# 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:** 37
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/721 "2022-11-29T21:20:23Z")
We just look terrible without Pulisic on the field. The second half looked bad, and then we got worse with each substitution. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/722 "2022-11-29T21:23:28Z")
I knew I was missing something! šŸ˜… ---
**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 29, 2022, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/723 "2022-11-29T21:31:34Z")
The States earned their place, tying England and playing a good all-round game. The Netherlands is always tough but this year are perhaps not as strong as some previous years. Should be a great game. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/724 "2022-11-29T21:35:15Z")
Somehow the USA made it out of the group stage scoring only two goals. That says ā€¦ well, I donā€™t know what, but undoubtedly itā€™s something profound. ---
**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 29, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/725 "2022-11-29T21:37:53Z")
Well played USA. England were fantastic against Wales which makes the US draw against them more impressive. The Netherlands will be a tough opponent but I think they are beatable. ---
**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 29, 2022, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/726 "2022-11-29T21:38:23Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Somehow the USA made it out of the group stage scoring only two goals. That says ā€¦ well, I donā€™t know what, but undoubtedly itā€™s something profound. Italy have pulled off this kind of stuff all the time, and hey, theyā€™re a four times WC champion! ---
**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 29, 2022, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/727 "2022-11-29T21:53:29Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Somehow the USA made it out of the group stage scoring only two goals. That says ā€¦ well, I donā€™t know what, but undoubtedly itā€™s something profound. It says the US are a good team without much ability in front of goal. Put a world class striker into that team and they will beat a lot of opponents. ---
**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 29, 2022, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/728 "2022-11-29T21:54:20Z")
Pulisic sent to the hospital with an ā€œabdominal injury ā€œ. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/729 "2022-11-29T21:54:31Z")
If Pulisic is healthy and can play, I give the US a 50:50 chance. Nothing particularly exceptional about this Dutch team, and I think Pulisic would be the best attacking player on that pitch - again, if heā€™s healthy. I donā€™t think Memphis is currently as good, and Virgil is probably the best overall player, but heā€™s a CB. Now, I confess I donā€™t know much about Gakpo, as I donā€™t watch any Dutch league. ---
**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 29, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/730 "2022-11-29T21:56:24Z")
> ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/731 "2022-11-29T21:58:01Z")
Jeez. How did he finish the half with a busted testicle, or whatever the injury he ends up being hospitalized for? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/732 "2022-11-29T22:27:48Z")
So the USA is through? Whew, if the case. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/733 "2022-11-29T22:29:52Z")
Yes, the USA is guaranteed to advance. They will likely face the Netherlands now. ---
**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 29, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/734 "2022-11-29T22:36:22Z")
Not likely, will. They play on Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/735 "2022-11-29T22:38:45Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > How did he finish the half with a busted testicle, or whatever the injury he ends up being hospitalized for? Letā€™s hope the hospital trip is just for scans and not an indication that it was some kind of emergency situation. Heā€™s got 4 days to heal, hopefully him finishing the half bodes well. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/736 "2022-11-29T22:43:26Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Jeez. How did he finish the half with a busted testicle, or whatever the injury he ends up being hospitalized for? Brass doesnā€™t bust; tarnished testicles, maybe. ---
**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:** [November 29, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/737 "2022-11-29T22:51:23Z")
Mildly unfortunate that the World Cup is, without question, the most absolutely butt-_ugliest_ trophy in the Entire History of All Trophies. šŸ¤·ā€ā™‚ļø ---
**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 29, 2022, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/738 "2022-11-29T22:59:33Z")
He says heā€™ll be ready! > ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/739 "2022-11-29T23:11:55Z")
It seems it was modelled on the current FIFA president, no wonder it is [ugly](https://schumanchu.eu/html/l/l_00120mafiantino_bild.html). Still coveted. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/740 "2022-11-29T23:15:20Z")
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