FIFA World Cup

Round ball football WC coming up.

What's our thoughts?

Has it been bloated beyond reasonableness to try and generate a bigger audience?

Frankly I'm watching anyway regardless of NZ's participation.

We gunna get out of the group?

And without dragging the current POTUS in is it ridiculous we're spread across three countries?

And who do you think will win?

Germany beats England on penalties?

I’m less enthusiastic about this WC than the last one. It being across 3 countries and with 48 teams, it’s just a cash grab now.
FIFA’s ticket resale fees are just a joke.
I also heard they are charging entry to fan zones now as well.
It’s become to big now so it can only be hosted by continents now, not countries.
The magic has gone, or maybe I’m just older now, or maybe a bit of both.

Having said that, I’ll watch what I can, but I’m not getting up/staying up to watch a 2am kickoff. (I’m living in Ireland)

As for NZ, the best we can hope for is one of the best 3rd place teams to qualify for the next round. (Don’t get me started on that format, thanks RWC for introducing the same format for RWC2027!!!)

Winner will probably be one of the usual, can’t see any first time winner.
England could do well, but with any tournament, luck and the odd referring call could be the difference.

Ok, mini rant over…

@westie_boy said in Soccer World Cup:

Ok, mini rant over…

No, no ... feel free to kick on!

Coverage in Aus looks pretty good

All matches being shown live either on one of FTA SBS channels or the SBS app.

There are going to be a lot of matches. I am not sure that most of it will be of a particularly high quality.

I think they've killed a fantastic format by letting so many teams into the tournament.

I'll follow highlights of the group matches and then whole games once the Round of 32 (🤯) knockouts begin.

Brazil or Argentina are the two most likely winners IMHO.

FIFA World Cup

Will most probably watch most matches as highlights package on YouTube or similar

Far too many teams
Far too long

Updated topic title …. We aren’t yanks.

@KiwiMurph said in Football World Cup:

Coverage in Aus looks pretty good

All matches being shown live either on one of FTA SBS channels or the SBS app.

In contrast to NZ where you will need to pay for a TVNZ+ event pass to watch all of the games. Their new app seems to be a lemon based on comments I've read.

I'll just pick and choose from the games TVNZ will be showing FTA.

@MajorPom said in Football World Cup:

Updated topic title …. We aren’t yanks.

We aren't Poms either... it's always been Soccer.

I'll admit a bit of trolling to see how long before triggering the "but I call it football" lobby.

Go you halves with FIFA...

*triggered

@booboo in fairness....the governing body is called "New Zealand Football" and 8 of the national league clubs have "football" in their name....so not sure its "always" be soccer

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

*triggered

@booboo in fairness....the governing body is called "New Zealand Football" and 8 of the national league clubs have "football" in their name....so not sure its "always" be soccer

You young'uns been sucked into vortex of publicity and the growth of the EPL.

Anyways, favourites?

Who are we supporting once AW's get knocked out.

Am not a big soccer fan generally but I do love the World Cup. (Note I'm more than happy to refer to it The World Cup, because it is.)

@booboo said in FIFA World Cup:

Anyways, favourites?

Who are we supporting once AW's get knocked out.

Am not a big soccer fan generally but I do love the World Cup. (Note I'm more than happy to refer to it The World Cup, because it is.)

I'm All Whites or no one myself, but I don't mind seeing the Aston Villa players do well for their sides so usually wish them the best (got behind Argentina in 2022 because of Emi Martinez).

@booboo said in FIFA World Cup:

Anyways, favourites?

Who are we supporting once AW's get knocked out.

Am not a big soccer fan generally but I do love the World Cup. (Note I'm more than happy to refer to it The World Cup, because it is.)

i might have to run a sweep stake to pick a team other than the all whites, had a lot of fun when i drew the netherlands for the 2014 world cup, still have the shirt

@booboo said in FIFA World Cup:

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

*triggered

@booboo in fairness....the governing body is called "New Zealand Football" and 8 of the national league clubs have "football" in their name....so not sure its "always" be soccer

You young'uns been sucked into vortex of publicity and the growth of the EPL.

as someone closer to the end than the start ill take the "young'uns", dont get it much

@MajorPom

shoulda stayed with soccer
F the "call it footballs' "

I hate Americanisms as much as the next man, but soccer is not one.

Comes from Association Football, and the term originated in England in the late 1800s apparently: rugger and soccer.

It's use has been retained in some places and not in others - typically retained in places that call another game 'footy' - such as New Zealand - so my take is that the 'call it footballs' really just want to pretend it is more important than it is.

@Bovidae said in FIFA World Cup:

@KiwiMurph said in Football World Cup:

Coverage in Aus looks pretty good

All matches being shown live either on one of FTA SBS channels or the SBS app.

