FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

[Wrangler]

I hear this reason all the time but baseball is low scoring and so is ice hockey and they're 2 of the big 4 sports in the states

Legacy with baseball. If you look at ball parks, they are mostly empty nowadays. No generational transfer of enthusiasm.

While I agree hockey is part of the Big 4 sports in America, it is a distant 4th.

 

[Armour of God]

lol, I did wonder - but thought I would add my comments anyway.
Lets see who gets knocked out first , Australia , USA , England , I suppose I had better add Scotland.

Australia will get knocked out first.
We are good at sports but not football.

Did you have to mention Maradona - that was such a frustrating match to watch.
I was quite young in 66 and not really into football, but must admit the game was played much better back in the day. I remember Johan Cruyff.
Use to admire Pele

The game is still played well today i reckon. Maybe it's a bit more defensive. Most players that played against Pelé say he was the best. I've heard Bobby Charlton say he was the best among others.

It was always a conversation between Pelé and Maradona. But now it's a conversation between Messi and Ronaldo.

Given my Portuguese background I've always followed Ronaldo and I reckon his the greatest to ever play. His scored most international goals, most champions league goals and most total goals, almost 1,000 in total.

But it's a matter of opinion and will always be debated. That's the beauty of it

 

[ProDeo]

Ha good question.
I've seen goals like that scored before. The ball hits the underside of the crossbar and creates heaps of spin causing the ball to bounce away from the goal.
In the end England won 4-2 anyway, they won the 66 world cup fair and square.

For me the most controversial world cup goal will always be Maradona's hand of god against Engalnd in 86. It would never have stood with today's VAR technology.

So Maradonna used his hand ?

PS, I just noticed your Dutch.
The orange ones. Maybe the best football nation never to win a world cup. They were good in the 70s with Johan Cruyff, reached the final a few times but never won it. As a kid Van Basten was one of my favourite players and I loved the Dutch team of the 90s

The Dutch lost 3 finals, typical Dutch inferiority complex, we are such a tiny country on the map reaching the final is already fantastic. With such an attitude you never win. Nowadays the good times (for decades) are over. Current Dutch team nothing special.

 

[ProDeo]

Warm-Up Maradona UEFA-Cup semi-final 1989 HD​

 

[Wrangler]

But it's a matter of opinion and will always be debated. That's the beauty of it

It's a question my father always asked in all sports. I told him it's about the standard by which you measure greatness. The standard I used is who retired with the most records?

 

[Armour of God]

It was a goal.

So Maradonna used his hand ?

Ye, you know the goal, surely, they called the hand of god, Maradona even admitted he did it. 1986 world cup semi final vs England

The Dutch lost 3 finals, typical Dutch inferiority complex, we are such a tiny country on the map reaching the final is already fantastic. With such an attitude you never win. Nowadays the good times (for decades) are over. Current Dutch team nothing special.

I used to work with an old Uraguayan man who had watched every world cup since 1950, I called him history. He told me something that still haunts me to this day about winning the world cup. He said "small countries, they never win"

Portugal has the inferiority complex now. Tiny nation of just 10 million people. That's where my parents are from and iv always followed them. They rarely used to even qualify for the world cup before 2002, only 3 times before then. The big countries tend to get the referees decision on tight calls. My hopes are with Portugal as always.

 

[Armour of God]

It's a question my father always asked in all sports. I told him it's about the standard by which you measure greatness. The standard I used is who retired with the most records?

Yea the Messi vs Ronaldo debate has been going on for the last 15 years and I've always said just wait till they retire, then we can better analyse. Most records is a decent way to look at it, some want to look at who has most trophies, others just want to look at who was the best in their prime. It's all subjective.

What would be considered a successful world cup campaign for USA?
And who do you think will win it?

 

[Wrangler]

What would be considered a successful world cup campaign for USA?
And who do you think will win it?

Because I don’t follow it (tennis is my game), I have no opinion on the subject.

I know the USA women’s team has done MUCH better than the men’s team over the last decade.

 

[Rita]

Australia will get knocked out first.
We are good at sports but not football.



The game is still played well today i reckon. Maybe it's a bit more defensive. Most players that played against Pelé say he was the best. I've heard Bobby Charlton say he was the best among others.

It was always a conversation between Pelé and Maradona. But now it's a conversation between Messi and Ronaldo.

Given my Portuguese background I've always followed Ronaldo and I reckon his the greatest to ever play. His scored most international goals, most champions league goals and most total goals, almost 1,000 in total.

But it's a matter of opinion and will always be debated. That's the beauty of it

Yes, My dad like Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore , my era was Kevin Keegan George Best , Peter Shelton, Gordon Banks , I don’t know the game seemed more important back then, I think money got in the way, along with egos.
Obviously the era of Beckham was quite interesting.

