The FIFA men’s World Cup is the most popular tournament for the world’s most popular game. The 22nd edition kicks off in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 20, 2022. You know it’s a big deal, but do you know how the World Cup works?
If you’re a casual soccer fan who tunes in for the World Cup and the occasional game, you probably noticed an odd tactic. “Why does a player lie down behind the wall in soccer?” you may have asked yourself.
The tactic of having a player laying down behind the wall is simple. Having a player lay down behind the wall denies the free kick taker any chance at shooting the ball underneath the wall when the players jump.
There is no greater spectacle in the history of humanity than the FIFA World Cup as billions of people tune in to see which nation has the best soccer team in the world. With the 2022 World Cup nearly upon us, many will be thinking about hosting watch parties. Unless you’re just hosting some friends at your home, you’ll want to be aware of certain legal issues. The18 spoke with a lawyer to find out some dos and don’ts of how to host a World Cup watch party (legally).
The Premier League is back for the 2022-23 season, and that means it’s time for us Americans to set those weekend alarms for way-too-early a.m. and get the TV ready for the world’s most popular soccer league. There will be a few changes to this year’s EPL TV lineup, so here’s a quick refresher on how to watch Premier League in the U.S. for 2022-23.
The18 presents our at home Traditional Mint Julep recipe commonly drank at The Kentucky Derby. Inspired by NWSL team Racing Louisville FC, we put our bartender skills to the test to see how this fruit-forward Julep recipe stacked up against the Traditional Mint Julep.
Traditional Mint Julep Recipe:
- 2 oz. Kentucky bourbon (Woodford Reserve to mimic Kentucky Derby style)
- .5 oz. simple syrup
- 4 mint leaves
- crushed ice
Instructions:
- add simple syrup and mint to Julep cup
Qualification games started in 2019 for all 6 of the confederations around the world.
Each confederation is designated a certain amount of slots for teams to qualify.
AFC (Asia): 4 or 5
CAF (Africa): 5
CONCACAF (North/Central America & Caribbean): 3 or 4
CONMEBOL (South America): 4 or 5
OFC (Oceania): 0 or 1
UEFA (Europe): 13
The 32 teams that qualify, are then placed into 4 pots based on their FIFA ranking.
The top 7 teams plus the host are placed in pot 1.
The World Cup draw is in, the teams are set.
The World Cup draw, more than any other moment, marks the true start of FIFA’s quadrennial tournament. The draw is when things get real, when players and fans can start plotting their path to the final, when it really hits home that the World Cup is here.
Here is the World Cup draw, as determined on April 1, 2022.
The #FIFAWorldCup groups are set
The18 presents our at home Dirty Gin Martini recipe in honor of the most winningest and carded player in soccer history, Mr. Dirty himself, Sergio "El Rey" Ramos!
Try it for yourself! And be your own hero at your next soccer watch party.
Ingredients:
2 oz London Dry Gin
.5 oz Dry Vermouth
.5 oz Olive Juice
Make it a Ramos style with an additional 1.5 oz Olive Juice!!
Pour all ingredients into a shaking tin. Fill with ice.
Shake vigorously until drink is chilled.
Every year 16 teams compete from February to May to decide the club champion of North America.
Ten teams will qualify based on league performance.
4 clubs from the United States, 4 clubs from Mexico, 1 club from Canada, and 1 club from the Caribbean Club Championship
The top 6 teams from last year’s CONCACAF League will also qualify.
This in total rounds out the 16 teams for the tournament.
Club América & Cruz Azul are the most successful clubs in the competition's history.
The18 presents a Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned recipe in honor of Captain America himself, Christian Pulisic! And we're using, you guessed it, Hershey's chocolate bars!
Try it for yourself! And be your own hero at your next USMNT watch party.
Ingredients:
4 oz Bourbon
1 oz Maraschino Liqueur
8 dashes Chocolate Bitters
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass. Fill glass with ice.
Stir smoothly until drink is chilled.
Pour over single large ice cube.
Add cherry and Hershey Chocolate Square for garnish and enjoy!