Thank you for joining all of us on this quiet day without a match. Enjoy your free evening.
I shall leave you with Rob Draper on Argentina beating England down the years.
Sunderland and Fulham are vying to sign the Roma right winger Matías Soulé. The 23-year-old former Argentina Under-20 international is due to speak to both clubs but knows Florent Ghisolfi, Sunderland’s director of football, from the executive’s time doing the same job at Roma.
Soulé, who began his career at Juventus, has made 60 senior appearances during two seasons in Rome, scoring 11 goals. Régis Le Bris, Sunderland’s manager, is aiming to reinforce his team’s right-sided attacking options as they prepare for a Europa League campaign.
If a deal is concluded it will be the second time Sunderland have signed a player from Roma in little more than a year. Last summer the midfielder Enzo Le Fée made a £20m switch from the Serie A side, following a successful six-month loan stint at the Stadium of Light.
Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, two months after he was dropped from the panel of match officials for the 2026 World Cup following a police case in Britain that was later dropped.
No cause of death has been revealed.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Dieperink. With Rob, we lose a highly valued referee, but above all a kind and dedicated colleague,” the Dutch football association said in a statement.
Dieperink had been selected as part of the video assistant referee (VAR) panel at the World Cup, but was removed in May after he had been arrested the previous month by Metropolitan Police.
He had been in London to officiate in the Conference League fixture between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina. The case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
“It saddens me greatly that I have been wrongly accused,” Dieperink said in an interview with De Telegraaf. “From the beginning, I have fully cooperated in the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to Fifa, Uefa and the KNVB.
“I am grateful for the support I have received from the KNVB and the way in which they have dealt with this case. It is a pity that Fifa has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup anymore, of course I am disappointed about that.” Reuters
Just leaving the pre-semi final mixed zone at the Corton Bowl in Dallas. The mixed zone is pretty much the most degrading place on earth, a sweaty scrum, but at least it’s always fun to speak to Pedro Porro, who is a bit of a character. And I enjoyed his response to the role he will play tomorrow as Spain face the four horsemen of the apocalypse. It’s not always easy to know where the balance is between attacking to force your winger back (and just to, well, attach) and not attacking so the winger hasn’t got space to go into. “It depends on the game,” he says.
This time, he’ll probably have to be a bit more defensive. Or perhaps not, as he made the very fair point that against Belgium “I basically spent the whole game with Doku, all over the place.” Almost the whole game anyway. A glint in the eye. “I was only able to attack once, overlapping Lamine … and that was the goal.” Well played, sir.
The PFA’s summer training camp for out of contract players is a great initiative. I did, however, not anticipate Pajtim Kasami being part of it this week.
There was a lot of debate elsewhere but Unai Simon was always going to be Spain’s first choice at the World Cup. A Basque No 1 is a very sensible idea and he’s had a good tournament.
Andoni Iraola said on Monday he wants to enjoy the “magic” linked with being the manager of Liverpool but is determined his Anfield appointment does not change him fundamentally.
The former Bournemouth boss is well aware of the magnitude of the position he holds, with Liverpool’s demand for success exemplified by the fact he arrived in Merseyside as a result of the six-time European champions sacking Arne Slot a year after the Dutchman led the club to the Premier League title.
“Until I go through certain experiences I will not fully know but I’m here to experience those situations, I’m ready for it,” said the 44-year-old Iraola in his first press conference as Liverpool manager.
“I understand this is a massive club. Everything that I’m going to say now, it’s going to get the biggest scrutiny. You have to be very aware of the mistakes but I wouldn’t like to be too careful.”
“I would like to act quite normal: I’m not going live in my bubble – just training ground, home. I would like also to go to the city, experience the city - I know some places. But it’s part also of the magic of being the Liverpool manager and I would like not to change too much,” the Spaniard added. AFP
Scaloni’s team have been inspiring through the entire tournament but they have probably shaved several years off the lifespan of their supporters in the process, always leaving things late, always relinquishing leads, always relying on Lionel Messi, their ageless wonder, to do the heavy lifting. Twice this tournament they were nearly eliminated by a badly outmatched opponent and were very nearly sent packing by tiny Cape Verde in the last 32.
