⚽ FIFA World Cup 2022: Tournament Discussion Thread for Qatar 2022

[Juggy777]

Which teams have a talented squad that are capable of getting to the final? England, France, Belgium, Italy... is that it?

Last time, the world cup was hosted by Europe and the European countries performed better. But I have a feeling that this time it may be the turn of South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil. Anyone who had watched the recently concluded Copa America tournament would agree with me. On the other hand, the major European teams (France, Belgium, Germany.etc) couldn't perform as expected in the EURO 2021. Italy and Spain managed to reach the semi-finals and among them Italy became the champions. But still, I noticed a lot of weaknesses.

@Sithara007 while Argentina and Brazil are good, but Italy seems to be the superior team and so is England and on their day they can beat Argentina and Brazil. Furthermore Belgium has lots of talent, but they just need to utilise it well and they can go on to become the best team at the World Cup.

[bryant.coleman]

@Sithara007 while Argentina and Brazil are good, but Italy seems to be the superior team and so is England and on their day they can beat Argentina and Brazil. Furthermore Belgium has lots of talent, but they just need to utilise it well and they can go on to become the best team at the World Cup.

During the 2018 world cup (which was hosted by Russia), the non-European teams struggled to get adjusted to the weather conditions and this gave an advantage to the European teams. For the 2022 World Cup, the situation will be reversed, and the European teams will be on backfoot this time. Italy's performance in Euro 2020 was not flawless. Even for the final match, they were not the favorites to win. England had better odds. On top of that, all the Latin American teams performed well during this year's Copa America. I would say the odds are higher that champions for 2022 would be from South America.

[LUCKMCFLY]

@Sithara007 while Argentina and Brazil are good, but Italy seems to be the superior team and so is England and on their day they can beat Argentina and Brazil. Furthermore Belgium has lots of talent, but they just need to utilise it well and they can go on to become the best team at the World Cup.

During the 2018 world cup (which was hosted by Russia), the non-European teams struggled to get adjusted to the weather conditions and this gave an advantage to the European teams. For the 2022 World Cup, the situation will be reversed, and the European teams will be on backfoot this time. Italy's performance in Euro 2020 was not flawless. Even for the final match, they were not the favorites to win. England had better odds. On top of that, all the Latin American teams performed well during this year's Copa America. I would say the odds are higher that champions for 2022 would be from South America.

I´m in agreement with you, really the football in Europe is much superior, but taking into account the level of the South American teams is enormous, the South American qualifiers are always mostly resolved in the last dates, of course with the exception of Brazil and Argentina which are the countries that really insure the majority from the first dates.

Although the 5th place in the playoffs is always very fought when he plays with a team from Oceania, in the Americas Conmebol is always the most fought.

[Sithara007]

@Sithara007 while Argentina and Brazil are good, but Italy seems to be the superior team and so is England and on their day they can beat Argentina and Brazil. Furthermore Belgium has lots of talent, but they just need to utilise it well and they can go on to become the best team at the World Cup.

One thing I have noticed about Argentina and Brazil is that their team cohesion and coordination is very good. The same can be said, to an extent about Italy. But most of the other European teams don't have good team coordination. Their players tend to be more selfish, trying to score the goal by themselves rather than the ball around. Two examples that come to my mind are Paul Pogba of France and Romelu Lukaku of Belgium. These teams tend to be centered around one or two players, and that is not the case with South American teams.

[uneng]

A team that I always wanted to see reaching further in world cup is Japan. The players don't have individual excellent skills like speed and dodge, but in group they actually make a good job with very technical programmed strategies that sometimes overcome more skilled teams, what is very entertaining. Last time they faced a much superior team that was Belgium and still offered a decent challenge to the opponent, although they lost (3-2).
I felt bad for them. They tried so hard and it wasn't sufficient yet. I hope next year they are able to reach at least a step further, that is the quarter finals.

[bryant.coleman]

A team that I always wanted to see reaching further in world cup is Japan. The players don't have individual excellent skills like speed and dodge, but in group they actually make a good job with very technical programmed strategies that sometimes overcome more skilled teams, what is very entertaining. Last time they faced a much superior team that was Belgium and still offered a decent challenge to the opponent, although they lost (3-2).
I felt bad for them. They tried so hard and it wasn't sufficient yet. I hope next year they are able to reach at least a step further, that is the quarter finals.

