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2026 FIFA World Cup megathread (12 Viewers)

Winner?

  • USA USA USA

    Votes: 7 21.2%

  • Brazil

    Votes: 3 9.1%

  • Argentina

    Votes: 1 3.0%

  • England

    Votes: 3 9.1%

  • Germany

    Votes: 3 9.1%

  • Spain

    Votes: 11 33.3%

  • France

    Votes: 3 9.1%

  • Uzbekistan/Show Results

    Votes: 2 6.1%
  • Total voters
    33
  • This poll will close: .
titusbramble

titusbramble

Footballguy
Yep we're getting close to when we will know who's going to be in the obscenely large because money BIGGEST AND BEST WORLD CUP EVER, with 48 countries descending on the continental US to watch Brazil or Argentina win because Euros can't travel.

WHEN?

June 11th to July 19th next year.

WHERE?

USA mostly, with some games also being played in Canada and Mexico. The latter two countries are primarily so the co-hosts can play at home in the group stages, but will host the occasional last 32/16 knockout tie.

WHY?
Sports betting late in to the night Euro time is fun. As is consumption of massive amounts of alcohol.

WHO?

Qualifiers still going on as of the creation of this post, some confederations are more advanced than others, but in at this stage are:

Asia (8) - Australia (count in Asia because reasons), Iran, Japan, Jordan (DEBUT!), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan (DEBUT!)
Africa (9) - Algeria, Cape Verde (DEBUT!), Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco. Senegal, South Afrida, Tunisia
North America (3+3) - Canada, Mexico, USA (all as hosts), Curacao (DEBUT!), Haiti, Panama
South America (6) - Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
Oceania (1) - New Zealand
Europe (16) - Austria, Belgium, Croatia. England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, 4 TBD
Intercontinental Royal Rumble Dumpster Fire (2) - 2 TBD

SCHEDULE ME LIKE I'M A FIVE YEAR OLD

OK then. No kickoff times have yet been determined. Draw will take place on December 5th. If using Euro date format irritates you, sue me

11/6 - Mexico v A2 (Mexico City), A3 v A4 (Zapopan)
12/6 - Canada v B2 (Toronto), B3 v B4 (Santa Clara), USA v D2 (Inglewood)
13/6 - 2x Group C (Foxboro, East Rutherford), D3 v D4 (Vancouver)
14/6 - 2x Group E (Philadelphia, Houston), 2x Group F (Arlington, Guadalupe)
15/6 - 2x Group G (Inglewood, Seattle), 2x Group H (Miami, Atlanta)
16/6 - 2x Group I (East Rutherford, Foxboro), 2x Group J (Kansas City, Santa Clara)
17/6 - 2x Group K (Houston, Mexico City), 2x Group L (Toronto, Arlington)
18/6 - A2 v A4 (Atlanta), Mexico v A3 (Zapopan), B2 v B4 (Inglewood), Canada v B3 (Vancouver)
19/6 - 2x Group C (Philadelphia, Foxboro), USA v D3 (Seattle), D2 v D4 (Santa Clara)
20/6 - 2x Group E (Toronto, Kansas City), 2x Group F (Houston, Guadalupe)
21/6 - 2x Group G (Inglewood, Vancouver), 2x Group H (Miami, Atlanta)
22/6 - 2x Group I (East Rutherford, Philadelphia), 2x Group J (Arlington, Santa Clara)
23/6 - 2x Group K (Houston, Zapopan), 2x Group L (Toronto, Foxboro)
24/6 - Mexico v A4 (Mexico City), A2 v A3 (Guadalupe), Canada v B4 (Vancouver), B2 v B3 (Seattle), 2x Group C (Atlanta, Miami)
25/6 - USA v D4 (Inglewood), D2 v D3 (Santa Clara), 2x Group E (Philadelphia, East Rutherford), 2x Group F (Arlington, Kansas City)
26/6 - 2x Group G (Seattle, Vancouver), 2x Group H (Houston, Zapopan), 2x Group I (Foxboro, Toronto)
27/6 - 2x Group J (Arlington, Kansas City), 2x Group K (Miami, Atlanta), 2x Group L (East Rutherford, Philadelphia)
28/6 - 1x Last 32 (Inglewood)
29/6 - 3x Last 32 (Foxboro, Guadelupe, Houston)
30/6 - 3x Last 32 (East Rutherford, Arlington, Mexico City)
1/7 - 3x Last 32 (Seattle, Atlanta, Santa Clara)
2/7 - 3x Last 32 (Vancouver, Toronto, Inglewood)
3/7 - 3x Last 32 (Kansas City, Arlington, Miami)
4/7 - 2x Last 16 (Philadelphia, Houston)
5/7 - 2x Last 16 (East Rutherford, Mexico City)
6/7 - 2x Last 16 (Seattle, Arlington)
7/7 - 2x Last 16 (Atlanta, Vancouver)
8/7 - DESIGNATED LIVER REST DAY
9/7 - 1x QF (Foxboro)
10 / - 1x QF (Inglewood)
11/7 - 2x QF (Miami, Kansas City)
12/7 - DESIGNATED LIVER REST DAY
13/7 - DESIGNATED LIVER REST DAY
14/7 - 1x SF (Arlington)
15/7 - 1x SF (Atlanta)
16/7 - DESIGNATED LIVER REST DAY
17/7 - DESIGNATED LIVER REST DAY
18/7 - Second Best Loser Playoff (Miami)
19/7 - SOCCER BOWL XXIII (East Rutherford)
 
