World Cup 2026

[CB Fry]

4 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

FIFA innit. Cheats? No, never.

I think we all know they're corrupt. But are they rigging the World Cup so Mexico win it? Also no.

 

I've also been looking for when FIFA banned Mexico from playing at the Azteca stadium as someone else said and guess what that didn't happen either.

People full of shit on this forum? No, never.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

20 hours 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'm not saying England will win, but having seen a few people saying what an unfair advantage it is thought I'd do some research. They're not exactly world beaters against semi-decent opposition.

Before this world cup in their last dozen or so games that they've played at the Azteca they've drawn with Belgium, Portugal, USA, Canada, Honduras.

Admittedly they have beaten Iceland, Costa Rica, Honduras and Jamaica which is incredible form.

Edited 14 hours ago by Stripey McStripe Shirt

[Window Cleaner]

Spain look pretty good apart from all the wasted scoring chances. Crap reffing though, has to put a stop to the Austrian thuggery.

[Nordic Saint]

1 hour ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

I'm not saying England will win, but having seen a few people saying what an unfair advantage it is thought I'd do some research. They're not exactly world beaters against semi-decent opposition.

Before this world cup in their last dozen or so games there they've drawn with Belgium, Portugal, USA, Canada, Honduras.

Admittedly they have beaten Iceland, Costa Rica, Honduras and Jamaica which is incredible form.

All Mexico's results this year:

2026

22 JanuaryFriendly	Panama	0–1	Mexico	Panama City, Panama

25 JanuaryFriendly	Bolivia	0–1	Mexico	Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

25 FebruaryFriendly	Mexico	4–0	Iceland	Querétaro, Mexico

28 MarchFriendly	Mexico	0–0	Portugal	Mexico City, Mexico

31 MarchFriendly	Mexico	1–1	Belgium	Chicago, United States

22 MayFriendly	Mexico	2–0	Ghana	Puebla, Mexico

30 MayFriendly	Mexico	1–0	Australia	Pasadena, United States

4 JuneFriendly	Mexico	5–1	Serbia	Toluca, Mexico

11 June2026 FIFA World Cup	Mexico	2–0	South Africa	Mexico City, Mexico

18 June2026 FIFA World Cup	Mexico	1–0	South Korea	Zapopan, Mexico

24 June2026 FIFA World Cup	Czech Republic	0–3	Mexico	Mexico City, Mexico

30 June2026 FIFA World Cup R32	Mexico	2–0	Ecuador	Mexico City, Mexico

5 July2026 FIFA World Cup R16

Mexico

v

England

Mexico City, Mexico

[SNSUN]

Spain hitting some form. I can't see England suddenly put out a performance like that. If we do win the cup, and it's a huge if, it'll be done with scrappy performances. All IMO.

[revolution saint]

Portugal vs Croatia. First time I have seen both teams playing for penalties from the kick off 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

10 hours ago, Nordic Saint said:

All Mexico's results this year:

2026

22 JanuaryFriendly	Panama	0–1	Mexico	Panama City, Panama

25 JanuaryFriendly	Bolivia	0–1	Mexico	Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

25 FebruaryFriendly	Mexico	4–0	Iceland	Querétaro, Mexico

28 MarchFriendly	Mexico	0–0	Portugal	Mexico City, Mexico

31 MarchFriendly	Mexico	1–1	Belgium	Chicago, United States

22 MayFriendly	Mexico	2–0	Ghana	Puebla, Mexico

30 MayFriendly	Mexico	1–0	Australia	Pasadena, United States

4 JuneFriendly	Mexico	5–1	Serbia	Toluca, Mexico

11 June2026 FIFA World Cup	Mexico	2–0	South Africa	Mexico City, Mexico

18 June2026 FIFA World Cup	Mexico	1–0	South Korea	Zapopan, Mexico

24 June2026 FIFA World Cup	Czech Republic	0–3	Mexico	Mexico City, Mexico

30 June2026 FIFA World Cup R32	Mexico	2–0	Ecuador	Mexico City, Mexico

5 July2026 FIFA World Cup R16

Mexico

v

England

Mexico City, Mexico

Sorry, should have been clearer. I was specifically looking at the games Mexico had played at the Azteca.

[badgerx16]

20 hours ago, Nordic Saint said:

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

 

 

 

 

I wonder who Marine le Pen is supporting at the World Cup.

[badgerx16]

.....

