This is such a narccisstic trip for Infantino, FIFA and everyone involved. From the enourmous golden trophy sitting in Oval Office for months on end, huge FIFA logo in the middle of the pitch, InterMiami being there to the horrible american style playback in the opening ceremony songs. Don’t we all love the US. Oh, and objectively we probably shouldn’be playing, Liverpool should be in the US. 4 years is forever in SOCCER.

But still glad we’re in, Up The Chels. Let’s win this thing. Or at least not embarass ourselves begore the Champions League. Should be good training for the lads, playing with the likes of Bayern and co

11 minutes ago, NestorGarde said:

This is such a narccisstic trip for Infantino, FIFA and everyone involved. From the enourmous golden trophy sitting in Oval Office for months on end, huge FIFA logo in the middle of the pitch, InterMiami being there to the horrible american style playback in the opening ceremony songs. Don’t we all love the US. Oh, and objectively we probably shouldn’be playing, Liverpool should be in the US. 4 years is forever in SOCCER.

But still glad we’re in, Up The Chels. Let’s win this thing. Or at least not embarass ourselves begore the Champions League. Should be good training for the lads, playing with the likes of Bayern and co

If Liverpool wanted to be in it they should have won a European trophy.

20 minutes ago, bisright1 said:

If Liverpool wanted to be in it they should have won a European trophy.

I keep coming back to this, if Liverpool were in it I’m sure it wouldn’t be getting quite as tough a hit from the UK press at least.

3 hours ago, Snedger said:

It was before my time, but the Watney Cup always felt familiar to me because when I was young it was still talked about how Halifax Town had beaten United in it and also it was mentioned in a Half Man Half Biscuit song.

They should bring back the Watney Cup. Although it’d now be the called dodgy offshore Malaysian betting syndicate cup or similar. Maybe Infantino can organise a new one with the highest scorers from every league in the world??

Can't go wrong with a half man half biscuit song Snedger 👍! Always wonderful lyrics.

Bayern 4-0 after 21 minutes.

Wonder how many they are going to get LOL

Kane will be getting anxious about now.

Our SDs will be making notes theyve probably spotted a couple of talented youngsters in the Auckland line up

Edited June 15, 20251 yr by OneTommyLangley

10 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Bayern 4-0 after 21 minutes.

Wonder how many they are going to get LOL

My dad is going for 12-0, but I think they’ll get to half time (with maybe 5) and then play Maresca ball to ensure no more goals after the break.

12-0 is a good shout , im going for 9-0

Surely such a one-sided game is a bit embarrassing for FIFA, what with the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona kicking their heels at home thanks to this "two teams per country" limit they came up with ...

I made another thread here for those that want to post about the games.

Just now, Sexyfootball said:

Surely such a one-sided game is a bit embarrassing for FIFA, what with the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona kicking their heels at home thanks to this "two teams per country" limit they came up with ...

if it keeps the scousers out it cant be too bad.

Auckland get 3 million more than Liverpool for turning up.

Am I right in assuming we are not 10-0 different from LAFC?

1 hour ago, OneTommyLangley said:

12-0 is a good shout , im going for 9-0

You were so close. A good shout.

Early indications of the tournament:

-They try to push the competition and add prestige and excitement to it. Why not, a huge investement this tournament. Not sure wheter it is that becoming though.

-US is a great place to play as they have great venues for it and seems people have found their way to the games.

-Teams are going for wins. No holding back so far. Maresca was asked in the presser that are they going to play the best lineup which was allegedly demanded of the participants. If true, it is a bit sad. Maresca just talked around it saying he will rotate as it is necessary.

- PSG looks dangerous and to me the clear favourite to win it anyway. Beating Atletico 4-0 is a statement.

-Estevao is showcasing his talents in the big stage and it looks like he is the real deal. Still raw but it looks good for Chelsea.

-Why is Auckland in the comp? They have a slot for semi-pro team? Their keeper who let in 10 goals has another job as well. And who says he struggles with financies just by participating in this.

All in all the early signs look more positive than negative to me. Nice to watch some good football this time of the year.

6 minutes ago, evissy said:

Early indications of the tournament:

-They try to push the competition and add prestige and excitement to it. Why not, a huge investement this tournament. Not sure wheter it is that becoming though.

-US is a great place to play as they have great venues for it and seems people have found their way to the games.

-Teams are going for wins. No holding back so far. Maresca was asked in the presser that are they going to play the best lineup which was allegedly demanded of the participants. If true, it is a bit sad. Maresca just talked around it saying he will rotate as it is necessary.

- PSG looks dangerous and to me the clear favourite to win it anyway. Beating Atletico 4-0 is a statement.

-Estevao is showcasing his talents in the big stage and it looks like he is the real deal. Still raw but it looks good for Chelsea.

-Why is Auckland in the comp? They have a slot for semi-pro team? Their keeper who let in 10 goals has another job as well. And who says he struggles with financies just by participating in this.

All in all the early signs look more positive than negative to me. Nice to watch some good football this time of the year.

On Auckland. They are going to bring back a couple of mill from this. Their squad value is only double that.

They will be whipping boys, but they'll take the cash, and that will impact on improving the region.

The ideal benefit from this tournament is club football being fully global and not euro centric. That'll take decades.

13 minutes ago, bisright1 said:

On Auckland. They are going to bring back a couple of mill from this. Their squad value is only double that.

They will be whipping boys, but they'll take the cash, and that will impact on improving the region.

The ideal benefit from this tournament is club football being fully global and not euro centric. That'll take decades.

Cut and paste from BBC article today :

A mismatch on and off the pitch

Auckland were perhaps fortunate not to lose by a heavier margin as Bayern peppered their goal with 31 attempts – including 17 on target – while enjoying 71% of possession.

