World Cup 2026

[dom]

It's a pity that confusion between ethnic origin and national identity is part of the list

[Slim]

Pity Paraguay couldn't beat Africa.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/mariano-rajoy-racism-france-vs-spain-world-cup-b3013873.html

That's not racist in the slightest, it's just an acknowledgement of the reality.

[dom]

Best paragraph in the article

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, without naming his predecessor, posted on X on Sunday: "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing soccer. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses. France, we'll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose."

[pxr5]

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[Slim]

Best paragraph in the article

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, without naming his predecessor, posted on X on Sunday: "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing soccer. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses. France, we'll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose."

Just nonsense. Playing the "racism!" card is the surest way of demonstrating that he has no argument.

The truth - as you must know - is that the French people are being represented at the World Cup in name alone. There is no way for a French side to win, and if the French flag side were to prevail in a final, that would only underline the sorry fact that football has been taken away from them by immigration.

Funny how representation and inclusion are soooo important unless you're white, isn't it?

[Nickslikk2112]

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Probably will be!

Most of the boy's friends are Norwegian, most of them have never shown any interest in Soccer. They're now all treating the boy like shit

[dom]

This line of argument makes no sense. 

A key tenet of humanity is defined by movement.

Even if we just stick to football the best French player of the 1950s (where your nostalgic l perception of France seems to come from) was Raymond Kopa, his grandfather came to France from Poland to be a miner, his dad had the same profession.

Michel Platini the 70s/80s superstar was descended from Italian stock. Both considered themselves French. Not only did Platini captain France he also became their manager

I suppose the question is, when does someone become the nationality of their land of birth?  How many sets of parents need to have decided to stay in the same place to be able to qualify? Should only native Americans be able to play for the US or is there a more recent timescale you had in mind?

And how many millions of people are essentially without nationality as their forbears moved to another nation too recently

[dom]

Apparently for the first time ever, the best 4 ranked teams have reached the semi finals.

If this continues 1 Vs 2 would be an Argentina Spain final. Hopefully not

[Thenop]

Apparently for the first time ever, the best 4 ranked teams have reached the semi finals.

If this continues 1 Vs 2 would be an Argentina Spain final. Hopefully not

I agree, it's time France and England settle their differences at last.
Pity Sir Nicholas @Nickslikk2112 does not like football, he would agree with me for sure.

[Slim]

This line of argument makes no sense. 

It makes complete sense. There's more to your heritage, your culture, your (genuine) loyalty than a right to a passport or a place of birth. It's not only the French flag side who are affected by this; it's a nonsense for example to pretend that Bukayo Saka or Djed Spence are English. But the French flag side is defined by being nearly completely absent of French players. France's African immigrant community is being represented at the World Cup, France isn't.

[David L]

Will we feel sport has been 'enriched' when all national football sides are represented by teams composed entirely of players of African origin?
Will it be a cause for celebration when foreign travel becomes largely worthless?
We all know that our politicians are responsible for making this a reality but is it to be embraced without criticism?

[dom]

This line of argument makes no sense.

It makes complete sense. There's more to your heritage, your culture, your (genuine) loyalty than a right to a passport or a place of birth. It's not only the French flag side who are affected by this; it's a nonsense for example to pretend that Bukayo Saka or Djed Spence are English. But the French flag side is defined by being nearly completely absent of French players. France's African immigrant community is being represented at the World Cup, France isn't.

I had written a really long reply but I'm going to shorten it. I notice you ignored most of my last reply so I'll keep this one shortter

Who should the likes of Spence, Saka, Mbappe and Dembele play for if not the country that they consider home, that brought them up, educated and coached them?

[Nickslikk2112]

Apparently for the first time ever, the best 4 ranked teams have reached the semi finals.

If this continues 1 Vs 2 would be an Argentina Spain final. Hopefully not

I agree, it's time France and England settle their differences at last.
Pity Sir Nicholas @Nickslikk2112 does not like football, he would agree with me for sure.

I'd like them both to be disqualified LOL 

Anyway, it's just our Darkies v their Darkies... *Tourettes*

[Slim]

I had written a really long reply but I'm going to shorten it. I notice you ignored most of my last reply so I'll keep this one shorter

I didn't ignore it, I just replied to the salient point.

Who should the likes of Spence, Saka, Mbappe and Dembele play for if not the country that they consider home, that brought them up, educated and coached them?

Ask Wes Morgan. Born, brought up, educated and coached in England. Played for Jamaica.

[dom]

Probably because he wasn't good enough for England!

Seriously though, allegiances can vary—and one advantage of having a varied heritage is the choice it gives you, based on eligibility and personal preference. Jack Charlton used this brilliantly when he managed Ireland—Irish accents in his squad were at a premium. But just as Andy Townsend and Ray Houghton chose Ireland, Declan Rice, Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, and Jack Grealish chose England. That's how the system works: choice, not blood quantum.

And remember over 99 players at this World Cup were born in France. France isn't being 'replaced' in its own team. It's literally producing the world's talent.

The one thing I don't agree with in the system is that players can switch to a different nationality when they have played for another one at youth or u21 level - I don't think that should be allowed