32 Posters for the participants of the World Cup

June 8, 2010 2:50 PM

ESPN commisions 32 posters for each of the participants in the upcoming tournement. In addition to the cool art, here's an interactive calender to help you plan your viewing courtesy of Spanish website Marca.com.
posted by Keith Talent (77 comments total)

I'm still a bit perplexed at why/how North Korea is a FIFA member and that they qualified. Good luck against Brazil guys.
posted by GuyZero at 2:54 PM on June 8, 2010

I kept thinking, "Wow, is the US one going to be as goofy as the rest of these?" But ours is epic.
posted by reductiondesign at 2:57 PM on June 8, 2010 [2 favorites]

I guess they have to play on national stereotypes to some extent to avoid just having a load of guys in different shirts, but the Australia one is... odd.
posted by him at 2:58 PM on June 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Re: North Korea

FP's Passport blog has a pretty good summary of North Korea's participation. Some money quotes from the supporting links in the article:

"Nobody except for the North Korean team can enter the stadium, and the team is scheduled to arrive at 5 p.m." The walls of the stadium are spiked with barbed wire.

When the reporter took pictures over the barbed wire, security guards tried to confiscate the camera and threatened to call the police. When asked if this was because of a request from the North Korean team he said yes.

Around 4:20 p.m., North Korean coach Kim Jong-hun appeared in the lobby. When the reporter asked him how training is going, Kim tried to avoid answering by saying, "We aren't supposed to talk in this place." Players also tried avoid eye contacts with the reporter.

And:

In 1966, fans back in North Korea were able to follow games through live radio broadcasts. For the 2010 tournament, there were rumors that North Korea was to receive a live television feed from South Korea, but that plan was called off in the outcry following the North’s torpedoing of a South Korean warship in March.

It is not clear whether North Koreans will be able to watch or listen to World Cup games. A live TV broadcast is unlikely — Cockerell points out that there are no television broadcasts at night in North Korea, and the Brazil game, for example, will begin at 3:30 a.m. Pyongyang time.

posted by geoff. at 3:01 PM on June 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

I'm not a big fan of the artist, but I like a lot of the concepts. I especially dig England's because it really brings to life how they're turning into the Boston Red Sox of soccer football. On the other hand, Uruguay's is full of WTF and New Zealand's is a bit insulting, really (I'm picturing Canada's team qualifying for the Cup and being drawn wearing hockey equipment).
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:07 PM on June 8, 2010

These are great, thanks for posting. Many of the themes for each country are based on the National team "nicknames" - for instance, Cameroon are known as the Indomitable Lions. I love how past victories and defeats are worked into each poster, like Slovenia's dispatching of the bear. Past, present and future!
posted by c*r at 3:11 PM on June 8, 2010

Urgh, I didn't like them. Out of proportion, and what's with all the stereotypes?
posted by divabat at 3:14 PM on June 8, 2010 [2 favorites]

Oops, that should be England's.

> It is not clear whether North Koreans will be able to watch or listen to World Cup games.

Imagine how happy everyone will be when Dear Leader announces that North Korea won the World Cup, going undefeated throughout the tournament with a goal differential of +97!
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:15 PM on June 8, 2010 [6 favorites]

Wow, these are actually really good, I'm tremendously surprised.

Explaining a few of the less-obvious ones:

Australia: Tim Cahill, arguably Australia's major goal-scoring threat, is well-known for his goal celebration of running to the corner flag and shadow-boxing it.

England: 44 years of hurt, and they're still waiting.

Italy: Italy are both the defending champions and famous for the catenaccio defensive style of football. Three of the African nations in the tournament are the Ivory Coast ("The Elephants"), Cameroon ("The Indomitable Lions"), and Nigeria ("The Super Eagles").

Japan: The three jerseys impaled on the katana are the jerseys of their group stage opponents.

New Zealand: The All Whites are eclipsed in fame by their rugby counterparts, the All Blacks, who are famous for their pre-match haka performances.

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo is a douchebag, but sadly an incredibly talented one and famous for doing lots of gratuitous stepovers.

