Favourite world cups

[BLUETIT]

I've still got my World Cup Willie badge !

I’ve got loads of magazines, building up to the World Cup in 1966.

I think I’ve got 2 match programmes as well, somewhere in the attic, as my brother was at the game .

1966 for me, as it was the first one I remember being on television, closely followed by 1970, 2 instances stand out for me, Pele’s outrageous dummy (ok he never scored, but it was wonderful to see), and of course. Bank’s save from Pele’s header

[splott parker]

It was very odd, that l'm sure of. Remember the three wheeled Robin reliant disability cars parked behind the goal at Stamford Bridge. The old man used to say to me that the cars only had three wheels because the drivers only had one leg. I tried not to laugh.

They had them at Ibrox as well. How many people who qualify for a disability car now would have one if it was one of those?

[BLUETIT]

I've watched from 1970 and the best world cup for me was the Argentinian 1978 tournament.
Mario Kempes was outstanding in the tournament and that team were too

This tournament was spoilt by a ben referee, can’t remember exactly, but didn’t Argentina have to win by 6 goals to qualify, bent team and referee

[Bozza64]

1970 cos i liked the ball

[North Cardiff Blue]

The hand of God year (86) was decent, lots of boozing and half watching games in the pub, that game was great, watching it in England.

[North Cardiff Blue]

They had them at Ibrox as well. How many people who qualify for a disability car now would have one if it was one of those?

Exactly why offer a choice? It's very expensive, and a large percentage shouldn't qualify. Please reduce it and use the savings for the NHS.

[tpcnw]

I expect most people will say the World Cup when they were teenagers or early 20s. I knew all the players in the 1970 and 1974 World Cups, but I have never heard of some of the current England and Scotland teams.

I remember watching the 1996 final, when I was 7, but the most memorable World Cups were 1970, 74 and 78. 74 was good because it was in Germany and games were on at sensible times for the UK. The Dutch team in 74 were superb to watch, especially Cruyff.

1978 was good because of the atmosphere in Buenos Aires and the implosion of the Scottish team, especially after they cheated Wales out of a place.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

There was a match in the knock-out stages in 2006 when Zidane was incredible - I think it was the semi final against Portugal. Overshadowed by his head-butt in the final of course.

[jon1959]

I expect most people will say the World Cup when they were teenagers or early 20s. I knew all the players in the 1970 and 1974 World Cups, but I have never heard of some of the current England and Scotland teams.

I remember watching the 1996 final, when I was 7, but the most memorable World Cups were 1970, 74 and 78. 74 was good because it was in Germany and games were on at sensible times for the UK. The Dutch team in 74 were superb to watch, especially Cruyff.

1978 was good because of the atmosphere in Buenos Aires and the implosion of the Scottish team, especially after they cheated Wales out of a place.

I think you mean the 1066 final when the Normans won it on pelanties? Unlucky England!

[bobh]

This tournament was spoilt by a ben referee, can’t remember exactly, but didn’t Argentina have to win by 6 goals to qualify, bent team and referee

You are correct. final group matches should be played simultaneously, but they delayed the Arg game so they knew what they needed, and they got the improbable 6 goal win.

[Heathblue]

1978, Argentina the best IMO, Holland beat Argentina earlier in the tournament.

[tpcnw]

I think you mean the 1066 final when the Normans won it on pelanties? Unlucky England!

Ah yes a good typo. 1966 of course.

[Dorcus]

I think you mean the 1066 final when the Normans won it on pelanties? Unlucky England!

Why on Earth did England play it at Hastings? Was Wembley being refurbished then?

[Dorcus]

I remember an Italian headed goal scored by Roberto Bettega during one of the group matches in either the 1978 or the 1982 World Cup which I thought was the best headed goal I've ever seen. The ball flew into the net like a bullet.

However I've never been able to find video of that goal on Google. Anyone remember it and can trace the video of it?

[DannyP_93]

Being half-Bulgarian it has to be 1994 for me.
The Stoichkov free-kick to beat Germany & reach the semi-finals gets mentioned over there even more than '66 does in England!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqaPYRD7Bso

[ToTaL ITK]

My favourite was the won that got stolen by a bloke called Jack Russel and was found by a truffle pig called Pinky perky. That was my favourite.

[bobh]

My favourite was the won that got stolen by a bloke called Jack Russel and was found by a truffle pig called Pinky perky. That was my favourite.

That Jules Rimet trophy was class, pity it fell into the hand of Brazilian criminals. Almost certainly melted down.

[NinianKnight]

1958 Wales were robbed

[tpcnw]

1958 Wales were robbed

MBE announced today for Cliff Jones, who was one of the stars of the Welsh side in 1958. The first International I saw live was Italy in 1968 and it was his final appearance for Wales at the age of 33.

[the other bob wilson]

I remember an Italian headed goal scored by Roberto Bettega during one of the group matches in either the 1978 or the 1982 World Cup which I thought was the best headed goal I've ever seen. The ball flew into the net like a bullet.

However I've never been able to find video of that goal on Google. Anyone remember it and can trace the video of it?

[The Lone Gunman]

Interesting thread.

I don't have a favourite tournament, never been that big on World Cups to be honest, although there have been plenty of games I've enjoyed. One that sticks in the mind was Northern Ireland's victory over Spain in 1982, I can remember really enjoying that.

Probably a reflection of the ages of the people who use this message board, but I see a number have chosen tournaments in the 1970's as their favourites (1978 was the first I can remember watching). There were just 16 teams competing in those finals. Amazing to think the same number will be eliminated at the group stage this year.

There were 16 teams involved from 1934 to 1978. It was 24 teams from 1982 to 1994, and then 32 teams from 1998 to 2022. To me, 48 teams being at this year's tournament pushes it into the realms of farce, not to mention three different countries hosting matches.

[jon1959]

My memory of past World Cups is very patchy, but my favourite team was the Dutch in 1974 - Johan Cruyff, Johnny Rep, Johan Neeskens, the van de Kerkhofs, Ruud Krol, and some others.

The great names, the aura, the ridiculous skill, the Orange fans, and the fact that they were not England. Total football!

[Taunton Blue Genie]

John Lennon was seen wandering around looking for his independence there, it just seemed to vanish in The Hayes.

Purple Hayes?

[Taunton Blue Genie]

I think you mean the 1066 final when the Normans won it on pelanties? Unlucky England!

The victory was down to Norman wisdom.