Competition World Cup 2026

[harry7]

I do wish some other nations would get involved in calling out this farce

Not a single ball has rolled on the pitch yet, and this is the picture of the 2026 WORLD CUP:
• The teams from Senegal and Uzbekistan were treated like criminals upon arrival, with full searches of their orifices.
• Africa's best referee was sent back to Somalia, despite his diplomatic passport.
• The Iraqi team's photographer was barred from entry even with a valid visa.
• Entry to the US was denied to 90% of Moroccan fans who had already purchased tickets.
• Visas were refused to 14 members of Iran's support staff.
• Entry to the country was denied to Switzerland's main striker, the Cameroonian Breel Embolo. The team traveled without him. After the strong backlash, the visa was finally granted.
• The Iranian team, whose matches will all be in the US, was banned from overnighting in the country. Immediately after each game, the athletes will fly back to Mexico, where they are staying.
- What's the point of hosting the World Cup if they don't intend for the WORLD to be part of it???

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There are of course 2 sides to every story.

For instance, the Iranian woman’s team recently claimed asylum when playing in Australia.

There is of course rather a long history of Islamic terrorism in USA, so any players with ties to known terrorist (such as I understand the case with the referee) are likely to be denied entry.

What better place to make a political statement than at the World Cup.

The Morocco fans being denied entry is likely due to fears they will not return. They do entry checks to ensure people have ties to their home country (eg job, family). Ask yourself, would you question the intentions of a jobless Moroccan spending many 1000s travelling to USA.

Many people are desperate for this World Cup to fail to spite the nasty orange man. I do worry than sabotage and political nonsense will ruin the World Cup.

 

[Gmspurs]

BBC pundits on who they think will win it

Who will win the 2026 World Cup? Total votes

France (9): Scott Brown, Gael Clichy, Rachel Corsie, Olivier Giroud, Danny Murphy, Paul Robinson, Tony Pulis, Alan Shearer & Chris Sutton

England (7): Thomas Frank, Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Martin Keown, Wayne Rooney, Sue Smith & Ellen White

Spain (1): Micah Richards

Who will win the World Cup? BBC pundits make their predictions

Who will win, who might spring a surprise and how will England and Scotland do? BBC pundits predict what will happen at the 2026 World Cup.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Thomas Frank picks England to win the World Cup!!!!!




ENGLAND

 

[Gmspurs]

Spain being short shifted here in my opinion. Bit shocked with all three for me.

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In the article Spain are mentioned a lot - the only reason England have as many votes is because a lot of the pundits say "I hope it's England so I'll go with them" rather than based on any real arguement.

 

[Brian Fantana]

Thought this quite good from the England game the other day. Plus this response.


View: https://x.com/blazorjp/status/2063931829346771209?s=61

 

[bk_spur]

There are of course 2 sides to every story.

For instance, the Iranian woman’s team recently claimed asylum when playing in Australia.

There is of course rather a long history of Islamic terrorism in USA, so any players with ties to known terrorist (such as I understand the case with the referee) are likely to be denied entry.

What better place to make a political statement than at the World Cup.

The Morocco fans being denied entry is likely due to fears they will not return. They do entry checks to ensure people have ties to their home country (eg job, family). Ask yourself, would you question the intentions of a jobless Moroccan spending many 1000s travelling to USA.

Many people are desperate for this World Cup to fail to spite the nasty orange man. I do worry than sabotage and political nonsense will ruin the World Cup.

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I don't think Trump really cares about the world cup. He seems a lot more interested in UFC and beauty pageants for very young women.

 

[dudu]

I think the world cup has given the Brits a shock and realisation to how far behind the UK is in terms of pay. The UK bar London is poorer than the poorest state in US, Louisiana.

Tickets are expensive. But wages are 2x or 3x higher in the US. That 20 dollar beer, is a 10 dollar beer to the people that live there. Expensive, but not astronomical like it appears to a Brit.

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2 this is very, very misleading mate.

2-3x higher is perhaps true in tech or finance but not for most people.... maybe 50-70% higher is average.

But cost of living there is higher too.

Health insurance, higher mortgage rates alone even the playing field for the middle class.

 

[Col_McCafferty]

Americans are so fucking sensitive when it comes to criticism of their cuntry, so fucking boring.

This World Cup is a farce at least in the States, should've had more games in Canada and Mexico.

 

[GOAT]

Americans are so fucking sensitive when it comes to criticism of their cuntry, so fucking boring.

This World Cup is a farce at least in the States, should've had more games in Canada and Mexico.

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100% fucking thin-skinned fucks

 

[Deuterz]

In the article Spain are mentioned a lot - the only reason England have as many votes is because a lot of the pundits say "I hope it's England so I'll go with them" rather than based on any real arguement.

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Yeah I say this as an optimistic England fan, France by far are the most talented squad and favourites, Spain are second because Yamal + their national identity meaning they have a translatable natural style which suits internationals. England are in the chasing pack.

I am very happy with our chances and I like our squad a lot but we lack pedigree, we lack attacking game changers beyond Kane + Bellingham and we lack top centre backs. We could still win it but we aren’t the favourite at all.

