Qatar World Cup 2022. Argentina v France

[andrewjohnsmith]

I hate this whole idea of the world cup in Qatar - the location and the timing.

But I will watch. The world cup is the biggest event on the sports calendar for me. I'll be rooting for England and watching all the major nation games.

Maybe even the most committed world cup fans can skip the first game in protest:

Qatar v Ecuador

Send a message with lousy viewing figures for the first game.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Both there

Listed as forwards

Thanks for your eyes Cjay

[andrewjohnsmith]

Is the World Cup song out yet?

[andrewjohnsmith]

Guess we know now why Ivan Toney isn't in the England squad.

FA must have given Southgate a heads up.

[SG90]

Is the World Cup song out yet?

It's not that Atomic Kitten one again is it?

[1964white]

It maybe benefit us, having only three of our players heading to the World Cup, however it just goes to show how our squad is not up to scratch.

Kristensen, Aaronson & Adams were all signed in the summer. Raphinha & Phillips of course departed for pastures new.

Italy & Columbia didn't qualify, so Gnonto & Sinisterra missed out.


AFC Bournemouth
2 players: Chris Mepham, Kieffer Moore (Wales).

Arsenal
10 players: Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli (both Brazil), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan), Granit Xhaka (Switzerland), William Saliba (France), Matt Turner (USA), Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Bukayo Saka (all England), Thomas Partey (Ghana).

Aston Villa
4 players: Leander Dendoncker (Belgium), Jan Bednarek, Matty Cash (both Poland), Emiliano Martinez (Argentina).

Brentford
6 players: Mikkel Damsgaard, Mathias Jensen, Christian Norgaard (all Denmark), Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), David Raya (Spain), Saman Ghoddos (Iran).

Brighton
8 players: Kauro Mitoma (Japan), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Robert Sanchez (Spain), Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina), Tariq Lamptey (Ghana), Pervis Estupinan, Moises Caicedo, Jeremy Sarmiento (all Ecuador).

Chelsea
12 players: Mateo Kovacic (Croatia), Thiago Silva (Brazil), Denis Zakaria (Switzerland), Christian Pulisic (USA), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco), Kai Havertz (Germany), Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling (all England), Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly (both Senegal), Cesar Azpilicueta (Spain).

Crystal Palace
2 players: Joachim Andersen (Denmark), Jordan Ayew (Ghana).

Everton
4 players: Jordan Pickford (England), Amadou Onana (Belgium), Conor Coady (England), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Senegal).

Fulham
6 players: Harry Wilson, Daniel James (both Wales), Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson (both USA) Joao Palhinha (Portugal), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia).

Leeds United
3 players: Rasmus Kristensen (Denmark), Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams (both USA).

Leicester City
7 players: Danny Ward (Wales), Wout Faes, Timothy Castagne, Youri Tielemans (all Belgium), James Maddison (England), Nampalys Mendy (Senegal), Daniel Amartey (Ghana).

Liverpool
7 players: Alisson, Fabinho (both Brazil), Ibrahima Konate (France), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson (both England), Darwin Nunez (Uruguay), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands).

Man City
16 players: Manuel Akanji (Switzerland), Ederson (Brazil), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Ilkay Gundogan (Germany), John Stones, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish (all England), Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva (all Portugal), Nathan Ake (Netherlands), Aymeric Laporte and Rodri (both Spain), Julian Alvarez (Argentina).

Man Utd
14 players: Antony, Casemiro, Fred (all Brazil), Christian Eriksen (Denmark), Raphael Varane (France), Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford (all England), Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo (all Portugal), Facundo Pellistri (Uruguay), Tyrell Malacia (Netherlands), Lisandro Martinez (Argentina).

Newcastle United
5 players: Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil), Fabian Schar (Switzerland), Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson (all England).

Nottingham Forest
5 players: Remo Freuler (Switzerland), Wayne Hennessey, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson (all Wales), Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal).

Southampton
2 players: Armel Bella-Kotchap (Germany), Mohammed Salisu (Ghana).

