Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Sports

Whether you're into football, athletics, tennis, golf or cricket, join the dicsussion on our Sport forum.

The Rolling Footbal Thread: Season 2026/27

169 replies

DuncinToffee · 01/07/2026 10:10

New season, new thread

All things football ⚽

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
DuncinToffee · 30/07/2026 16:24

Good

OP posts:
DuncinToffee · 30/07/2026 16:53

Vote 55-0 👏

OP posts:
MustTryHarderAndHarder · 30/07/2026 17:02

DuncinToffee · 30/07/2026 16:53

Vote 55-0 👏

Yes. After all the corruption at the WC I'm not surprised.

I think that all the federations that are fed up of FIFA should start their own organisation.

burblish · 30/07/2026 17:17

Good luck, Greedy Gianni, in getting all that TV and advertising money and interest from private investors without the Europeans! (Fuck me, what does it say for the state of world football that even the notoriously venal UEFA and those bastions of democratic incorruptibility Blatter and Ceferin think this is a cash grab too far!)

burblish · 30/07/2026 17:19

(And watch now as FIFA increase the cash offer and UEFA capitulate... 😬)

MrsMitford3 · 30/07/2026 17:26

I really hope they stick to their guns and force him both to back down and also out!!!!

Brefugee · 30/07/2026 18:36

burblish · 30/07/2026 17:19

(And watch now as FIFA increase the cash offer and UEFA capitulate... 😬)

god i hope not. That statement was stunning

burblish · 30/07/2026 18:45

Brefugee · 30/07/2026 18:36

god i hope not. That statement was stunning

I should have also said I don't actually mean just offering each country more cash upfront. Rather, I hope FIFA don't find a way to rework their (by which I mean Infantino's) proposal to make it overall more attractive to UEFA, e.g., letting UEFA have a say in who the investors are or an opportunity to make side deals to benefit the European faction (because UEFA doesn't already mint enough money and prestige out of the Champions League and Euros...).
Ultimately, none of them can be trusted to put the fans or players (or clubs) first.

Fingers crossed that UEFA maintain their stance (whether through pique or principle!) and therefore make the whole project so much less appealing to investors that it all falls apart even if the majority of other countries are up for the money grab.

DuncinToffee · 30/07/2026 20:07

Concacaf also says it rejects Infantino’s proposal.

OP posts:
placemats · 30/07/2026 20:18

Excellent news

IAmKerplunk · 30/07/2026 20:19

Haven’t managed to read everything yet - does this mean the same for the women?

DuncinToffee · 30/07/2026 20:22

IAmKerplunk · 30/07/2026 20:19

Haven’t managed to read everything yet - does this mean the same for the women?

Yes, it includes all competitions for the men and women.

OP posts:
minsmum · 30/07/2026 22:29

https://x.com/UEFA/status/2082854732020760880 UEFA statement in full, they will not drop the boycott until this is stopped and cast iron guarantees that this will never happen. A really strong statement

UEFA (@UEFA) on X

Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 National Associations

https://x.com/UEFA/status/2082854732020760880

LlynTegid · 31/07/2026 07:04

Hellohah · 29/07/2026 21:31

We've protested for more than 20 years, it's done bugger all.

The only time there was a "successful" protest really was during COVID times when fans managed to get the Liverpool game postponed. But there were numerous protests up and down the country over the proposed European Super League.

I believe the main supporters groups have come together to fight the ST bans, so maybe it'll be the spark that unites fans. The trouble is there's so much discord within the fan base. I think for United, more than most, there's such a need to prove you're worthy of supporting the team that it's all been too much about one-up-man-ship, and proper unity has been impossible.

We don't need a new stadium. It's mostly the away fans that get wet when it rains anyway 😂

Do you know, I've had bugger all about the candidates for the Mayoral elections. Do they not send stuff out anymore? No idea who I'm voting for at all.

Old Trafford I once had the misfortune to go to as an away supporter, and it is the only one where I felt cramped in the seating. I have shorter legs than average.

The biased referee did not make things easier.

DuncinToffee · 31/07/2026 10:33

AFC has joined UEFA and CONCACAF

In a statement published on Friday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it "stands in solidarity" with its counterparts in Europe and North, Central America and the Caribbean.

