2026 FIFA World Cup megathread (5 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

****, I guess we knew it was going to happen but the Athletic is reporting that Trump will get to speak during the draw after he gets awarded the prize he told FIFA to create and give to him.

Jesus what a disaster this might be.

 

[El Floppo]

****, I guess we knew it was going to happen but the Athletic is reporting that Trump will get to speak during the draw after he gets awarded the prize he told FIFA to create and give to him.

Jesus what a disaster this might be.

checking notes... no- Somalia didn't make the WC.

 

[Desert_Power]

Kevin Hart has his work cut out for him

https://x.com/stusfootyflash/status/1996836973882011961?s=61

Kevin Hart is someone you can always count on to do nothing that hurts his payday.

 

[ChiefD]

****, I guess we knew it was going to happen but the Athletic is reporting that Trump will get to speak during the draw after he gets awarded the prize he told FIFA to create and give to him.

Jesus what a disaster this might be.

Yeah, this makes me angry for so many reasons.

 

[Desert_Power]

****, I guess we knew it was going to happen but the Athletic is reporting that Trump will get to speak during the draw after he gets awarded the prize he told FIFA to create and give to him.

Jesus what a disaster this might be.

Yeah, this makes me angry for so many reasons.

It also makes me much less likely to get try for some tickets to this, so I guess that is a plus.

 

[Sammy3469]

The video accounts for the whole top 4 seeds not being able to meet in the semis thing.

Hope no noted guests fall asleep during this long procedure (TV time is scheduled for noon to 2pm Eastern so I dunno maybe the real stuff start around 1? Or not? I recommend putting it on with the sound off until you see actual buckets full of balls.
-QG

Okay, so check for the summary on ESPN after work. Got it.

ESPN's saying the actual draw starts at 12:45 for those that want to skip the early "festivities"

 

[zoobird]

Any suggestions what Pot 3 or Pot 4 teams would be fun to watch in NJ or Philly? Obviously Norway and Egypt because of their big stars, and also whoever comes out of the Europe playoffs, but who else? I'm looking for star power, good teams, or enthusiastic fan bases (either due to traveling fans or local supporters).

 

[Sammy3469]

I just read about the new "separate pathways" rule which is kind of a super-seeding mechanism that tries to ensure that none of the top 4 teams (Spain, England, France, Argentina) meet before the semi-finals. Apologies to @QuizGuy66 as I expect this was explained on a prior page.

FIFA also announced that, "in the interest of ensuring competitive balance", two separate pathways to the semifinals (sides of the knockout bracket) were established. Based on this, the teams ranked first (Spain) and second (Argentina) in the ranking will be randomly drawn into groups in opposite pathways, as will the teams ranked third (France) and fourth (England). Therefore, should these pairs of teams win their groups, they will be unable to meet until the final, while all four will be unable to meet until the semifinals.

The interesting part is that for this to work, all 4 teams have to win their groups.

Yeah all 4 have a quadrant which very initially wasn't 100% clear from FIFA.

The guy with the explainer video I did before made an updated version. It is very instructive in terms of understanding what the heck is going on and worth the watch. The scenario he shows would have a howler of a situation for one of the intercontinental playoff winners if it happens live. Anyway people gonna complain lol.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

-QG

The way they've set it up with the UEFA teams almost guarantees 2-3 group of deaths. One's almost guaranteed to be a Euro side from Pot 1 since there has to be one Group of 2 Euros and a CAF (after Pot 3) and then if a non-Euro from Pot 1 doesn't get one of the other 4 Euros (the 5th has to go to the Euro/CAF), they have to get a Euro from Pot 4. It's seems to be really bad for the hosts since it's 50-50 from getting a Euro from Pot 4 (can't get CUR, HTI, or the 2 FIFA playoff qualifiers).

 

[QuizGuy66]

Any suggestions what Pot 3 or Pot 4 teams would be fun to watch in NJ or Philly? Obviously Norway and Egypt because of their big stars, and also whoever comes out of the Europe playoffs, but who else? I'm looking for star power, good teams, or enthusiastic fan bases (either due to traveling fans or local supporters).

All of 'em. Every diaspora is here. I saw Saudi Arabia vs Morocco in '94 - basically two unheralded teams - and the atmosphere was fabulous (resisted the urge to swipe a fez from a Moroccan fan).

-QG

 

[foxco]

England baby!!

 

[Sammy3469]

Any suggestions what Pot 3 or Pot 4 teams would be fun to watch in NJ or Philly? Obviously Norway and Egypt because of their big stars, and also whoever comes out of the Europe playoffs, but who else? I'm looking for star power, good teams, or enthusiastic fan bases (either due to traveling fans or local supporters).

All of 'em. Every diaspora is here. I saw Saudi Arabia vs Morocco in '94 - basically two unheralded teams - and the atmosphere was fabulous (resisted the urge to swipe a fez from a Moroccan fan).

-QG

I'd probably stay away from Qatar and Curacao simply because their populations are so small, but all the other countries should travel. Every Croatian we know here is planning to follow them around (they're all actually hoping they get a group in Mexico since it'll be cheaper and all they really care about is watching Croatia...of course one of the guys has been to everyone since '98 and said Qatar was the best one for actually watching soccer).

