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On July 08 2026 17:47 Poopi wrote:I mean FIFA favoring Argentina / Messi isn't really a conspiracy theory anymore after what happened with USA red card  I believe they are indeed trying to favor Argentina, but I also believe that Argentina's squad is not good enough for it to matter this time We'll see I guess
Ah, yes. Famously, Argentina advanced due to Balogun playing against Belgium.
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France13021 Posts
On July 09 2026 00:26 justanothertownie wrote:Show nested quote +On July 08 2026 17:47 Poopi wrote:I mean FIFA favoring Argentina / Messi isn't really a conspiracy theory anymore after what happened with USA red card I believe they are indeed trying to favor Argentina, but I also believe that Argentina's squad is not good enough for it to matter this time We'll see I guess Ah, yes. Famously, Argentina advanced due to Balogun playing against Belgium.
More like if they don’t care about corruption in front of everyone, they wouldn’t care back in 2022 (or now)
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Northern Ireland27412 Posts
*Bangs head repeatedly against wall*
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Dont do that WombaT, tell us your predictions! Curious what you think about the pairings.
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*phones Reptilians*
Yes, Infantino is instructed to ensure the following results:
France lose to Morocco to ensure maximum QQ from Poopi
Spain beats Belgium, because they must face Argentina in finals for reasons nobody but Reptilians truly understand, but don't argue: if Spain beats Belgium it's all because Infantino decided it this way!
England beats Norway because Messi is still missing his Hand of God moment vs Engerland.
Argentina obviously beats Switzerland, because otherwise the conspiracy to make Argentina WC is useless.
Also worth noting that this agrees with both the Infantino loves Argentina conspiracy theory AND the great Morocco has set up all other African nations to fail so they can be the best African nation conspiracy theory. Double whammy!
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France13021 Posts
There is no such thing as match fixing right
Nothing to worry about in a market such as football
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Northern Ireland27412 Posts
On July 09 2026 02:30 gTank wrote:
Dont do that WombaT, tell us your predictions! Curious what you think about the pairings.
I just can’t stand a certain kind of conspiratorial discourse, like when people call Barca ‘UEFAlona’ I immediately pass out in fury.
I think plenty of the actual corruption is out there to observe and comment on, as well as mistakes. And I don’t even think the calls in the Egypt match were that bad. Both of the big ones were the kind of call where it’s not really a problem for me if they were given, or not given.
Messi should have been sent off earlier this tournament, equally I’d attribute that to either human error, or the officiating team themselves bottling it, not something they’re being directed to do. Obviously it’s not great if hypothetically the balls to send Messi off in his World Cup swansong were lacking.
Anyway as requested, hopefully my latest bout of headbanging has increased my nascent precognitive abilities!
I’m not privy to all the info in terms of climatic conditions and how much different teams have had to travel, which could be a factor. It was something I was worried about with England in Mexico but they came through it.
It’s a bit boring but I think all the favourites are well, favourites this round. Equally I think one of the teams I considered ‘genuine’ favourites (Spain, England, France, Argentina) is due a loss. I never considered the likes of Brazil (lopsided squad, lacking in certain areas), Germany (never really got going under Nagelsman), Portugal (hamstrung by Ronaldo) in my suite of potential winners
So I think one of them will lose, I’m just unsure how! Argentina have been underwhelming thus far, but I dunno if the Swiss have the weapons to hurt them, and Argentina might step up their level, which they capable of. England I think if they play well, will win, but that’s not guaranteed. And their defence has looked ropey at times, and well Haaland is Haaland. It may come down to having to outscore Norway in a slugfest rather than relying on keeping him quiet
Spain are just a better side than Belgium, I think that’s the biggest lock this round. France have a terrifying degree of talent, especially in attack, but Morocco are a very good, very resilient side, and have some dangerous attacking weapons. I could see Morocco doing it but they’ll have to play out of their skins.
