World Cup 2026

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

8 hours ago, Verbal said:

A sports scientist I know quantified the advantage like this: England will start the game and within a few minutes will feel like they've already played an hour of football. There are probably a few things you can do to mitigate: early subs, oxygen during hydration breaks (?). But the advantage Mexican players already acclimatised will have will be huge. 

Tuchel has to be playing games when he's said they've not prepared for the high altitude. I.e. getting the England players to do specific exercises and using those fancy tents over the last few months.

They would have known about this world cup route for months. 

Would be amateurish if they didnt prepare.....

[Osvaldorama]

54 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Tuchel has to be playing games when he's said they've not prepared for the high altitude. I.e. getting the England players to do specific exercises and using those fancy tents over the last few months.

They would have known about this world cup route for months. 

Would be amateurish if they didnt prepare.....

Yep - sounds like England. 
 

The more you think about it, the more of a disgrace it is that Mexico are allowed to play every game there on a pitch that gives them a massive advantage. 
 

Oh well. If we go out, it’s been a fantastic World Cup. All the big players turned up, and every game has been filled with drama. 
We wouldn’t beat France anyway. 

[Wade Garrett]

11 hours ago, Badger said:

Yes but they wouldn’t have the same credibility as someone with a stellar management career at Birmingham and Plymouth 

And 120 caps and over 50 goals for his country.

Still it’s trendy to slag him off.  Wankers.

[adrian lord]

The African teams are getting there, challenging the old powers,  but almost every game they run out of steam towards the late stages and succumb. Fitness and mental fatigue is clearly an issue when you are playing a defensive, drilled pressing strategy that requires total concentration and discipline for 96 or even 120+minutes. 

[Football Special]

7 minutes ago, adrian lord said:

The African teams are getting there, challenging the old powers,  but almost every game they run out of steam towards the late stages and succumb. Fitness and mental fatigue is clearly an issue when you are playing a defensive, drilled pressing strategy that requires total concentration and discipline for 96 or even 120+minutes. 

Most of these African teams have core players who play in big European leagues so it shouldn't be surprising to see them competing,  Congo were good 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

Mexico 1970 was the first World Cup I remember (I was nearly 4 when we won it in ‘66 but no memories) so looking forward to this but may need drugs to stay awake!

[Sunglasses Ron]

13 hours ago, egg said:

Yep. Keeps dropping off. We need a CF who'll stretch their defence and pull their CB's out of shape to create space. 

13 hours ago, egg said:

When Gordon is the answer, christ knows what the question is. 

You had a shocker last night didn't you! 😅 🙌

[EssEffCee]

1 hour ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Tuchel has to be playing games when he's said they've not prepared for the high altitude. I.e. getting the England players to do specific exercises and using those fancy tents over the last few months.

They would have known about this world cup route for months. 

Would be amateurish if they didnt prepare.....

I'm pretty sure the players had some devices installed at home months back which can help. Not sure how much difference it'll make though.

[EssEffCee]

49 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Yep - sounds like England. 
 

The more you think about it, the more of a disgrace it is that Mexico are allowed to play every game there on a pitch that gives them a massive advantage. 
 

Oh well. If we go out, it’s been a fantastic World Cup. All the big players turned up, and every game has been filled with drama. 
We wouldn’t beat France anyway. 

It's a disgrace that a host nation gets home advantage?

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

16 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

I'm pretty sure the players had some devices installed at home months back which can help. Not sure how much difference it'll make though.

I'm of the mind that every little bit helps. So if that's the case, then good.

[Patrick Bateman]

25 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

It's a disgrace that a host nation gets home advantage?

In my opinion, I think it's stupid having so many nations as "host" anyway, plus there are what, 3 stadiums in Mexico being used, so no, I don't think Mexico should play all their matches with the same advantage.

I'm pretty sure if it were in England, Scotland and Wales would no doubt tag on too, but England would probably open at Wembley and also play at somewhere like Old Trafford. I do think the Mexicans have TOO much of an advantage, but there we go, now watch England beat them. Right? 😂

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

1 hour ago, Osvaldorama said:

Yep - sounds like England. 
 

The more you think about it, the more of a disgrace it is that Mexico are allowed to play every game there on a pitch that gives them a massive advantage. 
 

