2022 FIFA World Cup - Qatar, November 21-December 18

[NewYorkExpress]

Would be fun if a team won for their country the 1st Title ever.

Would definitely be fun, but I don't see who.

Netherlands is a possibility because of the draw they have, which should bring them in the QF, obviousl you can still disappoint and matches still have to be played.

Belgium used to be better in the past, it's not what it once was. I think we're a good pick for the disappointment of the tournament. If we wanted our first title, we should have done it in 2018. Same applies to Croatia, which just like us has a hard draw, and there's a good chance one of us is eliminated in the group stage already.

Portugal has technically a good team, but the Cristiano Ronaldo soap might hurt them. I think their chances would improve if Ronaldo is left at home, since currently many other players just tend to play the ball to Ronaldo and not play based on their talent. That's why I believe Portugal will be more exciting to watch once Ronaldo retires (that being said, obviously Ronaldo is one of the best players of all-time, he's just not much of a team player).

I just don't see the scenario as very likely. The most likely thing IMO is England ending their 56 year drought of winning a world cup. And it would actually fit within the new pattern we see. France losing the European championship at home and than winning the world cup 2 years later. In 2020 England lost at home in the finals.

I'd say the most likely dark horses this year are the U.S (we've been playing really well lately) and probably England (given their past history at major tournaments, I don't think any outside of England is picking them to win).

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Would be fun if a team won for their country the 1st Title ever.

Would definitely be fun, but I don't see who.

Netherlands is a possibility because of the draw they have, which should bring them in the QF, obviousl you can still disappoint and matches still have to be played.

Belgium used to be better in the past, it's not what it once was. I think we're a good pick for the disappointment of the tournament. If we wanted our first title, we should have done it in 2018. Same applies to Croatia, which just like us has a hard draw, and there's a good chance one of us is eliminated in the group stage already.

Portugal has technically a good team, but the Cristiano Ronaldo soap might hurt them. I think their chances would improve if Ronaldo is left at home, since currently many other players just tend to play the ball to Ronaldo and not play based on their talent. That's why I believe Portugal will be more exciting to watch once Ronaldo retires (that being said, obviously Ronaldo is one of the best players of all-time, he's just not much of a team player).

I just don't see the scenario as very likely. The most likely thing IMO is England ending their 56 year drought of winning a world cup. And it would actually fit within the new pattern we see. France losing the European championship at home and than winning the world cup 2 years later. In 2020 England lost at home in the finals.

I'd say the most likely dark horses this year are the U.S (we've been playing really well lately) and probably England (given their past history at major tournaments, I don't think any outside of England is picking them to win).

I agree with Brazil, England, France being the favourites while also agreeing Spain, Argentina (and than Germany) in that order. But yes England has not been mentioned enough compared to others.

US might do well, just don't think they would win the cup, but they have a good draw to get quite far and as i've said a lot can happen if luck is on your side, and if of course the team plays well.

[buritobr]

If you see the performance of all national teams in the World Cup, from 1930 to 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_team_appearances_in_the_FIFA_World_Cup#Overall_team_records, you can see that the results are closely related to income, population, and popularity of the soccer in the country. Brazil is a medium income country but compensates it by a very big population and very high popularity of soccer. Argentina and Uruguay overperform. The other superpowers in the men's soccer World Cup are upper income, medium or high population countries, in which soccer is popular: Germany, Italy, France, England, Spain, Netherlands.

Although USA, Japan, South Korea and Australia are rich countries and their populations are big, I don't believe that one day they will become super powers in the men's soccer, because soccer is not the most popular sport in these countries, and it matters a lot. The most skilled boys for sports in a country usually become professional athletes in the most popular sports of the country.

[NewYorkExpress]

If you see the performance of all national teams in the World Cup, from 1930 to 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_team_appearances_in_the_FIFA_World_Cup#Overall_team_records, you can see that the results are closely related to income, population, and popularity of the soccer in the country. Brazil is a medium income country but compensates it by a very big population and very high popularity of soccer. Argentina and Uruguay overperform. The other superpowers in the men's soccer World Cup are upper income, medium or high population countries, in which soccer is popular: Germany, Italy, France, England, Spain, Netherlands.

