germany, Portugal and the USA are likely to hinge on the trio of Essien, Gyan and Muntari, as well as Marseille's André Ayew. They will however make a small piece of history as Kwesi Appiah will become the first Ghanaian coach to lead his country at a World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey, Fatau Dauda, Stephen Adams

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom, Daniel Opare, Harrison Afful, Jeffrey Schullp, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Jerry Akaminko, Rashid Sumaila

Midfielders: Michael Essien, Rabiu Mohammed, Agyemang Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari, Albert Adomah, Wakasu Mubarak, Christian Atsu, David Accam, André Ayew, Afriyie Acquah

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan, Kevin Prince Boateng, Abdul Majeed Waris, Jordan Ayew