Oh well. If we go out, it’s been a fantastic World Cup. All the big players turned up, and every game has been filled with drama. 
We wouldn’t beat France anyway. 

A disgrace? Geez, it's called home advantage. Should no world cups be allowed in hot countries too for that reason? Or cold countries? Or countries that play a different genre of music over the PA system? All seems highly unfair.

Also worth pointing out that not every Mexican player is used to living at altitude (I assume).

And after this game they wouldn't play any more games in Mexico anyway.

[Football Special]

I think anyone who has watched the games so far would make Mexico favourites,  dont think i can be bothered to stay up all night for it , possibly avoid the score and watch on catch up first thing Monday morning 

[Polaroid Saint]

Anyone that's been watching the previous four England games can clearly see Tuchel has conditioned his team EXACTLY for Mexico in the Azteca. 

Start slow, stay slow for the fast half. Don't bust your lungs trying to beat the full backs, challenge in midfield or keep up with strikers. Pass it ponderously around. Don't do much = Conserve energy and keep oxygen levels stable.

Then bring on fresher, better players and up the tempo.

It's all been masterplan.

[EssEffCee]

47 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

In my opinion, I think it's stupid having so many nations as "host" anyway, plus there are what, 3 stadiums in Mexico being used, so no, I don't think Mexico should play all their matches with the same advantage.

I'm pretty sure if it were in England, Scotland and Wales would no doubt tag on too, but England would probably open at Wembley and also play at somewhere like Old Trafford. I do think the Mexicans have TOO much of an advantage, but there we go, now watch England beat them. Right? 😂

I agree with having too many hosts but I see nothing wrong with them playing KO matches at their main ground if they win their group. They did play one of their group games at a different ground too same as Canada did.

The real disgrace is that this will be the last game played at the Azteca as far as I'm concerned.

Btw England played every game in '66 and '96 at Wembley, also every game played in England in 2021. So we've never played a major tournament game in England which wasn't at Wembley.

Edited 8 hours ago by EssEffCee

[AlexLaw76]

 

[trousers]

Please put me out of my misery if I ever get as sad and small minded as this.... (or start wearing a skirt)

 

Edited 8 hours ago by trousers

[Badger]

2 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

And 120 caps and over 50 goals for his country.

Still it’s trendy to slag him off.  Wankers.

Great player he might have been, although his managerial career doesn't support him being a 'deep thinker' or master tactician on the game to pass 'expert' opinion. 

[Verbal]

3 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Tuchel has to be playing games when he's said they've not prepared for the high altitude. I.e. getting the England players to do specific exercises and using those fancy tents over the last few months.

They would have known about this world cup route for months. 

Would be amateurish if they didnt prepare.....

Yes I agree, it would be unusual if there were not plenty of mitigations being put in place, although it's possible that what Tuchel means is that high-altitude adaptation is not the best prep for sea-level games. I think an England win would be especially great in that environment, but It still is a hell of an ask physiologically. 

[Football Special]

Bad news for England fans hoping to stock up on some Duty Free in Mexico City 

https://www.reuters.com/world/mexico-cocaine-seizures-may-reflect-world-cup-demand-experts-say-2026-06-30/

[Lighthouse]

9 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Bad news for England fans hoping to stock up on some Duty Free in Mexico City 

https://www.reuters.com/world/mexico-cocaine-seizures-may-reflect-world-cup-demand-experts-say-2026-06-30/

It’d take more than a bag of dust to make last nights performance exciting to watch.

[Osvaldorama]

2 hours ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

A disgrace? Geez, it's called home advantage. Should no world cups be allowed in hot countries too for that reason? Or cold countries? Or countries that play a different genre of music over the PA system? All seems highly unfair.

Also worth pointing out that not every Mexican player is used to living at altitude (I assume).

And after this game they wouldn't play any more games in Mexico anyway.

There’s home advantage and then there’s having a stadium that’s thousands of metres higher than the rest of the tournament  

It gives them a massive advantage. They’ll be acclimatised to it, and none of their opponents will be. (Takes 3-4 weeks and they’ve been there the whole time)

But It’s not just an atmosphere advantage like Wembley. You could argue it’s bordering on cheating. 
 

