With uneven pools that means we can't have simultaneous final matches, mean potential disgrace-of-gijon style shenanigans.
All Whites 0-3 down against Haiti in a friendly
world cup could be ugly...Haiti are only a couple of world ranking positions ahead of us on 83....
There was definitely a big drop-off in performance and quality from the 2nd half team. de Vries was badly exposed on defence.
Im predicting France, Argentina or Portugal. reckon Brazil will struggle their midfield is average and England will do their famous choke. Its funny I’ve always taken an interest in. *insert name here * but it wasn’t until my 13 year old started playing it a few years ago I’ve actually gotten a lot more into it.
The SWC squads are out and this is the stat the ferners were waiting to have a look at.
The number of players in each squad who play in that countries home leagues.
Couldn't find it anywhere so had to sift it out myself, but it didn't take long for obvious reasons.
Only 27.6% of players play in their own countries domestic leagues.
Even France only have 8 players playing domestically.
And the Dutch only 2!
Contenders Spain have 9 "foreigners."
Senegal have zero, but with 20 players in the "Big 5" west euro leagues, definitely contenders.
i had to have the think about that one, as it is a cross confederation league, almost unique in the soccer world
as Auckland FC are not allowed to play in the Asian Champions league, I decided that they are a NZ club
up to that point i'd thought it would be possible for two NZ teams to make the FIFA world club championship finals, but that is not guna happen
but you could look at it the other way
In the longevity stakes, Ronaldo, Messi and Ochoa (Mexican squad keeper) all in line to break a record by appearing in their 6th World Cup finals. Modric heading for his 5th having also appeared in the 2006 world cup as the other 3 did - but Croatia didn't qualify in 2010.
All time top scorers at World Cups
Klose 16, Ronaldo (Br) 15, Gerd Muller 14, Fontaine, Messi 13, Pele, Mbappe 12.
Top scorers who are playing in 2026
Messi 13, Mbappe 12, Kane, Neymar 8, Valencia, James 6, Lukaku 5
As usual, I am doing one of my mega World Cup competitions again (you have to pick the result of every match until you end up with a winner) so private message me with an email address if you want to have a go. Less than a week until it starts .....
@KiwiPie said in FIFA World Cup:
This photo almost guarantees an early exit for Norway ....
Anything else? Did they paint a photo of the team on their aeroplane?
From the bits I've seen, South Africa looked like they'd have been happiest if they could keep the ball at their goalie's feet for 90 minutes.
South Africa were shit, Mexico probably should have won by 4.
3 reds was pretty funny though. Can't say any of them were harsh.
Highly entertaining game between South Korea and Czechia
Lots of empty seats which will be a theme of this world cup.....
@Tim said in FIFA World Cup:
@canefan said in FIFA World Cup:
Football has sold its soul
It had one?
Like the Olympics, I guess it did a long time ago
@canefan said in FIFA World Cup:
Football has sold its soul
the hookers and blow isn't cheap you know
@sparky said in FIFA World Cup:
Not sure there is going to be a funnier moment at this World Cup:
A more appropriate description of him is not possible. Hats off.
@MiketheSnow said in FIFA World Cup:
Yanks looked impressive
Yeah, the energy and intensity in that first half was impressive. They were on the front foot the whole time and when they lost possession they pressed hard to get it back.
@booboo said in FIFA World Cup:
Okay.
Just saw Iran is ranked 20th.
So they'll be quite a challenge?
Have they been let into the country? Thy were having visa issues at one stage
@canefan said in FIFA World Cup:
@booboo said in FIFA World Cup:
Okay.
Just saw Iran is ranked 20th.
So they'll be quite a challenge?
Have they been let into the country? Thy were having visa issues at one stage
Travelling from Canada and back
Fans, no dice
@African-Monkey So good to see his iconic celebration at the World Cup.
What a guy!
@sparky said in FIFA World Cup:
Super John McGinn.
First Scotland WC win since 1990 I believe ? also the last time they did a Grand Slam in the 5/6 nations......
God its shite being Scottish.......but by golly they looked thrilled at this result I must say.
Were the lowest ranked country to qualify for the WC (85), behind Hati (83) that we got thrashed by and Curacao (a nation I didn't even know existed until yesterday at 82nd).
Almost embarressing to be there...
abjectly yes i think they have let too many teams in, historically i felt that was a thing fifa did better than RW, fewer true minnows in the world cup, even when the all whites managed to get to the 2010 world cup they were able to battle out draws...this year feels like we're going to see more thrashings
but the all whites shouldn't feel embarrassed, play your heart out and if we lose make them earn it and take it on the shin
@MiketheSnow
I’ve been saying this for years.
I find penalty shoot outs tedious.
It just creates villains when some poor soul misses and then always gets remembered as the guy who missed. He might have been man of the match up to that point, scored or saved goals during the game, but will only get remembered for one thing.
Imagine how much better extra time would be if one team needed to score, no sitting back, they have to go for it.
Also, the team with the advantage, do they sit back or do they also try to score?
@westie_boy said in FIFA World Cup:
@MiketheSnow
I’ve been saying this for years.
I find penalty shoot outs tedious.It just creates villains when some poor soul misses and then always gets remembered as the guy who missed. He might have been man of the match up to that point, scored or saved goals during the game, but will only get remembered for one thing.
Imagine how much better extra time would be if one team needed to score, no sitting back, they have to go for it.
Also, the team with the advantage, do they sit back or do they also try to score?
What about a touch style drop off? Play 5 or 10 minutes then drop a player until someone scores