Author Topic: football anyone? as in soccer...  (Read 592220 times)

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brycickle

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6630 on: June 12, 2026, 07:25:49 AM »

did you guys get mexican fans honking in the streets and celebrating the victory?? In the US was that ever a thing? is it too risky now in Trump's America? I live in Brussels so any victory by Morocco/portugal/Spain/Belgium/Italy (when they qualify....) is celebrated pretty loudly. France....not so much  :-X :-X

I think it's mostly a European thing. Our friend that lives in St. Gallen always likes to give us the goose (honking) report after major victories.

 You and the D00D have turned this thread into a horrible head-on-collision between a short bus full of regular kids and a van full of paraplegics.



ThatIsNotCricket

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6631 on: June 12, 2026, 07:34:09 AM »
Mourinho to Madrid is a pretty brave bet. I was under the impression that Mourinho's best days were behind him, and he had pretty much lost his candidacy for absolute top-level jobs. But I wouldn't be surprised if he manages to mould this team into a winning machine again.

brycickle

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6632 on: June 12, 2026, 07:47:34 AM »
Mourinho to Madrid is a pretty brave bet. I was under the impression that Mourinho's best days were behind him, and he had pretty much lost his candidacy for absolute top-level jobs. But I wouldn't be surprised if he manages to mould this team into a winning machine again.

I feel like I was one of the few Manchester United fans that really did not like it when Mourinho was hired. His system has always been boring as fuck.

 You and the D00D have turned this thread into a horrible head-on-collision between a short bus full of regular kids and a van full of paraplegics.



Síota

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6633 on: June 13, 2026, 04:52:02 AM »
LOL


ThatIsNotCricket

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6634 on: June 13, 2026, 05:35:01 AM »
LOL


Jezus. I hope they sell Buckfast in corner stores over there, at a reasonable price. Wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Atiba Applebum

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6635 on: June 13, 2026, 07:58:57 AM »
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LOL

[close]

Jezus. I hope they sell Buckfast in corner stores over there, at a reasonable price. Wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Buckfast?  They’re not even getting irn bru

ThatIsNotCricket

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6636 on: June 13, 2026, 09:06:18 AM »
No, it was a bit of wishful thinking of course. I was just imagining that a couple of Scottish people living there had some secret import scheme set up after Scotland qualified. Under the counter Buckfast. Code word is Bucky Lasek.

Síota

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6637 on: June 13, 2026, 10:46:50 AM »
I'd love a bottle of Buckie right now...

OldieButFrenchie

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6638 on: June 13, 2026, 04:02:32 PM »
morocco brazil is cooking right now   :P 1-1
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Atiba Applebum

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6639 on: June 13, 2026, 05:02:55 PM »
morocco brazil is cooking right now   :P 1-1

Very good for Scotland

GuessAgain?

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6640 on: June 13, 2026, 05:47:21 PM »
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how crazy is that: 8 % of all players at WC 2026 are born in France.
(99 players out of 1248, 75 of which will play for other countries)
[close]

Not very if you know the reason for such a high number.
[close]

if that were true, then England should probably be number 1. Or maybe Spain. And Netherlands + Germany should not be 2 and 3.

[close]

If what were true?
[close]

what you were implying. That colonialism is the reason. Just stop implying stuff and say what you think.
[close]

You were implying that, not me. I didn't even imply anything. Anyways, there's a reason all the countries on that list, bar Brazil and Argentina, are West European economic powers that attract millions of Global South immigrants. No shit some of them will decide to play for their ancestral country. Sure, colonialism/postcolonialism plays a part in this but it's not the only factor. Point being, it's only 'crazy' if you're oblivious to the reasons behind the numbers.
[close]

I guess I misunderstood you, sorry about that then! I do agree the fact that these countries attract immigrants is of course a factor. But that does not explain why France has twice as many players in the WC as Germany or England. again, quality of academies is the difference IMO.

I get heated on this subject pretty quick I guess. It just drives me nuts that any time I see something about the French squad in the global media, the first comment is almost always "oh but they are not french". Considering my background I take that shit personal. so f**k you Trevor Noah! If you ever make it to Slap haha.....