Certainly it’s worse than spying from behind a tree 72hrs before a game 

Edited 6 hours ago by Osvaldorama

[Doctoroncall]

3 hours ago, EssEffCee said:

I'm pretty sure the players had some devices installed at home months back which can help. Not sure how much difference it'll make though.

There are no devices that can replicate altitude conditions at sea level or prepare athletes for low oxygen levels.

There was a small study in 2016 (frontiers of Physiology) which found heat acclimation for at least 10 days can improve tolerance and exercise performance at altitude. 
 

 

[Saint86]

10 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

There’s home advantage and then there’s having a stadium that’s thousands of metres higher than the rest of the tournament  

It gives them a massive advantage. They’ll be acclimatised to it, and none of their opponents will be. (Takes 3-4 weeks and they’ve been there the whole time)

But It’s not just an atmosphere advantage like Wembley. You could argue it’s bordering on cheating. 
 

Certainly it’s worse than spying from behind a tree 72hrs before a game 

I agree it gives them an extremely novel advantage in this world cup, simply because they are the only side that is fully acclimatized to it. Sadly though, it is what it is. England still have fitter and stronger players than Mexico with more ability, might help to not be massive favorites for it and set up to defend and counter as well.

[EssEffCee]

17 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

There’s home advantage and then there’s having a stadium that’s thousands of metres higher than the rest of the tournament  

It gives them a massive advantage. They’ll be acclimatised to it, and none of their opponents will be. (Takes 3-4 weeks and they’ve been there the whole time)

But It’s not just an atmosphere advantage like Wembley. You could argue it’s bordering on cheating. 
 

Certainly it’s worse than spying from behind a tree 72hrs before a game 

A host playing a game at their national stadium is cheating? You hysterical tart 😂

Maybe the South American aides should campaign to stop Bolivia being allowed to play at home in qualifiers.

[CB Fry]

21 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

There’s home advantage and then there’s having a stadium that’s thousands of metres higher than the rest of the tournament  

It gives them a massive advantage. They’ll be acclimatised to it, and none of their opponents will be. (Takes 3-4 weeks and they’ve been there the whole time)

But It’s not just an atmosphere advantage like Wembley. You could argue it’s bordering on cheating. 
 

Certainly it’s worse than spying from behind a tree 72hrs before a game 

You could argue that if you want to look like a twat.

[Osvaldorama]

14 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

A host playing a game at their national stadium is cheating? You hysterical tart 😂

Maybe the South American aides should campaign to stop Bolivia being allowed to play at home in qualifiers.

Are you illiterate? 
 

I said “bordering on”. Of course it is what it is, but it is a huge advantage.  
 

[Doctoroncall]

9 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

You could argue that if you want to look like a twat.

FIFA imposed a ban in 2007 which lasted a year. 
 

FIFA also promised to look into altitude on player health. But never did. 
 

So yes, FIFA are twats. 

[Nordic Saint]

5 hours ago, adrian lord said:

The African teams are getting there, challenging the old powers,  but almost every game they run out of steam towards the late stages and succumb. Fitness and mental fatigue is clearly an issue when you are playing a defensive, drilled pressing strategy that requires total concentration and discipline for 96 or even 120+minutes. 

France:

Mbappé- father Cameroon + mother Algeria, born in Paris

Olise - father Nigeria + mother Algeria, born in London

Dembélé - father Mali + mother Mauritania/Senegal, born in Vernon

Doué - father Ivory Coast + mother France, born in Angers

Barcola - father Togo + mother France, born in Villeurbanne

Cherki- father Italy/Algeria + mother Algeria, born in Lyon

Upamecano - father Guinea-Bissau + mother Senegal, born in Évreux

Tchouaméni- father Cameroon + mother Cameroon, born in Rouen

Saliba - father Lebanon + mother Cameroon, born in Paris

Mateta - father DR Congo + mother France, born in Paris

Koné - father Ivory Coast + mother Ivory Coast, born in Colombes

 

 

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Nordic Saint

[CB Fry]

31 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

FIFA imposed a ban in 2007 which lasted a year. 
 

FIFA also promised to look into altitude on player health. But never did. 
 

So yes, FIFA are twats. 

