World Cup 2026 Thread

[mostonmike]

Are you surprised at the odds for England?

Yes, a dream final. Even better, for the USA's 250th Birthday!

The odds are spot on I would agree with them.

Even the most die hard fan would agree we have been underwhelming in the group games. I get the feeling we will play better against the favourites.

France and Argentina are justifiably the clear favourites. But anyone can lose on penalties from here on. Who's going to be the first upset?

[mostonmike]

But anyone can lose on penalties from here on.

Who's going to be the first upset?

And the answer
GERMANY
who lose on penalties for the first time in a World Cup having won their previous four shootouts.

[gil]

But anyone can lose on penalties from here on.

Who's going to be the first upset?

And the answer
GERMANY
who lose on penalties for the first time in a World Cup having won their previous four shootouts.

I bet it's a pretty wild night in Paraguay!

Hmmm. Wonder if there is a Paraguayan bar in Seattle I could stumble into tonight.

[DavidGee24]

So two of the first three matches were decided by penalty kicks aka a coin-flipping competition. It's one thing to have that in, say, an MLS regular season game, but at this level it makes the games pointless as you're not winning the match, you're winning a coin flip-off. Might as well have just started with this.

If they're that worried about "playing all day", go 9-on-9 or 8-on-8. That'll open up the field, somebody will score, and it will be actual soccer as opposed to a goalie flipping a coin in his head.

[Bil522]

So two of the first three matches were decided by penalty kicks aka a coin-flipping competition. It's one thing to have that in, say, an MLS regular season game, but at this level it makes the games pointless as you're not winning the match, you're winning a coin flip-off. Might as well have just started with this.

If they're that worried about "playing all day", go 9-on-9 or 8-on-8. That'll open up the field, somebody will score, and it will be actual soccer as opposed to a goalie flipping a coin in his head.

I actually had an idea where they go old school Iowa Girls basketball. Each team has 4 offensive players on their offensive end of the field. Each team has 3 defenders plus a goalie on the defensive side of the field. You can't cross the centerline, or it is an automatic penalty kick. So it is 4 on 3+goalie. if the defensive team gets the ball, you can pass it to your offensive teammates, and they can go try to score. It would be a lovely ending

[mostonmike]

So two of the first three matches were decided by penalty kicks aka a coin-flipping competition. It's one thing to have that in, say, an MLS regular season game, but at this level it makes the games pointless as you're not winning the match, you're winning a coin flip-off. Might as well have just started with this.

If they're that worried about "playing all day", go 9-on-9 or 8-on-8. That'll open up the field, somebody will score, and it will be actual soccer as opposed to a goalie flipping a coin in his head.

I see what you are saying (again and for the umpteenth time).

Believe me back in the 1980s and 1990s when shootouts were introduced this is what most fans were saying. Over the years everyone has come to accept that a shootout is a by-product of being unable to outscore your opponents after 2 hours. And there is more to it than tossing a coin. There is significant skill in a shootout. Why have the Germans been so good at them compared to England and Spain? Well until the other night

So you are four decades behind in soccer’s change curve of acceptance .

Maybe, by the year 2066 you might have just accepted and come to terms with the shootout as way of settling a knockout game at a football tournament. Oh and England will be at the centenary of their only World Cup title.

[mostonmike]

While you are sleeping, England is gearing up for their first knockout game. And by the end of the day both your country and mine will know their fate and of course their next opponent.


9am PDT / 5pm BST in Atlanta
England v Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
winners play Mexico in Mexico on Sunday

1pm PDT / 9pm BST in Seattle
Belgium v Senegal
winners stay in Seattle to face winners of USA v Bosnia

5pm PDT / 1am BST in Santa Clara
United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina


Good luck USA and don’t underestimate Bosnia, all the former Yugolslav countries are still passionate and technically good sides - but I would say that home advantage might just be enough to drive your lads on to the next round.

[Bil522]

While you are sleeping, England is gearing up for their first knockout game. And by the end of the day both your country and mine will know their fate and of course their next opponent.


9am PDT / 5pm BST in Atlanta
England v Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
winners play Mexico in Mexico on Sunday

1pm PDT / 9pm BST in Seattle
Belgium v Senegal
winners stay in Seattle to face winners of USA v Bosnia

5pm PDT / 1am BST in Santa Clara
United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina


Good luck USA and don’t underestimate Bosnia, all the former Yugolslav countries are still passionate and technically good sides - but I would say that home advantage might just be enough to drive your lads on to the next round.

It is the 1st hydration break...and wow.....Even our English announcers are ripping England....I am sure the English desire for self-flagellation is growing at this point

[mostonmike]

It is the 1st hydration break...and wow.....Even our English announcers are ripping England....I am sure the English desire for self-flagellation is growing at this point

The Zaire goalie has been awesome and they should be 2 up. Its not looking good.

Same old, same old.

[mostonmike]

So during half time we've been plotting and planning our scapegoat.

Time to turn on our German manager.