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Current outstanding qualification status as of mid November: Europe are drawing the twelve second place teams plus four teams through the Nations League into straight playoffs for their last for spots. IC rumble participants have six teams playing for two spots. All first games are March 26, all second games are March 31, all are straight one legged knockouts. Euro games are listed in homefield advantage order, IC games are at neutral Mexican venues

Europe path A - Wales v Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy v Northern Ireland
Europe path B - Ukraine v Sweden, Poland v Albania
Europe path C - Slovakia v Kosovo, Turkey v Romania
Europe path D - Czechia v Ireland, Denmark v North Macedonia
IC cluster**** path A - New Caledonia v Jamaica, winner plays DR Congo
IC cluster**** path B - Bolivia v Suriname, winner plays Iraq
 
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The Poll is flawed. England won't win it. And where is the "FIFA Scripted Winner" option? After them granting Argentina the win last time, its obviously going to go to Portugal this time.


VIVA RONALDO
 
B Maverick said:
The Poll is flawed. England won't win it. And where is the "FIFA Scripted Winner" option? After them granting Argentina the win last time, its obviously going to go to Portugal this time.


VIVA RONALDO
Click to expand...

Scooby had an interesting conspiracy theory that Trump is threatening move the WC from blue states to get Infantino to create some FIFA dark magic that sees the US progress further than it should.
 
NewlyRetired said:
B Maverick said:
The Poll is flawed. England won't win it. And where is the "FIFA Scripted Winner" option? After them granting Argentina the win last time, its obviously going to go to Portugal this time.


VIVA RONALDO
Click to expand...

Scooby had an interesting conspiracy theory that Trump is threatening move the WC from blue states to get Infantino to create some FIFA dark magic that sees the US progress further than it should.
Click to expand...
Sorry but he isn't deep enough for that, its all just for political points and posturing.... But anyway too much politics :lmao:
 
The Z Machine said:
Nick Vermeil said:
I got my round of 16 tickets for July 5th in NJ. Scar from kidney removal healing nicely.
Click to expand...
You win the lottery or you pay VIP prices?
Click to expand...
I did the visa presale lottery, got a slot and bought mid tier tickets at vip prices which are probably going to be terrible. But I’m 53 and have never seen a live World Cup game so I’m making sure my boys get to see one while it’s easy, if expensive.

Now it’s fingers crossed on the matchup. At least it’s an elimination game.
 
Gonna try to get a game in Atlanta. Don't care who, just want to get some tickets for a game or two. Got shut out of the presale lottery.

Cheering for USA, Ecuador, and Cape Verde. Blue Sharks! :shark:
 
titusbramble said:
WHO?
Africa (9) - Algeria, Cape Verde (DEBUT!), Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Afrida, Tunisia
Click to expand...
You left out Morocco.
Moe. said:
Where @Mjolnirs with his qualification spreadsheet?
Click to expand...
Still here. No guarantee it is 100% correct.
Some numbers:
28 of 48 qualified.
209 countries began qualifying, with CONMEBOL starting the earliest on 9/7/2023, 123 countries have been eliminated. That leaves 58 still alive.

703 matches have been played, 183 draws.
2174 total goals scored.
(eta updated some formulas)

If there is a way to attach it, I will. But I don't think there is.
If you want to see it, send me a message and I can send it.
 