The same FIFA that run the world cup with Mexico City as a host city you mean?

Cheating, sure sure sure.

Edited 5 hours ago by CB Fry

[Osvaldorama]

Regardless, it will be a cracking game. One for the ages. 
 

Trying to decide whether to get up for it at 1am, or watch the highlights in the morning. I feel like I’ll be a wreck all week if I get up for it 🫠

[Wurzel]

26 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

We could do what France do:

Mbappé- father Cameroon + mother Algeria, born in Paris

Olise - father Nigeria + mother Algeria, born in London

Dembélé - father Mali + mother Mauritania/Senegal, born in Vernon

Doué - father Ivory Coast + mother France, born in Angers

Barcola - father Togo + mother France, born in Villeurbanne

Cherki- father Italy/Algeria + mother Algeria, born in Lyon

Upamecano - father Guinea-Bissau + mother Senegal, born in Évreux

Tchouaméni- father Cameroon + mother Cameroon, born in Rouen

Saliba - father Lebanon + mother Cameroon, born in Paris

Mateta - father DR Congo + mother France, born in Paris

Gusto - father Portugal + mother Martinique, born in Lyon

Koné - father Ivory Coast + mother Ivory Coast, born in Colombes

 

 

Errrr.... we do

Saka - Father Nigerian + Mother Nigerian, born in Ealing

not the only example

[Gloucester Saint]

3 hours ago, trousers said:

Please put me out of my misery if I ever get as sad and small minded as this.... (or start wearing a skirt)

 

That’s Portsmouth levels of sad.

[Whitey Grandad]

33 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

The same FIFA that run the world cup with Mexico City as a host city you mean?

Cheating, sure sure sure.

FIFA innit. Cheats? No, never.

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

No doubt the Mexicans gain an advantage playing all their matches at the Azteca but I think a host nation should play games at their biggest venue.

So got to spare a thought for Canada fans who had a minimum 2000 mile round trip (probably double that for many) having to play their last match in California. Tough going for a host nation.

[Window Cleaner]

2 hours ago, Doctoroncall said:

There are no devices that can replicate altitude conditions at sea level or prepare athletes for low oxygen levels.

There was a small study in 2016 (frontiers of Physiology) which found heat acclimation for at least 10 days can improve tolerance and exercise performance at altitude. 
 

 

So the Norwegian biathlète who set his altitude mask wrongly and died whilst preparing the winter Olympics was wasting his time then? 

[EssEffCee]

22 minutes ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

No doubt the Mexicans gain an advantage playing all their matches at the Azteca but I think a host nation should play games at their biggest venue.

So got to spare a thought for Canada fans who had a minimum 2000 mile round trip (probably double that for many) having to play their last match in California. Tough going for a host nation.

Was only because they didn't win their group. Would have stayed at home if they did.

[coalman]

4 hours ago, trousers said:

Please put me out of my misery if I ever get as sad and small minded as this.... (or start wearing a skirt)

 

Every time I see a bitter Scot I remember that Cape Verde made it to the knockout stages. And they didn't. Also that our match against Panama was the one which made them mathematically unable to qualify.

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

7 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

Was only because they didn't win their group. Would have stayed at home if they did.

Yeah, saw that, still a bit harsh. Where would Mexico have had to play if they hadn’t won their group?

[EssEffCee]

8 minutes ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

Yeah, saw that, still a bit harsh. Where would Mexico have had to play if they hadn’t won their group?

Last 32 in LA, last 16 in Houston.

[rallyboy]

I was never entirely convinced by Harry Kane in the Premier League but his stats in Germany and his performance last night confirms that he deserves to be right up there with England greats.

His second goal...what a moment. 😮 

Even better than when he scored in front of the Northam, clutched his hamstring and then the flag went up. 

[qwertyell]

3 hours ago, Saint86 said:

England still have fitter and stronger players than Mexico

Because they're all worn out from spending every day chasing after Speedy Gonzalez?

What a completely baseless assertion. Mexico aren't some footballing backwater who've just gotten up off the couch to discover the game for the first time.

They've got good players, they're well organised, and they'd be tough opponents in any conditions. 

