World cup 2026

[mr.bluesky]

So England have unveiled their new kit for the World Cup. Looks nothing special , although good to see they have reverted back  to red shirts for the 2nd kit but Nike are taking the piss charging £90 for them or £135 for the aero fit match version . Fuck knows what the difference is 
I would imagine Nike will be selling thousands of them ( not) at those prices. I will be digging out my £25 scoredraw retro version come tournament time .

[Stevelondon]

So England have unveiled their new kit for the World Cup. Looks nothing special , although good to see they have reverted back  to red shirts for the 2nd kit but Nike are taking the piss charging £90 for them or £135 for the aero fit match version . Fuck knows what the difference is 
I would imagine Nike will be selling thousands of them ( not) at those prices. I will be digging out my £25 scoredraw retro version come tournament time .

White T-Shirt and Blue shorts for me.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

So England have unveiled their new kit for the World Cup. Looks nothing special , although good to see they have reverted back  to red shirts for the 2nd kit but Nike are taking the piss charging £90 for them or £135 for the aero fit match version . Fuck knows what the difference is 
I would imagine Nike will be selling thousands of them ( not) at those prices. I will be digging out my £25 scoredraw retro version come tournament time .

The kits are nice, I popped in to JD Sports today for a look. The neck on the home shirt looks like a ribbed collar on a 70’s tank top! I won’t be buying one but then I never buy modern football shirts because men of a certain age should not wear them! They will sell well once the tournament comes around but like others I will stick to my retro shirt, I have a Mexico 1970 away shirt.

The prices are in line with what I’d expect to pay for a PL shirt and the FA have as much to do with setting the price as Nike do.

I don’t think I’ve brought a modern football shirt for at least 30 years and that won’t be changing anytime soon.

[mr.bluesky]

The kits are nice, I popped in to JD Sports today for a look. The neck on the home shirt looks like a ribbed collar on a 70’s tank top! I won’t be buying one but then I never buy modern football shirts because men of a certain age should not wear them! They will sell well once the tournament comes around but like others I will stick to my retro shirt, I have a Mexico 1970 away shirt.

The prices are in line with what I’d expect to pay for a PL shirt and the FA have as much to do with setting the price as Nike do.

I don’t think I’ve brought a modern football shirt for at least 30 years and that won’t be changing anytime soon.

I have the 1966 red shirt with number 6 on the back 

[mr.bluesky]

Tough luck on Wales loosing on penalties to Bosnia in the World cup qualifier and to to Northern Island loosing to Italy. Loosing on spot kicks is not a nice way to loose a game. Wales long wait for World cup qualification goes on for another four years.

[mr.bluesky]

England v Uruguay. Well what a load if boring shite that first half was . I know it's a very much changed England team but those looking to get on the plane for America have hardly impressed. Can't understand for the life of me why Jordan Henderson still gets picked for England. 
Even the U21's could only draw with the mighty Andorra in the European U21's qualifiers thanks to a last minute penalty

[Stevelondon]

Ben White met with boos. Then scores 😂

Then gives away a penalty. 😂

Along with the bloke getting two yellow cards (One that wasn’t apparently) ……. Probably the talking points of a feckin boring game.

Still.
My granddaughter can write ‘grandad’ better than I can and she’s only just turned 5.
Her 3 year old brother looks every bit like the forward his dad should have been (rugby) ……. So what do I care. 

[Stevelondon]

I might just chat football rather than politics.

Watched the Brazil v France game.

Had some American (I think) commentator. One of them anyway.

Jeez if I have to endure him in the World cup matches I’m turning the sound off.

What is it with Yank commentary…………. Talk fast, talk loud, talk shit.

[Blackpool Rock]

Ben White met with boos. Then scores 😂

Then gives away a penalty. 😂

Along with the bloke getting two yellow cards (One that wasn’t apparently) ……. Probably the talking points of a feckin boring game.

Still.
My granddaughter can write ‘grandad’ better than I can and she’s only just turned 5.
Her 3 year old brother looks every bit like the forward his dad should have been (rugby) ……. So what do I care. 

Yeah fucking bizarre that and they had another player who arguably should have seen red before that.

How come after the penalty a game of football seemed to break out and both teams ran around frantically trying to actually score a goal 

IMO Rashford didn't do himself any harm promoting himself into the WC squad with that great run and cross in the 1st half

[Hoping]

It was.  It was SOCCER!!

[DastardlyDick]

I would hope they have English commentaters on the other big games not involving England. Otherwise we will have to put up the Yanks saying "offence" instead of attack or "end zone" instead of penalty area . I can remember when Sky used to show MLS soccer with American commentary it was like they were talking about a different sport .