Not to drag this back up, but 8% of players being born in France doesn’t automatically prove French football is miles ahead of everyone else.

The key question is, who are they actually playing for?

If a player is born in France but represents Haiti, Algeria, DR Congo or another nation then that stat reflects immigration patterns and dual nationality as much as it reflects the French academy system.

By the same logic, Sunderland have more players at this World Cup than Real Madrid, does that make Sunderland the bigger footballing powerhouse? Context matters

As a Wolves fan our bench player, Jean-Ricnar Bellegarde is French but plays for Haiti - he’s a pretty average baller.

OldieButFrenchie

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6641 on: June 14, 2026, 11:46:58 PM »
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how crazy is that: 8 % of all players at WC 2026 are born in France.
(99 players out of 1248, 75 of which will play for other countries)
[close]

Not very if you know the reason for such a high number.
[close]

if that were true, then England should probably be number 1. Or maybe Spain. And Netherlands + Germany should not be 2 and 3.

[close]

If what were true?
[close]

what you were implying. That colonialism is the reason. Just stop implying stuff and say what you think.
[close]

You were implying that, not me. I didn't even imply anything. Anyways, there's a reason all the countries on that list, bar Brazil and Argentina, are West European economic powers that attract millions of Global South immigrants. No shit some of them will decide to play for their ancestral country. Sure, colonialism/postcolonialism plays a part in this but it's not the only factor. Point being, it's only 'crazy' if you're oblivious to the reasons behind the numbers.
[close]

I guess I misunderstood you, sorry about that then! I do agree the fact that these countries attract immigrants is of course a factor. But that does not explain why France has twice as many players in the WC as Germany or England. again, quality of academies is the difference IMO.

I get heated on this subject pretty quick I guess. It just drives me nuts that any time I see something about the French squad in the global media, the first comment is almost always "oh but they are not french". Considering my background I take that shit personal. so f**k you Trevor Noah! If you ever make it to Slap haha.....
[close]

Not to drag this back up, but 8% of players being born in France doesn’t automatically prove French football is miles ahead of everyone else.

The key question is, who are they actually playing for?

If a player is born in France but represents Haiti, Algeria, DR Congo or another nation then that stat reflects immigration patterns and dual nationality as much as it reflects the French academy system.

By the same logic, Sunderland have more players at this World Cup than Real Madrid, does that make Sunderland the bigger footballing powerhouse? Context matters

As a Wolves fan our bench player, Jean-Ricnar Bellegarde is French but plays for Haiti - he’s a pretty average baller.

then how about players like Aymeric Laporte and Robin Lenormand? Both fully French, but became starters for Spain, one of the best teams on the planet. and they both had zero ties to that country, except that they played in La Liga more than 3 years which made them eligible.
on that same subject, I am a little frustrated that Ayoub Bouaddi has chosen to play for Morocco. At just 18 (!), he held on his own incredibly well in the Morocco-Brazil game. Super promising player. But he was born in France and played for the French national team in every youth category until now, for the WC. I wish he had chosen to go on representing France but I can understand him choosing Morocco. That team went to the semi-final last WC and could go far now.
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brycickle

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6642 on: June 15, 2026, 06:40:56 AM »
Curacao is at least as good as Brazil. Maybe better, since they scored sooner than Brazil when they got walloped.

 You and the D00D have turned this thread into a horrible head-on-collision between a short bus full of regular kids and a van full of paraplegics.



OldieButFrenchie

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Re: World Cup 2026
« Reply #6643 on: June 15, 2026, 11:10:06 AM »
bumping this thread to say wtf Spain....que paso?!

(I only saw the last minute)

first major surprise I'd say.
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brycickle

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Re: World Cup 2026
« Reply #6644 on: June 15, 2026, 11:40:44 AM »
I think it's more of a "¿pobrecito, que te paso?"

At least us fans of Spain have this chant to fall back on: OE OE OE OE OE Hemos venido a emborracharnos, los resultados, nos dan igual

 You and the D00D have turned this thread into a horrible head-on-collision between a short bus full of regular kids and a van full of paraplegics.



