General WC Talk

[Rex Caudillo]

Thought I'd do a quick thread on the World Cup before the mods do a proper one in a few weeks time.

Arsenal players who could be going:

David Raya - (Announced 25th May)
Jurrien Timber - (Announced 25th May)
Cristhian Mosquera - (Announced 25th May)
Gabriel - (Confirmed)
William Saliba - (Confirmed)
Piero Hincapie - (TBC)
Myles Lewis-Skelly - (Announced 22nd May)
Declan Rice - (Announced 22nd May)
Martin Zubimendi - (Announced 25th May)
Mikel Merino - (Announced 25th May)
Martin Ødegaard - (Announced 21st May)
Eberechi Eze - (Announced 22nd May)
Bukayo Saka - (Announced 22nd May)
Noni Madeuke - (Announced 22nd May)
Gabriel Martinelli - (Confirmed)
Leandro Trossard - (Confirmed)
Kai Havertz - (Announced 21st May)
Viktor Gyokeres - (Confirmed)

So of our 25 strong squad we are likely to see 14 to 18 players heading to the World Cup this summer. There are question marks over whether Tuchel will take Madeuke (very likely) and MLS (possible) whilst Merino and Timber are obviously leaving it very late to prove their fitness for Spain and the Netherlands respectively. Mosquera completed 90 minutes for Spain as recently as March so will almost definitely be in the Spanish squad and even start.

There are unlikely to be any other wildcards such as Dowman whilst Kepa has not received a call up for Spain in three years with their stacked goalkeeping room.

Key Players
Piero Hincapie, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz & Victor Gyokeres

Significant Game Time
Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze & Gabriel Martinelli

Rotation options
Noni Madeueke & Myles Lewis-Skelly

Unlikely to play
David Raya

 

[Rex Caudillo]

The Favourites

On paper you could say this is the most open World Cup in living memory. The global game has soared in the last 10 years beyond Argentina, Brazil and the traditional European powerhouses.

In 2022 we had the first African semi-finalist in Morocco who look like a strong team again going into this World Cup.

That being said there are a clear three or four teams which have an incredible strength in depth.

Spain

The case for:

After winning Euro 2024 in very convincing style and with a balanced first XI as well as an easy group on paper it seems very hard to look past Spain as heavy favourites. A midfield trio of Zubimendi - Rodri - Pedri is pretty scary stuff on paper whilst Yamal and Dani Olmo will trouble a lot of teams.

The case against:

Injuries. Yamal is almost definitely missing the opening game against Cabo Verde and questions persist over the severity of his groin injury which has a notoriously frustrating recovery. Also midfield superstar Fermin Lopez has broken his metatarsal and will miss the tournament altogether. Striker continues to be a weakness with Ferran Torres likely to start but De La Fuente will be praying on Merino to make the team due to his ridiculous scoring record.

France

The case for:

So let's get the attack out the way. By far the best attacking line-up in the world with some frankly ridiculous depth, a front three of Mbappe - Dembele - Olise is mouth watering stuff. When your back ups are Doue, Barcola and Cherki it is a true embarrasment of riches. Saliba and Kounde are arguably the best in the world at their positions to provide some solidity in the back line.

The case against:

1) Gallic temperament - Deschamps is now comfortably the longest tenured French manager having overseen 177 games and 6 major international tournaments. With a lot of egos to balance in the frontline and star man Mbappe coming to the tournament under a cloud of controversy it could be delicate. In World Cups after making the final, we've seen train wrecks under Lemerre and Domenech previously and it's worth keeping an eye on. Olise struggles to speak French as well which could upset those below him in the pecking order.

2) Midfield - Zaire-Emery is an incredible player and Deschamps has to be brave in looking to him to anchor the midfield but beyond that it looks a little bit suspect. Camavinga hasn't made the squad after a rough year and Tchouameni has also struggled this season. This is surely a tournament too far for Kante and Rabiot as well.

3) Back line - Kounde and Saliba is as good as it gets but beyond that Konate has been iffy this year and Upamecano is a step down from Saliba. Theo Hernandez now plays in Saudi Arabia and with Lloris' retirement it now looks like a choice between the experienced Mike Maignan and Robin Risser who's had a good season with Lens and is now heavily linked to a number of PL clubs.

