FIFA World Cup 2026 thread

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Turpinrr

·Jul 7, 2026

W WorthlessGerman

Agreed. Egypt might have still lost in extra time, but recalling their 2nd (original) goal was absolute BS. 100% agree that VAR is now being abused to MAKE calls instead of overturning clear and obvious mistakes.

--edit to clarify wording

VAR has been worse in this tournament than in the Premier League

 

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AG77

·Jul 7, 2026

VAR and partisan politicking aside, I've really enjoyed the tournament. I am admittedly the most fair weather soccer fan there is -- I only tune in for the World Cup.

But I enjoy having the games on at night and watching them with my kids. I'll be a little sad when it's over but till then will definitely be tuning in.

There will always be lots to complain about with an international spectacle but for me it's been an enjoyable product and tournament.

 

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hansaboy

·Jul 9, 2026

Sweden is out, but since my Grandmother was Norwegian - Go Norway!!!
🍺🍺🍺

 

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Togri v. 2.0

·Jul 9, 2026·Wow! Custom title... cool

As a Scandinavian, whose own national team did not qualify, I am of course cheering for Norway. But a part of me would like England to win. I think England needs it more 😀

 

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Peemacgee

·Jul 9, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Blimey - when the chips are down, all these Scandinavians ganging up on poor little England.
Love it!
Makes the match all the more interesting.

 

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Peemacgee

·Jul 9, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Just working out:

Of the Norway squad:

9 play in England, 7 in the EPL

Of the England squad:

5 play for Man City and are team mates of Haaland
5 play for Arsenal and are team mates of Odegaard

Most of the England squad will have at one time or another played against Haaland and Odegaard

This might give England an advantage - but actually these stats cut both ways of course.

I might be biased - but big Dan Burn is the answer - the only player in either squad to tower over Haaland and no goals for Haaland against Burn in 7 matches since 2022.

 

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SOG53

·Jul 9, 2026

Peemacgee

I might be biased - but big Dan Burn is the answer -

Hopefully Tuchel is OF member and sees this!

 

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Peemacgee

·Jul 9, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Unfortunately, Tuchel wears a Hublot - so he is unlikely to subscribe to OF

 

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TimeODanaos

·Jul 9, 2026

Togri v. 2.0

As a Scandinavian, whose own national team did not qualify, I am of course cheering for Norway. But a part of me would like England to win. I think England needs it more 😀

Ouch! That kind of Scandinavian social conscience can really hurt the unwary. It's lucky Haaland was born in England so he will of course be secretly helping them...

 

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TimeODanaos

·Jul 9, 2026

On that note, it appears the gravitational pull of the EPL means that lots of WC players are in fact qualified, through either birth or early residence, to play for England. The BBC website has even come up with a strong XI from these guys - names include Wan-Bissaka, Olise, Semenyo, Haaland... and Balogun (let's remember, quite a player). Shame they didn't quite decide to take the King's shilling, ah well!

 

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calalum

·Jul 10, 2026

Just got home from the game today. If Belgium's keepers could have held on to the ball a little better the end result might have been different. It was a fun game with a decidedly pro-Spain crowd at Sofi. And no, I was not wearing the Soccer Timer (which I may be giving to my son for his 30th b-day).

HAGWE all.

 

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arturo7

·Jul 10, 2026

It was a good game. The 2nd Spain goal was on a rebound. Gotta wonder if the #1 goalie, who left the game with an injury, would have held the ball.

 

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SOG53

·Jul 10, 2026

calalum

Just got home from the game today. If Belgium's keepers could have held on to the ball a little better the end result might have been different. It was a fun game with a decidedly pro-Spain crowd at Sofi. And no, I was not wearing the Soccer Timer (which I may be giving to my son for his 30th b-day).

HAGWE all.

Must have been great atmosphere. We need a Soccer Timer for the thread feel free to post a few photos. And if you know, how the referee tallies the extra time with the watch.

 

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Charlemagne1333

·Jul 11, 2026

So much for England’s 'weak' defence…

 

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SOG53

·Jul 11, 2026

Could have gone either way but 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 was resilient and deserved to win.
And everyone wants to see 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇦🇷

 

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iamvr

·Jul 11, 2026

Not everyone. Hopp Schwiiz!

 

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arturo7

·Jul 12, 2026

Another Argentina win aided by dubious officiating.

I'm not saying FIFA is putting a finger on the scale...

Oh, I guess I just did...

 

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Peemacgee

·Jul 12, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Charlemagne1333

So much for England’s 'weak' defence…

Were you watching the same match?

England put in a great shift in very difficult conditions- and emerged deservedly victorious.
But if there was one shaky element it was England’s fullbacks - hence Tuchel’s substitutions.

Bellingham was phenomenal (again) but a real unsung hero was Elliot Anderson - what a game he had from whistle to whistle. ( not withstanding falling over in the box and excluding Norway’s second goal)

 

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Peemacgee

·Jul 12, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

I should add that Haaland was pretty much successfully neutralised but that had a lot to do with restricting supply to him by the English midfield.

 

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wagudc

·Jul 12, 2026

+1 for VAR. Embolo's dive in the Switzerland - Argentina was a disgrace. He cost his team a real chance of advancing. Why in the world would you dive like that when you are already on a yellow. He wasn't even in the box, so little to gain there. He is going to have some unhappy team-mates and coaches.