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DA RAIDERS said:
El Floppo said:
DA RAIDERS said:
Are tickets even on sale yet?
Click to expand...
They had a first round of tickets available to people who won a Visa lottery. Thats what Nick bought. The rest of us didnt win the lottery.
New lottery opens up on Monday.
Click to expand...
And it’s all a crap shoot as to what games you get?
Click to expand...
I think winning a lottery then gives you a time slot where you can then purchase games/packages of your choice, if available. There are multiple phases to the process and each phase offers slightly different choices. I believe phase 1 is complete and phase 2 is happening soon.
 
I have been playing around with the different draw simulators and one thing seems very clear. The chances for any team to end up in a group of death is extremely extremely low. You would need almost a perfect roll it to happen.

As the great Ace Rothstein once said “The probability on one four wheel machine is a million and a half to one. On three machines in a row it is in the billions. It cannot happen….would not happen, you ****in momo!”
 
7 months is a long time at his age but f he can maintain his current form he can absolutely be an impact sub next summer

=========

Messi: “I’m excited for the World Cup. But I don't want to be a burden, I want to feel good physically, be sure that I can help and contribute things to the group”.

“I will see day to day if I really feel good physically to be like I would like to be able to participate”.
 
Upcoming qualifiers and scenarios (all times UTC, eastern is UTC-5):

Thursday:
Europe group D - Azerbaijan 0-2 Iceland (1700), France 4-0 Ukraine (1945) - France qualify with a win, almost certainly qualify with a draw. Iceland must win to keep a playoff spot in their own hands
Europe group F - Armenia 0-1 Hungary (1700), Ireland 2-0 Portugal (1945) - Portugal qualify with a win, Hungary can lock up a playoff spot if both they and Portugal win
Europe group I - Norway 4-1 Estonia (1700), Moldova 0-2 Italy (1945) - It's a two way battle between Norway and Italy for the top 2 spots. if Italy drop points then Norway can qualify by beating their result
Europe group K - Andorra 0-1 Albania (1700), England 2-0 Serbia (1945) - England already have the group won and it's a race for second with Albania leading Serbia by a point, so Albania look good to clinch a playoff spot, and given remaining fixtures really need to do it today
Africa playoff round - Nigeria 4-1 Gabon (1600, aet), Cameroon 0-1 DR Congo (1900) - semi finals of the final African qualification stage. Straight one leg knockout ties, winners face off in a few days
North America group A - Suriname 4-0 El Salvador (2200) - Nothing can really be decided here but Suriname really need the win to keep the group lead going into the final day
North America group B - Bermuda 0-7 Curacao (2200. delayed it seems) - Bermuda have lost all four games and are already out so a good chance for Curacao to put the pressure on the other two group members
Asia playoff round - UAE 1-1 Iraq (1600) - First leg of two legged tie to stay alive in the process

Friday:
Europe group A - Luxembourg 0-2 Germany (1945), Slovakia 1-0 Northern Ireland (1945) - Northern Ireland trail Slovakia by three points, and are in a must not lose situation. Get something and with a final game against Luxembourg in a few days anything is on
Europe group G - Finland 0-1 Malta (1700), Poland 1-0 Netherlands (1945) - A point for the Netherlands looks like it'll lock up a spot. Poland look like they've got the playoff spot regardless, Finland can draw level with Poland if they win and the Netherlands do, but would have played all their fixtures with a worse goal difference
Europe group L - Croatia 3-1 Faroe Islands (1945), Gibraltar 1-2 Montenegro (1945) - Croatia clinch a spot with a point, and a win would also lock Czechia into second spot. Faroe Islands, in a sentence I never thought I'd say, will ask the question of Czechia if they do get something in Croatia but it seems extremely unlikely to matter
North America group A - Guatemala 2-3 Panama (0200) - Fairly big one with Panama leading Guatemala by a point in second, behind Suriname only on goal difference. Could be at can't lose stage for the hosts by the time this kicks off but three points would be massive for both
North America group B - Trinidad and Tobago 1-1 Jamaica (0000) - Jamaica are ahead of the hosts by four points, so a draw would secure at least second spot in the group, but a win would make the final day a lot easier. Unless Bermuda pulled off a shock earlier in which case a Jamaica win sees them qualify
North America group C - Haiti 1-0 Costa Rica (0000), Nicaragua 2-0 Honduras (0200) - Costa Rica can lock up second in the group, while Haiti really need a win to jump them in the table. Draw, and Honduras can clinch a spot if they win in struggling Nicaragua

