Can any football fans answer a question please? (World Cup)

[RevengeOfTheDirtyLaundry]

My question is - why did no one seem particularly bothered about the World Cup 3rd place play-off last night, or the fact England won it (in some style, it seems)?

I haven't watched any of the World Cup and don't watch any other football, so I can't really see this from a fan's perspective. I get that there was huge disappointment about not reaching the Final, but surely 3rd place is a really good result.

3rd out of 48 teams - that's brilliant - people should be celebrating! Well done England, anyway.

This ☝️And hope that Argentina get their arses kicked tonight by Spain!

Tell me who came fourth in 2022 without looking it up. Majority of people won’t be able to answer that because no one ever remembers, people only remember who wins. Same in the champions league and FA cup, you can see the disappointment on the losing team’s faces when they collect their runners up medals. Sorry if it upsets young people but no footballer is playing for second place never mind third or fourth. If the result had gone the other way last night everyone would be saying what a waste of time it was.

Maybe we should change the mindset. If we celebrate bronze medals in other competitions why not football

Norwegians celebrated their team and they didn’t even come third

Seeing their fans/players celebrate with their rowing, much better than seeing the Argentinians with their political slogans about the Falklands. I know what message I would rather be teaching our young people.

Why not go the whole hog and start giving all the participants a medal for “friendship” or “determination”. 🙄

kinda missing the point

Because it’s a pointless final. Nobody wants to come 3rd or 4th.

The players should have returned home already for a much deserved rest

Well they get money for taking part and a ‘cap’ (which in the old days was actually a cap) for representing their country

@Tollington should Cape Verde not have taken part, because the chances of them winning was pretty much nil. Bet they would have valued coming third

Should only the top 4 seeded teams play?

Is it only the more successful countries that are so arrogant to think the play off isn’t worth it

But I bet it will get mentioned again that we came third, it won’t get forgotten in this country

Exactly. And it was a fantastic match to watch. That’s what it’s all about.
Of course the aim of competing in the WC is to win, but several teams were good enough to win and only one can. Unfortunately, as usual the English media and fans have indulged heavily in the national sport of talking ourselves down and acting as though other teams are unbeatable. You’d think Messi and Haaland were the only talented players in the tournament!

People who aren’t regular football fans (and some who are!) don’t realise just how elite these players are. Go to a Premier League game and a lower league or local amateurs’ game and they’re worlds apart in terms of pace, skill and power.
Players who are selected for the England national team are exceptional. Only one team can win the World Cup, but that doesn’t mean the 2nd and 3rd place teams are mediocre- they’re very strong indeed.

Huh? What are you smoking? The poster said they won 29 million dollars which is correct.

"Well done for taking part"

Maybe they should stop playing competitive games altogether and just award one team a “Star of the Tournament” certificate in rotation every four years.

Sounds like a plan!

But how would we pick? Do we just take it in turns for each player to get it so it's fair?

Yes, until someone’s mum rings FIFA to complain that their child hasn’t won it yet and it isn’t fair.

Then perhaps you should explain your point better.

I think the point is there’s not much more in it whether you’re third or fourth best…

I read it differently?

Apparently, They won 29 MILLION dollars for winning last night!

To me this made it sound as though they won $29mil just for last nights game.

It was great that they won the match but it's competing for nothing.

There are no silver and bronze medals there's just one world cup for the winner.

@BillieWiper well they did get bronze medals

To be honest I couldn't tell you who won in 2022.

I think this win will become infamous though, due to the score.

Many of us will always remember that we finished 3rd in the 2026 World Cup,

If that’s the case why does anyone other than the top teams in the world bother entering?

Hopefully it’ll count for something when Mbappe gets the golden boot over Messi later tonight 🙏

Why does the UK enter the Eurovision Song Contest? Why does Scunthorpe United enter the FA Cup? Just for the fun of taking part, I guess. And the dream that you could be the David to the numerous Goliaths you will meet along the way.