World Cup 2026

[HVC]

It's coming home!

I guess there's a possibility that Argentinas plane has a layover in canada

[Duque de Bragança]

Loving that the "Are we boring you, frenchie?" quote from the (great) movie As Bestas has become viral in Spanish twitter. 

A movie in (Northern) Portuguese, err. in Galician (cf. title). Great choice of quote by a Catalan!

[Duque de Bragança]

Dang, Spain is impressive. Let's hope FIFA allows them to win against Argentina.

Back to reverse jinx attempts, I see. 

[Duque de Bragança]

If only that! Swear to god, every guided visit to a historical monument in Catalonia nearly always includes "...and then it was sacked by the French" 

So yeah, we have a big "historical" rivalry in the literal sense of the word, but that's about it. Football rivalry is big, though, given the ascendancy of the French team and that we have played them often.

I'm in the south of France by the Pyenees and saw a small monument to the Aragonese "who were always welcomed by the Bearnais". I hadn't wondered who they were fleeing from

And for the Valencians, Catalonia is France's whore. Go figure.

[Syt]

[Josquius]

It is weird though. The world cup does feel less of a big deal than it once did.
Maybe it's the whole thing of a decline in shared media. Or the general shift in quality and interest in internationals vs domestics.
But England winning this year would not be in the same league as if we had won 20 years ago or even euro 96.

[Sheilbh]

It is weird though. The world cup does feel less of a big deal than it once did.
Maybe it's the whole thing of a decline in shared media. Or the general shift in quality and interest in internationals vs domestics.
But England winning this year would not be in the same league as if we had won 20 years ago or even euro 96.

I think it's also that the expectation has gone more or less, readership of newspapers is declining so the tabloids matter far less and Southgate's work on the culture around the England set up. I also don't think it's coincidental that England have won more knock-out games in major tournaments (reaching two Euro finals, two semi-finals and a quarter-final) since 2018 than in the previous seventy years.

I'm not sure if it matters less, it may also be that we're just older, but I think there's far less hysteria around it (remembering the effigies of Beckham after 1998 etc) and that's a good thing.

Having said that I did think there's been some bad old habits in the Tuchel-Bellingham stuff.

[celedhring]

The atmosphere has been great here, particuarly compared to Qatar. Having a WC in the winter, with the domestic leagues still on, killed a lot of the buzz 4 years ago.

[Sheilbh]

Qatar was so weird. I think the best final I've seen but apart from that it did just feel very strange I think as you say because it was in the winter.

Also I seem to remember people who went to Qatar enjoying it but it was still a bit odd and it looked very "organised fun". While the various fans on this World Cup seem to have been enjoying themselves a lot - I think, bluntly, because they're in real big cities and (possibly) because it's easier to take a drink. Obviously Scots loved Boston and vice-versa, England fans seem to have most enjoyed Atlanta and Mexico City (the FA are arranging a friendly with Mexico to celebrate our new found friendship ). I'm sure fans from every country have been sending back vibes of it being enjoyable and fun - because New York and Mexico City and Vancouver simply are more fun than a Gulf city state. I heard Philadelphia, like Boston, got really into it - but not sure if anyone had multiple games there.

I am dreading the half-hour halftime show though

[HVC]

I'll just change the channel. Partially in protest and partially because I think itll be cringy

[Gups]

It is weird though. The world cup does feel less of a big deal than it once did.
Maybe it's the whole thing of a decline in shared media. Or the general shift in quality and interest in internationals vs domestics.
But England winning this year would not be in the same league as if we had won 20 years ago or even euro 96.

I disagree. You are just older

[celedhring]

Qatar was so weird. I think the best final I've seen but apart from that it did just feel very strange I think as you say because it was in the winter.

Also I seem to remember people who went to Qatar enjoying it but it was still a bit odd and it looked very "organised fun". While the various fans on this World Cup seem to have been enjoying themselves a lot - I think, bluntly, because they're in real big cities and (possibly) because it's easier to take a drink. Obviously Scots loved Boston and vice-versa, England fans seem to have most enjoyed Atlanta and Mexico City (the FA are arranging a friendly with Mexico to celebrate our new found friendship ). I'm sure fans from every country have been sending back vibes of it being enjoyable and fun - because New York and Mexico City and Vancouver simply are more fun than a Gulf city state. I heard Philadelphia, like Boston, got really into it - but not sure if anyone had multiple games there.

I am dreading the half-hour halftime show though

Can't wait for the Iberian/Morocco WC. That's gonna be incredible.

Hope I can get tickets for some decent games.

[Sheilbh]

Yeah already been chatting with friends about going to some games.

Looking forward to the Euros 28 in these isles too.

Edit: Really want to get tickets in the Everton stadium.

[HVC]

Read that France lost because the French don't work on public holidays

[celedhring]

Also, depending on what happens in a hypothetical Spain-England final, they probably might have wanted to wait a few days before removing the border fence between Spain and Gibraltar