Interesting, random facts regarding Clubs/Countries:

Unique Clubs Represented per Country:
Highest Concentrated Teams:
Qatar: 6
Saudi: 7
England: 11
Spain: 12
Germany: 13
Portugal: 14

Lowest Concentrated Teams:
Cameroon: 26
Ghana: 25
Japan: 24
Poland: 24
Croatia: 23
Denmark: 23
Senegal: 23
USA (& 4 others): 22

Countries with Over 5 Players from 1 Club:
Canada:
CF Montreal - 6
Costa Rica:
Herediano - 6
England:
Man City - 5
Germany (2 clubs):
Bayern - 7
Dortmund - 5
Mexico:
Monterrey - 5
Netherlands:
Ajax - 7
Qatar (2 clubs):
Al-Sadd - 13
Duhail - 6
Saudi (2 clubs):
Al-Hilal - 12
Al-Nassr - 6
South Korea:
Jeonbuk - 6
Spain:
Barcelona - 7

Clubs with Most Players in Cup (over 10 players):
17 - Bayern Munich
16 - Barcelona
16 - Man City
15 - Al-Sadd (Qatar)
14 - Man Utd
13 - Real Madrid
12 - Chelsea
12 - Al-Hilal (Saudi)
11 - Tottenham
11 - Dortmund
11 - Athletico Madrid
11 - Juventus
11 - Ajax
11 - PSG
10 - Arsenal
10 - Sevilla

I'm dumb.

What does this mean?

Quote:

---

Unique Clubs Represented per Country:
Highest Concentrated Teams:
Qatar: 6
Saudi: 7
England: 11
Spain: 12
Germany: 13
Portugal: 14

Lowest Concentrated Teams:
Cameroon: 26
Ghana: 25
Japan: 24
Poland: 24
Croatia: 23
Denmark: 23
Senegal: 23
USA (& 4 others): 22

---

My interpretation would be that highest concentration teams have players from the fewest unique clubs and vice versa.

Like we have 2 from Leeds, 2 from Nashville, 2 from Fulham, everyone else on their own…I think?

Ken Scarborough said:

---

I'm dumb.

What does this mean?

Quote:

---

Unique Clubs Represented per Country:
Highest Concentrated Teams:
Qatar: 6
Saudi: 7
England: 11
Spain: 12
Germany: 13
Portugal: 14

Lowest Concentrated Teams:
Cameroon: 26
Ghana: 25
Japan: 24
Poland: 24
Croatia: 23
Denmark: 23
Senegal: 23
USA (& 4 others): 22

---

---

The number of unique teams a given countries' players are on.
The roster of germany plays on 13 unique teams.
The US roster plays on 22 different teams.

WC rosters are 26 players. Cameroon's 26 players are from 26 different club teams. Zero teammates.

England's 26 players are from only 11 clubs. I think 25 of their 26 are from the EPL.

In essence which NT has the most diversified portfolio.

It would be interesting to see this analysis applied to the starting XI of each team for the 1st match.

PatAg said:

---

Ken Scarborough said:

---

I'm dumb.

What does this mean?

Quote:

---

Unique Clubs Represented per Country:
Highest Concentrated Teams:
Qatar: 6
Saudi: 7
England: 11
Spain: 12
Germany: 13
Portugal: 14

Lowest Concentrated Teams:
Cameroon: 26
Ghana: 25
Japan: 24
Poland: 24
Croatia: 23
Denmark: 23
Senegal: 23
USA (& 4 others): 22

---

---

The number of unique teams a given countries' players are on.
The roster of germany plays on 13 unique teams.
The US roster plays on 22 different teams.

---

Thanks...I feel dumb

Here is every group stage match day and time. They should all be on FOX or FS1 and all streaming on Peacock.

If you're taking Thanksgiving week off like your kids are and don't have other plans, it is possible to watch every minute of every match through the 1st and 2nd match-days for all groups except G&H's 2nd match-day on Monday 11/28. The 4am Central match each day might be a little rough to wake up for though.

