The Official FIFA World Cup 2022 Megathread

[Alan]

Who else was close? One time World Cup semi-finalists Cuba?

Tbf Costa Rica were in the semis not long ago.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Tbf Costa Rica were in the semis not long ago.

Quarters.

Your own countrymen are the only CONCACAF team to ever reach a semi. In 1930 when 13 teams entered...

Cuba made the quarters in 1938 and lost 8-0 to Sweden.

 

[Alan]

Quarters.

Your own countrymen are the only CONCACAF team to ever reach a semi. In 1930 when 13 teams entered...

Was it? I remember it being a bigger deal than that. Ah well.

 

[BillyDee]

when 13 teams entered...

Hardly any decent European ones...

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Wonder why Concacaf gets four slots and Oceania gets none? I mean Tahiti are shit but it would be quite the away day if they could get on the world stage.

 

[Alan]

Wonder why Concacaf gets four slots and Oceania gets none? I mean Tahiti are shit but it would be quite the away day if they could get on the world stage.

Oceania getting less than one spot is a crime. I don’t care how shit New Zealand, Guam, and Tahiti are.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Was it? I remember it being a bigger deal than that. Ah well.

Quarters in 2014.

3-1 vs Uruguay
1-0 vs Italy
0-0 vs England
1-1 vs Greece, won on pens
0-0 vs Netherlands, lost on pens

A great but very dull effort.

Made the second round in 1990 too after beating Scotland in the group stage.

 

[Jinky]

Despite how terrible Costa Rica are, Spain are knocking it around very nicely.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Despite how terrible Costa Rica are, Spain are knocking it around very nicely.

Missed off your obligatory "could cause England problems" Jinks!

(We can't possibly get anyone from groups E-H until the semis)

 

[James]

Yeah but there's 48 teams, because FIFA

I bet the Americans/ Canadians/ Mexicans are really looking forward to (insert lower uefa side) vs (lower asia/ oceania) side in a 60,000 seat stadium.

 

[Alan]

I bet the Americans/ Canadians/ Mexicans are really looking forward to (insert lower uefa side) vs (lower asia/ oceania) side in a 60,000 seat stadium.

You bet your fucking tits we are.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

They probably will tbf. It's a World Cup. If it's not based in a fucking desert then people will go.

It does however make the tournament structure a complete mess.

 

[YoungWolf]

What have they decided - 16 groups of 3 (top two going through) and then a last 32?

 

[Langers]

What have they decided - 16 groups of 3 (top two going through) and then a last 32?

Think so.

Which will cause all kinds of possible permutations with teams not attacking each other if a draw sends them both through.

 

[sycophantia]

Costa Rica the worst team so far?

 

[Alan]

Obviously Costa Rica aren’t putting up much fight, but these Spaniards are just absurd footballers. They’ll make better sides than CRC look just as bad.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

What have they decided - 16 groups of 3 (top two going through) and then a last 32?

Yep.

So welcome to a load of 0-0s early on.

24 doesn't work properly, 48 doesn't work properly. It's basic maths if nothing else. Just stop it.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Costa Rica the worst team so far?

Qatar, easily. Although arguably they shouldn't count.

Walsall would beat Qatar 100 times out of 100.

 

[Langers]

Costa Rica the worst team so far?

Them or Qatar.

Wouldn't like to see them play each other. Would be like that infamous game at Molineux v Rotherham under Lambert.

 

[Del Woppio]

I've been really surprised at the massive number of empty seats that the organisers have allowed. I'd expected them to 'encourage' locals to go to make sure the grounds are full