World Cup 2026

[Clyde1998]

Due to the heat, FIFA are looking to schedule matches to kick off after midnight UK time

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5yqr5rvz3qo

Seems reasonable tbf. Certain matches probably don't need to be at a good time for a large European audience and may benefit in their home countries from the changes - thinking something like Paraguay vs Jamaica or South Korea vs New Zealand.

As long as games involving European teams are kept at a reasonable time for European viewers, I can't imagine there will be problems for FIFA when it comes to sponsorship or viewership.

[Clyde1998]

Algeria have qualified after a 3-0 win over Somalia.

[Silver Fox]

Egypt also got in this week after beating Djibouti

Twenty teams in so far

Canada
Mexico
USA
Japan
New Zealand
Iran
Argentina
Jordan
Korea Republic
Uzbekistan
Australia
Ecuador
Brazil
Uruguay
Paraguay
Colombia
Morocco
Tunisia
Egypt
Algeria

Plus Bolivia and New Caledonia have confirmed two of the 6 playoff spots

Should start to get some UEFA qualifiers this weekend

[Royal Rother]

An amusing report on the Scotland v Greece game last night.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ar ... 3rg1zgxk3o

[South Coast Royal]

An amusing report on the Scotland v Greece game last night.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ar ... 3rg1zgxk3o

I flicked between games last night so didn't see how bad Scotland were in the first half even if the commentators in giving an unbiased opinion made it pretty clear that they had got away with it.
Although they are still some way from qualifying for once Scotland had some lucky breaks and there was one sensational save from Gunn that may have kept them in the competition.

That could be a very rare headline of "Scots keeper saves the day" with their history.

As for the England game, we won a friendly as we nearly always do ,against a little country-big deal.

[Dirk Gently]

An amusing report on the Scotland v Greece game last night.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ar ... 3rg1zgxk3o

I flicked between games last night so didn't see how bad Scotland were in the first half even if the commentators in giving an unbiased opinion made it pretty clear that they had got away with it.
Although they are still some way from qualifying for once Scotland had some lucky breaks and there was one sensational save from Gunn that may have kept them in the competition.

That could be a very rare headline of "Scots keeper saves the day" with their history.

As for the England game, we won a friendly as we nearly always do ,against a little country-big deal.

I watched some of the Scotland game - that reports sums it up nicely. Scotland just weren't there until the Greeks scored and that roused them so they started playing and the almost immediately equalised.

Funniest moment was a Greek player diving down in the Scotland box and writhing in agony as the ball went down the other end. The Greeks then won it back, counter-attacked, and as it was crossed back into the box he had a miraculous recovery and leapt up to try to get on the end of the cross. Just utterly blatant and farcical.

[Winston Biscuit]

Faroe Islands 4-0 Montenegro

[Orion1871]

Steve Clarke's Scotland are a dire watch and their fans are booing them as they're outplayed by a Belarus team who have had 20 shots. Can't believe the Scots are in with a chance of qualifying.

[Winston Biscuit]

Faroe Islands 4-0 Montenegro

Faroe Island 2-1 Czech Republic

3 consecutive wins for the Faroes. 4 wins in the last 5

What is going on?!!

[South Coast Royal]

Steve Clarke's Scotland are a dire watch and their fans are booing them as they're outplayed by a Belarus team who have had 20 shots. Can't believe the Scots are in with a chance of qualifying.

Long gone are the days of
Jim Baxter
John White,
Denis Law
Dave McKay
Charlie Cooke
Ian St John
Jimmy Johnstone
Danny McGrain
Joe Jordan
Kenny Dalglish
Billy Bremner
Graeme Souness
Archie Gemmill
John Robertson
et al
I know there has been much discussion in Scotland over why they don't produce top players any more with one of the reasons put forward that kids no longer play kickabout on the streets from a young age but you could say that about most countries.

It is such a shame and I do feel for Scottish fans who have such a passion for the game and know how to behave when they travel abroad even if they are delusional about their chances.

With such a large pool of players it is a disgrace that England have won nothing since 1966 when other countries of similar size such as Germany, Spain, France and Italy have outperformed us.
As for Scotland maybe like Hungary and Croatia their better days are behind them and they might never again be able to compete on the international stage