OT: The 2026 World Cup Thread

[OldEngland]

The last four teams are France, Spain, England and Argentina. These are probably the four of the best and most consistent teams over the last decade.

Argentina have won their last 3 tournaments. They are the reigning world cup winners from 2022 They won the last 2 Copa Americas in 2021 and 2025, and were knocked out by France in the L16 of the 2018 WC.
France were the 2018 WC winners and 2022 finalists. They lost to Spain in the SF of the 2024 European Championships, and Switzerland in L16 of 2020.
Spain are the reigning European Champions from 2024 and lost in SFs in 2020 to win̈ners Italy . They were knocked out in the L16 of the 2022 and 2018 WCs on penalties by Morocco and Russia.
England reached the final of the 2020 and 2024 Euros, and SF of the 2018 WC. They lost to France in the QFs of 2022. Unlike the other 3 teams, they haven't won an international tournament in 60 years.

England vs Argentina is a really interesting game, as they rarely play each other. The last game was over 20 years ago They have met on the WC 3 times in the last 40 years, 1986 and 1998 were infamous for Maradona's hand of God and wonder goal, and for Beckham's red card. England won the last meeting in 2002.

France and Spain have played twice in the last two years. A Euro SF and Natiins Lesgue final, with Spain winning both. The 2025 one was 5-4.

Should be two great semi-finals. Any of those four teams could win it all.

 

[wynpalmer]

ARG won, but not without controversy and accusations of favoritism. SWS hung in there for 90 + and gave ARG all they could handle.

Did that SWS player deserve a red card? It appeared that some of the SWS players were going to go after the referee who made the call. 5 minutes after the SWS goal tying the game, SWS is suddenly down to 10 players and it seemed like all their momentum was gone.

The referee absolutely made the right call. There was no contact and the Swiss player threw himself to the ground then writhed in "pain", clearly trying to fool the ref.
This was an obvious case of simulation, something that the football authorities are trying to deal harshly with as it's a real plague on the game. The rule says that if a yellow is issued in this circumstance that it is a case of mistaken identity and should be transferred to the actual culprit- the simulator. Embolo brought this upon himself and deserved what he got. He already had one yellow so the outcome was not open to debate.
There should have been no controversy. The Swiss players would have been better directing their ire at Embolo.

 

[XLIX]

England* should not be in the final 4. That ball hit the wire as sure as God made green apples.

If they had even the slightest shred of integrity, they would forfeit their position.

 

[Triumph]

The referee absolutely made the right call. There was no contact and the Swiss player threw himself to the ground then writhed in "pain", clearly trying to fool the ref.
This was an obvious case of simulation, something that the football authorities are trying to deal harshly with as it's a real plague on the game. The rule says that if a yellow is issued in this circumstance that it is a case of mistaken identity and should be transferred to the actual culprit- the simulator. Embolo brought this upon himself and deserved what he got. He already had one yellow so the outcome was not open to debate.
There should have been no controversy. The Swiss players would have been better directing their ire at Embolo.

Thanks for the detailed and thorough explanation.

My soccer buddies are convinced that Messi and his team get all the breaks because the FIFA President wants Messi to win another WC.

 

[1960Pats]

The referee absolutely made the right call. There was no contact and the Swiss player threw himself to the ground then writhed in "pain", clearly trying to fool the ref.
This was an obvious case of simulation, something that the football authorities are trying to deal harshly with as it's a real plague on the game. The rule says that if a yellow is issued in this circumstance that it is a case of mistaken identity and should be transferred to the actual culprit- the simulator. Embolo brought this upon himself and deserved what he got. He already had one yellow so the outcome was not open to debate.
There should have been no controversy. The Swiss players would have been better directing their ire at Embolo.

I don't watch much soccer but I've been watching some of the WC. Flopping is one thing that turns me off. The first time I remember seeing a lot of flopping was the Philthadelphia Flyers in hockey. The NHL seems to have that under control now.

One good thing that I noticed over the years in my limited viewing is the level of ability of the players. They're all better now than in the past.

 

[Triumph]

The last four teams are France, Spain, England and Argentina. These are probably the four of the best and most consistent teams over the last decade.

Argentina have won their last 3 tournaments. They are the reigning world cup winners from 2022 They won the last 2 Copa Americas in 2021 and 2025, and were knocked out by France in the L16 of the 2018 WC.
France were the 2018 WC winners and 2022 finalists. They lost to Spain in the SF of the 2024 European Championships, and Switzerland in L16 of 2020.
Spain are the reigning European Champions from 2024 and lost in SFs in 2020 to win̈ners Italy . They were knocked out in the L16 of the 2022 and 2018 WCs on penalties by Morocco and Russia.
England reached the final of the 2020 and 2024 Euros, and SF of the 2018 WC. They lost to France in the QFs of 2022. Unlike the other 3 teams, they haven't won an international tournament in 60 years.

