Thread: Soccer World Cup 2022

Starts in under a week in the footballing state of Qatar, the land of human rights.
Hundred-mile peninsula jutting up from Saudi Arabia, the land of the free.
Native population 300,000 plus a few ex-pats and well treated immigrant workers.
Tolerant of LGBTQ++.
8 carbon neutral stadiums all within a few miles of each other in the sand.
Average temperature of 25C in the winter.

England once again the favourites, although due to their complete lack of success in the past 56 years I see they have been downplayed to "one of the favourites".
No Italy, Sweden, Colombia, Peru. Nigeria, Egypt.
I'm going for either France, Germany, Spain, or Brazil.

Originally Posted by ox

Starts in under a week in the footballing state of Qatar, the land of human rights.
Hundred-mile peninsula jutting up from Saudi Arabia, the land of the free.
Native population 300,000 plus a few ex-pats and well treated immigrant workers.
Tolerant of LGBTQ++.
8 carbon neutral stadiums all within a few miles of each other in the sand.
Average temperature of 25C in the winter.

England once again the favourites, although due to their complete lack of success in the past 56 years I see they have been downplayed to "one of the favourites".
No Italy, Sweden, Colombia, Peru. Nigeria, Egypt.
I'm going for either France, Germany, Spain, or Brazil.

As said on the forum message board, just want Canada to score a goal. Although I think it would be great if Qatar wins a game and the star player of that game comes out of the closet. Other than that I await FIFA scandal and controversy. Should be a few video replay head scratchers and should we expect a bribery of game officials accusation? Should see some magnificently faked fouls/injuries plus thumb sucking/baby-carrying goal celebrations. Red cards for the bad teams and penalties that might raise an eyebrow or two for the favourites. Almost forgot the guy who never stops pounding the drum or blowing the vuvuzela and the poor slobs who paid big money to sit near him. Fights in the stands and the explosions of fireworks, bombs and incendiary devices. One thing don't want to miss are the times when bored cameramen find the great looking ladies in the crowd. Maybe some fights outside the stadiums also. Fans on the pitch, full monty streaking or drunk and disorderly. Some stupid player will do or say something disrespectful to Muslim religion. All great stuff. Maybe a caning or beheading for halftime show. Are there others reasons to watch?

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

Maybe a caning or beheading for halftime show. Are there others reasons to watch?

They will be serving alcohol, but not during the games apparently. That might be reason enough to rile up those most likely to require at least a public flogging.

But if they can get enough to drink pre-game or post-game, anything is possible.

A beheading might be asking too much, since this is Qatar, not Saudi Arabia.

Controversy of Qatar chosen to host the tournament aside, greater engagement with a country that most people don't know too much about helps to broaden cultural horizons, and for an Islamic country allowing, LGBTQIA, to visit is an important demonstration of tolerance. Whilst they don't share our views, they are willing to respect them and certainly, I would concur with the sentiment that fans traveling to Qatar, equally make an effort to respect their views.

Are England being touted as favourites? I've seen bookies with Brazil @4/1, France @6/1, Argentina @13/2 & England @7/1. Not expecting England to win, just hope we aren't embarrassed. Not unreasonable for Canada to score, they could get a few if things go well, you never how teams will perform in major tournaments quite a few upsets over the years.

I'm just hoping for lots of exciting attacking games, the 2010 tournament in South Africa springs to mind, (maybe it was mention of the vuvuzela), some great attacking play being attributed to Jabulani football. Official FIFA guidelines used to suggest a ball weight of 420 - 445g, but they've gotten slightly heavier in recent years, the Al Rihla being used in Qatar weighs in at 450g, be interesting to see how this affects the number of goals scored. Also hope for some iconic moments e.g., Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the last game of his career the 2006 world cup final, or De Jong kicking Xabi Alonso in the chest in the 2010 final etc. Remember some of these moments more than the goals!

Qatar is 8 hrs ahead of this kid’s time zone. 11 hrs for folks in Vancouver. Not sure if the bars here will be impacted. Have they late starting times over there just to accommodate us NA’s?

They're staggering the group games with 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm Qatar time kick-offs for the first 2 matches. After that all games are set to be at either 6pm or 10pm Qatar time.