OP posts:
placemats · 31/07/2026 10:39

DuncinToffee · 31/07/2026 10:33

AFC has joined UEFA and CONCACAF

In a statement published on Friday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it "stands in solidarity" with its counterparts in Europe and North, Central America and the Caribbean.

That's a multi faceted union against rampant capitalism which is fantastic news.

Hellohah · 31/07/2026 12:24

LlynTegid · 31/07/2026 07:04

Old Trafford I once had the misfortune to go to as an away supporter, and it is the only one where I felt cramped in the seating. I have shorter legs than average.

The biased referee did not make things easier.

You're not supposed to sit down in the away end. Hope this helps for any future visits 👍🏻

placemats · 31/07/2026 14:30

It's classed as safe standing areas at all four quadrants in the stadium.

OP posts:
BigDanBurnHesFromBlyth · 31/07/2026 19:34

Newcastle finally announced Eddie leaving. The player tributes have me in tears. I can’t read the official statement as I know I’ll be a wreck. I’m genuinely just sad. Sad it’s ended like this, sad he’s not had it in him to carry on, sad that he’s left feeling like a portion of the fanbase had turned against him, sad for him as a man because I think he is a thoroughly decent fella. I absolutely backed him to turn things round but I completely understand why he’s walked. He always said he’d put the club over his own interests and once he felt he could do no more he’d do what was the best for the club and that’s exactly what he’s done.

Having said that though, I fear there are others that might not have the best interests of the club at heart. I fear for what comes next. I’ll support them whatever but I can’t help but feel, just like when Keegan left, and just like when Sir Bobby left, we’re in for a prolonged period of turmoil. I hope I’m wrong. But this definitely has an air of ‘we’ve been here before’.

And that’s before I even begin to think about the fact that the players are fleeing like rats on a sinking ship. I have no words for the news of de Zerbi (rape apologist) and Tonali’s cosy little text chats and meet ups prior to his signing. And Bruno deserves absolutely no legend status in my eyes, fuck off to Arsenal, you’re no captain.

Uggghh. I know I’d be a lot calmer and happier person if football just never existed.

DuncinToffee · 31/07/2026 19:39

Aw BigDan I am sad for you Flowers

OP posts:
BigDanBurnHesFromBlyth · 31/07/2026 19:42

Cheers ☹️

Just feeling very glum about it all right now.

Manename · 31/07/2026 19:52

BigDanBurnHesFromBlyth · 31/07/2026 19:34

Newcastle finally announced Eddie leaving. The player tributes have me in tears. I can’t read the official statement as I know I’ll be a wreck. I’m genuinely just sad. Sad it’s ended like this, sad he’s not had it in him to carry on, sad that he’s left feeling like a portion of the fanbase had turned against him, sad for him as a man because I think he is a thoroughly decent fella. I absolutely backed him to turn things round but I completely understand why he’s walked. He always said he’d put the club over his own interests and once he felt he could do no more he’d do what was the best for the club and that’s exactly what he’s done.

Having said that though, I fear there are others that might not have the best interests of the club at heart. I fear for what comes next. I’ll support them whatever but I can’t help but feel, just like when Keegan left, and just like when Sir Bobby left, we’re in for a prolonged period of turmoil. I hope I’m wrong. But this definitely has an air of ‘we’ve been here before’.

And that’s before I even begin to think about the fact that the players are fleeing like rats on a sinking ship. I have no words for the news of de Zerbi (rape apologist) and Tonali’s cosy little text chats and meet ups prior to his signing. And Bruno deserves absolutely no legend status in my eyes, fuck off to Arsenal, you’re no captain.

Uggghh. I know I’d be a lot calmer and happier person if football just never existed.

Indeed

IAmKerplunk · 01/08/2026 01:56

FIFA have backed down and scrapped plans to sell the WC - let’s hope that’s the end of it now.

Brightbluesomething · 01/08/2026 13:48

@BigDanBurnHesFromBlyth I feel the same. Landed back from a lovely holiday to all of this chaos and my overwhelming feeling is sadness for a good man who has done so much for us.
I’ve got tickets to some preseason matches and no idea who we’ll even have left to play for us by then. It feels like yet another long road back to success.
Not keen on the very bullish approach by the new fella either, from what I’ve seen on socials. It feels the opposite of Eddie who genuinely cared about leading well.

Swipe left for the next trending thread