England vs Argentina is a really interesting game, as they rarely play each other. The last game was over 20 years ago They have met on the WC 3 times in the last 40 years, 1986 and 1998 were infamous for Maradona's hand of God and wonder goal, and for Beckham's red card. England won the last meeting in 2002.

France and Spain have played twice in the last two years. A Euro SF and Natiins Lesgue final, with Spain winning both. The 2025 one was 5-4.

Should be two great semi-finals. Any of those four teams could win it all.

It seems like Argentina is running on fumes and scaping by.

 

[Bill Lee]

The last four teams are France, Spain, England and Argentina. These are probably the four of the best and most consistent teams over the last decade.

Argentina have won their last 3 tournaments. They are the reigning world cup winners from 2022 They won the last 2 Copa Americas in 2021 and 2025, and were knocked out by France in the L16 of the 2018 WC.
France were the 2018 WC winners and 2022 finalists. They lost to Spain in the SF of the 2024 European Championships, and Switzerland in L16 of 2020.
Spain are the reigning European Champions from 2024 and lost in SFs in 2020 to win̈ners Italy . They were knocked out in the L16 of the 2022 and 2018 WCs on penalties by Morocco and Russia.
England reached the final of the 2020 and 2024 Euros, and SF of the 2018 WC. They lost to France in the QFs of 2022. Unlike the other 3 teams, they haven't won an international tournament in 60 years.

England vs Argentina is a really interesting game, as they rarely play each other. The last game was over 20 years ago They have met on the WC 3 times in the last 40 years, 1986 and 1998 were infamous for Maradona's hand of God and wonder goal, and for Beckham's red card. England won the last meeting in 2002.

France and Spain have played twice in the last two years. A Euro SF and Natiins Lesgue final, with Spain winning both. The 2025 one was 5-4.

• Should be two great semi-finals. Any of those four teams could win it all.

For the next round, a quick Google about betting odds suggest:

• Tue: France strongly favored over Spain
• Wed: England slightly favored over Argentina

Keep in mind this is just where the money is flowing, not what the experts think.

 

[Gumby]

England* should not be in the final 4. That ball hit the wire as sure as God made green apples.

If they had even the slightest shred of integrity, they would forfeit their position.

In the sport that celebrates “the hand of god” as one of the greatest goals ever……..FAT CHANCE

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

The referee absolutely made the right call. There was no contact and the Swiss player threw himself to the ground then writhed in "pain", clearly trying to fool the ref.
This was an obvious case of simulation, something that the football authorities are trying to deal harshly with as it's a real plague on the game. The rule says that if a yellow is issued in this circumstance that it is a case of mistaken identity and should be transferred to the actual culprit- the simulator. Embolo brought this upon himself and deserved what he got. He already had one yellow so the outcome was not open to debate.
There should have been no controversy. The Swiss players would have been better directing their ire at Embolo.

Agree 100000000%.
The biggest complaint from part-time fans is the flopping. I know so many people that are huge sports fans, and watch some soccer but have a hard time becoming bigger fans because they just can't stand the flopping.
It was absolutely deserving of a yellow, it was an absolute embarrassment of a dive and the only way to try to get it out of the game is harsh penalties.
It was disgraceful, the player should be embarrassed.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Var is a joke. Seems like something the nfl would create to control the narrative.

It’s a got a few things right but it’s just not consistent and very subjective to being used when Fifa wants a outcome.

 

[wynpalmer]

Thanks for the detailed and thorough explanation.

My soccer buddies are convinced that Messi and his team get all the breaks because the FIFA President wants Messi to win another WC.

I've watched the incidents and reviewed the rules. Unfortunately I've concluded that the refs were right. I really wish this was not the case as I want pretty well any of the remaining teams bar Argentina to win.
The use of the accelerometer in the ball has been particularly interesting. That they now have a consistent, aligned visual/impact history of the ball movement is astonishing in establishing offsides, some fouls, and whether the camera etc. equipment has interfered with play. There's no arguing with Physics, although players/The Press still do, apparently.

 

[wynpalmer]

In the sport that celebrates “the hand of god” as one of the greatest goals ever……..FAT CHANCE

The ball has an accelerometer and a radio built in. It is aligned with the video sequence. Physics cannot be denied. If it had hit the wire the accelerometer would have registered it and produced a variation in output- either due to the impact or due to the acceleration (change in direction) of the ball. It did not. The time aligned output showed no deviation from baseline. The ball was essential following what is called the expected Geodesic (travelling under the influence of gravity with only environmental impacts on the path) between the ball strike and its returning to play.
This should not be an issue open to debate.

