Qatar 2022 World Cup

[Samba]

"FIFA's decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has been the subject of much controversy.
It was suspected from the outset that the sweltering heat of Qatar would force the tournament to be played in winter rather than summer for the first time in its history. Today, FIFA confirmed the dates.

Whereas most World Cups take place between June and July, 2022 will begin on November 21 and the final will be held on December 18, exactly one week before Christmas day.

It remains unclear how the World Cup will fit the schedule of domestic leagues, most of which play through November and December.

The 2022 World Cup will be the last World Cup to feature 32 teams before the tournament is expanded to include 48. The 2026 World Cup will be held across Canada, Mexico and the USA."

Well, it's different, I suppose...

[fmgod]

Isn't homosexuality illegal in Qatar, what happens if a player comes out as homosexual or bi before the world cup? Will they serve prison time or not be allowed to play

['Appy 'Ammer]

Isn't homosexuality illegal in Qatar, what happens if a player comes out as homosexual or bi before the world cup? Will they serve prison time or not be allowed to play

Many jokes about scoring an own goal?

[S-H]

Football's coming home for Christmas...

[AnthraxDave]

Absolute shambolic decision to award them the hosting rights :arry:
Should have been Australia.

[Puff Daddy]

I read FIFA are extending this tournament to 48 teams, yet this will be a shorter competition taking just 3 weeks to complete. I am perplexed how this is going to work and in such a shorter time span, but what I do know is there is going to be some right crap teams taking part. If Scotland fail to qualify next time, serious questions will need to be asked

[Bend it like Repka]

I'm pretty uncomfortable at the prospect of watching games at Qatar 22. I've watched every world cup since 78, so it won't be easy to stay away from the TV.

I'm not the sort of person to get involved in political boycotts and make huge moral stances but the 2022 is not only corrupt, even beyond previous events, but literally built on slave labour and death.

I don't know how I can watch men run around and play a game in a stadium constructed on such human misery.

The whole thing is a pile of

[fmgod]

Many jokes about scoring an own goal?

No genuinely want to know what would happen, imagine if a major star came out as a gay, in theory he would be banned from Qatar or put in prison if he entered

[r99c]

Won't be as bad as when the tournament is increased to 48. I'm convinced that will f*** the World Cup up. Eight groups of 4 with 2 going through and 2 going home = exciting group stages [95% of the time], when it's increased there'll be tons of dead rubbers, it'll be like Euro 2016.

[swash]

Don't think there will be a lot of dead rubbers, the format is 16 groups of 3 teams with 2 going through from each then knockout all the way

[r99c]

The group games will be way too tense then, 16 groups what a load of bs

[carnage]

Finishes 1 week before Christmas. 5 week bender on the cards through to New Year.

[e17]

Isn't homosexuality illegal in Qatar, what happens if a player comes out as homosexual or bi before the world cup? Will they serve prison time or not be allowed to play

Be very interesting if that does happen

[Andrew]

I'm pretty uncomfortable at the prospect of watching games at Qatar 22. I've watched every world cup since 78, so it won't be easy to stay away from the TV.

I'm not the sort of person to get involved in political boycotts and make huge moral stances but the 2022 is not only corrupt, even beyond previous events, but literally built on slave labour and death.

I don't know how I can watch men run around and play a game in a stadium constructed on such human misery.

The whole thing is a pile of

I agree, this doesn't sit easily with me either.

[wolf359]

Absolute shambolic decision to award them the hosting rights :arry:
Should have been Australia.

yeap, still hoping they come to their senses and change this, however their bank balances will win any moral battle.

[SullySpecial]

Sancho, Foden, Sessegnon, Brewster and mighty Mark Noble will guide England to heroic victory in Qatar.

[WCpete]

Should we post a worker death toll clock? It's at something like 1200 now. For some reason lots of news agencies anticipate the rate to increase ultimately reaching the 4,000 range.

[DasNutNock]

A ****ing disaster. But at least Sepp got his big bag of money, eh.

[Rio]

What kick off times here do you think we’ll have?

[WCpete]

Depends on how the world order looks in 4 years.