World Cup 2026

[IronCitySaint]

In Boston now. The weather is freaking awful - 16C and raining. The same for the whole of tomorrow so conditions should suit England, but it will be horrible in the stadium for the fans. There is not cover of any sort in the stadium. England fans are in good voice in the Irish pubs around the city. The Scots just left and managed to put traffic cones on the heads of all the historic statues in the city! The long journey to the stadium starts at 10.30am tomorrow. Come on England. 

[SNSUN]

Definitely a strikers tournament. 2 for Mbappé, 2 for Haaland tonight.

[SNSUN]

16 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

Definitely a strikers tournament. 2 for Mbappé, 2 for Haaland tonight.

And Ismaila Sarr!

Decent game that. I still think if they can sort their defence out a bit, Norway are dark horses to do well.

[Dark Munster]

Imagine if Leeds-born Haaland had chosen to play for England. Sigh.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

1 hour ago, Dark Munster said:

Imagine if Leeds-born Haaland had chosen to play for England. Sigh.

Or Olise!

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

Who's Alan Hanson's favourite player?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kylian MMMBoppé.

[AlexLaw76]

38 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Or Olise!

Throw in Semenyo into the mix

[Turkish]

9 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Throw in Semenyo into the mix

 

48 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Or Olise!

 

2 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

Imagine if Leeds-born Haaland had chosen to play for England. Sigh.

Yep born in England, raised in England parents take the pound they take English education then turn their backs on the country that made them first chance they get to play for the counties their parents fled from or passed through. Absolutely zero gratitude from these people. And people maintain immigration is a good thing!!! 

[benjii]

50 minutes ago, Turkish said:

 

 

Yep born in England, raised in England parents take the pound they take English education then turn their backs on the country that made them first chance they get to play for the counties their parents fled from or passed through. Absolutely zero gratitude from these people. And people maintain immigration is a good thing!!! 

Someone liked this!

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

6 minutes ago, benjii said:

Someone liked this!

And this.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

1 hour ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

Who's Alan Hanson's favourite player?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kylian MMMBoppé.

Yet, nobody liked this despite it being a fantastic joke.

[East Kent Saint]

11 hours ago, Window Cleaner said:

Fairport died with Sandy, but played on I suppose.

and still staggering on after 60 years , Sandy was great , not in the original line up boosted their popularity . She had a tragic end thought to be due to an undiagnosed brain condition . She also featured on a Led Zeppelin  track Battle of Evermore.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

 

 

Yep born in England, raised in England parents take the pound they take English education then turn their backs on the country that made them first chance they get to play for the counties their parents fled from or passed through. Absolutely zero gratitude from these people. And people maintain immigration is a good thing!!! 

You cant win them all.

[BH_Saint]

3 hours ago, Turkish said:

 

 

Yep born in England, raised in England parents take the pound they take English education then turn their backs on the country that made them first chance they get to play for the counties their parents fled from or passed through. Absolutely zero gratitude from these people. And people maintain immigration is a good thing!!! 

I didn't think Haaland was educated in the UK? I thought he moved back to Norway before school age with his parents when his father retired from football?

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Just now, BH_Saint said:

I didn't think Haaland was educated in the UK? I thought he moved back to Norway before school age with his parents when his father retired from football?

I dont think Turkish was being serious!

Haaland, yes, grew up there for some time there and loves the town he lived in.

Olise just saw the stacked French team and he's been pretty consistent with his upwards trajectory so France was a no brainer. 

Semanyo - in fairness I think he was always aiming for Ghana.

[Zorba]

 

It’s Scummy Gnome,

It’s Scummy Gnome,

It’s Scummy,

Football’s Scummy Gnome.

[Turkish]

51 minutes ago, BH_Saint said:

I didn't think Haaland was educated in the UK? I thought he moved back to Norway before school age with his parents when his father retired from football?

Couldn’t get here quick enough when they flashed a check book under their nose could they

[Window Cleaner]

3 hours ago, East Kent Saint said:

and still staggering on after 60 years , Sandy was great , not in the original line up boosted their popularity . She had a tragic end thought to be due to an undiagnosed brain condition . She also featured on a Led Zeppelin  track Battle of Evermore.

