England Forum - FIFA World Cup 2026: Other Teams Thread

I think it's more specifically rubbing it in english faces particularly that will get our backs up.

I don't mind, I like hosts to do well at tournaments, means attendances will be good... but yeah.

 

Goes back to what I said here last night. The lack of Paraguay pressure on the US defenders was suicide. It just allowed them ample time on the ball to pick out US players running beyond the midfield and defensive lines.

The number of times the US forwards got in behind the Paraguay back four and the midfielders + Balogun found themselves 4v4 with Paraguay's backline was like nothing I've seen. Paraguay were so static and passive.

I called it a low block on here but it was more of a mid block when you watch it back. Felt like they were caught between two different game plans and ended up with the worst aspect of each.

Don't want to minimise the US showing though. You still need a lot of quality to pull it off and score three times in one half.

 

Americans are already being insufferable on social media about Balogun.

I remember the 2010 World Cup when Tim Howard played a great game. I suppose it was still the early stages of social media connecting people and loads of Americans were declaring him the best keeper in the world based off that performance. I think there’s quite a big disconnect between how Americans understand ‘soccer’ and how Europeans do.

 

I've carefully crafted my algorithm so I don't see a lot of that nonsense, the fact he's English or just his performance?

 

That was Paraguay’s style of play, and they have been consistent with it throughout their qualifying process that included victories over Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Poch and his staff had obviously studied Paraguay’s vices and virtues for months and prepared accordingly. They understood exactly how Paraguay wanted to play and implemented their tactical plan to near perfection.

USMNT didn’t just win because of individual talent; they won because they were organized, disciplined, and well-prepared. However, Paraguay still relative played the same aggressive and direct style that had brought them success in qualifying, but the U.S. coaching staff anticipated it, identified the weaknesses within that approach, and exploited them effectively throughout the match. That level of preparation and execution is what separates a good performance from a dominant one.

 

I've had a quick look on twitter and I think Nigerians are actually more irritating than the Americans and generally the most jarring commenters on social media. Which is ironic, as Balogun would have likely chosen Nigeria as his 3rd choice.

 

It’s wide ranging. It’s goes from he’s going to be one of the richest athletes in America through endorsements to him being upheld as an anti-Trump symbol because of the MAGA opposition to Jus Solis. Basically the American mainstream has just discovered that he even exists at all.

 

I think the feeling is mutual, mate. Based on population discrepancy, you will see more of those accounts.

Anyway, Twitter is a cesspool full of bots or trolls who don’t go out in the real world.

 

Yeah agree with all that but the worst I’ve seen by far are the Indian cricket fans! Absolutely unbearable and the difference I’ve experienced is it’s a vast majority where as the others seem to always have a decent few who are level headed. The Indians though, Christ they are on another level completely imo.

 

100% and I can't those American fans, but still a minority for the most part.

 

not as bad as Germany's away kit for Euro 2024

 

I don't know how the Qatar keeper didn't get concussed on the foul he committed.

 

@BarryfromEastenders is starting to get excited…..

 

The Swiss are a strange team they do really well every tournament without possessing any real quality

 

Qatar look completely out their depth

 

The absurdity of the mandated hydration breaks that we're stopping for 3 minutes when its apparently 17 degrees there

 

Only half of Qatar's squad is born in Qatar

 

Got to get those ad breaks in.

I’m watching in Spanish because I detest Fox going to ads during the game. It’s absolutely the thin end of the wedge allowing these breaks.

 

Thought I heard Matterface saying it was 36 degrees or did I mishear?

 

They have some decent quality, but some of these players have like 80-90 games playing together internationally, that really makes a difference.

I think Xhaka and Rodriguez have played about 100 odd games together.

 

How have Qatar won the Asian Cup twice in a row? I know the standard isn't amazing but there are some decent teams in that tournament that often give a good account of themselves in World Cups.

Qatar were dreadfully poor on home soil in 2022 and they don't look like they've improved at all here.

 

Not impressed by this version of Switzerland, considering how poor Qatar is.