Group F: Canada vs Belgium Wednesday November 23rd 10pm kick-off Qatar time.

Group F: Morocco vs Croatia Wednesday November 23rd 1pm kick-off Qatar time.

Group F: Belgium vs Morocco Sunday November 27th 4pm kick-off Qatar time.

Group F: Croatia vs Canada Sunday November 27th 7pm kick-off Qatar time.

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

As said on the forum message board, just want Canada to score a goal. Although I think it would be great if Qatar wins a game and the star player of that game comes out of the closet. Other than that I await FIFA scandal and controversy. Should be a few video replay head scratchers and should we expect a bribery of game officials accusation? Should see some magnificently faked fouls/injuries plus thumb sucking/baby-carrying goal celebrations. Red cards for the bad teams and penalties that might raise an eyebrow or two for the favourites. Almost forgot the guy who never stops pounding the drum or blowing the vuvuzela and the poor slobs who paid big money to sit near him. Fights in the stands and the explosions of fireworks, bombs and incendiary devices. One thing don't want to miss are the times when bored cameramen find the great looking ladies in the crowd. Maybe some fights outside the stadiums also. Fans on the pitch, full monty streaking or drunk and disorderly. Some stupid player will do or say something disrespectful to Muslim religion. All great stuff. Maybe a caning or beheading for halftime show. Are there others reasons to watch?

I'm expecting a lot of the video assistant referee (VAR), and every game going on for the full 100 minutes.
Showing my age now but I remember when the games lasted for 90 minutes plus maybe a minute or two of injury time. Players were treated on the pitch by the 'trainer' carrying a bucket of cold water with a 'magic sponge' and the player up in no time.

You are right about the cameramen who will focus as much on spectators as the players.
England's chances of progressing in the knockout stages will be dependent on penalty shootouts. They have only ever won one.

Highest paid player I assume to be C Ronaldo who is on at least half a mill a week with Man U, and does nothing but criticise the owners, ex-players and the manager.

Over the border in Saudi Arabia they have introduced their own idea of sport washing with a golf league, the LIV which as it suggests is played over 54 holes in various parts of the world and players earning oil barrels of money.
To think that once upon a time sport was largely amateur.

Originally Posted by ox

I'm expecting a lot of the video assistant referee (VAR), and every game going on for the full 100 minutes.
Showing my age now but I remember when the games lasted for 90 minutes plus maybe a minute or two of injury time. Players were treated on the pitch by the 'trainer' carrying a bucket of cold water with a 'magic sponge' and the player up in no time.

You are right about the cameramen who will focus as much on spectators as the players.
England's chances of progressing in the knockout stages will be dependent on penalty shootouts. They have only ever won one.

Highest paid player I assume to be C Ronaldo who is on at least half a mill a week with Man U, and does nothing but criticise the owners, ex-players and the manager.

Over the border in Saudi Arabia they have introduced their own idea of sport washing with a golf league, the LIV which as it suggests is played over 54 holes in various parts of the world and players earning oil barrels of money.
To think that once upon a time sport was largely amateur.

Halftime, in lieu of beheading: A gusher?

I got that cold water sponge treatment one time. Looked like I'd pissed my pants when it was over. Remember girls in the sideline grandstands laughing. Must of looked pretty funny. One placebo effect later and I was back out there for last 5 minutes. Scored the goal to tie the game and my buddy got the winner couple minutes later. Nowadays they bring the stretcher out and that's another thing to look for, players refusing the stretcher because they're not really hurt and the ref saying 'get off' because he's been duped. Any female officials for this Cup?

Haven't watched a minute of LIV golf. Basically a lowering of the age limit for the Senior's Tour for a lot of them. My favourite line from all the hype was when some reporter said, "I wonder how many people the Saudis have to kill for Phil (Mikkelson) not to take the money". But it's like anything else, money talks & poverty walks. I figure they will unite both tours one day once the poison, Greg Norman, is gone. Never liked that guy.

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

Any female officials for this Cup?

Six.
Hope they are in the middle and not on the side. Players will be on their best behaviour.

Greg Norman, is gone. Never liked that guy.

Has he??
Unless the sharks got him.