England

The case for:

The first tournament for Thomas Tuchel and a relatively straightforward group on paper even if Croatia and Ghana could be thorny opposition. With Kane a top 2 striker in world football and a Ballon d'Or contender in Declan Rice, England are going to be amongst the favourites. It is an experienced group which has gone deep in three of the last four major tournaments. If Wharton and Anderson partner Rice it could be an underrated midfield.

The case against:

Creativity. Saka will of course be key probably playing every game but beyond that there are questions where he turns. Foden and Palmer look miles off the top level right now, whilst Bellingham has also suffered a down year in Madrid. Anthony Gordon isn't overly inspiring and the question will be whether he looks to start Eze or Morgan Rogers and hope they can carry the burden. Reece James will be key to the backline which is pretty new look with Konsa, Guehi and O'Reilly all likely to start.

Portugal

The case for:

Two thirds of PSG's midfield with Joao Neves and my 2025 Ballon d'Or choice Vitinha, a PL POTY Bruno Fernandes with favourable group and easy side of the draw if they top it means that Portugal would be very silly to count out. They have some good strength in the back line with good full back options in Matheus Nunes and Nuno Mendes alongside Ruben Dias at CB.

The case against:

Ronaldo. The spectre of their greatest ever player derailed Portugal in the 2022 World Cup with his limitations at 37 spoiling the team's fluency. Now four years older he's back again and you have to wonder how big his role will be especially considering understudy Goncalo Ramos' fall off and the lack of a goalscoring option. The likes of Leao, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix are a bit less exciting than they were four years ago as well.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

We gonna have lot of players in world cup might affect us next season. likely 16 players.

Kai is called up by Germany. it's confirmed today.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

The next best

Brazil

Whilst not the star studded squad of the 1990s or 2000s, it is nonetheless a pretty strong Brazilian team. Vinicius, Raphinha and Cunha will shoulder a lot of the burden for goals but Igor Thiago is coming off a strong season for Brentford. No Joao Pedro is a bit of a shock though. The backline outside of Gabriel and Marquinhos looks suspect and there will be a big responsibility on Bruno Guimaraes to anchor an uninspiring midfield. They have the greatest football manager of the 21st Century at the helm but he would do well to go deep with this team.

Argentina

The holders should normally be amongst the favourites but it is a far weaker squad than we likely saw in 2022 that will be heading to the Americas. Messi is almost definitely past his prime and the squad will see a lot of unexperienced and workmanlike names. Enzo Fernandez, Alexis MacAllister and Julian Alvarez are the clear stars beyond Messi but have their limitations meaning there could be a lot pressure on the Como duo of Nico Paz and Maximo Perrone to contribute.

Germany

If there's a country that has consistently overcome mediocre squads it is Germany but I do wonder if this could be a bridge too far for them. They were very exciting at Euro 2024 as hosts but as with Brazil it is a workmanlike rather than star laden World Cup team. Manuel Neuer is back after a good season with Bayern, with his club teammates Kimmich and Musiala two of the other key contributors. Wirtz isn't quite the wunderkind he was in 2024 and Rudiger and Tah maybe have their best days behind them. They'll have to hope Havertz can hold up for 8 games in a month as he looks like being the key to getting the team working.

Dark Horses

Senegal
Champions of Africa (on the pitch at least) with some good options in all positions makes this a very dangerous team. Lamine Camara could be a breakout star in midfield, whilst El Hadji Malick Diouf will surely be playing in the CL next year after standing out for West Ham at LWB. Tough group with France and Norway but could go far if stars align. Ndiaye - Nico Jackson - Ismaila Sarr is a solid front three.

Morocco
Since their 2022 glory they have won the Arab Cup and AFCON (hmmmm) with a less star heavy squad than some other contenders but are battle hardened and still possessing quality. Obvious star in Hakimi aside watch out for former Leicester man Bilal El-Khannous and Strasbourg starlet Samir El Mourabet in midfield. Should make it to the knockouts and could see them as a tough proposition for anyone.

Norway
They are in red hot form coming in having dismantled all opponents in competitive games over the last two years. Ødegaard may be coming into form at the right time and they also have solid options like Ajer, Bobb, Nusa, Sorloth, Hauge and Berge in support of Haaland.

Ecuador
Lacking up front but had a miserly back line in qualifying conceding only 5 goals in 18 games. They are arguably up at Brazil and Argentina's level with a fearsome CB pairing in our man Hincapie and Willian Pacho with Moises Caicedo anchoring the midfield.

