B/R’s “Disappointing XI” for the 2026 World Cup is officially out, and trust me, some of these names are going to sting. For all the Cristiano Ronaldo faithful, get ready: he’s on the list. The tournament had its high-flyers, absolutely, but these are the guys who just couldn’t hit the mark, leaving fans scratching their heads.
Germany’s Goalie Nightmare and England’s Right-Back Puzzle
Manuel Neuer coming out of international retirement seemed like a massive boost for Germany. The 2014 champs needed his experience, his leadership, that insane sweeper-keeper talent that just commands the box. Or so we all thought. The 40-year-old’s tournament started rough, conceding to minnows Curacao after a soft hand saw a deflected ball fly right past him. Then he left the goal wide open for Cote D’Ivoire’s strike in Germany’s 2-1 win. And for the last group game? He was beaten to the ball by Gonzalo Plata as Ecuador snatched a famous victory. Yeah, he saved one of Paraguay’s penalties in their Round of 32 shootout defeat, but let’s be real, his imposing aura was totally gone. That Peter Schmeichel-styled frame just doesn’t intimidate like it used to. Neuer’s quality waned, and now Germany’s heading into a new era, transitioning from Julian Nagelsmann to Jurgen Klopp. Big changes coming, for sure.
Then you have Reece James for England. This one feels a bit harsh, but if we’re talking pure disappointment, his fitness issues totally derailed his tournament. He was limited to just 318 minutes out of a possible 720. That left England scrambling, plugging in a rotating cast of Djed Spence, Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and Jarrell Quansah at right-back. We just didn’t get to see those trademark deliveries into the box we all know he can produce. Those crosses could’ve been clutch against teams like Panama and DR Congo, who England struggled to break down. He didn’t play badly, no, but we absolutely didn’t get his best.
Gabriel’s Brazilian Blues and a Bitter Rivalry
Brazil’s Gabriel Magalhães has to be looking back with some serious regrets. At Arsenal, this guy’s a dominant physical presence, fitting perfectly into their structured defense. But for Brazil’s more chaotic approach? He struggled big time covering space. His positioning was poor for Ismael Saibari’s opening goal for Morocco in the group phase. Then he backed off Kaishū Sano against Japan in the knockout rounds. But the absolute lowlight? Norway knocking Brazil out, with Erling Haaland scoring. Look, the cross was too easy, and Brazil as a whole was a mess that game, but Gabriel’s decision to sink back on his heels as the ball came in, essentially giving Haaland an unopposed header? That was a critical error, at a crucial moment. He might have that Premier League title over his rival, but that individual matchup with Haaland isn’t looking too hot lately.
So, what does this “Disappointing XI” tell us about the World Cup? It’s a brutal reminder that even legends can stumble hard, and the biggest stage waits for no one. Germany’s already looking to a new chapter under Klopp, trying to rebuild after Neuer’s final, fading performance. Gabriel, despite his club triumphs, now carries the weight of that Haaland moment. It just goes to show you: expectations are a killer, and sometimes, even the biggest names just can’t deliver when it matters most.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply