World Cup in Qatar - is anyone interested in it?

[phil old leake]

Rashford playing better than he did last season is not a reason to include him. There aren’t many forwards in the prem that aren’t playing better than him last year

If there’s an argument to include players on experience don’t come complaining if Maguire makes mistakes.

[Michael Shaw]

I will watch every match I can, although once England goes out my interest wains considerably. I never miss watching an England game. We should get to the semi finals before we go out.

[ForsolongaRover]

How many other sports would hold their World Championships in a country that has no real connection with their sport?

It lays bare the pure commercialism to which the modern game is firmly anchored.

[Janso]

How many other sports would hold their World Championships in a country that has no real connection with their sport?

It lays bare the pure commercialism to which the modern game is firmly anchored.

I'm not sure I entirely agree with the first line. You couldn't really say Japan and South Korea, or even South Africa, really have much of a connection with the sport. Sure, they play the game there at a professional level, but none are really footballing powerhouses. Why should a country that isn't traditionally connected with the sport not be allowed to host a tournament, if it wins the right to do so legitimately, of course?

[DRFC_AjA]

This really is xenophobia or just "we invented footy it should be done our way" at its finest. Who says a tournament has to be in the summer just because the English can't get time off or because we're not used to it??

The scandis and American have to stop their league for summer tournaments ... But let me guess  that matters less "coz they don't do real football and we do"

Embrace something new, something different, is called culture. Nobody said footy must kick off sat 3pm or you must go holiday in benidorm every year      enjoy change

ALSO... drinking game for you....a shot every time Sterling loses the ball.... you'll be hammered after 15 minutes...awful player 

[Upton Rover]

Why wouldn’t any true football fan be interested in the World Cup when their country is appearing? Crazy

[Chris the Rover]

I’m a true football fan of my club. I’m afraid I associate our overrated obscenely overpaid national players, rightly or wrongly, with the greed of the Premier League, which I absolutely despise. I have no interest in this competition.

[ncRover]

Everybody was interested in the last World Cup. Of which occurred 4 years after Russia annexed Crimea in Ukraine.

[Upton Rover]

Everybody was interested in the last World Cup. Of which occurred 4 years after Russia annexed Crimea in Ukraine.

True, true only time all football fans can unite and watch their country play, I will support any of our English teams Football, Rugby, Cricket , hockey etc in all format’s regards of what country it’s in or who’s behind the organisation, come on England

[tyke1962]

I'd recommend the four part documentary which is available on Netflix titled " FIFA Uncovered " .

Many may see FIFA and The World Cup differently .

[ForsolongaRover]

How many other sports would hold their World Championships in a country that has no real connection with their sport?

It lays bare the pure commercialism to which the modern game is firmly anchored.

I'm not sure I entirely agree with the first line. You couldn't really say Japan and South Korea, or even South Africa, really have much of a connection with the sport. Sure, they play the game there at a professional level, but none are really footballing powerhouses. Why should a country that isn't traditionally connected with the sport not be allowed to host a tournament, if it wins the right to do so legitimately, of course?

Whilst I cannot say I have ever lived in any of the 3 countries mentioned it is a fact that South Korea have played in 10 World Cup finals, Japan 7 and South Africa where football is played probably more widely than rugby, 3. I have not done exhaustive research, but it is clear from what may be gleaned from reliable sources that all three countries have football leagues and many thousands of regular players - 827k registered in Japan for example. I didn’t mention ”powerhouses”.

Thus I stand by my original statement, but I am sure you could argue about the definition of “real connection”.

[IDM]

I’m probably less interested than usual, but it is the World Cup after all.  I’ll watch a few games and of course I want England to do well, but won’t be crying in my beer if they don’t.

the non-football issues are lessening my interest but I will watch some.

[ravenrover]

No interest at all, Southgate is so predictable in who will be his 1st 11 stop the opposition scoring in the hope they can nick one. Unless he shakes things up and starts playing progressive attacking football I will not be watching any of the England games and I have no interest in any other country playing

[drfchound]

I’m astonished that Ivan Toney isn’t in the squad.

[karldew]

I’m astonished that Ivan Toney isn’t in the squad.

Think that’s more to do with the FA investigation rather than footballing ability.

[Barmby Rover]

If you want proof here it is: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/14/stadiums-of-shame-the-numbers-world-cup-hosts-qatar-dont-want-to-be-seen

Don't watch this vile tournament.

[rich1471]

I'd recommend the four part documentary which is available on Netflix titled " FIFA Uncovered " .

Many may see FIFA and The World Cup differently .

I'm watching it ,very interesting and the amount of money been exchanged between people

[normal rules]

On bbc news tonight. Another young father dies on sub standard scaffold platform. But it’s his fault according to Qatar govt.
#boycott World Cup

[Dagenham Rover]

and nowt like antagonising the locals with the name of the plane

[DRFC_AjA]

On bbc news tonight. Another young father dies on sub standard scaffold platform. But it’s his fault according to Qatar govt.
#boycott World Cup

And it's also been in the news today that a young boy in England died due to the disgusting nature of his council flat after countless warnings any nobody in authority caring..... boycott and bid the UK make for the world cup?