GuessAgain?

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6645 on: June 15, 2026, 02:03:45 PM »
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how crazy is that: 8 % of all players at WC 2026 are born in France.
(99 players out of 1248, 75 of which will play for other countries)
[close]

Not very if you know the reason for such a high number.
[close]

if that were true, then England should probably be number 1. Or maybe Spain. And Netherlands + Germany should not be 2 and 3.

[close]

If what were true?
[close]

what you were implying. That colonialism is the reason. Just stop implying stuff and say what you think.
[close]

You were implying that, not me. I didn't even imply anything. Anyways, there's a reason all the countries on that list, bar Brazil and Argentina, are West European economic powers that attract millions of Global South immigrants. No shit some of them will decide to play for their ancestral country. Sure, colonialism/postcolonialism plays a part in this but it's not the only factor. Point being, it's only 'crazy' if you're oblivious to the reasons behind the numbers.
[close]

I guess I misunderstood you, sorry about that then! I do agree the fact that these countries attract immigrants is of course a factor. But that does not explain why France has twice as many players in the WC as Germany or England. again, quality of academies is the difference IMO.

I get heated on this subject pretty quick I guess. It just drives me nuts that any time I see something about the French squad in the global media, the first comment is almost always "oh but they are not french". Considering my background I take that shit personal. so f**k you Trevor Noah! If you ever make it to Slap haha.....
[close]

Not to drag this back up, but 8% of players being born in France doesn’t automatically prove French football is miles ahead of everyone else.

The key question is, who are they actually playing for?

If a player is born in France but represents Haiti, Algeria, DR Congo or another nation then that stat reflects immigration patterns and dual nationality as much as it reflects the French academy system.

By the same logic, Sunderland have more players at this World Cup than Real Madrid, does that make Sunderland the bigger footballing powerhouse? Context matters

As a Wolves fan our bench player, Jean-Ricnar Bellegarde is French but plays for Haiti - he’s a pretty average baller.
[close]

then how about players like Aymeric Laporte and Robin Lenormand? Both fully French, but became starters for Spain, one of the best teams on the planet. and they both had zero ties to that country, except that they played in La Liga more than 3 years which made them eligible.
on that same subject, I am a little frustrated that Ayoub Bouaddi has chosen to play for Morocco. At just 18 (!), he held on his own incredibly well in the Morocco-Brazil game. Super promising player. But he was born in France and played for the French national team in every youth category until now, for the WC. I wish he had chosen to go on representing France but I can understand him choosing Morocco. That team went to the semi-final last WC and could go far now.

Well for starters, Robin Le Normand isn’t even at this World Cup with Spain, so there’s that.

And then Laporte is basically the only other French-born player representing a top-5 ranked nation.

Using the same logic, should we start claiming English football development for every player born in England? France’s starting winger is English-born and barely speaks French. Haaland was born in Leeds. Balogun, the current tournament top-scorer represented England all the way through to U21 level before switching.

The point isn’t whether France produces good players. The point is that “75 World Cup players were born in France” is a pretty misleading stat when a huge chunk of that number is made up of players representing countries like:
Haiti 13
DR Congo 11
Algeria 12
Ivory Coast 8
Tunisia 7

At that stage you’re measuring migration patterns, colonial history and dual-national eligibility as much as you’re measuring French football.

Saying “Laporte could have played for France” doesn’t really move the needle when the stat itself is being inflated by dozens of players who never intended to represent France or would ever be good enough to in the first place.

France having a strong academy system is true. “75 World Cup players born in France” proving they’re lightyears ahead of everyone else is a completely different claim. It’s just an interesting anecdote but not evidence of superiority.

Willie

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Re: World Cup 2026
« Reply #6646 on: June 15, 2026, 02:21:07 PM »
I walked around and checked out the FIFA fan zone in Philadelphia yesterday (consisting mostly of a Jumbotron,a few corporate sponsor tents, and overpriced concessions).

