# World Cup 2022 - discussion, predictions, and thoughts **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [November 6, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476 "2022-11-06T20:37:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/261 "2022-11-22T17:27:23Z")
Saudi Arabia executed some brilliant offside traps, and in response Argentina completely fell apart. Not a good sign for Messi’s hopes for a World Cup win. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/262 "2022-11-22T17:37:39Z")
And they’re in Qatar, the one place they could possibly get away with that chant and have FIFA unable to respond. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/263 "2022-11-22T17:40:04Z")
What is that chant? I don’t know Spanish. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/264 "2022-11-22T17:43:31Z")
This example was back in March, not about today. [Mexico fans once again chanted ‘puto’ during World Cup Qualifier - Outsports](https://www.outsports.com/2022/3/25/22996475/mexico-soccer-puto-gay-chanti-world-cup-qualifier-fifa) I’m not saying that they have this time. But FIFA has zero credibility to get on the fans if they do so. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/265 "2022-11-22T17:52:10Z")
Ah thanks, I see, that’s disgusting, but sadly football crowds all around the world are not immune to homophobia. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/266 "2022-11-22T17:57:44Z")
So, let’s ask our “futbol” experts here the big question. With a tie against Wales and hopefully a win against Iran and a loss to England, will that be enough to get the United States into the next round? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/267 "2022-11-22T18:00:07Z")
Probably, but depends on other results. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/268 "2022-11-22T18:01:24Z")
If you go by the odds where England beats US and Wales, and Wales and US both beat Iran, then it comes down to goal differential. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/269 "2022-11-22T18:02:28Z")
That’s what I was thinking. Well, we have one measly goal thus far, so we’d better get going! ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/270 "2022-11-22T18:03:40Z")
Best chance for the US is to only lose by like one and then beat Iran like England did. The team will have a target since Wales plays Iran first. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/271 "2022-11-22T18:04:46Z")
_Don’t cry for me Argentina/ The truth is I never left you/ All through my wild days/ My mad existence/ I kept my promise/ Don’t keep your distance/ Have I said too much?/ There’s nothing more I can think of to say to you…_ ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/272 "2022-11-22T18:17:54Z")
Mexico played better than Poland, but both were mediocre. I’d like to see Canada surprise Belgium. I’d also like to win the lottery. ---
**Author:** ![txtumbleweed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@txtumbleweed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txtumbleweed)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/273 "2022-11-22T18:19:45Z")
Goal differential and goals scored are probably enough to decide, so we want to see Wales (or, the US, if you prefer 🙂 ) get into the knock-out rounds, they need to keep scoring so as to win by more than just a single goal to improve that differential. If I am reading the tie-breakers right, were the US and Wales to each end up with a 1-1-1 record and the tie isn’t broken with the goal differential or goals for, the next one to come into play is the sixth breaker (as 3 is head-to-head (they tied) and 4,5 presuppose three tied teams). The sixth tie-breaker is interesting, rather than an objective performance stat, FIFA goes to “fair play” where they look at the number of yellow/red cards each team has received. If the disciplinary records are the same, the teams draw lots for who will advance. > **[2022 FIFA World Cup: What are the tiebreaker rules for the group stage?](https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/2022-fifa-world-cup-tiebreaker-group-stage-qatar)** > > The tiebreaks for the World Cup get… weird. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/274 "2022-11-22T18:21:47Z")
“Fair Play”?! Wow! ---
**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:** [November 22, 2022, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/275 "2022-11-22T18:22:20Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > I’d like to see Canada surprise Belgium. After a few years of watching Alphonso Davies and Tajon Buchanan pretty much every game they’ve played, this would not be a complete surprise, and I’d very much like to see it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/276 "2022-11-22T18:27:37Z")
Canada can play better than Mexico and the US. If they ever have a chance of winning some tough games, that time is now. Davies has been sharp for Bayern, hopefully his hamstring has healed. ---
**Author:** ![txtumbleweed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@txtumbleweed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txtumbleweed)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/277 "2022-11-22T18:42:28Z")
I’d like to see how the drawing of lots would work. Knowing FIFA, the winner will be whichever team’s signature is on the larger personal check to the FIFA director. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/278 "2022-11-22T18:51:56Z")
SA vs Argentina was truly insane. I love seeing a big upset. But I don’t love when countries with truly evil authoritarian theocratic governments get “wins”. But, still, kudos to SA team. Their second goal in particular was wonderful, and then they just defended incredibly, including a header-off-the-line and a bunch of situations where they seemed to be caught with their pants down, and somehow still stopped the goal. Presumably due to conservation of drama, that led to two straight 0-0 snoozers. Now, if SA can beat Argentina, maybe Australia can upset France! ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/279 "2022-11-22T18:57:52Z")
What’s with the inverted commas? ---
**Author:** ![lum\_s\_husband](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lum_s_husband/32/3698_2.png) [@lum\_s\_husband](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lum_s_husband)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/280 "2022-11-22T18:58:53Z")
Straight cash only. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=15)