FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread - 2010

[The Todd]

In 365 days time the World Cup Final will be taking place, the biggest sporting event in the world. It is the WrestleMania of sport, bigger than the Olympics and the Superbowl.

The finals are in South Africa, the first finals to be held in Africa. It is a chance for the country to show how developed they are and a chance to re-invent their footballing side that has been a joke for a decade. They won't win, but the host nations ALWAYS proceed through the groups. Whether South Africa can possibly do this rests on how strong the group they land is.

At the moment the teams who have officially reached the Finals are South Africa, Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Holland. The rest will be made up of four South American teams, 12 more European teams, three from CONCACAF and five from Africa before two play offs between an Asian team and New Zealand and the fourth team from CONCACAF versus the fifth placed South Americans.

From all the nationalities I remember seeing on here most will be involved in the tournament, Australia are there, England and the USA are all but certainties to qualify, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland have an outside chance, Germany will make it, though unfortunately Canada went out of contention long ago.

So who is looking forward to the tournament? Is anyone going? Or do people not care at all? OR will people be excited when it starts and think this thread has started rediculously early.

 

[Leeds Guy]

Canada have just won something though? I think its the Gold Cup after a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica, anyways Im off topic.

I'm pumped as I always am for the World Cup, I'll watch as many games as I can hoping for that Underdog victory (A'la Senagal over France in 2002) the question is will South Africa be ready? because at the moment they are no where near ready. I suppose they have a year to get ready but things like the workers strike doesn't help matters.

I think that the rest of the Home nations bar Wales have a decent chance of joining England. Scotland have a fairly easy group which should ensure them second place, Northern Ireland have a decent chance at Automatic qualification which considering who they are in the group with is astonishing as I think everyone expected Poland and the Czechs to walk away with the group. The Rep of Ireland have a decent chance of winning the group because Italy were pretty bad in the Confederations Cup hopefully that will rock their confidence and Ireland can take advantage. The thing I don't wanna see is the Playoffs hurt the home nations chances. (eg. Scotland vs Northern Ireland)

You are probably going to be left with the Brits and Aussies discussing the World Cup as Canada are not there and the Americans don't give a fuck about football, I think the thread is a good one and will prove to be the basis for alot of discussion as the qualifiers go on and the Draw is announced.

 

[The Todd]

Canada have just won something though? I think its the Gold Cup after a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica, anyways Im off topic.

They qualified for the quarter finals, making them one of the eight best teams in CONCACAF, but their final qualifying table is made up of six teams and Canada missed out.

I'm pumped as I always am for the World Cup, I'll watch as many games as I can hoping for that Underdog victory (A'la Senagal over France in 2002)

I don't mind the occasional upset, that one was hilarious, but I want the best teams in the latter stages. No Greece type team certainly. A quarter final line up of England, Germany, Holland, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal (providing they qualify) and one African nation to keep it interesting from the host's viewpoint.

the question is will South Africa be ready? because at the moment they are no where near ready. I suppose they have a year to get ready but things like the workers strike doesn't help matters.

They handled the Confed Cup well, but the World Cup is a billion times bigger. More teams, more media, more supporters and more security. If they fuck up the continent of Africa can forget hosting another one for a few years, you know what FIFA are like. I believe they'll get it together.

I think that the rest of the Home nations bar Wales have a decent chance of joining England. Scotland have a fairly easy group which should ensure them second place,

Scotland's problem is there are nine groups, and only eight play-off places. The second placed team with the least amount of points doesn't make the play-offs so Scotland need to pick up some wins in their remaining games to make it.

Northern Ireland have a decent chance at Automatic qualification which considering who they are in the group with is astonishing as I think everyone expected Poland and the Czechs to walk away with the group.

I don't know how they do it. For the Euro qualifiers they were superb, but when they failed I didn't see how they could possibly recreate that success. They still have a long way to go but a play-off place is very much on.

