GDT: 2026 World Cup (of not-hockey)

[Hippasus]

I don't got Fox on streaming, so just watching highlights on Youtube. About 20 minutes per video. Very enjoyable. Messi (Argentina) and Ronaldo (Portugal) seem to be very formidable offensive players. Hoping for Deutschland, Canada, and the United States in that order. The goalkeepers have been very impressive from what I've seen thusfar. Great anticipation of the plays, reflexes, and athleticism.

 

[Fishy McScales]

Truth it wasn't really a golden generation as much as being constantly touted as one. They got very little at WC.

It was more a golden generation in relation to what a country like Belgium produces on average. And they did medal in 2018.

But a team with players like De Bruyne, Hazard, Courtois, Kompany, Lukaku, Vertonghen, Mertens, Alderweireld, Fellaini, hell even a player like Nainggolan. That was a world-class side ten years ago.

 

[Drivesaitl]

It was more a golden generation in relation to what a country like Belgium produces on average. And they did medal in 2018.

But a team with players like De Bruyne, Hazard, Courtois, Kompany, Lukaku, Vertonghen, Mertens, Alderweireld, Fellaini, hell even a player like Nainggolan. That was a world-class side ten years ago.

meh. I tend to react to what media push in regards to certain things. Telecasts and WC ones would spend all day talking about how elite Belgium was, how they were the best, how they were the favorites and then they'd never win. Often not even go deep. Other nations that commonly win, for instance Germany would be treated as second rate after thoughts.

These are good players that media made into legends.

History has shown the Belgium side not to have won anything. For all their alleged prowess they were never the best. Even that they were so commonly called the golden generation clearly illustrates the bias. Gold in what?

 

[Drivesaitl]

lol, I made that post before the Uruguay game started but yeah, they’ve been awful as well. It would appear all the South American teams outside of Argentina and perhaps Brazil have been mediocre here.

I was a defender. I remember a coach telling me to always remember not to create your own problems on D, He'd tell the team to do that. To make safe plays instead of dangerous ones. Anybody passing the ball from a harmless position to a dangerous one would get an earful. We were 12yrs old. This is what Uruguay did on the World Stage.

There was no reason to even make that pass. That the whole sequence came after a Uruguay throw in is a joke.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I don't got Fox on streaming, so just watching highlights on Youtube. About 20 minutes per video. Very enjoyable. Messi (Argentina) and Ronaldo (Portugal) seem to be very formidable offensive players. Hoping for Deutschland, Canada, and the United States in that order. The goalkeepers have been very impressive from what I've seen thusfar. Great anticipation of the plays, reflexes, and athleticism.

Neuer hasn't been good at all. Too old, too slow moving to ball. In general I agree with you its fun to watch premium goalies and their anticipation and reaction.

 

[Fishy McScales]

meh. I tend to react to what media push in regards to certain things. Telecasts and WC ones would spend all day talking about how elite Belgium was, how they were the best, how they were the favorites and then they'd never win. Often not even go deep. Other nations that commonly win, for instance Germany would be treated as second rate after thoughts.

These are good players that media made into legends.

History has shown the Belgium side not to have won anything. For all their alleged prowess they were never the best. Even that they were so commonly called the golden generation clearly illustrates the bias. Gold in what?

"Golden generation" is a term to denote an extraordinary group of players, not that they will specifically win gold.

I don't remember them being touted as guaranteed winners, though, only as contenders. They failed, but you only get so many cracks at the World Cup, especially when you're not expected to follow that generation up with one of the same calibre.

The team they had was elite, but for a country like Germany, elite is the expectation. For Belgium it isn't, hence the raised eyebrows.

However, people in 2026 talk about Belgium either as a contender or as a team going through a generational transition. While the latter is true, the new players coming up won't be anywhere near the calibre going out. They're done.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Messi passes Klose for the record with his 17th World Cup goal and 4th this tournament. Beautiful pass and he finished it perfectly.

Mbappe will likely own the record eventually, but Messi continues to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

 

[Drivesaitl]

"Golden generation" is a term to denote an extraordinary group of players, not that they will specifically win gold.

I don't remember them being touted as guaranteed winners, though, only as contenders. They failed, but you only get so many cracks at the World Cup, especially when you're not expected to follow that generation up with one of the same calibre.

The team they had was elite, but for a country like Germany, elite is the expectation. For Belgium it isn't, hence the raised eyebrows.

However, people in 2026 talk about Belgium either as a contender or as a team going through a generational transition. While the latter is true, the new players coming up won't be anywhere near the calibre going out. They're done.

This is a taxonomy that I don't really accept. Which is fine. Yes they were touted as contenders in multiple WC's.

