World Cup 2026

[Saint Fan CaM]

14 minutes ago, Turkish said:

If you had one criticism of Haaland is that he sometimes looks a bit clumsy and his first touch sometimes lets him down. The difficultly with him is if you defend high he's got the pace and power to breeze past most defenders, certainly all of ours and if you defend deep he's got the strength and movement to be a real threat in the box, i guess the only way is to play the percentage game of where he is less of a threat and set up to counter that. I'd be inclined to set deeper, block crosses and hit on the break which is our strengths really, if we set up like we did for the group stages he'll have a field day in behind the back 4.

I agree - at times he looked almost lazy, but in a moment exploded into action. Wonder if Dan Burn could do a specific, strict man-marking job on him? He’s certainly got the stature.

[trousers]

Trump now saying that the referee who sent off the American fella was "suspect" and had a "shady history" 😂

Edited 6 hours ago by trousers

[Saint86]

7 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

given the circumstances, was this a better result than anything under Southgate?

I mean, Southgate was incredibly lucky with the draws during his tenure.

Southgate didn't win a single game he wasn't favourite for, and even then we laboured past most of them.

That win last night beats any other world cup win going back to at least the 1980s. That's basically put of memory for anyone under 40... I challenge the boo boys who weren't impressed to name many better ones that someone under 40 is going to recall... That's half a lifetime.

[Lymington Saint]

Cant think of a better wc finals win since 66. The only game that comes close is the wc semi in 90. We lost on pens but played unbelievably well that day

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Saint86 said:

Southgate didn't win a single game he wasn't favourite for, and even then we laboured past most of them.

That win last night beats any other world cup win going back to at least the 1980s. That's basically put of memory for anyone under 40... I challenge the boo boys who weren't impressed to name many better ones that someone under 40 is going to recall... That's half a lifetime.

I really dont get the criticism of Southgate end of day he got us to two finals, our first ever final on foreign soil and a semi final. Yes you could argue we should have won at least one of them but the facts are he's the best manager we'd had in 50 odd years. Okay it was exciting, it was painful at times but he did a lot better than supposedly better managers with much better squads. 

[Saint86]

3 minutes ago, Turkish said:

I really dont get the criticism of Southgate end of day he got us to two finals, our first ever final on foreign soil and a semi final. Yes you could argue we should have won at least one of them but the facts are he's the best manager we'd had in 50 odd years. Okay it was exciting, it was painful at times but he did a lot better than supposedly better managers with much better squads. 

We wasted 4 major tournaments under him, and 3 of the easiest runs to a final you could ever dream of.... Let alone that Italy loss to an aged side that haven't qualified for a major tournament since. Give tuchel that final and England waltz to a second major trophy 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️. Now we have a diminished squad with an aging kane (likely on his last tournament), and I still have more confidence that we'll do the business because tuchel is actually a tactically astute manager.

Being shit but better than previous failure isn't good, it's still just failing.

We knighted a guy who made a career out of losing at wembley on penalties 😂

Edited 6 hours ago by Saint86

[trousers]

Jeez... Just seen a slow mo video of the Henderson accident.... Looks like he snapped his forearm in half... 😮

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

We wasted 4 major tournaments under him, and 3 of the easiest runs to a final you could ever dream of.... Let alone that Italy loss to an aged side that haven't qualified for a major tournament since. Give tuchel that final and England waltz to a second major trophy 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️. Now we have a diminished squad with an aging kane (likely on his last tournament), and I still have more confidence that we'll do the business because tuchel is actually a tactically astute manager.

Being shit but better than previous failure isn't good, it's still just failing.

We knighted a guy who made a career out of losing at wembley on penalties 😂

2 finals, a semi final and a quarter final are wasted and being shit are they? You do know teams who reach the later stages of tournaments do so because they're pretty good, right? 

Edited 6 hours ago by Turkish

[Whitey Grandad]

11 minutes ago, trousers said:

Jeez... Just seen a slow mo video of the Henderson accident.... Looks like he snapped his forearm in half... 😮

I've always thought he was an accident waiting to happen.

