FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 - DISCUSSION AND WATCHALONG THREAD ⚽️. Part 8

[placemats]

Let's continue the discussion.

I hope Spain crush them too on Sunday.
Vamos Spain ! 🇪🇸

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5yzy1rzxepo

Personally love articles like this. Good statistics and analysis.

I’m really hope Spain being their A game and then some. They will need it.

Infantino and his money grabbing ways aren't going anywhere (unfortunately)

More than 200 countries endorse Infantino for fourth Fifa term despite Balogun scandal.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/17/gianni-infantino-fifa-reelection-more-than-200-countries-endorse-despite-balogun-scandal?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/17/1966-the-last-time-argentina-played-spain-in-the-world-cup-match-report

A blast from the past. The last time Spain played against Argentina was 1966 at Villa Park.

I am going to pretend the France V England game is the real final. Cmon England.

It has the promise of a great match. No cushions or lucky chairs required.

That made me laugh out loud. 🤣🤣. Love your SOH.

I just really hope the players have managed to perk up a bit and go all out and give it there all

I'll tell you my thoughts.. .they're effing WUMs. You do realise that banner wasn't just trying to rile the English don't you. They were having a go at the British . Read what Simon Weston has to say about it. You know him surely...a proud Welsh man who was badly disfigured during the conflict.

I feel the same but I am not ready to say goodbye to the football and the WC just yet 😩

Shame there is no 33rd place play off for Scotland to take part in.

Me too with a G&T.

Which channel is showing the match on Saturday?

I will be sticking with ITV for the final

BBC for both apparently @IAmKerplunk

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cp8xn7178x1o

https://www.google.com/search?q=sscottish+commentator&rlz=1CAVKAU_enGB1107&oq=sscottish+commentator&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDU5NzRqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:52db1a91,vid:gj_uXPGf8ic,st:0

there's an interesting article in the news today.

IT says 'Messi is old, short and slow how is he still dominating the world cup'.

Then it goes on to analyse how we think tall people are stronger but shorter people can be just as fast, smart etc

Dennis Wise has entered the chat

Send for Lawrie McMenemy..

Kevin Keagan says to take a message.

🤣

Viv Anderson requests to join.

Advice from the Spanish embassy

https://nitter.net/EmbSpainUK/status/2078222394229948890#m

If you’re in Spain this Sunday,here are some useful tips from @thetimes:
Drink cañas (half pints)
Order a tapa with your drink
Buy pipas (sunflower seeds)
Have a late dinner (it’s cooler at night) Learn:Vamos! Venga! Olé!
Get out your red & yellow clothes

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/world-cup/article/spanish-fans-world-cup-final-party-tips-86zgnm6rh

The white house has backed the Argentinians displaying the banner. They’re so annoying as I’ll bet you can’t do things like that in American sport so it’s nothing to do with support of freedom of speech. It’s following the rules.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2rmjk0740o

So many Americans think their rules apply everywhere (not that in reality America has genuine freedom of speech but that's for another discussion).

When a stadium is hosting a WC match, it essentially becomes 'FIFA territory'. So FIFA rules apply, not those of the hosting jurisdiction (criminal acts aside obviously). But this is Argentina, so chances are FIFA rules will not apply, or will amount to nothing more than a slap on the wrist.