In contrast to NZ where you will need to pay for a TVNZ+ event pass to watch all of the games. Their new app seems to be a lemon based on comments I've read.

I'll just pick and choose from the games TVNZ will be showing FTA.

Well considering the paid version sports app in Oz is Kayo there will be no difference in quality. I'll probably watch an All Whites match or two to test it out (well by watch, have on in the background).

I love winding up poms who don't realise that soccer is their word and that they have adopted the continental Europeans way of saying the name of the game they invented.

@mohikamo said in FIFA World Cup:

@MajorPom

shoulda stayed with soccer
F the "call it footballs' "

conversely, we overwhelming call rugby...rugby...so why not call the sport where the number one rules is "kick the ball with youre feet".....football, id also say +90% of the rest of the world call it a version of football so those on the "no its soccer!" are the exception...and youve lost as soon as you're quoting the origins of the word

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

@mohikamo said in FIFA World Cup:

@MajorPom

shoulda stayed with soccer
F the "call it footballs' "

conversely, we overwhelming call rugby...rugby...so why not call the sport where the number one rules is "kick the ball with youre feet".....football, id also say +90% of the rest of the world call it a version of football so those on the "no its soccer!" are the exception...and youve lost as soon as you're quoting the origins of the word

However, there's almost nobody trying to change things by going "no it's soccer". There are people who have always called it soccer still calling it soccer, and there are the "no it's football" people trying to change what those people do. Personally I reckon they should just get off their high horse and let people call it what they call it, it's neither incorrect or American as they claim, and what difference does it make anyway?

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

@mohikamo said in FIFA World Cup:

@MajorPom

shoulda stayed with soccer
F the "call it footballs' "

conversely, we overwhelming call rugby...rugby...so why not call the sport where the number one rules is "kick the ball with youre feet".....football, id also say +90% of the rest of the world call it a version of football so those on the "no its soccer!" are the exception...and youve lost as soon as you're quoting the origins of the word

Then we would have to call it foot-and-head-sometimes-chest-except-for-the-goalkeeper-ball

When I made my ill fated one training/practice career in soccer as a 5 year old it was at the local soccer club.

Luckily for me, and my old man who stormed out of the house to go to the pub on hearing I'd taken up soccer, they made the fat kid the goalie and I was bored out of my tree.

I did play quite a bit of lunch time soccer and inter-syndicate soccer at intermediate and quite enjoyed it though but luckily I was ensconced in rugby by then.

@Nepia I played a few seasons as a young lad and what I lacked in skill I made up in enthusiasm as a defender. I was advised to go play another form of football.

Anyway, on topic I'm predicting Spain. Are they still good?

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@Bovidae said in FIFA World Cup:

@KiwiMurph said in Football World Cup:

Coverage in Aus looks pretty good

All matches being shown live either on one of FTA SBS channels or the SBS app.

In contrast to NZ where you will need to pay for a TVNZ+ event pass to watch all of the games. Their new app seems to be a lemon based on comments I've read.

I'll just pick and choose from the games TVNZ will be showing FTA.

Well considering the paid version sports app in Oz is Kayo there will be no difference in quality. I'll probably watch an All Whites match or two to test it out (well by watch, have on in the background).

I love winding up poms who don't realise that soccer is their word and that they have adopted the continental Europeans way of saying the name of the game they invented.

Was never soccer when I was growing up

@booboo said in FIFA World Cup:

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

@mohikamo said in FIFA World Cup:

@MajorPom

shoulda stayed with soccer
F the "call it footballs' "

conversely, we overwhelming call rugby...rugby...so why not call the sport where the number one rules is "kick the ball with youre feet".....football, id also say +90% of the rest of the world call it a version of football so those on the "no its soccer!" are the exception...and youve lost as soon as you're quoting the origins of the word

Then we would have to call it foot-and-head-sometimes-chest-except-for-the-goalkeeper-ball

Poofball it is then

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@Bovidae said in FIFA World Cup:

@KiwiMurph said in Football World Cup:

Coverage in Aus looks pretty good

All matches being shown live either on one of FTA SBS channels or the SBS app.

In contrast to NZ where you will need to pay for a TVNZ+ event pass to watch all of the games. Their new app seems to be a lemon based on comments I've read.

I'll just pick and choose from the games TVNZ will be showing FTA.

Well considering the paid version sports app in Oz is Kayo there will be no difference in quality. I'll probably watch an All Whites match or two to test it out (well by watch, have on in the background).

I love winding up poms who don't realise that soccer is their word and that they have adopted the continental Europeans way of saying the name of the game they invented.

