Footcall 2022 Reportshttps://www.footcall.co.uk/index.phpFootcall 2022 ReportsenenDavid Jenner© Footcall 20222026-06-15T13:20:11+01:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:20:30 +0100<h1>Germans Shaken But Not Stirred by Curacao</h1>David Jenner2026 Reports2026-06-15T13:20:11+01:00https://www.footcall.co.uk/history/2026/reports-2026/index.html#unique-entry-id-127https://www.footcall.co.uk/history/2026/reports-2026/index.html#unique-entry-id-127

Day 4 in the Footcall House...

Germany 7 v 1 Curacao

Germany didn’t wait around to break the ice. Just six minutes in, Felix Nmecha received a crisp pass from Florian Wirtz and curled a beautiful effort into the far corner. It was a goal so smooth, it went down like a top shelf drink that hardly anyone orders.

But just when you thought Germany would walk it, the Caribbean side decided to mix things up. In the 21st minute Livano Comenencia found a pocket of space and hit a deflected screaming shot past a old man Manuel Neuer. The Blue Wave fans went absolutely wild, celebrating their nation's first ever World Cup goal. For a brief moment, Germany looked shocked and we were all wondering how this was going to play out.

Nico Schlotterbeck quickly restored order by heading home unmarked from a corner in the 38th minute. To make matters worse right before the break, Riechedly Bazoer gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Kai “have a go” Havertz stepped up rolled in the penalty to make it 3-1 going into the break.

If the first half was a refreshing appetiser, the second half was a complete German feast. Just seconds after the restart, Joshua Kimmich threaded a pass to Jamal Musiala who slotted it home.

Curacao simply couldn't find an antidote for the German pressure. Nathaniel Brown joined the party in the 68th minute, capping off his World Cup debut with a beautifully struck volley. Then came the substitutes to twist the knife further as Deniz Undav came off the bench and immediately made a splash, hammering in Germany's sixth from close range.

To put the final garnish on a spectacular evening, Havertz completed his brace in the 88th minute storming through traffic to make it seven. It was a performance that tied Germany's record for the most goals they've ever scored in a single World Cup match.

Curacao, the smallest nation to ever grace the tournament (about the size of the Isle of Man), will have to shake off this hangover quickly as they look to brew up something better against Ecuador next. Germany, meanwhile, looks like they are fully intoxicated by the prospect of another golden trophy.

Netherlands 2 v 2 Japan

This Footcall judge certainly gave this goalless first half nil points. There were chances at both ends but this had nil nil stamped all over it.

That was until the second half began; what a contrast! The deadlock was broken from a Ryan Gravenberch floated a ball into the box and Virgil van Dijk guided his header in off the post to get the Dutch underway.

The Netherlands’ lead lasted barely seven minutes before Kubo showed off some neat footwork to feed Nakamura. The winger let fly from the edge of the box, and a cruel deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke sent the ball spinning past Verbruggen to even the scoresheet.

Back came the Dutch to take the lead again from the boot of Crysencio (don’t call me Jimmy) Summerville.

Just as we thought the Dutch were going to take the three points a late, whipped corner kick met the head of Palace midfielder Kamada. The ball deflected off his noggin and ricocheted toward the roof of the net. Verbruggen desperately clawed at the air, but he couldn't keep it out.

The stadium erupted as the entire Japanese bench emptied onto the pitch to celebrate a dramatic equaliser.

Ultimately, Koeman’s defensive gamble clogged up his team's momentum, and Japan's never-say-die attitude earned them a well-deserved share of the spoils.

Ivory Coast 1 v 0 Ecuador

A barn stormer of a match dominated by Ecuador with plenty of shots from ya boy, Yeboah and Alan Minda (wasn’t a British boxer back in the 70s?). Both players thumped the woodwork twice in almost the identical place. Astonishingly the first half finished without a goal but it had plenty of promise.

