World Cup 2026 - Official Thread

Tried to start a band while at college, The Donald Campbell Boating Experience never went anywhere beyond coming up with a silly name, however.
A friend and I did mess about and record some stuff (he did most of the arranging and instrumentation as I’m a shit musician) when I was having an extended lost weekend after a break up about twenty years ago as Büstenhalter and Stan Halen. A terrible homage to Maiden/Motörhead and equally shit country and western versions of Van Halen songs, respectively.

I’ve long forgotten the name of the band but a friend of a friend had a great song with one of my favourite titles of all time: “God is angry and She’s Black”

We tried to form a noisy Sonic Youth / MBV style band at Uni in Leicester. I named us "Tommy Gain", wanting a Forest connection. Fellow band members (not football fans) got wind it was after Tommy Gaynor, and made us change the name, assuming we'd get beaten up by angry fans when playing in Leicester. We never gigged anyway, but I was happy with the name for a bit,

I aways thought Sonic Chisel of Rock would be a good name

I wouldn't mind terribly if Sangare has to come home after tonight.

France v Sweden is an excellent game

It's a yes from me for Bergvall (Be-reg-val). Big, strong, can stand up, quick feet, neat passing. Doesn't seem to waste the ball. He looks like a suitable Anderson replacement, with very high upside potential.

France look most likely for the title at the moment. As type this, English Mike does a lovely through ball for Barkola to score. Organised flair players of the type we left at home.

I thought I had a read on his approach prior to the squad. I was wrong. Years spent building a resolute defence under the previous manager and now we have strangers and sick notes. And considering he seems to want the central defence to take a roll in tempo, it's ... concerning.
No one to unlock those unsportsmanlike deep and well drilled defences.
You still talk utter arse about Kane though.

Olise would never have made this England squad ahead of Henderson.

Whilst I’m not supporting many of Tuchel’s decisions, you are mad if you think we have left behind anyone who can play at the level of Olise/Dembele/Mbappe/Barcola with the ability to bring Cherki and Doue off the bench?

Palmer and Foden have been nowhere near it this season and, much as I love him, MGW is not at that level. Which other flair players have we left at home?

Saka is as good as or better than at least Barcola when fit. Rashford can be hit and miss but is playing pretty well and when he's on form can get close. Gordon and Madueke I'll grant you are nowhere near.

But our defence is nowhere near their quality and overall they are just much better.

Errrr..your response to this:

Guess what? You can play football in a million different ways. If you lose, it’s easy to argue any other way would have been better.

Tuchel has decided on a way that, to my mind, does not make the most of the talent available. He’s picked an imbalanced squad and we are reliant on unfit or limited players, many of whom are playing out of position. It’s very easy to play against and it’s only a matter of time before we get splayed. Whether it’s Dr Congo or Mexico in the Azteca.

But any argument that we could produce a side with the ability, skill, finesse and confidence of the French side does not hold water, to my mind. I’m happy to hear a more detailed analysis of the players and tactics that could. Also bear in mind the French side could be on course for a third successive WF final with the same manager and with players who are serial winners at club level. Similar to West Germany in the 1980s and Brazil in the 1990/2000s, it breeds a fearlessness that we have not yet developed.