General FIFA World Cup 2026 Discussion

I think this Spain are better than their last 3 editions, but still have a lot to prove to be called a favorite.

 

I think their two main issues are, they rarely produce top class finisher like David Villa plus not having a plan B. A gritty low block defending has always been their ultimate kryptonite. Its absolutetly funny watching them completing 1000 passes in 120 minutes against Morocco and Russia and scored nothing. Its not even the same case like our losses to Chile in CA finals because our midfield nowhere as strong as Spain and we didnt dominate 80% of possession.

 

In the last Euro they hit on counter too when they needed. The collapse into defense postures was pretty remarkable. Let's hope the old Spain shows up at the World Cup. I understand the past arguments with respect to the Euro, but those Euro's were long long ago and have little to do with the modern game. The same argument could be made for the Copa America where past editions of Colombia, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay won it. It happens. There were 8 teams when Czeck won it, I believe Soviet and Denmark too. Greece was a true anomaly, scoring on 1 or 2 chances per game and then playing a Mourinho style bus parking event.

Today's game is fundamentally different from even 20 years ago and certainly from 40-50 years ago, which is why I was really disappointed they cancelled the Finalissima. That would have been a great opportunity to see how we measure up against Spain. In my opinion, Europe's top two teams are France and Spain.

We're going to have to play a top European team, and possibly even on a crash course with Brazil. Scaloni has to manage the team well and have his subs on point.

 

I don't follow English players too closely but wasn't Palmer just a year ago killing it at the CWC? Phil Foden was also a really popular player. Have they fallen off that much?

⚠️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Hay POLÉMICA en Inglaterra por las noticias sobre las inclusiones y exclusiones de Thomas Tuchel para la Copa del Mundo:

❌ AFUERA DE LA LISTA:
➜ Cole Palmer.
➜ Phil Foden.
➜ Harry Maguire.
➜ Luke Shaw.
➜ Levi Colwill.
➜ Lewis Hall.
➜ Adam Wharton.
➜ Morgan… https://t.co/Dkxo5az15J pic.twitter.com/7SUSSlouD7

— Sudanalytics (@sudanalytics_) May 21, 2026

 

Foden definitely fell off. Palmer a bit too. Not sure England have the depth to completely spurn them however.

 

As much as I dislike England NT, I think Foden should have been on the squad. The guy is a clutch like ADM when it comes to the final. 2 goals & 1 assist in CWC final, an equalizier against Spain in Euro final, 2 assists in Conf league final against Betis, goal against Sevilla in super cup final. He's actually one of the better English player that isnt overrated.

It would be like Argentina not taking Mac because he's been mediocre at club level this season.

 

I think you mean Palmer. Yeah,‘I like his game as well. That’s a big surprise, at least for me.

 

Yes my bad, I mean Palmer. Now watch their media burns Tuchel for not taking him once they crash out.

From what I read, the main reason is actually his ongoing groin issue. He kinda play like Paz where he'd make that sudden change of direction which ended up making it worst.

 

Palmer has had a poor season, loss of form and injuries, so he didn't really deserve a place. Then again John Stones has hardly played but still got selected, hey, ho, every manager has their favourites who will get picked regardless of how they play or even how much they have played. Not that I care about the England NT.

 

Foden has been trash and Palmer who I always found overrated has been just as bad but he's had some injuries. England's squad is so weak in relation to their talent. I had them at a distant 3 but now their like 5th.

Spain have injuries to key players but I hope they do well.

 

🚨REPORT: UEFA President on World Cup prices:

"There are enough rich people in the United States that probably for the big matches stadiums will be full.” pic.twitter.com/nCmfxSpLhd

— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) May 22, 2026

 

Cmon, Scaloni... Stop thinking with your heart.

Emiliano Buendía o Giovani Lo Celso: la duda de Scaloni para la lista definitiva del Mundial que saldrá en los próximos días pic.twitter.com/C2KoZd35BY

— Modo Scaloneta 🇦🇷🏆 (@ModoScaloneta) May 23, 2026

 

I appreciates Lo Celso's contribution in last 5 years, but Buendia simply deserve the spot ahead of him this season.

Just because you've done something notable in the past, doesnt mean you're guarenteed a WC spot automatically. Muller has no goal & no assist in WC 2018, Iniesta got nothing in WC 2014 & 2018. WC is unforgiving tournament.

 

Austria is going to have their base at UCSB... I am kinda tempted to go over and heckle them...

 

Buendia is, on current form, someone who could be a game changer coming on as sub, just don't see that in Lo Celso anymore.

 

Should've stayed with the Dutch... and now he's trying to be all passive aggressive.

Dean Huijsen reposted an unofficial LALIGA team of the season to his Instagram story 👀

The 21-year-old was left off of De la Fuente's World Cup roster 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/9fLG2UjoCG

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 25, 2026

 

Scaloni
(link)

 

i hope he can be not only a difference maker but a complete dominant force because thats what will be needed to win a fourth

not just ok wow you did good, i mean elite levels

i know the entire midfield is capable of doing it including the forwards, they have the ability to execute, but we've been burned in the past with elite ballers

 

If Spain, Portugal and England with their elite level footballers always struggle at WC, maybe Argentina isnt that bad since we're in 2 finals of last 3 WC

We reached WC and CA finals with players like S.Romero, Zabaleta, Enzo Perez, Gago and Biglia. Having bunch of "elite" footballers who perform well in CL doesnt translate into major tournament success.

 

argentina had better talent than portugal and england especially on attack
they never really maxxed out the potential and on top of that prime dimaria and messi

wasted time

 

The irony is that when Argentina were at their peak at youth level, under Pekerman, they never won anything at senior level. Sometimes there is no logic to football.

 

The last 2 CA top scorer are Messi and Lautaro. WC 2022 2nd and 3rd top scorer are Messi and Alvarez.

Argentina is the only team in 2026 conmebol qualifier that scores 30+ goals. So I'm not sure what's your "maxxed out" standard. Maybe you're expecting a video game goal stats?

 

Lo borró. No conoce ni a los jugadores de la selección. pic.twitter.com/m1NFWEgFed

— Esperme (@Espertma_) May 26, 2026