World Cup 2026

[Sheaf Saint]

7 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

I know the golden generation weren't great but when you compare the like of 

Neville Ferdinand Terry Cole 

To our current defence. It really does show we are rather poor at the back.

That back four picked itself quite easily. The fact that nobody really has a clue what our best back four is these days tells you all you need to know.

[adrian lord]

Bellingham and Kane aside, this squad is merely last 32 material not even quarters. Saka and Rashford stunk out the wings last night, crossing so badly, and the defence was hair-raising. Midfield anonymous with no movement in front of them to pass into. 

Edited 13 hours ago by adrian lord

[Toadhall Saint]

Not watched one game and by the sounds of things I’ve not missed anything.

[hypochondriac]

28 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

That back four picked itself quite easily. The fact that nobody really has a clue what our best back four is these days tells you all you need to know.

Not a single one of our defensive players would have got into that team. Beyond Kane and Bellingham we really lack characters and particularly at the back. 

[saintant]

England tend to grow into tournaments. They rarely perform in the group stages as has been the case here. I am hoping we will click now it's a knock-out competition but can't see us getting any further than quarter finals at best unless there is a drastic improvement and a few more players step up to the plate. Saka and Rashford constantly failed to beat their man last night and Anderson was left to do too much in midfield. Morgan Rogers was disappointing and the less said about the defence the better. I like Eze but not sure how he fits into the side. Let's be honest we don't have the elite superstars that other nations are blessed with, too many road sweepers not enough lead violinists.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Not a single one of our defensive players would have got into that team. Beyond Kane and Bellingham we really lack characters and particularly at the back. 

Not sure what this means other than you seem to be saying no Saints defenders would get into the England team. Hardly surprising seeing as we are a Championship side.

[CB Fry]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Not sure what this means other than you seem to be saying no Saints defenders would get into the England team. Hardly surprising seeing as we are a Championship side.

Er, he's talking about Neville / Ferdinand / Terry / Cole and he's right - those four are clearly better than what we played yesterday.

No idea why you think he's talking about Saints.

[chiknsmack]

19 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

And just wait for the Austria-Algeria lawn chair bore draw.

Got the result right, but otherwise this aged like milk. What a game.

[Badger]

On 26/06/2026 at 20:23, die Mannyschaft said:

Good news on the Scotland front.

How is it England end up playing Congo ?  
Last week we were due to play Senegal who at the time were 7th in the 3rd Place table. That place is now Paraguay, Congo are top. 

[die Mannyschaft]

At least England should get to QF then likely meet Brazil then Argentina in SF.

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/48539270/england-route-2026-world-cup-final-road-knockouts-group-l-mexico-brazil-argentina-france-spain-portugal

[saintant]

2 hours ago, CB Fry said:

Er, he's talking about Neville / Ferdinand / Terry / Cole and he's right - those four are clearly better than what we played yesterday.

No idea why you think he's talking about Saints.

It's a fair cop. I hadn't followed the thread and didn't realise he was talking about previous England teams.

[LeBizzier69]

50 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

At least England should get to QF then likely meet Brazil then Argentina in SF.

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/48539270/england-route-2026-world-cup-final-road-knockouts-group-l-mexico-brazil-argentina-france-spain-portugal

Japan could be tough to beat…..think they’ve a decent shout v Brazil.

we were utter shite last night.

Congo should absolutely be gunning for us. 
A half decent side will put us out. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

12 minutes ago, LeBizzier69 said:

Japan could be tough to beat…..think they’ve a decent shout v Brazil.

we were utter shite last night.

Congo should absolutely be gunning for us. 
A half decent side will put us out. 

Agreed - think we look pretty average compared to the usual top teams. I’m perplexed as to why Pickford still starts in goal - I think he’s a calamity waiting to happen and can’t believe there’s not a better English keeper. Then there’s the very average Roger’s, Spence and Anderson making up numbers. Without Rice the midfield looks weak. And the defensive line looks very unbalanced.

[AlexLaw76]

35 minutes ago, LeBizzier69 said:

Japan could be tough to beat…..think they’ve a decent shout v Brazil.

we were utter shite last night.

Congo should absolutely be gunning for us. 
A half decent side will put us out. 

Tuchel has fallen into the trap of banking on the fitness of injured/injury prone players.

Saka has been injured for a long time, James is a sick note (Tino the same), Henderson offers nothing what so ever. That is a shame as Tuchel is a brilliant manager, just gone weird with his squad selection. 

Madueke and Spence starting in the World Cup is hilarious. 

[qwertyell]

1 hour ago, die Mannyschaft said:

At least England should get to QF then likely meet Brazil then Argentina in SF.

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/48539270/england-route-2026-world-cup-final-road-knockouts-group-l-mexico-brazil-argentina-france-spain-portugal

We're not beating Mexico in Mexico, should we get by Congo.

