FIFA World Cup 2026 USA

[Tosin]

Can't see Spain getting the better of France in the semi.

They're getting results but when they're properly attacked they're very vulnerable - especially with Cucarella and Porro 30 yards up the pitch jogging back.
Trossard was anonymous, as was Doku, I think Belgium played their final against the US a few days ago.

The reason Trossard and Doku were anonymous is because of the way Spain play. They have that effect on their opponents. And should not be any different playing against France.

[Kai]

+1

Matter of fact, let's invite every country in the world and make it a gargantuan 3 month event, recurring ladder dreams be damned

[weemac]

If it leads to fewer international breaks for dismally tedious qualifiers, instead doing your qualifying at the actual tournament (group stages), then I'm on board.

[Kai]

Agreed. 64 teams makes way more sense mathematically and keeps the structure pretty clean. This 3rd place nonsense just takes away the high stakes from the group stage.

I definitely miss teams like Italy, Denmark, Cameroon etc, it doesn't quite feel the same without them.

[Euler]

If it leads to fewer international breaks for dismally tedious qualifiers, instead doing your qualifying at the actual tournament (group stages), then I'm on board.

It's actually a good point. A lot of the qualifiers are just pointless.

[ForFolksSake]

Gabriel Clarke's post match interviews with Tuchel and then Bellingham were disgraceful.

England fans complain to Ofcom over ‘di ... interview

[Euler]

I smell the burning of lots of bet builders this evening.

[Tosin]

I smell the burning of lots of bet builders this evening.

France has been grossly overrated by the "crowd". We're in a football period were control/compactness is the superior style of play. And Spain and England are currently the best national teams for this. It is mostly a function of the technical level of central midfielders and wingers especially off the ball. The ability to keep possession and also soak in attacks off the ball. It's a bit boring tbh compared to German fast paced transitional style which we saw peaks of it in the 2010 and 2014 world cup. But right now it's the more superior style imo. Tuchel is trying to imitate that also and that's the reason he was a bit upset with England vs Norway especially in the first half. Not surprised he preferred to take the Arsenal players like Madueke and Eze over the transitional style players like Palmer and Bowen. Arteta plays similarly with more attention given to defending and off the ball conditioning. I believe Portugal would have also beaten France. They were just unlucky to meet their match (Spain) in the round of 16.

[Euler]

And just like that, the favorites are out, and with them, 40% of the market