What Taylor Twellman has said about 2026 FIFA World Cup

5 quotes · 1 episode · Jul 8, 2026

Taylor Twellman, Former U.S. men's national team striker and soccer broadcaster, has been quoted on 2026 FIFA World Cup 5 times in 1 episode of Pardon My Take, most recently on July 8, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.

In their words

Twellman described Lionel Messi as the most competitive player he has seen.
“I've never seen anyone more competitive like he is he's accomplished everything in his life”
Pardon My Take: Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Taylor Twellman Talking World Cup, USMNT Sucks At Soccer Again + Mt Rushmore of Aquatic Animals (Jul 8, 2026) · Listen from 2:25:19
Twellman said France develops players broadly and lets surplus talent play for other nations, a model he suggested the U.S. copy.
“And then they throw their fishing net out and see who wants to come. And then the other ones go play for other countries”
Pardon My Take: Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Taylor Twellman Talking World Cup, USMNT Sucks At Soccer Again + Mt Rushmore of Aquatic Animals (Jul 8, 2026) · Listen from 2:30:15
Didn’t happen
Twellman predicted a repeat World Cup final between France and Argentina.
“I think we're going to a repeat, guys. I do. I think it's France against Argentina”
Pardon My Take: Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Taylor Twellman Talking World Cup, USMNT Sucks At Soccer Again + Mt Rushmore of Aquatic Animals (Jul 8, 2026) · Listen from 2:31:17
Came true
Twellman predicted England would beat Norway in the quarterfinal, while warning Norway had momentum.
“My professional soccer opinion, I think England beats them. think they're a better team than norway overall”
Pardon My Take: Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Taylor Twellman Talking World Cup, USMNT Sucks At Soccer Again + Mt Rushmore of Aquatic Animals (Jul 8, 2026) · Listen from 2:34:35
Twellman argued Brazil has lost its aura since 2014 and now plays scared rather than beautiful football.
“They don't play beautiful anymore. No, they play scared”
Pardon My Take: Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Taylor Twellman Talking World Cup, USMNT Sucks At Soccer Again + Mt Rushmore of Aquatic Animals (Jul 8, 2026) · Listen from 2:32:44

Predictions

Didn’t happen
Twellman predicted a repeat World Cup final between France and Argentina.
“I think we're going to a repeat, guys. I do. I think it's France against Argentina”
Pardon My Take: Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Taylor Twellman Talking World Cup, USMNT Sucks At Soccer Again + Mt Rushmore of Aquatic Animals (Jul 8, 2026) · Listen from 2:31:17 · 2026 FIFA World Cup
Twellman predicted a repeat France vs. Argentina final, but Spain beat France 2-0 in the semifinal (July 14, 2026). Spain then beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the July 19, 2026 final at MetLife Stadium. Argentina reached the final, but the predicted matchup did not happen.
Sources: Spain is the 2026 World Cup champion, defeating Argentina for its 2nd title (NPR) · When Will France Play Next After Losing to Spain In the World Cup Semifinal? (Yahoo Sports) · France Eliminated from World Cup After Heartbreaking Semifinal Loss to Spain (Yahoo Sports)
Checked Oct 9, 2026
Came true
Twellman predicted England would beat Norway in the quarterfinal, while warning Norway had momentum.
“My professional soccer opinion, I think England beats them. think they're a better team than norway overall”
Pardon My Take: Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Taylor Twellman Talking World Cup, USMNT Sucks At Soccer Again + Mt Rushmore of Aquatic Animals (Jul 8, 2026) · Listen from 2:34:35 · 2026 FIFA World Cup
England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal on July 11, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. Jude Bellingham scored both England goals after Andreas Schjelderup had put Norway ahead. NPR and England's official match centre agree on the score, though their goal minutes differ slightly.
Sources: In a nailbiter, England moves on to the World Cup semifinals, defeating Norway 2-1 · Match Centre: Norway 1-2 England: FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final, Saturday 11 July 2026
Checked Oct 8, 2026

Episodes

Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Taylor Twellman Talking World Cup, USMNT Sucks At Soccer Again + Mt Rushmore of Aquatic Animals
Pardon My Take · Jul 8, 2026 · 2 h 50 min
Pardon My Take hosts lament the USMNT's World Cup loss to Belgium, interview Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, and discuss the World Cup with Taylor Twellman.

Others on 2026 FIFA World Cup

PFT Commenter · 13 quotes
Dan Katz · 4 quotes
Anthony Dabbundo · 4 quotes
Gary Lineker · 3 quotes
Peter Sagal · 3 quotes
Karen Kilgariff · 2 quotes
Tommy Vietor · 2 quotes
Tim Ream · 2 quotes

Taylor Twellman on other topics

United States men's national soccer team · 2 quotes
Penalty shoot-out · 1 quote
Offside (association football) · 1 quote