World Cup 2026 - A General Thread (Includes ‘Hydration’ Break Discussion)

[jackharris]

I first moved near Toronto when I came to Canada, one of my dogs died of heat stroke that first summer, never realised just how hot is was.

Absolutel My Aunty and Uncle and cousins lived near Toronto and they had really cold winters and really warm summers. They had the textbook definition of true seasons.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

It's ok, ECB and Max would love it, because they'll be about 5 beers deep in 22 minutes and would need a slash break, makes perfect sense for the alcohol consumers

That’s a scurrilous thing time say. I’m outraged. Expect a legal letter.

 

[Gors Buster]

The World Cup hasn’t been worth watching since the 90’s.

Most tournaments just pass me by which is weird because even though I’m not an egg fan, I get totally immersed in the Rugby World Cups.
I googled “when is the Qatar World Cup?” A few days ago, erased from memory already.

 

[PenlanJack]

That’s a scurrilous thing time say. I’m outraged. Expect a legal letter.

This is blasphemy (in a life of Brian voice)

 

[AusinIsOurHero]

Last decent World Cup for me was 2002.
90 & 98 were peak for me.

 

[MrSwerve]

'Game's gone'.

 

[biggar]

Remember 78 but loved the Brazil team in ‘82. Zico, Socrates, Eder and Co. What a side to watch.

Vividly remember Alan Rough having struggles against them

Still can’t believe they lost to Paulo Rossi etc in the quarters but then again they were hardly solid at the back. Incredible to watch though.

 

[Cooperman]

Agree that Italia 90 was the pinnacle of World Cups for me also, coincided with me being able to watch in the pubs and drink (although I was 17 at the time, it wasn't too difficult to get served unlike today and the nanny state our young is being brought up in).

It was the first one where I realised the enormity of the event, and this coupled with the amazing arenas, the times of the games, even Pavarotti, all led to it being the one most etched in my mind. I set a mission to complete all of the remaining grounds, I am over the half way mark and Genoa is the next target.

 

[Jackareme]

Absolutel My Aunty and Uncle and cousins lived near Toronto and they had really cold winters and really warm summers. They had the textbook definition of true seasons.

I live in Windsor ON - a 4 hour drive south of Toronto. Today we have had 5 inches of snow and temperatures ranging from day time highs of -2 to -10.
In the summer we can get weeks of 35 degrees and humidity throught the roof because of the great lakes. In short it can be uncomfortable both ways!
Every year four seasons - and about 10% of the Welsh rainfall

 

[Menston4128]

It was the first one where I realised the enormity of the event, and this coupled with the amazing arenas, the times of the games, even Pavarotti, all led to it being the one most etched in my mind. I set a mission to complete all of the remaining grounds, I am over the half way mark and Genoa is the next target.

I went to Verona's ground a few years back. Was very disappointed just a crappy concrete bowl.

I suppose full it could generate a decent atmosphere, however it was not even a 1/4 full gor a Serie A match which showed it in its full dilapidated glory.

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

Imo your first World Cup is always the one that means the most, so for that reason it has to be Italia '90 for me. The tournament that got me into football full stop.

Cameroon.
Baggio's wonder goal.
Rijkaard's flob.
Schillaci winning the golden boot out of nowhere.
Ireland's run.
Waddle blazing over the bar.

Great memories.

(Whilst acknowledging it was a low scoring tournament, with several boring and cynical games)

 

[Cooperman]

I went to Verona's ground a few years back. Was very disappointed just a crappy concrete bowl.

I suppose full it could generate a decent atmosphere, however it was not even a 1/4 full gor a Serie A match which showed it in its full dilapidated glory.

I saw them at a Serie B game in 2019, probably a third full. Also saw a Bari game in the same year, they were in Serie C and there was about 3,000 inside a 55k capacity stadium. An incredible sight. Bari was also in a huge state of disrepair.

 

[Menston4128]

Imo your first World Cup is always the one that means the most, so for that reason it has to be Italia '90 for me. The tournament that got me into football full stop.

Cameroon.
Baggio's wonder goal.
Rijkaard's flob.
Schillaci winning the golden boot out of nowhere.
Ireland's run.
Waddle blazing over the bar.

Great memories.

(Whilst acknowledging it was a low scoring tournament, with several boring and cynical games)

Spain 82 was my first World Cup and it was great, but I was only 9 and just getting into football (had just 1 year earlier chosen Swansea as my team), whereas 4 years later in 86 I was playing football every week and had much more understanding of the game and England (sorry that's my nation) were better and the game gainst Argentina was brilliant (even if Maradonna cheated).

Also in 86 Maradonna was at his peak and for me is the best player ever.

But 1990 was the best for me partly because I was able to watch football in the pub environment for the first time and England (espically Gazza, best player I have ever seen live) had a great tournement with late winners, a great game against Cameroon and just falling short against the Germans.

 

[Cooperman]

I live in Windsor ON - a 4 hour drive south of Toronto. Today we have had 5 inches of snow and temperatures ranging from day time highs of -2 to -10.
In the summer we can get weeks of 35 degrees and humidity throught the roof because of the great lakes. In short it can be uncomfortable both ways!
Every year four seasons - and about 10% of the Welsh rainfall

For a long time it was a desire of mine to live in an environment with four seasons. I once passed up a foreign assignment in Michigan and regularly kick myself that we never took it up. Visiting Detroit regularly never delivered what living in Michigan could have. When it comes to climate, I am as comfortable in snow and ice as I am in heat.

 

[Dr. Winston]

Can vaguely remember Mexico '86 with that shadow in the centre circle of the Azteca, but Italia '90 was my first WC and I was captivated by it, although I will echo ANH's comments about that probably being mostly nostalgia.

They've been kinda hit and miss since. USA '94 was pretty dull, I enjoyed the next three in France, Japan/S Korea and Germany. South Africa wasn't a great tournament and if I never hear a Vuvuzela again it'll be too soon. Brazil was so-so, I kinda enjoyed Russia and the Qatar edition was entertaining even if it should never have been there in the first place.