She fell down the stairs a few days before. Had some addiction problems I heard. Never did like that Trevor Lucas, a very complicated relationship from the outset. I Always saw her as a sort of Fotheringay (name of their group IIRC) figure, comes over in the song of the same name, equating her situation to that of Mary QOS.

[BarberSaint]

42 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Couldn’t get here quick enough when they flashed a check book under their nose could they

Slipping:

 

1/ Cheque spelt incorrectly;

2/ Very poor attempt

3/ Are you A.I.?

 

[Wurzel]

15 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

Surely that’s the Ronaldo v Messi debate put to bed now?
 

In my mind it was over long ago, but these world cups have been ridiculous 

Ronaldo doesn't even look like he's playing the same game as his team mates any more.

Messi now spends 90 minutes wandering around yet still always manages to be wandering in the right place at the right time

[East Kent Saint]

2 hours ago, Window Cleaner said:

She fell down the stairs a few days before. Had some addiction problems I heard. Never did like that Trevor Lucas, a very complicated relationship from the outset. I Always saw her as a sort of Fotheringay (name of their group IIRC) figure, comes over in the song of the same name, equating her situation to that of Mary QOS.

Her death was a bit mysterious , it was some time later that the brain disease was mentioned as a reason for her fall . The symptoms fitted the disease but at the time the assumption was she fell down the stairs due to being under the influence . I think that Sandy , like many artists , did not rate herself , I treasure the Gold Dust , final concert CD  Nov ‘77 not at her peak but memorable .

[Badger]

20 hours ago, whelk said:

If they go to 64 teams next WC I imagine will be hard to find a country with infrastructure to host 16 groups of 4. Although will be more obvious rewards in games 2 go through, 2 go out. Won’t suit Scotland 

Has this been suggested ?

[Window Cleaner]

8 minutes ago, East Kent Saint said:

Her death was a bit mysterious , it was some time later that the brain disease was mentioned as a reason for her fall . The symptoms fitted the disease but at the time the assumption was she fell down the stairs due to being under the influence . I think that Sandy , like many artists , did not rate herself , I treasure the Gold Dust , final concert CD  Nov ‘77 not at her peak but memorable .

Well I couldn't say. Always assumed that the reasons were as stated, toxic relationship with Lucas,him having buggered off on a one way to Australia,post natal depression and substance abuse. Lovely girl, talked to her in Cousins once, mind you I had just made an ass of myself by mistaking McTell for Mick Channon, then again we drank a lot in 72.

[Turkish]

Will Salisu and Mane be playing fo Ghana tonight?

[Window Cleaner]

18 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Will Salisu and Mane be playing fo Ghana tonight?

Mane is senagalese.Played last night but time seems to be catching up with him. Spent force.

Salisu was injured, didn't play for Monaco much last season. Might not even be in their squad.

Edited Tuesday at 15:04 by Window Cleaner

[Turkish]

12 minutes ago, Window Cleaner said:

Mane is senagalese.Played last night but time seems to be catching up with him. Spent force.

Salisu was injured, didn't play for Monaco much last season. Might not even be in their squad.

Ah okay cheers. Did Bella-Kotchap make their squad? 

[Window Cleaner]

Just now, Turkish said:

Ah okay cheers. Did Bella-Kotchap make their squad? 

Don't know, doubt it. 

[East Kent Saint]

1 hour ago, Window Cleaner said:

Well I couldn't say. Always assumed that the reasons were as stated, toxic relationship with Lucas,him having buggered off on a one way to Australia,post natal depression and substance abuse. Lovely girl, talked to her in Cousins once, mind you I had just made an ass of myself by mistaking McTell for Mick Channon, then again we drank a lot in 72.

It appears this is the official accepted reason, apparently she had a fall at her parents before the fatal one and perhaps this is where the brain condition story came about. A sad end indeed .

