NachoGPT
Hall of Fame
Having your mum come out to talk about the decision is a bit embarrassing. I’d be like “please be quiet mum”
2026 FIFA World Cup thread
- Thread starter NachoGPT
- Start date
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Palmer is a one-season wonder, pretty much. I would have complained if he were selected.
*This was a joke btw. I'm not in the one-season-wonder camp.
I would too. He’s not been good and I want him to rest up and get straight to work with Alonso when everyone else is gearing up for the R32 in 57 degree downtown Hells Kitchen.
.. but it’s a mistake not to take him.
He turns up in big games and finals. He did it in the same stadiums, in the same conditions last summer at the CWC.
It’s like not taking a player to the Ryder Cup who has won twice before at the course the tournament is being played at. Form doesn’t matter, he knows how to get it done in those conditions.
So selfishly I’m glad he’s not picked, but it’s a big error from Tuchel imo.
Hall another big error. He’s handled Yamal before. What if you need an overlapping LB because it’s not working? There’s no option for that. Unless you want Dan Burn attempting to be Roberto Carlos
NachoGPT
Hall of Fame
They have the LeBron James of soccer. That’s all they need.Not sure what’s a bigger give away for USA being really bad. Not having a clue who half of these are, or the fact they’re calling it a “roster”?
Mark McKenzie.. is he from accounting?
Dave Moon misses out. As does Zavier Gyoza.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
that makes me laugh everytime I hear it.My sister sent me this a few weeks ago. I’ve not got TikTok so I had to sign up for it, but it was worth it. So well done, he got everything in.
NachoGPT
Hall of Fame
You can watch TikToks without signing in. That’s what I do whenever I get sent one.
My sister sent me this a few weeks ago. I’ve not got TikTok so I had to sign up for it, but it was worth it. So well done, he got everything in.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
What!? So I didn’t need to give the Chinese government my details afterall? Damn. To be fair, they probably already had them. But I did use the email address I only use to sign up for things I know will send me a load of spam after
it’s all good.
BlackSilver
Semi-Pro
They never get it right, do they?
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
They never get it right, do they?
I have some free stickers from a supermarket here in the UK (M&S).
I’ve only got two packs so far, I already have 2 duplicates
It’s a strange mix. I have 2 Konsa’s, 1 Eze and a shiny Pickford.
But I also have 2 Georgia Stanway (what the hell does she have to do with the WC?).. and even more bizarrely, I have a shiny Ian Wright! How random.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
@Poisoned Slice @Feña14 @AlexanderTheGreat08 @Dominic & Andrey I think we can get good data on if Mbappe is truly an issue at the WC.
France is basically PSG with Olise Kante Cherki and Kounde. I'll be shocked if France don't win it tbh
France is basically PSG with Olise Kante Cherki and Kounde. I'll be shocked if France don't win it tbh
NachoGPT
Hall of Fame
I’m thinking a France/Portugal final.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Like @Nuclear Warhead Sinner said, I could see France losing on PK's. Which I would accept. A straight up loss? Nah that would be bad.
MurraysMetalHip
Hall of Fame
England will definitely probably win the World Cup. Hooray!
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
It will be interesting! I agree with France being the favourites, I quite like the shout for Portugal making the final.
How funny would it be if after Messi winning the World Cup last time, Portugal and Ronaldo do it this time?
The accusations of corruption would be flying about. They’ll have to get in contact with the PGMOL if they want some tips on how to rig it. Although hopefully FIFA make it a bit less obvious than the PL did this season.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I saw Ronald Koeman saying it looks like England are going to try and Arsenal their way to the title with set pieces.
Not so sure about that. It would be a valid tactic though. It’s worked for Arsenal, would probably be sensible in the extreme heat and dodgy pitches.
The only issue is the squad Tuchel has picked. He’s left decent set piece takers at home, no slabhead Maguire to get his head on the end of things.
Stiff baffled by the selection. It’s just a load of nothingness, apart from some runners for Kane. Which is fine, but he’s probably going to be off and exhausted at the hour mark. What’s the plan when Watkins or Toney come on?
I think Tuchel has massively misjudged things.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
It will be interesting! I agree with France being the favourites, I quite like the shout for Portugal making the final.
How funny would it be if after Messi winning the World Cup last time, Portugal and Ronaldo do it this time?
The accusations of corruption would be flying about. They’ll have to get in contact with the PGMOL if they want some tips on how to rig it. Although hopefully FIFA make it a bit less obvious than the PL did this season.
At least they got good practice etching PGMOL on the Premier League trophy already.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
i like USA in thsi one, repeat this ??
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
i like USA in thsi one, repeat this ??
Yeah same, wouldn’t surprise me if they’re finish 3rd or 4th… in the group stage
To be fair, I have no idea who they even have. There are so many groups this time, it’s hard to keep track.
Edit. Just looked. Paraguay, Australia and Turkey is pretty easy. Although it feels like Australia, Paraguay and USA are fairly evenly matched. Turkey definitely the strongest.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
usa suck though. macci can beat them all by himselfYeah same, wouldn’t surprise me if they’re finish 3rd or 4th… in the group stage
To be fair, I have no idea who they even have. There are so many groups this time, it’s hard to keep track.
Edit. Just looked. Paraguay, Australia and Turkey is pretty easy. Although it feels like Australia, Paraguay and USA are fairly evenly matched. Turkey definitely the strongest.
NachoGPT
Hall of Fame
Why do you call slice Richie?
Zara
G.O.A.T.
What is slice Richie?
NachoGPT
Hall of Fame
My grammar isn’t known for being good. I did drop out at 16.
Zara
G.O.A.T.
What do you do now then?