I think at the time, they were still trying to sell "soccer" to the American Public, so using familiar terms for them was part of the sell. It took off quite well when it was established how much cheaper it was to play than gridiron.

[myothernameis]

With what is  going on in Iran, and oil prices going up, and petrol stations now closing, which is  happening near  me, but

There a  bigger issue, and this has to do with air-fuel, and was reported on the news, that supplies in Europe could run dry with in a matter of weeks

If the war continues, and more blockages around Iran, and as we approach the world cup, how many flights will be affected.  I dont see any issues with flights for the football teams, as the airlines will make sure the teams get to the USA.

But as for fans, and how many are traveling, might be a different case, and some flights get canceled. If any flights go ahead and fans are traveling, but likely at a loss to the airline, due to air-fuel costs.  Canceled flights equal hotel cancellations, and ticket refunds be pursued, certainly what Gianni Infantino would be wanting

[mr.bluesky]

Poor showing by England against a very well organised Japan team. I know it wasn't our strongest team which really shows without Harry Kane we are well and truly fucked.

[mr.bluesky]

Italy loose to Bosnia on penalties in the World Cup play offs which means they have now failed to qualify for the last three World Cups. I will imagine heads will roll because of this .

[Don Giovanni]

You are right; Gattuso has to go; Bastoni was stupid.

Italian football is crisis.

[mr.bluesky]

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So all the World cup teams who have qualified are known now.
Top two teams from each group and six best 3rd place teams will qualify for the knockout stages in this bloated tournament

[daviemac]

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I've merged this with the dedicated world cup thread.

[mr.bluesky]

I've merged this with the dedicated world cup thread.

  thanks daviemac, yes I should have posted it in the World cup thread

[daviemac]

thanks daviemac, yes I should have posted it in the World cup thread

I've dropped a bollock and merged them all so I'll have to sort it out.   

[scouting]

So all the World cup teams who have qualified are known now.
Top two teams from each group and six best 3rd place teams will qualify for the knockout stages in this bloated tournament

Biggest list of competitors ever and still Italy can't qualify   

[mr.bluesky]

Biggest list of competitors ever and still Italy can't qualify   

Amazing, a major football nation and they haven't qualified for the last three World cups now. It really does highlight the cock eyed qualifying system though when a team like Cape Verde are there and Italy isn't.

[Blackpool Rock]

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So all the World cup teams who have qualified are known now.
Top two teams from each group and six best 3rd place teams will qualify for the knockout stages in this bloated tournament

I'm not really seeing a really tough group that you'd normally call "The group of death", a couple look slightly tougher than other but either way with 6 3rd place teams going through it makes big shocks less likely

[Blackpool Rock]

Italy loose to Bosnia on penalties in the World Cup play offs which means they have now failed to qualify for the last three World Cups. I will imagine heads will roll because of this .

While it may be a total shit show for Italy you also wonder how they managed to win a Euros in the middle of this poor run and further wonder why the fuck England have won fuck all 

[Stevelondon]

While it may be a total shit show for Italy you also wonder how they managed to win a Euros in the middle of this poor run and further wonder why the fuck England have won fuck all 

Beat me to it.

I’ll be having a couple of beers with a mate later today. Italian by birth but you wouldn’t know it.
I will not be taking the piss as I can just see the conversation going something like this,

Me : “Failed to qualify for the last three world cups eh” (smirk)

Him : “Yeh, I’m gutted. But tell me. Exactly how many world cups and Euros have England won. Compared to Italy let’s say” 🤷🏼

[foreverchanges]

Amazing, a major football nation and they haven't qualified for the last three World cups now. It really does highlight the cock eyed qualifying system though when a team like Cape Verde are there and Italy isn't.

Not only have they failed  to qualify for the last three World Cups but after winning in 2006 they also failed to get out of the Group stages in 2010 and 2014. No surprises in guessing who is the only team they have managed to beat in the World Cup Finals since 2006.

[mr.bluesky]

Not only have they failed  to qualify for the last three World Cups but after winning in 2006 they also failed to get out of the Group stages in 2010 and 2014. No surprises in guessing who is the only team they have managed to beat in the World Cup Finals since 2006.

Their World cup form is as bad as Scotlands 

[bigden40]

Their World cup form is as bad as Scotlands 

Isn’t it now worse?

