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

[PeterWithesShin]

Is this true for you, it is for me. I was 12 during the '82 World Cup and that will most likely always be my favourite ever WC.

Someone told me once that the best World Cup you ever saw was the one you watched when you were 11 years old. Give or take a year or two either side, of course. The appreciation sweet spot is right at the beginning of adolescence, when you’re old enough to appreciate the magic of it, but young enough not to understand cynicism.

[dr.chekov]

Exactly the same. 12 in 82, and by far the best World Cup.

[Richard]

Is this true for you, it is for me. I was 12 during the '82 World Cup and that will most likely always be my favourite ever WC.

Someone told me once that the best World Cup you ever saw was the one you watched when you were 11 years old. Give or take a year or two either side, of course. The appreciation sweet spot is right at the beginning of adolescence, when you’re old enough to appreciate the magic of it, but young enough not to understand cynicism.

This could be right as I was 13 in 1978 and that was a great one. Also enjoyed 1990 as well to be fair.

[London Villan]

86 and 90 for me. Great World Cups.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Is this true for you, it is for me. I was 12 during the '82 World Cup and that will most likely always be my favourite ever WC.

Someone told me once that the best World Cup you ever saw was the one you watched when you were 11 years old. Give or take a year or two either side, of course. The appreciation sweet spot is right at the beginning of adolescence, when you’re old enough to appreciate the magic of it, but young enough not to understand cynicism.

Possibly right. 1990 for me, I don’t think it’s regarded as a classic but England, Platt, Baggio, Schillachi, Milla, Voller v Kijkaard, World in Motion and Nessun Dorma among other things make it quite memorable.

[Brazilian Villain]

Is this true for you, it is for me. I was 12 during the '82 World Cup and that will most likely always be my favourite ever WC.

Not for me. I was also 12, but my main memory of it is lovng the Brasil team and being absolutely gutted when they lost to Italy.

For me (and probably every Irish person over age of 50) it will always be Italia '90. I was on work placement with PwC in Dublin City centre at the time, but we were allowed to leave early for the games. It was mayhem in the city centre pubs after the Romania match. It also signalled a wider societal change from the doom and gloom of the 80s to a more confident and prosperous Ireland in the 90s.

[paul_e]

It should've been 1990 for me but I wasn't really bothered about football then (I was really into athletics and cricket as a kid), it was only in the aftermath of it that I really got interested and then England failed to qualify for euro 92 or the 94 world cup so whilst 94 was great and I watched pretty much every minute it doesn't really hold a special place for me. I've always thought of euro 96 as the big tournament from my childhood, and I don't think I have a favourite world cup.

[Sexual Ealing]

I was eight for Mexico 86 and Diego got me.

[Dogtanian]

Is this true for you, it is for me. I was 12 during the '82 World Cup and that will most likely always be my favourite ever WC.

Someone told me once that the best World Cup you ever saw was the one you watched when you were 11 years old. Give or take a year or two either side, of course. The appreciation sweet spot is right at the beginning of adolescence, when you’re old enough to appreciate the magic of it, but young enough not to understand cynicism.

I was 10 for the 1990 World Cup. We’d finished runners-up to Liverpool and now England had gone out at the semis.

I remember looking out my bedroom window and being sad that I’d have to wait four whole years to see England win the World Cup.

 

[Ian.]

86 and 90 for me. Great World Cups.

Me too, I was 12 and 16 and totally obsessed with watching and playing football then. Platt’s goal still give me the shivers.

[UK Redsox]

1978 for me (as an 8 year old).

By 1982, I was all rugby and cricket

[Dogtanian]

Ruined my evening now.   

[PeterWithesShin]

1990 and '94 were shit as actual tournaments imo. Boring overall despite some good stories in them.

[Meanwood Villa]

It should've been 1990 for me but I wasn't really bothered about football then (I was really into athletics and cricket as a kid), it was only in the aftermath of it that I really got interested and then England failed to qualify for euro 92 or the 94 world cup so whilst 94 was great and I watched pretty much every minute it doesn't really hold a special place for me. I've always thought of euro 96 as the big tournament from my childhood, and I don't think I have a favourite world cup.

We did qualify in 92 but may as well not have done

[SamTheMouse]

Italia '90 for me. I was 12.

And the theory holds true, it's my favourite World Cup.

But the all-time greatest tournament is still Euro '96. Absolutely epic summer.