2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar - UEFA Qualifiers

[blue_hurricanger]

Gentlemen, we can keep complaining about Qatar (as some may remember also complaining about Brazil and Russia) and just get on with it eventually.

What were the complaints of Brazil and Russia at the time they held the World Cup event? I remembered Brazil was about crimes and a bit of poor safety in Rio but all agree it was just minor complaints overall. For Russia, something about LGBT+ feels unsafe in Russia and their treatment of LGBT+. Also, complaints from Ukrainian because of the annex of Crimea. See the trend here? That FIFA doesn't give a shit and will grant the chance to hold the World Cup to the not very upstanding countries because of money.

Or we can get on with it as we did all the others. Or boycott it altogether, for once?

Oh, we're going to get on with it but not without some reputation damage to FIFA. Weren't all the shit-talks about FIFA regarding the Qatar World Cup to bust people's bubble about FIFA like some sort of 'nice guy', upholding sportsmanship and international value? That they should stop sucking up to FIFA, being a goddamn bootlick next time someone starts their independent football league. Like The Super League, for example.

[PawGo]

Gentlemen, we can keep complaining about Qatar (as some may remember also complaining about Brazil and Russia) and just get on with it eventually. Or we can get on with it as we did all the others. Or boycott it altogether, for once?

I think the last big boycott of event like that was in 1980, for Olympic Games in Moscow, no? And the many Western countries which attended decided to use "Olympic flag" instead of their own.
And then (in lower scale, only 16 countries) in 1984, Los Angeles.

After that... money talks.

[buwaytress]

What were the complaints of Brazil and Russia at the time they held the World Cup event? I remembered Brazil was about crimes and a bit of poor safety in Rio but all agree it was just minor complaints overall. For Russia, something about LGBT+ feels unsafe in Russia and their treatment of LGBT+. Also, complaints from Ukrainian because of the annex of Crimea. See the trend here? That FIFA doesn't give a shit and will grant the chance to hold the World Cup to the not very upstanding countries because of money.

Like I said, some of us were making noise. You might want to look up what happened in Brazil in the sites where they built the stadiums, and what's happened to those stadiums today (since you mentioned the furore of what happened building Qatar sites). Construction of stadiums involving worker exploitation is far from new, I remember at least Russia and Brazil had the same complaints, perhaps we didn't have social media as crazy as it is today.

So yeah, if we ate all that cake up, why don't we just eat this cake too?

Take action, do something. Or don't do anything and get on with it.

I don't buy awareness. People, if they aren't aware by now, well, they're actively choosing to be ignorant.

After that... money talks.

Money's always talked. It talks louder now. And people hear a lot of white noise and virtue signal. Take action, do something, or don't and get on with it.

I want to watch football and so I drink the poisoned chalice.

[Boristhecat]

I don't know why everyone is so excited about the Netherlands. They are simply not in the same league as Spain, England, France or Germany. And you can't even compare them to CONMEBOL teams such as Argentina and Brazil. And overall, I don't think that UEFA teams are going to do well, because the tournament is taking place in Asia. I will be really surprised, if Netherlands manage to reach the semi-finals. They are placed in a relatively easier group, along with Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal. But the knockout phase is going to be hard.

Judging by the bookmakers' estimates, the Netherlands have approximately equal chances with Spain and Germany. The Netherlands are rated at 12.7 and Spain and Germany at 8.8 and 10.7. These are fairly close estimates, indicating that the Netherlands is in the group of favorites.
By the way, why do you think that European teams will perform badly at the World Cup? The Cup is formally held in Asia, but in fact it is a time zone in Europe. Therefore, I rather expect that Europe, as always, will dominate.