Edited 14 hours ago by badgerx16
duplicate

[LiberalCommunist]

Portugal Croatia, best game of the tournament so far. That was amazing. I nearly shed a tear for the 
Croatia Veterans at the end. Oh what a way to go out. Modric, Perisic, you will be sorely missed.

Anyone who missed it, make a cuppa and settle in for ten minutes of the most exciting highlights! 

[benjii]

14 hours ago, Nordic Saint said:

All Mexico's results this year:

2026

22 JanuaryFriendly	Panama	0–1	Mexico	Panama City, Panama

25 JanuaryFriendly	Bolivia	0–1	Mexico	Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

25 FebruaryFriendly	Mexico	4–0	Iceland	Querétaro, Mexico

28 MarchFriendly	Mexico	0–0	Portugal	Mexico City, Mexico

31 MarchFriendly	Mexico	1–1	Belgium	Chicago, United States

22 MayFriendly	Mexico	2–0	Ghana	Puebla, Mexico

30 MayFriendly	Mexico	1–0	Australia	Pasadena, United States

4 JuneFriendly	Mexico	5–1	Serbia	Toluca, Mexico

11 June2026 FIFA World Cup	Mexico	2–0	South Africa	Mexico City, Mexico

18 June2026 FIFA World Cup	Mexico	1–0	South Korea	Zapopan, Mexico

24 June2026 FIFA World Cup	Czech Republic	0–3	Mexico	Mexico City, Mexico

30 June2026 FIFA World Cup R32	Mexico	2–0	Ecuador	Mexico City, Mexico

5 July2026 FIFA World Cup R16

Mexico

v

England

Mexico City, Mexico

So 2 goals conceded in 9 home matches, and unbeaten.

Yeah, they haven't played France or the Argies, but they have played Portugal, Belgium, South Korea, Ghana....

It's going to be very tough. A scrappy one goal win after a shit performance would be a great result.

[Badger]

11 minutes ago, benjii said:

 

It's going to be very tough. A scrappy one goal win after a shit performance would be a great result.

I’d happily accept a few of those on the bounce. But it might take some heroics from Pickford with the showing of the defence in front of him. 
 

Performances so far and I think we should have taken Maguire. *
 

* although no better than Jack Stephens according to posters on here c2014 or 15 

[hypochondriac]

22 minutes ago, Badger said:

I’d happily accept a few of those on the bounce. But it might take some heroics from Pickford with the showing of the defence in front of him. 
 

Performances so far and I think we should have taken Maguire. *
 

* although no better than Jack Stephens according to posters on here c2014 or 15 

I'm not sure what maguire would have done in this formation. We have left a lot of space for players to run into and that isn't Maguire's strength at all.

[Osvaldorama]

3 hours ago, LiberalCommunist said:

Portugal Croatia, best game of the tournament so far. That was amazing. I nearly shed a tear for the 
Croatia Veterans at the end. Oh what a way to go out. Modric, Perisic, you will be sorely missed.

Anyone who missed it, make a cuppa and settle in for ten minutes of the most exciting highlights! 

Think VAR was wrong to rule it out as well. 
 

The ball didn’t move or change from its spin.  I don’t think he headed the ball. 

[die Mannyschaft]

15 hours ago, SNSUN said:

Spain hitting some form. I can't see England suddenly put out a performance like that. If we do win the cup, and it's a huge if, it'll be done with scrappy performances. All IMO.

England will need to resort to a low block and very fast counter attacks v Brazil, Argentina and France if they get that far. Mind you Argentina will probably kick Kane off the park in 1st half. And Mexico know to kick players if needed.

[die Mannyschaft]

40 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I'm not sure what maguire would have done in this formation. We have left a lot of space for players to run into and that isn't Maguire's strength at all.

Maquire is better at scoring goals than defending so no place in squad for him as England have capable defenders and forwards already. 😀

[rallyboy]

How did the World Cup get from being unable to see a ball that was at least three foot over the line or a player blatantly punching the ball into the net, to now picking up the audio of a touch that the human eye cannot see?

There was nothing wrong with that Croatian goal - in a match played by and judged by humans, the footage put before VAR should be sufficient to decide whether a player has touched the ball.

The sound of a human hair brushing the surface should not be deciding huge matches.

 

[LiberalCommunist]

I'm with you guys, the goal should have stood! But. There's apparently a microchip in that ball that detects the touch. 

Science ruins it yet again. 

