World Cup Soccer 2018

[texasdave]

The draw and much more:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=12/news=final-draw-roundup-2922235.html

[M2]

Spain vs. Portugal on June 15 is already in my calendar.

[Tony Cloninger]

I have read in The NY Times and SI that Russia have an easy draw. I guess when you are ranked the lowest of all teams in the WC but get in due to being the host you must be good. Unless they allow their fans to shoot flares at opposing players how are they favored? Uruguay was behind Brazil in points. Goals. Goal differential. Has an on form Cavani and three new young MF who helped them win 2 and draw 2 of the 4 games they last played together. I mean Egypt has Salah and a good back line. I would favor then before Russia. But hey they’re European so they must be favored in their group.

[M2]

I have read in The NY Times and SI that Russia have an easy draw. I guess when you are ranked the lowest of all teams in the WC but get in due to being the host you must be good. Unless they allow their fans to shoot flares at opposing players how are they favored? Uruguay was behind Brazil in points. Goals. Goal differential. Has an on form Cavani and three new young MF who helped them win 2 and draw 2 of the 4 games they last played together. I mean Egypt has Salah and a good back line. I would favor then before Russia. But hey they’re European so they must be favored in their group.

I agree. Russia will do well not to replace South Africa as the worst host side in the World Cup history. Uruguay should stroll through that group. Egypt seems like good value to be the other team that makes it to the knockout rounds.

Group D seems like a low key group of death: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria. Not an easy team in that foursome.

[Tony Cloninger]

I agree. Russia will do well not to replace South Africa as the worst host side in the World Cup history. Uruguay should stroll through that group. Egypt seems like good value to be the other team that makes it to the knockout rounds.

Group D seems like a low key group of death: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria. Not an easy team in that foursome.

And I don’t want to be an arrogant homer because Uruguay lost to Costa Rica 3-1 in the opener of the last WC. So on paper means nothing but you should be able to get through this if you are injury free and not arrogantly over confident.

Argentina and Nigeria might as well be sister countries the way they play each other. That group will be fun.

The Mexico coach is already making sure everyone knows they did not have their best players while Getmany’s A team says hello while they took the Confed Cup Games off.

[Chip R]

What seems like a slam dunk bid for North America to host the 2026 World Cup may be in jeopardy.

http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/3400487/united-states-led-2026-world-cup-bid-in-jeopardy-to-morocco-sources

[Slyder]

What seems like a slam dunk bid for North America to host the 2026 World Cup may be in jeopardy.

http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/3400487/united-states-led-2026-world-cup-bid-in-jeopardy-to-morocco-sources

Check the money trail!

[Yachtzee]

Check the money trail!

When Sepp Blatter is endorsing Morocco, you know the bribes are coming in. FIFA would be wise to pay attention to what's going on.with the IOC and Olympic bids. They have to practically beg countries to bid for the Winter Olympics. FIFA still doesn't even know if Qatar can pull off a World Cup and some want to give one to.Morocco with an.expanded field? Good luck.

[Chip R]

When Sepp Blatter is endorsing Morocco, you know the bribes are coming in. FIFA would be wise to pay attention to what's going on.with the IOC and Olympic bids. They have to practically beg countries to bid for the Winter Olympics. FIFA still doesn't even know if Qatar can pull off a World Cup and some want to give one to.Morocco with an.expanded field? Good luck.

From reading the article, it sounds like sour grapes from the people who got nailed in the scandal. Blatter's a great example. I also read a different article where it said that FIFA is in line to get over $300M in bonuses if the 26 cup is in North America from broadcast fees. I don't see how they could turn that down just for spite.

http://awfulannouncing.com/fox/fifa-line-get-over-300-million-bonuses-2026-world-cup-hits-north-america.html

[M2]

Watched Spain dismantle Argentina today. Koke and Thiago make for a fantastic engine room.