The 2026 World Cup — Day 11

Saudi didn't play badly, but there was a huge gulf in class between the 2 sides. Spain have an amazing depth of talent and a coach who is prepared to use that squad.

It is going to be fascinating to see who will progress to the last 8. My prediction based on what I have seen so far:- France, Argentina, USA, Germany, Spain, England, Japan, Holland

Wot!

No Portugal?!?!?!
No Morocco!!!!
No Mexico??
No Brazil!!!

I guess this could get quite interesting...

Big Rom upfront for Belgium!

He's looking good, the goalhound!!!

Big Big Rom up top

De Bruyne really lacking in the accuracy of his passing, crosses, shots.

What a bummer. I hate VAR.

That was a very clever goal from Iran.

Awful touch Rom

That changes things. IRGs going crazy at home,

Lukaku should be coming off the bench, not starting, he’s so rusty after a season of 69 minutes.

Iran stuck with 5at the back FFS.

Lukaku was awful Jeff.

Rom probably two stone over weight

Ira's tactics have been shocking since the red card

I wouldn’t give Rom a place if I was Robbie Williams picking my Soccer Aid squad.

Cape Verde 2-2 and what a lovely finish.

Last night's game, Cape Verde v Uruguay, was a cracker.

Rom isn't the player he was at Everton... that's our trouble, we are too stuck in the past and sentimental over players -- same with Richarlison.

Lukaku was the best striker in the Premier League, or at least in the Top 3, for that period between 2014 and 2017, absolutely monster player.

The pace and raw power he had back then has all but evaporated now; the instinct will still be there but the sharpness isn't.

We should have won something with that team of Lukaku, Barkley, Deulofeu, Mirallas, McCarthy, Barry but we fell short at a Quarter-Final of the FA Cup and narrowly missed the Champions League place.

Could have but didn't.

Now it's time to move forward and sign better than what we currently have -- which shouldn't really be too hard if our scouts had half a brain!!!