Although USA, Japan, South Korea and Australia are rich countries and their populations are big, I don't believe that one day they will become super powers in the men's soccer, because soccer is not the most popular sport in these countries, and it matters a lot. The most skilled boys for sports in a country usually become professional athletes in the most popular sports of the country.

I'm not sure how you'd explain the U.S woman's national team having been the best in the world for almost thirty years then.

[parochial boy]

If you see the performance of all national teams in the World Cup, from 1930 to 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_team_appearances_in_the_FIFA_World_Cup#Overall_team_records, you can see that the results are closely related to income, population, and popularity of the soccer in the country. Brazil is a medium income country but compensates it by a very big population and very high popularity of soccer. Argentina and Uruguay overperform. The other superpowers in the men's soccer World Cup are upper income, medium or high population countries, in which soccer is popular: Germany, Italy, France, England, Spain, Netherlands.

Although USA, Japan, South Korea and Australia are rich countries and their populations are big, I don't believe that one day they will become super powers in the men's soccer, because soccer is not the most popular sport in these countries, and it matters a lot. The most skilled boys for sports in a country usually become professional athletes in the most popular sports of the country.

Although there is a little bit more to it. As noted in another thread, it is worth remarking on the fact that we are now 20 years since the last time a non-European won the tournament, and it is still more likely that not that this will continue on this time round.

Reason being that as the sport has globalised, resources have paradoxically been more and more concentrated around Europe - and in particular the big leagues. That is money and talent, but also things like youth development or tactical innovation have all been centred more and more around the major European - providing a huge advantage to the big European national teams whose players are brought up in this environment, as the rest of the world is left further and further out in the periphery. Hence Argentina and Brazil, once the uncontested big boys of global football, find it increasingly difficult to develop teams capable of winning the world cup.

Although it's not exactly a secret that the sport's soul has been enormously damaged over the last few decades.

[Alcibiades]

If you see the performance of all national teams in the World Cup, from 1930 to 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_team_appearances_in_the_FIFA_World_Cup#Overall_team_records, you can see that the results are closely related to income, population, and popularity of the soccer in the country. Brazil is a medium income country but compensates it by a very big population and very high popularity of soccer. Argentina and Uruguay overperform. The other superpowers in the men's soccer World Cup are upper income, medium or high population countries, in which soccer is popular: Germany, Italy, France, England, Spain, Netherlands.

Although USA, Japan, South Korea and Australia are rich countries and their populations are big, I don't believe that one day they will become super powers in the men's soccer, because soccer is not the most popular sport in these countries, and it matters a lot. The most skilled boys for sports in a country usually become professional athletes in the most popular sports of the country.

Although there is a little bit more to it. As noted in another thread, it is worth remarking on the fact that we are now 20 years since the last time a non-European won the tournament, and it is still more likely that not that this will continue on this time round.

Reason being that as the sport has globalised, resources have paradoxically been more and more concentrated around Europe - and in particular the big leagues. That is money and talent, but also things like youth development or tactical innovation have all been centred more and more around the major European - providing a huge advantage to the big European national teams whose players are brought up in this environment, as the rest of the world is left further and further out in the periphery. Hence Argentina and Brazil, once the uncontested big boys of global football, find it increasingly difficult to develop teams capable of winning the world cup.

Although it's not exactly a secret that the sport's soul has been enormously damaged over the last few decades.

Tbh, as far as the decline in success of the South Americans at recent World Cups is concerned, I’m not sure it’s that indicative of a broader trend, or at least the one you describe. Ultimately, Brazil and Argentina’s squads are still chock-full of some of the very best players in the world; as you say, the difference is that almost all of these now play in Europe, yes, but I’m unconvinced why this should necessarily make them less competitive - after all, these guys all play for the same top clubs as their European competitors. I really don’t see any evidence of a decline in the quality of South American players as a result of an increasing youth resources gap, and they remain the hottest properties on the transfer market for the big European sides.

I would also very much dispute your suggestion that Argentina and Brazil were “once the uncontested big boys of global football” - Germany, and probably Italy, at the very least have certainly always been as big or bigger than Argentina, and, since their legendary 1958-1970 spell, Brazil have never truly dominated.

Yes, there have certainly been issues with poor management and team selection etc. for South American teams over the past two decades, but ultimately, considering that they only come along every four years, World Cups are a pretty small sample size, and, for that and the above reasons, I would caution against being too confident as to the decline of the South American nations.