Kieran emails: “I used to work at Waterstones in Leeds and we hosted a book signing with Steve [Hodge] for the book you mentioned. He even brought the shirt along...in a Tesco carrier bag (one of the flimsy white ones, not even a bag for life!). I imagine it’s taken slightly better care of now, since it was sold on. Nice guy though.”
World Cup fever hits the tube.
Rick Harris emails: “Given how poor Declan Rice was against Norway I think Tuchel has a huge call to make as to whether he starts the Arsenal player or not against Argentina. With Paredes, Fernandez, McAllister and Messi in their midfield we can’t afford to carry passengers and unless Rice can prove he is capable of playing to his normal level in training he must be left out. Kobbie Mainoo looks an ideal replacement to me as he is one of the few players we have capable of receiving the ball in tight spaces under pressure and looking to play forward. You see this all the time from Messi and while Mainoo is nowhere near his level he does offer something nobody else in the squad does.”
I would argue that Rice was clearly not 100% after being ill prior to the match, so you would be hopeful a few more days down the line he will be better.
Celtic forward Daizen Maeda admits he has his sights set on a move to the Premier League.
The Japan international is entering the final 12 months of his contract and manager Martin O’Neill has admitted the forward could be on the move this summer.
Speaking on Japanese YouTube show Pivot, the 28-year-old said: “Since I went to Celtic, I became interested in the Premier League. I started watching a lot of Premier League games. I have a strong desire to play in the Premier League.
“I watch all the games. When I was in Japan, I didn’t watch football at all. But when I went abroad, I was able to watch it in real time. So I naturally watched the Premier League. I was watching Atletico’s game and (Antoine) Griezmann scored a loop shot. The next day, I scored the same loop shot. So I thought it was important to watch football.”
When quizzed on his Premier League ambitions, Maeda added: “I think the higher you go, the better you get.”
O’Neill told reporters at the weekend that there was a “resignation” around the prospect of Maeda leaving but he hoped the versatile attacker would see out the final year of his contract. PA Media
Xabi Alonso urged Chelsea to develop a “hunger” for victory and revealed he has spoken to midfielder Enzo Fernandez in his first press conference as Blues boss at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old also shared his views on the ongoing World Cup and his memories from his own involvement in Spain’s victory in 2010, as well as the club’s plans for their late-returning players from the global showpiece.
The former Real Madrid boss was more keen to discuss his philosophy rather than make any predictions about how Chelsea might fare in his first season in charge but insisted European qualification was among the targets.
“For sure that’s a goal,” he said. “But to reach that goal, you need to do many right things and to be part of that process, how do we want to play, how we want to see ourselves, how we want to approach a game wherever we go.
“That’s my job. That’s why I am really looking forward to having the whole squad. At the moment we have some bids, but early days so far.
“But for sure, we want to be there and time will tell. But we are ambitious and we in Chelsea need to share that energy, that ambition, as well as that hunger to want to have success.” PA Media
World Cup games mean more. England have only ever played 79 games in the finals, which is to say, not much more than two Premier League seasons in the 76 years since they first entered. Those games draw huge audiences: more than 17 million in the UK watched Saturday’s win over Norway, even though it was after midnight by the time it finished. In most countries, World Cup matches are more discussed, more analysed, than any other in sport, perhaps any other cultural phenomenon. They are rare moments that bring vast numbers of people together, hoping, agonising, celebrating, commiserating. They become part of the culture.
A minute’s silence will be observed before the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain, in tribute to the victims of the Nice attack of July 14, 2016, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday.
The two sides meet on Tuesday in Dallas on the tenth anniversary of the attack which saw 86 people killed and more than 400 injured when a truck driver ploughed into crowds leaving a Bastille Day fireworks display in the southern French city.
“Before France-Spain, a minute of silence will be observed in tribute to the victims of the Nice attack, ten years after July 14, 2016,” Macron said in a post on X before going on to thank FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“Thank you to the President of FIFA for responding to the request of France and of all French people who have mobilised. We will never forget.” AFP
Thanks Daniel. Let’s get through this together.
And that’s it from me for today. But here’s Will Unwin to take you through the next couple of hours; peace out.
Another blinding shot.
“On English fans behaving well in USA!USA!USA!” begins Hamid Zayouna. “American cops have guns. That might make people think twice.”
