SEE YOU! A brand spanking new modern fitba thread 2022/23

Are any of your friends or family cheering usa? Or give a damn at all?

 

Family, no. There's very few American Blacks who follow futbol, which is a shame. Though granted, I had my kid watching w/me on Sunday and he liked it.

A few friends, yeah, but the buzz isn't high. You know that the NFL dominates American culture this time of year.

There would have been more interest if it was a traditional summer WC.

In 2026, obviously it's gonna be a huge deal over here.

 

I never predict France to do anything, they're either complete magicians or utter dogshit. Often in the same tournament. I reckon they'll likely labour to an unconvincing win over the Aussies but will do just enough. The question is whether they'll pull their finger out when it gets to the serious stuff.

 

In 2026 a huge deal or a huge deal only until US gets eliminated..

 

Cmon Lewandowski bring this spirit tomorrow..

 

Depends. Hopefully MLS will be a bigger mainstream league by 2026, which will enhance WC popularity.

Given that it'll be a traditional summer WC, it means no NFL or NBA around to detract interest. Meaning it should dominate the sports attention cycle.

But who knows what things will look like in 4 years.

 

I'm not too exited to be honest . Poland much like Neil chokes when it's a big one..

 

Mexico will win.. Poland is fail.

 

A shame that Argentina play so early this morning. They should be far too good for Saudi Arabia. Denmark are classed as the "dark horses" for the World Cup. They will be a difficult team to come up against. Mexico-Poland is definitely the stand out game of the day and a huge one for both in terms of who will likely finish runners-up to Argentina in the group. Should be close. The Aussies could get to France with their pace and stamina and through the middle. But will Australia be clinical when they get their chances...

My predictions:

Argentina 2-0 Saudi Arabia
Denmark 2-0 Tunisia
Mexico 0-0 Poland
France 2-0 Australia

 

Argentina 1-0 (Messi, pen).

 

Messi with his first goal this tournament. His 7th overall World Cup goal. Seen him play twice myself while in Camp Nou.

 

Three 1st half disallowed goals for Argentina.

 

Ive seen him three times. *churlish oneupmanship alert*

 

Holy shit. 2-1 Saudi Arabia.

 

I wake up to see the Saudis are leading Argentina!

 

Sounds like the Saudis deserve to be winning.

 

Argies relying on some Messi magic

 

Lmao what wow

 

For all the media flack, I must say... the atmosphere looks amazing! Fans look happy and excited, none of them look in fear for their lives from Qataris.

I blame a lot of this on western media bias.

 

Looks like messi is gonna get all the way to retirement without anyone working up the courage to tell him he's shite at freekicks

 

Great save by Saudis keeper.

 

He's better at them than Ronaldo, I'll say that. They're usually spectacular when they go in too. That effort was atrocious though.

 

Argentina can't rely on just Messi if they wanna win this whole thing.

Lautaro Martinez is the young guy who needs to have big games.

 

This is great for Poland. Argentina no longer just guaranteed a spot to move on

 

The Saudi defending is ridiculously last-ditch and entertaining to watch, I have to admit. Argentina looked rattled.

 

Wow nice save there by the defender

 

Are we all writing off Argentina's chances to win the whole thing after this?

 

8 more mins not to choke.