[parochial boy]

Tbh, as far as the decline in success of the South Americans at recent World Cups is concerned, I’m not sure it’s that indicative of a broader trend, or at least the one you describe. Ultimately, Brazil and Argentina’s squads are still chock-full of some of the very best players in the world; as you say, the difference is that almost all of these now play in Europe, yes, but I’m unconvinced why this should necessarily make them less competitive - after all, these guys all play for the same top clubs as their European competitors. I really don’t see any evidence of a decline in the quality of South American players as a result of an increasing youth resources gap, and they remain the hottest properties on the transfer market for the big European sides.

I would also very much dispute your suggestion that Argentina and Brazil were “once the uncontested big boys of global football” - Germany, and probably Italy, at the very least have certainly always been as big or bigger than Argentina, and, since their legendary 1958-1970 spell, Brazil have never truly dominated.

Yes, there have certainly been issues with poor management and team selection etc. for South American teams over the past two decades, but ultimately, considering that they only come along every four years, World Cups are a pretty small sample size, and, for that and the above reasons, I would caution against being too confident as to the decline of the South American nations.

Ok Argentina no, but Brazil very definitely have always been The Team in discussions of international football, and the fact that this isn't the case anymore is indicative of something in its own right.

But the point is, yes, there aren't many data points but they do all point in the same direction. Up until the start of this century, there had never been more than two consecutive world cups won by European teams (and that was precisely once, in the 30s, before the world cup was truly the event it has been in the post war years - since then the trophy had not been won back-to-back by European teams until 2010, the run that is still going); and even Brazil pulling it out this year wouldn't actually change that trend. Remember that South American teams won a majority of the World Cups that took place in the 20th century, compared to just one out of the five these century. The first one, it a world where the Premier League and the Champions League in their current forms were both only a decade old. Similarly, Uruguay in 2010 are the only South American team to have even made it to a semi-final outside of South America (ie apart from Brazil 2014) since Brazil won the tournament in 2002 - whereas Europe only semis had only happened three time previously ever.

The point is not that Brazil and Argentina don't and won't continue to have world class players and be serious threats in these tournaments. It is that, well, no-one would believe we are about to go through two decades where even all non-European teams combined win a majority of the time (and you can happily quote me if I'm wrong and non-European teams win three of the next four world cups. I certainly hope I'm wrong).

Like I said, it's not just - or even principally down to a lack of star power - but put it this way; every member of the England team more or less as a default has to play regular football in the richest (and arguably) strongest football league in the world. For the German and Spanish (although, *cough Italy cough*) it's practically the same thing. France isn't far off and makes up for it with an incredibly strong youth development system based around the INF in Clairefontaine. In all of those cases that is a hell of an environment to be immersed in. Access to the best players, the best coaches, the best physical preparation, the best support structures, the most innovative tactical developments. Those factors - ie the fact of having money, and far more money than ever used to be available - gives those national teams a much bigger structural advantage when it comes to their national teams relative to the poorer countries in South America; or the peripheral and isolated ones even in rich countries outside of Europe.

I wish it wasn't so, and I'm pretty convinced that football is such a bubble at the moment that it can't and won't last for ever. But it is where we are right now.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

If you see the performance of all national teams in the World Cup, from 1930 to 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_team_appearances_in_the_FIFA_World_Cup#Overall_team_records, you can see that the results are closely related to income, population, and popularity of the soccer in the country. Brazil is a medium income country but compensates it by a very big population and very high popularity of soccer. Argentina and Uruguay overperform. The other superpowers in the men's soccer World Cup are upper income, medium or high population countries, in which soccer is popular: Germany, Italy, France, England, Spain, Netherlands.

Although USA, Japan, South Korea and Australia are rich countries and their populations are big, I don't believe that one day they will become super powers in the men's soccer, because soccer is not the most popular sport in these countries, and it matters a lot. The most skilled boys for sports in a country usually become professional athletes in the most popular sports of the country.

I'm not sure how you'd explain the U.S woman's national team having been the best in the world for almost thirty years then.

In some countries, women doing sports isn't all that promoted, which i think definitely plays a role in for example eastern Europe, Latin America and even the Romance-speaking countries are behind on the Germanic speaking countries.

