World Cup 2026: Page 48 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One more in the Tolly

World Cup 2026

Sicario2

Mirth this is just a bit of selective memory. R9 goal’s included goals v China, Costa Rica and a Ghana side making their first World Cup ever in 2006. Have you seen the countries Kane has scored against? Basically a bunch of minnows and Croatia.

Mirth

Sicario2 right, and the bar has been lowered since then. I'm not sure how you can argue the standard hasn't be lowered AND been more uncompetitive. The average FIFA rank in 2002 was 21. In 2026 it's 33.

Most of the tournament is played in the group stages, so a worse group stage makes a worse tournament - maybe the knockouts are more entertaining now but I don't view it as a better competition. But then I think t20 cricket is a waste as well....

Sicario2

tazmania well the more top quality teams qualify the more quality the KO games will be.

Mirth

Sicario2 The world cup doesn't start when the knockouts begin.

Sicario2

Mirth world cups are usually remembered by the memorable KO games. Group stages are largely forgotten about when it’s all said and done.

Mirth

Gordon's pretty average

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Mirth exceedingly. Noni's been miles better on the other side.

MistaT

Mirth -- unimaginative for sure.

Prescriptive coaches may like him as he seems open for a role/task, but not much in terms of natural instincts.

tazmania

More players will break the record. Mbappe might break it before the end of this world Cup alone

lorddulaarsenal

Barca fans are gonna hate Gordon

lorddulaarsenal

I hope City spunk £100m plus on Anderson. He has a few shortcomings

Gurgen

lorddulaarsenal 120m for someone who is essentially a ball winner is crazy

Mirth

Sicario2 sure, for the casuals it's great.

Coombs

Rice could've been sent off there.

Dom

Group stages were my favourite part of the World Cup. It was like a festival for two weeks and there would be a couple of genuinely competitive matches each day. That’s been lost in this competition and it’s been further cheapened by matches being carved up into quarters.

invisibleman18

Dom It was like a festival for two weeks and there would be a couple of genuinely competitive matches each day. That’s been lost in this competition and it’s been further cheapened by matches being carved up into quarters.

I'm a crazy person who tries to watch almost every game and I've been mostly enjoying it. There were always teams who had no chance in the 32 team format too due to the nature of including teams from all confederations for a global tournament and not just making it Europe and South America - 80 countries have appeared in it, only 13 have made the final and only 8 have won it. But I don't think it's correct that there haven't been competitive matches each day. I do find the quarters annoying though.

Sicario2

Qwiss

Sicario2 assume he won't be playing for DeZerbi then?

MistaT

Pretty boring half.

Dom

I’m going to say it… I’m excited to see if Madueke can go up a level next season.

MistaT

Dom he's got the first touch, and seems keen on being responsible for driving teams forward, but dear god he has no final ball or composure.

Mirth

Saka needs to come on - he sees these low blocks every week!

Sicario2

Qwiss don’t get the connection? greenwood?

Qwiss

Sicario2 yes.

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