FIFA World Cup 2026

[gallsman]

Everyone was saying the same about both 2018 and 2022 and both ended up as brilliant tournaments.

This one is going to be much harder to follow for most of us given the time difference. Also, with 48 teams there will be way more filler than normal. Hard to see any way it can be as compelling as the last few.

[square_ball]

Maybe I'm just getting older and grumpier.  Enjoyed every wc since 1986 but this one just isn't doing it for me.  Not sure if its Trump, the absence of ireland or just how shit soccer is becoming as a spectacle.  Hopefully this will change when it kicks off

It's the amount of games between teams that are rubbish plus the kick off times during the middle of the night. The last 16 is where it will get going and it'll probably be decent.

[AustinPowers]

You're forgetting about the rigged draw , so that the big teams  are unlikely to meet until the latter stages. No doubt  the final will contain two of Messi,  Mbappe or Ronaldo.  Although considering Portugal are managed by  Martinez , that's  unlikely. But you never know what FIFA have up  their sleeves. Anything is possible where   those gangsters are concerned

Ronaldo's red card  ban v Ireland was  apparently  rescinded  so he's free to  play  from game one. 

[Nanderson]

You're forgetting about the rigged draw , so that the big teams  are unlikely to meet until the latter stages. No doubt  the final will contain two of Messi,  Mbappe or Ronaldo.  Although considering Portugal are managed by  Martinez , that's  unlikely. But you never know what FIFA have up  their sleeves. Anything is possible where   those gangsters are concerned

Ronaldo's red card  ban v Ireland was  apparently  rescinded  so he's free to  play  from game one. 

"It raised eyebrows, but probably didn't come as a huge surprise. Cristiano Ronaldo is available to play for Portugal in their opening matches at the World Cup, despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland.

Why? Because Fifa decided to suspend for one year the final two matches of his suspension.

Under Fifa's disciplinary code for violent conduct, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O'Shea during Portugal's 2-0 qualifying defeat earlier this month.

Yet Fifa's disciplinary committee said it took into account that he had not received a red card in his other 225 international appearances.

He served one match in the final qualifier against Armenia. The other two will only be activated if he "commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period"

[AustinPowers]

You're forgetting about the rigged draw , so that the big teams  are unlikely to meet until the latter stages. No doubt  the final will contain two of Messi,  Mbappe or Ronaldo.  Although considering Portugal are managed by  Martinez , that's  unlikely. But you never know what FIFA have up  their sleeves. Anything is possible where   those gangsters are concerned

Ronaldo's red card  ban v Ireland was  apparently  rescinded  so he's free to  play  from game one. 

"It raised eyebrows, but probably didn't come as a huge surprise. Cristiano Ronaldo is available to play for Portugal in their opening matches at the World Cup, despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland.

Why? Because Fifa decided to suspend for one year the final two matches of his suspension.

Under Fifa's disciplinary code for violent conduct, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O'Shea during Portugal's 2-0 qualifying defeat earlier this month.

Yet Fifa's disciplinary committee said it took into account that he had not received a red card in his other 225 international appearances.

He served one match in the final qualifier against Armenia. The other two will only be activated if he "commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period"

F××kin hell , That is hilarious

I wonder if  I committed armed robbery, would  I  get off  because I've never done it  in my life before?

[Baile Brigín 2]

Punters want to see him play at the World Cup. Sponsors want him to play. A loophole was found. Welcome to modern soccer.

[Baile Brigín 2]

You're forgetting about the rigged draw , so that the big teams  are unlikely to meet until the latter stages. No doubt  the final will contain two of Messi,  Mbappe or Ronaldo.  Although considering Portugal are managed by  Martinez , that's  unlikely. But you never know what FIFA have up  their sleeves. Anything is possible where   those gangsters are concerned

Ronaldo's red card  ban v Ireland was  apparently  rescinded  so he's free to  play  from game one. 

"It raised eyebrows, but probably didn't come as a huge surprise. Cristiano Ronaldo is available to play for Portugal in their opening matches at the World Cup, despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland.

Why? Because Fifa decided to suspend for one year the final two matches of his suspension.

Under Fifa's disciplinary code for violent conduct, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O'Shea during Portugal's 2-0 qualifying defeat earlier this month.

Yet Fifa's disciplinary committee said it took into account that he had not received a red card in his other 225 international appearances.

He served one match in the final qualifier against Armenia. The other two will only be activated if he "commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period"

F××kin hell , That is hilarious

I wonder if  I committed armed robbery, would  I  get off  because I've never done it  in my life before?

The best bit is the Portuguese didn't appeal. Fifa did this off their own bat.

[Blowitupref]

A special envoy to US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has asked FIFA to remove Iran from this summer's World Cup and replace them with Italy

[gallsman]

That's not even the whole story. The guy is in the Epstein files. He had ICE deport his ex wife. He has a penchant for young models. Google Paolo Zampolli.

[AustinPowers]

A special envoy to US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has asked FIFA to remove Iran from this summer's World Cup and replace them with Italy

Surely the obvious  thing would be to replace Iran with  Israel?

[An Watcher]

Love to see a big gun like Spain withdraw from this competition.  Devalue the whole thing

[RedHand88]

Love to see a big gun like Spain withdraw from this competition.  Devalue the whole thing

Why?

[RedHand88]

You're forgetting about the rigged draw , so that the big teams  are unlikely to meet until the latter stages. No doubt  the final will contain two of Messi,  Mbappe or Ronaldo.  Although considering Portugal are managed by  Martinez , that's  unlikely. But you never know what FIFA have up  their sleeves. Anything is possible where   those gangsters are concerned

Ronaldo's red card  ban v Ireland was  apparently  rescinded  so he's free to  play  from game one. 

It's a seeded draw. Happens in the GAA championship too by the way. In fact it's in pretty much every sport where teams or individuals are ranked.

[brokencrossbar1]

That's not even the whole story. The guy is in the Epstein files. He had ICE deport his ex wife. He has a penchant for young models. Google Paolo Zampolli.

The ex wife knows where the bodies are buried too when it comes to Melania. Stinks to high heaven!

[Armagh18]

Love to see a big gun like Spain withdraw from this competition.  Devalue the whole thing

Absolutely but will never happen unfortunately.