 

[Col_McCafferty]

I go into every tournament thinking it's high time Brazil won it and they'd be my pick.

Won it last time it was in the US, got some players with plenty to prove, hot conditions will suit them, not as much expectation on their shoulders which may help with the pressure (complete opposite to 2014) and a serial winner in charge.

Easy group as well.

 

[Deuterz]

I go into every tournament thinking it's high time Brazil won it and they'd be my pick.

Won it last time it was in the US, got some players with plenty to prove, hot conditions will suit them, not as much expectation on their shoulders which may help with the pressure (complete opposite to 2014) and a serial winner in charge.

Easy group as well.

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They have a worse team than England.

 

[Col_McCafferty]

They have a worse team than England.

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Well, they'd be my pick plus I think they have enough quality to be a contender so probably more of a chance than us.

Anyway, this thread is getting a bit tense and a ball hasn't been kicked yet so maybe I should stick to the calm and safety which is the Summer Transfer Thread.



On England, I think a weaker defence then last few tournaments and not taking a maverick like Palmer plus the hot conditions, will lead to an early exit maybe R16. Hope I'm wrong ofc but don't think this is going to be England's year.

Its not coming home, fans better though otherwise they'll end up in a detention centre!

 

[Deuterz]

Well, they'd be my pick plus I think they have enough quality to be a contender so probably more of a chance than us.

Anyway, this thread is getting a bit tense and a ball hasn't been kicked yet so maybe I should stick to the calm and safety which is the Summer Transfer Thread.



On England, I think a weaker defence then last few tournaments and not taking a maverick like Palmer plus the hot conditions, will lead to an early exit maybe R16. Hope I'm wrong ofc but don't think this is going to be England's year.

Its not coming home, fans better though otherwise they'll end up in a detention centre!

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They have a couple of top wingers and an elite cb.. that’s it. Their fullbacks are barely even prem standard, the midfield is average, their striker has had one good prem season for Brentford, and a 5 years past it Neymar will start.

The heat might be a problem for England but our midfield and defence is significantly better than Brazil’s and we have the world’s best striker. I’m confident of a good showing,

Guehi, James, Stones, O’Reilly with Rice and Anderson as a shield is not a weak defence by the way. At all.

 

[PatagoniaPhil]

Americans are so fucking sensitive when it comes to criticism of their cuntry, so fucking boring.

This World Cup is a farce at least in the States, should've had more games in Canada and Mexico.

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Or are the Brits a bit moany?

 

[PatagoniaPhil]

They have a worse team than England.

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In what way? They have Vinicius, Raphina and Cunha up top. Marquinhos and Gabriel at the back. Alisson in goal.

 

[Shadydan]

There are of course 2 sides to every story.

For instance, the Iranian woman’s team recently claimed asylum when playing in Australia.

There is of course rather a long history of Islamic terrorism in USA, so any players with ties to known terrorist (such as I understand the case with the referee) are likely to be denied entry.

What better place to make a political statement than at the World Cup.

The Morocco fans being denied entry is likely due to fears they will not return. They do entry checks to ensure people have ties to their home country (eg job, family). Ask yourself, would you question the intentions of a jobless Moroccan spending many 1000s travelling to USA.

Many people are desperate for this World Cup to fail to spite the nasty orange man. I do worry than sabotage and political nonsense will ruin the World Cup.

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Peak America, start a war then play the victim.

This post is a load of nonsense btw but it's just typical internet speak, always someone gonna do the whole contrarian thing and offer an opposing argument when there really shouldn't be one, funny stuff.

 

[Deuterz]

In what way? They have Vinicius, Raphina and Cunha up top. Marquinhos and Gabriel at the back. Alisson in goal.

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Cunha is not a striker. They will play Igor Thiago. And Cunha is just a good premier league player, of which England have many.

Marquinhos and Alisson are names. Alisson hasn’t been right for about 2 seasons now and Marquinhos is carried at PSG, Pacho is the superior of the pairing. Vini, Gabriel and Raphinha are all elite, but that’s it.

Bellingham, James, O’Reilly, Rice, Anderson, Kane all walk in to the Brazil side. And I’m taking Guehi 2026 over Marquinhos 2026.

These guys are going to start Neymar in 2026 and play two fullbacks nobody has ever heard of FFS.

 

[LeParisien]

Cunha is not a striker. They will play Igor Thiago. And Cunha is just a good premier league player, of which England have many.

Marquinhos and Alisson are names. Alisson hasn’t been right for about 2 seasons now and Marquinhos is carried at PSG, Pacho is the superior of the pairing. Vini, Gabriel and Raphinha are all elite, but that’s it.

Bellingham, James, O’Reilly, Rice, Anderson, Kane all walk in to the Brazil side. And I’m taking Guehi 2026 over Marquinhos 2026.

These guys are going to start Neymar in 2026 and play two fullbacks nobody has ever heard of FFS.

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Marquinhos and Allison would walk into this England team. Pickford is good but he would have about 4 caps if Allison was English.

Bruno Guimaeres would be starting too.

Add in Vinai and Raphina and over half a starting XI would be Brazilian.

That said… England have a better squad and they should beat Brazil. But it would be close.