[Osvaldorama]

[Lord Duckhunter]

Mexico are bottle jobs, always have been when it really matters . Piece of piss…3-1 win 

[die Mannyschaft]

How wonder how many will go to pub Monday morning to watch England game. Be a good atmosphere in Northam shed. But if Mexico win Eastleigh will be chaotic as its bad enough 11pm to 1pm any day as it is, fights, damage and motorbike theft will be a record high. 😀

[LiberalCommunist]

In 2002 I went to the pub to watch England at 8am, can't remember what game, but drank half a pint, felt sick, went home and fell asleep. 

The pub can fuck right off this time. That is some ungodly hour to have company, let alone be drinking in a establishment. 

[Osvaldorama]

The worst part is being Monday morning. 
 

Gonna fuck your whole week up. If it was a Thursday or Friday I’d probs go for it. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

I'm not sure what maguire would have done in this formation. We have left a lot of space for players to run into and that isn't Maguire's strength at all.

I saw Maguire as a player to bring on when struggling to break team's down. You know, you're going to take a few more risks. But he's there as a threat from set pieces, proven disruption ability, and still provide defensive cover. Getting done for pace might be an issue. But a player who fits a requirement in tournaments, when you need to grind out a result.

[Lord Duckhunter]

⚠️ England fans have called for an end to pint throwing celebrations! 😲🍺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Football fans up and down the country have urged pubs and bars showing the England games to ban customers who throw their drinks in the air when England score a goal.

31 year old, Richard Stroker, spoke to the press and said "Throwing your pint over other people to celebrate a goal is just ridiculous. I haven't spent £120 on a shirt just for some twat drinking dark fruits to ruin it because we've scored an equaliser against Congo."

Eric Shun, from Yorkshire, added;
"You won't catch me doing that. If I'm paying 6 quid for a pint, I'll be drinking it not chuffing throwing it." 🍻

However one fan, didn't see a problem and said "It's only a bit of beer, they need to stop complaining. They should be thankful it's not piss."

[trousers]

2 hours ago, rallyboy said:

How did the World Cup get from being unable to see a ball that was at least three foot over the line or a player blatantly punching the ball into the net, to now picking up the audio of a touch that the human eye cannot see?

There was nothing wrong with that Croatian goal - in a match played by and judged by humans, the footage put before VAR should be sufficient to decide whether a player has touched the ball.

The sound of a human hair brushing the surface should not be deciding huge matches.

 

Indeed.... And if it was decided using such marginal technology (rightly or wrongly) why on Earth did they send the referee over to the video screen to confirm the decision? What the f*** is the ref going to see on the screen to overturn the decision of a microchip in a f***ing football...?

Either the technology is reliable or it isn't. What a farce.

 

[die Mannyschaft]

10 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

⚠️ England fans have called for an end to pint throwing celebrations! 😲🍺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Football fans up and down the country have urged pubs and bars showing the England games to ban customers who throw their drinks in the air when England score a goal.

31 year old, Richard Stroker, spoke to the press and said "Throwing your pint over other people to celebrate a goal is just ridiculous. I haven't spent £120 on a shirt just for some twat drinking dark fruits to ruin it because we've scored an equaliser against Congo."

Eric Shun, from Yorkshire, added;
"You won't catch me doing that. If I'm paying 6 quid for a pint, I'll be drinking it not chuffing throwing it." 🍻

However one fan, didn't see a problem and said "It's only a bit of beer, they need to stop complaining. They should be thankful it's not piss."

Good job these people didn't go ti Reading rock festival in 80's. Glass bottles, plastic bottles of beer and cider (cider not popular so fuckjn chuck it in air), bottles piss. Went to Reading 80 and 83 and late evening massive bottle fights and bikers with scaffold poles fighting. Only few plates curry (if you asked for special curry £5 extra you go block red leb wacky so no one is chucking that). 

Get a fake England shirt for £17 for the pub 

[die Mannyschaft]

11 minutes ago, trousers said:

Indeed.... And if it was decided using such marginal technology (rightly or wrongly) why on Earth did they send the referee over to the video screen to confirm the decision? What the f*** is the ref going to see on the screen to overturn the decision of a microchip in a f***ing football...?

Either the technology is reliable or it isn't. What a farce.

 

Is there a chip and microphone in the ball??

[revolution saint]

8 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Is there a chip and microphone in the ball??

No, but there is a small mouse inside the ball that squeaks every time the ball is touched.  That's what the microphones are picking up.

