The 2026 World Cup — 1st Quarter-Final

Anyone got Andy Burnhams number?

Send him this
Gianni 07459 672 563.

All 5 officials from Argentina?

Canvassers ring the bell 5 minutes before kickoff.

Me:: don't have time for this, the match is about to kick off

Them: Oh, you're following the FIFA?

When did the World Cup become "the FIFA"?

Full-backs could be a weakness for France, says Pat Nevin.

That's Lucas Digne he's talking about!

I think this is the tougher side of the draw, you'd expect France v Spain semi -final, England should meet a poor Argentina side in the other semi.

England won't beat Norway

You can't be sure about that, Paul.

Is that your way of getting England into the semis, Paul?

Why would you do a tackle like that in the box?

Dreadful penalty.

Shocking penalty

Onana-esque

Poor pen; keeper did well

MK is it just this thread for all 4 semis? If so, we are only allowed a maximum of 40 posts on each thread and I suspect that more than a few will exceed that over 4 games.

Morocco offering nothing as an attacking force.

A matter of time before France score.

My plan was for separate threads each day, but Harry beat me to it.

Is that the limit? I think it's something Lyndon hard-coded...

I'll see if the Tech people can figure out how to get it removed.

You're right MK. LL thought that too many people were hogging threads.

This has all the hallmarks of a Morocco smash and grab.

Please tell me when I should expect that, Paul, as I'm nodding off here.

Do I get to see Shakira in the half-time show? I don't think they do cheerleaders in Boston, do they?

Just put your helmet on Paul and get your Viking-roing going.

Do we actually get to see the cheerleaders? I get to see Thierry and Zlatan and ads

Every time I see Digne play. I think why the hell did we sell him.

Because Paul...Benitez didn't like him

Watching this seance has given me time to point out that the 3+ minutes it took before the penalty was taken was longer than it took the fastest ever hat-trick in the Premier League to be scored.

Yawn.

Then again, maybe Infantino had to call that bastard president to check if the decision was fair against an Islamic nation?

Not sure how you "smash & grab" when you hardly cross the halfway line?

They will Edward. They will.

Hating these stupid stuttering run-up penalties -- and good to see so many of them being missed.

Morocco implementing the Moyes plan: You have a point at the start, and you keep hold of it with minimum risk to half-time.

Oh... wait a minute...

I liked the Unsworth run up and smash it.

Think Morocco can win it, France don't seem their usual clinical selves.

Probably come out guns blazing and blow them away.

Morocco showing more intent

Game needed a goal.

Morocco have to come out of their shell now.

You were saying Viking-roing Hewey?

Great finish.

Bit more than a smash & grab needed now, methinks, Paul.

Still time.

Not wanting to jump on the conspiracy train, but why don't/didn't they show the 'potential' handball in the lead-up to the 1st goal?

France deservedly winning anyway.

Fix!!!

Edward (36). I was waiting for VAR to come in and have a gander at the possible handball by the French team too, there seemed to be one and the Moraccan players were appealing for something to.

Probably wasn't Dave, but at least let us have a look...they show everything else.

Rather play Norway & argies than France or Spain.
Best chance to get to a world cup final.

Spain not let a goal in yet, so would be a much tougher game for France.

France will take some beating. They basically outplayed Morocco who looked half decent on the break early but had no plan 'B' once France scored.

Question--why are these national teams not wearing national team shirts when there is no clash of colors. It's happened in quite a few games with different teams.

Tom (41) Yes Tom France are a very good team but if I was a French supporter I would be worried about how casual they are with some of their passing ability, great at times but very casual as well too often and they give the ball away setting the opposition up on attack and in that second half when Morocco attacked they panicked quite a bit and slicing the ball away when a bit of calmness was needed.

They will always score but a pressing team can cause them problems and England look dangerous when they press and Kane and Bellingham can also score as well— mind you Englands defence will cause plenty of chances for their opponents as well.

Because of the 5/1 odds on England winning the World Cup I’ve had a dabble— could have got 11/2 in another bookies but not in my area.

Knives are out for Pickford again

Shoulda saved it