[sadoldgit]

33 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

We wasted 4 major tournaments under him, and 3 of the easiest runs to a final you could ever dream of.... Let alone that Italy loss to an aged side that haven't qualified for a major tournament since. Give tuchel that final and England waltz to a second major trophy 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️. Now we have a diminished squad with an aging kane (likely on his last tournament), and I still have more confidence that we'll do the business because tuchel is actually a tactically astute manager.

Being shit but better than previous failure isn't good, it's still just failing.

We knighted a guy who made a career out of losing at wembley on penalties 😂

Southgate was risk averse. Instead of “who dares wins” his motto was “who plays safe might not lose.” Yep, fair play to him for getting that far in competitions, but it is all about winning and I don’t know of another country who would give a top honour to a serial runner up. Can you image how Trump would have treated him?

[Lighthouse]

37 minutes ago, Turkish said:

2 finals, a semi final and a quarter final are wasted and being shit are they? You do know teams who reach the later stages of tournaments do so because they're pretty good, right? 

A team starting Jannick Vestergaard in a semi final is not ‘pretty good’.

[Gloucester Saint]

The only positive that can come out of the Balogun saga is that Infantino’s position is looking increasingly untenable. 

[SWLondon Saint]

2 hours ago, saintant said:

As someone else said, their guy on the left will be a big danger and probably more so than Odegaard.

Again, it's a bit hard to say how much danger as Brazil's defending was complete crap. The first goal by Haaland happened because I think Endrick (?) was on the winger and just let him go by, it was shocking lack of effort, then he had momentum towards the left back, he could easily cut back onto his right foot for the cross which wasn't even challenged at all. The second one is barely an assist, it's just a simple pass to Haaland who's dropped off the back 4 and no-one went with him.

[CSA96]

It gets worse!

 

[dsrdorset]

The most corrupt tournament in history. And Trump so blatant with it. I couldn't actually believe what I was hearing. Belgium need to appeal this urgently or threaten to boycott the match. 

[saintant]

2 hours ago, Chez said:

Nusa or Schjlderup? Nusa has looked good, but I think Schjlderup was the guy creating the chances in the second half against Brazil when he came on from Nusa. I'm guessing Spence will play right back, so he's going to havre to play well.  He will need help. Is Saka going to be fit?

Patrick Berg also stood out for me. He scored early on against Brazil but it was disallowed by VAR for offside.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

If you had one criticism of Haaland is that he sometimes looks a bit clumsy and his first touch sometimes lets him down. The difficultly with him is if you defend high he's got the pace and power to breeze past most defenders, certainly all of ours and if you defend deep he's got the strength and movement to be a real threat in the box, i guess the only way is to play the percentage game of where he is less of a threat and set up to counter that. I'd be inclined to set deeper, block crosses and hit on the break which is our strengths really, if we set up like we did for the group stages he'll have a field day in behind the back 4.

John Stones plays and trains with him so should have some thoughts on how to best curtail him. Even so he's like a battering ram and as strong as an ox.

[Turkish]

34 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

A team starting Jannick Vestergaard in a semi final is not ‘pretty good’.

Bet you absolutely hated the saints team That topped the premier league in 2020 with him it, fucking shit they were

[benjii]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

Jeez... Just seen a slow mo video of the Henderson accident.... Looks like he snapped his forearm in half... 😮

You will, at one time or another, pay the price for a suspicious gait.

[Chez]

24 minutes ago, saintant said:

John Stones plays and trains with him so should have some thoughts on how to best curtail him. Even so he's like a battering ram and as strong as an ox.

plus he's so good in the air and bloody fast to boot. Add in some pretty decent finishing and you have some player. He's basically the best target man you could asks for. Frightening. Are there any PL sides that have restricted him?

[Saint_clark]

35 minutes ago, saintant said:

John Stones plays and trains with him so should have some thoughts on how to best curtail him. Even so he's like a battering ram and as strong as an ox.

I was wondering whether we play him and Guehi for that reason, with Konsa at right back (unless James is fit).