Saw about 50,000 Ecuador fans and two Ivory Coast fans. I reckon the Ecuadorians are bummed today.

excitableboy

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6647 on: June 15, 2026, 02:43:10 PM »
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how crazy is that: 8 % of all players at WC 2026 are born in France.
(99 players out of 1248, 75 of which will play for other countries)
[close]

Not very if you know the reason for such a high number.
[close]

if that were true, then England should probably be number 1. Or maybe Spain. And Netherlands + Germany should not be 2 and 3.

[close]

If what were true?
[close]

what you were implying. That colonialism is the reason. Just stop implying stuff and say what you think.
[close]

You were implying that, not me. I didn't even imply anything. Anyways, there's a reason all the countries on that list, bar Brazil and Argentina, are West European economic powers that attract millions of Global South immigrants. No shit some of them will decide to play for their ancestral country. Sure, colonialism/postcolonialism plays a part in this but it's not the only factor. Point being, it's only 'crazy' if you're oblivious to the reasons behind the numbers.
[close]

I guess I misunderstood you, sorry about that then! I do agree the fact that these countries attract immigrants is of course a factor. But that does not explain why France has twice as many players in the WC as Germany or England. again, quality of academies is the difference IMO.

I get heated on this subject pretty quick I guess. It just drives me nuts that any time I see something about the French squad in the global media, the first comment is almost always "oh but they are not french". Considering my background I take that shit personal. so f**k you Trevor Noah! If you ever make it to Slap haha.....
[close]

Not to drag this back up, but 8% of players being born in France doesn’t automatically prove French football is miles ahead of everyone else.

The key question is, who are they actually playing for?

If a player is born in France but represents Haiti, Algeria, DR Congo or another nation then that stat reflects immigration patterns and dual nationality as much as it reflects the French academy system.

By the same logic, Sunderland have more players at this World Cup than Real Madrid, does that make Sunderland the bigger footballing powerhouse? Context matters

As a Wolves fan our bench player, Jean-Ricnar Bellegarde is French but plays for Haiti - he’s a pretty average baller.
[close]

then how about players like Aymeric Laporte and Robin Lenormand? Both fully French, but became starters for Spain, one of the best teams on the planet. and they both had zero ties to that country, except that they played in La Liga more than 3 years which made them eligible.
on that same subject, I am a little frustrated that Ayoub Bouaddi has chosen to play for Morocco. At just 18 (!), he held on his own incredibly well in the Morocco-Brazil game. Super promising player. But he was born in France and played for the French national team in every youth category until now, for the WC. I wish he had chosen to go on representing France but I can understand him choosing Morocco. That team went to the semi-final last WC and could go far now.
[close]

Well for starters, Robin Le Normand isn’t even at this World Cup with Spain, so there’s that.

And then Laporte is basically the only other French-born player representing a top-5 ranked nation.

Using the same logic, should we start claiming English football development for every player born in England? France’s starting winger is English-born and barely speaks French. Haaland was born in Leeds. Balogun, the current tournament top-scorer represented England all the way through to U21 level before switching.

The point isn’t whether France produces good players. The point is that “75 World Cup players were born in France” is a pretty misleading stat when a huge chunk of that number is made up of players representing countries like:
Haiti 13
DR Congo 11
Algeria 12
Ivory Coast 8
Tunisia 7

At that stage you’re measuring migration patterns, colonial history and dual-national eligibility as much as you’re measuring French football.

Saying “Laporte could have played for France” doesn’t really move the needle when the stat itself is being inflated by dozens of players who never intended to represent France or would ever be good enough to in the first place.

France having a strong academy system is true. “75 World Cup players born in France” proving they’re lightyears ahead of everyone else is a completely different claim. It’s just an interesting anecdote but not evidence of superiority.

That why the club football argument was made before. In the top 5 leagues about 16 percent of players are French. England is fifth with about half that. As I wrote before, besides academies this is probably to do with the EPL being so tough to break into.

How about Cape Verde, the only squad never to have lost a WC match! More than half their players were not born in Cape Verde (6 NL, 4 POR, 3FRA, 1 IRE, 1US).

GuessAgain?