Going through to the next round and assuming things go as I think, Spain versus France should be a blockbuster, and probably should be the final. Interesting clash of styles too! I’d say Spain feel a bit more cohesive overall, but France have more players who can just produce some individual brilliance and grab a goal from nowhere. I’d have that one as a 50/50
In the other side I think it’s Argentina versus either England or Norway, and I think they lose to both those sides. Just a feeling but I think both Norway or England will have huge morale and momentum if they make it through, and Argentina have been stuttering. Also Argentina have won it recently, England will be looking to slay the beast of 66, and two recent silvers in the Euros, and Norway are writing new history each round they make it past and seemingly playing without pressure. I just think they’ll be more pumped than a squad that’s largely the same as one that’s already climbed Mount Everest, and also a squad not without holes.
I think France or Spain win a final if they get there, so the other side of the draw are probably hoping for a Moroccan Miracle, or a Belgian Bonanza this round!
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51694 Posts
meanwhile in club news, we decide to give back the money we got for garnacho by buying andrey santos from chelsea - why?
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On July 09 2026 05:48 GTR wrote:
meanwhile in club news, we decide to give back the money we got for garnacho by buying andrey santos from chelsea - why?
50m for a bench warmer in a currently mid table team. hopefully our recruitment team knows wtf theyre doing. theyve earned some credit with their discovery of lammens and dorgu for now
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To the conspiracy theory:
The German ref experts said there weren't any blatant mistakes in the ARG vs EGY game. But every 40/60 or 50/50 decision went Argentinas way, making it very noticeable. Starting from small fouls to the big, game-deciding decisions.
Why Argentina? Messi is the biggest pull football ever had. Also the "Engerland will never win a title" is a really good story
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No team looks so strong or stronger than all the others this WC so I think England gas a decent shot. At least better than before, imagine how weird it would be, England wins it all with a German coach :O
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England winning (It's coming home) with Tuchel as coach...
Do I want Tuchel as a WC winner or Argentina winning another cheated WC?! :D
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Norway28899 Posts
What we want is clearly France vs Norway final. Then either the best and most deserving team wins, or Norway wins.
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A new winner would be best. Except Morocco because they kicked us out and Belgium because it's Belgium.
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Neither, sharkie France or Spain winning it would be better than either of those.
Also funny how many people mentioned during the group stage European teams weren't looking good, now were in the QF with 6.75 teams from Europe, along with some Moroccan subs and Fifa's pet team.
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On July 09 2026 23:25 aseq wrote:
Neither, sharkie France or Spain winning it would be better than either of those.
Also funny how many people mentioned during the group stage European teams weren't looking good, now were in the QF with 6.75 teams from Europe, along with some Moroccan subs and Fifa's pet team.
Love your 0.75 French definition of Morocco haha. Also yeah I'd love to see Spain or France as WC winner. Both are so good and solid. So unfortunate that we won't get this as a final
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Spain didnt look as strong IMO but have so much talent to improve.
I am totally cheering for Norway to win it all obviously since that would make Haaland the goat!
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Norway has gained a lot of neutral fans this tournament. I would not be surprised if Norway is the overall fan favourite, everyone knows the"Ro" by now. PL is the best, most popular league, but Norway have two of the very best PL players to offset that effect too.
I expect a fair game, as both winners should be acceptable to FIFA😜
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Northern Ireland27412 Posts
Lmao, England’s Jarell Quansah has an extra game added to his automatic one-game ban for his red card
These processes sure seem consistent eh?
Referees making bad calls in games have seconds to work with, even VAR have minutes, but the inconsistency in processes where people have days to make decisions is pretty inexcusable
FIFA get your shit together, fucking hell.
For the record I think it was a deserved red card and automatic suspension, but you’re adding games here, commuting red cards there etc in a patently ridiculous manner.
Granted I think they fucked Portugal over, if Ronaldo had remained banned as he should have they might have been forced into playing a forward who could actually move
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United States10566 Posts
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EPT