[RedArmy]

All this talk of Haaland is getting a bit boring. 
 

I think they’re a little bit more concerned by having to face not only Harry Kane but Jude Bellingham too. 

[Chez]

1 hour ago, Saint86 said:

Southgate didn't win a single game he wasn't favourite for, and even then we laboured past most of them.

That win last night beats any other world cup win going back to at least the 1980s. That's basically put of memory for anyone under 40... I challenge the boo boys who weren't impressed to name many better ones that someone under 40 is going to recall... That's half a lifetime.

Were we favourites for most games because Southgate created a good side? 

Did previous managers have better or worse sides than Southgate because ,1990 apart, they all seem to labour to defeat. 

You are probably right about World Cup wins, although beating the Belgium and Cameroon wins in 1990 were amazing nights too. Beating Argentina in 2002 was joyous, but on the whole we've not really had games like last night.

[CSA96]

FIFA President Gianni Infantino: 

“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance.

“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.

“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.

“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

“What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”

[Chez]

20 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

I was wondering whether we play him and Guehi for that reason, with Konsa at right back (unless James is fit).

Konsa doesn't look good at right back to me. Can we call a 'journeyman' like JWP up?

[Window Cleaner]

Been watching the rediffusion, England need to find a way to defend better 

[Give it to Ron]

Saw this posted from an Owls fan this is our favourite Spygate journo 

He is getting lots of stick for reporting team line ups injuries etc

[sadoldgit]

1 hour ago, CSA96 said:

It gets worse!

 

He loved sport and he understands it really well, apart from knowing what a red card in “soccer” means apparently.

This sums up Trump and his presidency perfectly. He decides what is right and wrong even if he hasn’t got a clue what is going on. What Donald wants, Donald gets.

[EssEffCee]

2 hours ago, Saint86 said:

Southgate didn't win a single game he wasn't favourite for, and even then we laboured past most of them.

That win last night beats any other world cup win going back to at least the 1980s. That's basically put of memory for anyone under 40... I challenge the boo boys who weren't impressed to name many better ones that someone under 40 is going to recall... That's half a lifetime.

Hate to be that person but Tuchel hasn't won a game we weren't favourites yet.

Last night was incredible and definitely up there with my favourite England games but let's see where we finish before we hail Tuchel as a genius.

Got to back that up on Saturday now and I'm fairly confident we will.

[Turkish]

14 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

He loved sport and he understands it really well, apart from knowing what a red card in “soccer” means apparently.

This sums up Trump and his presidency perfectly. He decides what is right and wrong even if he hasn’t got a clue what is going on. What Donald wants, Donald gets.

oh christ, here he goes again 

[Lord Duckhunter]

1 hour ago, CSA96 said:

It gets worse!

 

Better analysis than Lee Dixon or that gimp Clinton Morrison. I’d get him on ITV helping Em with her kitchen tactic board. 

[aintforever]

2 hours ago, Saint86 said:

We wasted 4 major tournaments under him, and 3 of the easiest runs to a final you could ever dream of.... Let alone that Italy loss to an aged side that haven't qualified for a major tournament since. Give tuchel that final and England waltz to a second major trophy 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️. Now we have a diminished squad with an aging kane (likely on his last tournament), and I still have more confidence that we'll do the business because tuchel is actually a tactically astute manager.

Being shit but better than previous failure isn't good, it's still just failing.

We knighted a guy who made a career out of losing at wembley on penalties 😂

I’m sorry but that’s nonsense, Southgate is England’s second most successful manager ever, we’ve had managers before who couldn’t even qualify for a World Cup. England have never won a thing without home advantage - our record shows that we are not one of the better footballing nations.

Last night was the most I’ve enjoyed watching England at a World Cup since Italia 90, getting a result in those conditions was a fantastic achievement but Mexico are not a top side. Let’s see how they get on against Norway and then Argentina before hailing Tuchel as a genius.

[LiberalCommunist]

Really gutted for Quansah. I thought he looked really good up until that reckless challenge. 

