2014 FIFA World Cup

[dfwabel]

Three beer limit for men... just two for women.

[The_Admiral]

2022 World Cup is ours if Qatar loses it. Cool.

[VictoriaGooner]

"2022 World Cup is ours if Qatar loses it. Cool."

What are you talking about?

[BlackBolt3]

If the allegations of bribery are found to be true (which I believe), it's the general consensus that it would go to the US, because we were second in voting, and have stadiums ready an waiting in the wings.

[AnythingChicago]

So my thoughts on today's opening match:

The first half was great; it was really intriguing to see Croatia almost dominate those first fifteen minutes or so and also monitor the crowd's reaction to the whole thing, especially the Neymar goal. The second half did not live up to the expectations I had for it; that penalty really should have been a yellow card on Fred for simulation, Croatia should have scored on that opportunity right before Oscar's chance, and Oscar's goal really should have been saved. Of the four goals, I'd say that they were all flukes of a sort; a little bad luck both ways and this could have been a 0-0 draw.

And Torin, I also find the Arena de São Paulo to be strange. The grandstands are very geometrical, so the whole thing looks like a montrous rectangular prism. The one thing I like about it is how close the fans are to the pitch.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend's fixtures. I'll be hoping for Cameroon to take it to Mexico in the matinée, and both Group B matches (ESP v NED and CHI v AUS) should be entertaining.

[TorinK92]

If the allegations of bribery are found to be true (which I believe), it's the general consensus that it would go to the US, because we were second in voting, and have stadiums ready an waiting in the wings.

Which basically would take Canada out of the running in 2026.

If we ever had a chance in the first place...

And Torin, I also find the Arena de São Paulo to be strange. The grandstands are very geometrical, so the whole thing looks like a montrous rectangular prism. The one thing I like about it is how close the fans are to the pitch.

The main thing I found odd about it was the end stand that sticks out from under the sloped open-concept roof, it just looks out of place from the streamlined contours of the rest of the stadium. And the two opposite side stands seem to be different heights as well. It just makes it look all over the place.

[The_Admiral]

"2022 World Cup is ours if Qatar loses it. Cool."

What are you talking about?

FIFA told the USA to be ready for the World Cup if they take it away from Qatar. It was trending on Facebook, so I know it's true.

[Kramerica Industries]

I think a jointly-hosted U.S/Canadian World Cup would be wonderful, but I'm pretty sure that isn't a realistic possibility at any point in the near future.

FWIW, honest question, what would the locations be for a Canadian World Cup? I'm guessing the seven NHL cities as it is and, well, Quebec City and Regina/Saskatoon (either/or) being in that mix too? I'm guessing we're not talking about having a World Cup site in the Maritimes or the Territories.

[DS729]

I don't see the need for a US/Canadian joint bid, sure it would be nice, but it's essentially pointless because we don't have a shortage of World-Cup quality stadiums/the capability to build them if need be.

[Kramerica Industries]

Yeah, it's not happening, it's just the idealistic Canadian ancestry from within speaking up when I say that.

[LAWeaver]

I doubt I'll be watching any of the World Cup, might just follow the ESPN updates or something. However, I might watch a US game if I get the chance. That American Outlaw is so Flippin catchy.

(I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN. I BELIEVE THAT WE WIL WIN.)

Had that chant stuck in my head for the past couple of days

[TorinK92]

FWIW, honest question, what would the locations be for a Canadian World Cup? I'm guessing the seven NHL cities as it is and, well, Quebec City and Regina/Saskatoon (either/or) being in that mix too? I'm guessing we're not talking about having a World Cup site in the Maritimes or the Territories.

the 7 NHL cities would be able to use their football stadiums to host, as well as using Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton. Mosaic Stadium in Regina would be the logical venue in Saskatchewan. That leaves 9 quasi world cup suitable venues in Canada.

The largest would be the Montreal Olympic stadium with capacity for 65'250, which would need an extreme renovation to host the world cup. Although Canada would probably want to host the final in Toronto, likely using Rogers Centre which right now only seats 47'500 for soccer; much below what FIFA would want for a World Cup final.

Other than those nine cities, there isn't another city in Canada that has a stadium with over a few thousand seats, Quebec City certainly included.

On top of that, we only have 4 stadiums with a capacity much over 35'000, not quite up to World Cup standards. We would need to renovate all those stadiums, which would put a cramp on the CFL. (Although the Calgary and new Hamilton stadiums do have temporary seating for over 40'000, so there's that if necessary)

We would need a lot of work done on our stadiums, and it would shell out quite an amount of money. Even though we have a good number of stadiums in a good number of cities, it's quite a long shot to get our hopes up.

[JayMac]

FWIW, honest question, what would the locations be for a Canadian World Cup? I'm guessing the seven NHL cities as it is and, well, Quebec City and Regina/Saskatoon (either/or) being in that mix too? I'm guessing we're not talking about having a World Cup site in the Maritimes or the Territories.

the 7 NHL cities would be able to use their football stadiums to host, as well as using Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton. Mosaic Stadium in Regina would be the logical venue in Saskatchewan. That leaves 9 quasi world cup suitable venues in Canada.

