Much has been said about Qatar, bought through corruption but now it is here I hope it will be a good tournament.

Holland plays Senegal on Monday as always expectations are high for the Dutch team.

I don't know how to feel about it to be honest - I don't have the usual World Cup is starting vibes that we get in Croatia normally.

But go Croatia! Last WC we had silver, now it's time for the gold

Qatar banned the sale of beer at World Cup stadiums on Friday, a sudden U-turn on the deal the conservative Muslim emirate made to secure the soccer tournament with only two days to go before the opening game.

The move was the latest sign of the tension of staging the event, which is not just a sports tournament but also a month long party, in the autocratic country where the sale of alcohol is heavily restricted. It’s also a significant blow to World Cup beer sponsor Budweiser and raised questions about how much control FIFA retains over its tournament.

https://apnews.com/article/world-cu...le-east-2ecb255aa0100664c250b56d69506b17

I'm not much of a soccer fan. But, I have found that where beer was sold, at any other sporting event, that it was not a plus to the overall experience for me...

Were you sober? Never be sober when others aren't. I however agree that too many people have no idea how to manage a drink.



People are still kinda down after COVID. The world is healing.

Hey Giacalone, it's not just that. Not sure where you're from, but usually World Cup/European Cup in Croatia is during the summer months. This is starting in winter. Now while I understand why that is so, a lot of people (especially from the Balkans, where we're nuts for football) are feeling this way. Usually, it was t-shirts and shorts, now it'll be sweaters and coats!

But oh well, as long as Croatia plays well and hopefully repeats the success of 2018, I won't mind the cold weather

I never drank at sporting events. I was at some events, like a baseball World Series game, where it seemed 80% were drinking. I bought seats at baseball games during the regular season in a section designated "no alcohol". On another baseball game, I bought seats in the lower deck. It was an afternoon game. Didn't notice much drinking, except that a guy sitting behind me to the left a few seats, was sloshed, and ran his mouth constantly, but not about baseball even...

Split beer, sticky floors, vomiting of patrons in the bathroom... no, it's just not for me.

Qatar is a party for the elite in the skyboxes there will be plenty of alcohol.

Who are the biggest contenders?

Germany, Argentina, Brazil always
Belgium, France, England don't think so.
Spain, Croatia and the Netherlands outsiders.

World Cup live updates: US ties with England, must win against Iran to continue

The European teams were angered they could not wear a "OneLove" armband.

https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/live-updates/world-cup-qatar/?id=93791657

Argentina is back in the race at the World Cup in Qatar. The Albicelestes, who immediately got the knife to the throat due to a false start against Saudi Arabia, settled with Mexico (2-0) in the second group match. A starring role was played by Lionel Messi, the 35-year-old star of the Argentines, who scored the opening goal, keeping alive the dream of following in the footsteps of the legendary Diego Armando Maradona, who in 1986 led the football-mad South American country to the world title. The 2-0 was accounted for by substitute Enzo Fernandez, who curled the ball magnificently into the far corner.

On Sunday crucial match Spain-Germany.

Hehe Belgium loses against Morocco 0-2.

1-1 best match of the tournament so far.

I was hoping Germany would win - then damn those final games would be amazing since everyone would need a win.

Croatia needs to take out Belgium on Thursday so we can proceed!

Croatia is a good team nice win against a strong Canada!

Riots in Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam and Brussels yesterday after Morocco's win.

Why riots?

It was first celebrations, but than it turned ugly they start riots, set fire to cars, smash shops. Various key figures within the Moroccan-Dutch community say - anonymously - that they condemn the riots and that they have no understanding at all. The same sounds come from spokespersons of Moroccan-Dutch organizations, who also do not want to tell their story in front of the camera.

Holland 7 points first in the pool, but we play awful football.

I looked at the scenes of the riots, but the truth is the muslims are the ones rioting, not the long time natives of the countries like Brussels.

That sucks. It's always a bad few apples who do shit like this, just like in Croatia with our groups like Bad Blue Boys, Torcida etc... always have to start some shit.

We're playing Belgium tomorrow - it'll be a very tough game as Belgium is a tough opponent and all that plays for us is a win. Go Croatia!

Good match Argentina to the 1/8 finals.

Belgium had a brilliant generation but in the end they never got to a final. Croatia will go through.

Hehe both Belgium and Germany exit.

What a game by Japan! Wow, amazing.

A lot of people talked shit about this World Cup (myself included) because of how it's set up, but it turned out to be the most interesting one in the last 20 years

Netherlands face World Cup chaos as flu outbreak hits squad ahead of USA last-16 clash. Louis van Gaal's Netherlands squad is suffering from a flu outbreak, potentially related to the air conditioning at the Qatar World Cup.

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal could be sweating over the availability of some of his key players ahead of Saturday's World Cup last-16 clash against the USA, likely due to the extreme air conditioning in Qatar, with crucial midfielder Frenkie de Jong among those affected.

I just read a post where Antony from Brazil said the same thing - that the air conditioning is causing Brazil players to fall ill.

Interesting.

Japan and South Korea to the last 16 big suprises but great for the game of football world wide.

Brazil and Switzerland - a lot of surprises!

Netherlands - USA
Argentina - Australia
France - Poland
England - Senegal
Japan - Croatia
Brazil - South Korea
Morocco - Spain
Portugal - Switzerland