The Rep of Ireland have a decent chance of winning the group because Italy were pretty bad in the Confederations Cup hopefully that will rock their confidence and Ireland can take advantage.

Yeah hopefully. Ireland need to turn draws into wins though to hold off Bulgaria and they could do with a big win over Italy. If Italy get rid of their dead wood and bring in the young guns they will qualify.

The thing I don't wanna see is the Playoffs hurt the home nations chances. (eg. Scotland vs Northern Ireland)

True, though at least one would be guaranteed to qualify that way.

You are probably going to be left with the Brits and Aussies discussing the World Cup as Canada are not there and the Americans don't give a fuck about football, I think the thread is a good one and will prove to be the basis for alot of discussion as the qualifiers go on and the Draw is announced.

Australia actually have a decent chance at making it pretty far, as do the Yanks if they do as well as they do in the Confed Cup. If that happens I'm sure the American's will contribute. The draw takes place in December I think, and by November we will know all the participants. I can't wait, but I have a season of watching League Two football to get through first.

 

[FromTheSouth]

I'm excited for the World Cup. And I'm an American. Just sayin.....

I think South Africa will do all right. They advanced in the Confed Cup, too Spain to extra time, and had a good showing against Brazil.

I think that the new US coach, and younger roster is vastly underrated, and their performance in the Confed Cup against Spain and Brazil is encouraging.

I think Brazil will always be the favorites, and if they get Ronaldinho healthy and ready, pleaying along side Kaka, feeding Robinho, they look dangerous. Spain is going to be good. The new look British side is a bit more exciting, and I think that Wayne Rooney is ready to reestablish himself as a top finisher.

The African teams provide great excitement, and I am looking forward to the Ivory Coast and Ghana showing how far the entire continent has come.

Here in America, we never get to see the Australian or East Asian teams, and those are exciting teams as well.

It will be a different cup. The stars of the last fifteen years are no longer around. No Ronaldo, Shenschenko, or Zidane. The younger players, Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, Kaka, will shine. Look out for Clint Dempsey. His European experience has made him beastly. I think Zlatan Ibrahimovich will establish himself as a top five player in this cup as well.

 

[The Todd]

I'm excited for the World Cup. And I'm an American. Just sayin.....

Good man. Let's hope for an England/USA pairing in the groups. Will make it much more interesting.

I think South Africa will do all right. They advanced in the Confed Cup, too Spain to extra time, and had a good showing against Brazil.

The host nation has always made it to the second round, even Japan and Korea managed it in 2002, so history says they will do okay. Have to wait to see their group though.

I think that the new US coach, and younger roster is vastly underrated, and their performance in the Confed Cup against Spain and Brazil is encouraging.

USA surprised me, and pissed me off much more because I had a Spain/Brazil final lined up. They can do all right in the Finals if they get a decent enough group.

I think Brazil will always be the favorites, and if they get Ronaldinho healthy and ready, pleaying along side Kaka, feeding Robinho, they look dangerous.

Yeah they will be, but NOOOO don't be a Ronaldinho lover. He was good for three seasons but hasn't done anything special since 2006. Robinho and Kaka could well be the stars though.

Spain is going to be good.

Oh yes. As soon as England lose on penalties to Portugal I will be cheering them on. If they can get Iniesta fit, which he wasn't for the World Cup, they can go very far and he can finally get the recognition he deserves. World class player.

The new look British side is a bit more exciting, and I think that Wayne Rooney is ready to reestablish himself as a top finisher.

I'd say "England" if I were you before the Scots and Irish get on your back. England have a good chance IF Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, Ferdinand and Terry stay fit. Also, if Michael Owen has a breathtaking year at Man United he gets himself back into recognition. Back to the good old days of Heskey and Owen leading England to glory!

The African teams provide great excitement, and I am looking forward to the Ivory Coast and Ghana showing how far the entire continent has come.

On home soil a couple of them could do pretty well and shock a few of the so-called big guns. It would be great for the atmosphere of the tournament too.

