World Cup 2018 General Discussion

Favourite World Cup Player: Pirlo
Favourite World Cup Team: Italy 2006
Favourite World Cup Goal: Lahm vs Costa Rica 2006
Favourite World Cup Tournament: 2006
Favourite World Cup Moment: Landon Donovan goal vs. Algeria.

Interesting how most people's favourite tournament is 2006

I was too young to really remember '94 or 98. I watched only part of 2002 as well. 2006 was the first one I watched all the way through and really paid close attention to. And those knockout rounds were all awesome.

RealGunner wrote:Interesting how most people's favourite tournament is 2006

Mine is 2002. That Brazil team was something mythical for 9 year old me.

RealGunner wrote:Interesting how most people's favourite tournament is 2006

It was a great tournament and IMO 98 was the best one before that in my life time and I imagine most here was too young to really appreciate it.

At this point, I'm just stealing shit from Reddit.

A graphic of all the players at WC 2018 who are not playing for their countries of birth.



So basically, Japan are my 2nd team after Nigeria now. American-born player, American-coached system. I have 0 expectations though.

Sisto only one not born in Denmark and he moved here when he was two months old

Actually surprised no one else were born other countries. Guess Schmeichel was before Peter moved out country.

Someone needs to let Morocco know they can pick players from Morocco too

France producing footballers like crazy, No idea Higuain was born in France wow.

Morocco are definitely dark horses this tournament

of course im not suggesting they'll win it but they have a decent team, gonna cause some problems

Morocco and Tunisia are French horses imo not dark horses.

Same Mc, Supporting Japan for the Asian pride.

Konichiwa ffs

Favourite World Cup Player: Ronaldo
Favourite World Cup Team: Brazil 2002
Favourite World Cup Goal: Owen vs Argentina 98
Favourite World Cup Tournament: 2014
Favourite World Cup Moment: Suarez biting Chiellini/Zidane headbutt

Nishankly wrote:France producing footballers like crazy, No idea Higuain was born in France wow.

Gonzalo is Argentine through and through

Simply being born there doesnt mean he's French. He doesnt speak any French btw.

RealGunner wrote:Interesting how most people's favourite tournament is 2006

I'm surprised just me wrote France '98

best tournament ever IMO

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

RealGunner wrote:Interesting how most people's favourite tournament is 2006

It was a great tournament and IMO 98 was the best one before that in my life time and I imagine most here was too young to really appreciate it.

Yes. it was my first tournament too but I don't think to overrate it for this reason.
Tbh I remember still every match and the talent on every team is unreal

McLewis wrote:I watched only part of 2002 as well. 2006 was the first one I watched all the way through and really paid close attention to. And those knockout rounds were all awesome.

Same. Although i watched the 2002 WC right through(the WC which made me support Italy), i paid more attention to detail while watching world cup 2006.

Italy-Germany and France-Brazil were the standout games of the tournament. The way Zidane dominated Brazil was just, uffff

98 was great. My second favorite. 2006 memories of winning it are just too much for it not to be my favorite, while the tournament itself was just as good. 06 basically every big team played well and put in a strong tournament, great football.

I'm still a fan of Croatia because of 98 (first world cup I remember, was too young for 94). Them destroying Germany and wearing the GOAT jerseys.

On the other hand the final was France-Brazil after France beat us in penalties and knocked out Croatia, and Brazil is Brazil, so young me was pretty pissed about that final, wanted both to lose.

For people that were posting about the timing of announcing Lopetegui for Madrid and its effects on Spain NT. The federation is pissed and will hold a press conference soon apparently. From Marca (and every other spanish site):

http://www.marca.com/futbol/seleccion/2018/06/13/5b204ecdca47416d6f8b464e.html

Lopetegui's future hangs by a thread

The events are happening with a vertiginous pace since just after 5 in the afternoon the agreement between Real Madrid and the main responsible of the Spanish bench. So much so that by 10:30 tonight (Spanish time) no one in the federation dared to ensure that Lopetegui would seat on the bench in Socchi vs Portugal.

Luis Rubiales feels betrayed by the coach and his anger grows with the hours. On his arrival in Krasnodar his mood fueled him to fire the coach, but some of the members of the federation tried to calm a wounded president for what he considered a lack of tact from the coach.

He said it as he arrived to the residence in Krasnodar that serves as the refuge for the team. "Its not the time to speak, but we will make the decision that is best for the team. We will be responsible in how we do things." said an angry and confused Rubiales.

Some of the more trusted men of the president tried to calm him and asked for sobriety at the end of day that will be remembered in the history of the world cup, but the may end in nothing in the case of a possible and rushed goobye to the coach. Happens what happnes, the trust seems broken.

Spain have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui a day before the World Cup.

It comes just days after it was revealed he would take over at Real Madrid next season.


The 51-year-old has been appointed at the Bernabeu following the shock resignation of Zinedine Zidane - a move which reportedly left Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales feeling "betrayed".

Rubiales said: "We want to thank Julen for all he's done and he's a big reason behind us being in Russia, but we feel obliged to dispense with his services.

"The negotiation occurred without the RFEF having any information. (We were told) just five minutes before the press release. We have a way of behaving that needs to be adhered to.

"There has to be a message to all RFEF employees and there are ways of behaving that you need to abide b

FIFA has announced the United States, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 World Cup.

that means the USA has held a world cup more times than england and they dont even call it football ffs. unreal.

England don't need the World Cup. It's expensive to host and we don't have issues attracting people to play the sport (not at the moment, in any case).

Makes more sense to host it in places where football isn't as developed, so long as a) they can afford it without screwing their economy and b) the stadia doesn't go to waste afterwards.

By the time India host something relevant, i'd have become an old fart like Unique stalking Man United fans on online forums

S wrote:By the time India host something relevant, i'd have become an old fart like Unique stalking Man United fans on online forums

well your half way there now. you just need to get a few years older. would be funny though.

few of lads on the way to a world cup match in india

Unique wrote:

S wrote:By the time India host something relevant, i'd have become an old fart like Unique stalking Man United fans on online forums

well your half way there now. you just need to get a few years older. would be funny though.

few of lads on the way to a world cup match in india

We've already hosted the commonwealth games you numpty

Probably will take another 20 years to secure an Olympics bid or even a football world cup bid tho(if there's a chance)

Made our bet on WC with friends last night, today starting to get properly excited. Just once in four years, the greatest sporting event in the world. Will be watching Russia v Saudi Arabia like it's Millwall v West Ham.

Can VAR finally end Ramos' reign of terror?

http://www.goal.com/en/news/can-var-finally-end-sergio-ramos-reign-of-terror/1ng8nvwbcp5ib12q2q3klgvrao