Infinitos Mundos

Welcome everyone, to the first ever Infinitos Mundos World Cup! This is for any roleplays you might want to do, from internal politics, to character romances or even just normal match reports. Almost anything is fair game here, and it doesn't just have to be about football. A reminder that any OOC stuff belongs in the World Cup Discussion thread, and not here. Otherwise, have fun and happy roleplaying!

GROUPS

Group A
PLC
Ireland
Iceland
Majapahit

Group B
Scotland
South Africa
Czechosolvakia
The Blue Dragon Republic

Group C
Hanseatic League
Pontus
Bantu East
Australia

Group D
Mongolia
Tamil Trifecta
England
Denmark

Group E
Bantu West
Songhai
Feng Empire
Romania

Group F
San Romolo
Siam
Russia
Nauhuatl Empire
The 24 teams that are in the World Cup finals will enter a single round-robin group stage, with each team playing each other once. The tie-breakers that will be used for the round-robin stage of the tournament are, in decreasing order: Points, Goal difference, Head-to-head points, Head-to-head goal difference, IC coinflip (where an additional match is scorinated, in a neutral venue, utilising only RP bonus, with ties turned off).
The top three teams in each group will proceed to a single-elimination match, which will be scorinated with draws turned off.
The winners of each paired second-round match (A1 v D2 and B1 v C2, for example) will go on to face each other in the quarter-finals.

Schedule

Mar 27: Matchday 1: 1 v 4; 2 v 3
Mar 29: Matchday 2: 1 v 2; 4 v 3
March 31: Matchday 3: 3 v 1; 2 v 4
April 2: Round of 16
April 4: Quarter Finals
April 6: Semi Finals
April 8: Final; 3rd Place Playoff

Hello there esteemed guests, and welcome to our wonderful country for the biggest football tournament in the world! Here in the Republic of Siam, we value our tourists, and we hope the many, many players, team staff and fans will have a comfortable and enjoyable stay for the next month or so. To help you in your travels, here is some information about our country and the stadiums themselves, where matches will be taking place.

Overview: Siam is a medium sized country in Southeast Asia. It is comprised of 88 provinces and the capital, Bangkok, is located in the south of the country, bordering the Bay of Siam.

History: Siam is an ancient country, dating all the way back to the 13th century and the Sukhothai Kingdom. It has been a kingdom for many generations, but after the fall of the Rattanakosin Kingdom in 1982, the country has been in political turmoil. In 1984, a military coup was organized, and that went on for 12 years until, in 1996, the first democratically elected Prime Minister, Nonpawit Panichwit, was voted into power. More recently, in early 2019, a royalist coup failed after trying to reinstate a descendant of the last Rattanakosin Kingdom, Princess Mae-Pia Traivut, back into power as queen.

Cultural Notes: Some things to be aware of while in Siam:

Transportation: The main way to get around in Siam is by rail. For those coming up from Australia and Majapahit, why not take our new high speed rail project as far up as it goes to reack the capital, and there are other connections around major cities in the country, including a high speed line from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in only 3 and a half hours. The road connects between smaller towns and villages are spotty, with dirt tracks often being found between the villages. Even in bigger cities, colourful rickshaws and tuk tuks are a staple of traffic, and taxis are preferred over personal cars. Motorbikes are also often found in the more rural areas as the most reliable way to get around.

Ticketing and Visas: All visitors with a valid ticket will get a two-week visa that includes the match that they will be attending. For those attending multiple matches, they will be allowed to stay up to three days after the latest match or two weeks, whichever is longer. Tickets will be distributed as follows: 35% to each nation partaking in the match, 10% to Siamese people, 15% to people from other nations, and the remaining 5% to be included with any of the tickets that aren’t sold by a predetermined point in time (usually 3 days before the match).

For matches featuring the Siamese National Team, the distribution is a bit different: 45% for Siam, 30% for the visiting team, 20% to people from other nations, and the remaining 5% to be included with any of the tickets that aren’t sold by the predetermined point in time. Any press and dignitaries’ tickets will be counted among the residual 5%.

