Other Games 2025-26

[Rory]

Fun fact : In roughly 25 years' time the DRC is expected to have a larger population under 65 than the whole of Europe. There'll be no excuse for them not qualifying automatically by then.

Depends how many of them have been shipped over to deal with staff shortages in the UK by then.

(That's a comment on Europe draining developing nations of their best and brightest, not some Reform-style anti-immigration shit, before anyone asks.)

[ADVILLAFAN]

Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1 to clinch the last World Cup spot.

[Somniloquism]

My 'fun' fact of Italy at World Cups. No nation has beaten Italy more often in World Cups than Switzerland. Admit it, that surprises you.

Thats what comes from having the Swiss Guard head-quartered in Rome and "protecting" a world leader. No pope and about half the tourist visits to Rome is no more.

[lovejoy]

Not technically Rome.

[Somniloquism]

Yep, Rome don't get any money or benefits from all the visitors to "Vatican City". People just fly into there and stay in hotels within its boundaries and don't spend anything outside of its borders.

[Drummond]

Europe is a lot harder to qualify from than any other continent.

The tournament is far worse without Italy and Eire, we bring the craic.

Don't worry, Colombia will bring the crack.

[olaftab]

Yep, Rome don't get any money or benefits from all the visitors to "Vatican City". People just fly into there and stay in hotels within its boundaries and don't spend anything outside of its borders.

Yep, I have often used the Vatican city Travelodge. It's right next to Sistine Chapel with a Greggs attached. So there was no need to step outside the Piazza San Pietro.