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6648 on: June 15, 2026, 03:10:55 PM »
Expand Quote
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how crazy is that: 8 % of all players at WC 2026 are born in France.
(99 players out of 1248, 75 of which will play for other countries)
[close]

Not very if you know the reason for such a high number.
[close]

if that were true, then England should probably be number 1. Or maybe Spain. And Netherlands + Germany should not be 2 and 3.

[close]

If what were true?
[close]

what you were implying. That colonialism is the reason. Just stop implying stuff and say what you think.
[close]

You were implying that, not me. I didn't even imply anything. Anyways, there's a reason all the countries on that list, bar Brazil and Argentina, are West European economic powers that attract millions of Global South immigrants. No shit some of them will decide to play for their ancestral country. Sure, colonialism/postcolonialism plays a part in this but it's not the only factor. Point being, it's only 'crazy' if you're oblivious to the reasons behind the numbers.
[close]

I guess I misunderstood you, sorry about that then! I do agree the fact that these countries attract immigrants is of course a factor. But that does not explain why France has twice as many players in the WC as Germany or England. again, quality of academies is the difference IMO.

I get heated on this subject pretty quick I guess. It just drives me nuts that any time I see something about the French squad in the global media, the first comment is almost always "oh but they are not french". Considering my background I take that shit personal. so f**k you Trevor Noah! If you ever make it to Slap haha.....
[close]

Not to drag this back up, but 8% of players being born in France doesn’t automatically prove French football is miles ahead of everyone else.

The key question is, who are they actually playing for?

If a player is born in France but represents Haiti, Algeria, DR Congo or another nation then that stat reflects immigration patterns and dual nationality as much as it reflects the French academy system.

By the same logic, Sunderland have more players at this World Cup than Real Madrid, does that make Sunderland the bigger footballing powerhouse? Context matters

As a Wolves fan our bench player, Jean-Ricnar Bellegarde is French but plays for Haiti - he’s a pretty average baller.
[close]

then how about players like Aymeric Laporte and Robin Lenormand? Both fully French, but became starters for Spain, one of the best teams on the planet. and they both had zero ties to that country, except that they played in La Liga more than 3 years which made them eligible.
on that same subject, I am a little frustrated that Ayoub Bouaddi has chosen to play for Morocco. At just 18 (!), he held on his own incredibly well in the Morocco-Brazil game. Super promising player. But he was born in France and played for the French national team in every youth category until now, for the WC. I wish he had chosen to go on representing France but I can understand him choosing Morocco. That team went to the semi-final last WC and could go far now.
[close]

Well for starters, Robin Le Normand isn’t even at this World Cup with Spain, so there’s that.

And then Laporte is basically the only other French-born player representing a top-5 ranked nation.

Using the same logic, should we start claiming English football development for every player born in England? France’s starting winger is English-born and barely speaks French. Haaland was born in Leeds. Balogun, the current tournament top-scorer represented England all the way through to U21 level before switching.

The point isn’t whether France produces good players. The point is that “75 World Cup players were born in France” is a pretty misleading stat when a huge chunk of that number is made up of players representing countries like:
Haiti 13
DR Congo 11
Algeria 12
Ivory Coast 8
Tunisia 7

At that stage you’re measuring migration patterns, colonial history and dual-national eligibility as much as you’re measuring French football.

Saying “Laporte could have played for France” doesn’t really move the needle when the stat itself is being inflated by dozens of players who never intended to represent France or would ever be good enough to in the first place.

France having a strong academy system is true. “75 World Cup players born in France” proving they’re lightyears ahead of everyone else is a completely different claim. It’s just an interesting anecdote but not evidence of superiority.
[close]

That why the club football argument was made before. In the top 5 leagues about 16 percent of players are French. England is fifth with about half that. As I wrote before, besides academies this is probably to do with the EPL being so tough to break into.

That’s the telling stats though.

The 75 WC stat is just trivial. When you look at the level of a lot of the players ‘born in france’ are actually playing at in terms of clubs it’s more telling of migration patterns and dual nationalities rather than the high levels of the french academies.

Atiba Applebum

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6649 on: June 15, 2026, 03:12:51 PM »
Madrid just bought their way into having a player on th NT

bigdave

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6650 on: June 15, 2026, 04:58:01 PM »
FFF's recruitment model has changed to finding people in former colonies who could qualify, to simply combing their own cities to find French-speaking naturalized citizens or immigrants they then naturalize. Its strictly a matter of population inflow.

