FIFA World Cup 2026 - Discussion Thread

ThomasGOAL said:
I wanted Spain to be knocked out earlier; I knew we had a slim chance against them.
They're so far ahead of the other teams, both collectively and technically, that they're unplayable.

Good luck to the other finalist; they'll need it.
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You're the only one that thought France had a slim chance against Spain lol
 
ThomasGOAL said:
So you mean zero chance ? ok
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No I mean France were tournament favourites and have looked like they were going to demolish everyone in their way until they met Spain. Based on the competition so far, France were most people's favourites to beat Spain
 
France vs. Spain.
What happened? Did France throw the game?

A world-class team looked completely lifeless in the middle of a World Cup semifinal. No one complained. No one shouted. No one showed any urgency. No one even took shots on goal. Spain did whatever it wanted, as if it were playing a friendly match.
What Lucas Digne did was absolutely unacceptable for a professional football player.

It's obvious anyone can see it that Spain has a good, well-organized team, blah blah blah. But not to the point where there's such a massive gap in performance compared to France.

That referee (a Latin American who speaks Spanish) heavily favored Spain. He repeatedly reversed his own decisions because of VAR interventions, which is absurd.
Lamine Yamal made a reckless challenge on Mbappé, caught him on the ankle, and wasn't even shown a yellow card.
France's performance was worse than anyone could have imagined.

I'm Brazilian, but I'm of French descent. My family name is Guiot.
So yes, I expected much more commitment and determination from the French team.

I'm rooting for England now. I've really liked the way they've been playing they've shown determination, kept improving throughout the tournament, and deserve to compete without being unfairly disadvantaged.

I'm really afraid of VARgentina. God forbid those guys become champions again.
 
Ramon_roman11 said:
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Yes, that challenge by Olise on Rodri should have been a yellow card. But minutes earlier, Rabiot committed an ordinary foul and got a yellow.

Now, take a look at the plays below.A brutal tackle on Mbappé that didn't result in a yellow card.

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And what can you say about that? It's outrageous! A penalty that wasn't called. Look at where the incident happened and where the call was actually made.

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I’ve already stated my opinion.
France’s performance was pathetic, but the officiating played a huge role in boosting Spain. There were also several long balls where the players weren't offside, yet the linesman flagged it anyway.
 
A well deserved win for Spain. Even better than the Euro 2024 and Nations League results.

France is completely a non-existent team that game, lacked discipline and fell apart. I'm very surprised why they choose a Latin America referee for this game, and he really benefited Spain a lot. He didn't gave Lamine Yamal a yellow card for that reckless tackle with Mbappe, but robbed Yamal's goal because it was clearly offside. And their defence was absolute mess; Digne looks like an amateur player and Saliba's early sendoff through injury cost this team a lot.

Also consider this:

France got Senegal, Iraq, Norway, Sweden, Paraguay, and Morocco. Senegal, Iraq, and Sweden were pretty bad. Norway played their "B" team in order to avoid getting a tough knockout draw. Paraguay played like an UFC team. Morocco didn't show up at all. Spain, meanwhile, got Uruguay, Portugal, and Belgium; all were still in Top 20 of FIFA Rankings. Uruguay and Portugal looked bad, but Belgium at least showed a good fight until Courtois and KDB getting subbed off through injury (they even denied Spain's clean sheet run with an equaliser at one point). That might be the reason Cape Verde is the real dark horse for this year's World Cup. They at least played a real football against Spain and Argentina that frustrated both a lot with Vozinha's masterclass during both games and Puskas-worthy goal during Argentina's game. Spain couldn't even score a single goal against Cape Verde, lol.

I think Spanish Football seems a bit underestimated, despite poor club performance in the UEFA club competitions (with the exception of Rayo Vallecano making through the Conference League Final).

I see everyone doubting Argentina's chance on winning back-to-back World Cup because of FIFA shenanigans, but for me, the real "Finalissima" will happen. Can't wait for that Yamal vs Messi matchup.
 
I must admit when I saw it last night, I was surprised VAR didn't look at the incident.
I said at the time to my Mrs this is going to be overturned as he is actually inside the box.