I’m not having that, how dare you. Their conduct was also impeccable in Russia and Qatar.
Emma Hayes has been, though – in mine – the best pundit on UK telly and by far. I remember the first time I heard her co-commentating on BBC radio and it being different; her ability to read a game, and explain it in an entertaining way is exceptional.
Not so relevant to our current World Cup, definitely germane to our next.
Argentina, meanwhile, will see vulnerability in England’s defence. I wonder if Lionel Scaloni might play an extra midfielder, to try and take away England’s advantage in that area, without losing any attacking threat – the change would be from 4-1-3-2 to 4-3-3.
England’s big advantage, I think, is in their midfield athleticism. I fear their lack of craft may continue being a problem – it is, I think, the principal reason, along with wingers who don’t really create, for the difficulty they’re having opening up defences, and why they’ve been so reliant on their two world-class players saving them. But against Argentina, they should be first to loose and second balls, and if they are, they’ve a really good chance.
No doubt he’lI make me look silly, but I wonder if Messi is tiring. England will try and make the game a physical one, their three nails 8s cluttering the space in which he likes to operate; if I was him (which I’m not ), I’d pull right as he did in the closing stages against Egypt, and attack the inside of whichever non-specialist left-back thomas Tuchel picks.
What a great shot this is.
Hodge, of course, got the assist for Maradona’s first goal in the game, improbably hooking the ball over hit shoulder – though he might legitimately have expected a big goalie allowed to use his hands not to get outjumped by a little lad trying to disguise he was deploying his.
Steve Hodge, the former Forest, Spurs and England midfielder, called his autobiography The Man With Maradona’s Shirt. I’ve just learned that it’s no longer in his possession as he sold it … for £7.1m. Decent pension.
France have also defended pretty well in this competition, which is actually the main reason I expect them to win. Spain lack a bit of edge in attack, and though Lamine Yamal can deliver it at any moment, the lack of trickery and speed, especially in behind, means they might struggle to create and score.
Looking forward to the game tomorrow, midfield is where France are weakest – relatively speaking of course. Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo have the skill and intelligence to pass around Adrian Rabiot, Manu Koné and Michael Olise, but it’s the Man City man who’ll need to orchestrate that.
I’ve just been reading Sid Lowe’s interview with Rodri. I don’t want to state it as fact, but I’m beginning to wonder if he’s back. I know the matches have been slower than in the league, but the control he’s exerting in them is very promising.
I thought England were crying out for him against Ghana, partly because of his own qualities and partly because he’s the only small-space player in a squad of big-space athletes.
When he was left on the bench then, I wondered, but when Jordan Henderson came on ahead of him against Panama, it was clear he’d not be getting on the pitch. They needed him again against Norway, though, their lack of midfield craft a major problem, but the idea of the three running 8s was, I imagine, conceived for matches like Argentina and, should England win that one, for whichever of France or Spain they’d meet in the final. But the balance is off, which is why we keep seeing the disjointed performances Tuchel seems to be blaming on the players.
So, to make it more topical, why did Thomas Tuchel pick Kobbie Mainoo in his squad?
Not strictly World Cup-related, but an interesting move.
It’s taken Michael Carrick to do it, but finally, United have replaced Michael Carrick’s midfield passing, just the eight years after he retired. They now need legs and physicality urgently, but him and Andre Santos are terrific squad additions, and excellent competition to drive Kobbie Mainoo on.
I remember before England lost to Croatia in 2007, Bilic was laughing that the English newspapers said none of his players would get into the their team. “I have Modric,” he said. Indeed.
Thanks Martin and hi again everyone. They say never go back, but Bilic feels like a decent appointment for Croatia.
I will hand you back to Daniel Harris, and see you again tomorrow.
Slaven Bilić returns as head coach of Croatia
Slaven Bilić has been appointed as the new head coach of Croatia.
The 57-year-old previously led the team between 2006 and 2012 and his appointment comes following the departure of Zlatko Dalić in the aftermath of the team’s disappointing World Cup exit with a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the last 32.
“I have the complete confidence in our players, and it is my responsibility to bring energy, ambition, and determination to ensure that Croatia remains among football’s elite,” Bilić said in a post on the Croatian Football Federation’s social media.