Asian teams have historically performed poorly in the FIFA world cup. I hope that this time it will be different, as the tournament takes place in Asia (Qatar to be precise). Japan is one of the stronger Asian teams (along with Iran, Australia and South Korea). And they have performed really well in the qualifier tournament (won all the 8 matches in the preliminary round). The next round of the qualifier is yet to start, but it looks like Japan is having good chances of qualifying. They are placed along with Australia, Saudi Arabia and China. If there are no upsets, then they should qualify.

[masulum]

Asian teams have historically performed poorly in the FIFA world cup. I hope that this time it will be different, as the tournament takes place in Asia (Qatar to be precise). Japan is one of the stronger Asian teams (along with Iran, Australia and South Korea). And they have performed really well in the qualifier tournament (won all the 8 matches in the preliminary round). The next round of the qualifier is yet to start, but it looks like Japan is having good chances of qualifying. They are placed along with Australia, Saudi Arabia and China. If there are no upsets, then they should qualify.

Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, are Asian clubs that very often qualify for the World Cup, I think, these 4 clubs will undoubtedly represent Asia again. Japan, Australia and South Korea if they qualify for the group stage, I'm sure one ^{or more} of them will be able to reach the round of 16. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have a similar climate, maybe they can qualify from the group stage, but we also need to look at their opponents. However, the natural conditions in Qatar are also likely to have a major influence on players, just like when South Africa hosted the World Cup.

[snipie]

Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, are Asian clubs that very often qualify for the World Cup, I think, these 4 clubs will undoubtedly represent Asia again. Japan, Australia and South Korea if they qualify for the group stage, I'm sure one ^{or more} of them will be able to reach the round of 16. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have a similar climate, maybe they can qualify from the group stage, but we also need to look at their opponents. However, the natural conditions in Qatar are also likely to have a major influence on players, just like when South Africa hosted the World Cup.

Iran and Iraq could get a chance too to qualify, those teams fluctuate too much and you never know, besides, they are used to the same or worst climate than Qatar.
In fact, temperatures in Qatar in November is around 25°C = 77°F, way hotter +5-7°C comparing to South Africa. It will be an unpleasant experience for many countries. I read about a cooling system for stadium but outside will be another thing.

[ILuckyGuyI]

As Italy won the Euro 2020, all eyes have turned to the World Cup now. As you can remember, the qualification phase have already started. If we are to talk about European countries, they have already played 2 or 3 games. Some countries have started the phase really good.

Turkey are one of the teams which draw my attention instantly now. Because they were incredibly good in the first 3 games against teams like Netherlands, Norway and Latvia. And they are the leader in their group.

But interestingly, they had a really bad tournament in the Euro 2020. I wonder what the reason for the big decrease in their performance was.

Anyway, we're going to continue with the next group games on September 1. Let's wait and see what kind of results we'll get.

[Stalker22]

Anyway, we're going to continue with the next group games on September 1. Let's wait and see what kind of results we'll get.

Yes, there is still a long way to go before the FIFA World Cup qualifying resume. Fortunately, we have the Olympics to keep us occupied in the meantime.

[Sithara007]

Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, are Asian clubs that very often qualify for the World Cup, I think, these 4 clubs will undoubtedly represent Asia again. Japan, Australia and South Korea if they qualify for the group stage, I'm sure one ^{or more} of them will be able to reach the round of 16. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have a similar climate, maybe they can qualify from the group stage, but we also need to look at their opponents. However, the natural conditions in Qatar are also likely to have a major influence on players, just like when South Africa hosted the World Cup.

I don't think that the weather conditions may play a very large part. Maybe the European teams will find it hard to adjust, but for the Asian teams like Australia it is not going to be an issue. Japan is the top ranked Asian team as per FIFA (#28), followed by Iran at #31. The rankings have gone down in the recent times. For example, Japan once used to rank among the top-10. Even Iran used to rank among the top-20. Another team that has suffered a downfall is South Korea. They are ranked #39 now.   

