World cup 2026

[DastardlyDick]

Another reason why they need a 64 team tournament ?

More Revenue for FIFA from Ticket Sales, TV Rights etc.

[southcoastpunter]

It was this year - US, Canada and Mexico.

Surely that is 3 countries but one continent ( North America) !

[daviemac]

It was this year - US, Canada and Mexico.

What 3 continents were they?   

[john122350]

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[myothernameis]

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If Pep Guardiola takes the postition of managing the Italian team, with his success with clubs, would like to see the same with the Italian team.  Now if he can bring the team together, maybe the Italian team could be favourites to win the world cup 2030

[Davey Dykes]

It was this year - US, Canada and Mexico.

No it wasn't, they are all classed as North America.

[mills_and_bhuna]

If Pep Guardiola takes the postition of managing the Italian team, with his success with clubs, would like to see the same with the Italian team.  Now if he can bring the team together, maybe the Italian team could be favourites to win the world cup 2030

Clutching at straws .
Success at clubs is miles away from success at clubs.
The Italians need to take a leaf out of Spain's book or even Germany's .
The Spanish Football Association was reorganised root and branch to create a playing ethos and style which runs through all age groups in a natural progression which has had a huge impact on their seamless transitions through the age groups.
Substitutions are no big deal.
Ruiz and Olmo off. Pedri and Merino on. No problem. Imagine Mbappe coming off for France......
Italy is a mess in football terms .
It'll takes at least ten years .
Good payday for Pep's retirement stash though.

[alabama1]

It was this year - US, Canada and Mexico.

No it wasn't. It was spread over 3 countries.

[alabama1]

Clutching at straws .
Success at clubs is miles away from success at clubs.
The Italians need to take a leaf out of Spain's book or even Germany's .
The Spanish Football Association was reorganised root and branch to create a playing ethos and style which runs through all age groups in a natural progression which has had a huge impact on their seamless transitions through the age groups.
Substitutions are no big deal.
Ruiz and Olmo off. Pedri and Merino on. No problem. Imagine Mbappe coming off for France......
Italy is a mess in football terms .
It'll takes at least ten years .
Good payday for Pep's retirement stash though.

[webpunter]

Clutching at straws .
Success at clubs is miles away from success at clubs.
The Italians need to take a leaf out of Spain's book or even Germany's .
The Spanish Football Association was reorganised root and branch to create a playing ethos and style which runs through all age groups in a natural progression which has had a huge impact on their seamless transitions through the age groups.
Substitutions are no big deal.
Ruiz and Olmo off. Pedri and Merino on. No problem. Imagine Mbappe coming off for France......
Italy is a mess in football terms .
It'll takes at least ten years .
Good payday for Pep's retirement stash though.

Maybe not 10 years
Kane came orf
Mbappe no chance
Maybe Pep wants another challenge relatively part time
Mbappe didn't look as disconsolate as the little flea
A project & the only way is up
He's hardly going to manage Spain !

PS CR7 still the best player
All of that dribbling Messi stuff 💤
Captain Ronnie soo much better at banging free kicks from a mile away & headers where he defies gravity

[Malvolio]

If Pep Guardiola takes the postition of managing the Italian team, with his success with clubs, would like to see the same with the Italian team.  Now if he can bring the team together, maybe the Italian team could be favourites to win the world cup 2030

No doubt he's an excellent coach, but being the manager of the richest clubs in Germany and England for over 10 years gives you a big head start when it comes to winning trophies.

[timsussex]

Nice summing up from Mathew Syed

Argentina achieved something miraculous. , in a world arguably more divided than for decades, they united the world -against them
Even the biggest enemies of the South American nation could not get within touching distance of the damage they have done to their own reputation at this World Cup

[webpunter]

Nice summing up from Mathew Syed

Argentina achieved something miraculous. , in a world arguably more divided than for decades, they united the world -against them
Even the biggest enemies of the South American nation could not get within touching distance of the damage they have done to their own reputation at this World Cup

 

[webpunter]

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[Stevelondon]

No doubt he's an excellent coach, but being the manager of the richest clubs in Germany and England for over 10 years gives you a big head start when it comes to winning trophies.

I’ve said this about Pep for years.

I also totally agree with what M&B said.

