So. Only 4 more years to go, huh? Let's get talking. :D
(Maybe by then Batty will actually know enough about footy* to be able to make some proper comments/trolls)

*Only Americans use the word soccer

I refuse to call it what you losers call it.

The soccer 'hot potato' is an interesting topic of discussion.

It was southern English toffs who coined the phrase 'soccer' in the late 19th century to distinguish it from rugby football (or rugger as it is/was known). Soccer (association football) and rugger were the two codes of football. Use of the word soccer annoys some people, but it's hard to get wound up by it knowing it's origins.

It is a bit cringe however.

Another fact: we (Aston Villa) are the first team pictured on the Wikipedia page for soccer :)

We call it checkered ball leg netting where I live.

I call it football.

There are some TV shows in the UK that use the word 'soccer'.

And Americans think it's cringe to call soccer "football". We take handegg very seriously.

Calling it football is actually stupid though. Not even being cheeky or trying to annoy anyone. How often do you even kick the ball in AF?

Rugby football. Check and mate.

It's not though because it's called rugby as shorthand. It developed from football when someone picked up the ball and ran with it hence rugby football. It we called it football then you would have a point. But we don't, so you don't.

Probably the last World Cup related news update. The new FIFA World Rankings are out.

https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-rank...men/index.html

England #6
Wales #19
Northern Ireland #27
Republic of Ireland #29
Scotland #40

Germany drop 14 places to 15th. Argentina slip outside of the top 10 and Mexico have actually gone down a place despite their good performance this summer.

Had we not had such a bad Euros we could be top three, but I think it's safe to say that after years of underachieving and Wayne Rooney ruining our tournaments, we finally have our England back :)