World Cup 2026

[East Kent Saint]

7 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Isnt that standard prices though for the US?

No it's the usual stadium rip off price plus they sell beer in various measures in fluid ounces ( 18 , 20 ,22 ) so large may be misleading ! They are also worse than our pub chains with the amount of head/foam you are served . 

Edited yesterday at 05:36 by East Kent Saint

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

1 hour ago, East Kent Saint said:

No it's the usual stadium rip off price plus they sell beer in various measures in fluid ounces ( 18 , 20 ,22 ) so large may be misleading ! They are also worse than our pub chains with the amount of head/foam you are served . 

Ah, yeah, that's what I meant or should have clarified. Usual in stadium prices!

Edited yesterday at 07:31 by JohnnyShearer2.0

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

8 hours ago, Turkish said:

Is it? Jesus, how do those fat fucks afford to buy a round?

I should have clarified, I think it's the usual in stadium rip off prices! But yes, a round at a sporting event will hurt!

[Holmes_and_Watson]

4 hours ago, St. Ciervo said:

Maguire looking good in your image. 

Keeping in shape for a late call up, when Stones gets crocked.

[Challenger]

10 hours ago, BotleySaint said:

Ivan Toney doing a good impression of a training cone so far today.

Ivan Toney doing a good impression of Damion Downs.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

11 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

The final of what?

The sumo wrestling world cup 2026. Clue is in the thread title.

[Whitey Grandad]

I read this morning that this World Cup is expected to raise $13 billion for FIFA.

That money has to come from the supporters [mugs] either directly or indirectly.

[Window Cleaner]

1 hour ago, Whitey Grandad said:

I read this morning that this World Cup is expected to raise $13 billion for FIFA.

That money has to come from the supporters [mugs] either directly or indirectly.

Advertising revenue is no doubt offset by the purchases of people who don"t really support football, occasional viewers etc. People watch the WC who don,'t normally watch football. Major advertisers know that.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

There are a few things I'd like to see at this world cup. England winning being one of them, obviously.

But beyond that, I just hope the Americans are embarrassed in every way. Empty stadiums. Worldwide ridicule and rejection of Americanised bollocks like individual player entries and half time shows. And an utterly shit performance of their national team on the pitch - hopefully being knocked out by Iran. Not doubt that won't be allowed to happen and the USA will somehow 'fluke' their way to at least the semis.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yz3zdp3jqo

[Window Cleaner]

48 minutes ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

There are a few things I'd like to see at this world cup. England winning being one of them, obviously.

But beyond that, I just hope the Americans are embarrassed in every way. Empty stadiums. Worldwide ridicule and rejection of Americanised bollocks like individual player entries and half time shows. And an utterly shit performance of their national team on the pitch - hopefully being knocked out by Iran. Not doubt that won't be allowed to happen and the USA will somehow 'fluke' their way to at least the semis.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yz3zdp3jqo

Semis? That's not going to happen. Quarters at best, they just don't have the talents to go any further. Poch probably can't wait to be done with them, get started at Milan.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

3 minutes ago, Window Cleaner said:

Semis? That's not going to happen. Quarters at best, they just don't have the talents to go any further. Poch probably can't wait to be done with them, get started at Milan.

I could actually see them struggling to get out of their group. You'd think Turkey would win the group, Paraquay and the Aussies aren't mugs at this level.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Christian Eriksson collapsed again. Fortunately, the device he was fitted with, worked, if that was the reason behind it. Scary.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czrxgd2nljno

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

10 minutes ago, Window Cleaner said:

Semis? That's not going to happen. Quarters at best, they just don't have the talents to go any further. Poch probably can't wait to be done with them, get started at Milan.

Hosts get favourable officiating at the best of times. This year will be taken to another level.

[Window Cleaner]

2 minutes ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

Hosts get favourable officiating at the best of times. This year will be taken to another level.

They'd need a lot of favourable officiating just to get to the quarters even. Their defence is awful.