Slovenia: Slovenia upset Russia in the final WC playoff to secure their passage to the finals.

Uruguay: It surprises many people to discover that Uruguay has won two World Cups. It surprises no one to discover that Diego Forlan has golden sun-kissed locks.
posted by Errant at 3:17 PM on June 8, 2010 [8 favorites]

Out of proportion, and what's with all the stereotypes?

In all fairness, I think Wayne Rooney's ears may really be that big. Perhaps even underrepresented.
posted by Dr. Zira at 3:17 PM on June 8, 2010

(I'm picturing Canada's team qualifying for the Cup and being drawn wearing hockey equipment).

Don't worry, you needn't picture it; this will never happen.
posted by Errant at 3:19 PM on June 8, 2010 [3 favorites]

> Don't worry, you needn't picture it; this will never happen.

Hey, it happened once, and we did well enough to stay off this list of the worst World Cup teams of all time!
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:25 PM on June 8, 2010

Yeah, about that poster for Mexico....
posted by dilettante at 3:28 PM on June 8, 2010

Someday the bajillion youth-league soccer players in Canada will grow up and perhaps form a decent team. It could happen.
posted by GuyZero at 3:28 PM on June 8, 2010

re: outrage over the stereotypes

To be fair, and perhaps this is just me being an American idiot, but World Cup soccer and examples of extreme nationalism aren't exactly oil and water.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:29 PM on June 8, 2010

(I'm picturing Canada's team qualifying for the Cup and being drawn wearing hockey equipment).

Don't worry, you needn't picture it; this will never happen.
posted by Errant at 3:19 PM on June 8

Actually, soccer is growing in popularity extremely rapidly - I wouldn't be suprised to see Canada qualify for the World Cup sometime in the next 20 years.
posted by Vindaloo at 3:31 PM on June 8, 2010

Given Kim Jong-Il's sporting achievements (averages three or four holes-in-one per round), I expect him to lead the North Koreans to a championship. However, maybe a soccer player on a Pegasus, a mythological creature, is a fair representation.

For the non-soccer fans, here is The World Cup, Translated into American.
posted by Frank Grimes at 3:44 PM on June 8, 2010 [10 favorites]

Put your hands up if you also thought the Swiss coach was holding a hot dog.

What... just me?
posted by afx237vi at 3:50 PM on June 8, 2010

The Netherlands one depicts the so-called "Grote Vier" or Fantastic Four: Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart. Except that I believe Van Persie actually wears jersey #9. (And Robben just tore his hamstring last weekend.)

For my fellow non-Americans, the US one is a reference to Leutze's famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware". It's apt.

I liked these.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 3:55 PM on June 8, 2010

Okay, Switzerland made me smile.
posted by Jimbob at 3:58 PM on June 8, 2010

These are great! I think the Dutch one is fantastic, especially seeing as their star-players are flying out of an entirely orange country, of which the only exaggeration is that they can't actually fly. The England one is great, and quite apt, and Spain's is clever (these coincidentally are the teams I support in every WC). Actually for the most part I liked them all, although North Korea's is a bit lame and as I hate Christiano Ronaldo, I can't bear to look at Portugal's.
posted by ob at 4:09 PM on June 8, 2010

I clicked this link thinking, "Rad! I can print several of these out and hang them in my office."

But ... but ... dude, this art is awful. Cringe-worthy.

I mean, wow.

What. The. Fuck. ESPN?

I guess Japan and South Korea's are OK.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:09 PM on June 8, 2010

Actually, soccer is growing in popularity extremely rapidly - I wouldn't be suprised to see Canada qualify for the World Cup sometime in the next 20 years.

I wouldn't either, but what's a little CONCACAF banter between friends?

Canada does well enough in the Gold Cup that it wouldn't surprise me, and they have a young squad and soon three MLS teams. I won't argue the paucity of MLS compared to other national leagues, but it seems obvious that having a "strong" domestic league has helped USA become a dominant force in WC qualification; more MLS teams built from Canadian rosters can only help the cause. The real missed opportunity is that if/when you do qualify, you'll probably have to do it without De Rosario. Hopefully Ali Gerba can get his act together in time.
posted by Errant at 4:11 PM on June 8, 2010

Ew. They look like those painted movie billboards. Do not want.
posted by Xere at 4:29 PM on June 8, 2010

I thought these were awfull; full of lazy stereotypes and horribly drawn.