[Don Giovanni]

I'm not really seeing a really tough group that you'd normally call "The group of death", a couple look slightly tougher than other but either way with 6 3rd place teams going through it makes big shocks less likely

I think that England and Italy now have the same problem. Serie A is trying to be like the premiership in the UK, there is so much money to be made that the national side is neglected because of the dominance of foreign players. For example Como FC has Cesc Fàbregas as the manager (Spanish). In 2019, the club was acquired by Indonesian tobacco company Djarum Group, led by Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono and Mirwan Suwarso is now the President.

As far as I know there are no Italian native players in the Como team as well as no native Italians in the management.

This lust for money has helped English teams in the premiership, but held back the English national side. I believe the same thing is now happing in Italy. Too many foreign players that prevent local talent and no Italian manager wants the job of Italy National Manager. Gattuso has left as was to be expected, but few will want to replace him.
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And I believe that Gravina as head of the FIGC has also resigned;
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There should be a limit on foreign players, and the manager of a national side should be a native of the country, so Fabio Capello as England manager? What a load of rubbish!


 

[Iamforreal]

I think that England and Italy now have the same problem. Serie A is trying to be like the premiership in the UK, there is so much money to be made that the national side is neglected because of the dominance of foreign players. For example Como FC has Cesc Fàbregas as the manager (Spanish). In 2019, the club was acquired by Indonesian tobacco company Djarum Group, led by Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono and Mirwan Suwarso is now the President.

As far as I know there are no Italian native players in the Como team as well as no native Italians in the management.

This lust for money has helped English teams in the premiership, but held back the English national side. I believe the same thing is now happing in Italy. Too many foreign players that prevent local talent and no Italian manager wants the job of Italy National Manager. Gattuso has left as was to be expected, but few will want to replace him.
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And I believe that Gravina as head of the FIGC has also resigned;
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There should be a limit on foreign players, and the manager of a national side should be a native of the country, so Fabio Capello as England manager? What a load of rubbish!

They won the EURO few years ago, unfortunately and they have 4 world cups I believe...they have a shit generation compared with the past, also smaller teams evolve more.
I don't believe what you're saying about England, I think is the opposite, loads of talented English players around.

[myothernameis]

You are right; Gattuso has to go; Bastoni was stupid.

Italian football is crisis.

Italy now at risk of hosting the Euros in 2032, as most of their stadiums not up the requirements.  Current hosts are Italy and Turkey, but if Italy lose the right to host, another country needs to step in

So who then steps in, in Italy place as joint hosts, and assume any country who stadiums are up to scratch

[tightfoot69]

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So all the World cup teams who have qualified are known now.
Top two teams from each group and six best 3rd place teams will qualify for the knockout stages in this bloated tournament

It is actually the eight best third teams that go through. The group stage is a joke now with not much risk for the big countries. No group of death but I guess the closest one is the France group.

32 teams seemed perfect for a World Cup and 16 was perfect for the Euros. They have ruined both because of greed.

[mr.bluesky]

It is actually the eight best third teams that go through. The group stage is a joke now with not much risk for the big countries. No group of death but I guess the closest one is the France group.

32 teams seemed perfect for a World Cup and 16 was perfect for the Euros. They have ruined both because of greed.

Yes of course, you need 32 teams in the knockout phase not 30. Maths was never my strongest subject at school 

[DastardlyDick]

So who then steps in, in Italy place as joint hosts, and assume any country who stadiums are up to scratch

I'd go for either France or Germany, but I suspect UEFA will be "persuaded" to change the standards.

[tightfoot69]

I'd go for either France or Germany, but I suspect UEFA will be "persuaded" to change the standards.

Will probably hold it in Saudi

[mr.bluesky]

Yes of course, you need 32 teams in the knockout phase not 30. Maths was never my strongest subject at school 

Crikey, even Scotland should qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in their history. Lets be honest just one win should be enough to see you through. 

[mr.bluesky]

I'd go for either France or Germany, but I suspect UEFA will be "persuaded" to change the standards.

We've come too far down the road for the venue to be changed at the last minute. Besides Infantino is Trumps bum buddy to have it changed. One thing I have noticed watching a couple of games that have taken place at some of the World cup venues is that the pitches don't look in great condition.   
It's also possible that the USA could stage the 2038 World cup as it has the greatest commercial opportunities and we all know FIFA are only interested in making money and it's not about football

[tightfoot69]

We've come too far down the road for the venue to be changed at the last minute. Besides Infantino is Trumps bum buddy to have it changed. One thing I have noticed watching a couple of games that have taken place at some of the World cup venues is that the pitches don't look in great condition.   
It's also possible that the USA could stage the 2038 World cup as it has the greatest commercial opportunities and we all know FIFA are only interested in making money and it's not about football

I think the discussion was Italy being changed as hosts for 2032 Euros.