Tottenham Hotspur
11 players: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Denmark), Ivan Perisic (Croatia), Richarlison (Brazil), Ben Davies (Wales), Hugo Lloris (France), Eric Dier, Harry Kane (both England), Rodrigo Bentancur (Uruguay), Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal), Cristian Romero (Argentina), Son Heung-min (South Korea).

West Ham United
5 players: Lucas Paqueta (Brazil), Alphonse Areola (France), Nayef Aguerd (Morocco), Thilo Kehrer (Germany), Declan Rice (England).

Wolverhampton Wanderers
5 players: Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves, Jose Sa (all Portugal), Hwang Hee-chan (South Korea), Raul Jimenez (Mexico).

[Chilli D]

I just drew Cameroon in my work sweepstake. That's a fiver I might as well have chucked down the toilet

[1964white]

I just drew Cameroon in my work sweepstake. That's a fiver I might as well have chucked down the toilet

Cameroon could be fun to watch, Chilli.

[Jaydog]

Wonder what anyones thoughts are on a value bet for the WC. Could be a funny one given the location & time of year.
Denmark? I wonder if the USA won’t surprise a few at 150/1

[1964white]

Wonder what anyones thoughts are on a value bet for the WC. Could be a funny one given the location & time of year.
Denmark? I wonder if the USA won’t surprise a few at 150/1

Depends on which countries can handle the extreme weather conditions, Jay

Denmark could go well.

Come on Rasmas

[Jaydog]

Depends on which countries can handle the extreme weather conditions, Jay

Denmark could go well.

Come on Rasmas

Yes exactly, Leon. Which normally leads you to South American sides but I have a feeling for a shock.
USA
I would ordinarily dismiss them from calculations but that is obviously an error. They’ll certainly give England plenty to think about as will Wales

[SG90]

Wonder what anyones thoughts are on a value bet for the WC. Could be a funny one given the location & time of year.
Denmark? I wonder if the USA won’t surprise a few at 150/1

Japan

Biggest flop? I'll say England or Germany

[Jaydog]

Japan

Biggest flop? I'll say England or Germany

Japan are around 250/1
Yeah England have no chance for me. Or maybe it was genius from Gazza to have them in such awful form going in.

[Chilli D]

Uruguay could be worth a fiver at 40/1

[1964white]

Yes exactly, Leon. Which normally leads you to South American sides but I have a feeling for a shock.
USA
I would ordinarily dismiss them from calculations but that is obviously an error. They’ll certainly give England plenty to think about as will Wales

Hope so Jay, I can't stand some of that England squad.

[1964white]

Japan are around 250/1
Yeah England have no chance for me. Or maybe it was genius from Gazza to have them in such awful form going in.

Indeed, wouldn't be surprised if England end up coming home straight after the group stages.

[Jimang]

I think England had their time in the last World Cup and Euros. In the semi final and final respectively we took the lead and looked good but then sat back and got overhauled. That was our great chance and we did not see it through ( unlike the Lionesses). Looking at our recent form, and some of the players being past their best, I think our best expectation will be to get through the group stage, but you never know. Can't for the life of me understand why Wilson is picked ahead of Toney. He has been on fire all season.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Interesting fact. MLS has more players participating in the World Cup than any league outside the Top Five leagues in Europe. There are 37 players from 19 clubs representing 12 different countries. Canada (11) and the United States (9) make up over half that number.

MLS is the destination league for International players in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF). And increasingly it's the destination for the best South American talent that doesn't migrate to Europe.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Yes exactly, Leon. Which normally leads you to South American sides but I have a feeling for a shock.
USA
I would ordinarily dismiss them from calculations but that is obviously an error. They’ll certainly give England plenty to think about as will Wales

I appreciate the love Jay. I do think that USA can handle the Heat. Our domestic season runs through the heat and humidity of the summer. And most of our WC Qualifying takes place in the heat and humidity of Central America and the Caribbean.

But this amazing group of players, our golden generation, has shown to be a bit soft and fragile. I would not pencil them into the final 4 just yet....They seem to be more interested in virtue signaling and making political statements than actually playing football.

[lufc1304]

Had the misfortune to hear some of Baddiel and Skinner's rehashed Three Lions, jesus wept!!