Each of us is different but terms like "golden generation" to me is a term that should be reserved for what it denotes, "gold". I understand what you're saying, but its a selective determination to measure a team over what they've had and then to pronounce golden.

To me as well when Belgium have been constantly talked about in WC coverage as if they are perennial world champions while coverage of Nations actuall winning WC's has been grating, at best. I laughed at all the Belgium salutations through it all.

I have my own bias. I entered viewing of WC's in 1970's. Netherlands were "untouchable" they were crowned World Champs and unbeatable before final even played. The species of media that has always favored certain sides has always existed. Germany stomped on them. It was the same media bias back then which was constantly suggesting Netherlands gold before they won anything. Still haven't.

 

[Fishy McScales]

This is a taxonomy that I don't really accept. Which is fine. Yes they were touted as contenders in multiple WC's.

Each of us is different but terms like "golden generation" to me is a term that should be reserved for what it denotes, "gold". I understand what you're saying, but its a selective determination to measure a team over what they've had and then to pronounce golden.

To me as well when Belgium have been constantly talked about in WC coverage as if they are perennial world champions while coverage of Nations actuall winning WC's has been grating, at best. I laughed at all the Belgium salutations through it all.

I have my own bias. I entered viewing of WC's in 1970's. Netherlands were "untouchable" they were crowned World Champs and unbeatable before final even played. The species of media that has always favored certain sides has always existed. Germany stomped on them. It was the same media bias back then which was constantly suggesting Netherlands gold before they won anything. Still haven't.

I think you're going with your own narrow, personal and semi-literal definition.

golden generation

1. used, especially in sports reports, to refer to a group of skilful football…

dictionary.cambridge.org

Golden generation - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

And yes, the Dutch definitely had a golden generation in the 70's. To argue otherwise is outright bizarre.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I think you're going with your own narrow, personal and semi-literal definition.

golden generation

1. used, especially in sports reports, to refer to a group of skilful football…

dictionary.cambridge.org

Golden generation - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

And yes, the Dutch definitely had a golden generation in the 70's. To argue otherwise is outright bizarre.

If you were around at the time you know that the Germans were given no chance in the Final, Netherlands were basically ordained champs before kickoff. I don't say this selectively its just media pick their own champs and run with it for whole decades. Netherlands never won but they were often stated to be the best Football side ever, with possible exception of Brazil.

We're talking about somewhat different things. Its fine for media or pundits to claim "best ever side for that Nation" but that isn't what has largely gone on. Instead they often confuse and conflate it in repping them as favorites. Its the latter I take issue with.

I get what your'e saying and thanks for supporting your argument. But I think some of these "golden generations" are oversold and its been amplified in this milennium.

 

[Fishy McScales]

If you were around at the time you know that the Germans were given no chance in the Final, Netherlands were basically ordained champs before kickoff. I don't say this selectively its just media pick their own champs and run with it for whole decades. Netherlands never won but they were often stated to be the best Football side ever, with possible exception of Brazil.

We're talking about somewhat different things. Its fine for media or pundits to claim "best ever side for that Nation" but that isn't what has largely gone on. Instead they often confuse and conflate it in repping them as favorites. Its the latter I take issue with.

Sounds to me like you're moving the goalposts.

The Dutch were favoured for a reason. The favourite doesn't always win.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Sounds to me like you're moving the goalposts.

The Dutch were favoured for a reason. The favourite doesn't always win.

lol they could've played a seven game series and Germany would win. Germany were better at team play, we're stronger on the ball, and their hero's were unsung relative to the constant blathering about Dutch players.

I'm sure you don't know this but the 1974 Dutch team which "were favored for a reason" almost failed to qualify for that WC. It required a 0-0 draw with a highly disputed GA called back for them to edge in.

How Johan Cruyff And The Dutch Came Close To Missing The 1974 World Cup Finals

The reasons for the defeat in the final to host nation West Germany have been debated and written about for over four decades and no doubt the discussion will go on for years to come. What is less well known is how the Dutch and Cruyff came within a whisker of failing to qualify for the 1974...

www.forbes.com

 

[Fishy McScales]

lol they could've played a seven game series and Germany would win. Germany were better at team play, we're stronger on the ball, and their hero's were unsung relative to the constant blathering about Dutch players.

You're such an unbelievable know-it-all.

Fine, everything is set in stone, your anecdotal memory from fifty years ago is fact, and the only immutably possible outcome is that West Germany beats one of the all-time great squads.

Notice I never once said West Germany had an overrated team, that they were lucky to play on home soil or any crap like that.