The Netherlands is a country where in its education sports play a large and essential role. That's why they have often been in the top 10 countries when it comes to medals in the olympic games, both winter games (ice skating) and summer games.

Our women's football team is almost solely 95% dutch-speaking players, that indicates that something isn't normal. Together with Spain, Italy and France all being much weaker than England, Germany, Netherlands and Scandinavian countries. Even Iceland is quite good despite their population of only 300.000 people.

Women rights or promotion of women playing sports just isn't great overall. In the US it obviously is good, but the US simply has also the population benefit with having as many people as Europe together. While in Europe every boy plays football, that isn't the case for females who are often looked down onto because it is being seen as a sport for boys.

In the US not every boy plays football, because it isn't the sport most Americans exercise, since more typical american sports are NHL, american football, NBA and so on. Football is relatively new in the USA with perhaps only 5 to 10% following it? That's why it's so different to start with, because of there being relatively few boys playing it, it will be seen less as a masculin sport, and I think females simply are promoted more to do sports? There is also less professionalism when it comes to women's football in Europe. Maybe it is definitely getting better lately, but it isn't on the same level yet (and i don't mean the player theirselves, but the entourage).

[LAKISYLVANIA]

If you see the performance of all national teams in the World Cup, from 1930 to 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_team_appearances_in_the_FIFA_World_Cup#Overall_team_records, you can see that the results are closely related to income, population, and popularity of the soccer in the country. Brazil is a medium income country but compensates it by a very big population and very high popularity of soccer. Argentina and Uruguay overperform. The other superpowers in the men's soccer World Cup are upper income, medium or high population countries, in which soccer is popular: Germany, Italy, France, England, Spain, Netherlands.

Although USA, Japan, South Korea and Australia are rich countries and their populations are big, I don't believe that one day they will become super powers in the men's soccer, because soccer is not the most popular sport in these countries, and it matters a lot. The most skilled boys for sports in a country usually become professional athletes in the most popular sports of the country.

For Belgium, the world cup of 1986 is being glorified where we ended fourth, everyone keeps talking about 1986. Apparently the match against the USSR is legendary, as well as the match against Argentina we lost with Diego Maradona as the star for Argentina.

They also continuously we say we were robbed against Brazil in 2002.

In 2018 the matches against both Japan and Brazil are becoming legendary, as well as the match against the USA in 2014 which is one of the most fun matches i've ever seen with an outstanding US goalkeeper Tim Howard.

If you type Tim Howard on YouTube you get immediately suggestions Tim Howard vs Belgium

Apparently that's even a record on a world cup, the amount of saves he made that match.

this is against the USSR when they were one of the favourites and played impressive in the group stage. 2 years later they would reach the euro finals, to be beaten by another low countries team, the Netherlands.

[Santander]

In the US not every boy plays football, because it isn't the sport most Americans exercise, since more typical american sports are NHL, american football, NBA and so on. Football is relatively new in the USA with perhaps only 5 to 10% following it?

lol, no, soccer is probably the most widely-played sport in the US. The number of American kids who play American football or ice hockey is pretty miniscule. There is a reason the term "soccer mom" exists. The difference is that soccer has not, until perhaps recently, been seen as a viable sports career, so getting a college scholarship and then moving on to "civilian life" after their college career is the norm.

Women's sports tend to be dominated by high-income countries, and the US in particular subsidizes high-level women's sports heavily.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

In the US not every boy plays football, because it isn't the sport most Americans exercise, since more typical american sports are NHL, american football, NBA and so on. Football is relatively new in the USA with perhaps only 5 to 10% following it?

lol, no, soccer is probably the most widely-played sport in the US. The number of American kids who play American football or ice hockey is pretty miniscule. There is a reason the term "soccer mom" exists. The difference is that soccer has not, until perhaps recently, been seen as a viable sports career, so getting a college scholarship and then moving on to "civilian life" after their college career is the norm.

Women's sports tend to be dominated by high-income countries, and the US in particular subsidizes high-level women's sports heavily.

Well the first thing i didn't know, but what I do know is that ratings or views for soccer are quite low. They've been rising, but it's nowhere near the popularity like in Europe.