Also of note: ticket scalping (buying and selling tickets in front of the stadium to would-be buyers) is illegal in Siam. If you want to get a ticket in that fashion, make sure you are at least a mile away from the stadium, or don’t get caught. Otherwise, you will be fined and your ticket will be confiscated.

Laws:

Siam is quite strict on upholding the law, and this applies to international tourists as well. The Siamese Police, known as the SPD, are a well-trained group who prefer to work on reaction rather than prevention. For the best experience in Siam, we suggest you abide by these laws:

• The legal age for purchase of alcohol in public places is 20.
• Possession and resale of any drug is strictly prohibited, and punishable with a prison sentence.
• Importing alcohol without declaration is illegal. If items are declared, up to 2L of alcohol can be into the country.
• Possession of firearms is strictly prohibited.
• Foreign visitors can't bring more than $10,000 USD or ฿340900 SMB in cash into the country without proper paperwork.
• For any other questions about legal matters visit siamlaws.sm

Currency: The currency of Siam is the Siamese Baht, and the exchange rate is at 34.09 baht to a dollar. Exchange kiosks are available at the airports in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, and a bottle of water costs around 20 SMB, a good meal around 140SMB, with seafood costing a little more.

Climate: Siam is a warm nation, especially during the summer months when the World Cup takes place. Temperatures can soar to 40C (104F), but are usually around 37-38C (98-100F) during the day. It is normally sunny with little wind. Due to the warm temperatures, matches will take place in the evening in fully air-conditioned stadiums, and players and fans are encouraged to keep water at hand, use sunscreen and stay inside and out of the sun during the hottest hours from 11am to 3pm.

Language: The official language is Siamese, although signs on main roads and most places in big cities will have the English translation underneath. However most Siamese natives can't speak English, and so a translator may be necessary.

Cuisine: Siamese cuisine is spicy, warm and filling, with traditional curries and stir fries. Rice is a staple of Siamese culture, and is incorporated into nearly every dish. And if there's not rice, there's probably noodles. There is also a lot of cold food, such as spring rolls, noodle dishes and seafood. Vegetarian and vegan options are almost always available at any restaurant.

General Populace: The Siamese people pride themselves on their hospitality and are very friendly and eager to help out, generally. Just don't bring up the political situation and you will be all set.

I wish you well on your travels in Siam, and hope you have a pleasant visit.

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Bangkok
Known to the Siamese people by it's traditional name, Krung Thep, Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and home to most of the major football stadiums in the country. A bustling capital with a mix of modern and ancient culture, it is a melting pot of cultures from all over Siam, and boasts stunning temples and impressive technology.

Venue 1: Rajamangala National Stadium (cap. 50,000)

Siam's biggest stadium, Rajamangala is located in the heart of Bangkok, and is home to Emerald Buddha, one of the more royal Siamese football clubs. They are expected to finish midtable, but this impressive stadium still draws crowds at every game. It is the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies, and, being the most important stadium in the country, will host the final and third place playoffs.

Venue 2: Golden Stadium (cap. 25,000)

The Golden Stadium in the western suburbs of Bangkok is the home of Golden Chedi, one of the best top-flight teams out there. It is an imposing stadium of blue and gold, and is reminiscent of ancient Siamese temples in its architecture.

Venue 3: Blue Elephant Stadium (cap. 10,000)
Image coming soon!
Description coming soon!

Udon Thani
Located in the north east of the country, Udon Thani is a city known for its vibrant culture and rich history. It is a commerce and trade hub, and has a bustling downtown area crammed with markets, shops and restaurants. As well as the new, Udon Thani is also home to the old, with stunning old temples, including the ancient ruins of Ban Chiang, which date back over 5000 years.

