General FIFA World Cup 2026 Discussion

Oh brother, don't remind me of Palacio. I think you have it spot on, with Giu just marginally an upgrade.

Scaloni really has to manage Messi as best as possible so he can last as long as they progress through the tournament.

 

Have the Yanquis fixed the pitches or are we going to get the Copa America travesties?

 

Isn't Brazil very weak this year?

 

Mexico could go far. Home team usually does. Plus, if they win their group they will play two KO matches in Mexico City at 2.2k meters above sea level. I wish them well.

 

Mexico could potentially play England in the round of 16(If both of them win their group and their first KO game).

I’d be pulling for the Mexicans in that one. But Mexico is really bad this time around. Not that they’ve ever been good but maybe those home games will help them,

 

Well I wouldn't worry about an outdoor stadium that normally has grass like Kansas City at least. Jury will be out on the indoor pitches, but the test run of the new indoor grass system in last year's CONCACAF Nations League finals looked pretty good and got good reviews. But that was just one week. I wonder how they will hold up over a month.

 

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/...ent-eight-years-growing-grass-for-the-pitches

It's gonna be hard to tell what are legit complaints and what are sour grapes, considering how CWC went with all the Europeans complaining after losing to Brazilian teams, lol.

 

Spain was out at round 16 (narrowly survived the group) in 1982. USA finished 3rd place in 1994 and then lost in round 16. South Africa eliminated at group stage in 2010. Mexico should be good enough to emulate those feats.

 

In Mexico in 1986, Mexico topped their group. Beat Bulgaria in R16, drew 0-0 to W.Germany in R2 and lost in penalties. Their second match was not in Mexico City. A mistake.

This time, all their group stage matches are in Mexico. They are likely to win the group. If they do, they get 2 KO matches in Mexico City which is the best stadium for them due to the crowds and altitude.

Someone said they are terrible this year but their recent results look pretty good.

The Mexican player is correct. Good chance they make quarterfinals.

 

Home adventage these days is overrated. If anything, it tend to backfired for the home team.

 

Mexico City hasn't been as great an advantage lately as it was in the past. They've dropped points in WCQ to USA, Canada, and I think even Honduras and Costa Rica recently.

 

Mexico has beaten Argentina once in last 35 years. They deserve a special trophy for that.

 

Bro, these cornballs basically have an entire show and concert to make an announcement. Alway singing and dancing. Smh…

Scaloni on the other hand in some quiet office just makes the announcement.

 

Huh? I have no clue what this is about.

I’ve been with Argentines in Florida, and I am Muslim and brown. I never felt any racism from them ever. In fact, they were very curious about my religion and held long talks.

And I’ve been to Italy multiple times; they are actually amongst my favorite people because they are so close to their parents and grandparents, and their values align a lot with my own beliefs.

I also have been to France and Germany multiple times, and I don’t mean to be stereotypical - but we found the people extremely rude. It could be that we found the wrong set of people, and I certainly don’t mean to imply that all of the French or Germans are like that - but we found them cold.

My daughter wears the hijab, and in her words, she said to me that Daddy, I never want to come back to France ever again.

I’ve traveled to about 50 countries, and in my experience, the Italians, Argentines, Brazilians, and Venezuelans were among the warmest people I’ve met.

 

Not all.. some of the South-American fans (and players !) seem to have a problem with the skin color of the players of the French team.

It's you who falls into the stereotype, even if you deny it...

 

Senesi looking great today vs a desperate Man City. Give me him over Balerdi and then call up Barco and I guess Lo Celso if he’s healthy (would rather Perrone but a healthy Lo Celso will do).

 

Richarlison sin teléfono llegando a la concentración de Brasil porque no se enteró que no fue convocado: pic.twitter.com/QjFjjOVAXx https://t.co/w70VFX7p9I

— Aldair (@BlackTigres) May 19, 2026

 

Senesi... I try to give him the benefit of the doubt. I am hopefully that he can just figure it out when he plays for the seleccion. Balerdi is a bit too clumsy for my liking but Senesi is maybe the fourth in the pecking order.

As for Perrone v Lo Celso. Two different profiles but I think Perrone will just miss out, which I think is a major mistake. Paredes is an absolute hot-head and can get suspended for a game. Perrone's profile is more in that deep defending midfielder that can disrupt an attack(From the opposing team) but also give you a dime from deep in the midfield. His connect with Paz is a great one at Como. Lo Celso perhaps has more tenure in this group, which will be the reason why he may get selected. I'd personally take both and maybe drop JML.

I agree with others, we don't need a third striker. If it was Panichelli, then I would definitely would want him going to the tournament. His dynamism is more complete than JML. Plus JML for whatever reason reminds me of El Pirata Barcos.

 

I don't think this Mexico is as strong as past editions but certainly playing at home will be an advantage. Spain only started to look dangerous in the 2006+ era after learning there were two ends to the pitch. Before that they would constantly let themselves be exposed. The France vs Spain game in 2006 was a classic example. They had the majority of play in France's end and France with a few fast breaks ended them in a few minutes in the 2nd half. Spain today has players in all ends that are world class. They'll be dangerous and also possibly their own worst enemy, just a hunch.

 

Let's go Leo!

 

No they dont, after 2010 they pretty much the same old Spain when it comes to the WC. Their last 3 WC ended with group stage and round 16 exits, beaten by Chile, Morocco and Russia.

Yea they looked strong in Euro but they've been consistently bad at WC. Countries like Denmark, Greece , Soviet and Czech also has won Euro. Their overall WC record speak for itself. People are saying in 2014 they're core players were not in their prime anymore, yet they're mostly between 25-29 and some of these guys won treble with Barca in 2015.