FIFA World Cup 2026 discussion and watchalong thread part 6

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Follow on.

Previous thread here. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/world-cup-2026/5551650-fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-and-watchalong-thread-part-5

Oops, I jinxed it!

England Argentina is going to get scrappy! Someone pointed out England will be out for revenge for the hand of god, that made me really want the win 😆

Wasn't that impressed with the performance vs. Norway.

Kane seemed to spend most of the match looking for fouls although he did a lot more work than Haaland (not difficult).

Bellingham was good but disliked that one where he was through and appeared to fall over. He is better than that.

Gordon again I think put in a good performance, Spence appears to be both brilliant and capable of mistakes in equal measure.

I think Norway got their tactics wrong. When they applied the low block as usual it looked good and impossible for England to break down. They should have parked the bus at 1-0 but decided to play on and then wilted in the heat.

Overall I think England deserved to win, but no great victory. I think we can beat Argentina who I don't believe are fulfilling their potential either at the moment - it depends which teams turn up on the night.

Actually winning the competion against France/Spain though will require some significant luck if we continue to play the way we are.

Good analysis @GasPanic

If both teams play at their best, Argentina will surely win. If they don't, who knows?

Who has fair weather friends who are joining in watching now? 😃

Said to football teen “not sure I can do the semi-final it’s too stressful!”

to be greeted with a “I’m watching it” teenage shrug 😆

Well not fair weather friends as such but my colleague’s 14 year old daughter has got interested and behind the England team to the surprise of her mum and the daughter’s brother. I think Bellingham et al may have had a hand in this though.

Going back a few years when Gazza first was in the England squad, my best mate Sarah, was in love with him. Also, not really a football fan. I could never see the appeal. Especially after him crying!

To be fair it was Italia 90 that got me into football when I was 14 and I have watched it ever since.
The 1st Euros the women’s team won got my dd into it. Sometimes a tournament sparks something in you and that’s it - you’re a slave for life 🤣

Italian '90 was awesome for all sorts of reasons. It's what got me into Pavarotti 😆 🤣

Oh my god me too! I swear there has never been a host country since that had a song like Nessun Dorma!

Back when it was still West Germany (how mad does that seem now?!) Linekar shit himself, Waddle aimed his penalty shot for the moon and Peter Stilton fumbled to make us lose the 3rd place play off 🤣

Loved Italia 90 and also remember France 98. England were defeated by Argentina on penalties 3/4 in the last 16. Michael Owen was best young player of the tournament.

Michael Owen was a wonder kid back then wasn’t he

And Gazza’s tears - obviously

When Beckham had disgraced himself earlier in the match and they were playing with 10 men after he got sent off. I watched it in the local nightclub.

If England hypothetically did get to the final where would everyone watch it? I thought they would show it in Trafalgar Square on large screens but realising now that this probably would not happen due to alcohol and trouble with fans etc.

All the England matches are being shown on large screens in Wembley Stadium.

Not the final apparently as Bruno Mars is booked to play there the same night! May well not happen anyway just hoping 😀

It's not in the actual stadium though.

The Wembley venue will probably be Box park I suppose.

I was bought a Tears of a Clown Gazza tshirt after this, I wore that and my shell suit with pride 🤣

2002 I made a lot of money selling bacon rolls at our local social club when kick off was 6am!

I mean friends who haven’t watch a minute of the World Cup yet but are now messaging because “semi-final”😁they will go back to being completely oblivious until next semi-final!

Watching final (regardless of teams involved) at home on H’s wonderful projector (it was made for this)

last World Cup teens under pub age, suspect they will final alternative venues next time!

if England in final, IF, I expect projector room to have a higher than average body count in there!

Stupid Beckham.

Ha ha! Yes I know. Bit like my American friend’s husband’s friends. All in it when USA were playing but as soon as they got knocked out, no interest at all.

Bit like Bellingham really.