[Winnersaint]

2 hours ago, Wurzel said:

Errrr.... we do

Saka - Father Nigerian + Mother Nigerian, born in Ealing

not the only example

Madueke, Eze?

[Saint Mikey]

1 hour ago, rallyboy said:

I was never entirely convinced by Harry Kane in the Premier League but his stats in Germany and his performance last night confirms that he deserves to be right up there with England greats.

His second goal...what a moment. 😮 

Even better than when he scored in front of the Northam, clutched his hamstring and then the flag went up. 

Not convinced by these stats? Tough crowd. 3 Golden Boots in there.

2013–14[414]	Premier League	10	3	0	0	2	1	7[c]	0	—		19	4
2014–15[415]	Premier League	34	21	2	0	6	3	9[c]	7	—		51	31
2015–16[416]	Premier League	38	25	4	1	1	0	7[c]	2	—		50	28
2016–17[417]	Premier League	30	29	3	4	0	0	5[d]	2	—		38	35
2017–18[418]	Premier League	37	30	4	4	0	0	7[e]	7	—		48	41
2018–19[419]	Premier League	28	17	1	1	2	1	9[e]	5	—		40	24
2019–20[420]	Premier League	29	18	0	0	0	0	5[e]	6	—		34	24
2020–21[421]	Premier League	35	23	2	1	4	1	8[c]	8	—		49	33
2021–22[422]	Premier League	37	17	3	3	5	1	5[f]	6	—		50	27
2022–23[423]	Premier League	38	30	2	1	1	0	8[e]	1	—		49	32
Total		317	213	21	15	21	7	76	45	—		435	280

 

[Wade Garrett]

6 hours ago, Badger said:

Great player he might have been, although his managerial career doesn't support him being a 'deep thinker' or master tactician on the game to pass 'expert' opinion. 

He’s fucking forgotten more than we know about the game.

He also played for years under Alex Ferguson.  Yeah, he knows fuck all.

[Wade Garrett]

3 hours ago, Window Cleaner said:

So the Norwegian biathlète who set his altitude mask wrongly and died whilst preparing the winter Olympics was wasting his time then? 

Yes, but he got run over by a bus.

[sandwichsaint]

Not entirely serious but could England have set up at altitude four weeks ago, and travelled out for the four games they played? Obvs that’s a lot of travelling and recovery and I assume the disadvantages outweigh any advantages. Based on the draw it was reasonably predictable they would have to play this game at altitude.

on a slight tangent, what’s with the air conditioned grounds? Though I think we have had them air con twice, is that fair?

 

 

[Window Cleaner]

9 hours ago, adrian lord said:

The African teams are getting there, challenging the old powers,  but almost every game they run out of steam towards the late stages and succumb. Fitness and mental fatigue is clearly an issue when you are playing a defensive, drilled pressing strategy that requires total concentration and discipline for 96 or even 120+minutes. 

In fact some journalist or past player highlighted this aspect of African sides about 10 days ago. He immediately got slated for his opinions. When you watch them you can only see that he's about right. 

Not Morocco though, side of a différent ilk. France-Morocco will be a classic. Side full of hard cases and artists against a side full of melon heads.

[RedArmy]

4 minutes ago, sandwichsaint said:

Not entirely serious but could England have set up at altitude four weeks ago, and travelled out for the four games they played? Obvs that’s a lot of travelling and recovery and I assume the disadvantages outweigh any advantages. Based on the draw it was reasonably predictable they would have to play this game at altitude.

on a slight tangent, what’s with the air conditioned grounds? Though I think we have had them air con twice, is that fair?

 

 

They should have based the camp in Colorado. 
 Colorado Springs was offered to all countries as an option and nobody took it. That’s 6,000 ft above sea level compared to 7,350 for the Azteca. 

It’s only an extra hours flight time from Denver to New York than Kansas to New York for example. 
 

A missed opportunity. 
 

 

[USaintA]

3 hours ago, rallyboy said:

I was never entirely convinced by Harry Kane in the Premier League but his stats in Germany and his performance last night confirms that he deserves to be right up there with England greats.

His second goal...what a moment. 😮 

Even better than when he scored in front of the Northam, clutched his hamstring and then the flag went up. 

I was never entirely convinced by Lionel Messi either until he moved to the MLS.