Trying to anticipate England's excuse for failure this time:

The WC should not have been played in Qatar.
It's in the middle of our season and not the end when we can unwind.
We were underprepared for a tournament like this when the players were playing in the Premier League a week before.
We had injuries to key players.
The manager is hopeless and needs to go.
There was an R in the month and the sun was in the wrong sign.

PS. Excuses have started already.
Their hotel has no alcohol.
Outside is a camel riding school and a pair of grunting camels are keeping the players awake at night.
I'm not sure how much more I can take.

Fifa has changed its policy and Qatar will not sell alcohol during the games*. Corporate areas of the stadiums will still be allowed to tank up, however. Not hard to wonder why.

This could stir up some problems. Imagine quite a few fans will try to smuggle various elixirs into the stadium by various means. This should be an interesting test of real soccer fans to the sport and how best to enjoy it : sober, or inebriated to various degrees. One supposes they will all act civilized, regardless of the conditions (or not).


"World Cup 2022: Alcohol sales banned at World Cup stadiums in Qatar"

* https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63674631

Fan fury because Qatari's think it's all sober!

Just as well if beer sells for £12 a pint.

I agree with the FIFA president when he says European nations should not criticise without apologising for their past actions.

When you get off the plane…..no homosexuality, no sex toys, no porn, no booze, no guns and most of all, no pork products. Probably a few more no no’s. For a woman, I’m not sure what the multiplier is, 2X, 3X as stringent? As long as cameramen aren’t forbidden from picking out some beautiful ladies or handsome guys if you’re so inclined. Hope they banned that goddam drum and vuvuzelas but guys baring big fat beer bellies …… will that be allowed?

Zin, you must be excited about 2026 when the SWC will be hosted in Canada, USA and Mexico.
48 teams will take part. That's to allow Scotland to have a chance of qualifying for the first time in decades.
Most importantly, it will be a summer tournament. None of this November - December stuff in the desert.

(Probably just November for England).

Originally Posted by ox

Zin, you must be excited about 2026 when the SWC will be hosted in Canada, USA and Mexico.
48 teams will take part. That's to allow Scotland to have a chance of qualifying for the first time in decades.
Most importantly, it will be a summer tournament. None of this November - December stuff in the desert.

(Probably just November for England).

Sorry but I use the term soccer more than football.

Means I have to live another 4 yrs. I’d be getting up there by then. There’s a certain soccer community but many have overseas connections. Ice Hockey still #1, soccer behind baseball, American football, basketball. I have an ancestor from England who fought in War of 1812-14, survived and stayed, so I cheer for England. My wife is 100% Dutch so she wears the orange. Met my wife through soccer.

I think the women have more of a soccer following then the men because they’ve been successful. I was there when soccer began in Canada for girls/women. Coached a few teams, won some cups. Not like it is today. Back then the women’s game was different than men but now I’m sorry to say, they try to emulate the guys game. Most glaring difference is the speed, when the gals try to be like the guys it just can’t be done as fast. No slight against, just the way it is.

Kick off…. Let’s get it done. Hope Qatar gets blown out…lol

Qatar may set a record for most VAR decisions in one team’s favour.

No problem with the word soccer.
England off to a flying start with 6-2 win over Iran.
Atmosphere in the stadium seemed a bit subdued with only Iranian fans making much noise.
Stadium not full.
Protests over women's rights in Iran.
Wales on later. For a land for which Rugby Union is so big they will want a bit of cheer. They lost to Georgia at the weekend.

Originally Posted by ox

No problem with the word soccer.
England off to a flying start with 6-2 win over Iran.
Atmosphere in the stadium seemed a bit subdued with only Iranian fans making much noise.
Stadium not full.
Protests over women's rights in Iran.
Wales on later. For a land for which Rugby Union is so big they will want a bit of cheer. They lost to Georgia at the weekend.

Weird game, particularly 2nd half.

Only two games in and getting some bad vibes. I think refs, consciously or not, are doing their best not to upset the local culture/religion. Is theocracy better term? idk. Cheap penalty decisions, favourable VAR results and no red cards for those teams. Players know this and if you watched Iran, particularly in the first half, even the slightest contact they fall and look towards ref. On Saka goal, two of them looked for call instead of defending. A little instant karma when Irani keeper banged heads with own teammate. Give credit to England for not giving ref a reason to go red. Could be wrong but refs are human and follow media reports etc.

