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Re: World Cup 2026

kokkinos — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:42:07 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 07/13/2026 22:42

Every favourite went through, but the games didn't lack tension and drama anyway, three of them went down to the wire. I expected Morocco to be more competitive, but I guess you can't really blame them, France are simply too good. No other team was anywhere near as convincing as them. Merino and Bellingham are competing for the title of Mr. Clutch and carrying their teams to the semis. And of course Argentina pulled off another miraculous escape. Surely that's it for them - famous last words. Really excited for Spain vs France, too. I've put a lot of faith in Spain since the tournament started, but at the same time can't really look past France. Whoever comes out of this semi-final should be the favourite to win it all.

Re: World Cup 2026

albummaster — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:49:52 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 07/12/2026 16:49

bojolpif71 wrote:

That schedule suits me 😄 . England should manage to beat Argentina, even though Messi's squad remains a tough team to play against.

Fancy France against Spain, but Messi's squad seems to have the officials on their side, so going to be tough for England.

Re: World Cup 2026

bojolpif71 — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 07:28:56 GMT

Author: bojolpif71

Posted: 07/12/2026 11:28

That schedule suits me 😄 . England should manage to beat Argentina, even though Messi's squad remains a tough team to play against.

Re: World Cup 2026

Johnnyo — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 06:41:55 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/12/2026 10:41

bojolpif71 wrote:

Spain vs. France in the semi-final—it’s going to be a very tight match and hard to predict, though my heart is with *Les Bleus*, of course.

I think that my head is with Les Bleus as they have been the best team in the tournament so far.

I think that that Messi's journey is going to end on Wednesday and we'll have a France v England final next Sunday.

Re: World Cup 2026

bojolpif71 — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 03:07:01 GMT

Author: bojolpif71

Posted: 07/11/2026 07:07

Spain vs. France in the semi-final—it’s going to be a very tight match and hard to predict, though my heart is with *Les Bleus*, of course.

Re: World Cup 2026

albummaster — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 08:43:05 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 07/09/2026 12:43

Johnnyo wrote:

With our household being Anglo Swiss we are very happy at the moment.

I think that England will beat Norway but it’s going to be very close and I wouldn’t bet against the Norwegians but I think England by a goal

I can’t see Switzerland troubling Argentina so I’m predictably predicting

Spain
France
England
And
Argentina

To make up the semis

After that, it’s anyone guess

Can't really argue with that, though suspect there might be a surprise. Morocco have been pretty impressive, but a big ask against France. Spain haven't been as good as I thought they'd be. Belgium not a pushover and have some momentum after the last round, so the real Spain needs to turn up. England's defence were good for one game, but two in a row might be a big ask (probably have enough depth in other areas to cope). Argentina on a magic carpet ride.

Re: World Cup 2026

Johnnyo — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 05:43:18 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/09/2026 09:43

With our household being Anglo Swiss we are very happy at the moment.

I think that England will beat Norway but it’s going to be very close and I wouldn’t bet against the Norwegians but I think England by a goal

I can’t see Switzerland troubling Argentina so I’m predictably predicting

Spain
France
England
And
Argentina

To make up the semis

After that, it’s anyone guess

Re: World Cup 2026

kokkinos — Wed, 8 Jul 2026 20:35:11 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 07/09/2026 00:35

Despite Trump's and Co.'s best efforts to overshadow it, the round of 16 was another big success in footballing terms. Argentina vs Egypt was a match for the ages. I was rooting for Egypt, but at the same time can't say no to the opportunity to watch Messi for - at least - one more round. Every time I watch them, I think they can't keep getting away with such a fragile defence and a disjointed attack -they started the game with 4 central midfielders and finished with 3 forwards - but they somehow do. Still, I'd fancy the winner of England vs Norway - probably the most exciting match of the upcoming round - to beat them. France have a tricky match-up, too. Curious to see how this one plays out. Spain vs Belgium is the most one-sided quarter-final in my opinion. Belgium have defied expectations - the irony of it all being that the Balogun incident might have worked out in their favour after all - but I expect this to be the end of the road for them.