 

[Tunescribe]

'Team' is a collective noun.

BUT, it functions as a singular entity when acting as a unified group.

 

[Triumph]

I've watched the incidents and reviewed the rules. Unfortunately I've concluded that the refs were right. I really wish this was not the case as I want pretty well any of the remaining teams bar Argentina to win.
The use of the accelerometer in the ball has been particularly interesting. That they now have a consistent, aligned visual/impact history of the ball movement is astonishing in establishing offsides, some fouls, and whether the camera etc. equipment has interfered with play. There's no arguing with Physics, although players/The Press still do, apparently.

Some of the analyst and commentators argued that the 2nd yellow card could have been picked up so both teams would have finished at full strength.

The falling down was occurring on both teams. It happens so often that its gotten to the point of the Boy who cried wolf.

 

[Triumph]

Agree 100000000%.
The biggest complaint from part-time fans is the flopping. I know so many people that are huge sports fans, and watch some soccer but have a hard time becoming bigger fans because they just can't stand the flopping.
It was absolutely deserving of a yellow, it was an absolute embarrassment of a dive and the only way to try to get it out of the game is harsh penalties.
It was disgraceful, the player should be embarrassed.

Embolo cant play next game.

Neither can his team.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Some of the analyst and commentators argued that the 2nd yellow card could have been picked up so both teams would have finished at full strength.

The falling down was occurring on both teams. It happens so often that its gotten to the point of the Boy who cried wolf.

It does, but usually there is some contact if even minor.
The fact that he jumped in the air and went down like he got shot with zero contact was 100% deserving of a yellow.
It was disgraceful.

 

[XLIX]

The ball has an accelerometer and a radio built in. It is aligned with the video sequence. Physics cannot be denied. If it had hit the wire the accelerometer would have registered it and produced a variation in output- either due to the impact or due to the acceleration (change in direction) of the ball. It did not. The time aligned output showed no deviation from baseline. The ball was essential following what is called the expected Geodesic (travelling under the influence of gravity with only environmental impacts on the path) between the ball strike and its returning to play.
This should not be an issue open to debate.

That's cute how you're taking FIFA at their word! Don't ever lose your childlike naivete, my friend!! All professional sports orgaizations are 100% on the level and would never lie to their fans to save face!!

Meanwhile, for those of us who wisely believe our lyin' eyes, the side view of the goal kick shows 100% the ball hit the wire. It drastically changes direction on the way down just moments after it peaked. No still frame will show it, but it is absolutely impossible to watch this video and deny the direction change.

 

[wynpalmer]

Some of the analyst and commentators argued that the 2nd yellow card could have been picked up so both teams would have finished at full strength.

The falling down was occurring on both teams. It happens so often that its gotten to the point of the Boy who cried wolf.

And why would that happen? Are they arguing that out of some nebulous sense of fairness that the ref should have awarded a yellow card to one of the Argentinian players that was previously carded just to make things FAIR?
Which universe are we in? Certainly not the one that we usually are in. If an appropriate Argentinian player had done the same thing- falling after no contact, then writhing on the ground for an extended period of time clutching their calf so that their nearest Swiss opponent was carded then that would have been fair. It's not just the flopping here, it's the entirety of the sequence that counts.

 

[Triumph]

And why would that happen? Are they arguing that out of some nebulous sense of fairness that the ref should have awarded a yellow card to one of the Argentinian players that was previously carded just to make things FAIR?
Which universe are we in? Certainly not the one that we usually are in. If an appropriate Argentinian player had done the same thing- falling after no contact, then writhing on the ground for an extended period of time clutching their calf so that their nearest Swiss opponent was carded then that would have been fair. It's not just the flopping here, it's the entirety of the sequence that counts.

Because flopping is part of the game.

Everytime the ball is in traffic players are hitting the ground.

 

[wynpalmer]

That's cute how you're taking FIFA at their word! Don't ever lose your childlike naivete, my friend!! All professional sports orgaizations are 100% on the level and would never lie to their fans to save face!!

Meanwhile, for those of us who wisely believe our lyin' eyes, the side view of the goal kick shows 100% the ball hit the wire. It drastically changes direction on the way down just moments after it peaked.

FIFA has released the video/ball sensor output. It shows no deviation. I see no reason to not take them at their word. Why do you believe that there is some sort of conspiracy at work here? They would have to have fabricated the data. That seems implausible, whatever your personal animosity to them is.