I'll be getting back to watching the end of the Argentina match if you'll excuse me. Don't expect me to engage in further football discussion with you, o oracle.

 

[Drivesaitl]

You're such an unbelievable know-it-all.

Fine, everything is set in stone, your anecdotal memory from fifty years ago is fact, and the only immutably possible outcome is that West Germany beats one of the all-time great squads.

Notice I never once said West Germany had an overrated team, that they were lucky to play on home soil or any crap like that.

I'll be getting back to watching the end of the Argentina match if you'll excuse me. Don't expect me to engage in further football discussion with you, o oracle.

Once again demonstrating you can't even have a conversation without resorting to gaslighting.

"All time great squads" lol that had serial trouble even qualifying for WC's. The media blew that team up to legend status that they failed to match on the pitch, as history remembers.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I think you're going with your own narrow, personal and semi-literal definition.

golden generation

1. used, especially in sports reports, to refer to a group of skilful football…

dictionary.cambridge.org

Golden generation - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

And yes, the Dutch definitely had a golden generation in the 70's. To argue otherwise is outright bizarre.

Non deep soccer fan here. But having watched WC since the 80's too I've always heard "Golden Generation" used for a changing number of countries identifying a grouping of elite talent aligning at the same age and development cycle. It signals potential, not guaranteed results.

To the secondary point, it becomes an amplified media talking point that is rarely lived up to and often retroactively pointed out for its failed potential whether Dutch; Britain; Portugal.

 

[Frank the Tank]

There's 18 for Messi

Let's see if Mbappe and Haaland can respond

 

[Fishy McScales]

Non deep soccer fan here. But having watched WC since the 80's too I've always heard "Golden Generation" used for a changing number of countries identifying a grouping of elite talent aligning at the same age and development cycle. It signals potential, not guaranteed results.

To the secondary point, it becomes an amplified media talking point that is rarely lived up to and often retroactively pointed out for its failed potential whether Dutch; Britain; Portugal.

Yup, and I think it is in large part because one country's golden generation is another country's every generation.

Countries like the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal have smaller populations and can't reliably produce generation after generation of contender (England is, well, England). This also leads to a lack experience going deep in tournaments when they do get the opportunity.

 

[timekeep]

Yup, and I think it is in large part because one country's golden generation is another country's every generation.

Countries like the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal have smaller populations and can't reliably produce generation after generation of contender (England is, well, England). This also leads to a lack experience going deep in tournaments when they do get the opportunity.

Non deep soccer fan here. But having watched WC since the 80's too I've always heard "Golden Generation" used for a changing number of countries identifying a grouping of elite talent aligning at the same age and development cycle. It signals potential, not guaranteed results.

To the secondary point, it becomes an amplified media talking point that is rarely lived up to and often retroactively pointed out for its failed potential whether Dutch; Britain; Portugal.

Firstly, I'm not much of a Soccer fan, but I enjoy the World Cup and some of the championships, usually because a coworker or two is always interested. Or I'm trying to gamble on it, Fack off Turkey. I'm curious, why are the Italians being left out of the 'has-beens' conversation you guys are in? I have a couple of former Italian coworkers that are very easy to harass when their team doesn't show up.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Yup, and I think it is in large part because one country's golden generation is another country's every generation.

Countries like the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal have smaller populations and can't reliably produce generation after generation of contender (England is, well, England). This also leads to a lack experience going deep in tournaments when they do get the opportunity.

It's an interesting discussion. One in which my knowledge is severely lacking. I can see how there are perennial super powers who might consistently produce top teams but others like you point out where alot of factors need to align to have potential to outperform their norm. Superficially to me the Dutch always seem to have good team but seem to fail to win it all. England too. I've heard the hype of Belgium's team for this generation but don't know their country's history. I did just buy a late ticket to see them against New Zealand despite looking pretty pedestrian.

A weird one for me is Italy which historically been so strong and able to win big games. Now reduced to buying WC tickets and watching like the rest of us. haha. How does such a dominant country like that lose its way for this extended period of time?

 

[Fishy McScales]

Firstly, I'm not much of a Soccer fan, but I enjoy the World Cup and some of the championships, usually because a coworker or two is always interested. Or I'm trying to gamble on it, Fack off Turkey. I'm curious, why are the Italians being left out of the 'has-beens' conversation you guys are in? I have a couple of former Italian coworkers that are very easy to harass when their team doesn't show up.

It's not really a "has-been" discussion I'd say, more a discussion about over-achievers whose time is running out.

Italy is a whole 'nother kettle of fish related to all sorts of issues ranging from unequal TV deals hampering competitiveness to corruption to player development etc.