In the second half it was Cote d’Ivoire were the boys to strike the crossbar from the boot of Pepe whilst Ecuador played push me pull you with plenty of end-to-end encryption! But it was the Africans that sealed the deal in the 90th minute from a redirected shot by Diallo.

Ecuador who had the form going into this match will be hopping Amad with that result and they will need to bounceback for their next game against Curacao.

Sweden 5 v 1 Tunisia

A real goal-fest promised as Sweden raced ahead with two brilliant goals from Ayari and Isak. They have so much pace and look a real threat on the break.

Rekik managed to get Tunisia back in the match just before half time but they didn’t count on the Swedes switching on the after burners with a dominant second half performance.

Goals from Gyokeres, a moment of controversy by Svanberg and a second belter from Ayari saw the Scandinavians take the spoils with a very convincing victory; they really are ones to watch.

And so to the Footcall League...

Footcallers doing well today include, Richard Croft, lain Baker, James Rowland, Elizabeth Knott, Sean Ellis, Paul Foster, Sadie Colyer, Andy Green, Emma Wakefield, Andrew Brunt, Geoff Mason, Carolyn Burzlaff, Bethany McPeak, Harry Squires, Paul Wakefield, Michael O'Neill, Adam Botting, Adam Aspinall, Henry McKillop, Aaron Sutcliffe, Mark Daniels, Nick Wing, James Parker, Shaun Carroll, Slater Kingsley, Peter Smith, Ben Sibbick all scored red squares for the Dutch match.

Meanwhile James Smith, Mick Spicer, Rosie Franklin, Suzanne Bantel, Adam Jones, Peter Breitenbact, Graham Weaver, Dean Johnson, Kevin Appleton, Alice Brown, Matt Clark, Jade Amos all picked juicy little three pointers for the Ivory Coast victory.

Nobody guessed Sweden would win 5-1 but there were plenty of one pointers up and down the table.

Adam Nicholson has been joined at the top by Hall of Famer Appleton, let’s see who breaks free of the pack.

My player of the day must go to my good friend and fellow Footcaller, Neil Ytee White was the ONLY player to guess Germany to win 7-1. This is right up there as one of the best predictions we have ever had and a worthy entry into the Footcall Hall of Fame Predictions list...
https://www.footcall.co.uk/hall-of-fame/

Well played ol boy you have rocketed into 93rd place!

That’s it for today Footcallers!

David
]]><h1>Qatar-strophic for the Swiss</h1>David Jenner2026 Reports2026-06-14T18:54:20+01:00https://www.footcall.co.uk/history/2026/reports-2026/index.html#unique-entry-id-126https://www.footcall.co.uk/history/2026/reports-2026/index.html#unique-entry-id-126
Day 3 in the Footcall House...
Hot on the heels of last report we are back with some more words of wisdom.

Qatar 1 v 1 Switzerland
The Swiss got off to a tidy start, clocking into work with their usual precision. Their passing was smoother than melted bar of Milka chocolate and they soon found the breakthrough goal from the penalty spot after a shocking collision between the striker and advancing keeper. Embolo tucked it away from the spot leaving Qatar feeling the early pressure.

Whilst having the Lion bars possession, the Swiss really didn’t capitalise on their lead and their opponents gradually settled into the match. The second half was a real matter of neutral territory as Qatar kept snuffing out any advances.

As the clock ticked down, the Swiss were hanging on whilst Qatar pushed for an equaliser and their efforts were rewarded in the 94th minute goal from the head of The (Boualem) Khoukhi Monster!

At full-time, honours were even. Switzerland left feeling they had let victory cuckoo away while Qatar were happy to pocket a valuable point.

Brazil 1 v 1 Morocco
The Brazilians were the obvious hot favourites for this match despite their taliman Neymar on the bench. But it was the north Africans that were the ones to watch from the whistle with some slick passing and link up play. Brazil were second to the ball in almost every part of the field.