[Ebede]

Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, are Asian clubs that very often qualify for the World Cup, I think, these 4 clubs will undoubtedly represent Asia again. Japan, Australia and South Korea if they qualify for the group stage, I'm sure one ^{or more} of them will be able to reach the round of 16. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have a similar climate, maybe they can qualify from the group stage, but we also need to look at their opponents. However, the natural conditions in Qatar are also likely to have a major influence on players, just like when South Africa hosted the World Cup.

I don't think that the weather conditions may play a very large part. Maybe the European teams will find it hard to adjust, but for the Asian teams like Australia it is not going to be an issue. Japan is the top ranked Asian team as per FIFA (#28), followed by Iran at #31. The rankings have gone down in the recent times. For example, Japan once used to rank among the top-10. Even Iran used to rank among the top-20. Another team that has suffered a downfall is South Korea. They are ranked #39 now.   

Despite the weather conditions at Russia during the last World Cup, Europeans didn't actually thrived a lot,and at the very end France Won though.
European Countries will still give in there best.
As well seeing the Assian Countries performance, they've got to up there game.
The last time an Assian side came Last four was 2002.
Hopefully Qatar 2022.

[JollyGood]

While we wait for the World Cup qualifying games to resume there are demonstration taking place in many Japanese cities including Tokyo asking for the Olympic games to be cancelled. The IOC has a lot at stake here in a financial sense but I would not surprised if the games were cancelled. The Japanese people simply do not want the games to go ahead because they fear it will bring new variants of COVID-19 to their country. Opposition to hosting the Olympic games in Japan seems to be increasing.

Anyway, we're going to continue with the next group games on September 1. Let's wait and see what kind of results we'll get.

Yes, there is still a long way to go before the FIFA World Cup qualifying resume. Fortunately, we have the Olympics to keep us occupied in the meantime.

[snipie]

While we wait for the World Cup qualifying games to resume there are demonstration taking place in many Japanese cities including Tokyo asking for the Olympic games to be cancelled. The IOC has a lot at stake here in a financial sense but I would not surprised if the games were cancelled. The Japanese people simply do not want the games to go ahead because they fear it will bring new variants of COVID-19 to their country. Opposition to hosting the Olympic games in Japan seems to be increasing.
-snip-

Olympic games aren't welcome by many Japanese due to pandemic but today they announced the first covid case in the games village without identifying him/her. There is also one Czech staff member tested positive and 14 linked to the games. Until now they will be able to control the anger of the public but if more cases appear then... source
Back to WC qualifying games, hopefully we will not see other variants emerging for real because enough is enough with "locked life features" in those years!

[Sithara007]

Despite the weather conditions at Russia during the last World Cup, Europeans didn't actually thrived a lot,and at the very end France Won though.
European Countries will still give in there best.
As well seeing the Assian Countries performance, they've got to up there game.
The last time an Assian side came Last four was 2002.
Hopefully Qatar 2022.

FIFA want more Asian teams in the world cup, and that is the reason why they are increasing the total number of participating teams from 32 to 48 from 2026 onward. Number of participating teams from the AFC will see an increase to 8 (from the current 4). Teams such as Iraq, China and the United Arab Emirates will have a better chance of qualifying for the 2026 tournament. But the big question is whether they can compete against the teams from Europe and Latin America. Asians in general are short-built, and that poses an issue while playing against teams from Europe, Latin America and Africa. The reason why Africa is having so few teams in the world cup is due to the fact that many of their best players opt to play for the European sides (best European players such as Lukaku, Pogba and Mbappé are of African descent).

[LUCKMCFLY]

quote author=Sithara007 link=topic=5326182.msg57486082#msg57486082 date=1626579676]

Despite the weather conditions at Russia during the last World Cup, Europeans didn't actually thrived a lot,and at the very end France Won though.
European Countries will still give in there best.
As well seeing the Assian Countries performance, they've got to up there game.
The last time an Assian side came Last four was 2002.
Hopefully Qatar 2022.

FIFA want more Asian teams in the world cup, and that is the reason why they are increasing the total number of participating teams from 32 to 48 from 2026 onward. Number of participating teams from the AFC will see an increase to 8 (from the current 4). Teams such as Iraq, China and the United Arab Emirates will have a better chance of qualifying for the 2026 tournament. But the big question is whether they can compete against the teams from Europe and Latin America. Asians in general are short-built, and that poses an issue while playing against teams from Europe, Latin America and Africa. The reason why Africa is having so few teams in the world cup is due to the fact that many of their best players opt to play for the European sides (best European players such as Lukaku, Pogba and Mbappé are of African descent).
[/quote]

I did not know that now FIFA wants 48 teams or nations to enter the World Cup, I hope it happens, the truth seems very good to me, because also the case of South America is the strongest soccer tie on the planet, the teams to qualify have to get in. The first 4, the 5 enters the repechage phase with Oceania, the truth must increase for both Asians and South Americans, most South American countries fight to the death for that position, normally the ones that immediately classify the most are Brazil and Argentina for its high level of football, in fact the only country in South America that has not been to the World Cup has been Venezuela that has never had such a privilege, in addition to that the show would last much longer and that translates into more football, which is not it's not bad at all.

[Sithara007]

I did not know that now FIFA wants 48 teams or nations to enter the World Cup, I hope it happens, the truth seems very good to me, because also the case of South America is the strongest soccer tie on the planet, the teams to qualify have to get in. The first 4, the 5 enters the repechage phase with Oceania, the truth must increase for both Asians and South Americans, most South American countries fight to the death for that position, normally the ones that immediately classify the most are Brazil and Argentina for its high level of football, in fact the only country in South America that has not been to the World Cup has been Venezuela that has never had such a privilege, in addition to that the show would last much longer and that translates into more football, which is not it's not bad at all.

I feel bad for teams such as Venezuela and Ecuador. They are very strong teams, and can easily defeat Asian teams such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. But unfortunately they belong to the strongest Confederation in football (CONMEBOL), and that makes it almost impossible for them to qualify for the world cup. And even for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA hasn't increased the number of teams from that Confederation in a big way. For 2022, they had 4.5 slots, and this has been increased to 6.5. For comparison, Asian teams have been increased from 4.5 to 8.

[Juggy777]

I did not know that now FIFA wants 48 teams or nations to enter the World Cup, I hope it happens, the truth seems very good to me, because also the case of South America is the strongest soccer tie on the planet, the teams to qualify have to get in. The first 4, the 5 enters the repechage phase with Oceania, the truth must increase for both Asians and South Americans, most South American countries fight to the death for that position, normally the ones that immediately classify the most are Brazil and Argentina for its high level of football, in fact the only country in South America that has not been to the World Cup has been Venezuela that has never had such a privilege, in addition to that the show would last much longer and that translates into more football, which is not it's not bad at all.

I feel bad for teams such as Venezuela and Ecuador. They are very strong teams, and can easily defeat Asian teams such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. But unfortunately they belong to the strongest Confederation in football (CONMEBOL), and that makes it almost impossible for them to qualify for the world cup. And even for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA hasn't increased the number of teams from that Confederation in a big way. For 2022, they had 4.5 slots, and this has been increased to 6.5. For comparison, Asian teams have been increased from 4.5 to 8.

@Sithara007 in the end FIfA decisions are motivated by money, and where they feel they won’t get much profits they avoid going in that direction. However I feel in the near future FIFA will be forced to change their stance, and the fans will play a major role in their decision, but for now I don’t expect much from FIFA.

[bryant.coleman]

@Sithara007 in the end FIfA decisions are motivated by money, and where they feel they won’t get much profits they avoid going in that direction. However I feel in the near future FIFA will be forced to change their stance, and the fans will play a major role in their decision, but for now I don’t expect much from FIFA.

It is not a money minded decision. FIFA want more representation from Asia and Africa, when compared to Europe and Americas. Because they want to spread the sport and want to retain its monopoly. CONMEBOL has only 10 member nations, and they have been given 6.5 slots. And even with the additional slots for Asia, they still have only 8 slots for 46 member nations. It is a very difficult compromise. If you want more diversity, then obviously you may need to give slots to some of the weaker teams over more deserving ones. So in 2026, it is very much possible to see teams like Iraq and Syria managing to qualify, while higher ranking sides such as Peru and Venezuela may fail to do so. CONMEBOL is allotted only 6.5 slots, but they have 8 member nations having a FIFA ranking of 35 or above.

[JollyGood]

There are World Cup qualifiers taking place today onwards until next week. Which games are the ones that stand out for you? Here are the two games in the coming days that I will be looking out for:

Turkey vs Norway
Andorra vs England