The football world cup is almost here or the soccer world cup as some of y'all might call it. 

Who's your choice for winner of the tournament? 

It's definitely gonna be one of the first four on this poll. But personally, I'm rooting for England.

I think Germany repeats. It’s been hard to pump myself up for this BUT I do have a question for you guys who know more.

What’s the obsession with Salah and does he give Egypt a legit chance to even make it to the elimination games?

Jun 5, 2018 23:18:30 GMT KING KID said:

I think Germany repeats. It’s been hard to pump myself up for this BUT I do have a question for you guys who know more.

What’s the obsession with Salah and does he give Egypt a legit chance to even make it to the elimination games?

Well he's coming off a truly brilliant goal scoring season, but is still recovering from the injury he received in the UCL final. Egypt definitely have a chance to get out of their group considering the draw they got. Uruguay should top it comfortably but they should be able to handle a pretty poor Russian team and Saudi Arabia. 

Oh. Interesting.

I’m only asking because I hear about him as much as I do Messi and Ronaldo. I was curious.

Jun 6, 2018 0:11:23 GMT KING KID said:

Oh. Interesting.

I’m only asking because I hear about him as much as I do Messi and Ronaldo. I was curious.

He nearly beat Messi to the Golden Shoe this season which no one except Ronaldo and Suarez have managed to do this decade. 

Yeah Salah is easily the player of the year imo. If the injury he suffered isn't too bad and he has some good games, he could carry Egypt to a surprising finish depending on who they get coming out of the group stages. If they draw Germany or Spain they're done, but if they luck out and draw a team like Switzerland or Poland or there are a couple upsets in the group stages, who knows?

There will be some fun groups to watch this year that are tough to call. Group C is France, Australia, Denmark and Peru. Group D is Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria, another group that could go either way. Group H is Poland, Senegal, Japan and Colombia, so good luck picking the top 2 from that group. And then you've got groups like Group G where England and Belgium should walk to the elimination rounds but Panama and Tunisia could definitely surprise one of those teams. So those are the groups I'll be paying the most attention to.

I'll also be watching the Russia games closely. I fully expect shady officiating and everything else that comes with trying to get the home country out of the group stages, especially because it's Russia. They know they can get away with tampering in foreign elections so tampering with the most corrupt sports organization on the planet should be a piece of cake.

I can't fucking wait. World Cup is my favourite sporting event. I go all out. I dig out my England jersey and buy a case of shitty Carlsberg and have a reason to drink at 5AM on a Sunday.

Jun 6, 2018 15:09:33 GMT RT said:

Yeah Salah is easily the player of the year imo. If the injury he suffered isn't too bad and he has some good games, he could carry Egypt to a surprising finish depending on who they get coming out of the group stages. If they draw Germany or Spain they're done, but if they luck out and draw a team like Switzerland or Poland or there are a couple upsets in the group stages, who knows?

There will be some fun groups to watch this year that are tough to call. Group C is France, Australia, Denmark and Peru. Group D is Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria, another group that could go either way. Group H is Poland, Senegal, Japan and Colombia, so good luck picking the top 2 from that group. And then you've got groups like Group G where England and Belgium should walk to the elimination rounds but Panama and Tunisia could definitely surprise one of those teams. So those are the groups I'll be paying the most attention to.

I'll also be watching the Russia games closely. I fully expect shady officiating and everything else that comes with trying to get the home country out of the group stages, especially because it's Russia. They know they can get away with tampering in foreign elections so tampering with the most corrupt sports organization on the planet should be a piece of cake.

I can't fucking wait. World Cup is my favourite sporting event. I go all out. I dig out my England jersey and buy a case of shitty Carlsberg and have a reason to drink at 5AM on a Sunday.

The World Cup's in Russia.  I don't think games will start at 5 am where you are.

Jun 7, 2018 0:22:05 GMT CM Punk'd said:

Jun 6, 2018 15:09:33 GMT RT said:

 I dig out my England jersey and buy a case of shitty Carlsberg and have a reason to drink at 5AM on a Sunday.

The World Cup's in Russia.  I don't think games will start at 5 am where you are.

Probably is actually. With all the time zones in Russia there's about 9 hours between the earliest kick off time and the latest. 

Jun 7, 2018 0:22:05 GMT CM Punk'd said:

Jun 6, 2018 15:09:33 GMT RT said:

Yeah Salah is easily the player of the year imo. If the injury he suffered isn't too bad and he has some good games, he could carry Egypt to a surprising finish depending on who they get coming out of the group stages. If they draw Germany or Spain they're done, but if they luck out and draw a team like Switzerland or Poland or there are a couple upsets in the group stages, who knows?

There will be some fun groups to watch this year that are tough to call. Group C is France, Australia, Denmark and Peru. Group D is Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria, another group that could go either way. Group H is Poland, Senegal, Japan and Colombia, so good luck picking the top 2 from that group. And then you've got groups like Group G where England and Belgium should walk to the elimination rounds but Panama and Tunisia could definitely surprise one of those teams. So those are the groups I'll be paying the most attention to.