Ismael Saibari put the Moroccans ahead after dominate start with a deftly lobbed the ball over the advancing leaving keeper Alisson in Nowhereland!

This was the kick up the jacksy the south Americans needed and soon enough Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior draws Brazil level with a spectacular effort before half-time. Pick that out!

Despite being the game being there for the taking, the second half was as dull as wet afternoon in Rhyl with neither side seemed to hit the heights of the first 45. Both keepers were tested but kept their scoresheet level right up until the final whistle.

An honourable draw and Morocco had a lot to be proud of keeping their opponents quiet and Brazil will really have to lift their game if they want to be contenders for the trophy.

Haiti 0 v 1 Scotland
It’s been 28 years since the Scots had qualified for the World Cup Finals, some of you Footcallers weren’t even born. Their dramatic victory over Denmark in the qualifiers see them back on the big stage once again. Their opponents Haiti were a team of players that reside in a host of countries and the unrest in their home nation some of the players had never even set foot there.

Scotland started brightly enough with Mctominay and Gannon-Doak causing a few headaches in the Haitian defence. At the drinks break clearly Steve Clarke told his boys he wanted more direct play and in true Wimbledon ’88 style a long ball over the top a sumptuous touch by Che Adams set up an opportunity for Aston Villa’s John McGinn to send it goal bound. His shot took a slight deflection wrong footing the keeper and found the back of the net putting the Scots one nothing up!

In the second half the Scots worked tirelessly to preserve their advantage and despite Haiti having most of the possession the final whistle blew much to the glee of the tartan army.

Now Scotland face Morocco on Friday and victory will definitely see them through to the Knockouts.

Australia 2 v 0 Turkiye
Turkiye started by completely dominating the game with possession leaving the Aussies chasing shadows. Arda Guler and Ferdi Kadıoglu were cooking early, but they just couldn’t finish the moves.

In the 27th minute the Aussies hit Turkiye on the break as Paul Okon-Engstler lofted a gorgeous ball over the top and young Nestory Irankunda pounced on it out-pacing three defenders to drill a low strike into the bottom corner becoming Australia’s youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer. He immediately sprinted to the corner flag, throwing punches Tim Cahill-style proving he’s got the moves to back up the hype.

Vincenzo Montella’s men threw the kitchen sink at the green and gold in the second half hitting a ton of shots at goal. However they didn’t bank on the Aussie brick wall between the sticks named Patrick Beach. He pulled off eight massive saves proving that trying to beat him was no day at the beach.

Then in the 75th minute Colin Metcalfe intercepted a loose pass and he slotted it home from 25 yards out into the bottom right corner to double the Socceroos lead.

Turkiye weren’t without effort but ultimately failed to trouble to scoresheet as keeper Beach kept his nation in the race, time and again blocking any attempt on goal by the team in red. It’s only his third ever cap for Australia and now he can sew the Man of the Match badge on to it!

With three points in the bag the Socceroos are sitting pretty in Group D tied with the USA. Turkiye will need to re-group quickly before facing Paraguay otherwise their World Cup campaign might be cooked early!

And so to the Footcall League...
A handful of red square players for the Qatar Swiss result including... Lee Harris, Paul Martin, Mick Spicer, Dave Billington, Jill Fuller, Andrew Brunt, Jack Mason, Jason Macklin, Thomas Baus, Linet Leon, Martin Stobitzer. and Jack Kipling.

A surprising number of Footcallers had Morocco to draw one all with Brazil including... Ryan Tapper, Adam Nicholson, Scott Woolford, Sadie Colyer, Alex Tinsley, Iain Robertson, Ned Allfrey, Jonathan Hodgson, Ben Roberts, Stuart Battye, Alan Williams, Matt Green, Philip Vingoe, Kevin Appleton, Andrew Hodgson, Tim Amos, Shaun Carroll, Ian Gallagher, Ben Sibbick, Tom Fielding and Patrick Ferguson.