 

[QuizGuy66]

Any suggestions what Pot 3 or Pot 4 teams would be fun to watch in NJ or Philly? Obviously Norway and Egypt because of their big stars, and also whoever comes out of the Europe playoffs, but who else? I'm looking for star power, good teams, or enthusiastic fan bases (either due to traveling fans or local supporters).

All of 'em. Every diaspora is here. I saw Saudi Arabia vs Morocco in '94 - basically two unheralded teams - and the atmosphere was fabulous (resisted the urge to swipe a fez from a Moroccan fan).

-QG

I'd probably stay away from Qatar and Curacao simply because their populations are so small, but all the other countries should travel. Every Croatian we know here is planning to follow them around (they're all actually hoping they get a group in Mexico since it'll be cheaper and all they really care about is watching Croatia...of course one of the guys has been to everyone since '98 and said Qatar was the best one for actually watching soccer).

Curacao would be hugely supported here both as an underdog and presumably from the Caribbean diaspora at large. Everyone loves an underdog.

-QG

 

[Sand]

Kevin Hart has his work cut out for him

https://x.com/stusfootyflash/status/1996836973882011961?s=61

Literally no one like him.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Will we know after the draw what teams are slotted for which cities?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Will we know after the draw what teams are slotted for which cities?

you will know during the draw. All the games are already slated for specific stadiums/cities. We just need to know who is playing in each game now.

The wiki shows where each game is scheduled to be played https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage

 

[Sammy3469]

Will we know after the draw what teams are slotted for which cities?

you will know during the draw. All the games are already slated for specific stadiums/cities. We just need to know who is playing in each game now.

The wiki shows where each game is scheduled to be played https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage

I think the only Group's you'll know during the draw are the three host groups. The rest they'll announce tomorrow after running through TV stuff.

 

[zoobird]

Will we know after the draw what teams are slotted for which cities?

you will know during the draw. All the games are already slated for specific stadiums/cities. We just need to know who is playing in each game now.

The wiki shows where each game is scheduled to be played https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage

I think the only Group's you'll know during the draw are the three host groups. The rest they'll announce tomorrow after running through TV stuff.

Pretty sure this is correct.

After the draw, you'll know which four teams might be in each match-up, but you won't know which two of those four are actually in each match-up till sometime tomorrow.

 

[Sand]

Nessun Dorma - awesome.

 

[QuizGuy66]

US groups of interested.

If we are 1st we get a 3rd place opponent.
329 times out of 465 we get Group B 3rd place (if the 3rd place teams in group B makes the knockout basically it is a mortal lock that we play that team 9.
39 times we get 3rd place from Group E
11 times we get 3rd place from Group F
52 times we get 3rd place from Group I
64 times we get 3rd place from Group J

If we are 2nd in the group we play the 2nd place team from Group F

If we are 3rd place:
We play 1st place from Group E 212 out of 330.

We play 1st place from Group I 99 out of 330 - and go to the Meadowlands I think.

We play 1st place from Group K 19 times out of 330.

We avoid the teams from Group A (Mexico) and Group C and Group H and Group L in all scenarios in terms of the round of 32.

-QG

 

[zoobird]

Where the heck is this thing streaming?

 

[Sand]

Where the heck is this thing streaming?

Fox local channel.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Will we know after the draw what teams are slotted for which cities?

you will know during the draw. All the games are already slated for specific stadiums/cities. We just need to know who is playing in each game now.

The wiki shows where each game is scheduled to be played https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage

I think the only Group's you'll know during the draw are the three host groups. The rest they'll announce tomorrow after running through TV stuff.

wait, so the wiki is wrong then? I was almost 100% sure every game was already mapped out and we just needed to see who is labeled as A1/A2/A3/A4 (for all the groups).

 

[NewlyRetired]

Will we know after the draw what teams are slotted for which cities?

you will know during the draw. All the games are already slated for specific stadiums/cities. We just need to know who is playing in each game now.

The wiki shows where each game is scheduled to be played https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage

I think the only Group's you'll know during the draw are the three host groups. The rest they'll announce tomorrow after running through TV stuff.

Pretty sure this is correct.

After the draw, you'll know which four teams might be in each match-up, but you won't know which two of those four are actually in each match-up till sometime tomorrow.

so they won't be labeling each team as A1/A2/A3/A4 today? That appears to be different from previous draws if my memory serves.

 

[zoobird]

Where the heck is this thing streaming?

Fox local channel.

I don't seem to be getting it streamed on either Fox Local (NY) or Fox Sports. Going to have to switch rooms and use regular tv.

 

[zoobird]

Will we know after the draw what teams are slotted for which cities?

you will know during the draw. All the games are already slated for specific stadiums/cities. We just need to know who is playing in each game now.

The wiki shows where each game is scheduled to be played https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage

I think the only Group's you'll know during the draw are the three host groups. The rest they'll announce tomorrow after running through TV stuff.

Pretty sure this is correct.

