Jasper’s Sport Report – World Cup Edition

Hi everyone, it’s Jasper here. It’s been a while, sorry for a long break. I had my year 6 SATs then a residential and more! By the time it was over the Premier League and UCL were over! In National League news – Hornchurch won the play-off final!

The Urchins have been promoted to the National League. The highest they’ve ever been since their establishment in 1923. Loads of players have departed the club. Few have stayed including my Hornchurch player of the season, Angelo Balanta. Well done to the boys and hopefully they do well next season and I look forward to reporting on the team.

World Cup 2026

But today I’m here to talk about the World Cup. Here are the things you need to know.

Who is Hosting?

The World Cup is being hosted in three different countries: USA, Canada & Mexico. It is great for diversity, but not good for the players and the planet. The fans may struggle with the scheduling of the games as well.

The England games at least are at decent times, but Scotland have it bad with a 2am and a 3am game – although there is now a Bank Holiday in Scotland on 15 June so all workers and children can watch. The rest of the United Kingdom (Wales and Northern Ireland) didn’t qualify for this competition.

Outside of football: the entertainment

Music

There are many things to do outside of watching the beautiful game as well, including listening to the World Cup music. There are some class songs, and I will be rating them here.

We have “Lighter” by Jelly Roll which I rate 6.5/10 as well as “Dai Dai” (the official song) by Shakira and Burna Boy which I rate 10/10! Darren Watkins JR aka ‘IShowSpeed’ has also made a song for a second consecutive World Cup. It is called “World Cup (Champions)”. I would also rate it a 10/10 – a proper World Cup song!

Gaming

Outside of music and on to gaming now. FC26, has created a game mode called ‘The World’s Game’ (as they don’t have the official rights so can’t name it after the competition itself). It has every World Cup country in this mode, including the return of the World Cup ICON Brazil, so that means Neymar is back for One Last Dance. Every country has also released their kits, which you can now buy to represent your country. Don’t buy too many though – they have hefty price tags!

Who are the World Cup Favourites?

I wish I could say England were the favourites but unfortunately, they are not. Spain and France are set to lead the way, with Germany and Argentina also tipped to be more likely to win than The Three Lions.

Personally, I think Spain will win, they play as a team. The French Captain, Mbappe, has an ego which may hold France back! He will not make passes because he wants it to be his France, not Dembele’s (his team mate).

Have your say!

Jaspers View:

Winners – Spain: Most balanced squad and low ego’s.

Golden Boot Winner – Harry Kane: Harry Kane gets the Golden Boot in Europe this season, why not at the World Cup?

Golden Glove Winner – Jordan Pickford: This was the hardest one, if I went for someone like Raya he might be benched by Unai Simon. Pickford’s been consistent for years, he’s my pick. 

Player to Watch – Neymar: Everyone has written him off but we know the talent he possesses.

Dark Horses – Norway: Haaland has had a great season, The Manchester City forward and Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard aren’t their only good players anymore. They’ve moulded into a very good squad.

Underachievers – France: As I said Mbappe will hold them back. The other star players they have, like Bayern Munich’s Olise, wont mould with him.

Anyway, I’m going to wrap it up here – hopefully my predictions are right. Thanks for reading and please leave your predictions in the comments.   

Come on England!

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