[mills_and_bhuna]

Only just noticed this.......you know what I meant

[mills_and_bhuna]

PS CR7 still the best player
All of that dribbling Messi stuff 💤
Captain Ronnie soo much better at banging free kicks from a mile away & headers where he defies gravity

Messi is so far ahead of Ronaldo it isn't even funny. Always has been.
Never been a debate in my eyes.
Nothing against CR but it was painful watching him hold Portugal back this year.
I think he's in danger of ruining his legacy.
I'm hoping Messi has the self awareness to know when he's flogging a dead horse.
There was a brief moment where they came alive near the end though where he almost got them back on level terms.
Almost decapitating Merino with a shot that (I think) was on target .
Lovely little dink pass from the free kick when everyone was expecting aerial assault.
And a clever little corner routine where (thankfully because he's a little cunt) Simeone put it over.
That's a 39 year old in a World Cup Final.......at the end of two hours.
I'm kind of sad because he's in danger of getting in the way  if he carries on and Argentina clearly have talent if its channelled into positive purposes.
They took the piss out of Englanf for 40 minutes(88% possession) between Gordon's goal and the equalizer.

[Bangman]

Messi is so far ahead of Ronaldo it isn't even funny

That's your opinion. CR7 is the G.o.a.t for me.
He has been a success and won trophy's in England, Spain, Italy, i guess you can include Saudi.
Messi, 2nd best player ever, super successful in Spain BUT ill say Dissappointing in the French Farmers league. PSG win the league all the time, without Messi, They wanted Champions league. Infact PSG have been better since Messi left..
If messi proved himself in the most challenging league in the world (premier league) or Italian league, id give him the G.o.a.t title.

[webpunter]

That's your opinion. CR7 is the G.o.a.t for me.
He has been a success and won trophy's in England, Spain, Italy, i guess you can include Saudi.
Messi, 2nd best player ever, super successful in Spain BUT ill say Dissappointing in the French Farmers league. PSG win the league all the time, without Messi, They wanted Champions league. Infact PSG have been better since Messi left..
If messi proved himself in the most challenging league in the world (premier league) or Italian league, id give him the G.o.a.t title.

French Farmers league 
Sooo dull
PSG much improved as you mention since he departed & only the season just gone they manage to win it
Tho PSG are UEFA's favourites as Argentina are to FIFA

CR7 & Messi in their prime at Real & Barca some epic matches LaLiga & CL
Like you i have CR7 1 & Messi 2
Messi in Spain with a couple of years in France winding down doesn't compare 
Saudi included around £3.75m a week, tax free says it all
Messi's star tarnished given Argentina's behaviour at the WC
He'll have a few seasons @ Miami & there this will be soon forgotten

[mr.bluesky]

Messi is so far ahead of Ronaldo it isn't even funny. Always has been.
Never been a debate in my eyes.
Nothing against CR but it was painful watching him hold Portugal back this year.
I think he's in danger of ruining his legacy.
I'm hoping Messi has the self awareness to know when he's flogging a dead horse.
There was a brief moment where they came alive near the end though where he almost got them back on level terms.
Almost decapitating Merino with a shot that (I think) was on target .
Lovely little dink pass from the free kick when everyone was expecting aerial assault.
And a clever little corner routine where (thankfully because he's a little cunt) Simeone put it over.
That's a 39 year old in a World Cup Final.......at the end of two hours.
I'm kind of sad because he's in danger of getting in the way  if he carries on and Argentina clearly have talent if its channelled into positive purposes.
They took the piss out of Englanf for 40 minutes(88% possession) between Gordon's goal and the equalizer.

Always rated Messi above Ronaldo but he's gone down in my estimation with his behaviour in the World Cup final in trying to get Spains Cucurella sent off for touching is mouth for a split second. Pretty pathetic for a man of his undoubted talent . Then again all the Argentine players behaved badly in the final.

[mills_and_bhuna]

That's your opinion. CR7 is the G.o.a.t for me.
He has been a success and won trophy's in England, Spain, Italy, i guess you can include Saudi.
Messi, 2nd best player ever, super successful in Spain BUT ill say Dissappointing in the French Farmers league. PSG win the league all the time, without Messi, They wanted Champions league. Infact PSG have been better since Messi left..
If messi proved himself in the most challenging league in the world (premier league) or Italian league, id give him the G.o.a.t title.

I don't go by stats.
I go by what I see.
CR isn't even top 5 in my eyes.
Great goalscorer yes.
He could never be a playmaker No.10 because he can't see a pass.
And by the way it isn't the most challenging league because it's the best technically.
It's because it's physically demanding.
I know what I prefer.
You are entitled to your opinion

[timsussex]

Only fools & horses comment on the final

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[timsussex]

Apparently Norway is trying to get the FIFA ethics committee  to investigate the suspension of Balogans red card ban; The Times has revealed that Infantino's claim that the decision was made by the  disciplinary committee isnt exactly the whole truth  as only the chairman (from the UAE) made the decision; the other 17 members werent involved

[Fuzzyduck]

Apparently Norway is trying to get the FIFA ethics committee  to investigate the suspension of Balogans red card ban; The Times has revealed that Infantino's claim that the decision was made by the  disciplinary committee isnt exactly the whole truth  as only the chairman (from the UAE) made the decision; the other 17 members werent involved

I suppose it needs doing and it gives Lise Klaveness more exposure to continue rising within UEFA but I can't believe it will make a jot of difference. Infantino is a bit like Trump: just does what the fuck he likes and brushes any potential setback under the carpet. He's not going to get kicked out any time soon and UEFA is going to do fuck all. The head of La Liga had a pop but not a sound from the Spanish federation on this. The FA has also said fuck all (to my knowledge).

[webpunter]

So much for Sycophant-ino [© Lineker] saying he wasn't involved in the decision to have Balogan
That it was FIFA's disciplinary committee comprising 18 people

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Except that it wasn't
Another whopper
ONE MAN, ONE VOTE: Report: FIFA disciplinary chairman ruled on Balogun’s suspension

He reported that senior soccer figures have questioned why FIFA has declined to publish the written reasons for the Balogun decision, “adding to the lack of transparency around the case, or even to explain why Balogun’s ban was waived
It is the first time since automatic suspensions for red cards were introduced to the World Cup that one has been lifted. Kamali refused to comment when asked about the case by the BBC on Saturday.”

[webpunter]

Apparently Norway is trying to get the FIFA ethics committee  to investigate the suspension of Balogans red card ban; The Times has revealed that Infantino's claim that the decision was made by the  disciplinary committee isnt exactly the whole truth  as only the chairman (from the UAE) made the decision; the other 17 members werent involved

Getting FIFA to investigate themselves ain't gonna happen
Ethics committee 
Will be good if Norway stir it up in the media tho the same outcome fuck all happens

[myothernameis]

The president of CONMEBOL has said on social media that the 2030 World Cup will be a "64-team tournam

So guess this means 16 groups of 4 teams, with 1st, 2nd 3rd place teams all going through to the next round

[Charliehutton]

So guess this means 16 groups of 4 teams, with 1st, 2nd 3rd place teams all going through to the next round

Please forgive me if I've missed the ironic tone of your comment, but if it's only the top two from each group that qualify, it might not be a bad idea.

[webpunter]

Please forgive me if I've missed the ironic tone of your comment, but if it's only the top two from each group that qualify, it might not be a bad idea.

Thats what i thought it was rather than the top two from twelve groups of four + the best 8 third places this summer

[Stevelondon]

You could always have 16 groups of four and all four go through to the next round.

This was mentioned to Trump and he agreed with it. 🤷🏼

[Blackpool Rock]

Thats what i thought it was rather than the top two from twelve groups of four + the best 8 third places this summer

Was going to suggest that's Scotland fucked for getting out of the group stages but they're always fucked anyway 

[timsussex]

Its all about money of course

Spreading the tournament between 3 countries
Increasing to 64 teams
so more matches, more votes/cash for youknowwho from smaller countries, more TV revenue + more advertising revenue 

[webpunter]

Was going to suggest that's Scotland fucked for getting out of the group stages but they're always fucked anyway 

You could make it 128 teams & Scootland still wouldn't make it to the round of 32
I think its only just dawned on their fans that the world cup isn't just three matches
Same for the 🏉

TBF their fans were good value drinking bars dry they looked like they were having a right laarf
Me thinks that they'll have been investigating rub maps the following morning to get rid of the dreaded hangover horn [HH]
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Whats not to like drinking eating footy drinking
Wake up R&T treatment for the HH then brunch
Then do it all over again groundhog ... 

[Malvolio]

England won six matches at this World Cup - which is more matches than Scotland have won in the total of all the World Cups they have been to.

I don't feel a personal animus towards the Scotland football team, but it's still a funny stat.

[Blackpool Rock]

I read something yesterday about Argentina wanting the final to be replayed.

Apparently the officials were biased against them and constantly blowing the whistle for fouls and stopping the game meant they couldn't play their usual style of football, if they had then they would have won 🙄

So no shots on target in 120 minutes and 117 minutes until their 1st shot but they were cheated FFS

Must have thought that the decisions going their way in the early rounds would extend right through to the final too

[webpunter]

I read something yesterday about Argentina wanting the final to be replayed.