Venue: Basilica Stadium (cap. 30,000)

The Basilica Stadium in the heart of Udon Thani was built in 2005 for Siamese Basil, a Siamese League 1 team. The atmosphere here on matchdays is electric, with the green terraces often being filled to the brim with Siamese Basil supporters cheering and waving. The sound system is state of the art, having been revamped in late 2018.

Chiang Mai
Known as the "Rose of the North", Chiang Mai is a beautiful city in the northern provinces of Siam. Surrounded by mountains, it boasts an incredible fusion of sweet-smelling night markets and cool, clean shopping malls, to wild mountains and ancient Buddhist temples. There is so much to see in this beautiful city, which holds two venues for the World Cup.

Venue 1 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium (cap. 20,000)

This low-lying stadium is the home of Siamese Phoenix United, newcomers to the top-flight of Siam. With it's distinctive flat stand design, it looks rather like a scaled down version of the National Stadium down south in Bangkok. When it's not being used for a matchday, the local schools use it during the week for running and football PE lessons, and it is the venue of Sports Days for several of the schools in the area.

Venue 2 The Thunderdome (cap. 25,000)

THe home of Chang Mai United, the Thunderdome is a newer stadium in downtown Chiang Mai, famed for its distinctive blue exterior. An icon of football in the city, itis the pinnacle of class and elegance in the city. On matchdays, people flock to the ground, away fans straining to be the first to get a glimpse of the blue rooves of Chiang Mai.

Krabi

Venue: Krabi Provincial Stadium (cap. 10,000)

Rajamangala National Stadium
26th March 2020, 19:28
Kamon Wattana squeezed past delegates from other countries to take her place in her box seat at the top of the Rajamangala National Stadium. The lights were down, and only a few spotlights sparkled over the stadium, passing over the 50,000 excited specatators squeezing into their seats far below. The ground was bouncing, and the atmosphere felt electric.

Suddenly, the spotlights dimmed and the crowd started to cheer wildly. Kamon leaned forwards in her seat. The music started and a drumroll built, the noise echoing around the stadium as fans joined in, stamping thier feet and clapping their hands to contribute to the noise. Then, the noise stopped. The whole stadium held their breath as the setting sun streamed into the stadium, illuminating the west stand with a golden glow. Suddenly, the music started, traditonal folk music with a pulsing beat. The football pitch lit up, a grey tarpaulin covering the grass and a small makshift stage in the center circle. A group of Siamese dancers surrounded the stage, standing in concentric circles. A smaller group of around 8 dancers stood on the main stage. As the music went on they started to do a traditional Siamese dance, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of the music. The traditional costumes and hair accessories glowed under the setting sun and their movements were almost hypnotic, the entire group moving entirely in unison. As the music grew, the dances became more acrobatic, with flips and somersaults from the dancers in the center. Eventually, it drew to a climax and halted.

As the audience applauded, a flash of white from the tunnel caught Kamon's eye. As the dancers descended from the stage to stand in the circles, a line of footballers jogged out of the tunnel. Each of them held their country's flag aloft, and they caught the slight breeze, fluttering gently. As they ran out into the center of the pitch they filed around the circle and came to a halt, still waving the flags aloft to thunderous applause.

Then came the moment most people had been waiting for, as popular Siamese boy band Golden Lotus took to the stage to perform this year's official World Cup anthem. Their rendition of "The Champion" by Carrie Underwood got the whole stadium absolutely bouncing, and fireworks lit the darkening sky in the colours of the Siamese flag: red, white and blue. The crowd watched in awe, cheering and jumping to the music.

As the band's performance drew to a close, Kamon stepped up to a microphone that had been placed in front of her.
"Hello everyone, and welcome to Siam!" Her voice boomed across the stadium, and the people cheered once again, "It is our pleasure to host the first World Cup for this new world. And I'm so happy that so many people have come out to watch and support their country. But enough of my rambles. This is the moment the first official World Cup begins!"
As she spoke those words, pyrotechnic machines on the pitch shot up plumes of flame, and the fireworks around the top of the stadium rocketed into the now dark sky, filling the city with noise and light.

Results will be posted in the results thread soon.

