World Cup 2026

[HVC]

I always thought Japan had the best chance to unseat the euro and South American teams. Perhaps not now but sooner than one expects. African teams crest and fall on too short a team line to make a team that can get to the finals, I think.

I don't see Asian teams amounting to much in the near term. Their leagues and federation tournaments are just too low-level, and their players don't move to Europe the way African players do.

While fair, Japan also has the knack for building strong internal leagues. See baseball. And given the fact that they don't have many international players means their performances are even more inspiring.

But like I said it's not happening this tournament

*edit* that's not to say I don't think an African nation can't win, it just seems like to me there peak generations are just to short and they fall off to fast to keep momentum.

[HVC]

I also think there's less of a diaspora to tap into with players like Semenyo, Mbaye, Hakimi etc. I think African federations have become a lot more interested in scouting for eligible players in Europe and basically making a pitch for those players to declare for them. I think Morocco made a new record in Brazil-Morocco when not one of their players on the pitch was born in Morocco.

You've got brothers playing for different teams (Cote d'Ivoire and France or Ghana and Netherlands). And I think there's a particular story of how good France and the Netherlands are at producing good young players as I think they're the country of origin for half of the foreign-born players at this World Cup (followed, as you'd expect, by Germany, England, Sweden, Belgium and Spain - European countries with disapora communities).

That's why there's memes going around about how this is a tournament to see whose Africans are better

[Josquius]

Japan-Brazil will tell us something. Its a weak Brazil team. But getting the challenge in early for Japan. They are real dark horses with a good chance.
Though they are only 30 years into their 100 year plan to win the world cup. Though certainly are ahead of schedule in it.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48945194/japan-plan-win-world-cup-2050-how-close-get-2026

Its not one I've watched more than an episode of but I know there's even an anime about this identifying that Japan's problem is a lack of a selfish striker (leading to a story which is basically Squid Game: Football Camp edition).

The Japanese domestic league is doing really well. And a lot more focussed on domestic players than China.

I also think there's less of a diaspora to tap into with players like Semenyo, Mbaye, Hakimi etc. I think African federations have become a lot more interested in scouting for eligible players in Europe and basically making a pitch for those players to declare for them. I think Morocco made a new record in Brazil-Morocco when not one of their players on the pitch was born in Morocco.

You've got brothers playing for different teams (Cote d'Ivoire and France or Ghana and Netherlands). And I think there's a particular story of how good France and the Netherlands are at producing good young players as I think they're the country of origin for half of the foreign-born players at this World Cup (followed, as you'd expect, by Germany, England, Sweden, Belgium and Spain - European countries with disapora communities).

Yeah, I've heard some African countries have been doing very well at this. Sadiki played for Belgium at youth level and is undoubtedly at the level to make the full team, but decided to choose Congo instead.

Asians....I think it is happening albeit at a lower level. I've heard a lot of Pakistan for instance recruiting players in the English 5th tier and the like.
A big problem a lot of Asian countries have is they have laws against dual nationality which makes it complicated- India and China could potentially have a decent dysphoria team but for this.
 On the other hand I recall at the last women's WC the Philippines was basically all Americans.

Luke O'Nien of Sunderland is a grand nephew of a prominent Singaporean politician and is certainly not getting an England callup but due to passport rules can't play for Singapore.

Though checking up apparently Congo doesn't allow dual nationality. Wonder what they do differently

[HVC]

Poor Uzbekistan

Edit: Spoke too soon But still feel for them.

Their loss eliminated Korea.

Folks here are going to eat the coach alive. They expected to make the round of 16 at least. On paper this was definitely their best world cup team ever.

Looks like your president is calling for an investigation. Which seems weird. There was already one and the KFA decided to do nothing about it.

[HVC]

So, Argentina has a easy path to the semis as least. Here's hoping for an upset!

[celedhring]

I feel like Argentina will be hopelessly exposed by any organized team that can play at a decent tempo.

[HVC]

I'm hoping for a humiliating defeat to cabo verde in penalties 

And quiet Duque 

[Sheilbh]

That England victory was against one of the half-dozen worst performing teams in the WC, so hardly convincing.

Just on this - we've had the worst performing team bit of my sweepstake - and I want to slightly defend the honour of Panama. They came last in their group and didn't get any points - but they only conceded four goals across three games (against, I think, three pretty good teams) and compared to some of the batterings that have been handed out I'm not sure they're that bad. Very solid and hard working in defence, not got the attacking talent to make many chances (and England conceded a few). But I think in a kinder draw for them they would have done pretty well.

With England - I still think the defence is a problem and I don't think there's a clear solution (Tuchel may find one - he's a very good coach). Plus with injuries there's only two fit full-backs left. In all three games England gave away easy chances and I think as the opposition gets tougher that will be punished. Also not sure the wingers have been fixed as an issue - Rashford and Saka better and we know (from other tournaments and clubs) can do better still - but nothing's really been convincing there so far. Gordon in particular has been pretty poor (as an Everton fan I thought we did very well to get £50 million for him from Newcastle and - sorry cel - I have no idea how he's ended up at Barca for £80 million....there must be something in the data or that real football people can see in him but I don't understand it ). On the upside I think the first team midfield of Rice, Belligham and Anderson is working well and those players and Kane seem to be in good form - having said that I alo think they are players that I think should perform better against "better" opposition (a bit like Croatia compared to Panama).

The other thing is that I think so far only France and maybe Argentina have really looked convincing. Other teams will grow into the tournament but I think all of other prominent teams like Spain, Germany, Brazil etc have question marks after the group stage. I think with Spain especially they often grow into a tournament and start slowly and build momentum - but maybe not, maybe those question marks are valid. But I think at the minute France just look very, very ominous for anyone else.

[Norgy]

Brazil's put Japan under siege.
I can't help thinking this is one of the weaker Brazilian sides fielded this century.

[HVC]

Brazil needs more kids from the favelas.

[Norgy]

What a goal by Japan!

[Sheilbh]

Brazil's put Japan under siege.
I can't help thinking this is one of the weaker Brazilian sides fielded this century.

Yeah. I love the Ancelotti-Endrick gags though. 

[Valmy]

Ah too bad.

[Sheilbh]

Yeah it was coming - and no idea how there wasn't a goal from the Brazilian scramble and then Japanese counter.

Fantastic from Vinicius Jr - and a great save too.

Enjoying this.

[Norgy]

This will surely be remembered as the World Cup with all those goals in added time.