2026 FIFA World Cup preparations...

elephantnose3334 · May 21, 2026

It is 21 days until this year's FIFA World Cup in Mexico, USA and Canada kicks off. I think that the Argentina team (La Albiceleste) have a very likely chance of winning as they are the defending champions (2022). We haven't got an annoucement from Scaloni for their final-26 squad reveal yet like Brazil did a few days ago (when Neymar Jr got called up for the squad for possibly the final time due to his history of injuries). Lionel Messi (the team captain) and Nicolas Otamendi are playing their final World Cup with La Albiceleste next month; in 2022, the duo played a significant role in winning the elusive trophy in Qatar 2022 for the first time in 36 years.

TBH, I have been following Messi for 2-3 years (after winning the final at Lusail vs France which took place two days before my birthday), but not really of highlights or dribble compilations. He is a much more relaxed man after the 2021 Copa America win (breaking a 28-year international trophy drought) and especially after the Qatar victory. Before that, his own countrymen turned on him for losing three finals in a row between 2014-16 (including the Brazil final in 2014 and two Copa Americas in 2015-16). He will reach 200 appearances for Argentina (198 caps at the moment) when the group-stage games come on in June.

I am very lucky to live in a generation where Messi (and Cristiano Ronaldo) dominated world football for nearly two decades and changed the sport forever. He is truly a phenomenal player... I must watch some of his Spanish-language interviews and probably some highlight compilations to hype myself up for this year's tournament.

What are you guys doing before the WC offically kicks off in June?

MattW · May 21, 2026

That La Liga era of messi and Ronny was magical. I’d definitely recommend watching the many El Clasico games in those years. I’m not the biggest fan of those clubs though as they beat Juve in the UCL finals in 2015&17. I have more respect for Barca though, as I still believe Sergio ramos is a cheat after his overdramatic “fall” after a tap on the back from Cuadrado.

As for the WC I think it’s a European team this time. Specifically France. England,Spain & The Netherlands perhaps have the chance but if they meet France there out. All you have to do is look at the players they can both play and bench. A super team for Deschamps to manage IMO.

GaryE · May 21, 2026

It's very hard to get excited for the World Cup, even though I usually do and have watched every tournament closely since the 1980s. When you're in Canada and see how FIFA works, the underlying corruption of their system leaps out at you. The ticket prices are ludicrous, and it seems to be a festival for the wealthy.

I actually think this tournament will hurt the game, rather than grow it as was hoped. It stands to be difficult even for those who can afford it to attend some of the matches.

elephantnose3334 · May 21, 2026

GaryE said:
It's very hard to get excited for the World Cup, even though I usually do and have watched every tournament closely since the 1980s. When you're in Canada and see how FIFA works, the underlying corruption of their system leaps out at you. The ticket prices are ludicrous, and it seems to be a festival for the wealthy.

I actually think this tournament will hurt the game, rather than grow it as was hoped. It stands to be difficult even for those who can afford it to attend some of the matches.

Good point.

MattW said:
That La Liga era of messi and Ronny was magical. I’d definitely recommend watching the many El Clasico games in those years. I’m not the biggest fan of those clubs though as they beat Juve in the UCL finals in 2015&17. I have more respect for Barca though, as I still believe Sergio ramos is a cheat after his overdramatic “fall” after a tap on the back from Cuadrado.

As for the WC I think it’s a European team this time. Specifically France. England,Spain & The Netherlands perhaps have the chance but if they meet France there out. All you have to do is look at the players they can both play and bench. A super team for Deschamps to manage IMO.

The Messi-Ronaldo era is almost coming to a close, enjoy it while you can. GOAT debate aside (the two players are phenomenal), I like Messi not just because of his crazy vision, dribbling and goalscoring capabilities, but also of rarely giving out interviews (in his native Spanish) to the media. I get crazy excited when a new interview from him comes out, it feels almost like a rare lunar eclipse appearing out of nowhere for me.

France is doing very well (they are on top of the FIFA ladder, with Spain in second and Argentina third). I share the same birthday as Kylian Mbappe (coincidence?), but aside from that, he is hungry for another World Cup after Argentina's final victory against France in Qatar. We'll see how things play out once the tournament starts @MattW.

MattW · May 21, 2026

elephantnose3334 said:
The Messi-Ronaldo era is almost coming to a close, enjoy it while you can. GOAT debate aside (the two players are phenomenal), I like Messi not just because of his crazy vision, dribbling and goalscoring capabilities, but also of rarely giving out interviews (in his native Spanish) to the media. I get crazy excited when a new interview from him comes out, it feels almost like a rare lunar eclipse appearing out of nowhere for me.

France is doing very well (they are on top of the FIFA ladder, with Spain in second and Argentina third). I share the same birthday as Kylian Mbappe (coincidence?), but aside from that, he is hungry for another World Cup after Argentina's final victory against France in Qatar. We'll see how things play out once the tournament starts

I do prefer players who don't talk & speak to the media every time. I would hate to be a manager now that I think about it. Press conference before and after every game, 4 a week no chance I would cope. Not a bad birthday to share

I share mine with Alex Ferguson. Kylian is a talented player but he currently lacks what attackers used to have. Tracking back out of possession. I remember a Real Madrid game this season where the front 3 spent half the time out of possession in the opposition half while also being offside. Sorry to rant but if you play for the greatest, you have to put in the performance. Its going to be a very interesting tournament. I'm looking forward to seeing who the black horse of the competition will be.

elephantnose3334 · May 22, 2026

MattW said:
I do prefer players who don't talk & speak to the media every time. I would hate to be a manager now that I think about it.

Yeah.

Messi's interviews IMO are fascinating even if you don't understand the gist of his Rioplatense dialect. I do have a soft spot for these because these are rare events that he doesn't do a lot (talking to trusted journalists about the WC and professional career). With that, I might need to study the Spanish language a bit more (watching videos and taking Spanish classes) this time. That yeísmo rehilado is something I need to look out a lot. But yes, he 'talks' with the ball on his feet most of the time, his actual voice is reserved for these interviews when he's feeling relaxed (something that I've noticed a lot more since he won the World Cup).

That alone makes me admire him as a player more (like that post-match interview after the game vs Netherlands in 2022).

GaryE · May 22, 2026

Players come and go, and eras change with training, money and random chance. It's Messi now and it'll be someone else later. The games themselves go on, and eras flow into each other in them.

elephantnose3334 · May 22, 2026

GaryE said:
Players come and go, and eras change with training, money and random chance. It's Messi now and it'll be someone else later. The games themselves go on, and eras flow into each other in them.

Exactly.

MattW · May 22, 2026

Just seen the WC squad selection for England with no Maguire.. No slabhead, no party is currently belting around England. There's talk it's Tuchel taking revenge on England after the two world wars

. Other than that, it's definitely an interesting choice he has made. I reckon QF is the furthest we make.