Here in America, we never get to see the Australian or East Asian teams, and those are exciting teams as well.

The Aussies aren't bad, Japan and SO]outh Korea are capable enough, as for North Korea who knows? North Korea vs USA would be interesting from a political viewpoint.

It will be a different cup. The stars of the last fifteen years are no longer around. No Ronaldo, Shenschenko, or Zidane. The younger players, Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, Kaka, will shine. Look out for Clint Dempsey. His European experience has made him beastly.

I think Zlatan Ibrahimovich will establish himself as a top five player in this cup as well.

NOOOO there is not one player I despise more. ALl I hear is how good of a goalscorer he is, then whenever I see him play in the Champions League or for Sweden he goes missing. Oh, Sweden are fourth in their group and are struggling to qualify anyway. As are Portugal. Hilarious.

 

[hArdyPUNKmArk]

Yeah this Cup should be pretty good. I wasn't sure about SA hosting but watching the Confed Cup was pretty good and they had a great turn out, it's gonna be an awesome cup.

I'm obviously baracking for the Aussies to get a fair go this time (LOL not bitching about 2006, just saying). I'd also like to point out I've loved football/soccer since I was 5, I'm not one of those Aussies who jumped on the '06 bandwaggon.

Anyways, I get you Pebble in saying a lot of the old stars are out and it's going to be a new field (somewhat) of talent. Guys like Messi, Robinho, Kaka will be the main guys to watch for me, Messi is the best in the world right now IMO, there's no stopping that son of bitch when he comes in from the wing.

England will do well if Crouch is absent, fuck I hate that guy haha tall lanky bastard.

Ghana were really exciting to watch in 06 so they should make for some good match's if they qualify.

I need to go check out how all the other qualifiers are going actually I've only really kept track of the Aussies (top of our group by the way) hahahaha


Should be awesome.

 

[Shocky]

I have a friend who just got back from South Africa, he was down for the Confederations cup and had a blast, and will be going next year to the World Cup. Of course it's the dead of winter in South Africa, and will be durign the World Cup, so I don't know how much that will effect the strategies going into the world Cup. I'm a novice at the sport, having played it growing up, and watching what I can on TV, but other then that, far from an expert.

Will I be watching, of course. I'm a fan, and I love the sense of national pride that comes with it. As far as a nation to cheer for, asides from the USA who likely won't make it into the tournament phase of the event, I'm not sure. Being on this side of the pond, we get to see a ton of Brazil, and it's almost entirely impossible not to cheer for them in some way, shape or form.

 

[Phoenix]

I think the one thing that concerns is that their stadiums aren't complete and the workers are currently on strike (last I checked), rumours saying that they won't be completed on time!

Naturally, backing England for this one for national pride. But I think the team to watch, as always, is Germany, they always get to the final, I don't know whether it's because they're really good or they're just lucky with their drawings. I don't expect a big shock of a team like Greece winning it, but I think Brazil are top choice (duh) followed by Spain, Italy, etc. I think the Dutch and the US will have a trick or two up their sleeve, especialyl after the USA doing shocks at the Confederations Cups recently.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

As far as a nation to cheer for, asides from the USA who likely won't make it into the tournament phase of the event

I've not been paying attention to other qualifiers, but the US should make it, unless they've seriously fucked up somewhere.

Looking forward to. I can handle boring England matches if they have a sense of purpose. I watch qualifiers, but 5-0 win over Andorra doesn't do a thing for me.

Should be exciting, going out in the quarter finals usually is.

 

[The Todd]

I've not been paying attention to other qualifiers, but the US should make it, unless they've seriously fucked up somewhere.

USA are second in a group of six, top three qualify and fourth place gets a play-off against a South American team. I think it's someone like Honduras who are top. Mexico are fourth, Sven Goran Eriksson fucked them up earlier on. It's a piss poor qualifying section though.

Looking forward to. I can handle boring England matches if they have a sense of purpose. I watch qualifiers, but 5-0 win over Andorra doesn't do a thing for me.