“I am genuinely happy to start this challenge and I feel fully prepared for it – as a more mature and experienced coach than in 2006, yet with the same motivation and desire to see Croatia stay powerful, bold, and successful.”
Bilić’s first task will be Uefa Nations League group matches this autumn, where Croatia are paired with England, Spain and Czechia.
This is grim. Norway forward Alexander Sørloth has received severe online abuse following the team’s World Cup quarter-final exit against England on Saturday, Reuters reports manager Ståle Solbakken said. The abuse started after Sørloth opted to shoot instead of passing to an unmarked Erling Haaland during a crucial two-on-one counter-attack while Norway were leading 1-0.
Sorloth’s partner, Lena Selnes, shared screenshots on Instagram revealing a barrage of hostile messages, including comments urging the striker to take his own life.
“It is tragic,” Solbakken told a press conference in Miami. “That is the world we live in. I tell the boys to stay away from social media, especially on days like this. There is nothing more to say about it other than it is completely devoid of sense on every possible level.”
Billy Munday has been at the controls of the Football Daily newsletter today. Here is the online version, and you should sign up for it via email.
AP reports Barcelona has reached a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, according to club president Joan Laporta.
Police chief urges fans in England to live up to 'exemplary' crowds at World Cup
Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire Police, the UK’s football policing lead, said the conduct of England fans attending Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Norway in Miami was once again “exemplary”.
“The atmosphere during the game was passionate but friendly, with no animosity between fans at the end of the match,” PA reports he said. He went on to say:
It’s a real shame that the same cannot be said about the behaviour of fans back home here in the UK. Over Saturday evening, into the early hours of Sunday morning we had over 500 incidents reported, with more than 100 arrests across the country.
The vast majority of these incidents have been alcohol-related and along with the extended licensing hours, we have seen an increase in calls to premises with big screens that are attracting large numbers of fans.
This behaviour really is disappointing. Domestically this tournament is the worst one we have seen for number of incidents and arrests. If we can have 40,000 fans together in Miami with no trouble, then why can’t fans follow their exemplary behaviour and do the same back home?
England are in the semi-finals of the World Cup, the sun is shining and this should be a time for celebration and getting behind the team, not getting involved in fights and causing trouble for UK Policing which is already facing significant demand.
So ahead of Wednesday’s game I would urge fans back home to follow those leading by example in the US – enjoy the game and atmosphere, go out and have fun but do so without causing problems for yourselves and others.
The former Tottenham Hotspur captain Bethany England has agreed to join the newly-promoted Women’s Super League side Crystal Palace, sources have told the Guardian.
It was confirmed at the end of April that England would leave Tottenham this summer when her contract expired, after she scored 32 league goals for the north Londoners across a three-and-a-half-year spell. The striker also helped them reach the 2024 Women’s FA Cup final.
Palace, who finished second in WSL2 last term to clinch an immediate return to the top flight, are understood to have pipped several domestic rivals to the 32-year-old’s signature.
PA is carrying some quotes from Liverpool’s new coach Andoni Iraola, in which he says ideally he would have liked more players to have come in to the club by now, and that he intended to immerse himself in Merseyside life.
The 44-year-old former Bournemouth boss said:
Everything that I’m going say now, it’s going to get the biggest scrutiny. You have to be very aware of the mistakes but I wouldn’t like also to be too careful.
I would like to act quite normal: I’m not going live in my bubble – just training ground, home. I would like also to go to the city, experience the city – I know some places, I would have to take some pictures. But it’s part also of the magic of being the Liverpool manager and I would like not to change too much.
Obviously I talked to the players, I talked to the staff, about the things that were not working very well and things that we think we can do differently. I have the advantage that probably players already know what we are going to demand in terms of style of play but we will have time to know each other.
Obviously we’ve signed two players already (centre-back Jeremy Jacquet and winger Victor Munoz) but we need more players, we know this. As a coach, selfishly, I want the players here from day one ready to train for pre-season but understand football doesn’t work like this. I know the club is working hard for those signings and I’m trying to help also.
I think football – and especially Liverpool – is about connecting: connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters. We have to be a team that works hard, intense, aggressive, vertical so everyone can be identified and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team.
