Jaspa

Oh look France already getting preferential treatment off the refs. Keeper had his toe stood on by his own player so Senegal lost the chance of a corner.

The grass itself looks fooked aswell

Should be a good game tonight, much like the Brasil v Morocco tie earlier in the round in calibre. I expect France to be the main team of this tournament, especially if they win their group. Ridiculous depth, lucky with the way the tournament has fallen in place and have picked an ideal base for it all. They won't have to play in much heat or altitude. Senegal, as shadow Champions of Africa, good team and could be fired up after the AFCON palava.

So the a-okay hand sign been turned into a racist dog whistle. 4chan Thing is if he'd have just said yeah it means okay, I don't know why I did it but there was no ill intentions. Rather than "I have involuntary spasms which I have no recollection of or awareness of while doing so", is just shite.

Deserved lead for Saudi. They look dangerous from set pieces tbf.

ITV TV location is quality. Putting BBC green screen/CGI to shame.

Nah, they've got loads of travel and play abit in Miami which is a sweatbox. France have everything going for them, nailed on favourites. England need to be careful if we win the group and have to go over to play Mexico in the Azteca altitude and heat.

Spain goal feels inevitable. Not sure about some of these stadiums for football, there seems to be a void between the fans and the playing surface; from the walled off stands to the void of utility space behind the goals. Really looking forward to EURO 2028 where we have truly fit for purpose stadia.

Fair play Cape Verde, looking very composed and concentrated.

Not fair. Poweraid Hydration Break™

Thought they were going to start using VAR for corner/goal kick decisions? Missed that save there from the Ecuador keeper.

Designated pink boots 2026. Quartered football, brought to you be PepsiCo, McDonald's & affiliates. Ivory Coast & Ecuador meant to be somewhat underdogs this competition.

Stadium looks monstrous

Van Nistelrooy tactics showing through here

Air conditioned stadium, "hydration break". Won't miss this bit.

Not sure about these massive expanses of nothing behind the goals. Boston stadium last night similar where they seemed to be channeling the old Kenilworth Road stand by having patio doors the entire length. Atmosphere coming through flat on TV.

It's very orange in there

Screens in that stadium are ridiculous

How are they wetting the pitches pre-game with all the ceremonial pomp going on pregame? Bet they water it as much as possible half time, so you'll end up with very different games of football some games, half/half. Not impressed by the pitch either, mad this'll be the World Cup Final surface USA

Lethal

Mazraoui looking class. keeps coming out with the ball and solid

Pitch looks ****ed. Still see where they've rolled turf out, streaky. Worth noting aswell, with all the pre-game faff they dont get to water the pitch as much pre-KO.

Tiago should've scored there, stagnant defending

Pomp is quite impressive, not sure about the pop style Boccelli vocals. Surely they arent doing all of that for every match?

Tim Vickery is class though