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.