Some of the Squads announced
Brazil
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Announced their final squad on May 18
Goalkeepers:
Alisson (Liverpool), Éderson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Grêmio)
Defenders:
Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Roger Ibañez (Al Ahli), Wesley (AS Roma)
Midfielders:
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards:
Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
Japan
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
Goalkeepers:
Zion Suzuki (Parma), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers)
Defenders:
Yūto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen)
Midfielders:
Junnosuke Suzuki (Copenhagen), Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Keito Nakamura (Reims), Kaishu Sano (Mainz), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Yuito Suzuki (Freiburg)
Forwards:
Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Kento Shiogai (VfL Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden)
Netherlands
Coach: Ronald Koeman
Will announce their final squad on May 27
Sweden
Coach: Graham Potter
Goalkeepers:
Viktor Johansson (Stoke City), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (AIK), Jacob Widell Zetterstrom (Derby County)
Defenders:
Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds United), Isak Hien (Atalanta), Emil Holm (Juventus), Gustaf Lagerbielke (Braga), Victor Lindelöf (Aston Villa), Erik Smith (St. Pauli), Carl Starfelt (Celta Vigo), Elliot Stroud (Mjallby), Daniel Svensson (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders:
Taha Ali (Malmo), Yasin Ayari (Brighton), Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham), Jesper Karlström (Udinese), Ken Sema (Pafos), Mattias Svanberg (Wolfsburg), Besfort Zeneli (Union St-Gilloise)
Forwards:
Alexander Bernhardsson (Holstein Kiel), Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United), Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal), Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Gustaf Nilsson (Club Brugge), Benjamin Nygren (Celtic)
Belgium
Coach: Rudi Garcia
Goalkeepers:
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea)
Defenders:
Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting CP), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Koni De Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt),
Midfielders:
Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona)
Forwards:
Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jérémy Doku (Manchester City), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Strasbourg), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
France
Coach: Didier Deschamps
Announced their final squad on May 14
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernández (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernández (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: N'Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe), Manu Koné (AS Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (AS Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Internazionale)
Croatia
Coach: Zlatko Dalic
Goalkeepers:
Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Kobenhavn), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)
Defenders:
Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)
Midfielders:
Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter Milan), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Furk (Rijeka)
Forwards:
Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budemir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg)
No J Pedro in Brazil squad a surprise he has been one of the few positives for Chelsea this season and better than some of the lads on the plane.
Think that's one of the worst Brazil squads I've seen in my lifetime
Quote from: Mourne Red on May 19, 2026, 09:02:02 AMThink that's one of the worst Brazil squads I've seen in my lifetime
The Midfielders alone :o
The Brazil forwards on paper aren't too bad. I'm not sure what Neymar has left in the tank. Probably very little.
France midfield isn't great either. Their attackers are probably the best in the tournament though.
Is it coming home? They've a decent chance the bastids.
Are you for real?
Centre Halves not great
Attacking players out of form
Over reliance on Harry Kane
First decent side they meet they're gone. Unfortunately that mightnt be until the latter stages
Hard to see past France or Spain, Portugal have some team if they'd drop Ronaldo I could see them winning it.
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
Quote from: An Watcher on May 19, 2026, 10:08:00 AMAre you for real?
Centre Halves not great
Attacking players out of form
Over reliance on Harry Kane
First decent side they meet they're gone. Unfortunately that mightnt be until the latter stages
Aye think they've a right decent chance. Excellent manager and Kane is one of the best strikers in the world. It will take a very good team to beat them and there's not too many of them in the tournament imo.
Do the Argies have any chance of retaining it?
Quote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 10:43:13 AMQuote from: An Watcher on May 19, 2026, 10:08:00 AMAre you for real?
Centre Halves not great
Attacking players out of form
Over reliance on Harry Kane
First decent side they meet they're gone. Unfortunately that mightnt be until the latter stages
Aye think they've a right decent chance. Excellent manager and Kane is one of the best strikers in the world. It will take a very good team to beat them and there's not too many of them in the tournament imo.
So do Poland and Norway.
He needs to be given the ball.
Quote from: AustinPowers on May 19, 2026, 10:33:30 AMPortugal 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?