[buritobr]

If you see the performance of all national teams in the World Cup, from 1930 to 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_team_appearances_in_the_FIFA_World_Cup#Overall_team_records, you can see that the results are closely related to income, population, and popularity of the soccer in the country. Brazil is a medium income country but compensates it by a very big population and very high popularity of soccer. Argentina and Uruguay overperform. The other superpowers in the men's soccer World Cup are upper income, medium or high population countries, in which soccer is popular: Germany, Italy, France, England, Spain, Netherlands.

Although USA, Japan, South Korea and Australia are rich countries and their populations are big, I don't believe that one day they will become super powers in the men's soccer, because soccer is not the most popular sport in these countries, and it matters a lot. The most skilled boys for sports in a country usually become professional athletes in the most popular sports of the country.

I'm not sure how you'd explain the U.S woman's national team having been the best in the world for almost thirty years then.

Some countries in which men's soccer was strong didn't care too much for women's soccer at the beggining, and other countries that are not superpowers in men's soccer, built a very professional training infra-structure for women's soccer, like USA, Sweden, Norway, Japan, China.

In 2002, I believed that one day the USA, Japan and South Korea would reach the men's soccer world elite, due to their population and income. They performed well in that world cup. But in the last 20 years, they stagnated, or even moved back.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

If you see the performance of all national teams in the World Cup, from 1930 to 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_team_appearances_in_the_FIFA_World_Cup#Overall_team_records, you can see that the results are closely related to income, population, and popularity of the soccer in the country. Brazil is a medium income country but compensates it by a very big population and very high popularity of soccer. Argentina and Uruguay overperform. The other superpowers in the men's soccer World Cup are upper income, medium or high population countries, in which soccer is popular: Germany, Italy, France, England, Spain, Netherlands.

Although USA, Japan, South Korea and Australia are rich countries and their populations are big, I don't believe that one day they will become super powers in the men's soccer, because soccer is not the most popular sport in these countries, and it matters a lot. The most skilled boys for sports in a country usually become professional athletes in the most popular sports of the country.

I'm not sure how you'd explain the U.S woman's national team having been the best in the world for almost thirty years then.

Some countries in which men's soccer was strong didn't care too much for women's soccer at the beggining, and other countries that are not superpowers in men's soccer, built a very professional training infra-structure for women's soccer, like USA, Sweden, Norway, Japan, China.

In 2002, I believed that one day the USA, Japan and South Korea would reach the men's soccer world elite, due to their population and income. They performed well in that world cup. But in the last 20 years, they stagnated, or even moved back.

Japanese players use Belgian football competition as a step up to other competitions in Europe. Our competition is well regarded in Japan because of the playstyle fitting the Japanese players very often, it an easy country to adapt to, Japanese players having a good reputation among our clubs theirselves as well, some Belgian clubs having Japanese ownership

I think after Belgian players and French players, our competition has the most Japanese players out of all other nationalities, even more Japanese football players than Dutch players.

I think we also have a good reputation in Canada since some Canadian players have been using Belgium as an introduction to European football as well.

From what I know the Belgian competition is being followed by some Japanese football fans due to the amount of Japanese players here (this is also the case for some Canadians, i've met Canadians online who follow our competition).



for last season

[bagelman]

My predictions:

A
Qatar
Ecuador
Senegal
Netherlands

Imagine thinking that Qatar will play fair as the host. It wouldn't be much of an exaggeration to say the country is literally run by demons. They could cheat to win, but if they don't feel that's worth the risk then Senegal beats them.

B
England
Iran
USA
Wales

I expect Iran to defeat the USA should they play against each other.

C
Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Poland

D
France
Australia
Denmark
Tunisia

Tunisia is an underdog to watch due to being favored by the hosts. Australia may also benefit from the hostile climate.

E
Spain
Costa Rica
Germany
Japan

F
Belgium
Canada
Morocco
Croatia

G
Brazil
Serbia
Switzerland
Cameroon

H
Portugal
Ghana
Uruguay
South Korea

[LAKISYLVANIA]

https://worldfootballindex.com/2022/01/shinji-kagawa-joins-growing-japanese-influence-in-belgian-pro-league/

So why join a mid-table Belgian team?

Perhaps surprisingly, after Belgium and France, Japan has the third-highest number of players in the Belgian top-flight with 15 players plying their trade in the Pro League.