[normal rules]

Interesting. So far 43% won’t be watching if national team not playing.

[normal rules]

On bbc news tonight. Another young father dies on sub standard scaffold platform. But it’s his fault according to Qatar govt.
#boycott World Cup

And it's also been in the news today that a young boy in England died due to the disgusting nature of his council flat after countless warnings any nobody in authority caring..... boycott and bid the UK make for the world cup?

Your analogy regarding this tragic death holds little water unless you can show me that thousands of people have died under similar circumstances and it’s been held as such in a court, in this country. I’ll save you the trouble. You can’t. It was a landmark ruling. It’s never been proved that mould in a house has directly contributed to a death prior to this.
And before you quote numbers , I’m aware that there are around only 30-40 sad deaths directly attributed to World Cup construction in Qatar. The figure for migrants deaths in the general construction industry over there is far far higher, into the thousands. The death of that 2 yr old is tragic. And it was avoidable. But it’s not in the same league as what’s happening in Qatar. And yes, we will never know the full truth around migrant deaths. But thousands are going there to work and not returning , unless it’s in a box.

[mugnapper]

I gave up on England after the 1998 World Cup. Partly as I was despondent after our relegation from the League, partly for the reasons Chris the Rover states above and partly cos I decided that supporting one crap team was enough. I've not watched more than half an hour of an England game since. It's a decision I've never regretted.

[Bristol Red Rover]

My favourite part of a world cup is the first round, and then a few choice games of the second round. Watching the giants fall or at least wobble, as well as some of the teams I don't like. Whilst I'm all for the "lesser" sides improving in quality, I hope that doesn't come at the cost of the passion they can express in their style of play.

[ncRover]

Interesting. So far 43% won’t be watching if national team not playing.

They will.

The media not having anything positive to say has influenced the mood. As well as England’s dire form this year.

[rich1471]

Do you think this is why Ivan Toni was not selected for the England squad

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been charged by the Football Association with 232 alleged breaches of betting rules.

The alleged breaches took place between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021.

Toney, 26, has scored 10 Premier League goals this season but missed out on a place in the England World Cup squad.

Brentford said in a statement: "The club has been in discussion with Ivan and his legal representatives. Those conversations will continue privately."

The statement continued: "We will make no further comment until the matter has been completed."

Toney has until 24 November to respond to the FA charges.

[DearneValleyRover]

It does seem more than likely and might even be the reason he didn’t get a game in the last 2 nations league games

[Prez]

Slightly off subject, but regarding Toney, im surprised just how well hes done. I cant say i was impressed with him when we used to play Peterborough.

[drfchound]

Prez, I can remember Toney playing for Scunny against us and at the time thought he was very average.
When I saw him a while later playing for Peterbro at the KM against us I changed my mind.
I thought he was the real deal, a proper CF and was a right handful for our defenders. From then I have always had him down as a potential PL player.
There was a time when I wanted Rovers to go in for him but when he was sold to Brentford (was it £5m) I realised that he was literally out of our league.

[DRFC_AjA]

On bbc news tonight. Another young father dies on sub standard scaffold platform. But it’s his fault according to Qatar govt.
#boycott World Cup

And it's also been in the news today that a young boy in England died due to the disgusting nature of his council flat after countless warnings any nobody in authority caring..... boycott and bid the UK make for the world cup?

Your analogy regarding this tragic death holds little water unless you can show me that thousands of people have died under similar circumstances and it’s been held as such in a court, in this country. I’ll save you the trouble. You can’t. It was a landmark ruling. It’s never been proved that mould in a house has directly contributed to a death prior to this.
And before you quote numbers , I’m aware that there are around only 30-40 sad deaths directly attributed to World Cup construction in Qatar. The figure for migrants deaths in the general construction industry over there is far far higher, into the thousands. The death of that 2 yr old is tragic. And it was avoidable. But it’s not in the same league as what’s happening in Qatar. And yes, we will never know the full truth around migrant deaths. But thousands are going there to work and not returning , unless it’s in a box.

The point was more to mock the we art holier than thou attitude that the west, particularly our media have, when judging others. No you're correct, migrant workers in Qatar should not be coming home in a box, but we're going to judge others when kids on our own country are starving? When migrants in UK are housed in squalor in what's basically a garden shed? Our police have been found to institutionally racists.....and not forgetting our very own "free" media phone tap dead people in order to get exclusives....

So really?? WE (our media) are going to judge others?

Yes we live in a much freer society, with far more rights, but the way everyone in the western world is going after Qatar without looking at themselves......it's almost as laughable as when I was at England v Hungary and England fans were chanting 'you racist s**m" at the away end