NachoGPT
Hall of Fame
Laze about and do what I want. Thanks to being a nepo baby and having well off parents. lol
Zara
G.O.A.T.
I’d be bored out of my mind. I always need to do something. I always need more time. If I had one power, it would be to have complete control over time.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
I don't really have a team for the World Cup. I was listening to the German national anthem and said, OK, I'll pick Germany. Brazil was my original choice due to nostalgia, but then I looked at their squad again, and it made me change my mind.
Probably hard to argue against France right now.
Bad news for Scotland is that Billy Gilmour is out of the World Cup. He's a bit of a strange player, in that he doesn't have that many attributes - for a central midfielder he's not very creative, athletic or defensively robust - but unlike every other player in the squad he's someone who's capable of receiving the ball in a tight area and not giving it away. With a fairly limited squad, I tend to think Scotland need to get as many players on the pitch who can do different things to each other as possible, and Gilmour's technique means he offers something unique.
Good news is that after producing no wingers in about 15 years, the mid-2000s have given us two. Ben Gannon-Doak is very fast, unlike every other Scottish player to have ever been born, but also very erratic in terms of end product. Still, just being fast makes his selection worthwhile as it forces opposition defensive lines back and gives all the players who aren't very good at playing with the ball in tight spaces more time. Findlay Curtis also recently spawned, starring on loan for Kilmarnock in the second half of last season and scoring his first international goal today against Curacao. He's not so fast, but is fairly tricky and has a good final ball. These two should at least add more dimensions to the team. Still, I don't expect much - Brazil and Morocco are clearly stronger teams, while I doubt Haiti, who qualified ahead of World Cup regulars Costa Rica and Honduras, will be mugs. Any win would be nice.
Good news is that after producing no wingers in about 15 years, the mid-2000s have given us two. Ben Gannon-Doak is very fast, unlike every other Scottish player to have ever been born, but also very erratic in terms of end product. Still, just being fast makes his selection worthwhile as it forces opposition defensive lines back and gives all the players who aren't very good at playing with the ball in tight spaces more time. Findlay Curtis also recently spawned, starring on loan for Kilmarnock in the second half of last season and scoring his first international goal today against Curacao. He's not so fast, but is fairly tricky and has a good final ball. These two should at least add more dimensions to the team. Still, I don't expect much - Brazil and Morocco are clearly stronger teams, while I doubt Haiti, who qualified ahead of World Cup regulars Costa Rica and Honduras, will be mugs. Any win would be nice.
Zara
G.O.A.T.
Did you post the national anthem here because I remember listening to it as well. To be honest, I would vote Germany too but I am afraid to jinx them (Fedpo recently put a hex on my favourite players/teams because of my disliking of cats). I can see myself getting behind Brazil but my other two favourites are France and Netherlands.
Zara
G.O.A.T.
Amen to that! However, I am guilty of not watching the video.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I think he enjoyed a weekend in Amsterdam and the coffee culture over there.
That’s 3 good reasons why he went with the Netherlands
I saw a data analyst at one of the big banks, maybe Goldman Sachs, did a predictive model for the tournament.
Was a waste of time, every result went exactly as it should
Red Rick
Bionic Poster
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Zara
G.O.A.T.
Rich, are you not watching any tennis ?
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
He’s practicing his harmonies for Three Lions - David Baddiel, Frank Skinner, and The Lightning Seeds ‧ 1996.
I’ve heard rumours he’s supporting Germany? Not sure I’m having that. Between the Arsenal hating, supporting the good Spurs and wanting England to win. It’s nice to be on the same side as him for once, even if it just for a summer
But yes, tennis is good. I was pleased Fonseca won the second.. but not as pleased as Guga. When the camera panned to him he looked possessed with excitement, bless him.
Zara
G.O.A.T.
He voted Germany and that confused me. But then he explained which made sense but still, lol. And yes, why not? I can see myself get behind England.He’s practicing his harmonies for Three Lions - David Baddiel, Frank Skinner, and The Lightning Seeds ‧ 1996.
I’ve heard rumours he’s supporting Germany? Not sure I’m having that. Between the Arsenal hating, supporting the good Spurs and wanting England to win. It’s nice to be on the same side as him for once, even if it just for a summer
But yes, tennis is good. I was pleased Fonseca won the second.. but not as pleased as Guga. When the camera panned to him he looked possessed with excitement, bless him.
Guga is just lovely—a big teddy bear. I am feeling sad for Casper though.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Excellent! Disappointment can be a lonely thing, so more England fans the merrier as far as I’m concerned
Guga is looking well, he still has those youthful looks he always had. It’s only really the grey hair that gives away it’s not 1997 anymore
NachoGPT
Hall of Fame
Modric is 85 years old now. Will probably still be their best player. lol
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
Zara
G.O.A.T.
He’s 40 and still a great player, no? They made a good mark last time.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Football’s lawmakers have approved a series of major new rules ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with expanded VAR powers, stricter punishments for player protests and new anti-timewasting measures all set to be introduced.
Other new rules include:
Five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal-kicks
Red cards for players covering their mouths during confrontations
Punishments for teams walking off the pitch in protest
Mandatory one-minute off-field treatment periods.
You're still allowed to cover your mouth when you're talking to a team mate or shouting abuse at an opponent or something. The mouth covering rule will just be used when talking to officials.
The five-second countdown will be interesting. I'm a fan of it in spirit, of course.
Other new rules include:
Five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal-kicks
Red cards for players covering their mouths during confrontations
Punishments for teams walking off the pitch in protest
Mandatory one-minute off-field treatment periods.
You're still allowed to cover your mouth when you're talking to a team mate or shouting abuse at an opponent or something. The mouth covering rule will just be used when talking to officials.
The five-second countdown will be interesting. I'm a fan of it in spirit, of course.
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