2026 World Cup

[shen]

Czechia sheethousing their way to the WC...

[shen]

...And another twist! Kasper Høgh, the Bodø/Glimt sensation, getting the equaliser.

 

He's confessed to being very religious. Maybe this is a minor miracle in the happening 

[MC Prussian]

Well, that penalty shootout between the Czech Republic and Denmark could turn out quite the nail-biter.

 

EDIT: Or maybe not. Two Danish have fluffed their shots, another one hit the bar. The nerves...

Edited 31 March by MC Prussian

[shen]

Czechia through. Terrible penalties by Denmark. I still cannot fathom not hitting the target when you're an attacker.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Is Foden still world class?

[Leicesterpool]

1 minute ago, The Year Of The Fox said:

Is Foden still world class?

Never been world class, decent premier league at best.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Just now, Leicesterpool said:

Never been world class, decent premier league at best.

Agreed 

 

Cole Palmer too 

[Lionator]

Italy OUT on pens for the third world cup in a row. They haven’t qualified since 2014!!

[MC Prussian]

Shame on you, Italy. After that WC win, you've turned into perennial bottlers.

[RonnieTodger]

Bosnia and Czechia winning on penalties again must be a sickener for Wales and Ireland? 

[st albans fox]

Just now, Lionator said:

Italy OUT on pens for the third world cup in a row. They haven’t qualified since 2014!!

And yet we lost to them in a home euros final ! 

 

[RowlattsFox]

Unreal penalties from Bosnia.

 

Something funny about the Italians missing out  Great to see the baby donnarumma spitting his dummy out again too

[Corky]

Italy not qualifying for three consecutive World Cups is ludicrous. Their last knockout match at one was the Final in 2006.

[shen]

I don't really care much, because Denmark didn't deserve anything after bottling it against Belarus in the group stage and surrendering to Scotland at the slightest hint of pressure. 

But the fact one team in each bracket got home advantage in knockout games seems ridiculous. Why they couldn't play the games on neutral ground like the intercontinental playoffs, is bizarre. 
Add in that it was a luck of the draw thing and didn't take into account seeding, is so unorthodox too.

[Jattdogg]

This is heaven for me. Not having Italy in the world cup will silence like 1/4 of the greater Toronto area, it's fantastic! 

 

Guess they can quickly go buy Canadian men's tops  of which they never support. Lol

[Leicesterpool]

Imagine no world cup for Italy in decade. Italian football must be in such a bad place at the moment to miss on yet another major tournament. Can't really call them a power house no more.

Edited 31 March by Leicesterpool

[shen]

Just now, Leicesterpool said:

Imagine no world cup for Italy in decade. Italian footballer must be in such a bad place at the moment to miss on yet another major tournament. Can't really call them a power house no more.

I'd honestly struggle to name half their starting lineup. Gone are the days of Baggio, Maldini, Costacurta, Totti, de Rossi, Inzaghi et al. 

[JonnyZeroFox]

Italy not qualifying yet again, but you look at the squad, they are lacking in every department. Dark days for Italian football no doubt 

[Fear Of The Fox]

Gattuso had one of the most talented Italian teams of the last 20 years and he managed to get out of the WC with his shocking passive tactics. 

He's getting sacked in a few minutes and he's finished from world football. 

[Dan]

It's just absolutely mental isn't it Italy.

[Leicesterpool]

Fifa will be devastated that Italy didn't make it, as they always travel well and of course a huge amount of Italians living in the US will be disappointed not seeing Italy playing in there own city.  

Edited 31 March by Leicesterpool

[Rubbersoul]

Haven’t played a knockout game since winning the World Cup in 2006. Only one win in that time (didn’t win in 2010 & beat England in 2014 of course) and now no World cup appearance in 12 years. 
 

They’ve made 2 euros finals winning 1 in that time though. Just utterly mental

[MC Prussian]

Would've loved to see us beat Italy in the group stages again.

Now, as for Bosnia Herzegovina, that's an entirely different story. Tough nut to crack.

[MC Prussian]

On a sidenote, Jamaica are currently playing DR Congo for one of the last two WC berths.

0-0 at half-time.

 

Iraq vs. Bolivia following in a few hours.

Edited 31 March by MC Prussian

[Leicesterpool]

With Iran not going, wouldn't rule Italy being offered a place in. Be proper controversial.