Adam Billington is leading the table with a 15 massive points but undoubtedly my player of the day must go to Christopher Pearce who was the ONLY player to guess Australia to win two nil. This result has propelled him into 186th place and what a shame he didn’t have his Joker on it!

Onwards to the next World Cup chapter.

David

]]><h1>USA 4 Over PAR</h1>David Jenner2026 Reports2026-06-13T03:53:00+01:00https://www.footcall.co.uk/history/2026/reports-2026/index.html#unique-entry-id-125https://www.footcall.co.uk/history/2026/reports-2026/index.html#unique-entry-id-125
Day 2 in the Footcall House...
After the Footcall tech boys worked all night we have finally got the brand new league table up and running so it’s all systems go. The crazy schedule of matches at all hours of the day and night will mean the Footcall reports will be delivered at some random times. You know me, I shall do my level best to keep you informed.

South Korea 2 v 1 Czechia
South Korea cooked up a spicy 2-1 victory over Czechia in their World Cup opener. The Taegeuk Warriors started brightly pushing forward with confidence and peppering the Czech defence and their early pressure paid off when a slick move ended with the Koreans grabbing the opener sending their fans into a state of delirium.

Their opponents however, weren’t ready to Czech out just yet. They battled back and found an equaliser that briefly levelled the field. For a while it looked like both sides might have to settle for a point but South Korea had other plans.

With the game entering its final stages the Koreans found another gear and a flowing attack sliced through the Czech back line like a hot knife through dumplings and the winning goal sparked scenes of pure Seoul-ebration.

The Czech defenders spent much of the game trying to keep things tight but South Korea’s pace proved decisive. The result leaves Korea on top form and Czechia searching for answers before their next Group A assignment.

Canada 1 v 1 Bosnia
The Canadians started brightly enough skating across the pitch with plenty of energy. For a while it seemed like Canada might be heading for a result as comfortable as a moose lounging in a lake.

But Bosnia weren’t about to roll over and accept defeat. They gradually found their rhythm passing with real purpose and causing increasing problems for the Canadian defence. Their persistence paid off when they grabbed an equaliser with a moment of Larin-delight-us that left the match perfectly balanced.

The second half became an end-to-end affair as Canada pushed forward looking for a winner and Bosnia kept threatening on the counter and nearly stole all three points.

As the final whistle blew, both sides were left wondering what might have been but the draw keeps Group B nicely simmering.

USA 4 v 1 Paraguay
From the opening whistle, the Americans were bossing the match better than Spruce Bringsteen. They attacked with such enthusiasm that Paraguay’s defence looked like it needed a constitutional amendment. An unlucky touch from a Paraguayan defender Bobadilla put it in his own net. With all Baloguns blazing, the second larin of the day, Fo-larin, put the Yanks two up and then incredibly three up with moments of magic landing faster than a drive-thru burger order.

Paraguay briefly found a route back into the contest with a goal that gave their fans a little glimmer of hope. However, Christian Pulisic marshalled the Americans and they soon put their foot on the gas and turned the game into a Yankee doodle dandy of an attacking display which added a fourth goal to their tally.

The United States declared football independence from Paraguay with a star-spangled 4-1 victory that left Group D seeing stars and stripes everywhere.

And so to the Footcall League...
We now have a brand new look league table with brighter more prominent red (not pink) squares and also the introduction of the new golden squares. These are awarded to those that played their Footcall Joker and had their points doubled for that respective match.

No six pointers today sadly but Adam Nicholson, Mick Spicer, Rachel Rowland, Rosie Franklin, Robert Skyrme, Sadie Colyer, Andrew Brunt, Harry Whitehouse, David Foster, David Ginger, Alex Tinsley, Adam Billington, Chris and Nick Kotsonis, Matt Clark, Emma Wakefield, Jonathan Hodgson, Neil Jefferis, Tom Brudenell, Jamie Marshall & lan Pope, Philip Vingoe, Dave Herbert, Kevin Appleton, Linet Leon, Terence Tettey, Aaron Sutcliffe, Mark Daniels, Sean Fossey, Toby Silk, Nick Wing, Charlotte Briscall, Shaun Carroll, Chris Maker all claimed red squares for the Korean victory.

