I didn't complain, just made an observation. What's your problem?
Qatar WC | Fans and Atmosphere Watch
- Thread starter Samid
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Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) discuss United's fantastic win away against Athletic Club in the semi-final of the Europa League.
They also pick out the positives of United's 4-3 loss away at Brentford, and Nik reviews a day out at Old Trafford watching Manchester United Women qualify for the Champions League.
Well that much is obvious by now!
But I think you misunderstood me - I don't think this thread is nonsense, in fact I'm very interested to see how the fan culture and atmosphere at the first ever Middle Eastern World Cup plays out
And so far from what I've seen and heard from actual football fans on the ground in Qatar, it's been a positive start to the tournament. which of course goes completely against the overwhelmingly negative view that you get by reading most of the posts in this thread
On that we agree, I love football, and especially the working class origins and accessibility of the sport, jumpers for goalposts etc. I also really enjoy how international teams have a definite cultural identity and adore the concept of world cups. That's why the context of this world cup depresses me and especially why the doubling down by Qatar and and Fifa in the last few days has made slim hopes of progress fade a little bit.
That's not what I'm taking about. I've seen specific racist comments online about Arabs not just mistaken identity.
The mistaken identity stuff is ignorance. Assuming every Arab looking guy in traditional clothes is some rich sheikh etc
Did I miss Argentina vs Brazil yesterday? Nobody claimed fans from Kerala are going to fill up every match.
Keen to know your sources here.
This American guy is vlogging his time at the World Cup. Seems to be a good example of the fan experience.
Looks very makeshift and unprepared but football fans are making the best of it and having a good time.
Looks very makeshift and unprepared but football fans are making the best of it and having a good time.
I must say, in particular that second video, it really does look like fans are just making the most of it having spent lots of money to be there. But, that really is a shame because it seems like they’re having fun in spite of what’s available to them and not because of it. Like in the second video it’s just open area and it’s so dark. There just seems to be space and nothingness. That isn’t what the fan experience should be, but good on the fans for making the most of it. But it’s also why I’m hesitant to assume that it must all be good and dandy there just because fans are having fun - because they could be making the most of it as it seems here, rather than being actually provided a high quality, positive experience.
First bit of good atmosphere was during the Wales match after Bale's penalty. Stadiums have been pretty dead other than that. I suppose it is just the first match of the first round so no jeopardy involved to psych up the crowd. Will be interesting to see if things improve as the tournament progresses and we get to the do or die matches?
The atmosphere in Argentina and Brazil matches should be pretty good. Arab fans don't really chant though.
Oh boy, so we just need Brazil vs Argentina to have good atmosphere?
I’m inclined to believe someone who actually was there over randomers taking cheap shots on the internet.
Strange, some on here were saying the stadium was half empty for this game. Doesn't look like it from the video there
Yeah when fans are dancing over 4 cups of beer, you know they are making the best of a bad situation. I did come away from the videos thinking wtf did Qatar spend the money on ?
The stadiums look extremely basic(Atm also clearly too big as they can’t get close to full capacity), the fan infrastructure looks like it could be pulled down all within a few days and your right about the nothingness. Everything seems so far away, just massive walking gaps on empty roads.Maybe it was just this one fan zone but like where are the local shops, housing or landmarks ?
It really does seem like they’ve built everything in the middle of a desert away from the rest of the country. The tournament seems to have a PS2 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas vibe.
I have the same feeling too. When I read that it cost 220 billion euros I have to ask myself where the money went? Does that amount include airports, public transport and a lot of other infrastructure as well? Or are bribes to FIFA brass really that steep nowadays?
Basically everything written and said thus far has been about how it hasn't gone to plan. Fans not being able to get in to the ground for kick-off because of ticketing issues, thousands leaving at half-time, people being denied access because of what they are wearing. It doesn't sound like a complete disaster but I'd hardly describe it as a positive start.
Think it includes the infra. I was there in 2016 and they were building brand new metro rail network and the airport was being expanded as well
Cage match. Let's go.
Hasn’t everyone said that was first game which had a good atmosphere? USA always one of the bigger ticket buying nations and Wales fans always turn out well.
It’s not going to be a problem at most games given the stadiums mostly aren’t that massive (looks like most are around 40k) and the major countries bring big contingents of fans with them. Obviously Iran isn’t going to bring massive swathes of supporters but in that group ENG/US and ENG/WAL will be loud I have no doubt!
Ok I guess we have different standards for the atmosphere then. Even the USA vs Wales game was Ok but nothing to write home about or maybe it was my TV feed.
TV doesn't always reflect what's going on in the ground atmosphere wise - all depends where mics are placed.
Looks like there is decent atmosphere coming from behind the goals where most fans from abroad end up but the neutral sections along the sides look bland - much like Old Trafford, Wembley etc really
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I know a couple of people out there
If you go through this thread ignoring all the moaning from posters who sound like they have never been to a tournament in their lives and actually watch the videos from Qatar then the majority seem to be having a good time to me
Early days though so let's see how things progress
Yes there are issues but is that the majority experience? I think not
seems the same problems with Bluetooth tickets that created problems at CL Final - hopefully they get that sorted
I wonder if this guy had any problems getting in to the stadium
Ah yes, those proud days when Europe thought “Hey, let’s go and slaughter a bunch of folk and force Christendom on heretics” a few times. That’ll show how forward thinking we are.
I’m out in Qatar and I’ve chosen to keep as quiet as possible and let the agenda riders moan all they want in this thread. Was at the Holland game and it was an awesome atmosphere. Was at the Ecuador game too and that was fantastic. The fan festivals are amazing, there is beer served there (expensive) but it didn’t stop many from consuming. Everyone here is having a good time, seems those that aren’t are the ones not here.
Arg-KSA looks jam packed.
Keralans have arrived
Great to hear - don't keep quiet, getting updates from those actually there is the best way to silence the moaners !
2 of the biggest followings at this World Cup - shitloads of Mexicans are there too apparently for the later game
Did anyone from the Caf go to Qatar? Could you guys please post some photos? 
Was the atmosphere amazing at the Ecuador game until half time when the stadium emptied?
This is the first game where the atmosphere has sounded really good.
Noise when that Saudi goal went in sounded great.
Noise when that Saudi goal went in sounded great.
Saudis have an actual long standing football culture, even if quite local.
I can't watch this game but going by the highlights the atmosphere seems to be very good.
This game has an excellent atmosphere.
I posted in the natchday thread this game the stadium has been rocking, when the goals went in the noise was incredible and they've stayed with it the whole game too
Yeah great atmosphere today. Pro Saudi crowd too
Al-Owais show.
Some good stuff.
Some good stuff.
I thought Wales vs. USA was rocking. Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia is on another level. Epic.