After the draw, you'll know which four teams might be in each match-up, but you won't know which two of those four are actually in each match-up till sometime tomorrow.

so they won't be labeling each team as A1/A2/A3/A4 today? That appears to be different from previous draws if my memory serves.

Hard to be 100% sure, since FIFA doesn't believe in clearly communicated rules, but I believe they won't till tomorrow

 

[Sammy3469]

Will we know after the draw what teams are slotted for which cities?

you will know during the draw. All the games are already slated for specific stadiums/cities. We just need to know who is playing in each game now.

The wiki shows where each game is scheduled to be played https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage

I think the only Group's you'll know during the draw are the three host groups. The rest they'll announce tomorrow after running through TV stuff.

wait, so the wiki is wrong then? I was almost 100% sure every game was already mapped out and we just needed to see who is labeled as A1/A2/A3/A4 (for all the groups).

Wiki has it right, the just bury it (quoting is going haywire for me):


The full match schedule will be unveiled in a live broadcast at 12:00 UTC−5 (EST) on December 6, 2025, the day after the draw.

 

[Sand]

And the most corrupt man on the planet takes the stage.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Where the heck is this thing streaming?

Fox local channel.

I don't seem to be getting it streamed on either Fox Local (NY) or Fox Sports. Going to have to switch rooms and use regular tv.

try here

Men's FIFA World Cup Draw 2026 - Watch and Stream Live | FOX Sports

Watch the 2026 Men's FIFA World Cup Draw live. Stream every moment as nations learn their group-stage fate ahead of soccer’s biggest tournament.

www.foxsports.com

 

[QuizGuy66]

Will we know after the draw what teams are slotted for which cities?

you will know during the draw. All the games are already slated for specific stadiums/cities. We just need to know who is playing in each game now.

The wiki shows where each game is scheduled to be played https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage

I think the only Group's you'll know during the draw are the three host groups. The rest they'll announce tomorrow after running through TV stuff.

wait, so the wiki is wrong then? I was almost 100% sure every game was already mapped out and we just needed to see who is labeled as A1/A2/A3/A4 (for all the groups).

I believe that they were just doing the dates and venues for the matches.

Good gracious if they aren't .

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Cool air or no doz provided in the venue I guess

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Though this thing will drag long enough that nobody will be awake by the end regardless.
-QG

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I'm watching this under protest due to the lack of Ms. Bumbum.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Missing Havelange at this point.
-QG

 

[Eephus]

Why are the sleeves of Infantino's jacket so short?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I literally tuned into GIanni asking if there were Mexicans in the room. Instinctively said, "OK, Donald said you've got to get the **** out."

 

[zoobird]

Where the heck is this thing streaming?

Fox local channel.

I don't seem to be getting it streamed on either Fox Local (NY) or Fox Sports. Going to have to switch rooms and use regular tv.

try here

Men's FIFA World Cup Draw 2026 - Watch and Stream Live | FOX Sports

Watch the 2026 Men's FIFA World Cup Draw live. Stream every moment as nations learn their group-stage fate ahead of soccer’s biggest tournament.

www.foxsports.com

I may be slow, but can't find it there either

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Why are the sleeves of Infantino's jacket so short?

Fifa ran the bidding process to be his tailor.

 

[NewlyRetired]

some one post when the draw itself starts. I can't stomach this

 

[Eephus]

some one post when the draw itself starts. I can't stomach this

Why do you hate the #1 happiness provider

 

[NewlyRetired]

Where the heck is this thing streaming?

Fox local channel.

I don't seem to be getting it streamed on either Fox Local (NY) or Fox Sports. Going to have to switch rooms and use regular tv.

try here

Men's FIFA World Cup Draw 2026 - Watch and Stream Live | FOX Sports

Watch the 2026 Men's FIFA World Cup Draw live. Stream every moment as nations learn their group-stage fate ahead of soccer’s biggest tournament.

www.foxsports.com

I may be slow, but can't find it there either

There is nothing to find. That is the exact link you need for the stream, just click the play button.

You may have browser issue. Try a different one in case that may help.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

This is the worst musical performance I've seen at the Kennedy Center. And I saw Jasmine Guy play Thelma in Chicago.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Did I miss Kid Rock?
-QG

 

[Sand]

This is the worst musical performance I've seen at the Kennedy Center. And I saw Jasmine Guy play Thelma in Chicago.

I have no idea who they are.

 

[Eephus]

Live from 2004, it's Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger!!!

 

[Joe Schmo]

Did I miss Kid Rock?
-QG

Not yet, he’s busy taking his annual bath.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

This is the worst musical performance I've seen at the Kennedy Center. And I saw Jasmine Guy play Thelma in Chicago.

I have no idea who they are.

This is Take That!/Pussycat Dolls erasure.

 

[Eephus]

This is the worst musical performance I've seen at the Kennedy Center. And I saw Jasmine Guy play Thelma in Chicago.

I have no idea who they are.

How could you forget The Pussycat Dolls?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

At least they could have had Robbie come out as the CGI ape.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Now we're getting to what I tuned it for.

 

[Sand]

Now with the 2001-esque intro...