Qatar World Cup 2022 Thread

Strongest squad possible tbh, don’t think any of the omissions can complain too much about missing out. James and Chilwell will both be a big miss. Middle of the park looks weak.

Tomori should be in the Defensive mix for me, and probably Ward-Prowse in the Midfield.

Good to see Maddison picked, mind will probably play about 3mins now!

More or less as expected but I think Its a bit of a gamble taking Walker and Philips due to their lack of match fitness and Maguire due to lack of form and confidence, however there is a lack of options in defence so maybe understandable.
I personally think the midfield is the strongest part of the squad, I wouldn't class some of those listed as forwards as being forwards; more attacking midfielders really. Take Kane away, either through injury or 'tiredness' and I think we are pretty weak up front too.
The defence is still the main area of concern, particularly at centre back.
The biggest worry though is Southgate with his defensive mindset and his inability to change change things when needed. We have some decent attacking threats, however we know he is going to select every full back available with 2 holding midfielders in front.

Whenever I’ve seen Tomori play he looks very unconvincing, very poor against Chelsea this season. Behind Maguire, Stones and White, can perhaps argue he should be in ahead of Coady.

Ward Prowse hasn’t showed much this season and not really international quality, he’s struggled in his previous England outings, often looking out his depth IMO.

Quoted from topstepwhinger on Thursday, 10 November 2025

More or less as expected but I think Its a bit of a gamble taking Walker and Philips due to their lack of match fitness and Maguire due to lack of form and confidence, however there is a lack of options in defence so maybe understandable.
I personally think the midfield is the strongest part of the squad, I wouldn't class some of those listed as forwards as being forwards; more attacking midfielders really. Take Kane away, either through injury or 'tiredness' and I think we are pretty weak up front too.
The defence is still the main area of concern, particularly at centre back.
The biggest worry though is Southgate with his defensive mindset and his inability to change change things when needed. We have some decent attacking threats, however we know he is going to select every full back available with 2 holding midfielders in front.

26 man squad instead of the usual 23 so Southgate says he can include a couple of fitness gambles and not leave himself short.

I don't reckon Maguire, Saka, Sterling, Henderson or Phillips have done enough this season to warrant a place on the plane.

Personally, I'd have taken Abraham as back up for Kane.

Ultimately however, it doesn't really matter with Southgate in charge, we're screwed.

My money's on Argentina, they're bang in form and have a stacked squad.

Sterling could be up for debate, but Saka? Walks in!

League only:
Maddison - 12 Games, 6 Goals, 4 Assists.
Saka - 13 Games, 4 Goals, 6 Assists.
Sterling - 13 Games, 3 Goals, 1 Assist.

Would've had Mellish in ahead of Coady.

Who’s gonna be our centre forward if Kane gets injured? Is he gonna play every minute, of every game?

I don’t know if it’s my age, time of year or Qatar but I’ve no enthusiasm for it and to be honest couldn’t give two shits.

Saying that I’ll be a hypocrite and will probably watch the majority of games but there’s something missing for me for a World Cup and can’t remember things being so quiet a week or so before a World Cup.

Anyway I do think England have a chance if we can discover the pre nations league form. There isn’t really a top world class team and a number of teams could win it.

Quoted from Peekaboo Flo on Thursday, 10 November 2025

Who’s gonna be our centre forward if Kane gets injured? Is he gonna play every minute, of every game?

Callum Wilson. When fit he’s an excellent centre forward, better than Toney or Abrahams.

Quoted from Mullen103 on Thursday, 10 November 2025

I don’t know if it’s my age, time of year or Qatar but I’ve no enthusiasm for it and to be honest couldn’t give two shits.

Saying that I’ll be a hypocrite and will probably watch the majority of games but there’s something missing for me for a World Cup and can’t remember things being so quiet a week or so before a World Cup.

Anyway I do think England have a chance if we can discover the pre nations league form. There isn’t really a top world class team and a number of teams could win it.

Farcical that it starts in 10 days time yet there’s still another round of PL games to fit in beforehand. Can see a few half-hearted efforts by players this weekend.

Brazil and France have the best squads but it’s not as simple as best squad wins. Got a feeling for Holland who seem to have a functioning team for a change with Denmark as dark horses. England got too many players out of form for me, anything more than QF’s will be a success.

There are bound to be a couple of star names that end up getting crocked this weekend ,which will be a bit cruel on them.
I'm hoping, aside from all the negatives, that we might get some decent games because those players that aren't injured , won't be jaded like at the end of a long season (I dont mean just England players).

That defence looks well dodge.

When they announcing Scotland squad, Nobby?

Quoted from Peekaboo Flo on Friday, 11 November 2025

When they announcing Scotland squad, Nobby?

No way Scotland would attend due to human rights and that.

Shame Dean Henderson didn't make it. From what I've seen this season he's been in great from at Forest. Some unbelievable saves at times. Surely he would've gone if he hadn't sat on the bench for Man U for a couple of seasons.

Anybody remotely excited about his World Cup malarkey?
Nor me,
Nothing about it feels right, and hasn't since the day it was awarded/bought/sold.
No doubt feelings towards it will change (at least the football part) once it starts on whatever day it does.
Giving it to Russia in 2018 has gone well, I can't wait for North Korea to be the fast-tracked hosts!

Yes, I feel the same TSW.
Such a dreadful, corrupt process and those poor sods who've died building stadiums. No need for that when some of the richest people on earth are building them. Wouldn't have been difficult to pay them a fair wage and to look after them in a half decent manner.
Having said that I'll no doubt really get into the football when it does get going.

Quoted from topstepwhinger on Wednesday, 16 November 2025

Anybody remotely excited about his World Cup malarkey?
Nor me,
Nothing about it feels right, and hasn't since the day it was awarded/bought/sold.
No doubt feelings towards it will change (at least the football part) once it starts on whatever day it does.
Giving it to Russia in 2018 has gone well, I can't wait for North Korea to be the fast-tracked hosts!

I'll watch it , probably enjoy some of the matches. Although I feel massively uneasy about the world cup being there, the current human rights issues and the stadium being built practically using slave labour.

Although once the football begins I feel a lot of the issues will sadly be forgotten about.

For anybody unfamiliar with his work, football cartoonist / genius David Squires has used his last three strips for The Guardian to shine a light on the host country's appalling human rights record and the tragic loss of life associated with the infrastructure implemented for the World Cup. They can be viewed here

I watched a two part documentary I think on Amazon Prime called "The men who sold football" it was all about the Qater bid and the "practices" that went on around it... quite staggering what went on but not as staggering that they got away with it...

Like others on this thread I just can`t get enthused about the upcoming World Cup, probably a combination of :- Qatar WTF - wrong time of the year - probably some serious backhanders being paid in the background - it just seems corrupt - not looking forward to England playing 50 sideways passes to advance 0 yards.

Honestly, I`ll get more pleasure from seeing the Blues doing well.

Just as well Ivan Toney wasn't picked for the squad now that his betting has been uncovered. Sending him home would have been embarrassing.

Ivan Tony has just apologised to the fans and regrets his actions! But has assured Brentford fans he will be available for the 2-2 draw against Fulham in January!!