The Football Lounge

This is FIFA overthinking the whole thing. The average US based viewer who isn’t a football/soccer fan won’t be won over by the “fan-centric pre match ceremony”. They will be won over by the electricity of the crowd. The excitement of the games themselves and the drama and stories of each nation’s quest for glory

Via @truenorthfoot . Bombito set to be replaced

Canada 🇨🇦 GK: Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami), Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman(Barnsley) DEF: Moïse Bombito (Nice), Derek Cornelius(Rangers), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Luc De Fougerolles (FCV Dender), Alistair Johnston(Celtic), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Richie Laryea(Toronto FC), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire) MID: Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choinière (LAFC), Stephen Eustáquio (LAFC), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Ismaël Koné (Sassuolo), Liam Millar (Hull City), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Nathan Saliba(Anderlecht), Jacob Shaffelburg (LAFC) FW: Jonathan David (Juventus), Promise David (Royale-Union Saint Gilloise), Cyle Larin(Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal) Manager: Jesse Marsch

World Cup Group B is as straightforward as it gets. Switzerland should likely top the group with Canada close behind. I could see the two teams potentially swapping positions but Canada would have to play near perfect football. Outside of the two mentioned Boznia Herzegovina could slip in at 2 if they are able to win against ether team. Qatar look to be on the outside of the knockouts but they could prove to be spoilers under the leadership of Julen Lopetegui. Here are the 26 man squads that will make up the group. #FIFA #WorldCup2026

Panama 🇵🇦 GK: Orlando Mosquera (Al Fayha), Luis Mejía (Nacional), César Samudio (Marathón) DEF: César Blackman (Slovan Bratislava), Jorge Gutiérrez (Deportivo La Guaira), Amir Murillo (Beşiktaş), Fidel Escobar (Saprissa), Andrés Andrade (LASK), Edgardo Fariña (Pari Nizhny Novgorod), José Córdoba (Norwich City), Éric Davis (Plaza Amador), Jiovany Ramos (Puerto Cabello), Roderick Miller (Turan Tovuz) MID: Aníbal Godoy (San Diego FC), Adalberto Carrasquilla (Pumas UNAM), Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United), Cristian Martínez (Ironi Kiryat Shmona), José Luis Rodríguez (Juárez), César Yanis (Cobresal), Yoel Bárcenas (Mazatlán), Alberto Quintero (Plaza Amador), Azarias Londoño (Universidad Católica) FW: Ismael Díaz (León), Cecilio Waterman (Universidad de Concepción), José Fajardo (Universidad Católica), Tomás Rodríguez (Saprissa) Manager: Thomas Christiansen

World Cup Group L is headlined by England and Croatia. England ever the favorite going into international tournaments is a perennial underachiever. Croatia however is becoming known as a bit of a heavy weight at the international level. They have finished 3rd (1998, 2022) and 2nd (2018). Ghana is the only real threat to ether team mentioned if looking at talent on paper but Panama will still pose a challenge as they likely will play a very physical game to wear opponents down looking to hit on counters. With that said here are the final 26 man squads that will make up the group. I hope you have enjoyed these series of posts and I look forward to the weeks ahead! #FIFA #WorldCup2026

Ghana 🇬🇭 GK: Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak SC), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Joseph Anang (St Patrick's Athletic) DEF: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK Salonika), Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (AJ Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennais), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (VfL Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos) MID: Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre), Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Étienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjælland), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City) FW: Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atalanta), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City) Manager: Carlos Queiroz

Croatia 🇭🇷 GK: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Kobenhavn), Ivor Pandur (Hull City) DEF: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg) MID: Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter Milan), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka) FW: Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg) Manager: Zlatko Dalic

England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City) DEF: Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United) MID: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal) FW: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Noni Madueke (Arsenal) Manager: Thomas Tuchel

Colombia 🇨🇴 GK: David Ospina (Atlético Nacional), Álvaro Montero (Vélez Sarsfield), Camilo Vargas (Atlas) DEF: Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Santiago Arias (Independiente), Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Johan Mojica (Mallorca), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Deiver Machado (Nantes) MID: Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo), Kevin Castaño (River Plate), Gustavo Puerta (Racing Santander), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), Juan Portilla (Athletico Paranaense), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Richard Ríos (Benfica), Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), James Rodríguez (Minnesota United), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central) FW: Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich), Jhon Córdoba (Krasnodar), Luis Suárez (Sporting CP), Andrés Gómez (Vasco da Gama), Cucho Hernández (Real Betis) Manager: Nestor Lorenzo