I mean it is completely, factually correct to say that at this juncture the suburbs of Paris are the single more fertile ground for top-flight football prospects at the moment and it really isnt close.
ok thanks

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Re: World Cup 2026
« Reply #6651 on: June 15, 2026, 05:40:01 PM »
I live close to the stadium in Seattle and expected to see a ton of traffic and tourists but it's actually been quieter than usual. I think people are avoiding the area because they thought it was gonna be hectic, and the Belgium and Egypt fans seem to have made a beeline to the stadium and back to their hotels on the train.
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Atiba Applebum

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Re: World Cup 2026
« Reply #6652 on: June 15, 2026, 06:01:58 PM »
I live close to the stadium in Seattle and expected to see a ton of traffic and tourists but it's actually been quieter than usual. I think people are avoiding the area because they thought it was gonna be hectic, and the Belgium and Egypt fans seem to have made a beeline to the stadium and back to their hotels on the train.


The Scots (and the Dutch to a lesser extent) are definitely setting some unfair expectations for traveling fan bases

LUGR

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Re: World Cup 2026
« Reply #6653 on: June 15, 2026, 09:25:03 PM »
The New Zealand vs Iran game was quite entertaining.

OldieButFrenchie

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6654 on: June 15, 2026, 11:39:05 PM »
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how crazy is that: 8 % of all players at WC 2026 are born in France.
(99 players out of 1248, 75 of which will play for other countries)
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Not very if you know the reason for such a high number.
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if that were true, then England should probably be number 1. Or maybe Spain. And Netherlands + Germany should not be 2 and 3.

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If what were true?
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what you were implying. That colonialism is the reason. Just stop implying stuff and say what you think.
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You were implying that, not me. I didn't even imply anything. Anyways, there's a reason all the countries on that list, bar Brazil and Argentina, are West European economic powers that attract millions of Global South immigrants. No shit some of them will decide to play for their ancestral country. Sure, colonialism/postcolonialism plays a part in this but it's not the only factor. Point being, it's only 'crazy' if you're oblivious to the reasons behind the numbers.
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I guess I misunderstood you, sorry about that then! I do agree the fact that these countries attract immigrants is of course a factor. But that does not explain why France has twice as many players in the WC as Germany or England. again, quality of academies is the difference IMO.

I get heated on this subject pretty quick I guess. It just drives me nuts that any time I see something about the French squad in the global media, the first comment is almost always "oh but they are not french". Considering my background I take that shit personal. so f**k you Trevor Noah! If you ever make it to Slap haha.....
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Not to drag this back up, but 8% of players being born in France doesn’t automatically prove French football is miles ahead of everyone else.

The key question is, who are they actually playing for?

If a player is born in France but represents Haiti, Algeria, DR Congo or another nation then that stat reflects immigration patterns and dual nationality as much as it reflects the French academy system.

By the same logic, Sunderland have more players at this World Cup than Real Madrid, does that make Sunderland the bigger footballing powerhouse? Context matters

As a Wolves fan our bench player, Jean-Ricnar Bellegarde is French but plays for Haiti - he’s a pretty average baller.
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then how about players like Aymeric Laporte and Robin Lenormand? Both fully French, but became starters for Spain, one of the best teams on the planet. and they both had zero ties to that country, except that they played in La Liga more than 3 years which made them eligible.
on that same subject, I am a little frustrated that Ayoub Bouaddi has chosen to play for Morocco. At just 18 (!), he held on his own incredibly well in the Morocco-Brazil game. Super promising player. But he was born in France and played for the French national team in every youth category until now, for the WC. I wish he had chosen to go on representing France but I can understand him choosing Morocco. That team went to the semi-final last WC and could go far now.
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Well for starters, Robin Le Normand isn’t even at this World Cup with Spain, so there’s that.

And then Laporte is basically the only other French-born player representing a top-5 ranked nation.