 

[Armour of God]

Because I don’t follow it (tennis is my game), I have no opinion on the subject.

I know the USA women’s team has done MUCH better than the men’s team over the last decade.

Tennis hey... Who is the GOAT?
I think Novak Djokovic is.
His won the most grand slams.

 

[Armour of God]

I don’t know the game seemed more important back then, I think money got in the way, along with egos

I guess that's your perspective. I can only speak going back to the 1986 world cup, that was the first world cup I can remember as a kid and I used to play in a club as a teenager. But I've watched highlights and replays of old matches before like England's final and semi final of 1966. Most of the WC finals going back into the 50s black and white, along with old European club finals. In fact I've been watching highlights of old world cups in the past week.

I don't think much has changed. The games and world cup trophy are still as important and big as ever, if not bigger. The playing styles and formations are similar if not the same. The score lines are also similar if not the same. Players now are a bit more athletic and the game is a bit faster. Their were no substitutions back then, they got away with awful tackles and the surface wasn't as good as today's, so it was harder to score I reckon.

But all in all, football is football, and it's still the same game in my opinion.

 

[Rita]

I guess that's your perspective. I can only speak going back to the 1986 world cup, that was the first world cup I can remember as a kid and I used to play in a club as a teenager. But I've watched replays of old matches before like England's final and semi final of 1966. And most of the WC finals going back into the 50s black and white, along with old European club finals.

I don't think much has changed. The games and world cup trophy are still as important and big as ever, if not bigger. The playing styles and formations are similar if not the same. The score lines are also similar if not the same. Players now are a bit more athletic and the game is a bit faster, their were no substitutions back then and they got away with awful tackles so it was harder to score I reckon. But all in all football is football and it's still the same game in my opinion.

I think I was referring to football in general changing, I don’t remember it being as dramatic ( like pretending to be tackled bad and the acting and tactical plays ) Maybe its was just how I perceived it as I was growing up around it. It just seemed more genuine back in the day.

 

[Armour of God]

I think I was referring to football in general changing, I don’t remember it being as dramatic ( like pretending to be tackled bad and the acting and tactical plays ) Maybe its was just how I perceived it as I was growing up around it. It just seemed more genuine back in the day.

I agree players didn't fall over so easily back then. I think they started doing that in the 80s. But they have to be careful now cos they can get a card if the ref thinks they are diving or play acting.

 

[Wrangler]

Tennis hey... Who is the GOAT?
I think Novak Djokovic is.
His won the most grand slams.

I've been a fan of Novak throughout his career. No doubt, the GOAT. Growing up, I followed John McEnroe. My first match that I ever watched was the 4th set at Wimbledon against Bjorn Borg. I think the final game game was 23-21. I grow up with Agassi and Pete Sampras, who is my all-time favorite.

On the women's side, it is Martina and Chris Evert Loyd. Too much is made of Serena's singles record, downplaying doubles championships of Martina and Chris.

 

[Rita]

I've been a fan of Novak throughout his career. No doubt, the GOAT. Growing up, I followed John McEnroe. My first match that I ever watched was the 4th set at Wimbledon against Bjorn Borg. I think the final game game was 23-21. I grow up with Agassi and Pete Sampras, who is my all-time favorite.

On the women's side, it is Martina and Chris Evert Loyd. Too much is made of Serena's singles record, downplaying doubles championships of Martina and Chris.

I use to love watching the matches with John McEnroe, more so when he played Ilie Nastase or Jimmy Connors. Very entertaining, for Many reasons.
I also like Novak - he has played some great tennis at Wimbledon, don’t watch too many other tournaments.

 

[Armour of God]

I've been a fan of Novak throughout his career. No doubt, the GOAT. Growing up, I followed John McEnroe. My first match that I ever watched was the 4th set at Wimbledon against Bjorn Borg. I think the final game game was 23-21. I grow up with Agassi and Pete Sampras, who is my all-time favorite.

On the women's side, it is Martina and Chris Evert Loyd. Too much is made of Serena's singles record, downplaying doubles championships of Martina and Chris.

How about the GOAT in basketball?
I say Jordan.
I was a teen when he was doing his thing.

How about golf.
Ever played it? What a frustrating game.
Jack Nicklaus won the most majors, 18
Tiger Woods is next with, 15
So I guess it's hard to argue against Jack

F1 racing. For me it's a toss up between Ayrton Senna and Nikki Lauda.
Schumacher and Hamilton have won more titles but they were lucky to be in the right car at the right time over a long period.

In football, aka soccer, I've already said Cristiano Ronaldo is the GOAT

What do you think?
Any other sports GOATS?

 

[Wrangler]

How about the GOAT in basketball?
I say Jordan.

My pick is Wilt Chamberlain.

He had a compelling argument against Jordan, saying when they change the rules of the game to counter Jordan's dominance, then we'll talk. Goal tending and other rules were devised to diminish Wilt's dominance. And there was no 3-point line when he played.

