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

[PeterWithesShin]

More games and more weaker teams is going to pad stats compared to the past.

[Dogtanian]

Yeah, like F1 points and win records.

[Somniloquism]

We're going to get a lot of these supposedly impressive stats but they're slightly flattered by the format change.

Although in theory there is only one more match played in this one then the 2002 one, and France have two more matches to play to increase those figures. You could argue the opposition is easier, but then Brazil had some easy team in their group as well.

France had Norway, Senegal and Iraq, Brazil had Turkey, China and Costa Rica.

[PeterWithesShin]

Still impressuve numbers mind but can you compare a 24 tean WC from the 80s to a 48 team one now.

[Somniloquism]

I'm not, the stat was comparing one from 2002.

[TopDeck113]

Yeah, like F1 points and win records.

Or Test Match runs when cricket is played pretty much all year round.

[Dogtanian]

At least no chance of extra time and I can get to bed for some lying awake too hot to sleep.

[PeterWithesShin]

It was a general comment not one aimed at your post. Hence me mentioning the 80s and not 98 or 02.

[cdbearsfan]

They only play one more game (if they make the semi-finals). You could argue a higher percentage of matches now are against poor teams but not sure considering you had the likes of El Salvador conceding ten in 1982. African, Asian and North American football is much improved.

[Dogtanian]

Digne is having a long old season.

[PeterWithesShin]

You had the odd weak team back then like El Salvafor, Iraq or Scotland but there's more now. Been an annoyingly entertaining WC though.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

Feels like they're going out with a bit of a whimper, here. Was hoping for much more.

[Dogtanian]

Yup, I think the second goal knocked it out of them.

[PeterWithesShin]

I wonder how much the striker would have changed how they played. Been a bit disappointed with Morocco tonight.

[PeterWithesShin]

Potential semis are

France v Spain
Argentina v England

That's some proper WC semis if it happens.