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

Could be wrong but refs are human and follow media reports etc.

Shortage now of referees in England at lower levels.
At junior level they get abuse from parents.
Last Saturday watching my team and standing close to the opposition manager directing nasty abuse from the side at the referee, I called out to the official to give him a red card.
At the highest level they have VAR.
Where it all falls down is that no two people ever witness exactly the same event and even VAR gets it wrong.

Japan 2 Germany 1.
Saudi Arabia 2 Argentina 1.

That's drama.

Canucks should have won, at least drawn. Just can’t finish at this level.

Never thought we’d have as many points as Argentina and Germany after the first game

Qatar Won The Right To Host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is happening in Qatar. Nevertheless, it is happening in the Middle East region for the first time in history. Therefore, in preparation for the 2022 World Cup, Qatar has invested a billion dollars in building sports venues. They build it with the most cutting-edge architecture and environmental practices. They also consider some other significant economic and infrastructure improvements. As the first World Cup in the northern hemisphere in the summer, Qatar is also ready to make history. Instead, the football game is planned for late November to mid-December. The final football game will happen on December 18, 2022. Luckily, it will happen on Qatar’s National Day.


The teams will play the game over a shorter time of about 28 days. The SC for Delivery and Legacy is also the primary organization managing international competition.

Wales 0 Qatar 2.
OK until goalkeeper sent off for reckless challenge.
Nevertheless, this was Wales' first defeat in the finals for 64 years.
Just shows how statistics can be so misleading.

Originally Posted by ox

Wales 0 Qatar 2.
OK until goalkeeper sent off for reckless challenge.
Nevertheless, this was Wales' first defeat in the finals for 64 years.
Just shows how statistics can be so misleading.

I’m sure you meant to say Iran 2-0.

The guy I wouldn’t want to be is the referee who didn’t award Qatar a penalty against Senegal. Get him out of the country asap….lol. Then FIFA should investigate possible illegal shenanigans. What is VAR if you don’t use it? Means I’m ready to take back what I said in earlier posts about favouring ME teams but how that wasn’t a penalty I’ll never know. I refereed a different sport for 38 years and there’s always a moment or two when you’re the only guy in the world that saw something different. Only other thing I can think of in the case of the Qatar non-penalty is criminal

For a sport crying for more offence (goals) seems odd the penalty rules work against that. Throw in dubious VAR and offside by a fingernail, this is what you get….no change.

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

I’m sure you meant to say Iran 2-0.

But Qatar and Iran are less than an hour's flying time away and share similar cultures.
(wriggle, wriggle).

After last night between England and USA the headline is "Yawn in the USA."
Dreadful game with USA the better side.
Not bad for a country where soccer is a minority sport and England have never beaten the USA in the finals.
1950 - USA 1 England 0.
2010 - USA 1 England 1.
2022 - USA 0 England 0.

Could it be because although Americans speak English, they think and play like the Germans?

What is VAR if you don’t use it?

Coming soon is quantum VAR. Even if one atom of your body is offside, it's offside.

Originally Posted by ox

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

I’m sure you meant to say Iran 2-0.

But Qatar and Iran are less than an hour's flying time away and share similar cultures.
(wriggle, wriggle).

After last night between England and USA the headline is "Yawn in the USA."
Dreadful game with USA the better side.
Not bad for a country where soccer is a minority sport and England have never beaten the USA in the finals.
1950 - USA 1 England 0.
2010 - USA 1 England 1.
2022 - USA 0 England 0.

Could it be because although Americans speak English, they think and play like the Germans?

What is VAR if you don’t use it?

Coming soon is quantum VAR. Even if one atom of your body is offside, it's offside.

Might be right about quantum VAR. Why not take away even more goals?

One idea I’ve had for increasing goal totals is to eliminate/disallow the defensive wall teams are allowed to build on free kicks outside the P area. You would never see that in the normal run of play so let the offence have a go or create something and not having to finesse something rare.

