World Cup 2026

[Saint_clark]

3 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Wasn't it Ronaldo who should have been banned for the first couple of group games from a Red Card in the qualifiers and FIFA changed the rules so he would play from the off?

 

1 minute ago, Verbal said:

It has - and for this world cup. Ronaldo was let off a 3-match ban during the qualifiers for elbowing an Ireland player in the face. 

That was a different kind of corruption. They didnt suspend that, just ruled it out altogether.

[Badger]

43 minutes ago, Verbal said:

Now confirmed by CBS that the red card suspension followed an intervention from the White House to FIFA.

 

Shame Dragan didn’t have any contacts in the White House to assist the Spygate issue.

Come on Donald, bollocks to the Middle East and all that shit going on, the Saints disqualification was a world injustice. 

[The Kraken]

4 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

 

That was a different kind of corruption. They didnt suspend that, just ruled it out altogether.

It was suspended. He served a 1 match ban and they suspended the other 2 matches of the ban.

[whelk]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

It was not a red, it has been overturned. 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by whelk
Already been pointed out

[Dr Who?]

Off to bed at 9:30 with alarm set for 1am then back to bed for hopefully 3 hours afterwards. I have had American football training for this and to get through work tomorrow. Now watch extra time and the weather screw all of this plan! 

[whelk]

I ws happy to disassociate the US team from their dreadful president but now wish them nothing but ill. Corrupt cunts. Laughable how many have been saying best WC ever. 

[whelk]

Has Gabriel Clarke got what Benjamin Button had?

Edited 2 hours ago by whelk

[Saint_clark]

2 minutes ago, whelk said:

Has Gabriel Clarke got what Benjamin Button had?

A crack at Cate Blanchett? Fair play if so.

[BARCELONASAINT]

On 24/06/2026 at 20:19, bugenhagen said:

I would also be faking a little injury if I had just done that effort to go past a keeper... 😉

Looked like a drunk man trying to round the keeper 

 

36 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Wasn't it Ronaldo who should have been banned for the first couple of group games from a Red Card in the qualifiers and FIFA changed the rules so he would play from the off?

absolutely correct!

[Turkish]

I reckon Norway will run Brazil close, Norway are a decent team. I’d planned to go to bed at 10 and get up about 12.45 for England so let’s see how it pans out with the vikings v the samba boys 

[SNSUN]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

I reckon Norway will run Brazil close, Norway are a decent team. I’d planned to go to bed at 10 and get up about 12.45 for England so let’s see how it pans out with the vikings v the samba boys 

Norway have some quality and they were my dark horses for a reason but their defence is their weak point and Brazil should have too much. I hope Norway do it though. 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, SNSUN said:

Norway have some quality and they were my dark horses for a reason but their defence is their weak point and Brazil should have too much. I hope Norway do it though. 

Yah they should have too much but Norway are organised and in Odegard and Haaland have two players who can change games they’ve got a chance 

[Turkish]

Offside but very good start 

[Saint NL]

https://www.rbfa.be/en/news/rbfa-statement-regarding-folarin-balogun

 

The Belgians aren't happy

[Saint NL]

29 minutes ago, whelk said:

Has Gabriel Clarke got what Benjamin Button had?

He is a genuinely odd man. Gives me the creeps

[AlexLaw76]

`how can the ref not give that

🤣

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

`how can the ref not give that

🤣

Refs have been awful 

[whelk]

Don’t let Gabriel take it

[Turkish]

Another fucking miss from a stutter just fucking hit it!!

[whelk]

Must be far higher number of stutter pens saved

[egg]

What a shit pen. 

[whelk]

Just now, Turkish said:

Another fucking miss from a stutter just fucking hit it!!

Surely the data guys must be saying just fucking hit it?

[SNSUN]

Stuttering run up wanker. How many times do i have to say it... bunch of pricks those that do it. 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, whelk said:

Must be far higher number of stutter pens saved

I’d love to see the stats I swear way more miss than score 

[Turkish]

Just now, whelk said:

Surely the data guys must be saying just fucking hit it?

They are too clever for that only dinosaurs smash them

[SNSUN]

1 minute ago, whelk said:

Must be far higher number of stutter pens saved

This. Would love to know the stats. Rules need to be changed to ban it.

[The Kraken]

According to google AI, stutter pens are slightly more successful. We probably just remember the misses a bit more.

Stutter penalty run-ups are statistically more successful, with studies showing an 80% conversion rate for stuttering or stop-start techniques compared to 76% for traditional, consistent run-ups. [1, 2]

[Osvaldorama]

Qansah starting at right back according to the media, as Spence is injured too. 
 

Why can’t England managers do the fucking obvious things? Always try to be clever and mess us up. 
 

Reminds me of when Sven left Jermaine Defoe at home and Rooney got injured. Stupid, stupid, stupid not taking Trent 

[whelk]

1 minute ago, The Kraken said:

According to google AI, stutter pens are slightly more successful. We probably just remember the misses a bit more.

Stutter penalty run-ups are statistically more successful, with studies showing an 80% conversion rate for stuttering or stop-start techniques compared to 76% for traditional, consistent run-ups. [1, 2]

Reckon Ivan Toney skews those figures

[die Mannyschaft]

Useless penalty one of the worst stutter penalties ever. Brazil look like they have been told not to press and tackle.

[whelk]

2 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Qansah starting at right back according to the media, as Spence is injured too. 
 

Why can’t England managers do the fucking obvious things? Always try to be clever and mess us up. 
 