[badgerx16]

A tournament for the fans.........

 

Of certain favoured countries;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx212p8r28eo

[LiberalCommunist]

This is a very low hype tournament. Never known it to be so flat. Even Qatar had a little buzz of anticipation. 

[LeBizzier69]

44 minutes ago, LiberalCommunist said:

This is a very low hype tournament. Never known it to be so flat. Even Qatar had a little buzz of anticipation. 

It's so weird.....the anticipation and excitment of tournaments seems to have disappeared, for most it seems. Is this just a disconnect with the teams/modern players?

[suewhistle]

No, from just general chatting to people it's very specific to the location of where it's being held this time. People had concerns about Qatar and human rights and sports washing (ditto Russia) but even more so this time. At least previous countries tried to appear to be welcoming..

My latest conversation was with a Pompey supporter down the allotment yesterday, and he was very rude about Trump and his US. Let's hope the Scottish and English supporters do us proud with voicing those opinions..

[LiberalCommunist]

Bloated amount of teams. Price gauging. USA/Iran conflict. 

Yeah, not expecting much. Hoping England can turn it on and suck us in.........in the middle of the night. lol

[rallyboy]

I fear this could be one of the crappest World Cups in memory - the ludicrous number of teams, the extortionate pricing and the banning of fans from countries that Trump doesn't like isn't a great start.

I'm also looking forward to the first dodgy refereeing decision that goes the way of the US, Saudi Arabia or Qatar...

Call me Mr Miserable but this beautiful festival of advertising and hype has all the early signs of a borefest that will be more about making dollars than promoting soccaball.

It feels like we're one step away from halftime monster trucks.

[Football Special]

56 minutes ago, LiberalCommunist said:

This is a very low hype tournament. Never known it to be so flat. Even Qatar had a little buzz of anticipation. 

Yeah finding it hard to build up much enthusiasm for it , I'm sure it will pick up once we get into the knock out stages 

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Yeah finding it hard to build up much enthusiasm for it , I'm sure it will pick up once we get into the knock out stages 

WIth the amount of teams, kick off times, pointless fixtures in the group stages plus the Yanks being involved it's tough to really get interested in it. I feel sorry for all the kids, when i was my sons age Italia 90 happened, which remains the most magical world cup ever.

[Patrick Bateman]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

WIth the amount of teams, kick off times, pointless fixtures in the group stages plus the Yanks being involved it's tough to really get interested in it. I feel sorry for all the kids, when i was my sons age Italia 90 happened, which remains the most magical world cup ever.

Nessen Dorma, Schillaci, Cameroon beating Argentina, Roger Milla, Gazza crying ... it was a really good one! (Not the crying, but just memorable images)

Edited 8 hours ago by Patrick Bateman

[Sarnia Cherie]

14 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Christian Eriksson collapsed again. Fortunately, the device he was fitted with, worked, if that was the reason behind it. Scary.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czrxgd2nljno

I was surprised he ever came back to competitive football after his first episode. He has a defib implant which clearly did it's job but maybe time to hang up the boots. I wish him well. 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

7 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

Nessen Dorma, Schillaci, Cameron beating Argentina, Roger Milla, Gazza crying ... it was a really good one! (Not the crying, but just memorable images)

What an excellent Foreign Secretary he was.

[tdmickey3]

Needs some of this

 

[LeBizzier69]

1 hour ago, tdmickey3 said:

Needs some of this

 

I had a vuvuzela app on my phone at the time, so whenever i shaked the phone it honked....managed to annoy swathes of people that whole WC.

[Window Cleaner]

1 hour ago, Patrick Bateman said:

Nessen Dorma, Schillaci, Cameroon beating Argentina, Roger Milla, Gazza crying ... it was a really good one! (Not the crying, but just memorable images)

Cameroon was a decent side back when. Had some excellent players. Now anyone who's any good plays for France, Spain or some other European nation. 