VAR didn't even have a look.

This is the thing that annoys people VAR is just inconsistent.
Referees protect certain players so they don't get booked to miss a final - Yamal should of been booked last night but ref didn't do it as FIFA don't want any risk of him missing the final.

Spain though were incredible and completely controlled France, I don't see anyone beating them in the final without a lot of luck or another dodgy FIFA ref.
 
drigOrange said:
Yes, that challenge by Olise on Rodri should have been a yellow card. But minutes earlier, Rabiot committed an ordinary foul and got a yellow.

Now, take a look at the plays below.A brutal tackle on Mbappé that didn't result in a yellow card.

View attachment 432159

And what can you say about that? It's outrageous! A penalty that wasn't called. Look at where the incident happened and where the call was actually made.

View attachment 432160

I’ve already stated my opinion.
France’s performance was pathetic, but the officiating played a huge role in boosting Spain. There were also several long balls where the players weren't offside, yet the linesman flagged it anyway.
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Sorry sir, but that foul was not for a yellow card, he went for the ball no for the player, later on mbappe miss a really nice positioned FK
 
H_G said:
This might shock people that judge a keeper by the number of goals he conceded with his club.

Unai Simón who is the keeper n°1 for De La Fuente, conceded 73 goals with Bilbao this season



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Suppose that is the difference between having a good defence and a poor defence.
I would probably get a clean sheet or 5 playing for Arsenal in the Prem, hence why he is selected ahead of Raya.
Santiago Cañizares was Spain's greatest keeper - @Chris Davies agrees.
 
Some posts removed. No more personal attacks in here, guys. Enjoy the games without dwelling on the past.
 
I am calling it now..
Scotland will not win the next World Cup..

See the TV listings have been updated for BBC Scotland.
8PM tonight

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Had a look at Ai predictions for England v Argentina.

Gemini:

The Prediction
This match promises high tension, physical defending from Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez, and moments of individual genius from Bellingham and Messi.
While Argentina has incredible tournament pedigree and a perfect record in World Cup semi-finals (5 out of 5 progressed), they have spent a massive amount of physical energy in back-to-back grueling matches. England’s extra athletic depth, paired with the lethal form of Kane and Bellingham, could give them the edge in the latter stages of the game.
Predicted Final Score: England 2 - 1 Argentina (After Extra Time)
Scorers: Harry Kane (54'), Jude Bellingham (104') | Lionel Messi (28')
How it plays out: Argentina strikes first through a moment of magic from Messi in the first half. England matches their intensity in the second half, with Kane securing the equalizer. As the match stretches into extra time, England's fresher legs and depth carry them through, with Bellingham scoring a dramatic winner to send the Three Lions to the World Cup Final.


Grok: My Prediction
England 2–1 Argentina (after extra time), or a narrow England win on penalties if it goes that far. England edges it in 90 or 120 minutes.


Chatgpt:

My prediction:

  • England 2–1 Argentina (after extra time)
  • 90 minutes: 1–1
  • Extra time: England score the winner
Possible goalscorers:

  • England: Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham
  • Argentina: Lionel Messi
Why I lean England:

  • England have shown resilience throughout the knockout rounds, coming from behind in multiple matches.
  • Bellingham and Kane are both in outstanding goalscoring form.
  • Argentina remain dangerous, especially through Messi, but England's physicality and depth could make the difference over 120 minutes.
Confidence: 55% England, 45% Argentina. I expect a tense, tactical semi-final decided by one moment of quality.
 
bsmaff said:
Suppose that is the difference between having a good defence and a poor defence.
I would probably get a clean sheet or 5 playing for Arsenal in the Prem, hence why he is selected ahead of Raya.
Santiago Cañizares was Spain's greatest keeper - @Chris Davies agrees.
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He wasn't that good individually with Bilbao this season, I remember he played poor v Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Overall, he isn't an A class keeper for me, I see Raya better.
I always have in mind that in 2006, Valdes and Pinto (he got the Zamora trophy) were better in term of stats than Casillas, but non of them was in the final squad for the WC.
 
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