2018 FIFA World Cup Megathread

[Fartsniffage]

Cheeky Spaniard...

[Nazis in Space]

So, after the press conference, the Spanish team visited an orphanage in Russia.
"It's heartbreaking to see their little faces with no hope", said Vladimir, aged 6.

Honestly, it was funny in 2010, concerning England after the first two matches of EASY.

It already became stale in 2014, concerning Spain and/or England.

Now it's just...

... just stop, okay?

It really isn't funny, or witty, or, well, anything of value by this point.

[Ethel mermania]

So, after the press conference, the Spanish team visited an orphanage in Russia.
"It's heartbreaking to see their little faces with no hope", said Vladimir, aged 6.

That's a cold sheepie, attacking my team.

[The Blaatschapen]

So, after the press conference, the Spanish team visited an orphanage in Russia.
"It's heartbreaking to see their little faces with no hope", said Vladimir, aged 6.

Honestly, it was funny in 2010, concerning England after the first two matches of EASY.

It already became stale in 2014, concerning Spain and/or England.

Now it's just...

... just stop, okay?

It really isn't funny, or witty, or, well, anything of value by this point.

Awww, feathers ruffled?

Maybe in 2030 when a country that is up to standards will host, that it might stop.

[MERIZoC]

Super glad we're hosting in 2026 but fuck me, we got a raw deal. 60 games in the states and only 10 in Canada and Mexico each, what a fucking joke. We've got the infrastructure in multiple cities, no reason we shouldn't host more.

[Yaana Noore]

This expansion from 32 to 48 teams is ridiculous. The quality is going to be terrible in future World Cups just like the Euros.

[Bombadil]

Russia vs Saudi Arabia.. I guess I hope it's 1-1 both being own goals..

[Nazis in Space]

Russia vs Saudi Arabia.. I guess I hope it's 1-1 both being own goals..

Considering the raw quality of these two teams, there is a statistically significant chancs this will bappen.

[Bombadil]

Russia vs Saudi Arabia.. I guess I hope it's 1-1 both being own goals..

Considering the raw quality of these two teams, there is a statistically significant chancs this will bappen.

For me it's almost a perfect symbol of FIFA.. two repressed, corrupt and shitty football nations opening the tournament. I'm bugged 2026 is in the US again after just 16 years as well.

This is the first WC that I'm not that excited by, of course I'll watch a lot of games and I suspect there might be some great football, I'm just not excited by it.

[Shofercia]

Russia vs Saudi Arabia.. I guess I hope it's 1-1 both being own goals..

Yes, you've made your dislike for both teams quite evident in this thread, it's as if they personally sodomized your kitten... repeatedly.

[Bombadil]

Russia vs Saudi Arabia.. I guess I hope it's 1-1 both being own goals..

Yes, you've made your dislike for both teams quite evident in this thread, it's as if they personally sodomized your kitten... repeatedly.

They did.

Yet really.. they're the two weakest teams in the whole tournament, though to be fair I expect Russia to make it out the group.. it's just not a great opening to a World Cup. The last was a good 3-1 between Brazil and Croatia and even South Africa was SA - Mexico and also a good match.

God knows Qatar-China in 2026 will be equally as tedious.

[Shofercia]

Yes, you've made your dislike for both teams quite evident in this thread, it's as if they personally sodomized your kitten... repeatedly.

They did.

Yet really.. they're the two weakest teams in the whole tournament, though to be fair I expect Russia to make it out the group.. it's just not a great opening to a World Cup. The last was a good 3-1 between Brazil and Croatia and even South Africa was SA - Mexico and also a good match.

God knows Qatar-China in 2026 will be equally as tedious.

I, for one, disrespectfully disagree. I am going to enjoy the opening game

(And China kicking Qatar's butt as well )

[Bombadil]

They did.

Yet really.. they're the two weakest teams in the whole tournament, though to be fair I expect Russia to make it out the group.. it's just not a great opening to a World Cup. The last was a good 3-1 between Brazil and Croatia and even South Africa was SA - Mexico and also a good match.

God knows Qatar-China in 2026 will be equally as tedious.

I, for one, disrespectfully disagree. I am going to enjoy the opening game

(And China kicking Qatar's butt as well )

According to the FT it's not the worst ever match given rankings, that was NZ-Slovakia in 2010. It is the second worst though.

[Shofercia]

I, for one, disrespectfully disagree. I am going to enjoy the opening game

(And China kicking Qatar's butt as well )

According to the FT it's not the worst ever match given rankings, that was NZ-Slovakia in 2010. It is the second worst though.

Was Liverpool the second best ranked team? Nope. They still made the Champions Cup. Life's not just about rankings and numbers.

[Starblaydia]

According to the FT it's not the worst ever match given rankings, that was NZ-Slovakia in 2010. It is the second worst though.

Was Liverpool the second best ranked team? Nope. They still made the Champions Cup. Life's not just about rankings and numbers.

Life is about managing to make it to one of the premier matches of the World Cup and stepping on the ball, falling over and watching your low power excuse for a shot roll wide for a corner.

World Cup dreams...

[Bombadil]

According to the FT it's not the worst ever match given rankings, that was NZ-Slovakia in 2010. It is the second worst though.

Was Liverpool the second best ranked team? Nope. They still made the Champions Cup. Life's not just about rankings and numbers.

Liverpool is ranked the 22nd best team in Europe, Russia is akin to Real Sociedad in 70th..

La Real's performance in UEFA in their 110 year history:

UEFA club competition honours (runners-up in brackets)
• None

I say this but then I look at FIFA rankings and Iceland is 22nd.. Iceland.. by this analogy we have a Germany-Iceland final beckoning..

[Bombadil]

Ladies and Gentlemen.. may I present the official animal predictor for this World Cup.. Achilles the Cat, who's picked Russia for the first game after a large bag of catnip was surreptitiously deposited in his cat cage.

https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/cat-offic ... d=55864141

[Idzequitch]

Well. Today's the big day, eh? That is, if you can muster up the strength to call the opener big, despite the matchup presented. Don't much care who wins this one. I try not to let political views get in the way of who I cheer for, but these are two of the harder ones to ignore on that front.

[Starblaydia]

I'm expecting the Saudis to put up a decent attempt at a fight, with Russia winning on a surge of Home support and a dodgy referee decision on their side here or there.

[Wopruthien]

It has to be one of the weakest opening games in the World Cup. I'm glad it's starting, but what a boring game it will most likely be.

[Yaana Noore]

Russia to win 1-0 in a boring, low-entertainment affair. Such a weak opening game.

[Val Halla]

more people think England will win than Belgium? Jeez

[Cryogre]

I just want Ireland to win because I'm Irish

[The Blaatschapen]

I just want Ireland to win because I'm Irish

Not going to happen

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

NA bid won, I'm pissed about it.

Get your money sucking riot inducing bullshit out of my country and continent.