The Official FIFA World Cup 2022 Megathread

[Jack Regan]

This second half has been execrable.

Excuse me, camera guy, we're not getting enough of this

The large swathes of empty seats on display would suggest they've likely all left.

 

[The Bear]

Can't beleiev the bookies had Ecuador at 6/5 before the game.

I fancy Iran to beat them too.

 

[Tony Towner]

Can't beleiev the bookies had Ecuador at 6/5 before the game.

I fancy Iran to beat them too.

Bet you however much you want they don't

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Not sure I agree that Ecuador aren't very good. Took points off Argentina and Brazil in qualifying, they'll give England a game in the knockout stages, could beat them.

Depends on Senegal I guess.

 

[Alan]

Senegal sans-Mane, to boot.

 

[WsWolf]

Depends on Senegal I guess.

They'll beat Senegal.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

As Alan says, it depends on whether Senegal can plug the huge squad hole caused by the Mane injury. I'm dubious about their ability to do so but will give them the benefit of the doubt until I see them against the Dutch tomorrow.

 

[Del Woppio]

Those maroon shirted 'ultras'...anybody getting quite an uncomfortable feeling that they've been basically directed to behave like that? They just showed a wide angle of that stand and there was empty seats all over the place apart from that central section

 

[Donegal Wolf]

All this dissing of a Nation only 1 place below Rep Ireland in the rankings...

Which probably says a lot, can't argue with facts....
To back up Alan a tad, Ireland played Qatar in March last year which ended 1-1 and they seemed a competent well set up side
Played them again in October and they were fucking awful losing 4-0

 

[Mel Evo]

Commentator just said there’s 6,000 registered footballers in Qatar now. Got to say it’s shame none seemed to be available given the importance of the match.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Those maroon shirted 'ultras'...anybody getting quite an uncomfortable feeling that they've been basically directed to behave like that? They just showed a wide angle of that stand and there was empty seats all over the place apart from that central section

I think Dion is getting a brown envelope to mention how amazing the Qatar ultras are every 90 seconds

 

[Alan]

As Alan says, it depends on whether Senegal can plug the huge squad hole caused by the Mane injury. I'm dubious about their ability to do so but will give them the benefit of the doubt until I see them against the Dutch tomorrow.

Senegal can field the best midfield in Africa, IMO, so they won't lie down, but losing Mane would be massive for most nations.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It's been massive for Liverpool to be fair

 

[EdgeOfTheAlps]

Those maroon shirted 'ultras'...anybody getting quite an uncomfortable feeling that they've been basically directed to behave like that? They just showed a wide angle of that stand and there was empty seats all over the place apart from that central section

German comms says "organised" i.e. paid for

 

[EpsomWolf]

I think Dion is getting a brown envelope to mention how amazing the Qatar ultras are every 90 seconds

I think it’s just something he defaults to when he’s about to start laughing.

 

[Alan]

German comms says "organised" i.e. paid for

I think we all know that that isn't a given

 

[The Bear]

Bet you however much you want they don't

Gah don't know why I said Iran, I meant Senegal.

 

[sycophantia]

I think Dion is getting a brown envelope to mention how amazing the Qatar ultras are every 90 seconds

I really like Dion, liked him as a player and he's got a nice personality but God he's a terrible pundit.

 

[Johnny75]

I think we all know that that isn't a given

It's been well reported they've paid fans.

I found the empty seats hilarious. This WC is going to bomb for FIFA and the Qataris and it's car crash TV.

 

[Alan]

It's been well reported they've paid fans.

I found the empty seats hilarious. This WC is going to bomb for FIFA and the Qataris and it's car crash TV.

Was a bad reference about the unpaid work that has gone into setting up the tournament.

If you told me those "fans" were being "paid" in something other than money, I'd absolutely believe it.