2026 World Cup

[Welsh Exile]

I’ve watched a few games - Belgium/Egypt was a pretty good one last night and the Irish born lad who plays for Cape Verde had a good day out!!. 0-0 draw against Spain in your World Cup debut is fantasy stuff really.

In the very likely event that England don’t win it, I’ve really not got a 2nd team this time around. I’ve always rooted for the Italians in major tournaments but they’ve not made it yet again - the current team aren’t much missed but not having that anthem in a WC is criminal.

I don’t mind Spain but they’ve won a lot of tournaments over the last 15-20 years.
France aren’t overly likeable for me.
The media lovefest for Ronaldo would be nauseating if Portugal won it.
Germany are Germany (although I love their home kit - absolute banger.)
I like the Dutch but they won’t win it.
Argentina won it last time and they’re not the most likeable team, the Messi factor isn’t the same this time - although I love the colour and passion that their fans bring.
Brazil would probably be my alternate choice, but I watched them against Morocco and I can’t see them doing anything when it gets to the serious business. You only have to keep Vini Jr quiet to stop them imo.

I reckon Morocco, Colombia and Norway are the ones to watch outside of the leading group - I could see Morocco making the quarters at least, they’ll beat at least one of the “big names” in the knockouts I think and if they get a bit of luck with the draw, who knows.,

I just root for the underdog in every match (unless the under dog is England, obviously)

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I’ve watched a few games - Belgium/Egypt was a pretty good one last night and the Irish born lad who plays for Cape Verde had a good day out!!. 0-0 draw against Spain in your World Cup debut is fantasy stuff really.

In the very likely event that England don’t win it, I’ve really not got a 2nd team this time around. I’ve always rooted for the Italians in major tournaments but they’ve not made it yet again - the current team aren’t much missed but not having that anthem in a WC is criminal.

I don’t mind Spain but they’ve won a lot of tournaments over the last 15-20 years.
France aren’t overly likeable for me.
The media lovefest for Ronaldo would be nauseating if Portugal won it.
Germany are Germany (although I love their home kit - absolute banger.)
I like the Dutch but they won’t win it.
Argentina won it last time and they’re not the most likeable team, the Messi factor isn’t the same this time - although I love the colour and passion that their fans bring.
Brazil would probably be my alternate choice, but I watched them against Morocco and I can’t see them doing anything when it gets to the serious business. You only have to keep Vini Jr quiet to stop them imo.

I reckon Morocco, Colombia and Norway are the ones to watch outside of the leading group - I could see Morocco making the quarters at least, they’ll beat at least one of the “big names” in the knockouts I think and if they get a bit of luck with the draw, who knows.,

Cabo Verde v Spain was the first full 90 I watched and it was pretty cool. Pico Lopez being in there reminded me why I can never really buy into this sport though, he was the first ever active League of Ireland player ever to play in a world cup and was one of the best performers on a pitch against Spain. Meanwhile soccer fans here choose to pick English sides at random or Celtic (I have some sympathy here, especially for those in the north) to support and be ****** that we don't produce players to qualify for world cups.

Doubt anything will change and to be honest, we're better off if it doesn't because soccer's loss is often rugby's gain here outside of Dublin, but it still is pretty **** every couple years to be watching others have the craic following their countries in these tournaments!

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Uruguay just for their kit

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Thought Iraq was unlucky to lose 4-1. Definitely had some bright moments and just couldn’t capitalize.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Haven’t seen the goals yet but Messi is the GOAT (other than Maradonna)

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Haven’t seen the goals yet but Messi is the GOAT (other than Maradonna)

George Best or Diego for me. Doubt Messi could do much when seeing double most of the time.

Also, France look like the team to beat for me after yesterday. Speed kills etc...

 

[Welsh Exile]

George Best or Diego for me. Doubt Messi could do much when seeing double most of the time.

Also, France look like the team to beat for me after yesterday. Speed kills etc...

Best is in my top 5.

You make a great point re intoxicating substances.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Well played Scotland. Well played.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Messi a bit lucky here?