[Zackgeno96]

The bookmakers can get back to work after the past games of the past few days (including today's games). What to think of all the title favorites that all disappointed 1 for 1? England even came 4th in their group, but are still seen as the favorites to become world champions. Made it to the semi-finals in 2018, but I don't see that happening anytime soon this year. France has also disappointed, but we have seen in the past that it doesn't matter much to them. Also happened in 2018 and then they became world champions. And Belgium also lost again against a mediocre team from the Netherlands. Only Italy impressed, but they are not at the World Cup. Spain also lost 1-2 to Switzerland, so tell me who is still the favourite 

[Sithara007]

Judging by the bookmakers' estimates, the Netherlands have approximately equal chances with Spain and Germany. The Netherlands are rated at 12.7 and Spain and Germany at 8.8 and 10.7. These are fairly close estimates, indicating that the Netherlands is in the group of favorites.
By the way, why do you think that European teams will perform badly at the World Cup? The Cup is formally held in Asia, but in fact it is a time zone in Europe. Therefore, I rather expect that Europe, as always, will dominate.

I don't agree with this. Spain maybe the favorites from the UEFA region and Germany is also a quite strong side (although they have performed very poorly in the UEFA nations league). Netherlands is far behind when compared to these two teams.

I am just assuming that UEFA teams will find it hard to adjust to the climatic conditions in the middle-east. Last time, when the world cup was held in Asia (South Korea/Japan), it was Brazil who lifted the trophy. Another aspect is that none of the UEFA teams (not even Spain) seems to be in peak form right now. Brazil seems to be far ahead of all the other teams.

[doomloop]

Judging by the bookmakers' estimates, the Netherlands have approximately equal chances with Spain and Germany. The Netherlands are rated at 12.7 and Spain and Germany at 8.8 and 10.7. These are fairly close estimates, indicating that the Netherlands is in the group of favorites.
By the way, why do you think that European teams will perform badly at the World Cup? The Cup is formally held in Asia, but in fact it is a time zone in Europe. Therefore, I rather expect that Europe, as always, will dominate.

I don't agree with this. Spain maybe the favorites from the UEFA region and Germany is also a quite strong side (although they have performed very poorly in the UEFA nations league). Netherlands is far behind when compared to these two teams.

I am just assuming that UEFA teams will find it hard to adjust to the climatic conditions in the middle-east. Last time, when the world cup was held in Asia (South Korea/Japan), it was Brazil who lifted the trophy. Another aspect is that none of the UEFA teams (not even Spain) seems to be in peak form right now. Brazil seems to be far ahead of all the other teams.

World Cup 2022 which is going to be played in Qatar with climate change and Conditions are surely going to have impact on many teams specially from UEFA countries because they need time for adjustment, but they have no enough time for this just because of European soccer season is on peak, so this is also going against them with teams from Africa and South America both are in better shape just because of these conditions with right now most of the UEFA top teams are in development process which is surely another factor for having not good performance from them many are coming with youths and few are having issues which are not going to settle soon.
 
Argentina and Brazil are also having youths, but they are better prepared for this and can do good performance, which is also big factor for having title in their pocket this time.

[Juggy777]

Judging by the bookmakers' estimates, the Netherlands have approximately equal chances with Spain and Germany. The Netherlands are rated at 12.7 and Spain and Germany at 8.8 and 10.7. These are fairly close estimates, indicating that the Netherlands is in the group of favorites.
By the way, why do you think that European teams will perform badly at the World Cup? The Cup is formally held in Asia, but in fact it is a time zone in Europe. Therefore, I rather expect that Europe, as always, will dominate.

I don't agree with this. Spain maybe the favorites from the UEFA region and Germany is also a quite strong side (although they have performed very poorly in the UEFA nations league). Netherlands is far behind when compared to these two teams.

I am just assuming that UEFA teams will find it hard to adjust to the climatic conditions in the middle-east. Last time, when the world cup was held in Asia (South Korea/Japan), it was Brazil who lifted the trophy. Another aspect is that none of the UEFA teams (not even Spain) seems to be in peak form right now. Brazil seems to be far ahead of all the other teams.

World Cup 2022 which is going to be played in Qatar with climate change and Conditions are surely going to have impact on many teams specially from UEFA countries because they need time for adjustment, but they have no enough time for this just because of European soccer season is on peak, so this is also going against them with teams from Africa and South America both are in better shape just because of these conditions with right now most of the UEFA top teams are in development process which is surely another factor for having not good performance from them many are coming with youths and few are having issues which are not going to settle soon.
 
