FIFA World Cup 2026: England Tournament Thread [R]

If Rice is still a fitness risk because of his illness it seems absolutely ridiculous we actually started him on Saturday.

I wouldn't be too surprised if Rogers comes in, be that for Rice or Madueke. Tuchel was very glowing about him after the game.

 

I've literally just realised that even if we lose tomorrow we'll have a third place playoff on Saturday. I completely forgot the World Cup does those.

 

That's one of the reasons I'm easy about this game. We still get to face France or Spain

 

Yeah but it's a nothing game though. I don't think it's much of a consolation for losing a semi-final personally.

 

Dont think I even watched the last one we were in. Complete waste of time.

 

I was on holiday during the Belgium game. Watched about 20 minutes of it in a bar.

 

I personally think tomorrow is Tuchels crucible.
Argentina will be his big knockout stage test vs a big traditional football power.
If England win, I'd say keep him on until the Euros and hope & pray he's learnt from the errors he made in preparation for this tournament (whatever happens in the final).

If we lose, then time to move on. Moreover because the rd32 is here to stay in future WC's. I highly doubt England will again have a combination of this run of opponents en rout to the final, combined with Bellingham/Kane's (collective) brilliance dragging us through games - like Tuchel has had the enormous fortune of having this time. As a counter example, Southgate never had the benefit of bringing this version of Kane/Bellingham to Euro2020 & Euro2024. Bellingham didn't play in Euro2020 and Kane had his worst ever tournament in Euro2024. Yet England still made the final both times. And he even managed England to the semi's of WC 2018 with a Midfield of Henderson, Lingard & Alli..

 

Some people on social media saying start Mainoo if rice isn't fit. Yes let's start a guy who hasn't played a minute so far in a world cup semi final against the world champions. Not mentioning he will get exposed sitting next to Anderson. I'd consider starting James in midfield with Anderson. He's good on the ball and has defensive instincts

 

No way. He's 100 percent earned the right to another tournament. He's surpassed most people's expectations. Yes we've been lucky at times but so have a lot of teams. This is something to build on. If we can get the likes of Ngumoha and dowman involved for the euros and bring in the likes of Wharton Scott colwill Hall etc we've got a great chance

 

I think you can very much argue it's unfair on the players to make them play it, especially in what is now an extended tournament. Just let them go home.

 

It's often a 2nd string team for a 3rd place playoff anyway

 

It would be an opportunity for the likes of mainoo Trafford etc to get some game time

 

Sorry for what I said a few days ago. I was stressed as ********

 

I don't think this is even close to the truth yet. He hasn't even delivered what he personally said he would. Still time but the jury's out. As has been said, Wednesday is everything.

Tuchel was the one who left them out in the first place. I think Ngumoha probably (hopefully) comes in soonish and maybe Colwill too, but I think it's far from guaranteed any of the other names are going to be a major part of his plans going forward.

He clearly has a very specific eye for a player that often does not align with how most other people see the game. Expecting him to do anything selection-wise is a fool's errand. He's an incredibly unpredictable man.

 

I think there's a stronger likelihood of Tuchel leaving than us sacking him tbh.

 

The most pointless game in all of sport.
I'd start Pickford up front for it.

 

A big concern for England fans is we have gone a goal down (first) in most of the knockout games from recent tournaments.

The good news is they were able to salvage the game and comeback to win the tie a lot more often than they were historically.

The bad news is they haven't managed to do it against a traditional heavyweight (France/Spain).

 

I think we've got at least another three tournaments of being serious contenders given the players we have and what's coming through. I'd say beyond that is a bit of a concern simply because of declining fortunes at youth level.

 

Even the declining fortunes at youth level, we still be seeming to be producing very top end talent (Dowman the big one, Ngumoha already capped), even if they look really poor as a cohesive team across age levels. Indeed the fact that Ngumoha and Dowman both to varying extents were able to show their talents at senior football yet both didn't look great at the under 17 Euro's is probably indicative of issues being elsewhere beyond talent. Coaching I suspect remains the big issue English football has yet to crack. Mind you even then, seeing how regimented and lacking in flair many "top" international teams are in attack has me wondering if we're not really that off with how individualised our youth teams play....even if its lacking balance and underappreciation of certain profiles.

Of course, on youth front back to back under 21 Euro's isn't nothing either.

Perhaps optimistic but I suspect us, France, and Spain will remain Europe's "big three" for some time yet. Obviously not every tournament, but i'd wager we'll be the dominant three across the next decade.

 

That'll be 8 years down the line. A number of these players will still be at their peak. I'm sure there'll be players who will come out of nowhere. No one would have believed Harry kane would be the player that he is when he made his England debut at 22

 

No, Tuchel was hired primarily to coach England past the big football nations. This was the unique selling point on why the FA recruited him. He is supposed to provide the tactical and game state expertise to England, which we supposedly didn't have from hiring an English coach.

Englands player pool is completely irrelevant of who the manager is. Our talent pool doesn't change if Tuchel leaves and another coach comes in. Nguomoha, Dowman and Lewis Skelley's career trajectory's are not going to be effected by a change in management in the National team.

 

I made the mistake once of saying to my Mrs that the 3/4th place meant nothing to us ( England ) and she couldn’t understand why we wouldn’t celebrate it because over here in Sweden they absolutely celebrated getting the bronze medal at the World Cup in 94. Tried to explain that winning is the only thing that matters to us, she nearly killed me, lol.

 

I wouldn't go quite as far as surpassing expectations but I do think he deserves another go. I'm sure he will have learned a huge amount this summer. How could he not?

Also, let's not start going through negative scenarios already. The match will be played tomorrow. Let's enjoy that and then take things from there. It is typically English to look for the negative before it has even happened. England are in the Semi Finals for the 4th time ever and we're taking on the World Champions. This is exciting and an historic opportunity. Come on England!

 

James has played in midfield at club level. He's actually pretty good there.

Although, now I've said that, he'll probably play there and make a complete horlicks of it