[Tommy Mulgrew]

Sulemana has started the last two games Ghana has played and will probably feature again tonight.  I hope he has a good game and puts our defence under pressure but somehow I doubt it. 😉

🦁🦁🦁

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

Sulemana has started the last two games Ghana has played and will probably feature again tonight.  I hope he has a good game and puts our defence under pressure but somehow I doubt it. 😉

🦁🦁🦁

 yeah that’s the other one I was thinking not Bella Kotchap

[Turkish]

FFS that got that yank bird back as the VAR analyst specialist 🙈

violation in the offensive quarter against the de-fensive back goal denied 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Inconsistent VAR use. Yesterday Argentina fouled an Austrian player before scoring a goal and no check. 

Today Uzbekistan get penalised. 

[SNSUN]

14 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

Imagine if Leeds-born Haaland had chosen to play for England. Sigh.

 

12 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Or Olise!

 

11 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Throw in Semenyo into the mix

Jamal Musiala qualifies too. Our attack could have been amazing but instead we have Gordon and Madueke. 😁

[Gloucester Saint]

8 hours ago, Zorba said:

 

It’s Scummy Gnome,

It’s Scummy Gnome,

It’s Scummy,

Football’s Scummy Gnome.

Not surprised Westwood’s developed a beer belly. That beard isn’t doing much for him though.

Wonder where the other Pompey Bandstand members are?

[Whitey Grandad]

4 hours ago, Badger said:

Has this been suggested ?

From Wikipedia,

"At the March 2025 FIFA Council meeting, CONMEBOL proposed a one-off 64-team expansion to honour the tournament's centennial anniversary."

[Whitey Grandad]

3 hours ago, Turkish said:

Ah okay cheers. Did Bella-Kotchap make their squad? 

No. What a shame.

 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Portugal must be one of the most disliked teams in the tournament. Every decision they surround the ref moaning. 

[LuckyNumber7]

3 hours ago, Turkish said:

Ah okay cheers. Did Bella-Kotchap make their squad? 

 

13 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

No. What a shame.

 

Probably because he's German. (Although born in France) 

[Dark Munster]

30 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

Jamal Musiala qualifies too. Our attack could have been amazing but instead we have Gordon and Madueke. 😁

Can't blame him for choosing serial winners Germany over us, ditto Olise with France. But it's frustrating Haaland chose Norway who have no chance of winning (often not even qualifying).

[Dark Munster]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cze9wp8r6lno

 

[Zorba]

37 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Not surprised Westwood’s developed a beer belly. That beard isn’t doing much for him though.

Wonder where the other Pompey Bandstand members are?

Looks like they tied him up with  Westwood’s wig

[ChrisPY]

3 hours ago, Turkish said:

Ah okay cheers. Did Bella-Kotchap make their squad? 

Is it funny because they’re black?

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, ChrisPY said:

Is it funny because they’re black?

Is what funny mate?

[ChristopheVAFC]

Good match for tonight my friends 🔥

[AlexLaw76]

16 minutes ago, ChrisPY said:

Is it funny because they’re black?

[SNSUN]

33 minutes ago, Dark Munster said:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cze9wp8r6lno

 

America! Fuck yeah! Coming along to save the mother-fucking-day yeah!

[SNSUN]

I look at our line up compare to others and I still don't see how we can win the World Cup with it - but then again we might play as a team more this way than we would otherwise. I guess if Kane keeps scoring and the midfield duo keep it tight, then we have a chance. 

[Saint NL]

39 minutes ago, Dark Munster said:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cze9wp8r6lno

 

I hope Harry Kane lays the nut on him 

[Turkish]

11 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

I look at our line up compare to others and I still don't see how we can win the World Cup with it - but then again we might play as a team more this way than we would otherwise. I guess if Kane keeps scoring and the midfield duo keep it tight, then we have a chance. 

Tournament football anything can happen.  Momentum, fitness, belief and a bit of luck can go a long way. We’ve got goals in us, a bit of quality my concern is defensively against the best teams but we have a chance. As someone who has managed my kids teams to champions leagues and europa league wins worst I’ve done is beaten in semi finals in tournaments I can speak with authority on this subject 

Edited Tuesday at 19:23 by Turkish

[Window Cleaner]

13 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

I look at our line up compare to others and I still don't see how we can win the World Cup with it - but then again we might play as a team more this way than we would otherwise. I guess if Kane keeps scoring and the midfield duo keep it tight, then we have a chance. 

Well we won't win the World Cup, too many weak zones, starting with the back line.