[East Kent Saint]

Unfortunately WC VAR is worse than Prem League VAR , Croatia may be peeved at having their goal chalked off but earlier Ronaldo's goal was chalked off because a small amount of his shoulder was "offside" FFS his feet were 18 inches onside !!

There is the whole total deflation of the supporters who celebrate their goal then 8 mins later it's chalked off , what a waste of £ 2000 to get a ticket .

[Whitey Grandad]

3 minutes ago, East Kent Saint said:

Unfortunately WC VAR is worse than Prem League VAR , Croatia may be peeved at having their goal chalked off but earlier Ronaldo's goal was chalked off because a small amount of his shoulder was "offside" FFS his feet were 18 inches onside !!

There is the whole total deflation of the supporters who celebrate their goal then 8 mins later it's chalked off , what a waste of £ 2000 to get a ticket .

His head was offside too.

[East Kent Saint]

Exactly ,  a reset definitely required .  I would go with feet on the ground as defining datum point .

As for snicko on the ball wtf ?

 

[die Mannyschaft]

Great shot by Australian hits bar in first minutes.  Is soccer popular in Australian? I thought it was all Australian rules soccer.

[VectisSaint]

Our very own Hassan Kachloul giving his views on the Beeb. 

[benjii]

2 hours ago, East Kent Saint said:

Unfortunately WC VAR is worse than Prem League VAR , Croatia may be peeved at having their goal chalked off but earlier Ronaldo's goal was chalked off because a small amount of his shoulder was "offside" FFS his feet were 18 inches onside !!

There is the whole total deflation of the supporters who celebrate their goal then 8 mins later it's chalked off , what a waste of £ 2000 to get a ticket .

I would say WC VAR has been much better. Less intrusive over the 50/50s.

[vectraman]

3 hours ago, East Kent Saint said:

Unfortunately WC VAR is worse than Prem League VAR , Croatia may be peeved at having their goal chalked off but earlier Ronaldo's goal was chalked off because a small amount of his shoulder was "offside" FFS his feet were 18 inches onside !!

There is the whole total deflation of the supporters who celebrate their goal then 8 mins later it's chalked off , what a waste of £ 2000 to get a ticket .

I feel the Croats were robbed.
With offside, I don’t understand why it isn’t defenders/attackers feet that deem offside or not. After all it is football, wtf has your shoulder or arm got to do with it?

Easier for VAR officials too - just look at the feet, job done. 

[Window Cleaner]

6 minutes ago, vectraman said:

I feel the Croats were robbed.
With offside, I don’t understand why it isn’t defenders/attackers feet that deem offside or not. After all it is football, wtf has your shoulder or arm got to do with it?

Easier for VAR officials too - just look at the feet, job done. 

Apparently an offside Croat touched the ball.With the chip any contact is détectable.

 

In other news, perhaps England's game on Sunday is being moved forward by about 6 hours. Hope so.

Edited 2 hours ago by Window Cleaner

[The Wyvern]

All pubs still opening til 5am Monday morning? 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

4 minutes ago, The Wyvern said:

All pubs still opening til 5am Monday morning? 

Gunna be chaos if we win now. Game apparently brought forward to 7pm on Sunday due to forecast thunderstorms.

Great result for the fans in England.

Edited 2 hours ago by Stripey McStripe Shirt

[CB Fry]

Well, more time to put the windows through at a few branches of Wahaca

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Well, more time to put the windows through at a few branches of Wahaca

I’m going all in on Taco Bell the very least the local branch is going to get is a white plastic chair thrown badly in its general direction 

[AlexLaw76]

59 minutes ago, Window Cleaner said:

Apparently an offside Croat touched the ball.With the chip any contact is détectable.

 

In other news, perhaps England's game on Sunday is being moved forward by about 6 hours. Hope so.

 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

Mo Salah simply isn't very good at football any more, is he?

[die Mannyschaft]

Keeper subbed for main Keeper for pens

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

3 minutes ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

Mo Salah simply isn't very good at football any more, is he?

In fact, I'd put good money on him missing a penalty in the shootout.

[die Mannyschaft]

Some free kicks have been useless, get it in box not in wall

[die Mannyschaft]

Australia to win pens

[die Mannyschaft]

Maybe not , what the fuck was that hit the roof of stadium. Is that a Hull player

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

Cracking first conversion by the Aussies.

[die Mannyschaft]

Good pen by Burton Albion most expensive player