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on May 19, 2026, 11:18:37 AMQuote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 10:43:13 AMQuote from: An Watcher on May 19, 2026, 10:08:00 AMAre you for real?
Centre Halves not great
Attacking players out of form
Over reliance on Harry Kane
First decent side they meet they're gone. Unfortunately that mightnt be until the latter stages
Aye think they've a right decent chance. Excellent manager and Kane is one of the best strikers in the world. It will take a very good team to beat them and there's not too many of them in the tournament imo.
So do Poland and Norway.
He needs to be given the ball.
England are miles better than Norway and Poland which of course you know. And Kane is better than Haaland and Lewandowski.
Quote from: AustinPowers on May 19, 2026, 10:33:30 AMPortugal 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
As a United fan would love to see Ronaldo finally get his medal but ironically his legs being gone and as you say that clown of a coach who won't drop him are probably the 2 biggest stumbling blocks. Casemiro another fella I'd love to see win it.
Quote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 11:22:25 AMQuote from: Baile Brigín 2 on May 19, 2026, 11:18:37 AMQuote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 10:43:13 AMQuote from: An Watcher on May 19, 2026, 10:08:00 AMAre you for real?
Centre Halves not great
Attacking players out of form
Over reliance on Harry Kane
First decent side they meet they're gone. Unfortunately that mightnt be until the latter stages
Aye think they've a right decent chance. Excellent manager and Kane is one of the best strikers in the world. It will take a very good team to beat them and there's not too many of them in the tournament imo.
So do Poland and Norway.
He needs to be given the ball.
England are miles better than Norway and Poland which of course you know. And Kane is better than Haaland and Lewandowski.
Behave yourself
Quote from: AustinPowers on May 19, 2026, 10:33:30 AMDeschamps hasn't a notion either.
Also behave.
Has won a WC, gotten to another final and a European final.
By a distance the longest serving French manager
QuoteQuotePortugal 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.
Quote from: toby47 on May 19, 2026, 10:53:17 AMDo the Argies have any chance of retaining it?
A solid GK and 9 men running their balls off to carry the highest IQ player at the tournament, I think yes they've got a sniff, won't be easy but will take a v good team to beat them
Quote from: AustinPowers on May 19, 2026, 12:04:07 PMQuoteQuotePortugal 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.
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuotePortugal 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
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on May 19, 2026, 11:59:51 AMQuote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 11:22:25 AMQuote from: Baile Brigín 2 on May 19, 2026, 11:18:37 AMQuote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 10:43:13 AMQuote from: An Watcher on May 19, 2026, 10:08:00 AMAre you for real?
Centre Halves not great
Attacking players out of form
Over reliance on Harry Kane
First decent side they meet they're gone. Unfortunately that mightnt be until the latter stages
Aye think they've a right decent chance. Excellent manager and Kane is one of the best strikers in the world. It will take a very good team to beat them and there's not too many of them in the tournament imo.
So do Poland and Norway.
He needs to be given the ball.
England are miles better than Norway and Poland which of course you know. And Kane is better than Haaland and Lewandowski.
Behave yourself
There's maybe a debate about Haaland (I would take Kane over him personally) but you can't seriously be suggesting Lewandowski is currently a better player than Kane? Jeeeez.
Quote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 12:25:36 PMQuote from: Baile Brigín 2 on May 19, 2026, 11:59:51 AMQuote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 11:22:25 AMQuote from: Baile Brigín 2 on May 19, 2026, 11:18:37 AMQuote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 10:43:13 AMQuote from: An Watcher on May 19, 2026, 10:08:00 AMAre you for real?
Centre Halves not great
Attacking players out of form
Over reliance on Harry Kane
First decent side they meet they're gone. Unfortunately that mightnt be until the latter stages
Aye think they've a right decent chance. Excellent manager and Kane is one of the best strikers in the world. It will take a very good team to beat them and there's not too many of them in the tournament imo.
So do Poland and Norway.
He needs to be given the ball.
England are miles better than Norway and Poland which of course you know. And Kane is better than Haaland and Lewandowski.
