Claudius not the worst idea to have it alternating between January and July depending on where the tournament is.

    Yeah. If they do a Morocco tournament, they should do it mideason. I would’ve done a Mexico tournament mideason as well but they’re going to mix it up with this US monstrosity in 2024. That tournament will be a mess.

      jones No way he remembers 82. I don't remember 82 and, sadly, am a little bit older than my Kentish friend.

        I didn't think this World Cup was that great at all. Not that much brilliant football, not really consistent top class teams. I would be against having another winter world cup. Think it drained a lot of the buzz out of the whole thing.

          The Moroccan bid looks interesting in any case. Failing that, it should go to the Uruguay-Arg joined bid for a 100 year anniversary of the first Uruguay WC although their stadiums does look extremely dated.

          The Greece-Egypt bid looks awful. All of their stadiums have a running track around the pitch

          QuincyAbeyie would be in line with the recent choices I guess. Russia, Qatar, USA and then Western Sahara's occupants after that.

          I'll be honest, I know nothing of the country's politics. My interest is mainly derived from exploring dense, old cities and drinking tea.

              Pepe LeFrits won't pretend that I know that much about the situation either. Definitely looks like a beautiful place. Was supposed to go there with my high school class, but in the end the school decided against it for budgetary reasons.

                QuincyAbeyie "Western Sahara occupants" I've absolutely no love for the Moroccan king or government but occupant is a ridiculous term. There are issues in the region but occupation of a different country means something vastly different than what's going in the Sahrawi republic.

                Also as Moroccan I'd hate to see a world cup going there, the ensuing explosion of corruption, damage to the economy etc would be unreal.

                  Qwiss Agree 100 %. The World Cup is a Summer event mixed with beers, barbeque, garden parties or other social events outside. The whole Fifa/Qatar thing also leaves a seriously bitter after taste. Not even close to one of the best world cups ever.

                      Pepe LeFrits exactly. For Argentina this was their first ever summer event mixed with beers asado etc, bet they'd keep it like this forever if they could.

                        Segway He's a pyscho, simple as.

                        This thread is interesting. Don't think I have seen such an insane character in football for a long time.

                        Don't think any other goalies would have won Argentina 2 back to back shootouts like this.

                          In fairness as good as Martinez is you can see why he was never going to be someone who Arteta would warm to.

                            Segway Odd to poke fun at Mbappe when he scored 4 goals past him in that game.

                            Also is a bit cheap really, leave the shithousery on the pitch.

                              I reckon Argentina are going to be in for a rough ride once Messi retired - similar to Barca but with even less scope for succession planning - and these guys will come crashing back to earth.

                                Mirth I'm not convinced Emi is from Earth to begin with.

                                  Pepe LeFrits I didn't like the PL season being broken up by this World Cup, but I don't see how anyone can call it a "global sport" if the World Cup doesn't cater for any country on earth potentially eventually hosting it, over time and depending on infrastructure etc … also, the break in the season so far feels like less of a drag than I felt at first.