Japan
Another team in red hot form they have recently embarrassed England and Brazil in friendlies whilst also dispatching the Scots and Ghana. Good options like Suzuki in goal alongside Sano, Mitoma, Doan, Kubo, Tanaka and Ito make them well placed to go very deep this time round.

Turkey
Boast two of the world's premier attacking talents in Kenan Yildiz and Arda Guler and despite a bit of a fall off after those two they have an incredibly easy group and have some familiar faces like Calhanoglu and Ferdi Kadioglu.

Netherlands
Star man Xavi Simons won't make it but it isn't a bad Dutch team at all. Gravenberch, Frimpong, Reijnders and Gakpo have had pretty poor years but van Dijk, van Hecke and van der Ven is a pretty good international back line. A lot will depend on Jurrien Timber's fitness. A tough group with Japan, Tunisia and Sweden means they'll have to do well to avoid facing France in the round of 32.

Belgium
Bit of a decline from the golden generation but still quality in the squad. Arguably the best PL winger in Jeremy Doku, big game players like Trossard and Tielemans along with a great goalkeeper could make them a force to be reckoned with particularly considering their very weak group setting up a run to the quarter finals.

Croatia
Like Morocco it's low on star power beyond the eternal Modric but it is an experienced squad that is a demon in knockout football. Luka Vuskovic, Martin Baturina and Peter Sucic are really exciting younger players who could make an impact but the question is where are the goals coming from?

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

To me i think it's between England Spain and France. Portugal keep close eye on them they got really quality starting 11 defense that include Mendes Dias and Inacio midfield of Bruno Vitinha and Joao they'll be difficult to beat. but Ronaldo gonna mess everything up and make it about himself so all depend on him.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

Had a go at a predictor and think we could have a pretty crazy final tournament...

 

[outlawz]

The Favourites

On paper you could say this is the most open World Cup in living memory. The global game has soared in the last 10 years beyond Argentina, Brazil and the traditional European powerhouses.

In 2022 we had the first African semi-finalist in Morocco who look like a strong team again going into this World Cup.

That being said there are a clear three or four teams which have an incredible strength in depth.

Spain

The case for:

After winning Euro 2024 in very convincing style and with a balanced first XI as well as an easy group on paper it seems very hard to look past Spain as heavy favourites. A midfield trio of Zubimendi - Rodri - Pedri is pretty scary stuff on paper whilst Yamal and Dani Olmo will trouble a lot of teams.

The case against:

Injuries. Yamal is almost definitely missing the opening game against Cabo Verde and questions persist over the severity of his groin injury which has a notoriously frustrating recovery. Also midfield superstar Fermin Lopez has broken his metatarsal and will miss the tournament altogether. Striker continues to be a weakness with Ferran Torres likely to start but De La Fuente will be praying on Merino to make the team due to his ridiculous scoring record.

France

The case for:

So let's get the attack out the way. By far the best attacking line-up in the world with some frankly ridiculous depth, a front three of Mbappe - Dembele - Olise is mouth watering stuff. When your back ups are Doue, Barcola and Cherki it is a true embarrasment of riches. Saliba and Kounde are arguably the best in the world at their positions to provide some solidity in the back line.

The case against:

1) Gallic temperament - Deschamps is now comfortably the longest tenured French manager having overseen 177 games and 6 major international tournaments. With a lot of egos to balance in the frontline and star man Mbappe coming to the tournament under a cloud of controversy it could be delicate. In World Cups after making the final, we've seen train wrecks under Lemerre and Domenech previously and it's worth keeping an eye on. Olise struggles to speak French as well which could upset those below him in the pecking order.

2) Midfield - Zaire-Emery is an incredible player and Deschamps has to be brave in looking to him to anchor the midfield but beyond that it looks a little bit suspect. Camavinga hasn't made the squad after a rough year and Tchouameni has also struggled this season. This is surely a tournament too far for Kante and Rabiot as well.

3) Back line - Kounde and Saliba is as good as it gets but beyond that Konate has been iffy this year and Upamecano is a step down from Saliba. Theo Hernandez now plays in Saudi Arabia and with Lloris' retirement it now looks like a choice between the experienced Mike Maignan and Robin Risser who's had a good season with Lens and is now heavily linked to a number of PL clubs.

