World Cup 2026

 

 

Well that's the World Cup over for another 4 years.

Spain totally outplaying the cheating Argies, only surprise was it took till extra time to score a winner.
The most one sided World Cup final I can remember.

England and France playing out one of the best games of the tournament for the 3rd place, don't think anyone expected that.

Overall a lot better than expected, I thought it might be half empty stadiums due to the exorbitant prices for match tickets, travel, food and drink etc. But obviously there are a lot of rich people in the world.

Not a fan of the Americanisation of it, turning the game into 4 quarters for added advert breaks, the lame 30 minute half time show in the final.
The FIFA, Infantino, Trump, Argentina sideshow was annoying.
But most of the stadiums were brilliant especially Dallas and Atlanta.

The Mexico v England game was incredible, the atmosphere and obviously the result made things memorable.

Cape Verde the shock team, played brilliantly when most expected them to go out with a whimper. Norway showing they are more than just Erling Haaland.
France were looking like winners until they met Spain who just make the game look simple with excellent ball control and passing.
England still a long way short of being World Champions, some great moments but lacked ideas in many of the games.

TV coverage was pretty good, I think BBC win it due to not having adverts or whiny Gary Neville.
So my TV Awards are (in my opinion)
Presenters - (Best) Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman (Worst) Mark Pougash, Kelly Cates
Pundits - (Best) Duncan Ferguson, Jobi McAnuff (Worst) Benni McCarthy, Wayne Rooney
Commentators - Not a lot of difference, Guy Mowbray kept giving the wrong names to players.
Co-Commentators - (Best) Alan Shearer, Andros Townsend (Worst) Lee Dixon, Martin Keown
Reporter - (Best) Kelly Somers (Worst) Adam Richman

The next World Cup in 2030 is being played in 6 countries

Mostly Spain, Portugal and Morocco with single games in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay supposedly to celebrate the centenery of the World Cup.

Being cynical it might be because FIFA rules about hosting  mean that with the 2034 in Saudi (AFC) and the 2030 games covering EUFA, CAF and CONMEBOL it would leave only the OFC and CONCACAF nations to bid for the 2038 edition.

Meaning as Australia is now classed as an Asian country it's more likely to be America again?

World Cup 2026 (Part 7) Semi Finals

World Cup Semi-finals on Tuesday and Wednesday.

France through in a low key game against Morocco.
Spain having a harder game against Belgium with a late winner by supersub Merino.
England making us all sweat in the heat of Miami against Norway.
Kept Haaland quiet but had to rely on Bellingham's two great strikes to see us through in extra time.
Argentina also scraping through in extra time against the ten men of Switzerland, after Embolo's two dumb yellow cards. Great winner by Alvarez but less than impressive overall and again aided by some more dubious officiating.

I think England on a good day should be able to beat Argentina, although injuries and fatigue and FIFA's love of Argentina could go against us.
Rice and Saka nowhere near their best, Kane looked shattered against Norway but hopefully 3 days rest will see them recovered.
France still looking the favourites, although Spain who haven't really been in top gear will make it tough.

France v Spain
England v Argentina

Football On TV

Two months without any live football on TV, and to be honest it's flown by.
Last decent game I saw was the Liverpool v Athletico Champs league game, although I did watch the Wolves Europa game the day after but that was behind closed doors so it was boring.
All the channels have been putting on various old games in highlight packages, which have all been spoiled by having to listen to current pundits waffling.
Gary Lineker is dull as ditchwater most of the time, and Jermaine Jenas is mind numbing.
But it was good to see BBC's World Cup rewind today, just showing highlights of classic matches without the need to listen to pundit's thoughts.

Great to see one of my all time favourite goals, Dennis Bergkamp's late winner against Argentina in the 1998 Quarter final. One of those games where you pick a side even though neither are "your" teams. Always loved watching Holland because of a history of talented players and their passionate colourful fans, and hate Argentina because of all the cheating b'stards who have played for them.
Very late in the game with both teams down to 10 men a stunning long pass to Bergkamp who controls it brilliantly, steps inside the defender and flashes it past the keeper with the outside of his foot. I went mad at the time and it still brings back the memory of that moment.

Maradona

Love him or hate him the little fat guy in the suit was certainly entertaining as a manager as he was as a player, so it's a shame he has now been dumped by the Argentinean FA.
It seems they were going to offer him a new deal but wanted to replace his backroom staff but he wasn't willing to carry on without them so that was that.
Sergio Batista another star of 86 looks likely to take over.