I can't believe just how much trouble the RB slot has caused. It does feel somewhat cursed. 

[USaintA]

I am going to make a call to Trump (he's my neighbour) to get him on the blower again to Infantino so that we can have Diego Maradona's heinous and totally illegal hand of God goal ruled out, and the 1986 World Cup awarded to England.

[sadoldgit]

Not sure that anyone thinks that he is a genius so far. We have looked below par in the competition up to now but hopefully that gutsy display last night has given the squad what it needed to build the fighting team spirit that has been lacking. You can’t rely on a couple of players digging you out every game. That win last night forged England into a fighting unit.

Norway will be tough. Like us they have a few quality players along with some decent but not great players at this level. I would have preferred to be playing Brazil, but hey ho. Bring it on!

[Holmes_and_Watson]

50 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

FIFA President Gianni Infantino: 

“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance.

“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.

“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.

“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

“What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”

It's a tough call when he next sits in the stands. Do they use his Pinocchio nose to sit a camera on, or use it to support the roof? What a crook.

[sadoldgit]

4 minutes ago, aintforever said:

I’m sorry but that’s nonsense, Southgate is England’s second most successful manager ever, we’ve had managers before who couldn’t even qualify for a World Cup. England have never won a thing without home advantage - our record shows that we are not one of the better footballing nations.

Last night was the most I’ve enjoyed watching England at a World Cup since Italia 90, getting a result in those conditions was a fantastic achievement but Mexico are not a top side. Let’s see how they get on against Norway and then Argentina before hailing Tuchel as a genius.

Second most successful manager is a pretty low bar to be fair. Apart from Ramsey every other manager has failed to deliver. No one is saying that Southgate was a poor manager. The point is, with what he had at his disposal we could have done better if he had not been so cautious. Losing is not the issue. It is losing when you have the potential to win that is so frustrating.

England failed to qualify under Ramsey against Poland, but anyone watching that game will know that England gave everything in that match and left everything on the pitch. I wish I could say the same about the two finals and the semi under Southgate.

[Verbal]

1 hour ago, CSA96 said:

FIFA President Gianni Infantino: 

“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance.

“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.

“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.

“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

“What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”

The biggest fattest lie is in the third paragraph. How many calls has he ever had from heads of state about lifting a sanction on a player just before a crucial world cup finals match? And hiding behind a "legal process" that wouldn't have existed were it not from that call is not giving him the cover he thinks it does. Everyone can see what he's doing, and he's only looking more ridiculous because Trump doesn't bother to hide his corruption, and he doesn't care that Infantino is the fall guy for it. He's toast.

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 minutes ago, aintforever said:

I’m sorry but that’s nonsense, Southgate is England’s second most successful manager ever, we’ve had managers before who couldn’t even qualify for a World Cup. England have never won a thing without home advantage - our record shows that we are not one of the better footballing nations.

Last night was the most I’ve enjoyed watching England at a World Cup since Italia 90, getting a result in those conditions was a fantastic achievement but Mexico are not a top side.

 

He had a home game against Italy, a piss poor Italian side who haven’t qualified for the WC since, went 1-0 up and Wokegate totally blew it. Even making ridiculous substitutions to take the penalties. The woke twat deserved the sack for that alone. TT would have won us that game, no bother… 
 

That’s the problem with the national side & too many of its supporters. They accept mediocre results and elevate average managerial performances. 1990 sums it up. Who did we beat, Egypt in 90 mins, & the mighty Belgium (not a patch on this generation of Belgian players) & Cameroon, both in extra time. Yet nods were lining the streets cheering us home, and still bang on about it even now. 

 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

1 minute ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

 

He had a home game against Italy, a piss poor Italian side who haven’t qualified for the WC since, went 1-0 up and Wokegate totally blew it. Even making ridiculous substitutions to take the penalties. The woke twat deserved the sack for that alone. TT would have won us that game, no bother… 
 

That’s the problem with the national side & too many of its supporters. They accept mediocre results and elevate average managerial performances. 1990 sums it up. Who did we beat, Egypt in 90 mins, & the mighty Belgium (not a patch on this generation of Belgian players) & Cameroon, both in extra time. Yet nods were lining the streets cheering us home, and still bang on about it even now. 