Following the first match, the Nusantaran team would meet up at a local cafe to discuss the results. Although there would be some disappointment at their loss, the overall attitude would be fairly positive. Many would keep their hopes high, hopeful that they would perform better at the next match. That said, most wouldn't be too concerned, and their team leader would encourage them to have fun more than anything else. Already acclimatized to the weather and laws, due to their similarities to what the team members are used to back home, the team would be well prepared for the next match.

Due to the high speed rail connections, and the previously established removal of visa restrictions, many Nusantaran citizens would travel to Bangkok to see the match. Many would buy tickets for the games, especially those in which Majapahit is playing. Their goal would be to fill at least a quarter of the stadium with the Nusantaran red, white, and gold. For the next game a large group of fans would gather and prepare to hold up signs that when combined would show a giant Majapahit flag for all to see. When the game rolls around, they would present their flag at the beginning, and every time their team scored. They would also cheer loudly and show strong support for their nation.

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Following their loss to Songhai, the Bantu West team would travel outside of Bangkok to a more rural location for some team building exercises. The team members would spend the night receiving a pep talk from their trainers. Meanwhile, several other associates connected to the team would scout out the area, ensuring there are no security cameras or police nearby. Once the area is cleared, the team would take several performance enhancing drugs in order to improve their odds in the next game. The team would then find ways to ensure their drug screenings come back clean, be this with fake urine or some other method(s).

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The Tamil Trifecta team, pleased with their results would continue to train hard, not taking any time to rest, but rather focusing hard on beating their opponents. The Tamil government would take their win and use it for national propaganda purposes, showing the world how great the Tamil Trifecta is, and how they are unbeatable at everything they do (think North Korean-esque propaganda). Although there would be very few Tamil citizens at the games, the small number that are present would be very wealthy and some would discretely make bribes (using underlings, so it couldn't be traced back to them) to try to change the outcome of future games in their favour.

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For anyone paying attention, they would notice a large number of empty seats, and a lower than expected turnout, especially for teams from the Americas and Europe. This would be due to the ongoing financial crisis, as people who had previously purchased tickets would be forced to sell them for lower than they paid, and to cancel their plane tickets, in order to survive the crisis plaguing their home countries. The Ireland-Iceland match is one example of this, where very few people from Ireland or Iceland would have been present, with the stadium likely being at least half empty. Future games would likely see the same thing, with many European and American based games seeing a lack of fans attending the games. On the flip-side, online and cable viewership would see a spike compared to predicted numbers, due to these people watching from home, rather than in person. The sole exception to this would be the Russian match, with the government having personally taken to flying out large numbers of their citizens to support their team.

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The Feng Empire would take their win in stride, not letting it get to their heads. They would continue training hard, and would not allow time to see the sights or to allow a lapse in focus. They would not turn to drugs, alcohol, or women, but would instead keep focused on their training and the prize ahead. Their team would utilize any opportunities to practice, and would prepare as best they could for their coming games. Their players would perform at their personal peaks, knowing that failure could potentially lead to punishment back home.

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The Romanian team would spend the night (and most of the day) following their match drinking (several team members would be 18/19 - for these people other members would purchase the alcohol for them) and visiting several women of the night. They wouldn't seem too concerned with their loss, but would instead be enjoying their time in Bangkok. One or two would go down to the beach, instead of partying into the night. They would, however, still do some practice, but it would not be to the same standards as other teams.

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Three members of the Scottish team would pass out from heat stroke shortly after their match, and would need to be taken to the local hospital. They will recover, but it would be uncertain how well they would perform for their next match. Other members of the Scottish team would also have suffered heat exhaustion during the match, not being well acclimatized to the warmer weather in Siam. It is highly likely that this will negatively affect their next match.

Dammit I was in the middle of an RP. Oh well, rules are rules.

Following the results of the second game, the Nusantaran team would proudly shake the hands of the PLC team, offering them well wishes for their future. Following that, they would remain in Bangkok for a while, enjoying the sights and catching a few other games, before returning to Majapahit.

