Qatar World Cup 2022

I can see Serbia or Croatia go far in the competition.

Probably gases from the builders bodies they threw into the foundations.

I wouldn't mind getting myself an Iran jersey, bound to get a few comments when out and about.

Agree about the anticipation levels. Lowest ever for a WC. Even the media aren't as hyped as they usually are at this point.

But will watch as much as I can, as usual.

Think England missed their chance to win a major trophy in the last 2 tournaments. They have regressed since then.

Still time for some countries to pick up injuries. It was a daft place to hold the WC, with players basically going straight from club leagues into a WC with no break or preparation time. Who knows, it might make this one better for that reason? But we'd need to be prepped, cos nothing is surer than the Saudis being handed the tournament in the near future.

I'm going to go with Brazil or Argentina. With perhaps Germany or France as potentials if they play well.

Its a shambles.

World Cups work in June/July, because they are at the end of the season in the northern hemisphere, they fill the television schedule when there is otherwise little to nothing on, the kids are off school to be watching their heroes and outside with a ball trying to emulate them late into the warm evenings.

Like the Olympics, it is a landmark in our four year calendars, as constant as Christmas or Paddy's Day and a massive boon for big corporate advertisers who go mad with offers an merchandise.

The host venues tend to be the cities of a big global nation, with lots to see and do and go to meet and party and generally enjoy the tournament of a lifetime.

Qatar is none of that. None.

Its a small, parched, temperant, human rights abusing kip. The fans don't want to go, the sponsors don't want to be associated with it and back in the leagues that are paused in the height of the season to shoehorn it in, there is only inconvenience and resentment.

Somebody sent me a map of the venues overlaid on County Wexford. They all fit in a triangle from Gorey to New Ross to Wexford. Bonkers.

I hope its a massive failure because FIFA need a massive slap. Again.

Iran need to be kicked out and the sooner the better for the tourament.

You get the impression that the day it's over the stadiums will be knocked to the ground and turned in to something they might actually use like a field to store their camels...

I can see Saudi Arabia going far in the competition. Plenty of referee decisions will go in their favour, lots of goals being ruled-out for the opposition. Not suspicious at all.

Fifa will reap what they sow.

My favorite teams are France and Brazil, but the messi needs a cup to complete the world cup hole.

You could make some serious money from the bookies with this inside information. They are rank outsiders along with Costa Rica, 750/1. 14/1 to beat Argentina, 9/2 Mexico and 17/4 Poland in the group. Get your money on.