Re: World Cup 2026

Johnnyo — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 14:37:43 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/07/2026 18:37

AfterHours wrote:

WOW

TEAM OF DESTINY???

What a remarkable game. You have to feel for Egypt. So tough losing a game like that.

If there were any doubt, Messi really is the GOAT

Re: World Cup 2026

Johnnyo — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 14:36:28 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/07/2026 18:36

bojolpif71 wrote:

Norway will not be an easy opponent in the next round; a potential semi-final against Argentina—what a prospect for the Three Lions.

I think that Norway are going to be very tough to beat. A single goal in it hopefully in Englands favour

Re: World Cup 2026

AfterHours — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 14:13:44 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 07/07/2026 18:13

WOW

TEAM OF DESTINY???

Re: World Cup 2026

albummaster — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 05:31:04 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 07/07/2026 09:31

France v Spain should be quite intriguing if it pans out that way, but Morocco should be a good test. Argentina not really played anyone decent yet & had a pretty easy ride which might play into England's hands (provided they get past Norway).

Re: World Cup 2026

bojolpif71 — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 02:11:48 GMT

Author: bojolpif71

Posted: 07/07/2026 06:11

Norway will not be an easy opponent in the next round; a potential semi-final against Argentina—what a prospect for the Three Lions.

Re: World Cup 2026

Johnnyo — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 13:43:37 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/06/2026 17:43

On a more positive footballing note, England were phenomenal against Mexico last night and my boy Jude (he started his career at my club and comes from my home city) was world class.

The whole team were magnificent to a man.

Re: World Cup 2026

albummaster — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 13:36:41 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 07/06/2026 17:36

bojolpif71 wrote:

Infantino is hell-bent on pleasing President Trump; he is undoubtedly the most corrupt FIFA president—quite a feat, considering some of his predecessors. With the incident involving the Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States despite having accreditation, FIFA has completely discredited itself.

Fwiw, totally agree. Imagine if Putin had done this in 2018. Optics are not good.

Re: World Cup 2026

Johnnyo — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 13:35:21 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/06/2026 17:35

Cheddar wrote:

Yeah, that was, uh, something by Paraguay. Did not shine themselves in glory as an underdog like Cabo Verde did.

I also don't know how to feel about Balogun's reinstatement. It feels like a move to protect as much profit for the tournament as possible than to protect fair play, but I guess I'll take it.

Got to say that the reinstatement of Balogun feels like the epitome of FIFA sycophancy. The orange one demands and is obeyed.

I really wanted the USA to do well but the rules are the rules and I hope that Belgium takes them to the cleaners. Shame because I like the USA team but can’t support them tonight, which I would have done before this disgraceful episode

Re: World Cup 2026

bojolpif71 — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 07:44:59 GMT

Author: bojolpif71

Posted: 07/06/2026 11:44

Infantino is hell-bent on pleasing President Trump; he is undoubtedly the most corrupt FIFA president—quite a feat, considering some of his predecessors. With the incident involving the Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States despite having accreditation, FIFA has completely discredited itself.

Re: World Cup 2026

Cheddar — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 13:58:30 GMT

Author: Cheddar

Posted: 07/05/2026 17:58

bojolpif71 wrote:

The French team won a tropical wrestling match against Paraguay 😕 ; now it's back to football—the tournament's official sport—for the next round.

Re: World Cup 2026

Johnnyo — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 05:18:26 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/05/2026 09:18

bojolpif71 wrote:

The French team won a tropical wrestling match against Paraguay 😕 ; now it's back to football—the tournament's official sport—for the next round.

Paraguay defended very well until the France scored and I couldn't work out Paraguay's game plan after that. They had to score but just kept on trying to kick lumps out of the French. Very odd

With so many match winners in the team, France are still my favourites and Michael Olise is playing fantastic. Can't believe it's the same player who I saw play at Palace. World Class

Re: World Cup 2026

bojolpif71 — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 04:56:24 GMT

Author: bojolpif71

Posted: 07/05/2026 08:56

The French team won a tropical wrestling match against Paraguay 😕 ; now it's back to football—the tournament's official sport—for the next round.