G&H's 2nd match-day morning games, and the 3rd match day 9 am central games for all groups will be tricky if you're at work the week after thanksgiving.

The 3rd match day has each group's final two games played at the same time to prevent match fixing and keep teams competitive if they don't know what points they need, so you can no longer watch every minute of every game; have to pick one of two twice per day for a few days.

Sunday, Nov. 20:
Group A: Qatar vs. Ecuador (11 a.m. EST, Al Bayt Stadium)

Monday, Nov. 21:
Group B: England vs. Iran (8 a.m. EST, Khalifa International Stadium)
Group A: Senegal vs. Netherlands (11 a.m. EST, Al Thumama Stadium)
Group B: United States vs. Wales (2 p.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)

Tuesday, Nov. 22:
Group C: Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia (5 a.m. EST, Lusail Stadium)
Group D: Denmark vs. Tunisia (8 a.m. EST, Education City Stadium)
Group C: Mexico vs. Poland (11 a.m. EST, Stadium 974)
Group D: France vs. Australia (2 p.m. EST, Al Janoub Stadium)

Wednesday, Nov. 23:
Group F: Morocco vs. Croatia (5 a.m. EST, Al Bayt Stadium)
Group E: Germany vs. Japan (8 a.m. EST, Khalifa International Stadium)
Group E: Spain vs. Costa Rica (11 a.m. EST, Al Thumama Stadium)
Group F: Belgium vs. Canada (2 p.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)

Thursday, Nov. 24:
Group G: Switzerland vs. Cameroon (5 a.m. EST, Al Janoub Stadium)
Group H: Uruguay vs. South Korea (8 a.m. EST, Education City Stadium)
Group H: Portugal vs. Ghana (11 a.m. EST, Stadium 974)
Group G: Brazil vs. Serbia (2 p.m. EST, Lusail Stadium)

Friday, Nov. 25:
Group B: Wales vs. Iran (5 a.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)
Group A: Qatar vs. Senegal (8 a.m. EST, Al Thumama Stadium)
Group A: Netherlands vs. Ecuador (11 a.m. EST, Khalifa International Stadium)
Group B: England vs. United States (2 p.m. EST, Al Bayt Stadium)

Saturday, Nov. 26:
Group D: Tunisia vs. Australia (5 a.m. EST, Al Janoub Stadium)
Group C: Poland vs. Saudi Arabia (8 a.m. EST, Education City Stadium)
Group D: France vs. Denmark (11 a.m. EST, Stadium 974)
Group C: Argentina vs. Mexico (2 p.m. EST, Lusail Stadium)

Sunday, Nov. 27:
Group E: Japan vs. Costa Rica (5 a.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)
Group F: Belgium vs. Morocco (8 a.m. EST, Al Thumama Stadium)
Group F: Croatia vs. Canada (11 a.m. EST, Khalifa International Stadium)
Group E: Spain vs. Germany (2 p.m. EST, Al Bayt Stadium)

Monday, Nov. 28:
Group G: Cameroon vs. Serbia (5 a.m. EST, Al Janoub Stadium)
Group H: South Korea vs. Ghana (8 a.m. EST, Education City Stadium)
Group G: Brazil vs. Switzerland (11 a.m. EST, Stadium 974)
Group H: Portugal vs. Uruguay (2 p.m. EST, Lusail Stadium)

Tuesday, Nov. 29:
Group A: Netherlands vs. Qatar (10 a.m. EST, Al Bayt Stadium)
Group A: Ecuador vs. Senegal (10 a.m. EST, Khalifa International Stadium)
Group B: Wales vs. England (2 p.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)
Group B: Iran vs. United States (2 p.m. EST, Al Thumama Stadium)

