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

[Meanwood Villa]

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.

 

Very similar, I was 9. Seemed a long time between tournaments at that age.

[Brazilian Villain]

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.

That was the World Cup England should have won, and probably would have won, if it weren't for the Germans.

[PeterWithesShin]

2002 is the WC England should have won. 10 man Brazil, Turkey in the semi and an average Germany in the final.

[Ian.]

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.

My old man went away for two weeks, the sun was shining, I was 21, the sofa moved into the garden as did the TV and the BBQ ran for the best part of two weeks. The kitchen bin was emptied and turned into a giant cooler for the beer cans. It was an incredible two weeks. My dad came back just before for the Germany game, lots of tidying up and that’s where it all went wrong. We had to change venue!

[Villa in Denmark]

All kicked off in stoppahe time of the first half of the Portugal v Chile friendly.
Chile player (Ronan) kicked someone the bollocks. Leão then started a boxing match.

[Flamingo Lane]

Mexico 1970. I was 10. Magical.

[Dave]

Rogers and Watkins both starting tonight, Konsa on the bench.

[dorsetvillian]

Mexico 1970. I was 8. Brazil were fantastic. I've just watched the new frame series about on Netflix.

[enigma]

Rogers and Watkins both starting tonight, Konsa on the bench.

Interesting. Watkins rarely plays well in a two up top.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Mexico 1970. I was 10. Magical.

This is the correct answer. That Brazil side was the greatest team ever, and Pele was the greatest footballer ever. This not open to debate.

[Exeter 77]

Not sure if this fits here as neither have qualified but the defending in the 20 minutes of Romania v Wales I have seen has been awful. Currently 1-1 after 70 minutes.

[Villa in Denmark]

Portugal 1 up.
Guedes.

[Percy McCarthy]

Thanks for the heads up lads. ITV for the England game in case anyone had the question I had.

1970 - 6 years old and memorable as my mates dad threw a bottle at the telly when West Germany scored the third.

1974 - I was 10 and yes, I loved it.

1978 - Loved that one too as I worshipped Kempes.

1982 - what strikes me as memorable about this one was I watched the last England game in the White Hart - just a b&w portable behind the bar - and no-one else in the pub cared.

1990 was made more memorable for me when I read All Played Out.

1998 - the best summer of my life but nothing to do with the World Cup, although we did watch a few games together. The show that was on about Euro 96 (My Summer with Des?) was an uncanny reminder of my 98 World Cup. So that’s my favourite.

The rest? Meh.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Rogers and Watkins both starting tonight, Konsa on the bench.

Interesting. Watkins rarely plays well in a two up top.

Presume Kane will play the 10 role. Bit of a strange line up with Rogers likely on the right hand side. Spence left back and Quansah right back.

[Villa in Denmark]

Portugal 2 up. Decent strike from Fernandes.