Picking a world cup team

[Fatty Foggon]

“We want Donald Trump walking ‘round the pitch” isn’t it? 😎
Norway for me. 🇳🇴

[bobh]

I'll support whoever is playing ingurlund.

[NYCBlue]

Helmut Schön was born in 1915 in what was then the 'Deutsches Reich', the German Empire.
His place of birth was Leipzig, which was part of the GDR (East Germany) when he won the World Cup with West Germany.

German born, with a West German passport foreign?

[Wash DC Blue]

It’s about as much as I can manage to type how apathetic I am to this tournament.

If Wales had have qualified, I would have probably gone to the games out of a feeling of duty rather than excitement.

I will have the games on in the background no doubt and will probably get some interest if England lose, though I think they might do it this time.

[Jordi Culé]

The ‘build up’ to the World Cup isn’t doing much for me but I’m putting that down to being an old, miserable, cynical baastard.

I’m hoping I come round when the knockout matches start. I’ve had a nose at the group games and quite honestly they look boring as fuuck.

Fingers crossed something gets the tournament going, a decent assassination attempt on Trump or Vance could do that and not the half arsed efforts we’ve had previously?

[Grangenders]

The interesting thing about Mexico’s schedule is that if they win their group then they are on course to play the winner of England’s group in the last 16 in Mexico City. Thats an early banana skin facing Tuchel that could result in a beautiful media melt down.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Dick juice ?

Coq au vin perhaps.

[NinianKnight]

I am having a tenner on Portugal

[Taunton Blue Genie]

I am having a tenner on Portugal

Argentina sailed the South America qualifying group and will probably do well.

[BLUETIT]

Argentina sailed the South America qualifying group and will probably do well.

Are they going for the America’s Cup as well ?

[Jordi Culé]

The interesting thing about Mexico’s schedule is that if they win their group then they are on course to play the winner of England’s group in the last 16 in Mexico City. Thats an early banana skin facing Tuchel that could result in a beautiful media melt down.

We can only hope it happens?

https://youtu.be/ylftUmF-GSw?si=cWg9iTtImqoIpYKO

[Wales-Bales]

Not even their best song ...

[Parti Mellow]

I daren't use the term 'World class' again

[bobh]

I'll support whoever is playing ingurlund.

... and whoever is playing the US of feckin A

[Taunton Blue Genie]

German born, with a West German passport foreign?

I didn't actually say that he was 'foreign'. I simply stated that he was born in a location that happened to be a different independent state at the time when he won the World Cup with West Germany. It was meant to be of passing interest rather than being subjected to the German Inquisition

[The Bloop]

Some facts I have just gleaned about the Curaçao national team:

Managed by Dick Advokaat, they are possibly the first national side to appear at the World Cup where both the team and the manager whose names are associated with alcoholic beverages.

The team captain, who is currently the most-capped player for the national side is a former City player i.e. Leandro Bacuna.

Like Wales, Curaçao is not a sovereign state. It's a constituent part of The Netherlands, Dutch is one of its official languages and the King of The Netherlands is the Head of State.

Curaçao has a smaller population than Newport and represents the smallest country to be present at a World Cup.

The Bacunas are 1 of 7 sets of brothers at the World Cup.
Only 3 of the 7 play for the same country.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

The Bacunas are 1 of 7 sets of brothers at the World Cup.
Only 3 of the 7 play for the same country.

Interesting, Bloop.

[splott parker]

The Bacunas are 1 of 7 sets of brothers at the World Cup.
Only 3 of the 7 play for the same country.

Wales had a goalkeeper, Dave Hollins, who had a brother, John Hollins, who was an English international. All proper as well, John was born in Guildford, Dave was born in Bangor, none of ‘your granny was born in Prestatyn’ etc.

[The Bloop]

Wales had a goalkeeper, Dave Hollins, who had a brother, John Hollins, who was an English international. All proper as well, John was born in Guildford, Dave was born in Bangor, none of ‘your granny was born in Prestatyn’ etc.

I didnt know John Hollins played for England. His son is Chris Hollins, the BBC Sports presenter.

[splott parker]

I didnt know John Hollins played for England. His son is Chris Hollins, the BBC Sports presenter.

One cap apparently, just checked, against Spain 1967

[Baloo]

Norway for me as I have family there.

Still have a bit of a soft spot for France given how welcome we were made during Euro 2016.