Altrincham · League One · Defender · #23 · England · 26 yrs
Prior to France's debut, Kylian Mbappe stated that he's open for another World Cup final against Lionel Messi's Argentina as he'd like to "change the course of destiny." Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi were the central figures in one of the greatest games in soccer history, the 2022 World Cup final that saw Argentina claim the trophy over France in a penalty shootout. Now with the 2026 edition underway, Mbappe has made clear he would welcome another shot at the Albiceleste, saying he would like to “change the course of destiny.” In an interview with Le Parisien, France teammate Warren Zaire-Emery asked Mbappe which moment of his career he would choose to relive, and the answer left little room for interpretation: “There are many. Especially the defeats, because if you relive them, maybe you can change the course of destiny. For example, I would change Argentina 2022. That final comes to my mind more than the one we won.“ Mbappe went on to reflect on the particular cruelty of losing a World Cup final, noting that many of his current France teammates were not even part of that squad in Qatar. “The cruelty is right there, meaning we did all that just to lose on penalties. I don’t believe in luck; penalties are not a lottery. It is a technical action, but it remains the cruelest way to lose a World Cup final,” the striker added. Had France won, they would have become the third nation in history to claim consecutive World Cup titles, following Italy in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Mbappe also opened up about his emotional state in the immediate aftermath. “I am often asked why I didn’t cry in 2022. Simply because the tears wouldn’t come, I was stunned. If I could have cried, I wouldn’t have held back my tears. It’s just that I was knocked out!,” he explained over the final. Kylian Mbappe of France walks past the FIFA World Cup trophy in 2022. “If we win the World Cup tomorrow and I have to cry, I will cry. If only because it’s every four years. You don’t know where you will be in four years. Now, for example, there are only 10 or 11 guys left from 2022,” Mbappe concluded. As he noted, of the 26 players who reached the final in Qatar four years ago, only 12 remain in this year’s squad, with the other 14 having departed through retirement or omission. Winning that final would have been a personal crowning moment for Mbappe, who also claimed the Golden Boot with eight goals and became only the second player in history to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, after Geoff Hurst. Despite that extraordinary individual performance, the loss to Lionel Messi‘s Argentina is clearly something that continues to occupy his thoughts. Is another Mbappe vs Messi final possible at the 2026 World Cup? With the 2026 World Cup now underway, Mbappe enters the tournament at 27 and in the prime of his career, while Messi, 38 and set to turn 39 in the coming weeks, carries the weight of defending the title. While an exact replica of the 2022 final is not possible, the bracket has been drawn in a way that a late showdown between the two nations remains very much on the table. According to FIFA’s bracket structure and rules, if both Argentina and France advance as group winners from their respective sections, they would be placed on opposite sides of the knockout bracket. That means the only scenario in which they could meet would be a final, giving the 2026 World Cup the potential for a dream rematch on the biggest stage. Should either team advance as group runners-up, the two nations could end up on the same side of the draw, in which case a meeting in the semifinal becomes a possibility. Either way, the bracket has left open a path for Mbappe and Messi to cross swords again before this tournament is over.
⚽️ Kick-off time: 3pm local/4pm EDT/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Wallchart“Thoroughly looking forwards to this,” says James Humphries. “Japan are great fun every time I watch them and my understanding is that the Dutch aren’t defensively at their best, so could be the game of the tournament so far. ”I hope it’s exciting, anyway, because, I didn’t get to my pit till about half five last night (along with about half the population of Glasgow, given the number of cheery wasters I passed on the way) and then had to get up at ten to go take my daughter swimming; if I was about ten years older, medics would probably describe my current mental state as “a bit confused”, in the sort of tones used to tell family members news that could be worse but still nonetheless isn’t great. “So, um, what... what was I talking about, again?”Cheery wasters? Japan? Something like that. Continue reading...
Irankunda and co have not yet earned golden generation status but they can revive Australia’s World Cup aspirationsThere always was a familiar feeling to this youthful squad of Socceroos. That sense of deja vu. That you had seen something like this before. But it took Nestory Irankunda running to the corner flag to remember what it was.By reviving Tim Cahill’s famous goal celebration, the new face of Australian football instantly connected this fearless crop of young footballers finding their way on the world stage to the greats wearing yellow that have gone before. Continue reading...