Japanese players, famously technically talented, target Belgium as the ideal introduction to the physical, cultural and tactical demands of European football before aspiring to move to one of the continent’s top five divisions.

Sint-Truiden (often known as STVV) is the heartland of this colony and Kagawa becomes the seventh Japanese player in their squad. The club has been owned by the Japanese company Digital Media Market since 2017 and already has a track record of importing Japanese players. Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada were key in their excellent 2018–19 season.

Elsewhere, Genk’s winger Junya Ito is one of the best players in the Pro League and scored as they won the 2021 cup final.

Another winger, Kaoru Mitoma has been excellent for current league leaders Union Saint-Gilloise and parent club Brighton & Hove Albion will be watching closely.

A Japanese journalist based in Sint-Truiden relays news about all of the nation’s players in Belgium and Kagawa’s arrival will add another level of exposure.

STVV’s Japanese Twitter profile has more followers than its official counterpart. If he rediscovers a hint of former self, it won’t go unnoticed.

In return, Kagawa can be a vital role model to his six compatriots in the STVV squad and provide a useful bridge for the management and senior players, smoothing out communication problems.

This added support structure and responsibility may help bring out his best. If STVV build their game around him, his quality on the ball, capacity to unlock defences and experience could add an extra dimension to his new team.

So whilst a curious move, Sint-Truiden may just prove the perfect destination to reignite the career of the popular playmaker.

https://twitter.com/STVV_JP

[buritobr]

https://worldfootballindex.com/2022/01/shinji-kagawa-joins-growing-japanese-influence-in-belgian-pro-league/

So why join a mid-table Belgian team?

Perhaps surprisingly, after Belgium and France, Japan has the third-highest number of players in the Belgian top-flight with 15 players plying their trade in the Pro League.

Japanese players, famously technically talented, target Belgium as the ideal introduction to the physical, cultural and tactical demands of European football before aspiring to move to one of the continent’s top five divisions.

Sint-Truiden (often known as STVV) is the heartland of this colony and Kagawa becomes the seventh Japanese player in their squad. The club has been owned by the Japanese company Digital Media Market since 2017 and already has a track record of importing Japanese players. Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada were key in their excellent 2018–19 season.

Elsewhere, Genk’s winger Junya Ito is one of the best players in the Pro League and scored as they won the 2021 cup final.

Another winger, Kaoru Mitoma has been excellent for current league leaders Union Saint-Gilloise and parent club Brighton & Hove Albion will be watching closely.

A Japanese journalist based in Sint-Truiden relays news about all of the nation’s players in Belgium and Kagawa’s arrival will add another level of exposure.

STVV’s Japanese Twitter profile has more followers than its official counterpart. If he rediscovers a hint of former self, it won’t go unnoticed.

In return, Kagawa can be a vital role model to his six compatriots in the STVV squad and provide a useful bridge for the management and senior players, smoothing out communication problems.

This added support structure and responsibility may help bring out his best. If STVV build their game around him, his quality on the ball, capacity to unlock defences and experience could add an extra dimension to his new team.

So whilst a curious move, Sint-Truiden may just prove the perfect destination to reignite the career of the popular playmaker.

https://twitter.com/STVV_JP

Japan almost defeated Belgium in 2018. When Belgium scored the 3rd goal in the 90th minute, I though "oh sh**t". If the game went to the extra time, Belgium would have played more tired against Brazil.


Related to Japan: in the 1990s, when the Japanese League was richer, many Brazilian top players used to play in Japan. Nowadays, Brazilian players of intermediate level play in the Japanese League.

[Santander]

Imagine thinking that Qatar will play fair as the host. It wouldn't be much of an exaggeration to say the country is literally run by demons. They could cheat to win, but if they don't feel that's worth the risk then Senegal beats them.

Qatar are defending Asian champions. They are a decent team and don't need to cheat to get out of the group.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

https://worldfootballindex.com/2022/01/shinji-kagawa-joins-growing-japanese-influence-in-belgian-pro-league/

So why join a mid-table Belgian team?

Perhaps surprisingly, after Belgium and France, Japan has the third-highest number of players in the Belgian top-flight with 15 players plying their trade in the Pro League.

