Essential The Official Football (Soccer) Thread - The Slotification of Liverpool is nearly complete

[FakeNews]

FIFA invited President Donald Trump to address the World Cup 2026 draw Friday after he receives the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, per multiple sources briefed on the event’s planning. According to plans formulated in recent weeks, Trump will be given time to speak on stage during the almost two-hour event at the Kennedy Center in Washington as first reported by Politico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will also be present at the draw. The most attention, however, will be afforded to Trump, who has been given a couple of minutes to talk. The organization is unlikely to be overly stringent on limiting Trump.

The Athletic has reached out to FIFA for comment.

“The United States of America has never been more respected or successful than it is now under President Trump’s historic leadership,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said. “America is the hottest country in the world right now, which makes us the perfect country to host one of the greatest sporting events in history — the FIFA World Cup 2026.”

 

[SubZeroDegrees]

Arteta Football DNA:

The fact the last team to put three on Arsenal are playing in the third tier.

 

[WavyHair ChippedTeeth]

I'm betting a Wolves W on the 8th.

 

[Yippee Ki Yay]

World Cup draw is on tonight at 5 (BBC 2 for people in England)

Let's hope Tuchel gets an easy draw all the way to the final like Southgate used to get in every tournament

 

[DapMeUp!]

World Cup draw is on tonight at 5 (BBC 2 for people in England)

Let's hope Tuchel gets an easy draw all the way to the final like Southgate used to get in every tournament

I seen the top 4 seeds (Spain, Argentina, France, and England) all will be placed in separate halfs of the draws in the KO rounds so they can't meet until the Semis.

It's some BS, but there are still other good teams out there so it's not guaranteed they all make it, but I still think it should just be a free for all once it gets to the Knockouts.

 

[Kunty McPhuck]

Getting ever closer to Harold melting in the Americas summer heat because he keeps on dropping back to play QB and has gassed himself out looking like a bottle of ketchup after 20 mins.

 

[hashmander]

The fact the last team to put three on Arsenal are playing in the third tier.

declan rice in that hi-viz kit is how i remember that season.

 

[hashmander]

The No-Ball Peace Prize

 

[Instant Classic]

Late, but Merino's current form brings an interesting scenario where I feel you can't drop him until he comes down to earth. He's playing out of his mind and I feel his positioning and getting others involved is more valuable than Gyokeres wearing out defenders. Good problem to have imo, but if I'm Arteta I'm including Merino in our best XI until form drops

Sad about MLS this season because I feel he got affected due to being a young player that's not getting play time. I don't think it's like Ben White where you can have a long break without games and not miss a beat. I think Myles has regressed and it's mainly due to play time, but Calafiori can't be dropped. I'm starting to wonder if Arteta needs to use Myles in more of a utility role because he does have the skillset to play in the midfield but I don't think Arteta will use him there.

 

[RickyGQ]

Bruvs… I want Rodrygo. Some one get Arteta on the line…

 

[Instant Classic]

Bruvs… I want Rodrygo. Some one get Arteta on the line…

I don't think he's that good. He's mainly a big name and his production worries me. 0 G/A in 13 games in la liga is major red flag

 

[hashmander]

I don't think he's that good. He's mainly a big name and his production worries me. 0 G/A in 13 games in la liga is major red flag

never understood why people wanted to replace martinelli because he didn't score enough with players whose stats weren't even better than his. i even saw savinho make wishlists. i mean like damn martinelli frustrates the hell out of me but come on.

 

[hashmander]

 

[EA]

Late, but Merino's current form brings an interesting scenario where I feel you can't drop him until he comes down to earth. He's playing out of his mind and I feel his positioning and getting others involved is more valuable than Gyokeres wearing out defenders. Good problem to have imo, but if I'm Arteta I'm including Merino in our best XI until form drops

Sad about MLS this season because I feel he got affected due to being a young player that's not getting play time. I don't think it's like Ben White where you can have a long break without games and not miss a beat. I think Myles has regressed and it's mainly due to play time, but Calafiori can't be dropped. I'm starting to wonder if Arteta needs to use Myles in more of a utility role because he does have the skillset to play in the midfield but I don't think Arteta will use him there.

Arteta’s always said the long term plan is to play MLS in his natural position but Zubimendi is pretty much undroppable right now so MLS is going to have to wait until an injury again. At 18/19, there shouldn’t be this much urgency for him to get game time every week but he exceeded expectations last season so everyone wants him to get minutes.

 

[hashmander]

Arteta’s always said the long term plan is to play MLS in his natural position but Zubimendi is pretty much undroppable right now so MLS is going to have to wait until an injury again. At 18/19, there shouldn’t be this much urgency for him to get game time every week but he exceeded expectations last season so everyone wants him to get minutes.

he needs to use this time to work on his speed and endurance. bayern's lennart karl shouldn't be running away from you and gaining separation with each step. that's embarrassing.

time waits for no man, Arsenal are already looking to sign bouaddi.