Apparently the officials were biased against them and constantly blowing the whistle for fouls and stopping the game meant they couldn't play their usual style of football, if they had then they would have won 🙄

So no shots on target in 120 minutes and 117 minutes until their 1st shot but they were cheated FFS

Must have thought that the decisions going their way in the early rounds would extend right through to the final too

I saw that the argie fans starting a petition
You can't make it up 
McAllister shouldn't have been on the pitch after his tackle & with other tackles + giving the referree shit they'd be down to about 8-9 players
Exactly that decisions going all their way they came to expect it
Egypt should have been in the semi as we all know if it wasn't for FIFA
Best the players dont bother with the bedsheet Falklands stuff again as it highlights they got spanked
Given the argie antics year after year & with the benefit of hindsight they're such a bunch of cunts IMO the british sub should have [really] gone in for the kill & blown the Belgrano out of the water
Ave it
Though this wouldn't have provided the picture of the life rafts coz there wouldn't be any

[mills_and_bhuna]

I saw that the argie fans starting a petition
You can't make it up 
McAllister shouldn't have been on the pitch after his tackle & with other tackles + giving the referree shit they'd be down to about 8-9 players
Exactly that decisions going all their way they came to expect it
Egypt should have been in the semi as we all know if it wasn't for FIFA
Best the players dont bother with the bedsheet Falklands stuff again as it highlights they got spanked
Given the argie antics year after year & with the benefit of hindsight they're such a bunch of cunts IMO the british sub should have [really] gone in for the kill & blown the Belgrano out of the water
Ave it
Though this wouldn't have provided the picture of the life rafts coz there wouldn't be any

Why in a football thread do you always have to gloat about things totally unconnected to football ?
Just face it .
England weren't good enough.
They scored a goal.
Then they shit the bed.
40 minutes parking the bus.
Kane cosplaying as Makelele.
12% possession.
Run ragged by a team with a pretty high average age. And a 39 year old up front.
I know you thought you'd blunder through with beating Egypt 1-0 and parking the bus against Spain but get over it.
England are not as good as they think they are .
The clue is in the fact that they spend all their time and energy agonising on how to stop the other team playing.
This should not be the case with a team whose players have market values well over 100 million.
Scotland are shite but at least we get it.

[webpunter]

Why in a football thread do you always have to gloat about things totally unconnected to football ?
Just face it .
England weren't good enough.
They scored a goal.
Then they shit the bed.
40 minutes parking the bus.
Kane cosplaying as Makelele.
12% possession.
Run ragged by a team with a pretty high average age. And a 39 year old up front.
I know you thought you'd blunder through with beating Egypt 1-0 and parking the bus against Spain but get over it.
England are not as good as they think they are .
The clue is in the fact that they spend all their time and energy agonising on how to stop the other team playing.
This should not be the case with a team whose players have market values well over 100 million.
Scotland are shite but at least we get it.

Unconnected ?
Which team got the bed sheets out ?
On the day England weren't good enough
On a different day who knows 
They turned up against France a banging match i wasnt particularly bothered who won high entertainment value
Soo much better than the dull final
The key point of world interest being can Spain beat the combined team Fifantina ? Oh yes 
It was also amusing watching the Argie players coaches having a meltdown
Scotland benefit from management of expectations
Good for the fans to be able to go on an American tour  hopefully some massaging punting included

[john122350]

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[Punting2022]

Apparantly argentina had to loose. Fifaa punished for thier falklands banner.
Was rigged

[webpunter]

Argentina one of three countries hosting three 'centenary' opening matches to kick off the 2030 WC
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I wonder how FIFA will cherry pick which team plays in Buenos Aires ?
These matches decided before this years WC & now its some reward for the argies so richly deserved 
I'd laarf my tits off if just prior to the match happening the country selected decided not to play & take a 3-0 defeat throwing the tournament into chaos
I reck one of the bent Afcon nations who have cosied up to FIFA will be picked lessening the chances of this happening [& a very healthy appearance fee to be paid]

[mills_and_bhuna]

Unconnected ?
Which team got the bed sheets out ?
On the day England weren't good enough
On a different day who knows 
They turned up against France a banging match i wasnt particularly bothered who won high entertainment value
Soo much better than the dull final
The key point of world interest being can Spain beat the combined team Fifantina ? Oh yes 
It was also amusing watching the Argie players coaches having a meltdown
Scotland benefit from management of expectations
Good for the fans to be able to go on an American tour  hopefully some massaging punting included

Just to be clear I wanted Spain to win.
Even more so as the match unfolded.
All the politics is just noise best ignored.
I actually found the ending just sad .
I wouldn't read too much into the third place match as a sign of where the respective teams are.
The French defence was non-existent in the first half and clearly not 100% on it.
Totally different from a competitive match with a title on the line.