ESPN commisions 32 posters for each of the participants in the upcoming tournement.

One poster for each of the 32 competitors, surely.
posted by doublehappy at 4:32 PM on June 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Awful like my spelling.

Why can't marketing art challenge stereotypes?
posted by doublehappy at 4:32 PM on June 8, 2010

> ...and as I hate Christiano Ronaldo, I can't bear to look at Portugal's.

In 2006 I watched the Portugal-England quarterfinal match with a friend of mine. Neither of us knew much of anything about football, but by the end of the match we both knew we wanted to punch that guy in the face.
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:33 PM on June 8, 2010 [2 favorites]

the australia one looks like a horror movie.
posted by PinkMoose at 4:52 PM on June 8, 2010

This collection of World Cup infographics from around the world is very nice. It includes the Marca calendar cited in the original entry.
posted by msittig at 5:40 PM on June 8, 2010

As a statistical modeler, this chart is fascinating. It's also ridiculous, predicting New Zealand to proceed to the Round of 16 ahead of Paraguay and Slovakia. Aaah, statistics.
posted by Jimbob at 5:51 PM on June 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

The book from the guys who did that statistical model is called Why England Lose, and it's a pretty decent read for a math-oriented look at the history of the game.
posted by Errant at 6:15 PM on June 8, 2010

Almost makes me glad Ireland didn't qualify :) although I did kinda like the Algerian and Slovenian ones.

Is there a metafilter fantasy WC league made anywhere yet? I'll set one up if people are interested.
posted by jamesonandwater at 7:36 PM on June 8, 2010

Yeah, I'm not a fan at all of these posters. They remind me an awful lot of the "also-rans" from the yearbook cover competition in middle school that made the inside pages. Ugh.

Re: Christiano Ronaldo: In 2006 I watched the Portugal-England quarterfinal match with a friend of mine. Neither of us knew much of anything about football, but by the end of the match we both knew we wanted to punch that guy in the face.

Douche ex machina.
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:41 PM on June 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Is there a metafilter fantasy WC league made anywhere yet? I'll set one up if people are interested.

Do it.
posted by Jimbob at 7:48 PM on June 8, 2010

Is there a metafilter fantasy WC league made anywhere yet? I'll set one up if people are interested.

/raises hand
posted by 256 at 7:53 PM on June 8, 2010

Okay here ya go folks!

League is at the official FIFA/McDonalds game.

League code to enter is 326320-117356.

I'll make a Metatalk post.
posted by jamesonandwater at 7:55 PM on June 8, 2010 [2 favorites]

Excellent work.
posted by Jimbob at 8:11 PM on June 8, 2010

As a statistical modeler, this chart is fascinating. It's also ridiculous, predicting New Zealand to proceed to the Round of 16 ahead of Paraguay and Slovakia. Aaah, statistics.

You'd better believe it. We'll lose to the Netherlands, but seeing as I'm about to hold dual citizenship I can handle that.
posted by doublehappy at 8:33 PM on June 8, 2010

To those cringing at the art, note that, according to the FB page for it, "The look of the artwork is inspired by hand-painted African art found in the streets and townships across South Africa, and the entire African continent." I think it works, and in general the comments on the FB page from citizens of the nations depicted are highly favorable.
posted by lord_wolf at 8:36 PM on June 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

That's actually what I was thinking, lord_wolf. I noticed yesterday that much of South Africa is now on Google Street View - so I spent a little while exploring the streets of Soweto, and that's exactly what the posters remind me of.
posted by Jimbob at 8:47 PM on June 8, 2010

League code to enter is 326320-117356.