I'll also be watching the Russia games closely. I fully expect shady officiating and everything else that comes with trying to get the home country out of the group stages, especially because it's Russia. They know they can get away with tampering in foreign elections so tampering with the most corrupt sports organization on the planet should be a piece of cake.

I can't fucking wait. World Cup is my favourite sporting event. I go all out. I dig out my England jersey and buy a case of shitty Carlsberg and have a reason to drink at 5AM on a Sunday.

The World Cup's in Russia.  I don't think games will start at 5 am where you are.

Jun 7, 2018 0:52:36 GMT @admin said:

Jun 7, 2018 0:22:05 GMT CM Punk'd said:

The World Cup's in Russia.  I don't think games will start at 5 am where you are.

Probably is actually. With all the time zones in Russia there's about 9 hours between the earliest kick off time and the latest.

I was generalizing but yeah, they do start early for me this year. I'm 8 hours behind GMT, and GMT is 3 hours behind where most of the games will be held. So I'm 11 hours behind here in the Pacific time zone.

The weekday games start at 5am and go until midday, some weekend games that start in the early afternoon over there are at 3am my time. So I'll either be at work or asleep when most of the games are happening live.

Oh, I assumed since you mentioned the England jersey and Carlsberg, that you were from there.

Yes, World Cup Chat!!
I’ve had the young lad collecting stickers for the past month.

I’ve gone for Brazil but wouldn’t be opposed to seeing France do well, the talent is both squads is pretty immense.

I can’t believe Sane didn’t make the Germany squad.

As for England, it’s hard to judge how far they can go, as much as Southgate is talking up a new belief amongst this young squad, what defines a good WC from an English perspective, a gallant last 16 defeat?

Jun 7, 2018 20:50:29 GMT thechoke said:

Yes, World Cup Chat!!
I’ve had the young lad collecting stickers for the past month.

I’ve gone for Brazil but wouldn’t be opposed to seeing France do well, the talent is both squads is pretty immense.

I can’t believe Sane didn’t make the Germany squad.

As for England, it’s hard to judge how far they can go, as much as Southgate is talking up a new belief amongst this young squad, what defines a good WC from an English perspective, a gallant last 16 defeat?

Depends who they face if they make it out of the group stage. If they face a Spain or France or Brazil in the last 16 and lose, I don't think anyone can be upset. But if they face someone like Poland and don't move on, I think the fans will lose it.

Realistically, how good is this team supposed to be? This is the first time I can remember feeling rather optimistic about an English squad at the World Cup, but I haven't really seen them play much outside a couple qualifying matches.

England will play a team from Group H in the R16, all of whom they would be favourites against, so anything less than a quarterfinal appearance would be a disappointment.

Jun 7, 2018 23:29:25 GMT @admin said:

England will play a team from Group H in the R16, all of whom they would be favourites against, so anything less than a quarterfinal appearance would be a disappointment.

I never knew that was all pre-determined. How do they match up the winners coming off the group stages for the Round of 16?

Jun 8, 2018 17:23:09 GMT RT said:

Jun 7, 2018 23:29:25 GMT @admin said:

England will play a team from Group H in the R16, all of whom they would be favourites against, so anything less than a quarterfinal appearance would be a disappointment.

I never knew that was all pre-determined. How do they match up the winners coming off the group stages for the Round of 16?

It’s winners play runners up;
so winner of A plays runner up from B and vice versa, all the way to groups G & H.

My favourite part of the world cup is when people in Canada and USA pretend they're from other countries.

Jun 8, 2018 20:31:52 GMT nazzer said:

My favourite part of the world cup is when people in Canada and USA pretend they're from other countries.

This bugs me too.

I understand people wanting a team to root for in something like this because Canada never makes it, but pick a team for a better reason than "my great-great-great grandfather was born in Scotland." That doesn't make you Scottish, you dink.

I cheer for England because, like any other sport I watch, I want a team to root for and they're the team I eventually chose. I only watch the Premier League, which is based in England, and I have lots of friends in that country thanks to these boards. Also my few friends here that watch soccer also cheer for England. One friend's dad was born there and the others I dunno, they just do.

Jun 8, 2018 21:07:23 GMT RT said:

Jun 8, 2018 20:31:52 GMT nazzer said:

My favourite part of the world cup is when people in Canada and USA pretend they're from other countries.

This bugs me too.

I understand people wanting a team to root for in something like this because Canada never makes it, but pick a team for a better reason than "my great-great-great grandfather was born in Scotland." That doesn't make you Scottish, you dink.

I cheer for England because, like any other sport I watch, I want a team to root for and they're the team I eventually chose. I only watch the Premier League, which is based in England, and I have lots of friends in that country thanks to these boards. Also my few friends here that watch soccer also cheer for England. One friend's dad was born there and the others I dunno, they just do.

I cheer for England because it's so much harder to follow other countries as I only speak English. I tried to follow the Mexican league for awhile, too hard

Canada hasn't had a World Cup team since '86. So pardon us in trying to pick favorites.

