World Cup 2026

[1500 Dollars a Day]

That’s not what I said.

[Imaq]

Hungary were a tough team that tournament, were they not higher ranked than us back then as well?  We’ve shot up quite a few places recently but I’m sure back then they had a better spot.

I do feel there’s a bit of arrogance around teams like that because I don’t see us as someone who should just be expecting to turn over a team like Hungary, right now that’s always going to be a very hard game.  We should in the sense that our country revolves around football and so many kids are exposed (Begbie) to the nations number 1 sport so we should be a lot better but our team isn’t actually as good as some make out in comparison to other nations.  I get the idea folk think we’re on par with someone like Croatia or similar top 15 team, teams who aren’t quite the elite level but still very good but I feel we’re still way off that.

From what I seen of the US they have largely been considered a footballing backwater who don’t even like fitba and they would likely be comfortable against us.  We have been left behind and let doon by the SFA.

I'm not saying we should turn up and expect to turn over teams like Hungary and saying we didn't play well against Haiti isn't the same thing as expecting us to perform like Croatia

When we get to tournaments, there's a general attitude that getting there is the achievement and we're going to be up against it in every game, so should just be happy to be there. Hungary were a side on a similar level to us and we'd beaten better teams than them in qualifying. A loss to them could reasonably be seen as a disappointing result, just like they'd be disappointed to lose to us under those circumstances.

Similarly, last night was Scotland's first World Cup win in 36 years, it's fine to celebrate that in the moment, and there's no point in being so miserable about performances we forget to enjoy being there. That doesn't mean that, while dissecting it the next morning, ons wee Hertz cretin fora with about 25 active posters, we have to pretend it wasn't a poor performance in one of the vanishingly small number of games where we weren't the underdog. There's a huge gap between thinking we can turn up and roll teams over and thinking we should aim for better performances than one that had us hanging on to beat Haiti 1-0. Saying that isn't failing to enjoy the moment (although spending the World Cup in Leeds, posting, probably is tbf).

[Zizou]

We’re going into a World Cup with Grant Hanley as the starting centre half san, just enjoy the ride and plot our path to future success once it’s over.

We’re tap of the group ahead of Brazil and Morocco, drink it in

This is where I’m at. Just enjoy a win at the World Cup regardless of the performance. It was a brilliant night in the pubs last night, literally every cunt was up for it. We’ve missed out on this for 30 years

[Imaq]

This is where I’m at. Just enjoy a win at the World Cup regardless of the performance. It was a brilliant night in the pubs last night, literally every cunt was up for it. We’ve missed out on this for 30 years

I do get this part btw and part of why I'm feeling it less is probably being in England - to my knowledge two places in Leeds were showing the game last night and they were both ticket only and sold out. Will hopefully get out to see the Morocco game and might even get back to Scotland for Brazil

(but if we just refuse to press those teams, they'll punish us more than enough to dampen the atmosphere )

[Grooto Toure]

Why is it all over Twitter etc saying Haiti were unlucky, they were fucking dugmeat but our tactics sitting off them allowed them to play a wee bit

Morocco and Brazil are going to absolutely batter them

[1500 Dollars a Day]

I'm not saying we should turn up and expect to turn over teams like Hungary and saying we didn't play well against Haiti isn't the same thing as expecting us to perform like Croatia

When we get to tournaments, there's a general attitude that getting there is the achievement and we're going to be up against it in every game, so should just be happy to be there. Hungary were a side on a similar level to us and we'd beaten better teams than them in qualifying. A loss to them could reasonably be seen as a disappointing result, just like they'd be disappointed to lose to us under those circumstances.

Similarly, last night was Scotland's first World Cup win in 36 years, it's fine to celebrate that in the moment, and there's no point in being so miserable about performances we forget to enjoy being there. That doesn't mean that, while dissecting it the next morning, ons wee Hertz cretin fora with about 25 active posters, we have to pretend it wasn't a poor performance in one of the vanishingly small number of games where we weren't the underdog. There's a huge gap between thinking we can turn up and roll teams over and thinking we should aim for better performances than one that had us hanging on to beat Haiti 1-0. Saying that isn't failing to enjoy the moment (although spending the World Cup in Leeds, posting, probably is tbf).

I don’t mean only you specifically obv but there was an attitude that we were just going to turn up and roll Haiti over and I just never really seen that being the case, it was going to be a tough game. It wasn’t a great performance but feels like the great result is getting overshadowed by that a bit from some.

Every time we have reached tournaments we have been met with really tough games and I do think there’s this expectation we’re deserving to win because we’re a big footballing country but that doesn’t necessarily translate to the level we are at. I don’t think it’s the case we shite the bed every time we get into these games I think we overestimate the level of our standard and underestimate the level of others.