Behave yourself
There's maybe a debate about Haaland (I would take Kane over him personally) but you can't seriously be suggesting Lewandowski is currently a better player than Kane? Jeeeez.
Are we arguing who is better? The Barca or Bayern main striker?
They are both the best at what they do.
But the argument that one player up top can carry a team to a WC win is nonsense. Maybe Maradona in 86, but Kane is no Maradona
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on May 19, 2026, 12:48:31 PMQuote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 12:25:36 PMQuote from: Baile Brigín 2 on May 19, 2026, 11:59:51 AMQuote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 11:22:25 AMQuote from: Baile Brigín 2 on May 19, 2026, 11:18:37 AMQuote from: square_ball on May 19, 2026, 10:43:13 AMQuote from: An Watcher on May 19, 2026, 10:08:00 AMAre you for real?
Centre Halves not great
Attacking players out of form
Over reliance on Harry Kane
First decent side they meet they're gone. Unfortunately that mightnt be until the latter stages
Aye think they've a right decent chance. Excellent manager and Kane is one of the best strikers in the world. It will take a very good team to beat them and there's not too many of them in the tournament imo.
So do Poland and Norway.
He needs to be given the ball.
England are miles better than Norway and Poland which of course you know. And Kane is better than Haaland and Lewandowski.
Behave yourself
There's maybe a debate about Haaland (I would take Kane over him personally) but you can't seriously be suggesting Lewandowski is currently a better player than Kane? Jeeeez.
Are we arguing who is better? The Barca or Bayern main striker?
They are both the best at what they do.
But the argument that one player up top can carry a team to a WC win is nonsense. Maybe Maradona in 86, but Kane is no Maradona
I never made the argument that Kane will carry England to the world cup on his own. A previous poster was rubbishing Englands chances and I said they had a chance owing to having a very good manager and one of the best strikers in the world. I am not sure what is controversial about saying that?
Some going from Modric, Ronaldo and Edin Dzeko to be involved at 40 +. Messi is obviously not far behind either.
Gareth Bale was retired at 31/32.
Quote from: AustinPowers on May 19, 2026, 12:13:21 PMQuoteQuoteQuoteQuotePortugal 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.
Quote from: johnnycool on May 19, 2026, 12:10:54 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on May 19, 2026, 12:04:07 PMQuoteQuotePortugal 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.
That statements true now but not 10 years ago when Ronaldo was winning champions leagues and Ballon D'ors
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuotePortugal 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
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.
Quote from: AustinPowers on May 19, 2026, 02:16:29 PMQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuotePortugal 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.
Quote from: JollyGreenGiant on May 19, 2026, 02:18:22 PMReally 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.
Ronaldo was a great supporter of the Palestinians, I wonder is that still the case!
Quote from: JollyGreenGiant on May 19, 2026, 02:18:22 PMReally 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.
Quote from: johnnycool on May 19, 2026, 02:19:11 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on May 19, 2026, 02:16:29 PMQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuotePortugal 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
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).
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
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
Quote from: An Watcher on May 20, 2026, 10:28:48 AMStrong 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
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have all been left out of the England World Cup squad
Quote from: rodney trotter on May 21, 2026, 07:51:01 PMPhil 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.
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.
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
Quote from: Mourne Red on May 21, 2026, 08:35:40 PMIvan 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.
*Edit a fake English leaked squad.
Quote from: Blowitupref on May 21, 2026, 08:45:02 PM(https://i.ibb.co/93tqXbnH/HI3-CVCTXk-AA1ho5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/h1fK5BsF)
Is that real? Palmer is in there. thought he was missing out
Quote from: gawa316 on May 21, 2026, 09:16:33 PMIs that real? Palmer is in there. thought he was missing out
Doesn't appear so. BBC are reporting Palmer won't make the squad.
(https://i.ibb.co/1GXwX5hR/HI3y57-Mbc-AAf-Ci.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YBdqdMYf)
(https://imgbb.com/)
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.
Whether that's starting or whether it's deciding games late on. I still believe, even at my age, I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. I don't think that's to question really.
Harry Maguire. Is he fir real
Quote from: square_ball on May 21, 2026, 09:49:06 PMLove 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.
