FIFA World Cup - Qatar 2022

Back from watching a quite miserable England performance but overall the trip was enjoyable. 

Everywhere in Qatar seems like it's about 20 minutes away. In a taxi from the airport to the pub, and then later from the pub to the stadium we drove past 3 other world cup stadiums. As we pulled up to the hotel we'd booked a table at in one of the bars, the Dutch team coach was just pulling away.

One thing that struck me was the bar was full of fans from different nations all mixing and enjoying themselves. Groups from England (obviously), Wales, USA, Denmark, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Holland, Brazil, Iran all in the same bar we were in (Belgian beer cafe which is absolutely huge for anyone heading over). No sign of trouble, just fans having a good time. The distance from England (and most likely the fear of arrest) means you simply don't get the typical dickheads who will no doubt be at the Euro's in Germany in 2024.

Was actually quite surprised at the number of American fans there and their constant 'USA, USA' chant gets annoying after a while but they were all quite pleasant. A few wanted photos with England fans. Also met a random guy and his son, one in a Villa shirt with Watkins on the back, the kid in a Leicester shirt with Vardy, asked them why they supported different teams, turns out they weren't English but Hungarian, love the premier league and just enjoy buying different team shirts and were out there just to follow England and see the players.

Also saw a mad Colombian guy at the game, dressed head to toe in their team colours, including wig and even Colombia coloured trainers. Bizarre (for me anyway) because Colombia haven't even qualified for this world cup! Will also echo what @QatarNapsy said earlier, tons of Mexican fans everywhere. 

Match as everyone knows was dreadful, but looking forward to the Wales game on Tuesday when we're flying back out there. Surely we can't be as bad as that again.

MrOneLung said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

Back from watching a quite miserable England performance but overall the trip was enjoyable. 

Everywhere in Qatar seems like it's about 20 minutes away. In a taxi from the airport to the pub, and then later from the pub to the stadium we drove past 3 other world cup stadiums. As we pulled up to the hotel we'd booked a table at in one of the bars, the Dutch team coach was just pulling away.

One thing that struck me was the bar was full of fans from different nations all mixing and enjoying themselves. Groups from England (obviously), Wales, USA, Denmark, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Holland, Brazil, Iran all in the same bar we were in (Belgian beer cafe which is absolutely huge for anyone heading over). No sign of trouble, just fans having a good time. The distance from England (and most likely the fear of arrest) means you simply don't get the typical dickheads who will no doubt be at the Euro's in Germany in 2024.

Was actually quite surprised at the number of American fans there and their constant 'USA, USA' chant gets annoying after a while but they were all quite pleasant. A few wanted photos with England fans. Also met a random guy and his son, one in a Villa shirt with Watkins on the back, the kid in a Leicester shirt with Vardy, asked them why they supported different teams, turns out they weren't English but Hungarian, love the premier league and just enjoy buying different team shirts and were out there just to follow England and see the players.

Also saw a mad Colombian guy at the game, dressed head to toe in their team colours, including wig and even Colombia coloured trainers. Bizarre (for me anyway) because Colombia haven't even qualified for this world cup! Will also echo what @QatarNapsy said earlier, tons of Mexican fans everywhere. 

Match as everyone knows was dreadful, but looking forward to the Wales game on Tuesday when we're flying back out there. Surely we can't be as bad as that again.

Chris, would it not have been cheaper to stay out there rather than fly out twice ? 

I live in Dubai so it's only a 50 minute flight which were about £140 return each.

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

MrOneLung said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

Back from watching a quite miserable England performance but overall the trip was enjoyable. 

Everywhere in Qatar seems like it's about 20 minutes away. In a taxi from the airport to the pub, and then later from the pub to the stadium we drove past 3 other world cup stadiums. As we pulled up to the hotel we'd booked a table at in one of the bars, the Dutch team coach was just pulling away.

One thing that struck me was the bar was full of fans from different nations all mixing and enjoying themselves. Groups from England (obviously), Wales, USA, Denmark, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Holland, Brazil, Iran all in the same bar we were in (Belgian beer cafe which is absolutely huge for anyone heading over). No sign of trouble, just fans having a good time. The distance from England (and most likely the fear of arrest) means you simply don't get the typical dickheads who will no doubt be at the Euro's in Germany in 2024.

Was actually quite surprised at the number of American fans there and their constant 'USA, USA' chant gets annoying after a while but they were all quite pleasant. A few wanted photos with England fans. Also met a random guy and his son, one in a Villa shirt with Watkins on the back, the kid in a Leicester shirt with Vardy, asked them why they supported different teams, turns out they weren't English but Hungarian, love the premier league and just enjoy buying different team shirts and were out there just to follow England and see the players.

Also saw a mad Colombian guy at the game, dressed head to toe in their team colours, including wig and even Colombia coloured trainers. Bizarre (for me anyway) because Colombia haven't even qualified for this world cup! Will also echo what @QatarNapsy said earlier, tons of Mexican fans everywhere. 

Match as everyone knows was dreadful, but looking forward to the Wales game on Tuesday when we're flying back out there. Surely we can't be as bad as that again.

Chris, would it not have been cheaper to stay out there rather than fly out twice ? 

I live in Dubai so it's only a 50 minute flight which were about £140 return each.

Doh(a)!

I did actually know that, but just totally forgot. 

I think this world cup might be more boring than South Africa 

DamoNorthStand said:

Watching Messi nowadays is like that kid we all went to school with who had all the skills nobody else had but fucked you off when you had first pick, chose him for your team, then he just fucked around doing pointless stuff that didn’t achieve anything 

Yeah …. Like that 

DamoNorthStand said:

Watching Messi nowadays is like that kid we all went to school with who had all the skills nobody else had but fucked you off when you had first pick, chose him for your team, then he just fucked around doing pointless stuff that didn’t achieve anything 

That's more Ronaldo than Messi these days.

Callumcafc said:

DamoNorthStand said:

Watching Messi nowadays is like that kid we all went to school with who had all the skills nobody else had but fucked you off when you had first pick, chose him for your team, then he just fucked around doing pointless stuff that didn’t achieve anything 

That's more Ronaldo than Messi these days.

Was just about to say the same thing. Messi still contributes so much to the Argentina team, is pretty much the main man in almost every game they play. Ronaldo is a real issue for both club an country now.

Awful take from Damo TBH!

ForeverAddickted said:

Callumcafc said:

How can you not love Messi? What a strike

Never really seen him as Argentinian, even when he plays for them - I'd be quite happy if Messi could win the World Cup, but Argentina dont if that makes any sense

Get him to switch nationalities and we can all be happy.

You'd fancy the Saudis to beat Mexico, as Mexico are so toothless. That should make Argentina vs Poland a cracker

Bournemouth Addick said:

Has anyone maintained a 100% record for catching every game live on the box?

It's a bit easier to have the commentary on the radio with the wfh thing and I've adjusted my lunchtimes to catch the second half of the 1pm games live but I'm quite jealous of those who've retired and are able to plan their days around 4 games a day if they want! 

I have watched one live game for the full 90 minutes and that was England v Iran. Other than that been catching 20 minutes here and there of some, not all of the other matches.

 I am recording the hi lights on both ITV and BBC and at this stage it’s been enough for me.