TC Small Talk: World Cup 2022

The time has come again! Every four years, there's this world-wide event that unites most of us in our small talk topics.

Let's have a glance at what a World Cup small talk could be like.


Remember the following steps, as usual:
1. Listen and tell your self the main idea/some key details (say it out loud).
2. Listen for details, pause and go back if needed.
3. Check the script and listen again multiple times to get more in.
4. Use the new language points that resonate with you in your own examples (they DON'T have to be football related)
5. Get back to this post again after several days and then weeks to review.

Listen to the conversation in a TC
👨🏻‍💼 Chinese partner
👨🏼‍💼 British partner


💡 follow sth
💡 see/read the highlights
💡 manage to do sth
💡 sth works out for smn
💡 be able to <do>
💡 rule sth/smn out
💡 end up <doing>

***Are not interested in football at all, but have to keep up with a small talk on it? Stay tuned for our next post on how to deal with that!***

Check the script

A: Have you been following the World Cup?  

B: To be honest, I've been really busy this week. I’ve seen some of the highlights, but I haven't had chance to see a full match yet. How about you?

A: Yeah, I've managed to watch quite a few games already. I'm not normally much of a soccer fan, but every four years, when the World Cup comes around, I really get into it. I just love the atmosphere, especially if I can watch the matches live on a big screen in a bar.

B: Is it convenient to watch there in China? How do the time zones work out for you?

A: It's not too bad. I’ve been able to watch a couple of matches each evening so far, but once we get further into the tournament, the kick-offs are going to get later and later.  I'm not sure I'll be able to stay up to watch them live.

B: Which matches have you seen so far? Have there been any good ones?

A: Yes, I watched Argentina against Saudi Arabia the other day. I used to be a huge Messi fan.

B: Oh, I must have missed that one. What was the score?

A: It was a huge upset actually. In the end, Saudi Arabia won 2-1. Argentina were 1-0 up at half time, but then Saudi scored two goals early in the second half to take the lead. It was quite nerve-wracking after that. Argentina had a lot of chances, but the Saudis defended well, and they managed to hold on for the win. It was a massive win for Saudi Arabia. I even heard they even declared a national holiday to celebrate—everyone got a day off work!

B: Wow, that is quite a shock. I thought Argentina were supposed to be one of the favorites to win this year.

A: A lot of people thought that, but they just didn't seem to gel as a team. It's still early days, though, so I wouldn't rule them out yet. They still have a chance to make it through to the knockout stage, and then anything can happen.

B: That's true. To be honest, I always like to see the underdog win if my team aren't playing. Plus, as an England fan, Argentina have always been one of our biggest rivals, so I won't lose any sleep over that result.

A: Speaking of England, I saw your team got off to a good start this year. They easily beat Iran in their first game. Do you think they have a chance of winning this year?

B: It'd be nice to see, but I'm not going to count our chickens before they hatch. We usually make it through to the quarter-finals—sometimes even the semi-finals—and everyone gets excited about it, thinking they're going to go all the way, but we always seem to end up losing on penalties before we can reach the final. We haven't won a World Cup since 1966.

A: Haha. If you think you have it bad, imagine how it feels to support teamChina. It seems we can only dream of playing in the World Cup finals.   

B: I get you. I remember you did qualify for the World Cup once, right? Which year was that?

A: That was way back in 2002. Unfortunately, we got knocked out in the group stage without scoring a single goal. Hopefully, one day, we'll make it back again.

B: Fingers crossed. I'm sure you will sooner or later.

A: Good luck to England too. Who are you playing next?

B: I think out next match is against the US. It should be a good one.

A: I'll try to catch it. Good luck!

B: Thanks. Anyway, I guess we should get down to business. Are you ready to get started?

A: Sure, ready when you are!

Go England!!!!

Go England!