Reminds me of when Sven left Jermaine Defoe at home and Rooney got injured. Stupid, stupid, stupid not taking Trent 

I wouldn’t get excited if Saints signed Quansah

[die Mannyschaft]

4 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

According to google AI, stutter pens are slightly more successful. We probably just remember the misses a bit more.

Stutter penalty run-ups are statistically more successful, with studies showing an 80% conversion rate for stuttering or stop-start techniques compared to 76% for traditional, consistent run-ups. [1, 2]

These pens should be banned or let keeper come off line and early.

[washsaint]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

WALOB. Adds to the fact this is a shite World Cup, despite the Yanks constantly going on how it is the greatest ever, in the greatest stadiums (based in the US) ever, and the greatest home fans ever, by the greatest country ever.

 

I can;t say I'm surprised you've come out with this shit, but you are definitely spouting bollox.

The WOrld Cup has been a great success here in the US/Canada/Mexico - packed out stadiums, some really good games (none involving England) and attacking football (not involving ENgland).  The Cape Verde vs Argentina game was one of the most memorable games in my lifetime.

Amazing atmospheres at the grounds and around the stadiums with no fan violence and a party atmosphere everywhere you go.

The biggest negative is seeing David bloody Beckham in what feels like every ad over here.

Most definitely not shite

[Saint_clark]

Weather forecast for Mexico City showing lightening storms the three hours leading up to kickoff. Marvelous. 

[whelk]

2 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Weather forecast for Mexico City showing lightening storms the three hours leading up to kickoff. Marvelous. 

Shame Apple can’t build some intelligence into their alarms, allowing for KO delays. Plan on staying up but if a 3am start then would try and get some sleep.  

[die Mannyschaft]

Well Luton Town v Swindon utterly boring. Are these really world class football players. I'll fall a sleep soon thd get up to watch Mexico v England which can't be as crap entertainment as this bag of shit. 

[AlexLaw76]

11 minutes ago, washsaint said:

I can;t say I'm surprised you've come out with this shit, but you are definitely spouting bollox.

The WOrld Cup has been a great success here in the US/Canada/Mexico - packed out stadiums, some really good games (none involving England) and attacking football (not involving ENgland).  The Cape Verde vs Argentina game was one of the most memorable games in my lifetime.

Amazing atmospheres at the grounds and around the stadiums with no fan violence and a party atmosphere everywhere you go.

The biggest negative is seeing David bloody Beckham in what feels like every ad over here.

Most definitely not shite

The World Cup is poor IMO. Crap refereeing, crap atmosphere, hydration breaks, very slow football...very meh.

I know Americans can't seem to comprehend that something held in their country may not be the best ever, but it isn't

 

[Saint_clark]

2 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Well Luton Town v Swindon utterly boring. Are these really world class football players. I'll fall a sleep soon thd get up to watch Mexico v England which can't be as crap entertainment as this bag of shit. 

These kind of comments always baffle me. Not every game can be 3-3 at half time. It's not just goals that make a game interesting.

[AlexLaw76]

The greatest World Cup ever has brought us this

 

[Saint_clark]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The greatest World Cup ever has brought us this

 

I thought you agreed with the decision?

[die Mannyschaft]

2 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

These kind of comments always baffle me. Not every game can be 3-3 at half time. It's not just goals that make a game interesting.

Its boring full stop. On a spectator point of view its so bad my sons not going to watch 2nd half and I'll do some pokemon. 

[SNSUN]

30 minutes ago, whelk said:

I wouldn’t get excited if Saints signed Quansah

If Leverkusen had signed Quansah from Saints, he wouldn't be in the England squad now, no matter how half decent his league campaign was for them.

Admittedly Livramento getting injured scuppered things a bit but to not bring one of the many specialist full backs and put in Chalobah was very wanky

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Saint_clark said:

I thought you agreed with the decision?

You should read the thread past my initial comment.

It was not a red card IMO, but to "suspend" it is ridiculous 

[SNSUN]

5 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

These kind of comments always baffle me. Not every game can be 3-3 at half time. It's not just goals that make a game interesting.

Agree, there have been some cracking 0-0s this tournament, not least Cape Verdes.

[LiberalCommunist]

Worth watching this just for the Brazilian royalty in the crowd. Those faces brought back memories. Not all good.

[SNSUN]

19 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Weather forecast for Mexico City showing lightening storms the three hours leading up to kickoff. Marvelous. 

Hence the earlier start time they wanted. Least the pubs are open to 5am for those that need them. I have played the old man card and am staying in for this one. (With beer, I'm not completely ancient.)

[Badger]

4 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The greatest World Cup ever has brought us this

 

Henry Winter at the centre of another controversy and leading a moral crusade.

Can’t wait for the Northern Echo editorial tomorrow. 

[Saint_clark]

Just now, SNSUN said:

Hence the earlier start time they wanted. Least the pubs are open to 5am for those that need them. I have played the old man card and am staying in for this one. (With beer, I'm not completely ancient.)

Apparently there is some stopping us now then!

[SNSUN]

2 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Apparently there is some stopping us now then!

Some! I was debating it but while I'm on annual leave, I do have to drive to Devizes for my sins in the early afternoon and I best not quaff too much of the amber fluid before driving. 

[ChrisPY]

58 minutes ago, whelk said:

Surely the data guys must be saying just fucking hit it?

Surprised they didn’t recommend calling up Gareth Gates.

Edited 25 minutes ago by ChrisPY