# Omnibus World Football Thread 2020-2022 (edited) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [August 16, 2020, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264 "2020-08-16T15:38:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 49
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/962 "2023-07-24T19:18:07Z")
> ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/963 "2023-07-24T21:15:29Z")
My initial thought was “no way he’d do that.” But he could delay Real Madrid a year and still spend his whole prime there. And he already delayed them for money (I’m skeptical he stayed at PSG for the project). ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/964 "2023-07-24T21:33:16Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I’m skeptical he stayed at PSG for the project but they did a video ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/965 "2023-07-24T21:34:39Z")
PSG left Mbappe out of their pre-season tour to Japan and very much wish to sell him, rather than see him leave on a free next summer. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 38 years of age, is on $214,534,727 a year at Al-Nassr, so Mbappe, the current best player in the world, will surely command more. > **[List of largest sports contracts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_sports_contracts)** > > This is a list of the largest sports contracts. These figures include signing bonuses but exclude options, buyouts, and the endorsement deals. This list does not reflect the highest annual salaries or career earnings, only the top 100 largest contracts and thus is largely limited to athletes in team sports and auto racing. Athletes in individual sports, such as golf, tennis, table tennis, boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, are not employed by a team and usually earn money primarily through event winn... ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/966 "2023-07-25T02:36:46Z")
I want on record that I think we’re going to be hearing pundits say “I think Onana should have done better there.” A LOT. He’s an indoor keeper who likes to bring the ball up. I am not satisfied with his shot-stopping. At. All. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/967 "2023-07-25T04:48:14Z")
Not sure if this has been discussed, but… what do people think, or what do people hear the pundits saying, about the format for the 2026 World Cup? As I understand it, it’s 48 teams, so 12 groups of 4. 24 1st and 2nd place teams advance, along with 8 3rd place teams. Is this correct? If so, I hate hate HATE it. The group stages are always a bit boring to begin with, but at least there’s often a group of death where a team that has a legit shot at a deep run will get sent home early, adding some tension. If most of the 3rd place teams make it through as well, then why even WATCH the group stage games? A vastly better idea, imho, would be to have only 1st and 2nd place teams advance, with the 8 1st place teams with the best records getting a bye through the first round. This keeps the basic purity of top-two-advance, but also gives a team that is clearly winning the group an incentive to still go all out on match 3, etc. Has this been discussed/debated in the fandom? ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/968 "2023-07-25T05:05:54Z")
I hate it as I usually do attempts to reinvent the wheel ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/969 "2023-07-25T09:16:45Z")
I don’t know, but I do really like your idea. Unfortunately, FIFA will never go for it because it would mean fewer games (and hence less money for the TV rights). Like many lifelong football fans, I’m thinking of basically giving up on top-tier professional football - for the last 30 years it’s been all about the money, but always getting worse. Watching lower-tiers is not only far cheaper, it’s often much better entertainment. Of course, you’re then not watching the absolute best in the world - but I can live with that. It’s not like I’ve ever followed a team religiously anyway, so it’s a fairly easy decision for me to make. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/970 "2023-07-25T11:15:14Z")
I’m fine with at least one look at the new format, I’d like to see what teams rise to the surface who wouldn’t have before. There’s nothing that forces me to watch many of those games, but I might, and ultimately the World Cup winner would’ve played an extra match as I understand it. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/971 "2023-07-25T13:53:31Z")
I’m not a fan of the new format, but it’s better than the original proposal of 16 3-team groups. 48 teams is just an awkward number for a tournament like this, so there’s going to be downsides to whatever format is chosen. More teams in the WC is nice for the countries that wouldn’t otherwise get in. I’m happy for more fans to get to see their team on the big stage. But it also devalues the qualification tournaments, which have always been great themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/972 "2023-07-27T00:05:00Z")
Thank-you, Kylian: > **[Kylian Mbappé reportedly won't negotiate contract with Al Hilal despite $221...](https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/kylian-mbappe-reportedly-wont-negotiate-contract-with-al-hilal-despite-221-million-salary-offer-193828091.html)** > > Mbappé is still under contract with Paris Saint-Germain, meaning he doesn't have to agree to play elsewhere even after PSG reportedly already accepted the Saudi club's record transfer fee. Likely on to Real Madrid? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/973 "2023-07-27T00:15:48Z")
Damn, I was hoping he was going to slide into irrelevancy before the 2026 WC, no such luck. /jk ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/974 "2023-07-27T01:32:34Z")
If he accepted I think it would’ve have been with the idea to leave after 1 year. Will RM be able to bring him in this year after signing Bellingham? If not, and it’ll be next year on a free transfer, then I would think Saudi would be even more attractive. I don’t think PSG is in a great position for a UCL title. A chance, sure, but they’d be underdogs. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/975 "2023-08-03T02:26:44Z")
Messi’s abusing his stature in the current game. He should have been sent off before half. He did get a yellow on the first clear foul, but the ref’s are really giving him leeway and anyone else would have gotten a yellow for the second one as well. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/976 "2023-08-03T02:43:23Z")
This? > When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. > ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/977 "2023-08-03T02:56:26Z")
Yeah. It’s off the ball and he goes it to break up a play. The Ronaldo one is weird. He gets fouled on that play first, but then that’s a clear red on him. Jordi Alba getting subbed on as I type this. Surreal. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/978 "2023-08-03T14:01:34Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. On behalf of 45 million Argentinians I find myself in the obligation to request you to cease and desist in any comparison between Lionel Andres Messi Cuccitini AKA The Messiah, who sits at the right hand of D10s and the entity known as Donald J. Trump. If you persist in this course of action we reserve the right to retaliate with anything up to and including drone strikes (we’ll have to get some drones but I bet we can manufacture some if we put our minds to it). Respectfully. A grateful nation. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/979 "2023-08-11T21:03:44Z")
Man City doing Man City things, namely Haaland scoring a brace and KDB getting injured. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2023, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/980 "2023-08-16T01:01:25Z")
Inter Miami just qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. One step closer to playing a River Plate or Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2023, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/981 "2023-08-16T04:22:37Z")
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