Wednesday, Nov. 30:
Group D: Tunisia vs. France (10 a.m. EST, Education City Stadium)
Group D: Australia vs. Denmark (10 a.m. EST, Al Janoub Stadium)
Group C: Poland vs. Argentina (2 p.m. EST, Stadium 974)
Group C: Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico (2 p.m. EST, Lusail Stadium)

Thursday, Dec. 1:
Group F: Croatia vs. Belgium (10 a.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)
Group F: Canada vs. Morocco (10 a.m. EST, Al Thumama Stadium)
Group E: Japan vs. Spain (2 p.m. EST, Khalifa International Stadium)
Group E: Costa Rica vs. Germany (2 p.m. EST, Al Bayt Stadium)

Friday, Dec. 2:
Group H: South Korea vs. Portugal (10 a.m. EST, Education City Stadium)
Group H: Ghana vs. Uruguay (10 a.m. EST Al Janoub Stadium)
Group G: Cameroon vs. Brazil (2 p.m. EST, Lusail Stadium)
Group G: Serbia vs. Switzerland (2 p.m. EST, Stadium 974)

Ken Scarborough said:

---

I'm dumb.

What does this mean?

Quote:

---

Unique Clubs Represented per Country:
Highest Concentrated Teams:
Qatar: 6
Saudi: 7
England: 11
Spain: 12
Germany: 13
Portugal: 14

Lowest Concentrated Teams:
Cameroon: 26
Ghana: 25
Japan: 24
Poland: 24
Croatia: 23
Denmark: 23
Senegal: 23
USA (& 4 others): 22

---

---

Looks like other answered it; but yes, it's how many Clubs are being represented across all 26 players on the Country's squad.

Cameroon is crazy, being the least concentrated, with every player being from a different club!
Qatar is crazy, being the most concentrated, with 50% of their roster being from one Qatari club!

Also, kind of crazy; England's players are all from Prem League Clubs, with the sole exception of Jude Bellingham (IMO, their best player) from Dortmund. While their familiarity with each other is probably great, I have to think the lack of diversity in playing styles they collectively see could be a big negative.

Ken Scarborough said:

---

jeffk said:

---

It's a small sample size as well. This is basically Canada's golden generation team.

---

The MLS has helped Canada as well as the US.

I think the improvements in youth development in the US extended to Canada.

---

I don't disagree with that. I do think that people forget just how small of a nation Canada is population-wise. And their national culture/identity isn't nearly as soccer-centric as any other nation in the hemisphere is. They're basically where the US was in the 1970s soccerwise but with a fraction of the population from which to draw talent from. It's cool that they're finding success right now, but I don't see it being sustainable at this level for long.

Also, I need to find an article on the Qatari team to share here. They've basically "assembled" their team very quickly in hopes that they can avoid being a laughingstock of the WC (like other previous hosts).

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/world-cup-test-qatars-expensive-bid-develop-homegrown-talent-2022-11-02/

alphonso davies though... they will be interesting to watch. They'll be underdogs to Croatia and Belgium, but I can see them surprising one of them and getting through. They just need to sit back and defend and capitalize on counter opportunities like they did so often in concacaf WCQ.

jeffk said:

---

Also, I need to find an article on the Qatari team to share here. They've basically "assembled" their team very quickly in hopes that they can avoid being a laughingstock of the WC (like other previous hosts)

---

We just played them in the concacaf Gold Cup semi-final a year and a half ago and only beat them 1-0 before beating Mexico in the final 1-0. I don't think they'll embarrass themselves too badly.


EDIT: in that tournament, Qatar beat El Salvador and Honduras and had a 3-3 draw with Panama. Not too shabby.

Yeah, that's what I'm getting at. They've poured a fortune into creating a domestic training program from scratch in preparation for the WC. Started with a bunch of dual national players but it's hitting its stride with Qatari players right on schedule.

It'd be like Bill Gates deciding that he wants the US to be a world power in soccer so he pours his fortune into creating the infrastructure to do that. Oh and also Bill Gates runs the country and owns most of the natural resources here too.