Mapi León has joined London City Lionesses on a three-year deal
The Spain defender Mapi León has joined London City Lionesses on a three-year deal after completing a free transfer from Barcelona, joining her team-mate Alexia Putellas in moving to the Women’s Super League club.
The Guardian reported on 2 June that León was poised to move to the big-spending English team, who have also added the former England goalkeeper Mary Earps to their squad this summer.
León, 31, told the club’s website: “I played in Spain for many years and I felt now was the right time to move given the project. The English league is helping women’s football grow. I wanted to test myself in another country, another league, playing a different type of football.”
Sid Lowe is in Dallas, lucky chap, and he has been hanging out with Spain’s Rodri, who thinks his side can reach Sunday’s final despite the small matter of France being in their way. Here’s the interview …
Hi everyone. Good to be back. I must confess to being a little under the weather today, which I blame Super Furry Animals for, as I had far too much of a good time at their Ally Pally gig yesterday, while bizarrely also watching my local Overground station burn down in the distance.
On a football front, Jamie Jackson has written up the earlier news that Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Youri Tielemans.
Martin Belam is primed for his stint. I shall be back for more fun later, do not worry.
I would suggest that Tielemans is a sensible signing for United. He is an excellent player and a good price, which will free up funds to target elsewhere. United are on the hunt for a left-back, while the winger situation is complicated because Marcus Rashford is set to return to the club, as no one wants to sign him permanently.
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa after their move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson stalled.
Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, is in advanced talks with Villa regarding a financial package for Tielemans. The is thought to have a £35m release clause in his contract, which has two years remaining.
Tielemans has considerable Premier League experience having joined Leicester City in 2019 before moving to Villa four years later.
On a completely unrelated note … where I am in Manchester (or thereabouts) the whole place reeks of smoke thanks to wildfires. It is quite a surreal experience and has been going on for almost 24 hours.
Paul gets in touch to say: “It won’t happen, but 32 teams is plenty. There aren’t 48 good national teams, let alone 64. Yes it’s good for teams like Cape Verde to get a chance but this is supposed to be elite sport and having three weeks of the likes of North Korea v Jordan before any of the top teams play each other will get old pretty quickly.
“This will be heresy but I actually prefer watching the Euros to the World Cup as there is generally less of a spread in talent, although going from 16 teams to 24 has messed up the group stage there too.”
Krishnamoorthy emails: “Irangate, Refereegate, Cablegate, Egyptgate, the All-encompassing Giannigate!!!
“Not a single match seems free of a controversy or a conspiracy. Give me Hand of God any day.”
Give it a couple of days …
Who are you backing to win the Golden Boot?
Reece James is happy to have beaten the clock and recovered from his injury just as England enter the business stage of the World Cup.
The Chelsea captain returned as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway, having missed three games with a hamstring problem picked up in the second group fixture against Ghana.
James came on as a central midfielder before switching to his usual right-back position as two Jude Bellingham goals sent England through to a semi-final date with holders Argentina on Wednesday.
“It’s good to be back out there with the boys,” he told Lions Den. “Picking up an injury at a tournament is always a race against the clock. I applied myself and happy to be back out there.”
Despite not being at their best throughout the tournament, Thomas Tuchel’s side have found a way to get past each hurdle, but one of the biggest awaits in the next round.
England versus Argentina is a fixture rich in history, but James thinks they will be able to cope with the occasion. “It comes with experience. The higher stakes the game is, the more pressure,” he added. “We’ve been doing it for years, the fundamentals are the same, but the prize is slightly different.
“We’re in a bubble, trying to complete our mission. It’s hard to see the outside. We’re happy we’re making everyone at home proud. This is what dreams are made of. Everyone as a little boy dreamt of playing and winning a World Cup. We’re against one of the best nations in the semi-final.” PA Media
Picking up the country when it is in a slump of self-doubt is perhaps within Andy Burnham’s reach. And football, close to Burnham’s heart, may provide the template. There have been several occasions in the past 20 years when English football has been in a state of anguish, but a nadir came in 2007, when Burnham made one of his most significant interventions to the national game. If England win the World Cup , expect the prime-minister-in-waiting to take at least a slice of the credit.
Updated
Some relevant content about the World Cup.
