Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[UK Redsox]

Not really 2025/26 and not really 2026/27, but worthy of its own thread.

[Lucky Eddie]

The Villa World Cup.

The opposite of 82, bring it on.

[Brazilian Villain]

The Villa World Cup.

Bring it home, Emi.

[PeterWithesShin]

Ollie to win it for England. No one can stop us. It's coming home!

[brontebilly]

What's the likely England starting X1? With Infantino, Trump and the rampant corruption at every level it's hard to get into this WC. Expect that will change once the knock outs kick off.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'll no doubt watch a load of it but this really is the WC i've been least excited by. Which is some going after Russia and Qatar. I think the political climate, the fact the corruption isn't even hidden any more, the hideous greed and pricing and the increase in games has removed the feeling of it being 'special'.

I dunno how else to explain it.

[cdbearsfan]

I hated the idea of the Qatar World Cup but, in spite of myself, I think it ended up being the best I have ever seen.

I do think the Group Stage will suffer in terms of excitement in 2026, with 32/48 teams going through so very little chance of a funny Germany 2022 & 2018/Spain 2014/France 2002-type early elimination.

I'm hoping it will be good fun once we get to the expanded knockouts, though, and the slightly random nature of the draw might lead to a few unfamiliar sides making the latter stages rather than the boring usual suspects. If, by some miracle, Scotland actually get past the sodding group stage, that would be nice, too.

I do have a nagging feeling that Iran won't compete and the headlines will all be about people being arrested in and around stadiums, though. It could be a very depressing tournament.

[PeterWithesShin]

48/48 could qualify from the group stages and Scotland would still find a way to miss out.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd love it, LOVE IT, if Iran knocked USA out the WC.

[SamTheMouse]

I'll no doubt watch a load of it but this really is the WC i've been least excited by. Which is some going after Russia and Qatar. I think the political climate, the fact the corruption isn't even hidden any more, the hideous greed and pricing and the increase in games has removed the feeling of it being 'special'.

I dunno how else to explain it.

I know what you mean. The World Cup's like Star Wars now. Used to get excited in the run-up to a new release. Now I literally forget or miss them entirely, and then years later I stumble across some SW show I've never heard of years later on Disney+.

[Dave]

What's the likely England starting X1? With Infantino, Trump and the rampant corruption at every level it's hard to get into this WC. Expect that will change once the knock outs kick off.

If fit, then Pickford, James, Guehi, O'Reilly, Rice, Anderson, Kane and Saka are probably nailed on.

Reckon Konsa is 80% over Stones, Bellingham will probably edge Rogers and Rashford will probably edge Gordon.

The latter two going the other way wouldn't be a surprise though.

[Meanwood Villa]

Tuchel seems to love Rogers so I reckon he starts the first match

[Dave]

Could well be right. Reckon Bellingham will play more of the two friendlies, and if he does well then that'll probably nudge him ahead.

If he doesn't do much then he goes Rogers.

[Dante Lavelli]

What's the likely England starting X1? With Infantino, Trump and the rampant corruption at every level it's hard to get into this WC. Expect that will change once the knock outs kick off.

Thats how I feel too.  the extra teams have diluted the quality rather than made it bigger too.

I’m sure I’ll become more interested once the knock out stages start.

[Chip Butty 111]

I'll no doubt watch a load of it but this really is the WC i've been least excited by. Which is some going after Russia and Qatar. I think the political climate, the fact the corruption isn't even hidden any more, the hideous greed and pricing and the increase in games has removed the feeling of it being 'special'.

I dunno how else to explain it.

...agree with all that. Corruption hiding in plain sight kills it for me.
The Golden Age for me was 1970 to 1994.
Since then a mixture of left field hosts and envelopes under the table have ruined the best thing in the sporting calendar.
And it will only get worse.
I hope England never again bid to be hosts in any capacity.