[Turkish]

19 minutes ago, Window Cleaner said:

Cameroon was a decent side back when. Had some excellent players. Now anyone who's any good plays for France, Spain or some other European nation. 

Another example of how the far left pushing an open door immigration program has ruined everything 

[Wade Garrett]

Don't feel any excitement or anticipation for this World Cup.

FIFA have ruined the competition.  Rip off the fans and play it in countries with no football history or real interest in the game.

All about money and corruption.  Started with Blatter and this new c*nt has taken it to another level.

Can't wait for Saudi Arabia 2034!

[Window Cleaner]

4 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Don't feel any excitement or anticipation for this World Cup.

FIFA have ruined the competition.  Rip off the fans and play it in countries with no football history or real interest in the game.

All about money and corruption.  Started with Blatter and this new c*nt has taken it to another level.

Can't wait for Saudi Arabia 2034!

Well I think it's unfair to say that Mexico has no football history. WC's in 70 and 86 (when Colombia I think it was couldn't bear the cost or something of that ilk, pulled out late on).

Edited 6 hours ago by Window Cleaner

[AlexLaw76]

It will be shit. Ignoring the kick off times, it will be largely pedestrian compared to what Europeans are used to, throw in the water breaks.

I know it is the rage to be offended with world cups in the Middle East, but as a spectacle, the last one was pretty good.

[East Kent Saint]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

Another example of how the far left pushing an open door immigration program has ruined everything 

Thanks Nige ...

[edprice1984]

Like most World Cup's once the football starts, it will be ok. 

I agree that there are too many teams - 32 was perfect - but the decision to expand was all about politics and Infantino's re-election as FIFA President.

Heat and conditions will play a massive part, far more than at any other tournament since S.Korea and Japan. Although if you compare to 1994 when kick-offs were at midday (to attract the European audience) it's not quite as bad this time around. England to the Semi Finals, Japan and Norway to do very well, and Scotland to miss out on the Last 32 due to goal difference.

France to win it.

I am hoping for the USA to crash out early, Canada and Cyle to sneak through and very much looking forward to the Pride game between Egypt and Iran. 

Once you get to the knock-outs then the excitement will ratchet up. 

[revolution saint]

49 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

It will be shit. Ignoring the kick off times, it will be largely pedestrian compared to what Europeans are used to, throw in the water breaks.

I know it is the rage to be offended with world cups in the Middle East, but as a spectacle, the last one was pretty good.

Yeah, Qatar was alright and Russia before that was relatively good.  The heat and the increase in the number of games from 64 to 104 doesn't thrill me this time around.  Obviously the time difference won't help but there's no way I'll be watching anything like even the majority of games.  If England perform then it'll probably cause me to pay a bit more attention but I don't have much in the way of anticipation for this tournament.

[Saint NL]

3 hours ago, tdmickey3 said:

Needs some of this

 

I read this morning that Vuvuzelas have officially been banned from the stadiums

[Holmes_and_Watson]

3 hours ago, Saint NL said:

I read this morning that Vuvuzelas have officially been banned from the stadiums

And some people say Trump is all bad. 🙂

[rallyboy]

Trump is about to invade Vuvuzela, he heard there's oil there.

[trousers]

3 hours ago, Saint NL said:

I read this morning that Vuvuzelas have officially been banned from the stadiums

Thank f*** for that

[sfc4prem]

2 minutes ago, rallyboy said:

Trump is about to invade Vuvuzela, he heard there's oil there.

Trump has officially banned Venezuelas from the stadium, he heard they make too much noise.

[S-Clarke]

I feel the same. Usually in the build up to a Euro's or a World Cup, you start to see cars with flags, flags outside houses, just a general excited vibe. It's just not here is it? All feels flat as a pancake like it's not happening. I used to listen to the build up podcasts, the preview shows on the channels etc. But I just haven't been interested.

Most people say we'll get into it once it starts, but how are we supposed to get into it when most of the games are in the early hours of the morning or really late at night. 

I think a combination of the kick off times and the dull nature of International football these days has killed the excitement.