Not over yet but the Saudi vs Poland game embodies all NA hates about soccer. Watching the Saudis play the fake injury game is just not acceptable here. As someone said, an F1 driver can be involved in a horrific pile up, get out and fight the guy he thinks responsible then go look for another car to drive. Saudi players are all physically fit individuals and there is no way they can be injured every time they’re touched. Credit to the Poles who know what the strategy is, great save on penalty/rebound and just putting up with it. No wonder there’s 10 extra minutes every half.

My take is and always will be: If the game is corrupt at the top it filters all the way down to the playing ground.

Now that I said that, the Saudis will probably tie it up….lol

Oh, thank goodness, Poles get another one

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

Might be right about quantum VAR. Why not take away even more goals?

There should be an unbiased panel to decide if it's a goal or not.
A great goal but a hair's breadth offside should be allowed.
A scrappy one that's not offside should only be allowed in the result of a drawn game.
Maybe scrap the offside law altogether unless offside in the penalty area.
There should be no yellow or red cards.
Guilty player should be sent to the sin bin for an appropriate time.
Being a bit facetious here, but we have to find a way to protect referees from all the abuse.

My take is and always will be: If the game is corrupt at the top it filters all the way down to the playing ground.

If it wasn't corrupt at the top, would Qatar have been awarded the finals?

Loved the Uruguayans going after the ref despite 2-0 over Ghana. The game is so corrupt that players who fake or embellish the slightest of contact actually believe they should be rewarded for their behavior. Cavani one of the worst actors out there. Kudos to the ref for not bowing to incredible pressure and awarding a penalty….that guy should work the final. As I said earlier, it’s why we don’t like the game or take it seriously in NA.

The modern game of football was developed in England, and it soon became tribal.
Try reading The Soccer Tribe by the zoologist Desmond Morris.
The warpaint on fans' faces at this WC still confirms this.
Alcohol before games is the new intoxication,
When a goal is scored the team's fans go wild, like it's been a kill.
Fans will fight each other as separate tribes.
I've never been involved in this. I stay away from all but non-league games. Never any trouble.

"Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one. Charles Mackay, L.L.D

At previous finals I used to see flags from windows and cars. Hardly any this time.

Just dawned on me, soccer is probably the only high profile sport in the world where a team’s offensive strategy involves fooling and putting pressure on the referee. In America, if you try that, the officials give you nothing, you’re vilified by the press, shamed by peers and teammates, shunned by fans, possibly suspended by league, traded to another team and lose your endorsement deals. You become a liability, no one wants or respects you and you might just never put on a pro uniform again.

Football could die in England because of a shortage of referees.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sp...ive-years.html

Watching my local team I see the abuse all the time. It comes from supporters, players, the bench.
One example from a couple of weeks ago there was such vile abuse spouted out from the opposition manager I called out to the referee to red card him. He quickly apologised.
Goes for my team as well. I've even seen a confrontation with officials in the middle at half time.
I've never seen an official change his mind under pressure from fans or players.

I'll be glad when this World Cup is over. The hype is unbelievable. I'm beginning to be at one with people who hate the game.

Originally Posted by ox

Football could die in England because of a shortage of referees.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sp...ive-years.html

Watching my local team I see the abuse all the time. It comes from supporters, players, the bench.
One example from a couple of weeks ago there was such vile abuse spouted out from the opposition manager I called out to the referee to red card him. He quickly apologised.
Goes for my team as well. I've even seen a confrontation with officials in the middle at half time.
I've never seen an official change his mind under pressure from fans or players.

I'll be glad when this World Cup is over. The hype is unbelievable. I'm beginning to be at one with people who hate the game.

Why in the world would they let a 14 yr old referee an adult men’s game? That’s just asking for trouble.

I’ve been a basketball referee for 38 yrs. I’ve worked games from wheelchair to university, the very young to old timers and have been a victim of abuse on some occasions. I’m pretty well known now and I don’t get much crap thrown at me these days. We have trouble recruiting and keeping new referees also. They just can’t take the heat, nor do they know how to deal with it. To be honest, from what I’ve seen, if I was a young person interested in refereeing basketball I would definitely hesitate making that commitment.

Seems to me the best criteria for becoming an amateur official is to be in a position of authority in your professional life. Either as a boss, teacher, cop, inspector etc. Unfortunately teenagers don’t have that experience and neither do plenty of other people who apply to referee. I find the more successful referees are used to being in charge and they do it as an avocation or hobby, not a primary source of income IOWs.

