World Cup: World Cup 2026 - Pre Tournament & Qualifiers Thread

[Moncherry]

I doubt that

Taking an extra FB in Nelson Semedo, when you already have like 10 guys who can play his position, instead of a player who actually provides something needed for the team? Sure it is. Palhinha is Portugal's best DM. Can play CB too.

Antonio Silva rightfully wasn't picked though. Martinez taking Araujo over him was one of the few good decisions he made.

He’s cooked. Came on at 45, grabbed his inner thigh, off at 80. He’s done.

This is going to be a disaster, Mendes is simultaneously our most important defender and attacker.

Ronaldo is done, Ramos is ice cold, we need Felix (who actually looks good) to play false 9 but it won’t happen.

Inacio is terrible, Araujo needs to partner Dias

Well, Martinez said he isn't injured and that he always planned to give him limited minutes today. I think you're overreacting.

 

[robertmac43]

How many chances did Ronaldo end up missing today?

 

[RoyIsALegend]

How many chances did Ronaldo end up missing today?

4.

 

[Apex Predator]

It sucks Ramos development stalled. After the last World Cup it looked like he was going to have that striker position locked down in a few years. Came off a good season at Benfica and a good World Cup debut.

 

[robertmac43]

It all kicks off tomorrow - give me your....

Winner:
Most disappointing team:
Darkhorse:
Golden Ball Winner:
Golden Boot Winner:
Young player to watch:

 

[qcal1427]

It all kicks off tomorrow - give me your....

Winner:
Most disappointing team:
Darkhorse:
Golden Ball Winner:
Golden Boot Winner:
Young player to watch:

Winner: Germany
Most disappointing team: Portugal
Dark horse: Mexico (would've picked Belgium but I think they still probably don't qualify as a dark horse)
Golden Ball: Yamal
Golden Boot: Kane
Young player to watch: Alex Freeman

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Although there should be more positions up for debate, especially the wings, I believe the only decision Martinez has left to make is between Inacio or Veiga at LCB.

The other 10 spots are probably locked up.

I think it will be Veiga to start.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

It all kicks off tomorrow - give me your....

Winner:
Most disappointing team:
Darkhorse:
Golden Ball Winner:
Golden Boot Winner:
Young player to watch:

Spain
England based on what people have them ranked or Brazil again I think people just see the name and think they’ll compete. They are far off.
Morocco sounds like a safe bet?
Lamine
Lamine
Lamine

These are pretty safe answers but if Spain goes far than it’s going to be the Lamine show.

Winner: Germany
Most disappointing team: Portugal
Dark horse: Mexico (would've picked Belgium but I think they still probably don't qualify as a dark horse)
Golden Ball: Yamal
Golden Boot: Kane
Young player to watch: Alex Freeman

They should becuase Belgium’s golden generation is gone.


Freeman is 3 years older than your golden ball winner.

 

[qcal1427]

Freeman is 3 years older than your golden ball winner.

IMO "young player to watch" is more of a breakout or a new name that a lot of people will learn, Lamine is already one of the three best players in the world and the best player on a Euro-winning squad. If the question was "young player of the tournament" then it would very obviously be him

 

[jcs0218]

It has probably been said before. I think I even said it before.

But this year's tournament has far too many teams in it and far too many teams advancing to the knockout stages.

It is making this year's tournament far less interesting than past years, at least the group-stage of the tournament.

In year's before, you had 32 teams in 8 groups with only 16 teams advancing to the knockout stages.

This meant many groups had 3 good teams in them, and most of the group-stage games actually meant something because typically only 2 teams per group advanced to the knockout stages.

Plus, with less teams, the average quality of each team went up, which meant higher-quality games.

Now, with 48 teams in 12 groups, you have far too many teams that won't offer any sort of real competition to the actual good teams.

And with 32 teams advancing to the knockout stages, the group-stage games mean a lot less because you only have to finish top 3 in your group rather than finish top 2 in your group as in past years.

 

[les Habs]

It all kicks off tomorrow - give me your....

Winner:
Most disappointing team:
Darkhorse:
Golden Ball Winner:
Golden Boot Winner:
Young player to watch:

France
England
Norway
Dembele or Mbappe
Mbappe
Lamine

 

[Apex Predator]

Winner: Portugal (call me crazy)
Most disappointing team: England
Darkhorse: Netherlands
Golden Ball Winner: Yamal
Golden Boot Winner: Yamal
Young player to watch: Yamal

 

[Live in the Now]

Winner: Spain
Most disappointing team: Netherlands
Darkhorse: Ecuador
Golden Ball Winner: Yamal
Golden Boot Winner: Vini Jr.
Young player to watch: Yamal is almost like cheating, because no shit he already did it at another tournament? Cubarsi seems more fair.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Vini with his 9 goals international is a choice