 

[mackerzz]

George Best or Diego for me. Doubt Messi could do much when seeing double most of the time.

Also, France look like the team to beat for me after yesterday. Speed kills etc...

France looks dangerous indeed. Absolute *****, but dangerous *****

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Booing the Croatian national anthem - ye couldn't wish them well even if you wanted to.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Massive let off for us there

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Booing the Croatian national anthem - ye couldn't wish them well even if you wanted to.

If they didn't wanna be booed they should've been born in England

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

This reminds me why I fell out of love with football, everyone drops like a sack of spuds at the slightest touch.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Had only really planned to watch the first half but this is a great match.

England look.better but Croatia are scoring bangers

 

[TRF_Olyy]

This reminds me why I fell out of love with football, everyone drops like a sack of spuds at the slightest touch.

Two players down on the ground as Croatia scored their first goal - it really is shameless

 

[Welsh Exile]

Nice quick VAR check on that second Croatia goal. If that was the prem it would’ve taken 10 mins and it would’ve been incorrectly ruled out.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Had only really planned to watch the first half but this is a great match.

England look.better but Croatia are scoring bangers

Bit of a disappointing second half.

 

[mackerzz]

It's 10 a.m. on a workday here. I'm sat at my desk watching it, lmao

 

[Welsh Exile]

It's 10 a.m. on a workday here. I'm sat at my desk watching it, lmao

Crack open a beer mate. Might as well.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Will have to hear for the next few weeks how England are going to win it. I mean, it’ll be funny when they lose but it’s annoying having to put up with it before their inevitable departure

 

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[mackerzz]

Crack open a beer mate. Might as well.

eh i fuking hate my job so might as well

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Will have to hear for the next few weeks how England are going to win it. I mean, it’ll be funny when they lose but it’s annoying having to put up with it before their inevitable departure

 

[OllyM97]

Will have to hear for the next few weeks how England are going to win it. I mean, it’ll be funny when they lose but it’s annoying having to put up with it before their inevitable departure

God, if you think the hype for this tournament is bad, you obviously weren’t as invested in it in 2006!!. By English standards, this build-up has been small-fry. I don’t think we’ll win it, but we’ve got a chance. France are favourites though, just look at their bench!.

 

[Welsh Exile]

God, if you think the hype for this tournament is bad, you obviously weren’t as invested in it in 2006!!. By English standards, this build-up has been small-fry. I don’t think we’ll win it, but we’ve got a chance. France are favourites though, just look at their bench!.

Yeah, in 2006 I was still celebrating our GS in 2005.

You’re right of course. This is nowhere near those levels. But still, it’ll ramp up as England progress.

I still think a qtr/semi final exit to Brazil/Argentina is the most likely outcome but you never know in knockout competitions.

 

[nickp]

TSN is getting more World Cup broadcast revenue than a CFL game

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Loving the antics of some of the fans with special mentions for the Jocks and Dutch. Viking row also great although best version was by the Norwegian Parliament. Keir to lead a rousing rendition of Three Lions?

 

[OllyM97]

Yeah, in 2006 I was still celebrating our GS in 2005.

You’re right of course. This is nowhere near those levels. But still, it’ll ramp up as England progress.

I still think a qtr/semi final exit to Brazil/Argentina is the most likely outcome but you never know in knockout competitions.

I’d be quietly confident against Brazil tbh - they lack mobility in midfield, feel like we could overpower and outrun them. A semi final against Argentina would be an absolute doozy given the history between the two countries - they definitely worry me more than Brazil. I’d still love it to happen though! - the build-up would be insane on both sides.

 

[mackerzz]

I honestly think Brazil will be poor at this World Cup. They are missing in a few key areas, and with guys like Vinicius, they are way too cocky for their own good.

I personally think it will be a France v Argentina World Cup.
Arg look dangerous as usual, especially with Messi still firing. France have a squad with no real weaknesses and full of stars. It's just whether they can rein in the arrogance.