World Cup Group K will be a slugfest between Colombia and Portugal. These two teams are clear favorites to go through, barring an unforeseen upset by DR Congo or Uzbekistan. Both teams just mentioned are assumed to be guaranteed outsiders to the automatic knockout round spots but have the benefit of being unknowns at this level of football. Whether they can string together performances worthy of securing the second spot will be worth watching. Here are the 26-man squads that will make up the group. #FIFA #WorldCup2026

Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 GK: Utkir Yusupov (Navbahor), Botirali Ergashev (AGMK), Abduvokhid Nematov (Nasaf) DEF: Avazbek Ulmasaliev (AGMK), Jakhongir Urozov (Dinamo Samarqand), Rustamjon Ashurmatov (Esteghlal), Umarbek Eshmurodov (Nasaf), Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Abdulla Abdullaev (Dibba Al Fujairah), Farrukh Sayfiev (Neftchi), Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor), Sherzod Nasrullaev (Nasaf), Behruz Karimov (Surkhon) MID: Sherzod Esanov (Buxoro), Umarali Rakhmonaliev (Sabah), Akmal Mozgovoy (Pakhtakor), Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas), Jamshid Iskanderov (Neftchi), Azizjon Ganiev (Al Bataeh), Abbosek Fayzullaev (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jaloliddin Masharipov (Esteghlal), Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor), Oston Urunov (Persepolis) FW: Azizbek Amonov (Buxoro), Igor Sergeev (Persepolis), Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Basaksehir) Manager: Fabio Cannavaro

Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩 GK: Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre), Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege) DEF: Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Łódź), Dylan Batubinsika (AEL) MID: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier), Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor), Brian Cipenga (Castellón), Gaël Kakuta (AEL), Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow) FW: Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC), Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis) Manager: Sebastien Desabre

Portugal 🇵🇹 GK: Diogo Costa (Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Velho ( Gençlerbirliği) DEF: Rúben Dias (Manchester City), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomás Araújo (Benfica) MID: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG), João Neves (PSG), Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samú Costa (Mallorca) FW: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), João Félix (Al Nassr), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Francisco Trincão (Sporting Lisbon). Manager: Roberto Martinez

THANKS FOR STICKING AROUND, @nycosmos 🌧️ That's a _USLCup dub for your Hartford Athletic! 🟢 🔵 Presented by @lycoinc #HFDvsNYC #USLCup #PlayLoud

@ElGolGarracol Play him and other key players for 15 minutes and then yank them and put in the bench players

LUIS DÍAZ NO DEBERÍA JUGAR ANTE JORDANIA. Cuál es la necesidad de poner a jugar a Lucho un partido amistoso ante Jordania a días del Mundial. Al carajo los contratos de Jesurún por ponerlo a jugar y los patrocinadores que tengan sus intereses con la imagen de Lucho, pero con tanta mala vibra que hay, lo mejor es no exponer a Díaz a un partido que no tiene absolutamente relevancia de nada. Vean lo que le pasó a Enciso el día de ayer en su juego amistoso con Paraguay. No estamos para estar probando la suerte. CUIDEMOS A NUESTRO ÚNICO JUGADOR TOP, PORQUE CON UNA LESIÓN AHÍ SI QUE ESTAMOS JODIDOS. 🤦

Up the Green! #HartfordAtheletic

🚨⚫️🟢 Alberto Aquilani as new Sassuolo head coach, confirmed and here we go! Deal in place until June 2028 for former Catanzaro manager who replaces Fabio Grosso.

Tyler Adam’s is such a class act 👏 @tyler_adams14

To add I’m in favor of starting Turner over Freese. Freese has looked shaky for NYCFC whereas Turner has looked more like his old self. Ream of course will be starting. But my fear is that teams will make a point of exploiting him which means getting the pairing at CB is crucial. Especially if Richards is not 100%. I would play Trusty or McKenzie with Ream. Both have looked decent

Overall I’m happy with the performance. Outside two mistakes we played well and created some decent chances. Miles was definitely at fault in the first goal losing his mark. And Freese could have been less timid and come out for the ball. But not sure he would have been in a position to make a play when the ball arrived. I’m definitely feeling more optimistic than I was after the previous results.

@433 They won but I wouldn’t say they were impressive in the win. Average at best for their own high standards

𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐔𝐏 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 🇩🇪 They make it 𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗔 𝗥𝗢𝗪, thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Leroy Sané 💪 Antonee Robinson scores an absolute rocket for the home team, but it’s not enough 🥵🚀

@UTDMael Angel Di Maria

Guess the player 99% will fail Level= toughest