Meanwhile the Canada Bosnia draw awarded Dan Schroeck, Nick Wyatt, James Ellis, Ellis Parsons, Adam Nicholson, Scott Woolford, Manoj Gupta, Toyah Wood, Harry Field, Richard Goodwin, Elizabeth Knott, Charlie Goodwin, Ami Hale, Mick Spicer, Andrew Brunt, Paul Foster, James Ridley, Jonathan Rowland, Alex Tinsley, Adam Billington, Guy Young, Hélène Wilkinson, Nigel Mirza, Darren Cook, Jack Goodwin, Sid Sollis, Sophie O'Connor, Jack Mason, Carolyn Burzlaff, Colin Jessop, Ross Wood, Alison Maddigan, Lewis Alderman, James Ridley, Alfie Banks, Danny Cook, Dugald McArthur, Mark Brown, Andrew Hodgson, Adam Botting, Mark Fossey, Lee Albrecht, Dugald McArthur, Craig Amos, Richard Croft, Stephen Bingham, Andy Booth all with three lovely points.

But undoubtedly my player of the day must go to Kathryn Rowland who was the ONLY player to guess the USA to win 4-1. Well played Kathryn that could be one of the best predictions of the whole tournament!

Before you know it you will have another report on your mat.

David

]]><h1>Day 1 - Goals 2 - Red Cards 3</h1>David Jenner2026 Reports2026-06-12T02:37:18+01:00https://www.footcall.co.uk/history/2026/reports-2026/index.html#unique-entry-id-124https://www.footcall.co.uk/history/2026/reports-2026/index.html#unique-entry-id-124
Day 1 in the Footcall House...
Here we go again with the 15th edition of our little competition ready to ride the Footcall train once again. After a slower start than my old Vauxhall Viva on a January morning we hit top gear with a terrific turnout. The final tally is still to be counted as we deal with some technical difficulties which is quite customary for day one of most Footcalls. It’s been a long day at Footcall HQ as I chase all the naughty latecomers but as soon as we have done a proper head count later today you will be the first to know.

Once again let me give a big shout out to all the hardcore Footcallers who suffer more glutton for punishment than me at times, you guys are the bread and butter of this event and I am eternally grateful. For all the newcomers to our little show you are in for a right royal treat and I shall do my level best to keep you informed with the capers on the field and backstage in the Footcall changing rooms (properly segregated of course!) Be prepared for some top level bantz and an emotional rollercoaster ride that’s more that Thorpe Park’s Hyperia! Just when you think you’re riding high in the Footcall league this game has an uncanny knack of pulling you back down. If you are one those people who specialise in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory you’ve come to right place; Footcall is a safe place where you can wallow in the misery of being ranked lower a Liz Truss popularity poll.

When I think back to 2024 you only have to ask Jo Mackenzie about Footcall heartbreak as she would have topped the table had England lifted the trophy. With all her eggs in the one Footcall basket saw her tragically drop right out of the money bracket, but hey Jo, at least you got an anecdote out of it!

Meanwhile the Spanish victory saw Chris Sampson hang on to the top spot and claim his second Footcall trophy and put him in an elite bracket alongside Mick Mallion as a multiple winner. Once again Kevin Appleton proved he really is the Footcall GOAT as he bagged a few more points to add to his Hall of Fame tally, let’s see how he gets on this time round. I’ve heard a rumour he’s planning on running a Footcall Training Academy in a remote secret location in the south of France... sign me up Kev!