The New Zealanders managed only one shot at Manuel Neuer's goal - Angus Kilkolly's low drive which was easily saved by the veteran goalkeeper.

The gaping chasm between the two sides on the pitch is mirrored off it…

• Auckland reported 1.1m New Zealand dollars (around £488,000) in revenue for the last financial year, compared to the Bundesliga giants' 951.5m euros (£810m).

• Auckland's amateur players have a salary cap of 150 New Zealand dollars (around £66) per week, while Harry Kane is reported to be earning £400,000 per week at Bayern. On that basis, it would take Auckland's best-paid player about 117 years to earn Kane's weekly salary.

• Auckland's squad is valued at 4.58m euros (around £3.9m) by Transfermarkt, while Bayern's is valued at 903.5m euros (around £769m).

• Oceania's sole representatives at the tournament, Auckland are getting £2.6m in prize money for taking part, while European clubs stand to earn between £9.9m and £29.6m.

Bayern are currently ranked sixth in Opta's Power Rankings - a global team ranking system - but Auckland are down in 5,074th, over 2,500 places below English National League side York City.

The next lowest-ranked team in the Club World Cup are UAE outfit Al Ain, who sit 625th.

While Bayern boast some of the biggest names in world football, Auckland's team includes a primary school teacher, an insurance broker, a barber, a sales representative at Coca-Cola, a car retailer, and several students.

Remarkably, Auckland left-back Nathan Lobo, 22, will have to sit a university exam from his hotel room during the competition.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq85844qwyjo

28 minutes ago, bisright1 said:

On Auckland. They are going to bring back a couple of mill from this. Their squad value is only double that.

They will be whipping boys, but they'll take the cash, and that will impact on improving the region.

The ideal benefit from this tournament is club football being fully global and not euro centric. That'll take decades.

If Oceanias best team is Auckland why were they included... I get the world wide approach but my word are they behind by a mile. Good for their financies though. Maybe they are a bit better back there in the future for it.

Can't think of a tournament I am less interested in watching than this.

Surprisingly I've watched every game so far apart from the Inter Maimi opener.

Seems to me a lot of people want to have their cake and eat it. They don't like the idea of competitions being a closed shop for the 'big' teams, but when the small teams take part it's ridiculous that they are there and Liverpool and Barcelona aren't.

4 minutes ago, Remodez said:

Surprisingly I've watched every game so far apart from the Inter Maimi opener.

Palmeiras-Porto was really good despite the result. 1st half especially felt good. Like the tournament might really make sense after all.

Edited June 16, 20251 yr by NestorGarde

30 minutes ago, Snedger said:

Seems to me a lot of people want to have their cake and eat it. They don't like the idea of competitions being a closed shop for the 'big' teams, but when the small teams take part it's ridiculous that they are there and Liverpool and Barcelona aren't.

Yes I agree. I enjoy seeing teams I never would watch or see in this type of tournament. No matter the level.

Scratch that last one. The level should be 5 stories above Auckland level 😅.

Watching mostly Premier League it gets boring. Always the same old story with us having difficulties on breaking down the parked bus and the football being about pace and athletism. There are great teams around the world such as these Brazilian and Argentinian sides.

On 14/06/2025 at 12:05, The Rising Sun said:

I mention the 1970s Watney Cup previously .

It was a preseason thing and was between the highest goalscoring team from each division.

What I didn't know, and find it hard to believe, is that the offside line was on the edge of the penalty box instead of the halfway line.

I barely remember the name " Watney Cup" let alone the competition itself, but the offside rule change must have been a big thing at the time I would have thought.

No internet back then, so unless someone down the pub knew about it, no one would've known about it either !

I originate from Colchester. We knew all about it. Its the only thing the U's ever won. Go look up Mick Mahon's goal. Not bad for a pub side.

On 15/06/2025 at 04:39, NestorGarde said:

This is such a narccisstic trip for Infantino, FIFA and everyone involved. From the enourmous golden trophy sitting in Oval Office for months on end, huge FIFA logo in the middle of the pitch, InterMiami being there to the horrible american style playback in the opening ceremony songs. Don’t we all love the US. Oh, and objectively we probably shouldn’be playing, Liverpool should be in the US. 4 years is forever in SOCCER.

But still glad we’re in, Up The Chels. Let’s win this thing. Or at least not embarass ourselves begore the Champions League. Should be good training for the lads, playing with the likes of Bayern and co

Cheer up - it’s only football!

For some of us also, that grew up watching Chelsea at the bridge, it’s nice that we can enjoy Chelsea closer to where we live now, and enjoy that experience with family here.

Put FIFA and US politics aside - there are far worse things going on in the world than a few men kicking a ball around for $100M for a few weeks.

""Tickets for the tournament have been sold under a dynamic pricing model, with prices determined by demand. A lower price suggests less interest.

There are still tickets available for every match, with the majority of fixtures having seats for as little as £45 - and some even as low as £25.

Some matches, understandably, appear to have attracted more interest than others. Tickets for Real Madrid's first match against Al-Hilal - also at the Hard Rock Stadium - are only available for in excess of £166.

Paris-St Germain's opener against Atletico Madrid also appears to be selling well, with the cheapest tickets now priced at £60""

1 hour ago, PhilH930 said:

Cheer up - it’s only football!

For some of us also, that grew up watching Chelsea at the bridge, it’s nice that we can enjoy Chelsea closer to where we live now, and enjoy that experience with family here.

Put FIFA and US politics aside - there are far worse things going on in the world than a few men kicking a ball around for $100M for a few weeks.

I'll say! I have two cuts in my fingers due to an unwieldy putty knife! Bloody DIY

Absolute murder weapon.