The largest would be the Montreal Olympic stadium with capacity for 65'250, which would need an extreme renovation to host the world cup. Although Canada would probably want to host the final in Toronto, likely using Rogers Centre which right now only seats 47'500 for soccer; much below what FIFA would want for a World Cup final.

Other than those nine cities, there isn't another city in Canada that has a stadium with over a few thousand seats, Quebec City certainly included.

On top of that, we only have 4 stadiums with a capacity much over 35'000, not quite up to World Cup standards. We would need to renovate all those stadiums, which would put a cramp on the CFL. (Although the Calgary and new Hamilton stadiums do have temporary seating for over 40'000, so there's that if necessary)

We would need a lot of work done on our stadiums, and it would shell out quite an amount of money. Even though we have a good number of stadiums in a good number of cities, it's quite a long shot to get our hopes up.

Qatar won a bid with much less. Maybe some Canadian billionaires can bribe FIFA like Qatar did.

[TorinK92]

Qatar won a bid with much less. Maybe some Canadian billionaires can bribe FIFA like Qatar did.

Qatar uses it's oil to get much more money than Canada uses it's oil to get money. Plus, I think Canada's a bit more moral about this bribing thing (senate scandal aside.)

I've said that Brazil 14 is possibly the worst decision economically, Russia 18 is possibly the worst decision ethically, and Qatar 22 is most definitely the worst decision for everything. Compared to those three, it may seem like a success. But I just don't see Canada hosting a particularly great World Cup.

[RyanMcD29]

I doubt I'll be watching any of the World Cup, might just follow the ESPN updates or something. However, I might watch a US game if I get the chance. That American Outlaw is so Flippin catchy.

(I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN. I BELIEVE THAT WE WIL WIN.)

Had that chant stuck in my head for the past couple of days

Utah State's the real originators of that

Though hey, maybe now that the sports world is catching on to that (I know we stole that chant from them over time at Syracuse and I'm sure a bunch of other schools and teams have too), this can as well. It's the better of the two, anyway

[dfwabel]

If the allegations of bribery are found to be true (which I believe), it's the general consensus that it would go to the US, because we were second in voting, and have stadiums ready an waiting in the wings.

Which basically would take Canada out of the running in 2026.

If we ever had a chance in the first place...

And Torin, I also find the Arena de São Paulo to be strange. The grandstands are very geometrical, so the whole thing looks like a montrous rectangular prism. The one thing I like about it is how close the fans are to the pitch.

The main thing I found odd about it was the end stand that sticks out from under the sloped open-concept roof, it just looks out of place from the streamlined contours of the rest of the stadium. And the two opposite side stands seem to be different heights as well. It just makes it look all over the place.

The majority of the end stand, the "upper level" are temporary bleachers. Plus there was "little accident" there in November which took out a chuck of the facade.

[FiddySicks]

I think a jointly-hosted U.S/Canadian World Cup would be wonderful, but I'm pretty sure that isn't a realistic possibility at any point in the near future.

FWIW, honest question, what would the locations be for a Canadian World Cup? I'm guessing the seven NHL cities as it is and, well, Quebec City and Regina/Saskatoon (either/or) being in that mix too? I'm guessing we're not talking about having a World Cup site in the Maritimes or the Territories.

I was just thinking today that CenturyLink Field in Seattle would be a good fit for the final. The stadium is already perfect for soccer and the culture would fit the area nicely. Rain would be of minimal concern this time of year, too.

[gosioux76]

I think a jointly-hosted U.S/Canadian World Cup would be wonderful, but I'm pretty sure that isn't a realistic possibility at any point in the near future.

FWIW, honest question, what would the locations be for a Canadian World Cup? I'm guessing the seven NHL cities as it is and, well, Quebec City and Regina/Saskatoon (either/or) being in that mix too? I'm guessing we're not talking about having a World Cup site in the Maritimes or the Territories.

I was just thinking today that CenturyLink Field in Seattle would be a good fit for the final. The stadium is already perfect for soccer and the culture would fit the area nicely. Rain would be of minimal concern this time of year, too.

I don't see any way that they don't host the final at the Meadowlands. In '94, the final was in L.A. The next time, they'd give it to New York. I can't imagine a more appropriate place for the world to gather.

[AJM]

I think a jointly-hosted U.S/Canadian World Cup would be wonderful, but I'm pretty sure that isn't a realistic possibility at any point in the near future.

FWIW, honest question, what would the locations be for a Canadian World Cup? I'm guessing the seven NHL cities as it is and, well, Quebec City and Regina/Saskatoon (either/or) being in that mix too? I'm guessing we're not talking about having a World Cup site in the Maritimes or the Territories.

I was just thinking today that CenturyLink Field in Seattle would be a good fit for the final. The stadium is already perfect for soccer and the culture would fit the area nicely. Rain would be of minimal concern this time of year, too.

Seattle would definitely host games but the final would not doubt go to a "major" city (Rose Bowl, Cowboys Stadium, MetLife Stadium, and possibly Levi's Stadium or the New Atlanta Stadium) with LA or NY leading.

[rams80]

Which basically would take Canada out of the running in 2026.

If we ever had a chance in the first place...

You didn't. Most of the CFL stadia would have needed significant expansion and a few stadia would have been needed to be built from scratch. No Canadian government would pony up that much cash.