World Cup 2026

[Mourne Red]

Really hope Portugal don't go the distance. I can't help but feel the US would be delighted with Infantino and Trump presenting the World Cup to Ronaldo.

They'll not win anything with that tube Martinez... Failed upwards. Squandered a Belgian golden generation and will do the same with Portugal.

[AustinPowers]

Portugal haven't a hope under Martinez

Deschamps  hasn't a notion either. Mbappe is a dick so hope  they don't win it

Spain I'd say are favourites

I'd  like to see  someone like Croatia win it

Is that deschamps that won a WC and got to another final?

He also choked  in a Euro final at home against a Ronaldo-less Portugal

And his team has been  awful in  a few tournaments as well. Last Euros I don't think  they scored from open play.

For me "a Ronaldo-less Portugal" is better than the one with him in it.

Just saying.

Kane won't get the service he needs to score the goals to get England anywhere serious in this competition, he isn't bad.

There will be a bolter from somewhere that hasn't shown much as yet, a Uruguay or a Belgium could get a good run and get a semi berth.

No point watching for the first few weeks, loads of shíte matches.

Aye, now maybe . But  that was  the Ronaldo of 10 years ago

Was that when he got injured in the semi-final and had to come off?

Pepe was still playing back then, so if it was I'll stick by my original point that when he went off and in the final Portugal were a better all-round team without him.

Ronaldo carried Portugal to that final. Got injured early in the final,  came off ,  and France still couldn't beat them

Eder scores the ET winner. A man who was  on loan at Swansea I believe. Never heard of again

I thought it was the semi-final he got injured in. I bow to your greater knowledge.

Semi was v Wales. The final had the swarm of moths, one landing on Ronaldo face while he lay injured

[rodney trotter]

Yeah he went off in the final.  He was  doing most of the instructions along the line when he went off. There is more quality in the current Portuguese squad.

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi).

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris St-Germain), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica).

Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (Paris St-Germain), Vitinha (Paris St-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (Paris St-Germain).

[An Watcher]

Strong but forward line lacking a bit?  I think they're better off without Ronaldo but when you look at that strike force, not sure

[An Watcher]

Had a look at the Scotland squad yday.  Jesus but they are bad.  No clue how they've made it as watched some of their matches v greece and they were desparate. 
3 goalkeepers with 15 games between them this year.  Gordon 43.  Poor defence and forwards.  I accept they've a decent midfield

[Armagh18]

Strong but forward line lacking a bit?  I think they're better off without Ronaldo but when you look at that strike force, not sure

Sad day but Ronaldo looks totally done, seen a few clips playing against nobodies in Saudi and the legs have gone. Their midfield is unreal

[rodney trotter]

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have all been left out of the England World Cup squad

[AustinPowers]

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have all been left out of the England World Cup squad

I seen that. Probably two of their most creative players,  although they've  had very average seasons.

All  is needed is for Harry Kane to be left out , and we can all sleep soundly for the next 2 months

Jordan Henderson is  to be included. Probably for the  card tricks and quizzes.

[rodney trotter]

Yeah they have been average. Gibbs White is another who has been left out. He had a good season.

Scotland could do with a Troy Parrot in attack. A lack of quality in attack and poor centre backs.

[Mourne Red]

Ivan Toney called up apparently.. Strange one that in my opinion, hes scored well but Calvert-Lewin and Welbeck been in very good form this season at a higher level

[johnnycool]

Ivan Toney called up apparently.. Strange one that in my opinion, hes scored well but Calvert-Lewin and Welbeck been in very good form this season at a higher level

They need someone to hold the bets at the back of the bus.

[Blowitupref]

*Edit  a fake English leaked squad.

[gawa316]

Is that real? Palmer is in there. thought he was missing out

[Blowitupref]

Is that real? Palmer is in there. thought he was missing out

Doesn't appear so. BBC are reporting Palmer won't make the squad.

[square_ball]

Love the way England say they are going to announce the squad on Friday morning and on the Thursday there is more leaks than a sieve about the squad. Always the way with the English media.