Qatar has likely lost the World Cup

[Locke]

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?

Originally Posted by Igottago

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.

Organization is a big part of it. The African nations were an embarrassment in Brazil, didnt two teams basically go on strike until they got their appearance fees and their FAs had to send people with briefcases of cash to get the players back on the pitch?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Change the thread title? I thought it was a done deal, that Qatar is hosting, but in the winter rather than summer. Does this need approval/endorsement from the regions?

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Change the thread title? I thought it was a done deal, that Qatar is hosting, but in the winter rather than summer. Does this need approval/endorsement from the regions?

That's the million dollar question, ain't it?

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Addick

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.

Great post Addick - just wanted to mention we also have half the time to play outdoors as the other footballing nations and during the winter we play hockey with a ball instead of futsal.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

We'll both be long gone.

If one of the more reliable nations were to get a manager like Klopp or Wenger who would be able to take on a long-term top-down project for a decade, they might be able to pull-off what I believe Hiddink did in Korea. However, the FAs in these countries provide less stability and job security than the boards of most English clubs so...

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

Organization is a big part of it. The African nations were an embarrassment in Brazil, didnt two teams basically go on strike until they got their appearance fees and their FAs had to send people with briefcases of cash to get the players back on the pitch?

The African Nations Cup a couple of month ago was also really poor quality.

What is the answer to the question, who will be the first non-European or non-South American to win the World Cup?

I think it'll be USA or Japan. I don't see any other options.

I might die first.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The African Nations Cup a couple of month ago was also really poor quality.

What is the answer to the question, who will be the first non-European or non-South American to win the World Cup?

I think it'll be USA or Japan. I don't see any other options.

I might die first.

Yeah, I heard that was an absolute gongshow. Stadiums and Hotels packed with people and no running water.

[polak]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The African Nations Cup a couple of month ago was also really poor quality.

What is the answer to the question, who will be the first non-European or non-South American to win the World Cup?

I think it'll be USA or Japan. I don't see any other options.

I might die first.

USA, Japan, Korea all have a realistic shot I'd say.

USA would be my choice.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The African Nations Cup a couple of month ago was also really poor quality.

What is the answer to the question, who will be the first non-European or non-South American to win the World Cup?

I think it'll be USA or Japan. I don't see any other options.

I might die first.

You will likely die first.

The USA will never win the World Cup. Americans simply do not care about soccer, and this has not changed in the last 50 years. THe Americans just cannot compete with the elite nations (Germany, Brazil, Argentina, France, Italy, Spain, etc). The money is in the European League not the MLS, which is the soccer equivalent of the AHL. Japan, China, Korea, and far east nations have never really came within striking distance, in terms of winning a World Cup.

I would love to see Canada make the World Cup for a second time. We are better than the Americans (pound-for-pound), and ratings for World Cup are far higher than in the US. We simply do not have the coaching, training, and development to compete. There is no excuse for Canada to finish outside the top 3 nations in CONCACAF, on a regular basis. If we spent the money, we would make the World Cup.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

You will likely die first.

The USA will never win the World Cup. Americans simply do not care about soccer, and this has not changed in the last 50 years. THe Americans just cannot compete with the elite nations (Germany, Brazil, Argentina, France, Italy, Spain, etc). Japan, China, Korea, and far east nations have never really came within striking distance, in terms of winning a World Cup.

I would love to see Canada make the World Cup for a second time. We are better than the Americans (pound-for-pound), and ratings for World Cup are far higher than in the US. We simply do not have the coaching, training, and development to compete. There is no excuse for Canada to finish outside the top 3 nations in CONCACAF, on a regular basis. If we spent the money, we would make the World Cup.

Uh. Yeah. It has. They've got a really good team these days.

[polak]

Yeah the US has been a threat to make it deep for a while now.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yeah, I heard that was an absolute gongshow. Stadiums and Hotels packed with people and no running water.

Yeah but consider the circumstances. That was far from the norm.

Morocco was due to host it and pulled out at the last minute with legitimate concerns regarding Ebola being brought in North of the Sahara.

Equatorial Guinea then stepped in as hosts two months before the tournament started. That's a tall order for a first world nation let alone one like EG.

Generally speaking the ACN is a decent event (agreed this one was a complete and utter gongshow). Personally I think there's a better chance for one of the West African nations to win a WC before the US or Asian teams if they can simply get organized. There's simply more raw power, athleticism and talent in their teams.

Not a hope in hell an Asian country wins it in my or my kids' lifetime unless they get another fix job. There's nothing there.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Yeah but consider the circumstances. That was far from the norm.

Morocco was due to host it and pulled out at the last minute with legitimate concerns regarding Ebola being brought in North of the Sahara.

Equatorial Guinea then stepped in as hosts two months before the tournament started. That's a tall order for a first world nation let alone one like EG.

Generally speaking the ACN is a decent event (agreed this one was a complete and utter gongshow). Personally I think there's a better chance for one of the West African nations to win a WC before the US or Asian teams if they can simply get organized. There's simply more raw power, athleticism and talent in their teams.

Not a hope in hell an Asian country wins it in my or my kids' lifetime unless they get another fix job. There's nothing there.

That is true. It was sort of slapped together at the last minute.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

The USA will never win the World Cup. Americans simply do not care about soccer, and this has not changed in the last 50 years.

simply not true at all. Their national team has made big progress over the last few years and they had a pretty good WC last year. They put up a great fight vs Germany and losing after extra time vs Belgium (one of the best teams too, very young and loads of talent ... should be a contender over the next few tournaments) is nothing to be ashamed of either. No, they are not there yet to compete with the absolute best, but that needs time and I'd say they have done a pretty good job in recent years.

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

We are better than the Americans (pound-for-pound), and ratings for World Cup are far higher than in the US.

sorry, but you base this on what exactly?

[Magnum PEI]

I cant see the USA winning it anytime soon. Most of their team plays in the MLS. I think they are quarter finalists for the foreseeable future.
Mexico or Nigeria IMO. Developing, soccer mad nations with high populations. Maybe Turkey if one considers it an Asian country, (though it's in UEFA). But I think the big western European teams will keep winning it for the next 20-30 years, with Brazil maybe getting in there once or twice.
Of course when I was a kid I never thought Spain would ever win anything so I could be wrong.

[Locke]

And Here. We. Go.

European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) chairman Frederic Thiriez has said his association would back legal action against FIFA's decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in November and December.

"We are very disappointed with the decision of the FIFA Executive Committee to move the World Cup to November and December," he said, according to Reuters. "It will cause serious damage from a sporting and financial point of view and it raises serious questions about the people involved in the decision making process."It's a catastrophe for the European leagues," Tebas said, according to AS.

"I think the decision by FIFA is a bad one. The European leagues provide 75 percent of players at the World Cup and it will be a huge problem for our competitions, because from mid-November to January we will not have a competition. It's an outrage."

While it seems certain the Premier League will have to shut down for close to two months, to allow players to head away to training camps, participate in the tournament, and return from Qatar, the same may not apply to the English Football League.

http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-world-cup...d-cup-schedule

[Antithesis]

FIFA reaping what they have sown.

[_Q_]

I love the sport of soccer, but hate how soccer players all act like bitches.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yeah, I heard that was an absolute gongshow. Stadiums and Hotels packed with people and no running water.

I meant the play on the field was really poor. Out of 31 matches there were I think 12 1-1 draws and 5 0-0 draws including both the 3rd place match and the final.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Locke

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

In the case of England, they have that issue during the group stage...