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

[Mellin]

Phew. A close call.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It reminds me of many decades ago, when you didn't begin to watch before the quarter finals.

I reckon the World Cup starts proper tonight with Brazil - Japan. Should be a cracking game.

[Toronto Villa]

The US winning at anything ever is wrong.

[Flamingo Lane]

It reminds me of many decades ago, when you didn't begin to watch before the quarter finals.

I reckon the World Cup starts proper tonight with Brazil - Japan. Should be a cracking game.

Brazil v Morocco tonight. Netherlands v Japan tomorrow.

[cdbearsfan]

The US winning at anything ever is wrong.

Yep. Even in "Independence Day", I was cheering for the aliens.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It reminds me of many decades ago, when you didn't begin to watch before the quarter finals.

I reckon the World Cup starts proper tonight with Brazil - Japan. Should be a cracking game.

Brazil v Morocco tonight. Netherlands v Japan tomorrow.

Sorry, you're right. Both games should be well worth watching. Netherlands are flying under the radar but could turn out to be the surprise country of the tournament.*

*That should send them home by the end of next week.

[martyn ellis]

When I was living and working in Spain at the time Thatcher invaded the Falklands, I got relentlessly barracked and criticised by bartenders, work colleagues and others calling me a disgrace for supporting Thatcher's government actions, when nothing was further from the truth. Dangerous to tar everyone with the same brush, especially to assume they're rednecks who voted for a far right president who is unfit to govern.

[cdbearsfan]

No, but enough of them did so to elect him, and he will make sure he claims the credit if they win, just as Mussolini did in 1934.

In any case, I already excepted Americans from the list of wrong 'uns as it's fair enough if they cheer for them.

[Ian.]

There are many useless teams in this tournament, and we have watched many of them already.
It reminds me of many decades ago, when you didn't begin to watch before the quarter finals.

I’m finding it impossible to get into. How, unless your Rory and awake all night do you manage to watch anything?

[charlatan]

The US winning at anything ever is wrong.

Even World War 2?

[cdbearsfan]

I don't think late subs deserve a win bonus.

[PeterWithesShin]

Morocco, Switzerland, Haiti and Australia are my picks for the next batch of games.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

Yeah, the only thing to vindicate the country is if Iran get a great reception in LA. Then I can have a bit of faith in the people at least. It's the only meaningful thing that's going to happen in the entire group phase. I tried to get on board with enjoying the Mexico opener, but it struck me that the atmosphere was pretty shit considering the occasion. Then saw the costs of the tickets and realised why.

But it's okay, poor people, you can watch at home. Stay in your houses where you belong and then get to work on Monday. Probs won't earn enough to cover your bills/do anything though. Soz. That one escape which you had, football at the weekend, and especially that once in a lifetime event, a World Cup in your country, isn't for you anymore. Get behind the glass and watch it from there.

But yeah, the US won. Cool. Good for the tournament.

California has the largest Iranian diaspora outside of Iran. I reckon there's actually a chance their reception may not be as bad as expected. For that game, anyway.

Edit: To add, the Iranian I heard talk about it said that a lot of Iranians themselves may boo their own anthem such is their dislike of their government.

[Dave]

But yeah, the US won. Cool. Good for the tournament.

I've got an eight year old boy who has talked about little else but the World Cup since around March.

And that's off the back of his first two years of knowing about football being two of the best in his club's last forty years.

He's thrilled by every minute of football right now, and at the moment I'm joining him.

So forgive me, but right now I'm quite happy on Team Youthful Enthusiasm. When he inevitably decides in about a week that even this is too much football, I'll join you all back in my rightful place on Team Jaded Misanthrope.

[PeterWithesShin]

I doubt anyone but US fans would think it was a worse tournament if the US had been slapped 3-0. If anything more people would have enjoyed it.