[Dark Munster]

4 hours ago, chiknsmack said:

Got the result right, but otherwise this aged like milk. What a game.

Yep, I couldn’t have been more wrong! I’m sure I’m not the only one who didn’t see that coming. Fair play to both teams. I’m sure both teams were well aware of the negative expectations and perhaps decided to go hell for leather instead. Mind you, it did end up in a convenient draw at the end. 😏

[VectisSaint]

On 26/06/2026 at 20:17, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

What's this weird Viking rowing thing the Norwegian fans have started doing. Its up there with "mauled by the tigers" for naffness.

Beats the Mexican wave

[Patrick Bateman]

On 26/06/2026 at 20:17, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

What's this weird Viking rowing thing the Norwegian fans have started doing. Its up there with "mauled by the tigers" for naffness.

Agreed, embarrassing. Even my wife who normally is a "let people do what they want blah blah" type opinion was like dear god, that is awful 😂

The England fanbase doesn't look the same as usual either, looks 'tame' and sounds quieter in the stadium. Granted I'm not there and can only go by what I see and hear on TV, but it feels sanitised and flat to me??  

[LiberalCommunist]

Oh no, I'm conflicted. Troy Deeney hates Djed Spence.

[qwertyell]

34 minutes ago, Dark Munster said:

Yep, I couldn’t have been more wrong! I’m sure I’m not the only one who didn’t see that coming. Fair play to both teams. I’m sure both teams were well aware of the negative expectations and perhaps decided to go hell for leather instead. Mind you, it did end up in a convenient draw at the end. 😏

To be fair, for the final 20 minutes, both teams looked like they'd pretty much agreed to shake hands on a draw and go through the motions.

And then in the last minute of injury time, Algeria attacked out of nowhere and scored - the old rope a dope. Which in turn led to Austria throwing the kitchen sink at them in the final seconds remaining, to avoid elimination (and possibly a diplomatic incident). 

[qwertyell]

16 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

I know the golden generation weren't great but when you compare the like of 

Neville Ferdinand Terry Cole 

To our current defence. It really does show we are rather poor at the back.

Only Pickford (by default) and Kane would make the Golden Generation XI. 

Bellingham, Rice, and Saka would probably be in the squad. I suppose you could make a case for Alexander-Arnold being a better back up right back than most, but he's not presently even considered a better right back than, erm, Jarell Quansah by the geniuses in charge. 

The rest of this current bunch are incredibly average. 

Let's say (26 man squad):

GK: Pickford, James, Robinson/or a decrepit, barely mobile Seaman

DF: Neville, Alexander-Arnold, Carragher, Ferdinand, Terry, Campbell, A. Cole, Bridge

MF: Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes, Rice, Carrick, Hargreaves, Bellingham, J. Cole, McManaman

FW: Rooney, Kane, Owen, Saka, Heskey

Pointless, Sunday afternoon exercise, I know. But you could cobble together a handy side from that, I reckon. Probably woudn't even need to spy on our opponents to get a point. 

[skintsaint]

4 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Then there’s the very average Roger’s, Spence and Anderson making up numbers.

Don't agree with that one, he has been one of our better players so far.

[gio1saints]

4 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Tuchel has fallen into the trap of banking on the fitness of injured/injury prone players.

Saka has been injured for a long time, James is a sick note (Tino the same), Henderson offers nothing what so ever. That is a shame as Tuchel is a brilliant manager, just gone weird with his squad selection. 

Madueke and Spence starting in the World Cup is hilarious. 

Alex - I think Eng have a good chance to make last eight - after that it’s a less easy.
 

BUT how can you describe TT as both a “brilliant manager “ and “ just gone weird with his squad selection” at the same time? 
 

If I was asked what was TT main job as England Manager I’d say “ pick the team”.
 

I think he’s doing a fairly good job so far overall. pacing the run to the Final I hope! All the winners don’t do their best stuff early in long tournaments. 

[Saint_clark]

2 hours ago, Patrick Bateman said:

Agreed, embarrassing. Even my wife who normally is a "let people do what they want blah blah" type opinion was like dear god, that is awful 😂

The England fanbase doesn't look the same as usual either, looks 'tame' and sounds quieter in the stadium. Granted I'm not there and can only go by what I see and hear on TV, but it feels sanitised and flat to me??  

The mics in the open air stadium's are not picking the fans up very well at all.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

5 hours ago, qwertyell said:

We're not beating Mexico in Mexico, should we get by Congo.

That's because England will beat Ecuador in Mexico!

[Pilchards]

Larin on the bench for Canada.

Was looking forward to watching that, not so sure now.

[Window Cleaner]

Canada South Africa for the first knock-out match. Probably not the first choice for most people.

