Might as well get this thread started. Here's how the groups ended up after the draw:
2022 FIFA World Cup Thread
TV schedule for U.S. group stage matches:
-November 21st, 2:00 PM ET, FOX: vs. European qualifier
-November 25th, 2:00 PM ET, FOX: vs. England
-November 29th, 2:00 PM ET, FOX: vs. Iran
-November 21st, 2:00 PM ET, FOX: vs. European qualifier
-November 25th, 2:00 PM ET, FOX: vs. England
-November 29th, 2:00 PM ET, FOX: vs. Iran
Some sad news involving Netherlands manager Louis Van Gaal who announced earlier today that he is battling prostate cancer but says he plans to carry on in his current role: https://www.espn.com/soccer/netherl...an-gaal-confirms-hes-battling-prostate-cancer
Thanks for posting all this
The European qualifier will be Wales, Ukraine, or Scotland.
Scotland was supposed to play Ukraine last week but the game got postponed to June 7th because of the war. The winner of that game goes on to play Wales.
As a USMNT fan, I really want Scotland to win. It would be a major upset, as they are significantly worse than Wales or Ukraine.
But as a general fan of the sport, it would be a shame to see Gareth Bale never play in the World Cup. Wales hasn't qualified since 1958. Maybe Wales will qualify, and the US and Wales knock England out. That would be fun.
Scotland was supposed to play Ukraine last week but the game got postponed to June 7th because of the war. The winner of that game goes on to play Wales.
As a USMNT fan, I really want Scotland to win. It would be a major upset, as they are significantly worse than Wales or Ukraine.
But as a general fan of the sport, it would be a shame to see Gareth Bale never play in the World Cup. Wales hasn't qualified since 1958. Maybe Wales will qualify, and the US and Wales knock England out. That would be fun.
Good points on Scotland and Wales, but I gotta root for Ukraine for the obvious reasons. Then I'll root for them to make it out of the group along with the US and root for them in every game they're not playing the US.
When was the last time Italy didn't qualify? As a novice soccer follower, that seems like Duke missing NCAA tournament.
1958. Definitely a huge upset, but European qualifying can get very tricky. The US missing last World Cup was a bigger shock IMO.
Italy didn't qualify for 2018. This is the 2nd consecutive World Cup they will miss.
And I posted a couple other interesting stats regarding that previously so just to repeat:
-Italy has not played a knockout round matchup in the World Cup since the 2006 final when they defeated France on PKs.
-Jorginho has never played in a World Cup. He'll be 34 by the next time the World Cup takes place.
Ronald Koeman returning to take over for Louis van Gaal as the Netherlands manager after the World Cup.
Ukraine-Scotland match date in Glasgow has been set. Match will be played June 1 with the winner facing Wales in Cardiff on June 5.
Ryan Giggs has officially stepped down as Wales manager, citing not wanting to be a distraction to the team during their World Cup prep.
Giggs has pleaded not guilty to assault and controlling and coercive behavior charges levied against him. His trial is set to start August 8th.
Giggs has pleaded not guilty to assault and controlling and coercive behavior charges levied against him. His trial is set to start August 8th.
USMNT to face Japan and Saudi Arabia in pre-World Cup warmup matches. Both matches will be played in Europe. U.S. will face Japan on September 23rd at a site TBD. They will face Saudi Arabia on September 27th in Murcia, Spain.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
I love the World Cup. November feels like eons from now.
On the plus side, Bundesliga and Premier League both start Friday so you have that to tide you over for the next few months.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
For some reason club soccer has never done much for me. I know the quality of play is probably better since the teams have much longer to practice and gel, but I just don't feel a connection to it the same way as I do to the international competitions.
Maybe I'll give it more of a watch this fall and see if anything grabs my interest.
You should. Bundesliga is on ESPN+ mostly with a few games here and there on one of the regular ESPN channels. La Liga is also on ESPN+. Premier League is over the air on NBC or USA Network (maybe sometimes CNBC) with the rest being on Peacock. Serie A is on Paramount+.
World Cup now set to start on Sunday, November 20th after Qatar requested and FIFA granted having the opening match vs. Ecuador moved up a day. The match will air at 10:00 AM CT. The match had previously scheduled been for the opening day of matches on November 21st but it would have been the 3rd match played that day and the opening ceremony wouldn't have been as prominent. The Senegal-Netherlands match will now be played at 10:00 AM CT on November 21st. The other two matches on November 21st (England-Iran, USA-Wales) will not have their start times changed.
Some of the USMNT players have confirmed that these will be the new kits and their reaction to it has been that they hate them.
The crest looks really clunky in the middle like that
Wow… lol. Good Lord, can we pick a look?