They would have been articles in a couple of the papers that would have been uncomfortable for the FA for sure. Majority of the coverage would have been positive through.
I think so. The last changes were approved at congress. Even if they can’t they can cause issues in other ways if FIFA did something the majority of associations opposed.
I remember at the time, none of us from this forum were in favour of calling up Musiala as he wasn’t better than our other options and mainly a bench player at Bayern, therefore during that time he didn’t deserve the call up. However, we all knew his ceiling was very high, higher compared to other options during that period in the senior team. I wonder if we have another situation similar in the future, we might feel a little differently with high ceiling players. It’s always a gamble though as you can’t say for certain how a players trajectory will play out so it’s never easy even though I think we’ve been a bit unlucky with player situations/circumstances and losing them. As far as the media are concerned, a lot of them are probably miffed we didn’t call up Musiala in hindsight so in the future many might be more sympathetic if we do call up a player relatively early.
The level of reaction will depend on how the team ks doing at the time and how the manager is perceived. A popular manager and team in good form will get less criticism than if it’s during a period of team struggling and unpopular manager.
An Irish journalist from The Times (UK) spent a day with Alex Scott’s Irish Grandfather, and wrote a whole article about it! https://web.archive.org/web/2026041...-scott-bournemouth-england-guernsey-bzlkvkf6q
That article pretty much highlights that Scott is solely focused on England. The idea that Delap or Scott will switch at this point seems massively far fetched. Quite a lot of these dual national switches eventually end up coming down to circumstances and they are not in Ireland’s favour at all at present.
I’m genuinely baffled as to why the Irish think they even have a chance to get him. He could be within a shout of going to the World Cup with England. Why on earth would he declare for an Ireland team who haven’t qualified for this World Cup and probably won’t qualify for the next euros.
The next Euros is partly in Dublin so they probably will make it. Some of their fans think Tuchel snubbing him last month could be a sign he doesn’t rate him in general and make not give him many opportunities going forward.
Its more a reflection of aspirational behaviour on behalf of Ireland (or FAI) As much as I don't rate Scott as England's biggest CM prospect and think we have bigger talent ceilings in Wharton, Anderson and Mainoo. He would be a complete game changer for them and instantly become the most technically capable player in their pool. They dont have anyone near to how much he could influence their team/setup and they likely wont be producing one through their youth system - so the only alternatives are either recruit one from England (via Granny rule) or simply do without..
Yeah I guess when you put it like that, it changes things a little. Even still, very optimistic on their part.
I’d be surprised if they did get him to be fair. I think it would be one of the most high profile ‘steals’ they’ve had off us. But I still think they’re being very optimistic if they expect he will declare.
Don’t they ( along with all the other home Nations ) have to qualify this time round and not automatically as hosts?
Sort of. They are two reserved spots which will come into force after the qualifying happens for any team that hasn’t won qualifying. If less than two have automatically qualified then the lowest ranked won’t get the reserved spots and will go into the playoffs.
Not saying it's done or anything but keep an eye on Callum Hudson-Odoi playing for Ghana at the World Cup. Some movement again in the last 48 hours.— Rahman osman (@iamrahmanosman) April 21, 2026 ..although he is supposedly injured for the rest of the season, so...?
He is definitely out for the rest of the season but I think he could then be fit for the World Cup. I feel like if he goes we need to keep an eye on Acheampong and Nketiah joining hi, as well
Nottingham Forest can confirm that Callum Hudson-Odoi suffered an injury to his right quadriceps muscle in our Europa League Quarter Final fixture against FC Porto last Thursday.Following further specialist consultation, the winger has undergone surgery today and will commence… pic.twitter.com/qDegqqqmA4— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 21, 2026 This would seemingly rule it out.
On the Scott situation. Even their own fans think its highly unlikely they'll be able to tempt him. Also Scott has numerous times made it clear its his dream to play for England. They've got more chance with dewsbury-hall
He turned them down not long ago after a long period of speculation that he would switch. Personally I think that points to him really not wanting to play for them.
Still won’t stop the FAI, they have absolutely no self respect. They proved this when they wished rice and grealish happy birthday on their social media platforms…all whilst both players had turned them down to ‘concentrate on club football’
🇪🇸👀 𝗚𝗔𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗟 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗧𝗔 (𝟭𝟲), Arteta’s son, against Reading U18… pic.twitter.com/QfEKlX5M62— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) April 23, 2026 I take it Arteta’s son has basically lived his entire life in England? Just thinking his Dad has been employed in England for a long time now, must be more than 16 years I would say unless his son was raised separately in Spain or something. I’ve no idea how good he is by the way, just found it interesting and if he’s any good maybe a potential call up at some point.
He wasn’t born here (All 3 of Arteta’s son are born in June so off season and back in Spain) but his dad has been living in the UK without a break since 2005 so he must be eligible. He might well have a British passport - his dad was considering one back in 2010:when he was still playing and Capello was interested in calling him up. Daniel Arteta is eligible for 3 countires as his mum was born in Argentina. Must be a little ageing for Mikel to now be managing someone younger then his son in Max Dowman.
There’s a website about footballers and their families and it was on there. Arteta’s wife is famous in Spain for her pre marriage acting, presenting and modelling career so the Spanish tabloids covered them a lot.