England Forum - FIFA World Cup 2026: Other Teams Thread

at least we're not Italy...

 

For some reason I find it strange that England will play an official match in Arlington (Not Dallas), Texas.

My advice to traveling England supporters in Greater Dallas: do not leave the state without trying Texas barbecue.

 

The World Cup draw is quite odd. If France and Germany both win their groups their will face each other in the R16 but Spain, Brazil, Argentina and the Netherlands could avoid a group winner to the QF if they win their groups. Through in Argentina’s case the group runner up they would have in the R32 could be Spain or Uruguay.

 

The internet seams to giving the WC to France even before a ball has been kicked. I think midfields usually win you WCs.So I still have Spain are quite heavy favourites. Its also why I think England's chances aren't as bad as everyone seams think.

 

Yeah I think Spain are favourites. The difference between them and France is the depth, a couple of injuries could really hurt Spain in a way it wouldn't with France.

I think it's just impossible to confident about any outcome with England. There's still so much uncertainty around so many different parts of the team and the manager.

 

France were garbage at the Euros and outplayed Spain in terms of good chances created if I remember correctly. I think France now would dismantle them tbh. Have all the grit and know-how to keep them out and exactly the kind of forwards Spain struggle against.

 

Spain have a great midfield and a generational talent in yamal but aren't really outstanding anywhere else. France have quality all over the pitch. Spain's biggest strength is their cohesiveness. Argentina are similar to Spain without as much quality. Brazil are similar to England a lot of talent but no identity yet. This world cup is France's to lose. It hurts saying thst because I honestly thought we were catching up with France but we're still a million miles behind. We can beat any of the teams on our day but thst day rarely comes

 

I don't know if it matters that much but Spain also beat France in the Nations League final.

 

I've just done a quick WC predictor and if everything goes to form Spain and France meet in the semi's.

 

I thought they lost to Portugal?

edit: the France game was the semi's, 5-4

 

My bad.Thought it was the final. No one really cares about the Nation's League anyway.

 

Sweden?

 

Several Orange Squad midfielders play in the EPL, or in the top clubs of Spain, Italy or France.
Do you, or for that matter anybody in here, have an opinion on the quality of the Orange Squad midfield?

 

We were chatting about this the other day. Your midfield (when De Jong is fit) and defence are among the best. From an outside perspective it feels like what the Dutch squad lacks is difference makers in attack.

 

Unfortunately our coach Koeman has a preference for old guards he knows, like Depay, who was useless in the last WC and Euro, and has been Weghorst.

 

Excellent midfield. Great options at centreback but you're pretty average everywhere else. I can see the Dutch either going out in the group stage or going on a long run. They're thst type of team. Similar to England

 

United States men’s national team striker Patrick Agyemang has suffered a ruptured Achilles, his club Derby County has confirmed, ruling the 25-year-old out of the World Cup.

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino played Agyemang in both friendlies during the March international window… pic.twitter.com/t9YQjKvfqo

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 7, 2026

 

I had to roll my eyes at this—not because France are not capable of winning it, but because pundits continue to fail to grasp that tournament football is largely circumstantial.

I’m not predicting anything, but don’t be surprised that struggling Brazil win it all based on the climate they are accustomed to.

 

Luis Suarez said he is open to a return to the Uruguay national team at the age of 39 despite retiring from international duty in 2024, insisting he would never turn his back on his country - ESPN

 

A little trip down memory lane—the last time the United States hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1994, my dad took me and my sister to matches in the sweltering heat of the old Pontiac Silverdome in suburban Detroit, Michigan, and we got absolutely fried at the Rose Bowl and Stanford Stadium in California. You think climate change is that real, summer 2026 is in another level.

 

Oliver Kahn advises Jamal Musiala to skip the World Cup and use the summer break to get back to top form: "He should forgo participating in the World Cup. If I feel that something is wrong with my game, then I have to work on myself to be ready again" [Sky] pic.twitter.com/1wYYCY1GpR

— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 10, 2026

Would be a blow for Germany if he followed this and did skip the World Cup

 

From @TheAthleticFC: The World Cup is weeks away and there are all kinds of strange things going on with the defending champions, Argentina. https://t.co/ezYCtHIKS1 pic.twitter.com/u3HEkEjjoX

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 10, 2026

 

🚨🚨| BREAKING: Hugo Ekitike 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓 of the World Cup after suffering a torn Achilles tendon. 🇫🇷🤕

[@le_Parisien] pic.twitter.com/USMPZL7sAF

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) April 15, 2026