FIFA World Cup 2026

Mixed bag of results from us Arabs so far. Victories, draws and defeats. At the same time almost every single World Cup participant has players of Arab or partial Arab ancestry. Mbappé for instance is half Arab (Algerian Arab mother). Main young attraction (Yamal) similarly.

Had zero expectations from KSA due to the nepotism, another new manager (never heard of him and still thought that we had that French guy) and same oldies getting to play over talented youngsters. Uruguay (2 times world champions) and only behind Argentina in terms of Copa América wins, are no pushovers.

The conditions in Miami (extreme humidity, a field totally destroyed by water) did not help.

One of the toughtest groups as well. Spain (bookies favorites alongside France and current European champions) next and Cabe Verde (no pushovers as we saw against Spain). A win against Cabe Verde (far from guaranteed) and a repeat of 1994 could occur with round of 16 (nowadays round of 32 with double the teams participating in 2026 compared to 1994) advancement, could occur. Would be impressive.

In any case, we need to continue to invest in local talents and most importantly, even though our domestic league is now the strongest in Asia by far, we need to send more of our players to Europe even though they will likely earn less. The few who have ventured out have done quite well in French, Belgian, Portuguese etc. leagues and they clearly (our best players) have the level to compete in the PL, La Liga, Bundesliga etc. Maybe not the top clubs but everywhere else (bottom and middle), they could.

We are going to host the World Cup in 2034, so they better be prepared if they don't want to end up like Qatar in 2022.

France would be nailed to win it if they had a better midfield and a prime Pogba and Kanté.

Messi incredible as well. Clear GOAT for me and most people who are even remotely familiar with football. Hilarious to see the contrast between Messi's performance against Algeria and Ronaldo's today against Congo. DR Congo are no pushovers but Algeria are stronger IMO. At least their results have been much better in recent years.
 
Dalit said:
The English team won't fare well against the bigger teams.
Click to expand...
To the credit of the English, they have improved massively compared to the much overrated "Golden Generation" of the past who did not achieve anything in World Cups or EURO's despite all the hype. Even though England did not win anything yet, take a look at their tournament results since 2018. It is like day and night.

They have a very strong squad and can beat anyone on a good day. Especially with a healthy Kane that is having the season of his life.

I know from Arab-British acquaintances and distant relatives in London, that the young lot are now no longer making fun of the national team. From what I am aware of, the English FA have also completely turned around their approach to talent work, improved facilities and tried to copy the German, French and Spanish models.

It shows because they have a lot of talents around. Mostly Afro-British (like most football teams - they tend to dominate due to their superior athleticism on average) but not only.

The prospect of England winning the World Cup for the first time in 60 years and it "coming home" is no longer a laughing matter.

Tuchel is a great cup manager. I know that some English nationalists had the fact that they have a German manager but IMO, he is better than any British alternative.

Proven winner in Chelsea, PSG and before that Dortmund. Pragmatic but this is the way to win such tournaments historically when the difference in strength between the top, top teams, is this small and details and luck tend to be the deciding factor.

So far, the main disappointments for me are Spain and Portugal. Appalling performances from both - 2 of the main favorites.

Not surprise that Brazil had problems with Morocco (one of the underdogs and the strongest Arab team by far). They are a shadow of what they once were. Embarrassing for football crazy nation of over 200 million people. Not 1 single Brazilian player would start for the 2002 team for instance.
 
Last edited:
_Arabia_ said:
To the credit of the English, they have improved massively compared to the much overrated "Golden Generation" of the past who did not achieve anything in World Cups or EURO's despite all the hype. Even though England did not win anything yet, take a look at their tournament results since 2018. It is like day and night.

They have a very strong squad and can beat anyone on a good day. Especially with a healthy Kane that is having the season of his life.
Click to expand...
Golden generation was - in fairness - the best group of footballers England have ever fielded at the same time, better than this lot. They failed because of their individual egos and rivalries in the dressing room. They still take digs at each other even today when they're all in their 50s.
 
Master Chief said:
Golden generation was - in fairness - the best group of footballers England have ever fielded at the same time, better than this lot. They failed because of their individual egos and rivalries in the dressing room. They still take digs at each other even today when they're all in their 50s.
Click to expand...
Yes, this was due to the domestic football league rivalry (PL teams - mostly Man Utd - Liverpool rivalry and Chelsea-Arsenal/Man Utd/Liverpool etc. rivalries). However contrary to popular belief I am not so sure that they were THAT much more talented. The current England team is really talented IMO and they appear much more humble and hardworking too.

For me Kane was better than prime Owen and Rooney IMO. His stats for England also confirm this. On paper they had a better defense and midfield (top heavy midfield and too many of the same profiles - hence Lampard, Scholes, Gerrard, Beckham etc. could never function all at one or be played all at once). But as you wrote it is not always about names only but mostly about the group and tactics. Especially in short tournaments like the World Cup where getting along is absolutely key.

For instance the problem, aside from sometimes lack of top, top talent, for many Arab teams, is that cliques, off-field antics, crazy/incompetent FA's, nepotism (wasta) was in favor of a few individuals but overall hurt the collective.

I saw this first hand when I watched the KSA-Uruguay game. Our supposed "star" and captain, Al-Dawsari, when making idiotic/stupid/arrogant/ failed passes, did almost never track back and just gestured with his hands. Other less proven players, including younger substitutes, while maybe less talented, ran their ass off. It is infuriating to see this stuff when you are used to watch the top CL games and top matches from the top leagues in Europe. Not to mention the pampering, absurd wages etc.

Today, even though most of the DR Congo players wer born in Europe and had their football education and upbringing in European clubs, they ran their asses off constantly. I did not see such attitudes even once.
 
Master Chief said:
Typical. England are fast becoming like Tottenham Hotspur. Constantly flatter to deceive.

This is where Tuchel will realise leaving Palmer and Foden back was the worst mistake of his career.
Click to expand...
Palmer was a big blunder. He's elite level player.
 
I am stunned. Another outstanding day weather-wise in SEA. Ghana and Panama will have nice conditions. Currently 21C (70F) with 49% humidity.

1781735275239.png
 
Master Chief said:
Golden generation was - in fairness - the best group of footballers England have ever fielded at the same time, better than this lot. They failed because of their individual egos and rivalries in the dressing room. They still take digs at each other even today when they're all in their 50s.
Click to expand...
They had the best team, the problem was back then Germans and Brazilians were lethal. 2002 world cup England lost in quarter finals 2 - 1 to Brazil but Brazilian front 3 were Ronaldo Rivaldo Ronaldinho. Unbelievable team.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

  • Total: 12 (members: 3, guests: 9)

    Pakistan Defence Latest

    Country Watch Latest

    Latest Posts

    Share this page

    Back
    Top