Think France will go close this year

In Greizmann, M'bappe, Dembele and Lemar they have goals and creativity. Expect Pogba to show more in this France side than he has for Man United this season, with Kante protecting the back 4. They have one of the world's best full backs in Mendy if he is back up to speed after his injury, and a top keeper in Lloris. Centre of defence looks a little shakey, and I'm amazed Laporte didn't make their squad but I'd still back them for a big run.

Jun 11, 2018 19:25:52 GMT daveymolz said:

Think France will go close this year

In Greizmann, M'bappe, Dembele and Lemar they have goals and creativity. Expect Pogba to show more in this France side than he has for Man United this season, with Kante protecting the back 4. They have one of the world's best full backs in Mendy if he is back up to speed after his injury, and a top keeper in Lloris. Centre of defence looks a little shakey, and I'm amazed Laporte didn't make their squad but I'd still back them for a big run.

We'll upset them first up and they'll go on to have a 2002-esque collapse getting knocked out by Denmark in the final group game again.  

Jun 11, 2018 23:23:10 GMT @admin said:

Jun 11, 2018 19:25:52 GMT daveymolz said:

Think France will go close this year

In Greizmann, M'bappe, Dembele and Lemar they have goals and creativity. Expect Pogba to show more in this France side than he has for Man United this season, with Kante protecting the back 4. They have one of the world's best full backs in Mendy if he is back up to speed after his injury, and a top keeper in Lloris. Centre of defence looks a little shakey, and I'm amazed Laporte didn't make their squad but I'd still back them for a big run.

We'll upset them first up and they'll go on to have a 2002-esque collapse getting knocked out by Denmark in the final group game again.  

Amazed that you still have Tim Cahill playing. Couldn't get into Millwall's side for the last 3 months of the season and is now off to the World Cup.

Jun 12, 2018 12:38:21 GMT daveymolz said:

Jun 11, 2018 23:23:10 GMT @admin said:

We'll upset them first up and they'll go on to have a 2002-esque collapse getting knocked out by Denmark in the final group game again.  

Amazed that you still have Tim Cahill playing. Couldn't get into Millwall's side for the last 3 months of the season and is now off to the World Cup.

Quite a lot of controversy here over his selection but I think it was a no-brainer really. He won't start but is a great plan B as the only player with any genuine international scoring pedigree we have. Unfortunately he's ruined his reputation a bit by being a total flog the past few years, but at the end of the day we wouldn't have qualified without him.

Also of some note, he's also a chance to join a very elite club as just the fourth player to score at four world cups. 

Jun 8, 2018 20:31:52 GMT nazzer said:

My favourite part of the world cup is when people in Canada and USA pretend they're from other countries.

Well, there’ll be no such excuses in 2026😉

Jun 13, 2018 11:19:48 GMT thechoke said:

Jun 8, 2018 20:31:52 GMT nazzer said:

My favourite part of the world cup is when people in Canada and USA pretend they're from other countries.

Well, there’ll be no such excuses in 2026😉

That is pretty damn sweet.  Imagine how big that would be for the future of soccer in Canada.

Jun 13, 2018 15:10:40 GMT CM Punk'd said:

Jun 13, 2018 11:19:48 GMT thechoke said:

Well, there’ll be no such excuses in 2026😉

That is pretty damn sweet.  Imagine how big that would be for the future of soccer in Canada.

It's already happening. Watch Alphonso Davies' speech then think about the fact that he'll be 25 years old in 2026.

This is massive for the sport in this country. Absolutely massive. I'm so happy.

Jun 13, 2018 21:43:12 GMT RT said:

Jun 13, 2018 15:10:40 GMT CM Punk'd said:

That is pretty damn sweet.  Imagine how big that would be for the future of soccer in Canada.

It's already happening. Watch Alphonso Davies' speech then think about the fact that he'll be 25 years old in 2026.

This is massive for the sport in this country. Absolutely massive. I'm so happy.

There's also the bit about the Canadian premier league starting in 2020. Perhaps that will help some in getting our players developed better

I’m assuming this is the World Cup discussion thread, so let’s talk.

We opened things up today with Russia whooping on Saudi’s Arabia 5-0. The guy who sang before the WC gave the cameras a middle finger. From what I’m reading, he was heavily criticized for performing in Russia so that must have been to his naysayers. Needless to say, that was the highlight of today’s opener.

Russia now gets their 3 points with a 5 point differential. Great way for the host nation to start. A tie should surely secure them a spot in the elimination games. A win would be a definite. Standing in their way is Egypt and Uruguay. That 5 point win was huge for them.

Jun 14, 2018 17:14:29 GMT KING KID said:

I’m assuming this is the World Cup discussion thread, so let’s talk.

We opened things up today with Russia whooping on Saudi’s Arabia 5-0. The guy who sang before the WC gave the cameras a middle finger. From what I’m reading, he was heavily criticized for performing in Russia so that must have been to his naysayers. Needless to say, that was the highlight of today’s opener.

Russia now gets their 3 points with a 5 point differential. Great way for the host nation to start. A tie should surely secure them a spot in the elimination games. A win would be a definite. Standing in their way is Egypt and Uruguay. That 5 point win was huge for them.

I think this win will be their only points of the tournament. Uruguay and Egypt will both beat them. Salah will run wild over Russia.