Argentina and Brazil are also having youths, but they are better prepared for this and can do good performance, which is also big factor for having title in their pocket this time.

I don’t expect Netherlands to be a favourite, even if the odds look decent I strongly feel that they’ll crash out without making it to the semis. Furthermore Brazil squad is covered exceptionally well in each and every department and I just don’t see any other team beating them, and thus if one can get decent odds on Brazil I feel that they should take their chances and stick with Brazil only during this tournament.

[nullama]

~snip~
I don’t expect Netherlands to be a favourite, even if the odds look decent I strongly feel that they’ll crash out without making it to the semis. Furthermore Brazil squad is covered exceptionally well in each and every department and I just don’t see any other team beating them, and thus if one can get decent odds on Brazil I feel that they should take their chances and stick with Brazil only during this tournament.

Yeah, absolutely right.

It's just a personal thought that I've always seen the Netherlands so close to winning, but never actually achieving it. I don't think they have a squad worth of winning, but you never know. Football is full of surprises, and that could be a nice one.

[Boristhecat]

Judging by the bookmakers' estimates, the Netherlands have approximately equal chances with Spain and Germany. The Netherlands are rated at 12.7 and Spain and Germany at 8.8 and 10.7. These are fairly close estimates, indicating that the Netherlands is in the group of favorites.
By the way, why do you think that European teams will perform badly at the World Cup? The Cup is formally held in Asia, but in fact it is a time zone in Europe. Therefore, I rather expect that Europe, as always, will dominate.

I don't agree with this. Spain maybe the favorites from the UEFA region and Germany is also a quite strong side (although they have performed very poorly in the UEFA nations league). Netherlands is far behind when compared to these two teams.

I am just assuming that UEFA teams will find it hard to adjust to the climatic conditions in the middle-east. Last time, when the world cup was held in Asia (South Korea/Japan), it was Brazil who lifted the trophy. Another aspect is that none of the UEFA teams (not even Spain) seems to be in peak form right now. Brazil seems to be far ahead of all the other teams.

If you are judging the shape of the teams by the games in the League of Nations, then most likely in vain. Firstly, no one takes them seriously (except for outsiders and teams that are left out of the main tournament like Italy). Secondly, even if these teams are not in shape now, what difference does it make? After all, it will only matter how fit they will be during the World Cup, which does not start tomorrow.
In terms of climate conditions, hasn't Qatar guaranteed that there will be some kind of super stadiums with fully air-conditioned throughout the stadium? I think I've heard something similar.

[SirLancelot]

~snip~
I don’t expect Netherlands to be a favourite, even if the odds look decent I strongly feel that they’ll crash out without making it to the semis. Furthermore Brazil squad is covered exceptionally well in each and every department and I just don’t see any other team beating them, and thus if one can get decent odds on Brazil I feel that they should take their chances and stick with Brazil only during this tournament.

Yeah, absolutely right.

It's just a personal thought that I've always seen the Netherlands so close to winning, but never actually achieving it. I don't think they have a squad worth of winning, but you never know. Football is full of surprises, and that could be a nice one.

As right now every one is going with his views and predictions any team can go through into this event at any level which is possibility and no one can doubt about this so as many are feeling Netherlands is not favorite team I am also agreed about this because they are having good quality but still not capable of having results which are required for become champions of the world and UEFA Nations Cup performance is not guaranteed for having better performance in this World Cup as well.

But, one thing is sure as we all know soccer world is full of surprises and shocking results so just because of this here any result is possible with any team can go through until end such as we have many times right now mostly peoples are talking about Brazil, France, England, Argentina and Spain but not sure whether these could be in last four any big upset can big shock to soccer world, and we can watch new teams in last four.

[beerlover]

~snip~
I don’t expect Netherlands to be a favourite, even if the odds look decent I strongly feel that they’ll crash out without making it to the semis. Furthermore Brazil squad is covered exceptionally well in each and every department and I just don’t see any other team beating them, and thus if one can get decent odds on Brazil I feel that they should take their chances and stick with Brazil only during this tournament.