It will be the same old England tournament routine. Win the opener against someone shit unconvincingly, win against the other shit team again inconvincingly then draw in a boring game with the good team.

Then the inevitable shite performance coupled with a 1-0 win in the second round and then they have their first exciting match in the quarters which will end with Steven Gerrard hitting the bar with a penalty after John Terry gets sent off and people will think we lost "heroically".

 

[Leeds Guy]

It will be the same old England tournament routine. Win the opener against someone shit unconvincingly, win against the other shit team again inconvincingly then draw in a boring game with the good team.

Then the inevitable shite performance coupled with a 1-0 win in the second round and then they have their first exciting match in the quarters which will end with Steven Gerrard hitting the bar with a penalty after John Terry gets sent off and people will think we lost "heroically".

Probably against Portugal, with probably Ronaldo scoring the winner or winning penalty which will just piss us all off. Plus you forgot to mention the usual headed goal that we will score that will get ruled out because our player jumped or some other bullshit reason. (see Sol Campbell against Argentina and another team I think it was Portugal)

 

[malchick]

I don't want to jinx it but I think the England team has a chance - people don't build them up that much anymroe because we've learnt oru lesson (which I'm clearly flotuign right now), btu the team is talented enough to win it, and the English CL domination since the last WC means the vast majority of our squad have the ability, it's just about mentality I'd say.

 

[TheDandTheV]

I'm looking forward to this world cup more than any year so far because I think the United States might make it out of group play this year, I'm not saying I think their gonna win just want them to do good. Right now though I haven't made up my mind who I want to win or think will win. I'm Croatian so I'm hoping they'll do pretty well too.

 

[The Todd]

Probably against Portugal, with probably Ronaldo scoring the winner or winning penalty which will just piss us all off. Plus you forgot to mention the usual headed goal that we will score that will get ruled out because our player jumped or some other bullshit reason. (see Sol Campbell against Argentina and another team I think it was Portugal)

Yeah it happened against Portugal too. Luckily we have had four long years since the last one. Missing out on the EURO's may have been a blessing in disguise. Though I was cheering on Croatia who lost in the quarter-finals. On penalties. When they were the better team. I think I'm the bad luck charm

I don't want to jinx it but I think the England team has a chance - people don't build them up that much anymroe because we've learnt oru lesson (which I'm clearly flotuign right now), btu the team is talented enough to win it, and the English CL domination since the last WC means the vast majority of our squad have the ability, it's just about mentality I'd say.

You've gone, but I'll reply anyway. The CL domination means nothing. Man United have Ferdinand and Rooney, Chelsea have Lampard, Cole and Terry, Arsenal have Walcott and Liverpool have Gerrard. That is only seven players who have been playing in the Champions League who are likely to start for England (Walcott isn't a certainty).

I'm looking forward to this world cup more than any year so far because I think the United States might make it out of group play this year, I'm not saying I think their gonna win just want them to do good. Right now though I haven't made up my mind who I want to win or think will win. I'm Croatian so I'm hoping they'll do pretty well too.

Depends on the group they get but they have a decent chance. And Croatia are currently struggling to qualify. They need to get clear of Ukraine and then they will still be behind England so will need the play-offs. If they do get through, with players like Modirc and Eduardo they do have a decent chance at making it far.

 

[Mr. TM]

In less than one year the world meets in Africa. The first time this hot bed for soccer/football gets to play host to the World Cup, as it moves to South Africa. The event will take place from June 11 - July 11

Teams Qualified
South Africa
Australia
Japan
Korea Republic
Netherlands
Korea DPR​

So who is excited for one of the biggest events that we as a world look to every four years? I am sure Canada, despite shooting up 26 spots recently on the list will not be making the World Cup this year. That means I have a tough choice on who to cheer for. Do I choose the Brazilians, who are usually a favourite? Do I choose the South Africans, who are the host nation? So I cheer for the Italians, the 2006 winner? How about my old choice of cheering for England, after all, they were my old team.