I'm in!
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:48 PM on June 8, 2010

Ah, it makes more sense if they're deliberately made a certain way. Still a bit iffy about the stereotypes, but then again it's not like Malaysia's ever going to make the Cup...
posted by divabat at 10:55 PM on June 8, 2010

I'm still a bit perplexed at why/how North Korea is a FIFA member and that they qualified. Good luck against Brazil guys.

Back in 1966, North Korea was responsible for the greatest World Cup upset of all time. I guess the Brazilians will keep that in mind.
posted by Skeptic at 12:36 AM on June 9, 2010

I don't see how you can't cheer for the All Whites after watching New Zealand's Official Unofficial World Cup Anthem.


One Anthem to Rule Them All.
posted by hal_c_on at 1:45 AM on June 9, 2010

I'm still a bit perplexed at why/how North Korea is a FIFA member and that they qualified. Good luck against Brazil guys.

I'm sure this will help. Nice job, heroes.
posted by Errant at 2:08 AM on June 9, 2010

League code to enter is 326320-117356.

Also, joined.
posted by Errant at 2:09 AM on June 9, 2010

I'm still a bit perplexed at why/how North Korea is a FIFA member and that they qualified.

Well FIFA has more member countries (208) than the Olympics (204). I'm not perplexed that they're a member, but I am fascinated at how they manage all this - such an isolated country that few are allowed to leave and few are allowed to enter, competing in a massive international tournament. And that a number of North Korean players actually play for clubs in Russia and Japan. I'm perplexed by the logistics.
posted by Jimbob at 3:29 AM on June 9, 2010

You'd better post that to Metatalk soon, jamesonandwater, or I will... time's running out to get your first round squad in.
posted by Jimbob at 3:33 AM on June 9, 2010

taly: Italy are both the defending champions and famous for the catenaccio defensive style of football.

Is that the style where they fake injuries every time the opposition touches the ball?

Because it's a bullshit style.
posted by grubi at 6:54 AM on June 9, 2010

I've also joined. LET'S GO CINZENTOS!
posted by grubi at 7:33 AM on June 9, 2010

Is that the style where they fake injuries every time the opposition touches the ball?

You're right, but to compound this they also tend to be quite violent against the opposition (like against the US in the last WC.) The thing is though, I know quite a few Italian supporters and when you tell them this they just say "whatever". I can never decide if they think it's just part of the game (which is isn't) or if they genuinely cannot see when their players commit a foul or a dive. Perplexing.
posted by ob at 8:24 AM on June 9, 2010

I can never decide if they think it's just part of the game (which is isn't)

I agree. It's basically bad sportsmanship, and if l'Azzuri want to continue to claim they are a part of The Beautiful Game, they need to stop uglying it.
posted by grubi at 8:40 AM on June 9, 2010

The New Zealand one isn't offensive or inaccurate: lots of NZ sports teams do a haka, it's not
limited to the All Blacks - even schools have their own haka (not to mention that obviously the different Maori tribes do, too).

Is that the style where they fake injuries every time the opposition touches the ball?

No. It's a defensive formation based around the use of a sweeper, including, in more modern variants, a lopsided defence and midfield, with a wingback on one side, and a wide midfielder tracking back on the other.

Neither of us knew much of anything about football, but by the end of the match we both knew we wanted to punch that guy in the face.

I'm still somewhat bemused by the hate he picked up for that match...especially considering no-one seems to care that Rooney was legitimately sent off for deliberately* stamping on another player. And somehow CR7 becomes the villian....

*If you watch carefully, you can see that the ball is in front of Rooney, and in his line of sight, so there's no way he can argue it was accidental.
posted by Infinite Jest at 8:58 AM on June 9, 2010

I'm still somewhat bemused by the hate he picked up for that match...especially considering no-one seems to care that Rooney was legitimately sent off for deliberately* stamping on another player. And somehow CR7 becomes the villian....

When my girlfriend watched that match, she couldn't decide who she hated more, Cronaldo or Rooney. After I told her that she didn't have to choose, they both played for the same club team, it was like a weight lifting off her shoulders. She now happily hates anything to do with Man U. Once she found out how many Portuguese players were on the Chelsea team at the time, she started hating them too.