Hated the South African team's performances really. A lot of clogging and little skill involved.

[adrian lord]

The female narrator on ITV sport saying there’s been a record number of goals in this World Cup so far.
 

That’s hardly surprising given the massively expanded group stage. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

28 minutes ago, Pilchards said:

Larin on the bench for Canada.

Was looking forward to watching that, not so sure now.

No Larin. No interest.

12 minutes ago, adrian lord said:

The female narrator on ITV sport saying there’s been a record number of goals in this World Cup so far.
 

That’s hardly surprising given the massively expanded group stage. 

In the same annoying bracket as all the countries breaking records by progressing. If everyone's invited, and 8 third place teams go through...

[suewhistle]

1 minute ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

No Larin. No interest.

I've heard he's quite a useful sub to bring on..

[HarvSFC]

BWP a pundit on ITV. His Dad must have put in a word.

[Saint86]

30 minutes ago, adrian lord said:

The female narrator on ITV sport saying there’s been a record number of goals in this World Cup so far.
 

That’s hardly surprising given the massively expanded group stage. 

She also said, "South Africa did much better against South Africa" 😄

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

It must feel so shit to be a "host nation" having to play in a neighbouring country that most of you despise.

[benjii]

No Larin and a bird on commentary. FFS.

[Window Cleaner]

Why so many pink boots? Is it some sort of spécial occasion?

[AlexLaw76]

Watched SA in one of their group games and they looked fucking terrible.

however, looking pretty handy right now.

[PerthshireSaint]

Canada wearing their traditional bukkake shirt again I see. 

[benjii]

13 minutes ago, PerthshireSaint said:

Canada wearing their traditional bukkake shirt again I see. 

Bukkake ey!

[Polaroid Saint]

53 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

No Larin. No interest.

 

15 minutes ago, PerthshireSaint said:

Canada wearing their traditional bukkake shirt again I see. 

Larin will come on at some point.

[Toussaint]

I’ve hardly watched any World Cup yet. I’m regretting watching RSA v Canada so far. Like  two lower mid championship sides. The pitch looks hard and dry. 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Toussaint said:

I’ve hardly watched any World Cup yet. I’m regretting watching RSA v Canada so far. Like  two lower mid championship sides. The pitch looks hard and dry. 

Blatant penalty to Canada not given and VAR didn’t refer it. 

[Whitey Grandad]

Just now, Gloucester Saint said:

Blatant penalty to Canada not given and VAR didn’t refer it. 

Not a penalty. Foul to South Africa. It was their defender that got kicked.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

31 minutes ago, Window Cleaner said:

Why so many pink boots? Is it some sort of spécial occasion?

If it was for a cause, I'm sure I'd have heard Jordan Henderson's support for them, before dropping them for a middle east payment.

[Whitey Grandad]

3 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

I’ve hardly watched any World Cup yet. I’m regretting watching RSA v Canada so far. Like  two lower mid championship sides. The pitch looks hard and dry. 

More like League one.

[Saint Pete]

VAR called that one right in my opinion, not a penalty. Defender doesn't get the ball, but the contact between them was initiated by the Canada player so no penalty. 

[die Mannyschaft]

38 minutes ago, Window Cleaner said:

Why so many pink boots? Is it some sort of spécial occasion?

Boot companies all came up with the same purple/pink colour scheme for 2026 to stand out during world cup. This colour scheme also stands out against the green pitch. Ironically no one can say who boots are Nike, puma, addidas, sketchers as all look the same.

Puma may have 2 designs with this colour scheme and addidas may have 3 etc.

If you honin sports direct the wall of boots is just a block of fashionable colour fif this season. Except the classic Puma King etc

Edited 52 minutes ago by die Mannyschaft

[sfc4prem]

1 minute ago, Saint Pete said:

VAR called that one right in my opinion, not a penalty. Defender doesn't get the ball, but the contact between them was initiated by the Canada player so no penalty. 

Disagree, the Canadian player would have struck the ball with the foot that the South African player impeded, essentially trapping his leg from being able to kick the ball.

[Saint Pete]

ITV half time analysis getting it wrong, saying VAR overturned the penalty. No they didn't, ref gave a goal kick! 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

3 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

VAR called that one right in my opinion, not a penalty. Defender doesn't get the ball, but the contact between them was initiated by the Canada player so no penalty. 

The defender definitely got the ball too.

Bloody hell, just realised I'm agreeing with Karen Carney.

[Saint Pete]

1 minute ago, sfc4prem said:

Disagree, the Canadian player would have struck the ball with the foot that the South African player impeded, essentially trapping his leg from being able to kick the ball.

Sorry but that's utter nonsense! You are allowed to use your body in football to defend, since when has that become a foul? The defender does not foul the attacker, Canada player is playing for a penalty by engineering contact, if anything he kicks the defender.