That’s another one I just don’t get

POM

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

youre feet

did you just call me feet

@Bones was an accident...but it works i think

@MiketheSnow said in FIFA World Cup:

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@Bovidae said in FIFA World Cup:

@KiwiMurph said in Football World Cup:

Coverage in Aus looks pretty good

All matches being shown live either on one of FTA SBS channels or the SBS app.

In contrast to NZ where you will need to pay for a TVNZ+ event pass to watch all of the games. Their new app seems to be a lemon based on comments I've read.

I'll just pick and choose from the games TVNZ will be showing FTA.

Well considering the paid version sports app in Oz is Kayo there will be no difference in quality. I'll probably watch an All Whites match or two to test it out (well by watch, have on in the background).

I love winding up poms who don't realise that soccer is their word and that they have adopted the continental Europeans way of saying the name of the game they invented.

That’s another one I just don’t get

POM

I'm not sure if we use Pom for you lot or just the English? I think just the English. Anyway, I think the Aussies invented the term.

Isn't there a UK Sky show called Soccer Saturday?

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@MiketheSnow said in FIFA World Cup:

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@Bovidae said in FIFA World Cup:

@KiwiMurph said in Football World Cup:

Coverage in Aus looks pretty good

All matches being shown live either on one of FTA SBS channels or the SBS app.

In contrast to NZ where you will need to pay for a TVNZ+ event pass to watch all of the games. Their new app seems to be a lemon based on comments I've read.

I'll just pick and choose from the games TVNZ will be showing FTA.

Well considering the paid version sports app in Oz is Kayo there will be no difference in quality. I'll probably watch an All Whites match or two to test it out (well by watch, have on in the background).

I love winding up poms who don't realise that soccer is their word and that they have adopted the continental Europeans way of saying the name of the game they invented.

That’s another one I just don’t get

POM

I'm not sure if we use Pom for you lot or just the English? I think just the English. Anyway, I think the Aussies invented the term.

Isn't there a UK Sky show called Soccer Saturday?

And in the early 80s, every Sunday I watched Big League Soccer with Brian Moore. As a kid in the early 80s it was soccer too

@canefan said in FIFA World Cup:

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@MiketheSnow said in FIFA World Cup:

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@Bovidae said in FIFA World Cup:

@KiwiMurph said in Football World Cup:

Coverage in Aus looks pretty good

All matches being shown live either on one of FTA SBS channels or the SBS app.

In contrast to NZ where you will need to pay for a TVNZ+ event pass to watch all of the games. Their new app seems to be a lemon based on comments I've read.

I'll just pick and choose from the games TVNZ will be showing FTA.

Well considering the paid version sports app in Oz is Kayo there will be no difference in quality. I'll probably watch an All Whites match or two to test it out (well by watch, have on in the background).

I love winding up poms who don't realise that soccer is their word and that they have adopted the continental Europeans way of saying the name of the game they invented.

That’s another one I just don’t get

POM

I'm not sure if we use Pom for you lot or just the English? I think just the English. Anyway, I think the Aussies invented the term.

Isn't there a UK Sky show called Soccer Saturday?

And in the early 80s, every Sunday I watched Big League Soccer with Brian Moore. As a kid in the early 80s it was soccer too

There's two Brian Moore's?

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@canefan said in FIFA World Cup:

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@MiketheSnow said in FIFA World Cup:

@Nepia said in FIFA World Cup:

@Bovidae said in FIFA World Cup:

@KiwiMurph said in Football World Cup:

Coverage in Aus looks pretty good

All matches being shown live either on one of FTA SBS channels or the SBS app.

In contrast to NZ where you will need to pay for a TVNZ+ event pass to watch all of the games. Their new app seems to be a lemon based on comments I've read.

I'll just pick and choose from the games TVNZ will be showing FTA.

Well considering the paid version sports app in Oz is Kayo there will be no difference in quality. I'll probably watch an All Whites match or two to test it out (well by watch, have on in the background).

I love winding up poms who don't realise that soccer is their word and that they have adopted the continental Europeans way of saying the name of the game they invented.

That’s another one I just don’t get

POM

I'm not sure if we use Pom for you lot or just the English? I think just the English. Anyway, I think the Aussies invented the term.

Isn't there a UK Sky show called Soccer Saturday?

And in the early 80s, every Sunday I watched Big League Soccer with Brian Moore. As a kid in the early 80s it was soccer too

There's two Brian Moore's?

A polite advisory that any more "soccer" v "football" chat in this thread will be deleted.

@Smudge said in FIFA World Cup:

A polite advisory that any more "soccer" v "football" chat in this thread will be deleted.

Sorry. Missed that earlier. Fair call.

(For my next thread "What's better, Rugby or League?".)

The usual suspects are listed as favourites. Spain, France, Argentina, England, Germany