Japanese players, famously technically talented, target Belgium as the ideal introduction to the physical, cultural and tactical demands of European football before aspiring to move to one of the continent’s top five divisions.

Sint-Truiden (often known as STVV) is the heartland of this colony and Kagawa becomes the seventh Japanese player in their squad. The club has been owned by the Japanese company Digital Media Market since 2017 and already has a track record of importing Japanese players. Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada were key in their excellent 2018–19 season.

Elsewhere, Genk’s winger Junya Ito is one of the best players in the Pro League and scored as they won the 2021 cup final.

Another winger, Kaoru Mitoma has been excellent for current league leaders Union Saint-Gilloise and parent club Brighton & Hove Albion will be watching closely.

A Japanese journalist based in Sint-Truiden relays news about all of the nation’s players in Belgium and Kagawa’s arrival will add another level of exposure.

STVV’s Japanese Twitter profile has more followers than its official counterpart. If he rediscovers a hint of former self, it won’t go unnoticed.

In return, Kagawa can be a vital role model to his six compatriots in the STVV squad and provide a useful bridge for the management and senior players, smoothing out communication problems.

This added support structure and responsibility may help bring out his best. If STVV build their game around him, his quality on the ball, capacity to unlock defences and experience could add an extra dimension to his new team.

So whilst a curious move, Sint-Truiden may just prove the perfect destination to reignite the career of the popular playmaker.

https://twitter.com/STVV_JP

Japan almost defeated Belgium in 2018. When Belgium scored the 3rd goal in the 90th minute, I though "oh sh**t". If the game went to the extra time, Belgium would have played more tired against Brazil.


Related to Japan: in the 1990s, when the Japanese League was richer, many Brazilian top players used to play in Japan. Nowadays, Brazilian players of intermediate level play in the Japanese League.

It's true..

You know while being glad we won, i was also disappointed Japan didn't win. I really hope they can have a good tournament once (QF) because I feel they deserve it. I really like the nation. Unfortunately, just like us, they have a very rough draw. Basically almost impossible (for us it is possible, but i don't see it as likely we will win against Spain or Germany).

Winning against Brazil was fun, could've gone both ways definitely. Just Neymar - as he did the entire tournament - was behaving obnoxious, and actually he was behaving so obnoxious that he actually didn't even play great. He probably was the worst player on the field that day. Otherwise, i like Brazil or any other South American team, just prefer the underdogs even more, simply because they're underdogs while Brazil already won the world cup five times (!). I really want a new nation to win it, but it won't be this year i think (Netherlands, Portugal & we, Belgium probably have the best odds).

Losing against France was sad, because the match was very boring and it didn't feel like France was playing great either, maybe defending great, but it was a boring match to watch.

Losing against Italy on Euros 2020 (last year maybe) was okay. It's never fun to lose, but I really was glad with the performance of Doku that night, and Italy played so well against us, completely outclassing us in any way you can imagine. It was a great game to watch, and it made the loss actually a very honourable one. Italy deserved to win that championship. Very impressive play and squad. And i was glad to see Doku play that well, who is my favourite player (and Italy was basically his breakthrough match). Unfortunately he is injured quite often, we probably won't see him play on the world cup because of injuries. Very unfortunate, because he has a lot of talent.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

I definitely like our group, as I see it as one of the more open ones, not the most open, that is the last group but one of the more open ones. I do think Belgium and Croatia are favoured, but both have their weaknesses and Belgium was one of the objectively better teams to draw in pot 1 (except for Qatar & maybe Denmark, but it is easy to underestimate Denmark. And Portugal would be about the same level as us. Other teams are simply all qualitatively better teams, but on a good day we can definitely win from one of those).

But I do think we have our weaknesses, and both Morocco and Canada were tough draws, but we had easy group draws in 2014 and 2018, and they'll be interesting. I also like Morocco because of a lot of Moroccan-Belgians living here, so that match will be closely followed here. And Canada because of having a lot of Canadian friends over the internet, as well as for example having Canadian users here like King T'Chenka. It would be a game that i will be thrilled for.

