FIFA World Cup 2026

[SithHappens]

Its crossed my mind. Surely they wouldn't.

[swaledale]

FIFA are a law unto themselves! Still I think the world has more pressing issues than whether Iran plays at the World Cup!!

[SithHappens]

FIFA are a law unto themselves! Still I think the world has more pressing issues than whether Iran plays at the World Cup!!

Don't disagree but I wonder if it's the first time a country has had to withdraw because they have bombed by the host nation.

Hes also threatened to invade or overthrow both other host nations too in some form

[Ram Pant]

Don't disagree but I wonder if it's the first time a country has had to withdraw because they have bombed by the host nation.

Hes also threatened to invade or overthrow both other host nations too in some form

Has Mexico paid for the wall yet? Bailiffs incoming

[Ram Pant]

I suffered last night's England defeat by Japan. 1st half, we played into their hands. They press, they harry, theyn force mistakes and hit fast on the break. Exactly how they got the goal. We had little urgency, didn't utilise the pace we had and always took the safe option. They like to pack the middle when defending, leaving the wings open. We chose to attack, in the main, through the middle. I'm struggling to recall (m)any balls over the top of their defence. Their weaknesses are out wide and over the top. Exactly the areas we didn't have a go at until the last 15 to 20 minutes when we had them pegged back but couldn't find the back of the net.

IMO, wrong tactics used in both games this international break. I sincerely hope it's that TT wanted to try a couple of things out and has now decided not to try them again. Playing without a CF won't work. If Kane isn't available, use another CF. Watkins or Solanke. Playing 2 10s won't work.

[SithHappens]

I didn't bother. We quite often have poor form in friendlies. Hopefully come together by WC

[Andy_Faber]

I usually take no interest in international football but with a footy mad visitor in the house I’ve watched a lot in the past week, my very brief summary: Scotland won’t get out of the group stage but were nice to watch in an ‘upper level of the championship’ way. England were utterly turgid in both games, I didn’t see a single standout player. And Japan, very handy team who’ve been well drilled and were very disciplined, I think they’ll go far. I think their goal would have been chalked up as an og in the Prem

[ramAnag]

I usually take no interest in international football but with a footy mad visitor in the house I?’ve watched a lot in the past week, my very brief summary: Scotland won?’t get out of the group stage but were nice to watch in an ?‘upper level of the championship?’ way. England were utterly turgid in both games, I didn?’t see a single standout player. And Japan, very handy team who?’ve been well drilled and were very disciplined, I think they?’ll go far. I think their goal would have been chalked up as an og in the Prem

I didn’t watch any of the games mentioned but, sadly, I am beginning to wonder if we should even bother going given the current situation. With a host who insults so many of the participants and stadia that seem increasingly likely to be the target of attacks, what’s the point?

[Andy_Faber]

I didn?t watch any of the games mentioned but, sadly, I am beginning to wonder if we should even bother going given the current situation. With a host who insults so many of the participants and stadia that seem increasingly likely to be the target of attacks, what?s the point?

I think you're letting your deeply held political/world views get to you a bit rA, since you first started expressing doubts about visiting (supported by others here) I've visited USA twice, yes Southern states, yes surrounded by overt or covert MAGAs / Rednecks, yes to 'events' (OK not world cup level) and what lovely folk they are. The only thing stopping me/us spending more time there is the tipping culture, which I just can't get over. We are visiting twice next year, and by the way there were no border checks for social media transgressions either. Like London, which has been the subject of discussion on here in the past, and where coincidentally a significant minority despise the leader, there are good bits and bad bits, we just stick to the good bits and have a ball. Go and enjoy it, especially as you have folk there

[ramAnag]

I think you're letting your deeply held political/world views get to you a bit rA, since you first started expressing doubts about visiting (supported by others here) I've visited USA twice, yes Southern states, yes surrounded by overt or covert MAGAs / Rednecks, yes to 'events' (OK not world cup level) and what lovely folk they are. The only thing stopping me/us spending more time there is the tipping culture, which I just can't get over. We are visiting twice next year, and by the way there were no border checks for social media transgressions either. Like London, which has been the subject of discussion on here in the past, and where coincidentally a significant minority despise the leader, there are good bits and bad bits, we just stick to the good bits and have a ball. Go and enjoy it, especially as you have folk there

Again you misconstrue, AF. Whether deliberately or not I honestly don?t know.

I love the place. Think it?s a great country and have probably visited fifteen times, usually for 3-4 weeks - over the last 18 years, not always just to relatives, but to a variety of locations, from New England to California and Arizona to Florida.
Love the landscapes, usually love the people, although some of the Floridians I found ?bonkers?, love much of the lifestyle and take little notice of what you term the ?tipping culture?.

Having said that, we?re not going this year, but it?s not about me - or you. The question may be whether the Trump administration actually deserves to host such a celebration of football when he has acted so insultingly to so many participants and whether it will be a safe destination for, potentially, tens of thousands of fans. I also wonder if the threat to remove such a tournament from the U.S. could help bring such a narcissist to what little remains of his senses.

In a world where a Radio 2 DJ loses his job (and reputation) because of an historical ***ual abuse allegation it seems slightly perverse to me that we allow the WC to be hosted by a POTUS who has actually been convicted of ***ual abuse, suspected of much worse and shows apparent total disregard for international law.