The 2018 FIFA World Cup

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I know a few French guys who think it’s hilarious how revered England’s WC win is amongst English fans, given that they’ve only won it once and that tournament was on their own soil. They don’t talk about it my presence anymore, ever since I pointed out to them how bemused I am at the French’s identical view of their own WC record (one win, on their own soil…) 😁

I’ll be on my way now, since it’s just dawned on me that I’m missing a match (Russia vs.Saudi Arabia). 😊 ⚽
 
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IWantGod said:
But…England never wins.
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Two signs that appeared in back to back home and away matches between England and West Germany in the 70’s. In Munich the banner read, "World Cups- Gemany 3, England 1". Back in London the following week a similar banner said, “World Wars- England 2, Germany nil”

Regardless, the Cross of St. George will be flying high atop our flag pole beginning this weekend. 🙂
 
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Doesn’t feel right without Italy. I think this is the first World Cup I have watched in my life without them. That has definitely dampened my enthusiasm; can’t deny it.

The England thing I’ve let go (it might be interesting to find out if England support could under certain circumstances actually count as penance), but as always I will try and watch all their games until they get knocked out, crying, red-faced, face down in the grass, if it is not too painful. I hope it is not a penalty shoot out.

France is on tomorrow, 3 am PST. I’ll be recording that one. Australia - that should not present too much difficulty.

Here we go!

Germany I assume is around, thank God.
 
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I’m surprised no one has mentioned the USA not qualifying to enter the tournament. I suggest the USA take this event a little more seriously. Otherwise it will be a big embarrassment hosting an event you don’t qualify to enter in 2026.
 
ProVobis said:
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the USA not qualifying to enter the tournament. I suggest the USA take this event a little more seriously. Otherwise it will be a big embarrassment hosting an event you don’t qualify to enter in 2026.
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I think the host nations qualify automatically .
 
They shouldn’t. Otherwise the whole event becomes a farce. There’s a reason why each of the 32 teams is in this tournament as each has showed they can be competitive. The USA has lost too many games in the trials to be there.
 
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No, I am sorry the USA did not qualify. I know about that; I should have mentioned it. I do follow their matches when they are in the World Cup, but the USA has so many other sports, I don’t really consider it a soccer country and we don’t really play at the top level; we readily admit that. So if it’s an international soccer tournament, I support countries that are more soccer oriented, such as Italy or Germany. I have done this for years, decades. That way I can usually get my team (or two) at least into the quarterfinals, possibly all the way. I approach the World Cup more like a horse race than a national event. It has worked pretty well. I feel like I’ve won the Cup like three or four times now. 🙂 This is just me of course - I don’t speak for USA team fans.
 
One of the things about the sport is that requires little to play it. It seems to be quite affordable for most countries. Just a ball basically. Many fields even have goal posts of some kind or you can design something temporary. No bats, no mitts, no big pads. I don’t know the history but it seems simple and quite entertaining. Constant movement.
 
Agreed. Easy to follow for fans too. Hockey is basically the same game with sticks and a puck. But it is just so fast, you can’t always see the puck or the goals as they happen. Soccer also has lots of emotion, drama, highs and lows, that is assuming it’s an exciting, open game. Was sorry to see Germany lose to Mexico, though I must say Mexico had the momentum; it was deserved. Fair is fair. Still I am kind of bummed about it. If Germany wants to get anywhere, they are going to have to show it. Really want it. The defending champion always loses.
 
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The thing is that if the host(s) do(es)n’t automatically participate, some (most?) World Cups would take place without the national squad of the host country or countries, which is a shame for the locals, particularly in countries that are still developing their domestic leagues. Also, from a financial standpoint, hosting carries a huge price tag. It’s a lot to ask from a nation that ultimately may not even get to field their own players during the competition. In fact, I wonder if many countries wouldn’t want to host if they weren’t guaranteed their national team would be included.

From a pure sporting perspective I completely agree with you. Huge events like this, however, aren’t 100% about sport. :woman_shrugging:t2: We could perhaps solve the issue by restricting hosting to countries that normally qualify, but (1) soccer/football is already well developed in those countries so it does nothing to propagate the sport in other markets, and (2) there could be a significant amount of local apathy or even hostility towards the event if the hosting nation ultimately fails to qualify.
 
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In about 13 minutes the new England squad will face off against Tunisia. One of the big storylines has been whether they will have put the past behind them and win, win, win.
 
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