⚽️ World Cup kick-off 9pm EST/2am BST/11am AEST⚽️ Match gallery | Player guide | Golden Boot | Mail TomPre-match postbag. “I confess I was a wee bit worried after the first 10 minutes of the Brazil v Morocco game, because they were running about jolly quickly and firing balls into the net with great panache. The longer it’s gone on though the more confident I feel. I suspect we’ll confuse them by playing what they might think is a different sport” – Scott Blair“I’m English and living down under in Melbourne. We are actually getting a whole bunch of games at reasonable times as we normally have to watch intentional games at 2am. I’m enjoying tea and toast over breakfast games and looking forward to hearing the Scots belt out Flower of Scotland, always a spine tingling experience, even for and Englishman.” – Simon Dobson Continue reading...
⚽️ World Cup kick-off 6pm EST, 11pm BST, 8am Sun AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JeffWe also have Leander Schaerlaeckens in the box at “New York/New Jersey Stadium” today!For three hours now, the masses in yellow have been streaming into the MetLife – sorry, that’s what it’s called – outnumbering the red of Morocco by 10-to-1 or so. A huge Brazilian diaspora lives in the tri-state area. Moroccans I’ve spoken to have come from Marrakech, of course, but as far afield as Dubai, the UK and (in surprising numbers) Montreal. Continue reading...
Full preview of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. Bosnia and Herzegovina returns to the global stage this summer for the first time since 2014. After a decade of playoff heartbreak, the Dragons secured their spot in North America with a thrilling qualification run. Ranked 65th globally, the national team arrives as a confident underdog. The roster features a compelling mix of seasoned veterans and emerging young talent from the diaspora. Fans can expect a resilient squad that thrives under pressure. This World Cup 2026 team preview explores how the European side plans to navigate the group stage, highlighting their Bosnia and Herzegovina tactical analysis, the leadership of their coach, and the enduring impact of a legendary striker. Team profile CoachSergej BarbarezCaptainEdin DzekoNicknameZmajevi (The Dragons), Zlatni Ljiljani (Golden Lilies)FIFA ranking65thConfederationUEFAGroupGroup BBest World Cup resultGroup stage (2014)World Cup appearances2Last World Cup appearance2014 How Bosnia and Herzegovina play Under their current leadership, the Dragons typically deploy a 4-4-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina formation. The system relies heavily on a dual-striker partnership, often pairing a veteran target man with a mobile forward. The team generally concedes possession against stronger opponents. Instead of dictating the tempo in midfield, they prefer a direct approach, launching long balls to bypass the opposition’s press. This strategy utilizes the physical presence of their forwards, allowing them to hold up play and bring wingers into the attack. Wide players then focus on delivering dangerous crosses into the penalty area. Defensively, the squad is combative and willing to disrupt the rhythm of the game. They averaged a high number of fouls during qualifying to break up opposition attacks. However, this defensive structure can be vulnerable to pace on the counterattack. This direct, physical approach ensures they remain competitive against other top international soccer teams 2026. Sergej Barbarez: The coach behind Bosnia and Herzegovina Sergej Barbarez took charge as the Bosnia and Herzegovina coach in the summer of 2024. Despite a challenging start to his tenure, he successfully guided the squad to North America in his first managerial role. Before moving to the touchline, Barbarez enjoyed a stellar playing career. He captained his country and spent a decade in the German Bundesliga, notably finishing as the league’s joint-top scorer during the 2000-2001 season. Head coach of Bosnia & Herzegovina Sergej Barbarez celebrates with his players (Getty Images). His coaching philosophy centers on resilience, belief, and direct attacking play. He has instilled a strong sense of togetherness within the locker room, a trait evident in their late-game heroics during qualification. His leadership and legendary status within the country provide a unifying presence that could drive the team’s success this summer. Key player: Edin Dzeko Approaching the tournament at 40 years old, Edin Dzeko remains the undisputed focal point of the national team. The veteran striker brings unmatched experience and proven goalscoring pedigree. Currently playing his club soccer for Schalke 04, Dzeko boasts an incredible international resume with 148 caps and 73 goals. His crucial late equalizer against Wales in the playoffs kept their qualification hopes alive. Dzeko operates as a classic target man. His elite aerial ability, intelligent movement inside the penalty box, and clinical finishing make him a constant threat from crosses and set-pieces. The team’s entire tactical identity revolves around his physical presence. If he were to suffer an injury, the squad would lose both its primary attacking outlet and its most respected locker-room leader. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s road to the 2026 World Cup The Dragons navigated a grueling qualification journey that tested their
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here. And for the United States, expectations could not be higher. Not only is the United States one of three host nations this year, along with Mexico and Canada, but for the USMNT this is the “Golden Generation,” a group that was the youngest squad at the 2022 World […]