Thanks Daniel. A 64-team tournament would be a touch silly, let’s be honest. Even at the current rate there is too much football, both for the consumer and players. All that would happen is a lot of bad matches and tired footballers. Let’s all move on.
But that’s it from me for now; here’s Will Unwin to chill with you through the next bit.
And a bit of transfer news to finish; for Newcastle, it seems a case of meet the new summer, same as the old one.
And tangentially – perhaps relatedly – David Ornstein of The Athletic is reporting that Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign Youri Tielemans from Villa.
“What you said earlier really strikes a chord with me,” says Patrick Treacy. “I was also seven in 1986 and that summer we were all Maradona: in the playground, in our neighbour’s back garden, in the most excited versions of our own imaginations. When I think of the joy that football gives me, deep down there are two players that still make my heart beat faster: Maradona at Mexico 86 and Ronaldo (Mk. I) at Barcelona.
Biggup the 1979 brethren and yup, original Ronaldo is the most shockingly brilliant footballer I’ve ever seen. I write about why here:
Now that you ask, 12/15 for me. In my defence, I was doing exams at the time so of course missed almost no football.
Ah, the IPL effect. I remember an England cricketer telling me that he was asked to give personal stick to an opponent and he refused because they’d become mates. i can’t say i do’t enjoy needle, but I also enjoy the cross-club mateship – something that’s affirminglyprevalent in the NBA.
Spence, on the other hand, is an interesting impact sub because he offers a different challenge – and physical test, thanks to his pace and desire to run in behind. Against Argentina, I’d guess that Reece James will start at right-back with Nico O’Reilly on the left, but really, I’d have both Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw ahead of the latter, except both are at home.
I can’t lie, I don’t actually love Stones as a defender, though I rate him as a footballer. I fear his lack of pace would be a problem against Álvarez and Laurtaro, and I’m not sure he’s the nous to keep track of Messi – but we shall see.
“I took my mum to the Panama match in NJ for her 70th a couple of weeks ago,” says Al Daw. “It rained throughout and the MetLife felt like a prison, however love following England/the World Cup aNd was itching for an excuse to go back and watch another match.
Last minute on Thursday I had a random idea: book the semi final before the result on Saturday. We have five kids and another one arriving late July, anxiety was through the roof, should I or shouldn’t I?
Once the Mrs gave the green light I booked match tickets for our 8-year-old son and me, flight to Atlanta via Paris from Manchester and hotel by the ground. Crackers pricing but went for it.
I was watching the match on Saturday through my fingers! Have now lost my voice but our son Digby cannot believe he’s going to watch England and possibly Messi’s last ever match for his country (fingers crossed). Lifetime memories to be made, hoping England snatch the win!
Five and another on the way, goodness me! Besha’a tova, as they say where I come from, and good luck. In the meantime and while you can, enjoy.
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Whatever problem, you have with your team, there answer is almost never:
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Leave out Bernardo Silva
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Substitute Bruno Fernandes
With Bruno in particular, he needs time because he’s a player who keeps trying things. If you cut his time on the pitch by 20 minutes, you reduce the likelihood of him making something happen – though if you’ve got him taking the ball off the back four, you’re already doing that for your own self.
Roberto Martínez, though. How on earth is it possible to have the double Champions League-winning midfield with Bruno Fernandes in front, and be that dour and that bad? It’s remarkable.
I actually thought Mourinho might’ve moved to international management by now – and definitely didn’t think he’d get another shot at Real Madrid, the latest club to hope that they’ll be able to restore the magic. I’d have loved to see him take charge of the current Portugal squad – let’s be real, he couldn’t have done any worse than Roberto Martínez – but him back at the Bernabéu will be box office, though I can’t say I’ve high hopes.
There’s a José Mourinho series coming to Netflix next month; here’s a teaser.
They’ve been getting into it in North Maluku, Indonesia.
“How was Wimbledon duty?” begins Krishnamoorthy V. “Welcome back. Do you think any of Spain/England/Argentina stop the current French team? And regarding 64 teams, I am saying let us get back to 24. More is not always merrier.”
Wimblewdon is always a joy, thanks – though I did my our World Cup. I’m afraid there’s no chance of a return to 24 teams, but I think that’d leave us with one of the problems we have now: third-placed teams qualifying from the group. The optimal number for a sensibly functioning tournament is 32, but that isn’t enough, I don’t think – the break-up of communist Europe is one reason, but also, our Euro-centric focus has changed and we need more countries from everywhere else too.