How about golf.
Ever played it? What a frustrating game.
Jack Nicklaus won the most majors, 18
Tiger Woods is next with, 15
So I guess it's hard to argue against Jack

Jack & Tiger for sure. Akin to Gordie and Wayne.

What do you think?
Any other sports GOATS?

Bicycling. Lance Armstrong

Hockey is Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky. While Wayne played for a shorter time, he broke Howe's scoring record. Tiger was on pace to do that but fell apart as a human being.

Boxing. The GOAT is Sugar Ray Robinson.

At lightweight, Roberto Duran​

At middleweight, Marvin Hagler​

At heavyweight, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali​

​

Tyson, Louis, and Ali all had their career interrupted by about 4 years over politics. For Tyson, it was a bogus sex charge. For Ali, it was refusing being drafted into Vietnam. For Louis it was WWII. Hard to imagine what those missing 4 years would have been like.

 

[Armour of God]

My pick is Wilt Chamberlain

These are just opinions but cmon man
There was no 3 in the key back then
Big Wilt just camped under the ring 24/7
In the center position I'd pick Shaq or Kareem
But overall I'm still sticking with MJ

Bicycling. Lance Armstrong

Yea but he got stained by the whole drug fiasco. Jacques Anquetil for me. But I think their all on drugs in that sport to be able do what they do, ride every day like that for 2 weeks.

Hockey is Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky. While Wayne played for a shorter time, he broke Howe's scoring record

I don't know enough about ice hockey to have an opinion. I like watching it but. Low scoring but fast with big hits.

Tiger was on pace to do that but fell apart as a human being

Getting busted cheating on his wife destroyed his golf

Boxing. The GOAT is Sugar Ray Robinson.
At lightweight, Roberto DuranAt middleweight, Marvin HaglerAt heavyweight, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali

I'm not sure about the lighter weight divisions but in the Heavy weight I choose Rocky Marciano with his funny style he could fight in a phone box. He beat Joe Louis. Rocky was unbeaten in his career, that's unmatched. After Rocky I pick Mike Tyson

 

[Wrangler]

There was no 3 in the key back then

what does this mean?

 

[Wrangler]

Yea but he got stained by the whole drug fiasco.

Yea. Barry Bonds should be disqualified for the same reason. I'm very ambivalent on this topic and consider it a measure of commitment.

My understanding with Armstrong is that it was less drugs and more super oxygenated blood transfusions. What is a drug, anyway?

I don't know enough about ice hockey to have an opinion. I like watching it but. Low scoring but fast with big hits.

Unlike soccer, hockey can have a shot on goal nearly every 30-seconds.

I'm not sure about the lighter weight divisions but in the Heavy weight I choose Rocky Marciano with his funny style he could fight in a phone box. He beat Joe Louis.

The IRS ruined Louis' life. During WWII, Louis fought exhibitions and patriotically gave the money to veteran charities. The IRS considered that taxable. Fines and penalties piled up and he was crushed, so he came out of retirement desperate for money. Obviously, a shell of his former self. Marciano said Louis was the best ever and for that reason, chose not to come out of retirement himself.

About 14 years ago I did a comprehensive analysis of heavyweight champions. I had a whole spreadsheet on it, even a tab dedicated to the parameters of the analysis including age+ at becoming champion, physical size and most importantly, championship record. I gave a point for each win and 2 points for a knockout, biasing the analysis toward dominance.

Marvin Hagler was so dominant as a middleweight champion, he knocked everybody out except 2 hall of fame fighters, Duran and Leonard.

John L Sullivan had over 435 fights, blowing away the record of modern champions. However, most of them were bar room fights with questionable talent and sobriety, often 5 - 10 per night when out celebrating his fame. Not championship fights. When you draw the line at championship fights, Gene Tunney was only 2-0; Marciano only 8-0. Based on this analysis 3 champions stand head and shoulders over the rest with twice as many championship wins as the rest of the crowd.

1. Joe Louis, 25
2. Larry Holmes, 19?
3. Ali, 17?*

I also included an analysis of their competition. Here, Marciano really falls away due to no fault of his own. He fought during a historically low level where his competitors lost nearly 1/3 of their fights. Ali fought at the peak. The combined record of his top 3 opponents was something like 99-1. Sonny Liston (1 loss), Joe Frazer (undefeated) and George Foremen (undefeated).

If you want to send me a PM, I'll email you the spreadsheet.


+ A young heart can handle more bpm, functioning at a higher rate of activity.
* One must speculate how many championship fights Ali would have won during the lost years they took away from his prime. (We never got to see him at his best). He was averaging more fights per year than any champion at 5. Could be 4/year x 4 years, or 16 more championship wins added to his already awe inspiring record.