Here you go:

https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/11/13/qatar-2022-world-cup-preview-roster-squad-team-outlook

Quote:

---

Qatar has been building to this moment for years. Even before FIFA accepted the small Middle Eastern nation's bid for the 2022 tournament back in 2010, there has been a clear plan in place for both the country and its national team to put on a show when the time comes.

---

Quote:

---

On the pitch, the Qataris have fielded one of the most interesting teams at the tournament. A number of their key players are naturalized citizens who played at least five years at clubs in the country. But while they hail from around the world, they're experiencedand experienced together. Manager Flix Snchez has spent years building a cohesive teamhe became senior national team coach five years ago but has been involved with the Aspire Academy and Qatari youth teams since leaving Barcelona in 2006primarily of players among the top clubs in the Qatar Stars League.

---

oh no said:

---

Montreal has 6 Canadian national team players on their Qatar roster and Toronto has 3. Yes, lots of chemistry and training hours together. ..and we know from WC qualifying, Canada can play.

---

I apparently meant Montreal and not Toronto.

Similar to the article I posted above, thanks. It's sort of interesting to see how the Qatari regime began ramping up their developmental academy system right about the same time they were preparing their hosting bid. Almost like they knew they were going to get chosen...

jeffk said:

---

Similar to the article I posted above, thanks. It's sort of interesting to see how the Qatari regime began ramping up their developmental academy system right about the same time they were preparing their hosting bid. Almost like they knew they were going to get chosen...

---

yes. That is how bribery and corruption works.

I like how we're one to two days into the buildup of this, and already we have stories of Grant Wahl arguing with security guards about forcing him to delete innocuous photos and a live video of a Danish reporter being accosted during a report and told they would smash his camera by Qatari officials in traditional garb.

JJxvi said:

---

I like how we're one to two days into the buildup of this, and already we have stories of Grant Wahl arguing with security guards about forcing him to delete innocuous photos and a live video of a Danish reporter being accosted during a report and told they would smash his camera by Qatari officials in traditional garb.

---

We now got an apology from Qatar International Media Office and from Qatar Supreme Commitee.
This is what happened when we were broadcasting live for @tv2nyhederne from a roundabout today in Doha. But will it happen to other media as well? #FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 pic.twitter.com/NSJj50kLql

— Rasmus Tantholdt TV2 (@RasmusTantholdt) November 15, 2022

Glad that's all settled then.

What in the world? Why?

I've been to the Middle East many times and never had a problem. They have many faults, just like us...one thing that has always been clear is they do not like you to take pictures at or near government buildings....Id hope that is the problem here. But definitely could be a Karen trying to stop everything.

And it is Grant Wahl....he seems to attract problems...hes been fired for work ethic/attitude and I think he was even robbed in a Central American country while working.

Can't wait for soccer to start

Both of these reporting crews were literally reporting on the WC when these incidents took place. They're not stirring the political plot, they're covering the event that Qatar said they wanted to host.

I have my doubts about wahl

jeffk said:

---

Both of these reporting crews were literally reporting on the WC when these incidents took place. They're not stirring the political plot, they're covering the event that Qatar said they wanted to host.

---

If you invite me to your house, can I go into your closet and search your drawers? Can I take a picture of them?

When I'm a guest in a foreign country and they say do not take pictures at or near government buildings, I say okay. This definitely could be Qatari officials in the wrong, but the crew could've been asked not to film where they are filming.

There is a reason this is the first Middle East tourney.....they are not very welcoming and their culture IS very much different from ours. High level of **** show is probable.

Hell, Mexico matches alone could be high entertainment value.

Quote:

---

And it is Grant Wahl....he seems to attract problems...hes been fired for work ethic/attitude and I think he was even robbed in a Central American country while working.

---

Calm down Greg Grant, its soccer

And people are going to complain about the Fairfield Inn and Suites on Lamar in 4 years.