It's a complex issue that I feel unqualified to account for. I heard their former legendary player Roberto Baggio wrote a massive report on the subject that the higher-ups in the Italian FA promptly ignored.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Firstly, I'm not much of a Soccer fan, but I enjoy the World Cup and some of the championships, usually because a coworker or two is always interested. Or I'm trying to gamble on it, Fack off Turkey. I'm curious, why are the Italians being left out of the 'has-beens' conversation you guys are in? I have a couple of former Italian coworkers that are very easy to harass when their team doesn't show up.

Haha. Just seeing your post as I've just posted a reply including sad sack Italy. Seems crazy how the bottom has fallen out of their perennial strong teams. Love it as I'm anti-diver haha

 

[OilersaretheMcBest]

There's 18 for Messi

Let's see if Mbappe and Haaland can respond

Hard to not say he's the GOAT at this point.

Haaland is going to have it to tough with his next matchup

 

[Drivesaitl]

Firstly, I'm not much of a Soccer fan, but I enjoy the World Cup and some of the championships, usually because a coworker or two is always interested. Or I'm trying to gamble on it, Fack off Turkey. I'm curious, why are the Italians being left out of the 'has-beens' conversation you guys are in? I have a couple of former Italian coworkers that are very easy to harass when their team doesn't show up.

Italy are 4X WC winners. As are Germany. I wouldn't slag either because they actually win cups. Both are often understated in WC's as well. Italy have fallen on hard times, hard to see, but when they have better times they are actual contenders.

The conversations wasn't about hasbeens as much as trumped up neverwere's

 

[Fishy McScales]

It's an interesting discussion. One in which my knowledge is severely lacking. I can see how there are perennial super powers who might consistently produce top teams but others like you point out where alot of factors need to align to have potential to outperform their norm. Superficially to me the Dutch always seem to have good team but seem to fail to win it all. England too. I've heard the hype of Belgium's team for this generation but don't know their country's history. I did just buy a late ticket to see them against New Zealand despite looking pretty pedestrian.

A weird one for me is Italy which historically been so strong and able to win big games. Now reduced to buying WC tickets and watching like the rest of us. haha. How does such a dominant country like that lose its way for this extended period of time?

The Dutch have historically been just below the absolute top tier for the most part. They're had struggles at times and been really strong at others. In the 70's it helped that they had Johan Cruyff who wasn't just a superstar player but a football mind that revolutionised the sport (perhaps you're familiar with the term total football). But they reached the final in '78 too without him. They also had a strong team that won the Euros in '88 with van Basten, Gullit etc, although that was a smaller tournament of only eight teams.

Belgium had a strong team in the late eighties, a god-awful one in the late nineties to early noughties. Then came the supposed golden generation. So they're up and down to a much larger extent than Holland.

As for the Italians, see my reply to timekeep. But I think it's also a question of football culture. Italy was famous for its ultra-defensive systems (catenaccio) that every Italian team seemed to master regardless of players on the pitch. Football evolved away from that and Italy lost its systemic tactical advantage, its ability to win 1-0 come hell or high water.

But even teams like Germany and Brazil are going through a relative downturn at the moment.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

The Dutch have historically been just below the absolute top tier for the most part. They're had struggles at times and been really strong at others. In the 70's it helped that they had Johan Cruyff who wasn't just a superstar player but a football mind that revolutionised the sport (perhaps you're familiar with the term total football). But they reached the final in '78 too without him. They also had a strong team that won the Euros in '88 with van Basten, Gullit etc, although that was a smaller tournament of only eight teams.

Belgium had a strong team in the late eighties, a god-awful one in the late nineties to early noughties. Then came the supposed golden generation. So they're up and down to a much larger extent than Holland.

As for the Italians, see my reply to timekeep. But I think it's also a question of football culture. Italy was famous for its ultra-defensive systems (catenaccio) that every Italian team seemed to master regardless of players on the pitch. Football evolved away from that and Italy lost its systemic tactical advantage, its ability to win 1-0 come hell or high water.

But even teams like Germany and Brazil are going through a relative downturn at the moment.

Thanks for your post and info. I have vague memories of watching those old era Dutch teams and liking how they played (though Germany has been my go to team). Never able to win it all. Speaking of the Dutch I got a kick out of this circulating: A German Economist Predicted The Last 3 World Cup Winners, And His 2026 Pick Has Fans Spiraling

Italy is mystifying to me. But appreciate some of the considerations you shared. I can appreciate downturns in powerhouses like Germany and Brazil. But Italy seems to be a prolonged, systemic issue.

Being an every four year fan, I watch WC with teams I cheer for and teams I cheer against but largely for the awesome stories and runs that happen beyond the expected.