Yes, I'm an Arsenal fan. No, I didn't coach her in the slightest, whatever makes you say that?
posted by Errant at 11:26 AM on June 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

I love this:

Gooooooooal! (scroll to the bottom)
posted by phatkitten at 11:40 AM on June 9, 2010 [2 favorites]

In 2006 I watched the Portugal-England quarterfinal match with a friend of mine. Neither of us knew much of anything about football, but by the end of the match we both knew we wanted to punch that guy in the face.

This is one of the worst matches I've ever watched and being from Greece, I have watched some pretty awful matches. And to think this was the follow-up to 2004's rather exciting Portugal-England. Portugal's main midfielder, Deco, couldn't play in the 2006 match, therefore crippling their middle line, and England was unable to score either. I almost fell asleep, literally.

Not as in "I literally had my brains blown away!"
posted by ersatz at 2:28 PM on June 9, 2010

I'm on the verge of finally choosing an English Premier League team to root for (sorry for the derail). So far, it's looking like Fulham (even though I'd like a team like Fulham from the area that can win, but isn't the NUMBER ONE DOMINATOR, as bandwagoneering sucks).
posted by grubi at 2:32 PM on June 9, 2010

Fulham are a lot of people's favorite or second-favorite team. They have tons of history, being the oldest professional football club in London, but they've never won a major trophy so they're perennial underdogs. They have a smart, capable manager in Roy Hodgson who's worked all around Europe to near-universal respect (except for Blackburn fans, whose club he got relegated a mere few years after they'd won the Premier League). They went on a dream run in the Europa League this term, just a couple years after narrowly avoiding relegation themselves.

And they have had a lot of Americans in their squad, which appeals to US soccer fans. Brian McBride was a fan favorite for a long time, Clint Dempsey scored probably the best goal any American's ever scored in Europe against Juventus to knock them out. Other players like Carlos Bocanegra, Marcus Hahnemann, Eddie Lewis, Kasey Keller, Eddie Johnson have all passed through as well. So there's a long history of US support for the club.

Plus they have a longstanding local rivalry with Chelsea, who are a bandwagoner's wet dream. So yeah, Fulham, what's not to like?
posted by Errant at 5:18 PM on June 9, 2010

You make good argument! They're also apparently the closest EPL club to Wycombe, where most of my English ancestors are from. They have a classy old stadium (which appeals to my sense of history). Plus, they have smart kits, too, which appeals to the designer in me.
posted by grubi at 5:27 PM on June 9, 2010

Fulham!!! My team!!! Errant's basically covered this, but as a Fulham fan I'll echo some of his points. In the last few years we've gone from meh to a team that every other team is wary of and everyone's second team. This is mostly due to the fact that we have a wonderful manager who was just voted by his peers England's manager of the year. Due to our history of gainfully employing Yanks, it's been quite easy for me to convert Americans to the cause. Craven Cottage is a lovely place. Finally yes, we don't like Chelsea, in fact one of our favourite chants involves telling Chelsea fans where to put their blue flag. Check out FulhamUSA.
posted by ob at 8:50 PM on June 9, 2010

That's it; I'm on board. FULHAM IT IS.
posted by grubi at 4:53 AM on June 10, 2010

What the hell just happened? Did we just witness a surprise baptism?

The only good thing about Fulham is that their stadium sounds like a haunted house.
posted by doublehappy at 5:21 AM on June 10, 2010

An Englishman I work with (and West Ham fan) has told me that once I've chosen a team, THAT'S IT. Switch teams and now Englishman will ever trust your word again. So once I told him it's Fulham for me, he shook my hand and said I was bound to them for life. Which is alright with me. My loyalty's pretty strong.

He also said he can help me out with getting Fulham jerseys for cheaper than the big boys' prices, as his mum can just ship to him after purchasing them at the local prices.

And doublehappy, you shoosh.
posted by grubi at 6:32 AM on June 10, 2010

That's it; I'm on board. FULHAM IT IS.

This is good.