[stampjones]

I wouldn't read too much into the third place match as a sign of where the respective teams are.
The French defence was non-existent in the first half and clearly not 100% on it.
Totally different from a competitive match with a title on the line.

Don't tell them that otherwise they might finally go into a championship with a dose of realism then we wouldn't get to laugh at all the salty tears and angst afterwards

[webpunter]

Just to be clear I wanted Spain to win.
Even more so as the match unfolded.
All the politics is just noise best ignored.
I actually found the ending just sad .
I wouldn't read too much into the third place match as a sign of where the respective teams are.
The French defence was non-existent in the first half and clearly not 100% on it.
Totally different from a competitive match with a title on the line.

 
I get your point
A game of two halves if ever there was one
Deschamps must have stuck an exocet up their arses at half time some turnaround

The 3rd place play off match should be scrapped meaningless other than to FIFA in terms of revenue
Tho fans from both countries over there anyways get to see a match where cheaper more accessible tickets
Particularly if fans have got kids then ideal they'll remember being there not the intricacies of the match
Noted nothing on the line however a good natured match in stark contrast to the following day

An utterly shite final indeed sad
99% of fans watching will have endured it to see one outcome
Reminded me of watching the euro final when Denmark beat Germany in a bar in London
Especially as Denmark parachuted in it was written in the stars & Schmeichel was imperious through the tournament especially the final 
The place went bonkers when Denmark scored [twice - John Jenson hit a banger  ] & at the final whistle
Both matches the next best thing to England winning
Or from your perspective England losing

[mills_and_bhuna]

I get your point
A game of two halves if ever there was one
Deschamps must have stuck an exocet up their arses at half time some turnaround

The 3rd place play off match should be scrapped meaningless other than to FIFA in terms of revenue
Tho fans from both countries over there anyways get to see a match where cheaper more accessible tickets
Particularly if fans have got kids then ideal they'll remember being there not the intricacies of the match
Noted nothing on the line however a good natured match in stark contrast to the following day

An utterly shite final indeed sad
99% of fans watching will have endured it to see one outcome
Reminded me of watching the euro final when Denmark beat Germany in a bar in London
Especially as Denmark parachuted in it was written in the stars & Schmeichel was imperious through the tournament especially the final 
The place went bonkers when Denmark scored [twice - John Jenson hit a banger  ] & at the final whistle
Both matches the next best thing to England winning
Or from your perspective England losing

I don't think the final was as bad as people are making out.
Some people were saying it was the worst ever.
They clearly never watched the 1990, 1994 or 2010 finals.
The last of these was similar in that a few yellow cards early on would have sent a message and instead some players lost their inhibitions and persistent fouling and diving was the order of the day.
On your last point I've actually had disagreements (difficult to believe, eh with Colombians online about the quarter-final where they were moaning that they were robbed by the referee .
If you remember he gave England a penalty where their defender decided Harry Kane was a suitable subject for mounting.
I remember starting off that match pro-Colombia and being so pissed off with their antics I was glad to see England beating them.(I had 100% faith in Modric and Mandzukic ).

[webpunter]

On your last point I've actually had disagreements (difficult to believe, eh with Colombians online about the quarter-final

Just as well you added the QF detail ! 

[mills_and_bhuna]

Just as well you added the QF detail ! 

The last Colombian I had 'business dealings' with, funnily enough my mind wasn't on football 
Edit: must have been mistaken.
It was round of 16 and Sweden was the QF

[Davey Dykes]

I'm sure this will come as a surprise to absolutely no one.

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[mr.bluesky]

I'm sure this will come as a surprise to absolutely no one.

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Oh what a surprise an American venture capital firm with someone related to Donald Trump. If this goes ahead I expect the good ol' USA to be staging every World cup in the future 

[southcoastpunter]

On the bbc website there is a lot of talk among fans that Uefa ( plus a select few invited non European countries) should withdraw from FIFA and do their own version of a World Cup - on the basis that it’s European teams that generate the big money sums in football! And FIFA would collapse within a couple of years!
Very much doubt that UEFA would ever do that!