As far as beating France goes, I think Spain have the best chance, especially with Rodri looking more like his pre-injury self, but they need more from Lamine Yamal, who still doesn’t look fully fit.
England have the players to out-run France in midfield, but I think their defence would eventually let them down, while I don’t think Argentina have much hope because they don’t have enough in that part of the pitch.
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I’m pretty sure this one will blow over. Both Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham are serious professionals who want to win more than they want to fall out and who need each other more than they need to fall out. Both said what they said during a moment of high emotion and relief; I’d be surprised if they weren’t cool again already, if there was even a short time when they weren’t.
I mean, just look at him.
In which regard, here are some words on the great man.
I guess I can accept that, for some, Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time – his consistency and longevity are unparalleled – but I’m not sure it’s possible to hit a higher level than Diego did during that month, then during the following season when he led Napoli to their first scudetto.
Goodness me, what a fixture this is. Mexico 86 was my debut World Cup and a significant part of me is still there. I remember when Diego scored his second goal, Bazza cried “And you’ve got to say that’s magnificent,” and seven-year-old me squeaked “that’s better than magnificent”.
What I didn’t realise at the time was that I was being given a false impression of what is possible in football: I thought one bloke running around everyone on the other team between him and goal was something that could happen, but it turned out that it’s only possible with Diego. No one has done more to disprove the truism that football is a team game.
Back to the pub piece, it’s great that businesses are getting a boost. The problem, though, is what happens afterwards.
Not all pubs are enjoying a football bonanza, however. Steve Hopkins, owner of the Shovel Inn in Stourbridge, where Bellingham was born, is quitting the business after the tournament.
He said: “I’ve been in pubs for six World Cups. Most have been fantastic for trade but for this one turnout has been poor. People are staying away from boozers or only coming to them at the last minute. Whereas in the past the pub would be full at 3pm or 4pm for an 8pm kickoff. You’re talking about doubling your trade while the World Cup was on.
“Ever since Covid, people have been staying at home, it’s a different way of life now. I’ve run pubs since I was 18, and I’m now 64, and I’m glad I’m getting out.
“This is a semi-final and for once it’s on at good time of the night for it. People usually want the atmosphere at the pub to share the experience, because you can’t get that at home. If I don’t get a really good turnout that would just sum it up.”
For the Shovel Inn, a good night’s takings would be about £3,000. Hopkins said: “If I get a grand on Wednesday I’ll be doing well.”
Email! “While not a fan of Fifa’s blatant attempts to change the World Cup solely to make more money,” writes Ryan, “I’m actually not against the idea of going to 64 teams. The quality difference between no 48 and no 64 in the world rankings is not that large on paper, so I don’t see that it would significantly dilute the quality of the tournament. It also presents an advantage that we can move back to a system where only the top two teams go through from each group, which creates greater jeopardy and hopefully more exciting matches in the group stages.”
I agree. Instinctively, it feels wrong, but practically it might well be right. I would, though, like to know more about the logistics, as we don’t want a situation where only a few countries have the infrastructure required to host.
I must say I’m torn. Of course, I’m prejudiced against it simply by virtue of Infantino wanting it, but I can’t deny that expanded competitions – in the Euros too – give us something different, countries otherwise excluded enriching the experience. Moreover, were we to go to 64, we’d be rid of the third-place qualification situation, which allows teams to move on having beaten the worst side in their group and no more; we’d no longer play 72 matches to lose just 16 teams. Or, in other words, an expanded field is cleaner – though qualification would be even more tedious than before, and I wonder how, infrastructurally, any host would be able to facilitate so many teams, not just in terms of grounds, but hotels, training facilities, media and so on.
Let’s start with Infantino latest:
How do we feel about this?
Updated
Preamble
Hello there one and all and welcome to day one of our final World Cup week!
Yes, we’re in the middle of a trying 63-hour run of no actual football, but together we’ll get through it – I promise.
So let’s spend today reflecting on what we’ve seen, considering what we’re going to see, and generally discussing all things Beautiful GameTM.
Let’s go!