So, in the WC, Fulham players to watch are:
Clint Dempsey (USA)
Kagisho Dikgacoi (South Africa)
Dickson Etuhu (Nigeria)
John Pantsil (Ghana)
Mark Schwarzer (Australia) and, due to the fact that we bought him two days ago,
Phillippe Senderos (Switzerland).
posted by ob at 6:37 AM on June 10, 2010

If you're counting Senderos, you should probably un-count Schwarzer seeing as he'll be at Arsenal soon...and add in David James.

once I've chosen a team, THAT'S IT. Switch teams and now Englishman will ever trust your word again.

True (although in practice people do change their teams...Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski's excellent book Why England Lose (aka Soccernomics) had a detailed analysis of fan behaviours that showed that fans weren't as loyal as the stereotype would have you believe).

Also, Fulham are a fine team to support, with only the obnoxiousness of their owner counting against them (but compared to current or recent owners of Chelsea, United, City, and Liverpool, Al-Fayed starts to look quite reasonable).
posted by Infinite Jest at 6:50 AM on June 10, 2010

If you're counting Senderos, you should probably un-count Schwarzer seeing as he'll be at Arsenal soon...and add in David James.

Fulham reject £3million Arsenal bid for Mark Schwarzer

This was posted about an hour ago.
posted by grubi at 7:28 AM on June 10, 2010

Yeah, I'm a little surprised we went for Schwarzer, seeing as how he's practically dead according to the Wenger actuarial table. I suppose it does mean we're serious about replacing the two clowns we have now, so that's something positive.

I'm sorry to lose Senderos though. I don't think he was treated terribly well by the club, and I can't really fathom how he could be on the outs and then we sign fucking Silvestre instead. Senderos could hardly be worse, could he? Sure, he got beat up by Drogba all the time, but you show me a defender who can handle that monster. Anyway, I hope he does well with you guys, Swiss Tony deserves a good English club run.
posted by Errant at 10:23 AM on June 10, 2010

Saw one of these (Germany) posted on the side of a building on the way from the train this morning. Much more impressive at 30 feet
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:24 AM on June 10, 2010

Fulham are a fine team to support, with only the obnoxiousness of their owner counting against them (but compared to current or recent owners of Chelsea, United, City, and Liverpool, Al-Fayed starts to look quite reasonable)

It almost makes me wonder if Fulham are due to break out of the middle, since obnoxious foreign owners seems to be the first step to success in the EPL.
posted by grubi at 11:38 AM on June 10, 2010

Also, for an American Fulham fan, get behind former Fulham (and LA Galaxy, Columbus, and San Jose) journeyman free kick specialist Simon Elliot who's about 40 years old and by no means good enough to be playing in a World Cup, but is somehow still pretty solid.
posted by doublehappy at 7:44 PM on June 10, 2010

Groovy Flash world cup fixture calendar from a Spanish website (English language option linked) - view schedule filtered by team, group, stadium etc. Statts delight!
posted by Abiezer at 1:17 AM on June 11, 2010

Do'h, just realised it's the one in the main link! Bet I saw it here first as well. *slinks away in shame*
posted by Abiezer at 1:39 AM on June 11, 2010

Okay here ya go folks!

League is at the official FIFA/McDonalds game.

League code to enter is 326320-117356.

Joined! Where's the Metatalk post? Eh? [srsly, thank you for doing this...]
posted by Infinite Jest at 3:09 AM on June 11, 2010

Oh god, sorry lads, I had intended to do a metatalk post .... good to see there's so many in it anyway.
posted by jamesonandwater at 6:42 AM on June 11, 2010

Eighteen at last count.
posted by grubi at 8:54 AM on June 11, 2010

Keith Talent: ESPN commisions 32 posters for each of the participants in the upcoming tournement.

So ... 32×32 = 1,024 posters total? Or did you mean "ESPN commissions 32 posters, one for each of the participants in the upcoming tournament"?

Sorry – for some reason, I'm in grammar Nazi mode today.
posted by WCityMike at 2:10 PM on June 11, 2010

I took the liberty of opening a metatalk thread.
posted by 256 at 5:45 PM on June 12, 2010