Using the same logic, should we start claiming English football development for every player born in England? France’s starting winger is English-born and barely speaks French. Haaland was born in Leeds. Balogun, the current tournament top-scorer represented England all the way through to U21 level before switching.

The point isn’t whether France produces good players. The point is that “75 World Cup players were born in France” is a pretty misleading stat when a huge chunk of that number is made up of players representing countries like:
Haiti 13
DR Congo 11
Algeria 12
Ivory Coast 8
Tunisia 7

At that stage you’re measuring migration patterns, colonial history and dual-national eligibility as much as you’re measuring French football.

Saying “Laporte could have played for France” doesn’t really move the needle when the stat itself is being inflated by dozens of players who never intended to represent France or would ever be good enough to in the first place.

France having a strong academy system is true. “75 World Cup players born in France” proving they’re lightyears ahead of everyone else is a completely different claim. It’s just an interesting anecdote but not evidence of superiority.

now you are just arguing in bad faith.
Olise has family ties to France (his mother). Laporte has zero family ties to Spain.
Haaland was born in the UK, but he did not grow up there, and did not learn to play football there.

You seem strangely invested in proving something I never said is wrong.
For the record, here is my original statement:
    how crazy is that: 8 % of all players at WC 2026 are born in France.
    (99 players out of 1248, 75 of which will play for other countries)



I never talked about "dominance" or being "light-years ahead". that's in your head.
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dunc

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Re: World Cup 2026
« Reply #6655 on: June 15, 2026, 11:42:50 PM »
The New Zealand vs Iran game was quite entertaining.
Hard for us kiwis. Never been beaten at a football world cup but never one a game either.  So close.
They laughed when I told my friends that I was going to be a comedian.....well they are not laughing now!

OldieButFrenchie

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6656 on: June 16, 2026, 12:19:03 AM »
FFF's recruitment model has changed to finding people in former colonies who could qualify, to simply combing their own cities to find French-speaking naturalized citizens or immigrants they then naturalize. Its strictly a matter of population inflow.

I mean it is completely, factually correct to say that at this juncture the suburbs of Paris are the single more fertile ground for top-flight football prospects at the moment and it really isnt close.

WHY do you feel the need to speak up on a subject that you obviously know nothing about.....
and where do you get your info, Fox News? That is some Trump level fake shit. This is exactly why I get heated on the subject, so much misinformation it's maddening. seriously, the French federation "finding people in former colonies"?? Who? When?

First off, being born in France and living there qualifies you AUTOMATICALLY  to citizenship. I should know how this stuff works, I was born outside France from non-French parents, and I WAS naturalized!
This should be easy for Americans to understand, you guys have the same law. Being born in the US gives you citizenship, well it's the same in France! The French federation never had to "look for gifted players to naturalize", the kids are all French to begin with.
The truth is that A LOT of people seem to have a hard time accepting the idea of a black Frenchman, but France had black and mixed members of parliament way back in 1793, at the time of the Revolution.... (Jean-Baptiste Belley, Jean-Baptiste Mills).

« Last Edit: June 16, 2026, 02:23:05 AM by OldieButFrenchie »
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OldieButFrenchie

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Re: World Cup 2026
« Reply #6657 on: June 16, 2026, 12:32:53 AM »
I think it's more of a "¿pobrecito, que te paso?"

At least us fans of Spain have this chant to fall back on: OE OE OE OE OE Hemos venido a emborracharnos, los resultados, nos dan igual

haha I did not know that one!
¿Eres de españa?
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excitableboy

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Re: World Cup 2026
« Reply #6658 on: June 16, 2026, 12:54:04 AM »
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The New Zealand vs Iran game was quite entertaining.
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Hard for us kiwis. Never been beaten at a football world cup but never one a game either.  So close.

NZ lost all three matches at their first world cup actually. Only saw the highlights vs Iran, but you looked quite good. With a little luck you might make it through this group I reckon.

brycickle

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Re: football anyone? as in soccer...
« Reply #6659 on: June 16, 2026, 05:08:15 AM »
God damn, this argument is fucking boring.

 You and the D00D have turned this thread into a horrible head-on-collision between a short bus full of regular kids and a van full of paraplegics.