Over the years I have had to deal with unruly parents, spectators, etc. Our procedure is to inform the administrative people present and have them remove any disrupting malcontents. Players and coaches are our responsibility and on a few occasions I’ve simply ejected them from games. I have to report every incident to the governing body and it’s they who deliver the sanctions. We also have the power to end a game and declare a forfeit. Helps that I’m also big enough to handle myself in case someone’s thinking of using violence on me.

I feel for these soccer refs. Like I said, used as offensive strategy by many leagues. Then teams get angry when their fakery is ignored and applaud themselves when they succeed being fraudsters. They have VAR, start suspending/fining these guys at pro level. But It’s FIFA, probably the most corrupt sports organization in the world.

Bloody referee last night. Useless #!*%.
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/footb...llow%20cards).
19 yellow and red cards.

It was his show all along.
He just wanted attention.
Hang 'em high I say.

England v France tonight.
Eleven against eleven.
Which means wish we had their eleven.

Originally Posted by ox

Bloody referee last night. Useless #!*%.
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/footb...llow%20cards).
19 yellow and red cards.

It was his show all along.
He just wanted attention.
Hang 'em high I say.

England v France tonight.
Eleven against eleven.
Which means wish we had their eleven.

Agree. Worst so far. I still haven’t seen the penalty. Argentina shouldn’t complain. Do not tackle Argentines in or close to 18 yard box.
Things seem to be going remarkably well for Messi, can’t touch him, let him whine, he can’t foul. It’s his show IMO.

It's coming home!
The plane carrying the England team after yet another failure, and yes, they have blamed it on the referee.
He didn't give the foul that led to the first France goal. Then the French had the audacity to score again.
But listening to the radio this morning I hear that England are once again favourites for the Euro's in 18 months.
By the time of the next World Cup in 2026, England will be such hot favourites the other nations would be advised not to bother.

Reasons why England will never again lift a major trophy:
The players are so detached from the rest of the population they can't speak for themselves, and are ruled over by greedy agents.
The manager has to be politically correct.
The coaching staff remove all talent and individuality from the players.
Too much expectation and too little desire.

. Too much expectation and too little desire.

Media and supporters guilty of first part of that and perhaps desired too much also. Works both ways.

In Canada we were besieged with ad after ad, headline after headline, about how good we we were but I don’t think fans here bought any of it. The commercials have pretty much vanished and soccer back to the end of the sport entertainment queue. Although not really threatened by WC, ice hockey is numero uno sport here. Women’s national soccer team seems to be more popular but not really a topic of conversation except perhaps a passing comment between folks should ladies win something or some scandal arises. Be hard pressed to name more than one or two players for men or women’s team. Canada still has a presence in WC, Moroccan keeper born in Montreal. Like most here, forget his name.

All in all I think the level of play has been poor at WC from games I saw. Garbage goals, not many wow moments and nothing like a Roberto Carlos free kick howitzer from 30 yards ending up in the net. Brazil a big disappointment along with Germany, Spain and Belgium. Portugal and England about the same, can’t get to finish line (excluding ‘66). I think WC shows how soccer has deteriorated from a creative spectacle to boring set play accompanied with the fraudulent acts designed to influence referees. Best goal IMO was tying goal Dutch scored against Argentina, at least some imagination there.

It will be talked about for years that Kane missed a penalty and effectively send England home.
This man gets paid megabucks. I think it's about £500,000 a week.

Yet all the talk is still how great England are. They are the diamond generation of players.
One player even flew home after someone nicked his jewellery and watches.

Massive gap between the men at the top and the fans at the bottom.
Players are the new gods and they are worshipped in football cathedrals.
Mbappe reported to earn £1.2 million per week playing for Paris SG.
Just how big can this sport get?

Thank god that’s over. Argentina definitely won the battle of falling down and rolling around, especially when up for most of game. They only stopped when they needed to break the 2-2 score. What a crap game and people get excited about that stuff.

^^LIKE^^
I didn't even watch the game.
FIFA president thought it was the best ever WC.

I see I my original prediction (#1) was correct, except that France played Argentina and not Brazil in the final, and Argentina won.
I'll go back to watching proper football now. Non-league.