Nope, I think I will cheer for the Dutch. They did well a few years ago. I think they can have a good run this year as well. They are ranked third after Marquis's Spanish team. Maybe we will get into an argument there.

So who are you cheering for? And what do you expect out of this World Cup?

 

[Hip2bsquare]

I'm glad you made this thread TM.

I am really looking forward to the World Cup next year in South Africa. The Aussies have already qualified for their second tournament in a row, and this makes it all the more exciting for me.

I am hoping that the Socceroos can improve on their performance at the last World Cup, where they got knocked out in the Second Round at the hands of the eventual World Cup Winners Italy 1-0. On the back of a dodgy penalty to.

Be interesting to see the players position themselves to be included in the squad. The Aussies will especially be wanting injury free campaigns for Cahill, Kewell, Schwarzer, Bresciano. PLus a return from injury for Brett Emerton, as well as Mark Viduka returning from injury and starting to care about about the World Cup.

We have a great goalkeeper in Schwarzer and pretty good midfield if they are all fit and firing. If Viduka can get fit and get into form then his partnership with McDonald could be important. Lucas Neill will marshall the defence, which I believe is a real weak point for the Aussies at least on paper. But Emerton returning with Chipperfield and maybe Milligan can hopefully help the Aussies have a successful World Cup.

 

[Billie Jean]

I am looking foward to this. Iv been watching the south American qualifiers reently and noticed USA is doing great. I always get pumped up for WC time but i hope its not a usual Argentina or Brasil, I hope a real underdog could win it. Down here in SCotland its all we can hope for.

 

[The Todd]

This next week will go a long way to shaping next summers tournament. There are some massive qualifiers coming up, the biggest if which is Argentina versus Brazil. The two superpowers of non-european football face each other in Argentina but the two teams couldn't be having a more different qualifying campaign.

Brazil are currently top of the group and are looking like easy qualifiers. They have a pretty decent away record and they have only conceded six goals in the whole of qualifying. Argentina, meanwhile, will likely slip out of automatic qualification with a defeat to their most hated rivals. The Diego Maradonna experiment has not gone as well planned and Lionel Messi doesn't look the same player with Juan Sebastian Veron giving him service as he does with Xavi and Andres Iniesta at Barcelona.

Argentina are unbeaten at home, though they have switched the venue for this tie. Instead of their usual 60,000 seater stadium which has a running track around the pitch, they have gone for a smaller, more compact venue without the running track to create a more intimidating atmosphere in a hope to rile their visitors.

If Argentina lose they will have it all to do to qualify, giving great incentive for Brazil to beat them. Even with the English rivalry with Argentina, I hope they win as it would be a great shame if they did not qualify.

In news that will please every fan around the world England will seal qualification if they beat Croatia at Wembley a week on Wednesday. Although Croatia have a habit of beating England at Wembley, their only truely great player will miss the match with injury. Without Modric they don't stand a chance in my view, though I do hope they nick second ahead of Ukraine so Modric can showcase his skills next summer.

 

[Tastycles]

I for one can't wait for the certainty of the draw that will be North Korea against the USA. North Korea are going to be a real strange one, I certainly wouldn't want to play them, they're playing for their livelihood, no doubt.

England are looking nigh on certain for qualificaion, but it looks like the mighty Wales will miss out yet again. I'll talk more about the teams I think'll do well when qualification is a bit more advanced, but right now I'm expecting South Africa to be an embarrassment and those annoying piece of shit horns to ruin every game.

 

[The Todd]

Portugal drew away to Denmark. Not a bad result from that perspective, but consider this.

Group A
Denmark played 7 points 17
Hungary pld 7 pts 13
Sweden pld 7 pts 12
Portugal pld 7 pts 10

They have three games to get themselves into at least second position to qualify. Their games are away to Hungary, who have just lost their unbeaten home record, home to Hungary and a guarenteed three points at home to Portugal. If they don't win in Budapest they will not be going to South Africa, meaning the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, will not be taking part in the finals. For footballs sake it would be better if they qualify, from England's point of view, we won't be missing them.

