2026 FIFA World Cup - General Chat

[GoldenToffee]

Rarely get excited for World Cups nowadays. I'm more intrigued at what point England will disappoint the nation (not me) by losing to some bang average side.

 

[longers]

Going to be some funy moments in the World Cup with so many smaller nationa. The defenders wiping each other and then a comedy finish, I hope to see more calamity football.

 

[Billy Dean]

Everyone drives. Though when I lived in New York, I was offered Giants and Jets tickets quite a few times and declined because it's a PITA getting out there, and I had a car.

I can remember taking a bus there from Penn. That was almost 20 years ago so not sure if that still runs. But didn't feel like too big a PITA at the time

 

[helpimonfire]

Sweden will stuff everyone and go on to lift the trophy. I will rejoice and brag and brag

OK...Back to reality

At least Sweden have a nice kit.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

As of yesterday England 6/1 to win the tournament and Kane is 14/1 for golden boot I believe

 

[turner]

The fact that there is a group L is mad. THERE ARE TOO MANY TEAMS.

 

[little elfin]

 

[Swartzy]

View attachment 355944

I like that, subtle basics.

If you had put XG - XA or a heatmap on the same sheet as Maradona I think I would have thrown up.

 

[Drico]

Going to be some funy moments in the World Cup with so many smaller nationa. The defenders wiping each other and then a comedy finish, I hope to see more calamity football.

Now, that's real football as understood by the man on the street.

 

[Drico]

View attachment 355944

But is anybody really comparing Messi 2022 to Maradona 1986? That's geriatric Messi versus peak Maradona.

You can argue till the cows come home about who the greatest player of all-time was - it's completely subjective and that's the beauty of football - but nobody has ever played a World Cup to the level Diego did in 86. Off the charts.

One of the reasons he is so revered is he peaked for the biggest stage of all. And nobody has ever peaked on that stage to his level.

 

[Rita_Poon]

The fact that there is a group L is mad. THERE ARE TOO MANY TEAMS.

Miroslav Klose for Germany holds the total goals scored record in WC tournaments with 16 goals scored. He played 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014.

That record could go this summer in one tournament. When Kane bags 4 vs Tuvalu what have we allowed to happen to a once great sporting spectacle?

I wonder what the odds are for this WC to produce numerous games where double figure goals are scored in numerous games? @Eggs

 

[Rita_Poon]

But is anybody really comparing Messi 2022 to Maradona 1986? That's geriatric Messi versus peak Maradona.

You can argue till the cows come home about who the greatest player of all-time was - it's completely subjective and that's the beauty of football - but nobody has ever played a World Cup to the level Diego did in 86. Off the charts.

One of the reasons he is so revered is he peaked for the biggest stage of all. And nobody has ever peaked on that stage to his level.

he did have a bit of help peaking though, and no, not Peking duck...

 

[Rita_Poon]

shakira, madonna, bts. HT.

overseen by chris martin.

30 minutes of HT.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

But is anybody really comparing Messi 2022 to Maradona 1986? That's geriatric Messi versus peak Maradona.

You can argue till the cows come home about who the greatest player of all-time was - it's completely subjective and that's the beauty of football - but nobody has ever played a World Cup to the level Diego did in 86. Off the charts.

One of the reasons he is so revered is he peaked for the biggest stage of all. And nobody has ever peaked on that stage to his level.

I don't like the focus on individuals these days. It's become stat padding for vanity's sake. We're in a team sport.

 

[Eggs]

Miroslav Klose for Germany holds the total goals scored record in WC tournaments with 16 goals scored. He played 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014.

That record could go this summer in one tournament. When Kane bags 4 vs Tuvalu what have we allowed to happen to a once great sporting spectacle?

I wonder what the odds are for this WC to produce numerous games where double figure goals are scored in numerous games? @Eggs

….you would have to look through ‘specials’ or ‘request a bets’ for something like that.

Generally though, teams at that level tend to be very well organised and I’d actually be surprised if the minnows get a hiding to that extent. The heat is another factor, get the game won, bring on subs and take your foot off the gas.

I do wonder if the weather could favour technical football over athletic football, I’m not one to bet on footy but I’ve had a very little interest in Japan reaching the last 16, I thought they looked decent when the played England and then Scotland.