The various other (NPC) teams would continue their previously established routines [basically everything they did in the previous rp - I don't have time to do a more in depth RP for it right now]. Though the Scottish team would have to withdraw, due to the extreme heat. The Icelandic team would also be down several players, also due to the heat.

San Romolo Secure Hard-Fought Victory Over Siam in Thrilling Encounter

In a closely fought encounter at the Krabi Provincial Stadium, San Romolo secured victory over the home nation with a 2-1 win over the Elephants. The game started quite well for Siam, with the home side looking quite dominant and creating early chances. Most of the shots made were either off target or saved however, and Siam paid for their lacklustre performances in front of goal when San Romolo's number 3, playing as a winger, made a run into the box and lofted the ball into the top right corner. Phetpradab had no chance of stopping the goal, as it was so high and powerful.

However, Siam was determined to not let that goal get them down. Just a minute later, Phoenix striker Kanitsribampen unleashed a killer strike at the San Romolo goalkeeper. It was a long and low strike, leading to a spectacular goal. A long ball from Kaewsuwan helped to craft that goal, and as the team ran towards the home fans to celebrate, Kanitsribampen punched the air in celebration.

The game went on with both sides having good chances, but none of them quite got past each others' goalkeepers. It was a physical game, with Pimkoon picking up a yellow for a harsh tackle on a San Romolo midfielder in the 23rd minute. Then, in the 37th minute, San Romolo took the lead once again from number 11, sending a high strike into the top corner once again from 15 yards out, and this time Siam had no reply. They went into half-time with the hosts behind.

In the 53rd minute, number 5 of San Romolo caught Kaewkhong with a high boot, picking up another yellow for the away side. The Siam player had to be substituted for Prasit Khunkitti, and was later announced to have suffered a bruised rib. He will miss the next 4 games, if Siam gets that far. More tragedy for Siam in the 59th minute, when Pimkoon slid in a bit too late for a tackle on the San Romolese number 5. The referee didn't hesitate to pull out a second yellow, leaving Siam on the pitch with 10 men. The hosts tried hard to pull one back, dominating the final 10 minutes, but failed to find a way. It finished Siam 1-2 San Romolo, with the home nation now sitting at the base of Group F. The Siamese players looked phyiscally drained when the score from the Nahuatl vs Russia game showed on the big screen, realising what a way they had to go to make it through to the last 16.

Other Headlines of the Day

Scots Succumb to Siam's Scorching Sun
The Scottish team were forced to pull out of the tournament after several of their players collapsed from heatstroke, so Czechoslovakia make it through by default.

World Cup Officials Make Huge Error in Counting Teams: Two Teams Sent Home Instead of One
Definitely not an error on my behalf. It has been announced that the bottom two teams from groups D and E the NPC groups will go home

Romanian National Team's Wild Night out in Siam Ends in Shameful Scandal!
Police arrest several of Romania's players after underage drinking and prostitution scandal emerges. @Majapahit , if you want to write a piece on this, feel free.

[Totally forgot about this...]

Following their coming in second place, the Mongolian captain, Qoricarergan, who is said to be descended from Genghis, would take his team in a victory celebration throughout the city. First, they would march through the main squares of the city (abiding by the laws), chanting national songs. Then, they would gather in a park in the city centre, where they would partake in throat singing, giving an epic performance. Following that, they would hit up several bars and pubs (all team members are of age), with the team splurging on drinks for the members, as well as any fans interested in joining. Their celebrations and parties would be "the stuff of legends," according to several Mongolian reporters in Bangkok, lasting for almost an entire week after the official celebrations finish. In Mongolia many people would take to the streets, celebrating in a grand manner, pleased with the outcome of the match. Upon their return to Ulaanbaatar the entire Mongolian team would be awarded with full government honours, receiving medals in a televised ceremony.

Rumour has it that the Mongolians are using their win as a cover for the fact that they are now a Russian subject state.