Today was a good day for Scotland, (won against Macedonia whilst Iceland and Norway are currently drawing) and Republic of Ireland (hard fought win in Iceland) whilst Northern Ireland gained a battling point in Poland. All three still have a decent chance of qualifying which would be fantastic for British and Irish football.

 

[The Todd]

I was absolutely gutted on Wednesday night. Was wi ma pals in Glasgow for the game. Gutted. But not surprised.

You put up a great showing against the second best team in Europe. Scotland's problem was, and always has been, beating the smaller teams. Scotland can give anyone a competitive game at Hampden when they are up for it. I'm gutted for you not getting through. Same with Northern Ireland, they have it all to do now though they can and have beat the big teams at home.

 

[Brilliant Human Being]

I think next year will be England's best chance to win it, considering some great teams, like Portugal and Argentina, are struggling to qualify. For the sake of the tournament it would probably be best to have the two best players in the world playing.
I'm going for an England-Spain final. To be honest, I'd be happy with a semi-final, as I think most would be.

I'm also looking forward to it just to see how other, less-favoured teams do. USA might be the surprise package, I could see them getting to the quarters.

 

[The Todd]

So after all that fuss Argentina will qualify easily, and Portugal will get through the play-offs. It was never really in doubt.

Our new qualifiers are; Mexico, USA, Chile, Italy, Serbia, Denmark, Germany and Ivory Coast.

They join England, Paraguay, Ghana, Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Australia and South Africa.

So far the favourites are Brazil, Spain, Germany and Netherlands. The dark horses are Ghana and Ivory Coast. On their home continent, with fantastic players such as Michael Essien and Didier Drogba respectively, they can give anyone a good game.

In the European play offs, Republic of Ireland will be getting my support, the Irish fans are among the best and deserve to go to the Finals. France and Portugal won't be getting my support. Two vastly overrated teams, only getting any kind of love because of Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

[The Todd]

Right, tonight is a huge night as far as World Cup qualification goes. The undoubted match of the night is Uruguay vs Argentina. Both two times winner of the World Cup, and only one will probably make it.

If Uruguay win, they will finish fourth and grab the last qualification spot. If Ecuador beat Chile away as well, Argentina would be staying home this summer, as Ecuador would grab the play off spot. If Argentina win they will finish fourth, and Uruguay will be relying on Chile beating Ecuador or they would miss out on fifth place and that play off spot.

Or, if Argentina beat Uruguay 10-0, Chile beat Ecuador and Venezuela beat Brazil 5-0 then Venezuela would get the play-off spot. DIsgard that last one though.

So Argentina could well miss the Finals, with them having a poor away record and Uruguay being pretty solid at home. Interesting to see that game tonight.

It's much more straight forward for Portugal in Europe, though. They just need to beat lowly Malta to finish second, then they will head off to the Euro play-offs, where they will be heavy favourites to come through. This will mean Sweden, and their vastly overrated sack of shit called Zlata Ibrahimovic to miss out.

In the CONCACAF region, Usa and Mexico, surprisingly, have already qualified. The last spot will go to Costa Rica if they beat the US, or if Honduras fail to beat El Salvador. If Honduras win, and Costa Rica don't, Honduras will finish third. Whoever finishes fourth will face either Argentina/Uruguay/Ecuador/Venezuela in a play-off. So basically whoever finishes fourth has had it.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I think I speak for everybody when I say that seeding is lame. I've heard some gubbins about how the World Cup should feature the best teams so seeding is important. But that's a load of old shit, Portugal have done just as poorly as as some teams have done well. Lower level teams that have done well should be rewarded by being given the oppertunity to draw easier teams. And the big guns should be given the disadvantage of being eligible to play other bigger teams.