Your contributions to the Footcall arena are most welcome and we have a lively Facebook page and WhatsApp Group. If you have any comments about the action on the field or the league table we’d love to hear it but keep it clean and respectful as we have impressionable youngsters and naive old folk alike so play fair people.

Let me start by commending (most of) you on your inspirational team names, special shout outs go to all you dedicated individuals who thought long and hard about the punniest and most witty name you could muster, my hat is well and truly doffed! As for all you lot who picked one from an online search of “funny World Cup 2026 team names” it really must have taken it out of you!

Don’t forget after the Group Stages I will be asking you to vote for your favourite team name – I know for some of you this is the highlight of the tournament. For those of you who are interested I have compiled a list of all the former winners of the FTN Award on the Hall of Fame page.

So that's enough chit chat from me, let's get this show on the road and may I wish you every success for your Footcall 2026 campaign!

Mexico 2 v 0 South Africa
After the obligatory opening ceremony which had all the flair of an episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Shakira showed us that those hips still don’t lie and Burna Boy really set the place alight... at times it was like Speedy Gonzalez meets Santo Bugito!

After all that jazz was done and dusted it was time for the first World Cup 2026 match and this was to feature co-hosts Mexico taking on the mighty South Africans. A lively match up was in prospect and right from the off it didn’t disappoint. The Mexicans really dominated the midfield and had the Xoloitzcuintli’s (look it up) share of the ball.

The hosts struck early when Julian Quinones scored in the ninth minute, becoming the first goalscorer of the tournament. The packed Azteca crowd erupted, and Mexico never really looked back. Quinones was lively throughout, causing problems whenever he got on the ball and proving to be South Africa’s biggest headache.

South Africa battled hard but made life increasingly difficult for themselves. Just after half-time, Sphephelo "Yaya" Sithole (I had to type that very carefully I can tell you) was sent off for hauling down Brian Gutierrez when he was through on goal. Down to ten men, the visitors were suddenly facing an uphill climb that looked higher than Table Mountain.

Mexico took full advantage when veteran striker Raul Jimenez headed home Roberto Alvarado’s cross in the 67th minute. Ya boy Raul bobbed up at the far stick and nutted it in the net beyond the keeper’s outstretched arm. What a game he had, it was Jimenez’s first World Cup goal and effectively sealed the result.

Then the match took a twist as things then descended into card-giving madness. South Africa’s Themba Zwane received a red after a VAR review for striking an opponent, reducing his side to nine men. Not wanting to feel left out, Mexico defender Cesar Montes was also dismissed in stoppage time for a last-man foul. I’d not seen this many cards dished out since Brazil played USA in a women’s friendly match two days ago!

The final score read Mexico 2, South Africa 0, but the lasting memory may be a World Cup opener featuring more red cards than goals. Football had officially returned and Footcall has officially arrived with plenty of drama.

And so to the Footcall League...
One game done and we have our first league table, hoorah!

A whopping 14 of you played your Joker on the opening match with a two nil victory to Mexico and are collectively topping the table like a Tour de France peloton. We have a slight glitch in the table as James and Brett appear to be erroneously up the top despite not bagging a full six points. I shall get tech support on this later today and get it fixed don’t you worry.

Let’s give mention to Lee Albrecht, Carl Andrews, James Rowland and Tom Morley who all claimed a perfect 6 pointer in the new Footcall 2026 feature. Well lookie here, if it isn’t dear ol Kev Appleton up the top of the table yet again! Plenty more players scored sixes and I shall do my best to mention you all at other times if you have any other success.

Two Nil was a popular prediction as a shed load of you picked up three pointers and you will still have your Joker to come.

I would like to give the first Footcall Player of the Day (FPOTD) award to Mick Spicer who had not one but both of his times up top with Joker Sixes, he must be cock-a-hoop with that result. Thank god South Africa didn’t score eh Mick?

Stay tuned for more fun and frolics in day two as I have the arduous task of compiling the mini divisions for us all.

Good luck everyone!

David

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