England

The case for:

The first tournament for Thomas Tuchel and a relatively straightforward group on paper even if Croatia and Ghana could be thorny opposition. With Kane a top 2 striker in world football and a Ballon d'Or contender in Declan Rice, England are going to be amongst the favourites. It is an experienced group which has gone deep in three of the last four major tournaments. If Wharton and Anderson partner Rice it could be an underrated midfield.

The case against:

Creativity. Saka will of course be key probably playing every game but beyond that there are questions where he turns. Foden and Palmer look miles off the top level right now, whilst Bellingham has also suffered a down year in Madrid. Anthony Gordon isn't overly inspiring and the question will be whether he looks to start Eze or Morgan Rogers and hope they can carry the burden. Reece James will be key to the backline which is pretty new look with Konsa, Guehi and O'Reilly all likely to start.

Portugal

The case for:

Two thirds of PSG's midfield with Joao Neves and my 2025 Ballon d'Or choice Vitinha, a favourable group and easy side of the draw if they top it means that Portugal would be very silly to count out. They have some good strength in the back line with good full back options in Matheus Nunes and Nuno Mendes alongside Ruben Dias at CB.

The case against:

Ronaldo. The spectre of their greatest ever player derailed Portugal in the 2022 World Cup with his limitations at 37 spoiling the team's fluency. Now four years older he's back again and you have to wonder how big his role will be especially considering understudy Goncalo Ramos' fall off and the lack of true creative options outside of a 31 year old Bernardo Silva. The likes of Leao, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix are a bit less exciting than they were four years ago as well.

Portugal do have Bruno to carry the creative load.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Had a go at a predictor and think we could have a pretty crazy final tournament...

View attachment 46658

View attachment 46659

No way USA Vs Iran also very nice from predictor saying my country ain't scoring one goal ffs.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

No way USA Vs Iran

Didn't even rig it lmao. They just have two rubbish groups.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

Portugal do have Bruno to carry the creative load.

Yeah completely blanked on him so ammended.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Didn't even rig it lmao. They just have two rubbish groups.

if this happen then

 

[Rasmi]

@A_G i may been wrong about him. He broke this story. He’s legit

 

[A_G]

@A_G i may been wrong about him. He broke this story. He’s legit

I’ve started hating him since this:

PL: Manchester City 2 - 1 Arsenal | Sunday 19th April | KO: 16:30 BST | Sky Sports

Once lovers now rivals… apart from the sideshow with the Scousers and the Bald Dutchman last year this is the true title race we have come to know. Pretty bleak run in to this season defining game form wise but crucially we will have a better squad available (hopefully) than Bournemouth or...

arsenal-mania.com

 

[Rasmi]

I’ve started hating him since this:

PL: Manchester City 2 - 1 Arsenal | Sunday 19th April | KO: 16:30 BST | Sky Sports

Once lovers now rivals… apart from the sideshow with the Scousers and the Bald Dutchman last year this is the true title race we have come to know. Pretty bleak run in to this season defining game form wise but crucially we will have a better squad available (hopefully) than Bournemouth or...

arsenal-mania.com

he’s definitely a smug cvnt and way out of shape for some so young with money. But that’s story for another day

 

[Beany]

Foden’s out too…

Tuchel hates Manchester.

 

[Mitch]

Foden missing out and Madueke getting the nod is the right call. Madueke has less than a quarter of the amount of Caps as Foden yet has had more good performances for England.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

How Maguire is out who England got better than him? Also did tuchel how dangerous Maguire will be when Rice and Saka take corners?

Foden is awful Palmer and Saka will be enough for RW with noni as emergency backup

 

[Rex Caudillo]

How Maguire is out who England got better than him? Also did tuchel how dangerous Maguire will be when Rice and Saka take corners?

Foden is awful Palmer and Saka will be enough for RW with noni as emergency backup

He’s going James - Konsa - Guehi - O’Reilly. No Tomori either.

Annoyingly I think with both Foden and Maguire it’s the right call. I was hoping Tuchel would do a Southgate and bring safe names.

I reckon MLS has got in.

 

[RunTheTrap]

Foden not in the squad?! England to win the WORLD CUP! Bookmark this.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

He’s going James - Konsa - Guehi - O’Reilly

Annoyingly I think with both Foden and Maguire it’s the right call. I was hoping Tuchel would do a Southgate and bring safe names.

Konsa isn't better than Maguire imo.