 

What does 'woke' mean in this context?

[Oldandtired]

2 hours ago, Chez said:

plus he's so good in the air and bloody fast to boot. Add in some pretty decent finishing and you have some player. He's basically the best target man you could asks for. Frightening. Are there any PL sides that have restricted him?

Apparently he's only scored once  in the last eight matches v Newcastle when Dan Burn was in the side...and that was in 2022.

[badgerx16]

[aintforever]

28 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

 

He had a home game against Italy, a piss poor Italian side who haven’t qualified for the WC since, went 1-0 up and Wokegate totally blew it. Even making ridiculous substitutions to take the penalties. The woke twat deserved the sack for that alone. TT would have won us that game, no bother… 
 

That’s the problem with the national side & too many of its supporters. They accept mediocre results and elevate average managerial performances. 1990 sums it up. Who did we beat, Egypt in 90 mins, & the mighty Belgium (not a patch on this generation of Belgian players) & Cameroon, both in extra time. Yet nods were lining the streets cheering us home, and still bang on about it even now. 

 

True, but Wokegate is still the second best manager in our history. History shows that England are just not very good at football compared to the major footballing powers.

If we beat Norway chances we will probably get turned over by Argentina in the Semi or France in the final, then you will get the usual nobs making excuses or blaming the manager for making the wrong subs or something. It can’t possibly be that we are just not very good.

Edited 2 hours ago by aintforever

[suewhistle]

Just seen a picture of Trump (brandishing a red card) and Infantino looking like an obsequious Uriah Heep. Nauseating.

[whelk]

lol at the English arrogance. All other countries are piss poor - even teams that win the Euros which we never can. We are the best we have just had shit managers for last 60 years. Same sort of cunts that love a comedy nickname - Wokegate - gettit? gettit? It’s genius

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Baffling that Southgate is getting shat on. Have people read his book? Gives some real insights into the shitty players and their cliques and attitudes and he did something about that when he came in. 

I'd say England have pissed away prior tournaments due to ego managers and the players.

Yes, Southgate was a tad boring but he made a difference and that told in how far he got the team.

Euro 2020 was a missed opportunity for sure.

[EssEffCee]

6 minutes ago, whelk said:

lol at the English arrogance. All other countries are piss poor - even teams that win the Euros which we never can. We are the best we have just had shit managers for last 60 years. Same sort of cunts that love a comedy nickname - Wokegate - gettit? gettit? It’s genius

Yes Italy were piss poor obviously despite being unbeaten for about 3 years prior to the Euros they won.

[LiberalCommunist]

This could well be the game that brings the curtain down on Ronaldo's international career. Whatever you think of him, he is firmly embedded into modern football history with a cult like status. 

I get the feeling he's going to somehow cling on and be alive in the next round. He's hard to shake. 

Lets find out....................

[Saint_clark]

24 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Baffling that Southgate is getting shat on. Have people read his book? Gives some real insights into the shitty players and their cliques and attitudes and he did something about that when he came in. 

I'd say England have pissed away prior tournaments due to ego managers and the players.

Yes, Southgate was a tad boring but he made a difference and that told in how far he got the team.

Euro 2020 was a missed opportunity for sure.

Southgate has completely changed the culture around the international team and it's relationship with the fans. He's laid the foundation for future sides to genuinely compete in a way we never could from late 90s to mid 2010s because of the club cliques.

[Gloucester Saint]

Mbappe putting a vile Paraguayan Senator back into her little box of hate. What a piece of shit she is. Give me ‘woke’ Gareth Southgate any day of the week. At least he can function like a normal human being and can live in a civilised society.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kylian-mbappe-hits-paraguayan-senator-182500407.html

In other news, Spain v Portugal is pretty good so far.

Edited 1 hour ago by Gloucester Saint