World Cup 2026

[Kite159]

No, because supporters of the competing teams get relatively small allocations of tickets (for example England got about 4,000 for each group game)

However there are apparently quite a lot of tickets unsold for this evening

Because effectively the 3rd place playoff is a glorified meaningless friendly?

Who knows what sort of teams will get put out, will the managers decide to rest their key players and send out fringe players to give them some playing time at a World Cup.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Because effectively the 3rd place playoff is a glorified meaningless friendly?

Who knows what sort of teams will get put out, will the managers decide to rest their key players and send out fringe players to give them some playing time at a World Cup.

It will be interesting to see which of the "star performers" of both France and England actually play.

I note what you say about resting key players, but surely if England had reached the final, such is their normal training fitness levels that they should cope with this match.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I note what you say about resting key players, but surely if England had reached the final, such is their normal training fitness levels that they should cope with this match

I think it’s more about giving the fringe players some world cup game time, there’s something of a tradition of it

 

[brad465]

It will be interesting to see which of the "star performers" of both France and England actually play.

I note what you say about resting key players, but surely if England had reached the final, such is their normal training fitness levels that they should cope with this match.

Both teams have made seven changes, including their goalkeepers and at least one of the forwards. None of Kane, Bellingham, Gordon or a few others are starting, while Dembele and Barcola are among the benched for France. Mbappe is starting, presumably for the sake of the Golden Boot race.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Both teams have made seven changes, including their goalkeepers

France haven’t changed their goalie

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Mbappe would expect to "make hay whilst the sun shines" against an England defence containing players not deemed worthy of a regular place in the matches already played

 

[JamesT]

Mbappe would expect to "make hay whilst the sun shines" against an England defence containing players not deemed worthy of a regular place in the matches already played

Apart from the goalkeeper, the defence is the least changed area of the team compared to the rest of the tournament.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Does anyone know the injury that Mainoo is claimed to have suffered?

I note Tuchel still thinks there is a gap in ability between the top three teams and the "also ran" ones.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jul 2026 ==

Apart from the goalkeeper, the defence is the least changed area of the team compared to the rest of the tournament.

England conceded two goals in their very first match and two goals in their last match.

 

[JamesT]

Does anyone know the injury that Mainoo is claimed to have suffered?

I note Tuchel still thinks there is a gap in ability between the top three teams and the "also ran" ones.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jul 2026 ==


England conceded two goals in their very first match and two goals in their last match.

I think they said a back injury on the BBC coverage for Mainoo.

Yes, the England defence has been leaky all tournament, but your comment implied tonight’s selection was second string even by England’s standards which is not the case.

 

[johntea]

The BBC have 3 ‘main’ Match Of The Day presenters at their disposal and haven’t even bothered dragging any of them out for the coverage

 

[SuspectUsual]

The BBC have 3 ‘main’ Match Of The Day presenters at their disposal and haven’t even bothered dragging any of them out for the coverage

They made a decision before the tournament that they would host it from Salford, with a caveat that they may change it should England make the final, so as far as I can tell they’re being consistent

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

They made a decision before the tournament that they would host it from Salford, with a caveat that they may change it should England make the final, so as far as I can tell they’re being consistent

I bet Andy Burnham would have strong words about the implied logic...

 

[JamesT]

They made a decision before the tournament that they would host it from Salford, with a caveat that they may change it should England make the final, so as far as I can tell they’re being consistent

The semi final coverage was onsite. Social media posts imply Rooney et al are still in New York, so I expect the final coverage will be from the stadium too.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jul 2026 ==

This seems a very positive start.

 

[johntea]

Can we have a replay of the semi final with this England team please

 

[SuspectUsual]

About time to go five at the back isn’t it?

 

[brad465]

About time to go five at the back isn’t it?

Not before it is now 3-0 to England.

 

[Ivor]

Can we have a replay of the semi final with this England team please

Look very decent

About time to go five at the back isn’t it?

I’m sure he’ll be thinking about protecting the 3 goals

 

[Haywain]

Not before it is now 3-0 to England.

4-0, and not half time yet!

 

[Ivor]

4…..what is going on here?

 

[Trackman]

Look very decent

I’m sure he’ll be thinking about protecting the 3 goals

He might declare at half time

 

[JD2168]

Can we have a replay of the semi final with this England team please

Where was this performance on Wednesday night, now 4-0. Clearly France are just going through the motions & don’t care

 

[Haywain]

Look very decent

Saka, Rashford and Rice looks superb. Not so sure about Toney.

 

[SuspectUsual]

4-0 and the centre forward hasn’t had a kick

 

[brad465]

France are getting the Brazil-Germany treatment.

 

[Purple Train]

Where has the "Tuchel out" brigade disappeared to?

 

[AlterEgo]

France haven't even turned up today.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Where has the "Tuchel out" brigade disappeared to?

They’re the ones shouting “Deschamps in”

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jul 2026 ==

France haven't even turned up today.

The BBC are fielding Jason Mohamed, Martin Keown and the awful Stephen Warnock so its reserves all round

 

[Ivor]

Where was this performance on Wednesday night, now 4-0. Clearly France are just going through the motions & don’t care

In fairness England pulling them all over the place when attacking.

Saka, Rashford and Rice looks superb. Not so sure about Toney.

Agree with that but with 10 performing Toney may be subbed? Get Harry on to double the score

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jul 2026 ==

Where has the "Tuchel out" brigade disappeared to?

I’m here…Tuchel out…Trump in…

 

[AlterEgo]

Kane wouldn't score against this lot. France have been taken apart by pace, something Kane barely had and has even less of now he's in his 30s.

 

[brad465]

Something that has probably helped this first half performance is several "B-team" players will be determined to prove why they should be promoted to the A-team going forward.