Yeah, absolutely right.

It's just a personal thought that I've always seen the Netherlands so close to winning, but never actually achieving it. I don't think they have a squad worth of winning, but you never know. Football is full of surprises, and that could be a nice one.

You should sleep on Netherlands, they may not be looking like favorites here, but the reality is that they have a great path to be a good team for a while. First they have an easier group than most, then if they finish first then they will face the second of another group which could be a worse team again, and then they will face the team who beats the other one which is understandable and quarter finals would be harder but that's a good path to take, a few good lottery and you get yourself an easy way to go.

I believe that they are not the contenders right now but they are also not a horrible team neither that could end up in finals.

[nullama]

~snip~
You should sleep on Netherlands, they may not be looking like favorites here, but the reality is that they have a great path to be a good team for a while. First they have an easier group than most, then if they finish first then they will face the second of another group which could be a worse team again, and then they will face the team who beats the other one which is understandable and quarter finals would be harder but that's a good path to take, a few good lottery and you get yourself an easy way to go.

I believe that they are not the contenders right now but they are also not a horrible team neither that could end up in finals.

Yeah, that's kinda what I think might happen.

It's basically a strong team, that with a bit of luck in a couple of matches could actually end up winning the world cup.

If you compare it with weaker teams like Qatar for example, I don't think they would be able to win, even if they get lucky a couple of times.

[AndySt]

If you are judging the shape of the teams by the games in the League of Nations, then most likely in vain. Firstly, no one takes them seriously (except for outsiders and teams that are left out of the main tournament like Italy). Secondly, even if these teams are not in shape now, what difference does it make? After all, it will only matter how fit they will be during the World Cup, which does not start tomorrow. In terms of climate conditions, hasn't Qatar guaranteed that there will be some kind of super stadiums with fully air-conditioned throughout the stadium? I think I've heard something similar.

If teams from any continent have an advantage at the World Cup in Qatar, it is clearly not because of climatic conditions. I think that the organizers of the tournament will fulfill their promises and solve the issue of a comfortable temperature at football matches, especially since FIFA specifically decided to hold the tournament not at the usual time, but in another period precisely because of the temperature factor, when the temperature will no longer be so sizzling. As for the significance or non-significance for the top European teams of such a tournament as the UEFA Nations League, I would like to say the following that neither a single national team nor the players themselves will bring themselves to the peak of their physical form right now and will just try to do it a little later when the World Cup is held.