I hope Canada can qualify, and i think they have a shot to be the surprise of the tournament, but their draw is though because the winner and second will have to play likely Germany or Spain (unless Japan can surprise). Regardless of that, Canada will build some experience for 2026 where they will be co-hosts with Mexico and the USA. And they can definitely win from us, they're the underdog but they can win. We have our weaknesses, especially in the defense and due to our way of playing also the flanks, and Jonathan David can abuse that with his speed. If Canada plays offensively on the sides, or is able to counter, than they can surprise. And Croatia is starting to get an older team, and is not on the level as four years ago. I think everyone can win from everyone, but everyone can also lose from everyone. It's just Belgium and Croatia will be favoured. Would say 75% of us qualifying, 70% of Croatia qualifying, 30% of Morocco qualifying and 25% of Canada qualifying i would say. Maybe that should be more like 80% for us and Croatia, but Canada & Morocco still would have 20% chance. I think it is possible but it would be hard and still quite an achievement.

I'm awaiting the laki vs king t'chenka (and other canadian users game) or the tack50 vs me or President Johnson vs me games (if we can qualify). I don't know of any Moroccan or Croatian atlas users.

[buritobr]

Fun facts
The 1998 World Cup in France was the first one to have 32 national teams and the last one to have Scotland, Austria, Romania and Bulgaria. These 4 national teams used to participate often until 1998. On the other hand, 1998 was the last one in which Portugal didn't go. Porgutal seldom went to World Cups in the 20th century.

[parochial boy]

It's hard to imagine a world where Austria is good at sport.

[Anzeigenhauptmeister]

It's hard to imagine a world where Austria is good at sport.

Skiing?

Fun facts
The 1998 World Cup in France was the first one to have 32 national teams and the last one to have Scotland, Austria, Romania and Bulgaria. These 4 national teams used to participate often until 1998. On the other hand, 1998 was the last one in which Portugal didn't go. Porgutal seldom went to World Cups in the 20th century.

Another fun fact: There is one team that won the World Cup twice despite winning one final only.

[buritobr]

It's hard to imagine a world where Austria is good at sport.

Skiing?

Fun facts
The 1998 World Cup in France was the first one to have 32 national teams and the last one to have Scotland, Austria, Romania and Bulgaria. These 4 national teams used to participate often until 1998. On the other hand, 1998 was the last one in which Portugal didn't go. Porgutal seldom went to World Cups in the 20th century.

Another fun fact: There is one team that won the World Cup twice despite winning one final only.

Uruguay

Although the Maracanazzo in 1950 is a tragedy remembered by many Brazilians even the ones who weren't born yet, it was not exactly a final. There was a final stage in which Uruguay, Brazil, Sweden, Spain played in the round-robin system. It was only a coincidence that the last game was played by Brazil and Uruguay, the 2 best performing national teams, and that's why this game was like a final, but not exactly a final.

[buritobr]

In 1974, the Federal Republic of Germany played against the German Democratic Republic in the first round, in Hamburg.

But it was not the first time germans played against germans. In the qualifier for the 1954 World Cup, in 1953, the national team of the Federal Republic of Germany played against the national team of Saarland. In that time, Saarland was not part of Germany yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6myyzqUe1NI

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Fun facts
The 1998 World Cup in France was the first one to have 32 national teams and the last one to have Scotland, Austria, Romania and Bulgaria. These 4 national teams used to participate often until 1998. On the other hand, 1998 was the last one in which Portugal didn't go. Porgutal seldom went to World Cups in the 20th century.

Part of it is because there are now more European nations than before the nineties. Yugoslavia for example was split up, and the USSR fell apart, which enabled countries like Ukraine or the Baltic countries to participate as well. Czechia and Slovakia also split.

Another reason is increased immigration in western Europe and football especially being popular in those communities as well.

Romania had their golden generation in the 1990s, since than they haven't been great.

Bulgaria is kind of a weak nation in terms of football now.

Scotland is a victim of football being more popular in more European countries, as well as more nations existing today. They've never advanced to a second round on any world cup.

Austria really isn't a nation with a big football tradition either in modern football.

Norway also has been a while ago they were able to qualify, specifically in 1998. But they have Haaland now and a much better generation now (Odegaard too) and will probably qualify next time. Norway today is basically Belgium in 2010/2012 (the end of a weak generation and the promising start of a new one, although much of Norways playstyle will center around Haaland). Back than we also had tough groups because of our weak position on the world ranking but were able to dominate our 2014 qualifying group.