Players already been told who's in and who's out. Looks like them and their agents are leaking if they're in the squad or not - Maguires ma on twitter crying say it's "disgusting"
Quote from: Mourne Red on May 21, 2026, 11:19:34 PMQuote from: square_ball on May 21, 2026, 09:49:06 PMLove 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.
Players already been told who's in and who's out. Looks like them and their agents are leaking if they're in the squad or not - Maguires ma on twitter crying say it's "disgusting"
The Maguire's would rip your arms off. I've seen Shameless. Tuchel better reconsider if he knows what's good for him
Quote from: An Watcher on May 21, 2026, 11:08:46 PMWhether that's starting or whether it's deciding games late on. I still believe, even at my age, I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. I don't think that's to question really.
Harry Maguire. Is he fir real
His self entitlement is very real.
Ridiculous call not bringing Maguire for all that.
Quote from: Armagh18 on Today at 06:45:31 AMRidiculous call not bringing Maguire for all that.
The starting centre backs are Stones (if fit) and Guehi with Konsa from Villa as back up as there's no way Stones is going to not pick up and injury.
Maguire isn't all that even in his prime, a Terry Butcher type character but not great if the truth was told.
Gazza wrecked the joint back in the day, this is pussycat stuff, the one thing I do find disgusting is having your ma on twitter. I wouldn't even be on twitter!
On the squad, this is the weakest they have had for a while, the form of many of the better players hasn't been great Burn Henderson and Toney would be very hard to judge, but hey ho, here's hoping they get dicked in every game
Quote from: AustinPowers on May 21, 2026, 11:27:58 PMQuote from: Mourne Red on May 21, 2026, 11:19:34 PMQuote from: square_ball on May 21, 2026, 09:49:06 PMLove 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.
Players already been told who's in and who's out. Looks like them and their agents are leaking if they're in the squad or not - Maguires ma on twitter crying say it's "disgusting"
The Maguire's would rip your arms off. I've seen Shameless. Tuchel better reconsider if he knows what's good for him
I don't think the maguires in real life are much different from the ones in shameless...
Quote from: johnnycool on Today at 08:24:59 AMQuote from: Armagh18 on Today at 06:45:31 AMRidiculous call not bringing Maguire for all that.
The starting centre backs are Stones (if fit) and Guehi with Konsa from Villa as back up as there's no way Stones is going to not pick up and injury.
Maguire isn't all that even in his prime, a Terry Butcher type character but not great if the truth was told.
Harry Maguire might not be all some make him out to be but he's better than some in that squad.
I'm concerned that Tuchel might actually have got this right overall because he has left some out of form players at home. Hoping I'm wrong
Youd have to take a look at yourself if Burn, Hendo and Toney are on that plane before you. Foden needs to leave city (but he wont) and Palmer looks like he was a pen merchant and even that isnt working now. So neither of those 2 could have many complaints.
I dont think they should be contenders at all really. Here's hoping.
Tuchel is a canny operator, well attuned to rocking the boat himself, he's profiled not only their ability but their character and personality, and with the likes of Maguire Palmer and Trent I think he's basically decided he can't be fucked spending 6 weeks of his life in the company of an excess of grown up weins especially when he invariably has to rely on some for results, there's a threshold and he's basically chosen to go with Rashford Bellingham at the expense of the other 3, you couldn't carry 5 balloons it would descend into farce, I think he's given himself a real chance of punching, will be mighty impressed if he has the baws to leave Bellingham out in favour of Rodgers to begin with, I think he Bellingham could slightly adjust the ego to playing for the team rather than himself they could elevate to potential winner
I'd have brought Maguire myself.
A manager trying to bring "squad depth" to a World Cup is a pointless pursuit. Realistically, if 4-5 first choice players get injured, then you're not winning the tournament. Not a hope. So bringing along a bunch of players who aren't up the mark is largely an irrelevance.
But you're also very unlikely to win a WC without being able to hold onto a one goal leads under aerial pressure, and without being able to summon up a late goal when one behind.
Hence the bench, imho, should be stacked with players who can aid these scenarios, and Maguire is one of the best in the world at both.