Full story: unbeaten Lopetegui axed after Real Madrid dealWorld Cup 2026 vote: North America to host tournament!Send your thoughts to rob.smyth@theguardian.com 2.52pm BST At almost every World Cup in my football-watching lifetime, a big team has gone out in the first round: the Soviet Union in 1990, Colombia in 1994, Spain in 1998, France, Portugal and Argentina in 2002, the Czech Republic in 2006, France and Italy in 2010, Spain, Portugal and Italy in 2014. Who do you think it will be this year? I wouldn’t be shocked if it was Argentina. They have a slippery group: Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria. France’s group is not the easiest either – Australia, Peru and Denmark – and it’s not beyond the realms that England could go home too soon. Tunisia are a decent side. 2.39pm BST Saudi Arabia There’s another Spanish coach in Russia. Juan Antonio Pizzi, who played his part in another Spain World Cup shambles 20 years ago, is in charge of Saudi Arabia. They will meet Russia tomorrow in the opening match of the tournament. Related: Juan Antonio Pizzi goes on the attack with rebooted Saudi Arabia team Continue reading…
Via: Fernando Hierro to manage Spain at World Cup after Julen Lopetegui sacked – live!
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