[Sithara007]

~~~
In terms of climate conditions, hasn't Qatar guaranteed that there will be some kind of super stadiums with fully air-conditioned throughout the stadium? I think I've heard something similar.

I know that the Qataris are swimming in wads of money after the LNG prices went up by 20x during recent times. But at the same time, the players might find themselves in unfamiliar territory with a lot of restrictions. They can't go out with their friends to have a couple of beers. They can't even bring their girlfriends to the tournament, because unmarried couples are not allowed in Qatar. And more importantly, although the stadiums may be air-conditioned, we can't expect the players to stay there for 100% of the time.

[nullama]

~snip~
I know that the Qataris are swimming in wads of money after the LNG prices went up by 20x during recent times. But at the same time, the players might find themselves in unfamiliar territory with a lot of restrictions. They can't go out with their friends to have a couple of beers. They can't even bring their girlfriends to the tournament, because unmarried couples are not allowed in Qatar. And more importantly, although the stadiums may be air-conditioned, we can't expect the players to stay there for 100% of the time.

Absolutely. I don't think it would be a nice place to live if you're not allowed to do most things that are considered normal in your own country.

And the penalties for these things are really harsh, years of imprisonment for drinking a beer in public.

[swogerino]

~snip~
I know that the Qataris are swimming in wads of money after the LNG prices went up by 20x during recent times. But at the same time, the players might find themselves in unfamiliar territory with a lot of restrictions. They can't go out with their friends to have a couple of beers. They can't even bring their girlfriends to the tournament, because unmarried couples are not allowed in Qatar. And more importantly, although the stadiums may be air-conditioned, we can't expect the players to stay there for 100% of the time.

Absolutely. I don't think it would be a nice place to live if you're not allowed to do most things that are considered normal in your own country.

And the penalties for these things are really harsh, years of imprisonment for drinking a beer in public.

That is nothing compared from what I have learned from a couple of friends who got there working for two years.They were treated like slaves in the true meaning of the word,yes they give you a lot of money compared to where my friends live but the treatment is really really bad.Nevertheless they have come back here with some decent amount of money and don't intend to go back there anymore.

Qatar is one of the countries which has some Islamic laws,not the Sharia,not that extreme but not far from it either so yeah punishment like those are normal there.Sometimes we,people that live in western based rule of law take things for granted but they are not so we must fight for them to keep it the way we have them.

[fathafraink]

Judging by the bookmakers' estimates, the Netherlands have approximately equal chances with Spain and Germany. The Netherlands are rated at 12.7 and Spain and Germany at 8.8 and 10.7. These are fairly close estimates, indicating that the Netherlands is in the group of favorites.
By the way, why do you think that European teams will perform badly at the World Cup? The Cup is formally held in Asia, but in fact it is a time zone in Europe. Therefore, I rather expect that Europe, as always, will dominate.

I don't agree with this. Spain maybe the favorites from the UEFA region and Germany is also a quite strong side (although they have performed very poorly in the UEFA nations league). Netherlands is far behind when compared to these two teams.

I am just assuming that UEFA teams will find it hard to adjust to the climatic conditions in the middle-east. Last time, when the world cup was held in Asia (South Korea/Japan), it was Brazil who lifted the trophy. Another aspect is that none of the UEFA teams (not even Spain) seems to be in peak form right now. Brazil seems to be far ahead of all the other teams.

World Cup 2022 which is going to be played in Qatar with climate change and Conditions are surely going to have impact on many teams specially from UEFA countries because they need time for adjustment, but they have no enough time for this just because of European soccer season is on peak, so this is also going against them with teams from Africa and South America both are in better shape just because of these conditions with right now most of the UEFA top teams are in development process which is surely another factor for having not good performance from them many are coming with youths and few are having issues which are not going to settle soon.
 
Argentina and Brazil are also having youths, but they are better prepared for this and can do good performance, which is also big factor for having title in their pocket this time.

I don't completely agree with this, Because winter in Qatar lasts for 3.1 months, from December 4 to March 8, with average daily highs below 26°C. The coldest month of the year in Doha is January, with an average low of 14°C and a high of 22°C. So this can benefit many countries competing for trophy.

[cryptofrka]

I don't completely agree with this, Because winter in Qatar lasts for 3.1 months, from December 4 to March 8, with average daily highs below 26°C. The coldest month of the year in Doha is January, with an average low of 14°C and a high of 22°C. So this can benefit many countries competing for trophy.

Great if this is true. I landed there last year in mid October and it was 34 degrees at 3 AM and was barely breathable while standing still. Even a thought of running is impossible in these circumstances.

I already made plans of betting on African teams early on due to the heat conditions, seems like that won't be the best approach after all.

[Sithara007]

That is nothing compared from what I have learned from a couple of friends who got there working for two years.They were treated like slaves in the true meaning of the word,yes they give you a lot of money compared to where my friends live but the treatment is really really bad.Nevertheless they have come back here with some decent amount of money and don't intend to go back there anymore.

Qatar is one of the countries which has some Islamic laws,not the Sharia,not that extreme but not far from it either so yeah punishment like those are normal there.Sometimes we,people that live in western based rule of law take things for granted but they are not so we must fight for them to keep it the way we have them.

Salaries are not that high. A typical blue collar worker earns in the vicinity of $500 per month, for a job that requires you to work 12-hours a day, and 6 days per week. One advantage is that most of the GCC nations doesn't have income tax and the local currencies are pegged to the US Dollar. So when the national currencies in their homeland gets devalued, these guys profit out of it. Similar jobs can get paid by 5-6 times more in the western nations. But then, for poor people from South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and South-east Asia, jobs in the GCC region represents one of the few available avenues to escape from poverty.