FIFA World Cup 2026 – Review – Well done, Spain. Unlucky England.
It’s not coming home. Well not yet…
Six weeks ago, I offered my usual rather pessimistic take on the World Cup and England’s chances.
Well, here is my assessment of the extended FIFA version.
Spain were worthy winners. England played better than I expected, and with a bit of luck and belief, they could have made the final, but they deserved their third place and restored some pride.
I think the jury is out on the extended version, but there is never a going back with FIFA, and it will only be extended. I just hope it isn’t.
While allowing more teams to participate it didn’t offer much other than some fine performances by the likes of Cape Verde and DR Congo, but the outcome was pretty predictable: the best four teams reached the Semi Finals.
The three nation hosts were in my opinion a step to far and involved such large costs and travelling for everyone involved. Such a difference to Qatar 2022, where the stadiums were within about 50 miles of the capital. The late TV showing also didn’t suit me or my sleeping pattern as I get older.
It will be interesting how the 2030 World Cup pans out on the Iberian peninsula, with Portugal, Spa and Morocco, and the even more ridiculous matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay hosting opening games.
France didn’t live up to its billing and my expectations. Neither did Brazil. The hosts all reached the knockout stage, but didn’t have what it truly takes.
England raised my hopes and has now established itself as worthy contenders at recent major competitions, something that had been sadly lacking before.
TT nearly got it spot on, but the margins at the highest levels of sports are small, and England showed that with a slightly better defence they could have won it. Offensively, I felt they were possibly the best side, and for once played with a high tempo, except, of course, for the last 30 minutes against the Argentinians, who inevitably showed their true colours in their final two games. You can take the Argie out of South America, but you can’t take the South American out of the Argie. Cheating B*****ds.
It raises England’s hopes for the Euros in 2028, but that will again be a tough call, but at least they have raised our hopes of potentially winning something. Or am I dreaming again…
So, overall, not a bad competition, but it’s now all over just in time for the new football season…