Happens in club level football as well with Europe

[Zizou]

I do get this part btw and part of why I'm feeling it less is probably being in England - to my knowledge two places in Leeds were showing the game last night and they were both ticket only and sold out. Will hopefully get out to see the Morocco game and might even get back to Scotland for Brazil

(but if we just refuse to press those teams, they'll punish us more than enough to dampen the atmosphere )

If you can get back up for a game you should mate. The vibes were brilliant last night. It’s all these day trippers who’ve never watched a game in their life but it was quality.

[Imaq]

I don’t mean only you specifically obv but there was an attitude that we were just going to turn up and roll Haiti over and I just never really seen that being the case, it was going to be a tough game. It wasn’t a great performance but feels like the great result is getting overshadowed by that a bit from some.

Every time we have reached tournaments we have been met with really tough games and I do think there’s this expectation we’re deserving to win because we’re a big footballing country but that doesn’t necessarily translate to the level we are at. I don’t think it’s the case we shite the bed every time we get into these games I think we overestimate the level of our standard and underestimate the level of others.

Happens in club level football as well with Europe

Sorry, but if we're describing Haiti as a 'really tough game', there's not an international side on earth we wouldn't say that about. I'm not saying we should've been expecting to knock four past them - a side with Grant Hanley in defence and Che Adams up front can't expect to do that to anyone - but we can't just dismiss every poor performance on the basis that every team we play is brilliant. Haiti was as close to an 'easy" game as you could expect in the World Cup, and ultimately we got the result we needed, but we spent most of the game making them look good.

You're saying that people overestimate Scotland's capabilities, but I'd argue the dominant tendency is to underestimate them. It's one thing to recognise that we're a minnow in international football and another to just pretend Hungary are unstoppable titans we should just be happy to be sharing the pitch with and Haiti are a side we weren't favourites against.

If you can get back up for a game you should mate. The vibes were brilliant last night. It’s all these day trippers who’ve never watched a game in their life but it was quality.

I was getting videos in group chats of everyone spilling out of the pubs at half 4, in daylight, on packed streets. Looked brilliant and I'm sure that if I'd been in that environment it'd be a lot easier to just focus on enjoying the party.

[1500 Dollars a Day]

There’s no easy games for Scotland in the World Cup (and probs the Euros as well tbf)

Qatar was an “easy” game for Switzerland and look what happened there. Turkey were heavy favourites against Australia and they got papped 2-0. You take your wins in these tournaments because none of them are going to be straightforward - maybe if you’re a team like Spain/France or something.

[Zizou]

Haiti were terrible tbh. We should have e beat them comfortably but it’s not in Clarkes nature. I actually feel more comfortable against Brazil. Morocco will pump us.

[Imaq]

There’s no easy games for Scotland in the World Cup (and probs the Euros as well tbf)

Okay. In our next two games we are playing Morocco and Brazil. Every game is a challenge, but do you think there's a meaningful difference between playing those teams and playing Haiti? And might it be reasonable to expect a better performance in one of the three games?

[1500 Dollars a Day]

I think we’re just going to go round in circles here where I am glad we won and don’t really care if it was laboured and you think the performance should’ve been better

[Zizou]

Holland Japan tonight will be the first good game. Could be a belter

[Imaq]

I think we’re just going to go round in circles here where I am glad we won and don’t really care if it was laboured and you think the performance should’ve been better

I demand we continue this forever. Everyone is really enjoying reading it

[Zizou]

Are we all happy with 5 seconds for a throw in? i think thats a great addition to the game. It's where teams waste the most time.

[1500 Dollars a Day]

I demand we continue this forever. Everyone is really enjoying reading it

I’m happy to continue

[Konnichiwa You Cunt]

I think we’re just going to go round in circles here where I am glad we won and don’t really care if it was laboured and you think the performance should’ve been better

Winning a World Cup game is a great moment, no disputing that but the point’s not really about the performance. They’re one of the worst teams in the tournament and the fact we only beat them 1-0 means we need to turn up and get a result against one of the top 10 ranked teams in our remaining games, or we’re going home.

[United Schtegs of America]

Are we all happy with 5 seconds for a throw in? i think thats a great addition to the game. It's where teams waste the most time.

I’ve liked the law changes thus far for sure. Think as long as you get special dispensation if you’re getting the big guys forward and launching it into the box it can only be a good thing.

[CritchSmile]

I’m quite concerned by Mak’s sudden interest in Hearts and football more generally. Can someone check in with him to make sure he’s doing ok.

[Edson Arantes 2Nascimento]

Are we all happy with 5 seconds for a throw in? i think thats a great addition to the game. It's where teams waste the most time.

See skipping ten seconds at a time watching it this morning, you really get a feel for how much time it takes once it goes for a byekick or a corner. Quick double tap and you're ready for it to be taken.

In a live setting it's good for building tension or saying 'watch this, we're shite from corners but I bet frankie Kent finally hits the target from this one' and all that but in terms of the ball being live it's not a great endorsement for a 90min sport.