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

[Dave]

Expanding the competition so it is more representative of the world game is all well and good, but thrashings don't do smaller countries any good.

I imagine the result hasn't stopped today being the greatest footballing day in the life of everybody in Curacao.

[Dogtanian]

Expanding the competition so it is more representative of the world game is all well and good, but thrashings don't do smaller countries any good.

Ask Curacao if they’d rather not be there. This is a dream come true for most of them, even with the pasting.

Well, if you ask me if I’d like to play at Wimbledon or race in the British Grand Prix - absolutely I would!

But I shouldn’t be anywhere near it, even if it would be a dream come true for me.

[FatSam]

Is Major Tom the only German song the Americans know?

I don't think Die Toten Hosen were ever that big in the U.S.

Saw them supporting someone at the Wolverhampton Civic. They were excellent. Couldn't tell you who the headliner was though.

I went to this too. I think they were supporting Terrorvision. Why I wanted to see Terrorvision I couldn’t tell you. I don’t think I’ve listened to any of their music. In the intervening 30 years.

[olaftab]

Tidy finish, 7-1. Shame it's a Gooner.

They humiliated them because Curacaons are Dutch.

[olaftab]

I worked in Germany back in the day, and supported them at the 2014 World Cup in Brasil. I'll cheer for who I want, thanks.

I remember a picture of you at that final in a green German away shirt. Although it could have been an Ireland shirt with a German badge stuck on.

Well remembered.
It was an old school German shirt that I picked up at Guarulhos. I wore it to the 7-1 as well, but the Brazilians were pretty chilled about it.

Gary did very well in 2014 world cup Paul, including looking after me for two days and a night in Sao Paulo.

[Dave]

Expanding the competition so it is more representative of the world game is all well and good, but thrashings don't do smaller countries any good.

Ask Curacao if they’d rather not be there. This is a dream come true for most of them, even with the pasting.

Well, if you ask me if I’d like to play at Wimbledon or race in the British Grand Prix - absolutely I would!

But I shouldn’t be anywhere near it, even if it would be a dream come true for me.

Yeah, but the guy who got knocked out in the first round at Wimbledon after qualifying as a wild-card entry *should* be there.

And the fact that Djokovic (does he still tennis?) has just spanked him 6-0 6-0 6-0 isn't a solid enough argument to make Wimbledon a knock-out tournament of whoever the top 24 players happen to be.

[Dogtanian]

For the love of God, someone get Roy Keane a pile cushion.

[Dave]

Joint-statement from Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire expressing their “profound disappointment” following the recent comments made by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin arguing the expanded World Cup will create “uninteresting” games.

“We respectfully but firmly reject these comments.

“For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match.

“For Cape Verde, Curaçao and Uzbekistan, qualification for the FIFA World Cup represents a historic achievement and the realization of a dream shared by generations.

“For nations such as Congo and Haiti, returning to football’s biggest stage after a long absence carries a special meaning for millions of supporters who have waited years, and in some cases decades, for this moment.

“To suggest that these matches are somehow less important is deeply disappointing and fails to recognize the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and supporters across the world.

“Behind every qualification stand years of work and investment. Behind every national team stand entire communities and millions of people who see football as a source of pride, hope and unity.

“Football does not belong to a select group of nations. Its strength comes from its universality. The FIFA World Cup is the world’s greatest football competition precisely because it brings together different cultures, different histories and different football journeys.

“For many countries, participation in the FIFA World Cup is not only a sporting achievement. It is a moment that inspires a generation, accelerates football development and creates memories that last a lifetime.

“We believe that every nation that qualifies deserves respect. Every team has earned its place on merit. Every supporter has the right to dream. Every match carries meaning for millions of people around the world.

“We therefore reject the UEFA President’s comments and reaffirm our belief that the growth of football must continue to create opportunities, inspire new generations and strengthen the truly global nature of our game.

“Every team qualified on merit.

“Every match matters.”

[Sexual Ealing]

Good for them.

[Somniloquism]

Stupid thing about that statement from him is UEFA have extended the Euro's multiple times and will probably do it again within the next 10 years.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Looking forward to this game.

Love both the Dutch & Japanese anthems.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Dutch national anthem starts off like The 12 Days Of Christmas.

[Dogtanian]

Curacao qualified by playing teams ranked between 71st and 189th. They didn’t qualify by developing and being good enough to beat anyone near the top 48 in the world.

Haiti - 83rd, Saint Lucia - 166th, Aruba - 189th, Barbados 179th, Jamaica - 71st, Trinidad and Tobago - 102nd, and Bermuda - 167th.

Saying that warrants competing in a World Cup is laughable.

[Nev]

Ignoramuses on VAR tonight. Booooo.

[Exeter 77]

Stupid thing about that statement from him is UEFA have extended the Euro's multiple times and will probably do it again within the next 10 years.

Yes, almost half of UEFA's members now qualify for the Euros versus a quarter of FIFA members going to the World Cup.