Saturday:
Europe group B - Slovenia 0-2 Kosovo (1945), Switzerland 4-1 Sweden (1945) - The Swiss can more or less get there if they beat a shambles of a Sweden team, only needing to better Kosovo's result to qualify. Kosovo can secure second if they don't lose, Slovenia need three points to keep the race for second alive.
Europe group C - Denmark 2-2 Belarus (1945), Greece 3-2 Scotland (1945) - Top two are already decided here with Denmark and Scotland both level on 10 points with two to go, although Denmark have a vastly superior goal difference, which will likely improve if they thump a weak Belarus side as expected. Scotland just need to get something in Greece to keep things in their own hands
Europe group E - Georgia 0-4 Spain (1700), Turkey 2-0 Bulgaria (1700) - Spain clinch a spot if they better Turkey's result, although as both those teams have won every game apart from the meeting against each other, it's probably going to be still alive mathematically for both on the final day
Europe group H - Cyprus 0-2 Austria (1700), Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 Romania (1945) - Austria can clinch if Bosnia slip up and they win. Bosnia get a playoff at least if they beat Romania. Romania will be in a very good spot if they do get the away victory given the final games of the group
Europe group J - Kazakhstan 1-1 Belgium (1400), Liechtenstein 0-1 Wales (1700) - Belgium clinch with a win. Wales will draw level on points with North Macedonia in second if they win and really could do with running up the score here

Will add in Sunday onwards once the relevant penultimate games are played
 
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NewlyRetired said:
7 months is a long time at his age but f he can maintain his current form he can absolutely be an impact sub next summer

=========

Messi: “I’m excited for the World Cup. But I don't want to be a burden, I want to feel good physically, be sure that I can help and contribute things to the group”.

“I will see day to day if I really feel good physically to be like I would like to be able to participate”.
Click to expand...
Tbf, when he works, hes working all-in. When he works....
 
El Floppo said:
NewlyRetired said:
7 months is a long time at his age but f he can maintain his current form he can absolutely be an impact sub next summer

=========

Messi: “I’m excited for the World Cup. But I don't want to be a burden, I want to feel good physically, be sure that I can help and contribute things to the group”.

“I will see day to day if I really feel good physically to be like I would like to be able to participate”.
Click to expand...
Tbf, when he works, hes working all-in. When he works....
Click to expand...
he literally stands still on defense but he also did that for the entire 2022 WC. he still moves very well for his age. I think he and Ronaldo are both going to be at the WC next summer.
 
NewlyRetired said:
El Floppo said:
NewlyRetired said:
7 months is a long time at his age but f he can maintain his current form he can absolutely be an impact sub next summer

=========

Messi: “I’m excited for the World Cup. But I don't want to be a burden, I want to feel good physically, be sure that I can help and contribute things to the group”.

“I will see day to day if I really feel good physically to be like I would like to be able to participate”.
Click to expand...
Tbf, when he works, hes working all-in. When he works....
Click to expand...
he literally stands still on defense but he also did that for the entire 2022 WC. he still moves very well for his age. I think he and Ronaldo are both going to be at the WC next summer.
Click to expand...
I really, really, really hope so.
 
:blackdot:

I was going to plan a trip out to Kansas City to watch a game with my best friend, but the ticket prices (plus travel) just isn't gonna work for me, unfortunately.

Gonna of course be watching as much as I can.

Rooting for Denmark, but since they're more of an outlier and I'm German, too, I'll be following them closer since they'll have a good chance at taking home the hardware.
 
nirad3 said:
:blackdot:

I was going to plan a trip out to Kansas City to watch a game with my best friend, but the ticket prices (plus travel) just isn't gonna work for me, unfortunately.

Gonna of course be watching as much as I can.

Rooting for Denmark, but since they're more of an outlier and I'm German, too, I'll be following them closer since they'll have a good chance at taking home the hardware.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say Germnay has a good chance to win it. They are #7 per the oddsmakers, just behind Portugal and ahead of the Netherlands.

Also, tickets may come down in price for group stage games without big names. Would still be fun to watch Carmeroon - Sweden or something.
 
B Maverick said:
The Z Machine said:
Would still be fun to watch Cameroon - Sweden or something
Click to expand...
As someone who watched Cameroon v Sweden in 1994 I can say this was extremely fun.

And actually I would almost prefer to watch a WC match without the US playing in it.
Click to expand...
Was that at Stanford? I saw Cameroon and I saw Sweden... can't remember if I saw them play eachother.

and of course my much-repeated story of playing against a lot of that same Cameroon side (definitely N'Kono and Milla) several years earlier.
 
El Floppo said:
B Maverick said:
The Z Machine said:
Would still be fun to watch Cameroon - Sweden or something
Click to expand...
As someone who watched Cameroon v Sweden in 1994 I can say this was extremely fun.