As somebody who is old enough to remember USA 94 I was one of the few in this country who enjoyed it and remember it fondly. Some great matches at that World Cup like Argentina v Romania and Brazil v Holland. But this one is going to be shit for so many reasons.

[Iamforreal]

Really not worth watching the group games, the real tournament will start from quarter finals onwards.

[myothernameis]

Crikey, even Scotland should qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in their history. Lets be honest just one win should be enough to see you through. 

Likely opponents Scotland night face if they are in third place:  Germany, France, or Mexico

[mr.bluesky]

Really not worth watching the group games, the real tournament will start from quarter finals onwards.

Exactly this .☝️

[mr.bluesky]

Englands group L fixtures, venues and kick off times ( BST)
June 17th v Croatia - Dallas 9pm
June 23rd v Ghana- Boston 9pm
June 27th v Panama New York / New Jersey 10pm

If they win the group they progress to the round of 32
July 1st in Atlanta 5pm where they will play a 3rd place team from group E, H, I, J or K

[Blackpool Rock]

Englands group L fixtures, venues and kick off times ( BST)
June 17th v Croatia - Dallas 9pm
June 23rd v Ghana- Boston 9pm
June 27th v Panama New York / New Jersey 10pm

If they win the group they progress to the round of 32
July 1st in Atlanta 5pm where they will play a 3rd place team from group E, H, I, J or K

And what about Scotlands fixtures 
Obviously you only need include the 3 group games 

[Blackpool Rock]

Saw this about the Panini football sticker album for this 2026 World cup
The 1st one came out for Mexico 1970 and you'd need 271 stickers to complete it however this time around you'll need almost 980 with a packet of 7 stickers costing £1.25
The article says it could cost around £1300 to finish the album however that's incorrect as they are working off of 980 packets at £1.25 each however there are 7 stickers in each pack so assuming you get no duplicates (impossible) that's 140 packets which would be £175

Obviously some players are limited or I suspect not released initially so you have to keep buying to try and get them but I remember from my old 1979 football album you'd always get a shit load of a certain player who was basically in every fucking packet 

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[threechilliman]

Saw this about the Panini football sticker album for this 2026 World cup
The 1st one came out for Mexico 1970 and you'd need 271 stickers to complete it however this time around you'll need almost 980 with a packet of 7 stickers costing £1.25
The article says it could cost around £1300 to finish the album however that's incorrect as they are working off of 980 packets at £1.25 each however there are 7 stickers in each pack so assuming you get no duplicates (impossible) that's 140 packets which would be £175

Obviously some players are limited or I suspect not released initially so you have to keep buying to try and get them but I remember from my old 1979 football album you'd always get a shit load of a certain player who was basically in every fucking packet 

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Ahh, Panini football stickers, those were the days....

[mr.bluesky]

And what about Scotlands fixtures 
Obviously you only need include the 3 group games 

Sorry Blackpool Rock ,this would obviously help our friends north of the border book their early flights home 

[mr.bluesky]

Saw this about the Panini football sticker album for this 2026 World cup
The 1st one came out for Mexico 1970 and you'd need 271 stickers to complete it however this time around you'll need almost 980 with a packet of 7 stickers costing £1.25
The article says it could cost around £1300 to finish the album however that's incorrect as they are working off of 980 packets at £1.25 each however there are 7 stickers in each pack so assuming you get no duplicates (impossible) that's 140 packets which would be £175

Obviously some players are limited or I suspect not released initially so you have to keep buying to try and get them but I remember from my old 1979 football album you'd always get a shit load of a certain player who was basically in every fucking packet 

External Link/Members Only

The problem with the early release of the Panini stickers is they have to 2nd guess what the squads are going to be before they are announced. Some players in the sticker album might not be called up to the squads and some ommited  might be called up. 

[scouting]

Do you remember the Esso collectors 1970 World Cup coins? 30 coins in total featuring members of the England squad, value of a full set today varies but is currently estimated to average £63

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[nwluvit]

Do you remember the Esso collectors 1970 World Cup coins? 30 coins in total featuring members of the England squad, value of a full set today varies but is currently estimated to average £63

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I used to have a set. No idea where it is now

[mr.bluesky]

I used to have a set. No idea where it is now

Likewise, collected the full set when I was a kid and had them displayed in the presention card . I wish I kept them.

[RandomGuy99]

BBC News - 2026 World Cup: Empty rooms & Fifa cancellations - US hotels fear washout - BBC Sport
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