Qatar has likely lost the World Cup

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

FIFA needs UEFA more than UEFA needs FIFA.

Much like the NHL has given international hockey the big middle finger, in my mind it's only a matter of time before UEFA give it to FIFA, and this should be the catalyst.

And although the CL is huge, the combination of the top 5 leagues is bigger if you ask me.

Exactly, and UEFA has to answer to the FAs at the end of the day. I could easily see UEFA skipping 2022 if the FAs put up enough of a fuss. There's the additional fact that I think a lot of top players might not even go even if their respective countries are playing.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I'd disagree. I bet most players want to win their respective titles, then compete in the WC during the summer.

And I bet most owners don't want their $100 million men playing for some other team halfway through the season.

I was just talking about the bribery/terrorism/slavery. Not summer vs winter.

[CroFlames]

Well I'm glad to see we are all on the same page

I was really hoping either 2018 or 2022 were going to be either in the England, Germany or the USA. I'd love to visit England and Germany during a major tourney, and having it in the USA would be extremely convenient.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Well I'm glad to see we are all on the same page

I was really hoping either 2018 or 2022 were going to be either in the England, Germany or the USA. I'd love to visit England and Germany during a major tourney, and having it in the USA would be extremely convenient.

Then you should have told those cheapskates to open their wallets and start paying the people who have votes!

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Not to mention the disruption to the CL and European football.

Honestly, waahh. There are many reasons why Qatar never should have gotten this event, but but UEFA would just come off as giant babies if they can't handle a one-year modification of the schedules.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Honestly, waahh. There are many reasons why Qatar never should have gotten this event, but but UEFA would just come off as giant babies if they can't handle a one-year modification of the schedules.

Well you only quoted a select portion of my post so it seems like I'm making the disruption the main reason. I wasn't saying that is the main reason they shouldn't have got it, but it's one of many. And it's no small matter either. The CL generates so much dough it's not even funny.

Plus what if one of the golden boys like Neymar, Ronaldo or another marketing cash cow sustain a major injury at the tourney? they won't have all summer to recover like they otherwise normally would.

[lambeburger]

On the bright side, you'll have something to talk about about during Christmas parties in 2022.

[polak]

Most players only get what? 3, maybe 4 chances at playing in the world cup in their careers? That's if you get selected and you're not injured.

Good luck convincing any of them to boycott. There is no greater trophy in Soccer like there is in Hockey. The World Cup is The World Cup.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by polak

Most players only get what? 3, maybe 4 chances at playing in the world cup in their careers? That's if you get selected and you're not injured.

Good luck convincing any of them to boycott. There is no greater trophy in Soccer like there is in Hockey. The World Cup is The World Cup.

Most players? 2. 3 at best. Most players cant maintain a solid competitive level for 8-12 years.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by polak

Most players only get what? 3, maybe 4 chances at playing in the world cup in their careers? That's if you get selected and you're not injured.

Good luck convincing any of them to boycott. There is no greater trophy in Soccer like there is in Hockey. The World Cup is The World Cup.

There are a whole host of players that would have no problem not participating in the World Cup. Go read some of Harry Redknapp's quotes about guys he's coached not wanting to be called up to the national side.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

FIFA needs UEFA more than UEFA needs FIFA.

Much like the NHL has given international hockey the big middle finger, in my mind it's only a matter of time before UEFA give it to FIFA, and this should be the catalyst.

This is crazy talk. Just everything is lined up against this.

At the most obvious level, if the leagues or UEFA would start talking boycott, the sponsors would tell them to shut up, and that's the end of that discussion.

Also, FIFA was mostly created by UEFA countries, and they wield more power than anyone else. (although this is obviously very complicated). You're suggesting that they would cut ties from the organization that gives them control over all the soccer in the world because they don't want to take part in what is mostly their own tournament.

Besides, the European leagues are not separate entities the way NHL is, but parts of their respective national associations (except for Premier League). It would probably be literally impossible for the leagues to make such decisions.

Also, what would the leagues even do? It's not like they could stop the players from going. Nobody would watch the national league games while the World Cup would be running. Threatening to fire the stars would be an exercise in futility. The fans would hang the club managers, possibly literally, for dismantling their teams.

And the players WILL go to the World Cup given the chance. The national championships and cups in soccer are not even in the same ballbark as the World Cup.

Vast majority of even the top players will play their whole careers without winning the World Cup. Players like Zico, Johan Cruyff, Paolo Maldini, Michel Platini never won it.

For some statistical scale:
- of the 10 players who have won multiple Ballon d'Or prices (incredibly difficult in itself), only 2 have won the World Cup. (Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could still win it.)
- only 21 players have ever won it twice, and 14 of those played for Brazil in 1958-62. In the 50+ years since only 3 names have been added to that list.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by rubecube

There are a whole host of players that would have no problem not participating in the World Cup. Go read some of Harry Redknapp's quotes about guys he's coached not wanting to be called up to the national side.

A qualifier against San Marino or a friendly against Venezuela are much different to a even a group match at the World Cup. In the grand scheme of things, players not interested in attending the World Cup are very much the exception.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by rubecube

There are a whole host of players that would have no problem not participating in the World Cup. Go read some of Harry Redknapp's quotes about guys he's coached not wanting to be called up to the national side.

That has a lot more to do with how awful it is to play for England sometimes.

[Coys1882]

I think it's also a statement on the culture of entitlement and lack of motivation a lot of young English players have had.

[Coys1882]

I for one and I'm sure not many will agree but I find the Euro Cup much more entertaining than the World Cup. The quality of teams from UEFA that have to stay home while team like Iran and New Zeal qualify is criminal.

[troutman]

I enjoy seeing how the best teams in the Americas stack up with Europe. How long before some African nations become true contenders?

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by troutman

I enjoy seeing how the best teams in the Americas stack up with Europe. How long before some African nations become true contenders?

To be a 'contender' for a WC is incredibly hard. Brazil's tactic is to just kinda thrown a seemingly infinite amount of talent at the wall to see what sticks.

Germany's WC title really goes back to 2004 when they got embarrassed at Euro 2004, and the DFB basically reorganized how the business of football and development of talent is done from top to bottom in the country. I honestly see Germany already as the favorite for 2018. So good, and so young.

There are decent African nations who certainly have the talent, but they need better systems of talent development in my opinion before they become contenders. Unfortunately, that takes money which most of them don't have, or are unwilling to spend on development. You might end up with a lucky run once in a while (Greece 2004, Ghana 2010, who were robbed mind you), but I don't see them as regular contenders for a title until changes happen.

Basically that is the problem with Canada. Local soccer leagues, provincial associations, national association, non affiliated associations - it's all disjointed. There is no unified national level of amateur talent development. Canada has the potential, it is a shame that the CSA can't get their act together.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by troutman

How long before some African nations become true contenders?

We'll both be long gone.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

There are decent African nations who certainly have the talent, but they need better systems of talent development in my opinion before they become contenders. Unfortunately, that takes money which most of them don't have, or are unwilling to spend on development. You might end up with a lucky run once in a while (Greece 2004, Ghana 2010, who were robbed mind you), but I don't see them as regular contenders for a title until changes happen.

Basically that is the problem with Canada. Local soccer leagues, provincial associations, national association, non affiliated associations - it's all disjointed. There is no unified national level of amateur talent development. Canada has the potential, it is a shame that the CSA can't get their act together.

I'd say that the current youth development system in Africa does develop technical talent but does not develop their youths' tactical knowledge and discipline. In Africa, kids still play street football and develop their skills but they do not have access to enough of the infrastructure required to take their game to the next level.

On the flip side, kids in Canada play tons of FIFA but do have access to wonderful infrastructure. Unfortunately, coaching tends to ignore technical development and instead focus on tactics and winning.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Addick

I'd say that the current youth development system in Africa does develop technical talent but does not provide develop their youths' tactical knowledge and discipline. In Africa, kids still play street football and develop their skills but they do not have access to enough of the infrastructure required to take their game to the next level.

On the flip side, kids in Canada play tons of FIFA but do have access to wonderful infrastructure. Unfortunately, coaching tends to ignore technical development and instead focus on tactics and winning.

I think this is bang on. African nations always demonstrate they have raw talent, but they can't seem to harness it in an organized and structured tactical execution to compete with the top nations. If they can do that they could have some quality world cup teams.