And actually I would almost prefer to watch a WC match without the US playing in it.
Click to expand...
Was that at Stanford? I saw Cameroon and I saw Sweden... can't remember if I saw them play eachother.

and of course my much-repeated story of playing against a lot of that same Cameroon side (definitely N'Kono and Milla) several years earlier.
Click to expand...
Rose Bowl. The drums and the pockets of fans for each team signing made a great atmosphere.


I was also at the Escobar own goal game....
 
The Z Machine said:
nirad3 said:
:blackdot:

I was going to plan a trip out to Kansas City to watch a game with my best friend, but the ticket prices (plus travel) just isn't gonna work for me, unfortunately.

Gonna of course be watching as much as I can.

Rooting for Denmark, but since they're more of an outlier and I'm German, too, I'll be following them closer since they'll have a good chance at taking home the hardware.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say Germnay has a good chance to win it. They are #7 per the oddsmakers, just behind Portugal and ahead of the Netherlands.

Also, tickets may come down in price for group stage games without big names. Would still be fun to watch Carmeroon - Sweden or something.
Click to expand...
I'll take #7! Plus I guess I meant that the Germans probably have a better shot than Denmark (I'm mostly Danish and German, so...).

And yeah, I would have liked to go to ANY match. I will track pricing and see if I can maybe pull it off. I'd like to go to KC for the weekend for a game.
 
Ireland up 2-0 on Portugal - if this holds, Ireland and Hungary play for a playoff berth on the last day.

And Ronaldo red card!
 
Sunday games, all times UTC again:

Europe group D - Azerbaijan 1-3 France (1700), Ukraine 2-0 Iceland (1700) - Second half barrage from France tonight sealed a qualification spot so their game means nothing. Other game is a straight playoff for a playoff - Ukraine must win or go home.
Europe group F - Hungary 2-3 Ireland (1400), Portugal 9 (nine) -1 Armenia (1400) - This has become slightly more interesting than it should be thanks to thin Ronaldo being the man child that he is and getting himself sent off in a loss to Ireland, meaning that if they beat Hungary they get a playoff spot, Hungary get the same if they don't lose, Portugal will be absolutely qualified with a win and probably with a draw, but if Hungary smash Ireland it's not certain. And if they choke against Armenia, it's definitely not certain.
Europe group I - Israel 4-1 Moldova (1945), Italy 1-4 Norway (1945) - Italy keot things mathematically alive very, very late against Moldova, but it now just means they need to beat Norway by 9 goals to qualify. Make that 11 when we get the inevitable Haaland brace. Israel game is meaningless.
Europe group K - Albania 0-2 England (1945), Serbia 2-1 Latvia (1945) - England had the group won before today, and today's matches went as expected, so Albania are already second and this entire group is now a nothing burger.
Africa playoff - Nigeria 1-1(p) DR Congo (1900) - Both teams left it late to get through their semi finals, DR Congo needing a stoppage time winner in Cameroon while NIgeria needed extra time to pyt Gabon aside, it's winner takes all here.
 
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Some pivotal CONCACAF qualifying matches on Paramount+ tonight. None of the groups will be decided prior to the final matchday on Tuesday though.
 
Moe. said:
Some pivotal CONCACAF qualifying matches on Paramount+ tonight. None of the groups will be decided prior to the final matchday on Tuesday though.
Click to expand...
B/R Football


@brfootball


Curaçao only need a draw in Jamaica on Tuesday to become the smallest nation to ever play in the World Cup **** Advocaat’s side crushed Bermuda 7-0 while the Reggae Boyz conceded a late equalizer in Trinidad
 
Monday qualifiers:

Europe group A - Germany 6-0 Slovakia (1945), Northern Ireland 1-0 Luxembourg (1945) - Slovakia beating Northern Ireland earlier in the week renders the second game academic, and makes the former a straight playoff for a WC spot. Germany hold the tiebreaker if it finishes level.
Europe group G - Malta 2-3 Poland (1945), Netherlands 4-0 Lithuania (1945) - This one is pretty much over, Netherlands lead Poland by three points with a big goal difference advantage, so just need to not do anything really, really stupid at home to the bottom team. Poland have the playoff spot in the bank as a consolation.
Europe group I - Czechia 6-0 Gibraltar (1945), Montenegro 2-3 Croatia (1945) - Not a lot going on here. Croatia booked their spot in the previous game, their win also ensuring Czechia can't finish below second.
 
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