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Probably, at the very most, Denmark might boycott it if the US went for Greenland. Which, on the upside, would mean we'd just have to beat the Czechs to get to the World Cup!
I think it's more likely that the US play on Greenland is a bargaining chip though. Taking out an unpopular dictator in Venezuela is one thing, going after NATO territory is another entirely.
Well we would play North Macedonia!
I think they are capable of annexing Greenland. He doesn't give a **** about NATO.
I can't see how Denmark would play. In fact, UEFA would have a big conversation among it's various associations to be had. I suspect the Norway and Sweden would join the boycott. It would come down to the bigger countries because I suspect the Eastern European countries would not boycott. I would join the boycott if UEFA boycotted en masse.
If that did happen, it would be hillarious if UEFA/Commebol organised a tournament during the summer in Germany. They could probably put on a tournament like that at such short notice.
I'm no fan of trump but It's pretty clear it's all posturing as a tactic for negotiations. They already have the legal right to put as many military bases there as they want and actually annexing it would take an act of Congress. On the legal front, Greenland would have to ratify any agreements with their version of a referendum and I don't see all that getting done before the mid-terms.
I could be wildly naive here but I just don't see it happening illegally. Doesn't mean that we won't be dragged through a years worth of blaring headlines for every mad thing that comes out of his mouth and I've no doubt the posturing will go up a few more notches.
Sorry if I'm going way off topic here..
Yeah, everything Trump does is with a view to a deal and this is no different. He doesn't really want access to Greenland as a strategic location, because the US effectively already has that access, they'd be allowed to put as many troops there as they wanted to. He's after the natural resources - and by threatening to take over the place, unlikely though that is, he'll be angling for a deal where the US gets favourable access to whatevers under the melting ice.
This is a guy who trades support for Ukraine in exchange for favourable access to their minerals literally while they're under attack. The man has no sense of shame (but we all already knew that anyway).
Anyway, in a desperate attempt to keep this on topic, I guess what I'm saying is that realistically we're not going to get to the World Cup without beating Denmark.
Agreed on everything you said including the unlikelihood of Denmark boycotting the event. The one saving grace of The Danes getting in at our cost would be a US Denmark matchup if that's even possible
They kidnapped the leader of a sovereign state, in that sovereign state, in the middle of the night. All bets are off now with regard to that administration. And it's about raw materials there no matter what anyone else wants to claim - same as it was in Venezuela. Same as it is in Ukraine I might add.Quote:
Originally Posted by rebelmusic
Yeah, agree with that. Trump has more or less said he views himself above international law. I would like to believe Trump won't invade Greenland, just as I'm sure people 80 years ago would have liked to believe Hitler wouldn't invade Czechoslovakia.
I don't see any real boycott of the World Cup though.
Trying to think of an equivalent in history. The Russian(USSR at the time) and USA boycotted Olympics held in the other countries during the Cold War, but I don't know of any country that refused a position at a World Cup.
Also, as I've stated elsewhere, I hate how anything going ahead is coming back to what mood the US President is on a certain day.
The USSR refused to turn up for a playoff second leg against Chile in 1973 because the venue had held political assassinations two months earlier under Pinochet. Nearest I can think of.
And Poland et al calling FIFA's bluff by refusing to play Russia in the playoffs for the last World Cup is comparable to an extent too. They won their case, but they still put their qualification on the line.
The calls to have Iran thrown out of the World Cup will start soon and I suspect FIFA will comply once Trump phones his mate 'Johnny Infantino'.
To be quickly followed by the other three countries currently under travel sanctions by the US who have qualified for the world cup
I do think there is a sizeable chance that Denmark boycott it. The Danes will find it hard to play there, if the US annex Greenland - very high chance although Iran might be his priority first.
The question is would UEFA as a federation stand with the Danes, or would it be a country by country decision? Governments would be getting involved across the continent and puting pressure on their federations to play if it is country by country. The Israelis are one thing. The Americans are a different beast and governments won't want to be in his line of sight if their national teams refuse to play.
As a country and as a federation, we were happy to play in Putin's Russia or Qatar, who are both far worse than Trump's USA. The difference would be if momentum gathered initially from the Danes with the Norwegians and possibly the Swedes (if they qualify) following suit. Of the biggest nations, the Germans could boycott and the English and Dutch may go next because there will be significant pressure on them to. Of course, if the Danes pull out prior to the playoffs, none of this happens. I think that would happen if Greenland is annexed.
It is definitely one to watch.
While it is all just speculation at this stage, my perspective is that if such an action was required (Denmark boycotting due to interference in Greenland - one might argue there has already been interference via JD Vance but that's a different kettle of mackeral), the key country is Norway - nobody else.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bungle
What would be interesting is a Canadian reaction; one imagines Canada doesn't need a World Cup as such and wouldn't interpret American annexing of Greenland positively.
While it's no harm to keep an eye on this, it's important to bear in mind that threats to annex Greenland are most likely positioning and posturing in search of some kind of minerals deal. It's very unlikely to happen, less likely still that it would happen between now and June.
Meanwhile, back on the pitch(es), after 31 games in the FA Cup 3rd round, total goals scored by Republic of Ireland players (unless I've missed something) = 1.
Heimir seems like a decent skin, but even if he wasn't, I'd feel sorry for him.
I count three - Jordan Shipley, Jaze Kabia and Tony Springett. Granted those are not names that are likely to feature in Heimir's squad list for March, but many teams rest their frontliners in the FA Cup, our two main strikers don't play in England, while our next two in line are out injured.
I think this was probably the quietest weekend of the season so far for Irish goals, overall it hasn't been too bad, with half a dozen or thereabouts on average across the English leagues, the SPL and the main European leagues each week.
My mate living in Germany said there are calls for Germany to boycott the World Cup.
Yeah after his latest tariff ravings I'm starting to take back everything I suggested. At the same time it's a real shame that we're up against Denmark...I'd pay good money to see them wipe the floor with a US team at this stage
He clearly doesn't want a deal, he wants to take Greenland. He won't have to use force because Europe won't challenge him, but there will be serious tensions between the US and Europe for a very long time. Ireland will be a but ****ed because we are good Europeans yet we need the Americans.Quote:
Originally Posted by rebelmusic
I definitely think there will be countries boycotting this. The Germans are arguably the most powerful nation in Uefa so it would be interesting to see what they decide to do - like I said will it be a continent decision not to play, or a country by country decision. I think UEFA will give each country that choice. I expect the Eastern Europeans will play and Italy could if they qualify - their leader is a fan of Trump.
I really feel for the people of Greenland. It's the equivalent of him saying he wants Ireland and basically there is sweet fa we can do about it and nothing the world can do.
Taco.