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Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sat May 30, 2026 9:47 pm
by kramer
Terrible competition, honestly.

All the teams capable of winning are completely objectionable.

They need to find a way to beef up the competition for English clubs in Europa. That’s a far more compelling competition besides the fact that English clubs are starting to pull away from the rest.

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sat May 30, 2026 11:11 pm
by Cods
Bumble wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 3:10 pm Feels like the past few years we have seen football finally relent and relinquish all it's ties to tradition and fairness and just admit it is being run for the benefit of outside interests now.

I imagine this years World Cup will further solidify that theme.
Well yes part of that is true, but in the context of timing, considering it is the World Cup, not an European/American exclusive, having it on at a time of day that the majority of the world's population can view it, would actually be quite refreshing.

Almost two thirds of the world's population live in the 4 hour segment of timezones between GMT+5 to GMT+9. The timezones almost diametrically opposed to USA's Eastern (and European satisfying) timezones.

Asia has a greater football following than Europe and the Americas combined.

As only one World Cup has ever been held primarily in that segment, FIFA could seek to achieve more/some credibility in governing the so-called 'World Game' by playing it where the people want it, rather than where it pays the best.

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 7:11 am
by Raptor
Granite wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 7:08 pm Cost well over a billion to assemble that Arsenal squad. Quite embarrassing knife to gunfight stuff, really.
I know Arteta is seen as a Pep prodigy, but you could definitely see Moyes influence over him. 8 years of being taught to hold your shape, sit deep and counter has to have an impact.
Given PSG looked so poor, going 1 up they had to attack, instead they just sat off and let them have the ball. Got what they deserved

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 9:07 am
by Evertonfc15
Granite wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 7:08 pm Cost well over a billion to assemble that Arsenal squad. Quite embarrassing knife to gunfight stuff, really.
in fact the current value of the PSG squad is set at 1.21 billion euros so i would say they were about equal in terms of squad value tbf

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 10:55 am
by Bumble
Cods wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 11:11 pm Well yes part of that is true, but in the context of timing, considering it is the World Cup, not an European/American exclusive, having it on at a time of day that the majority of the world's population can view it, would actually be quite refreshing.

Almost two thirds of the world's population live in the 4 hour segment of timezones between GMT+5 to GMT+9. The timezones almost diametrically opposed to USA's Eastern (and European satisfying) timezones.

Asia has a greater football following than Europe and the Americas combined.

As only one World Cup has ever been held primarily in that segment, FIFA could seek to achieve more/some credibility in governing the so-called 'World Game' by playing it where the people want it, rather than where it pays the best.
Obviously the time aspect of a World Cup isn't reflective as they cater for the world.

I assume they'll have lots of over the top commercial nonsense so sponsors can milk it and unnecessary entertainment shoehorned in to cater for the local palate.

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 10:56 am
by Audrey Horne
Superbowl vibes

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 11:33 am
by Cods
Bumble wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 10:55 am Obviously the time aspect of a World Cup isn't reflective as they cater for the world.

I assume they'll have lots of over the top commercial nonsense so sponsors can milk it and unnecessary entertainment shoehorned in to cater for the local palate.
I think most games are in the East of the US in this World Cup, in New York etc - mostly driven to appease the European market and advertisers, when it probably should appease the majority world's football-watching populace a bit more often, and where possible, who mostly reside on the other side of the world.

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 2:34 pm
by Cereal Killer
Audrey Horne wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 10:56 am Superbowl vibes
Especially when the half time break in the final turns out to be about 30 minutes

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 2:49 pm
by Audrey Horne
Cereal Killer wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 2:34 pm Especially when the half time break in the final turns out to be about 30 minutes
That surely won't go through.

I hate America!

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 7:40 pm
by NomadskiEFC
Tim Cahill has just scored a lovely headed goal at Soccer Aid that brought back more than a few memories.

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2026 1:45 am
by Blueomar
Audrey Horne wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 2:49 pm That surely won't go through.

I hate America!
Yes, blame the US for a FIFA decision. That's sound. :roll:

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2026 7:07 am
by Audrey Horne
Blueomar wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 1:45 am Yes, blame the US for a FIFA decision. That's sound. :roll:
I mean it's America that will be proposing half an hour half times.....

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2026 12:48 pm
by 777Kidnappings
Blueomar wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 1:45 am Yes, blame the US for a FIFA decision. That's sound. :roll:
Asked for by america. The arrogance of both them and fifa is staggering

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2026 1:17 pm
by Bluedylan1
Blueomar wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 1:45 am Yes, blame the US for a FIFA decision. That's sound. :roll:
Just accept now. America is a global pariah. Everyone hates you. Not you personally or individual Americans, but the country. People weren't all that keen on you before Trump, but now it's gone to a different level.

It's fine. Most countries hate us as well. And often with sound justification.

Re: Today's Football 2025-26

Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2026 1:29 pm
by Blueomar
Bluedylan1 wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 1:17 pm Just accept now. America is a global pariah. Everyone hates you. Not you personally or individual Americans, but the country. People weren't all that keen on you before Trump, but now it's gone to a different level.

It's fine. Most countries hate us as well. And often with sound justification.
I don't dispute that. The thing is I think this if FIFA going "oh you know what, they're used to a half hour interval in their NFL final there, we should take advantage of that and make more money".

I'm pretty sure our despotic ruler doesn't give two shits about the tournament or the final other than how much money is being funneled to him by Infantino.