2026 FIFA World Cup megathread (12 Viewers)

[Sammy3469]

Giants Stadium possible games in the group round:

6/13 is BRA/MOR or HAI/SCO (I bet the former)

6/22 Is FRA/SEN or NOR/IRQ/JAM/NCL (Again likely the former)

6/25 is ECU/GER OR CURACAO/CIV (they won't give us tasty ones I will guess the latter)

6/26 is FRA/NOR or IRQ/SEN (probably the former they will have France based on the NYC area with this draw)

6/27 is PAN/ENG OR CRO/GHA (I guess the former? This group has a team playing twice in Toronto but not on this day - I think our England friends are gonna learn from BMO stadium in those and probably come to NJ in this one.

But they are gonna try to spread the top games at least a little

-QG

When does this all get hammered out for sure?

All announced tomorrow.
Brazil would be eschewing playing two games in the same stadium for having basically a home game with the huge Brazilian population in Hudson County. They want to be where they can get the good rodizio.

-QG

This has never happened before in my memory that we had to wait a day for the actual stadiums/game pairings.

Did FIFA do this to introduce 24 more hours where they can accept bribes from either the teams and/or stadium operators?

My guess (and this is just a guess) is that they have 45 training bases lined up and there's some coordination between the bases, game locations, and TV schedule especially given how large the geo footprint is here.

 

[Sammy3469]

And nothing would crack me up more than seeing some national team popping around the Irvine Spectrum.

https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/base-camp-locations-an-underrated-part-of-2026-fifa-world-cup/

 

[TripItUp]

And nothing would crack me up more than seeing some national team popping around the Irvine Spectrum.

https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/base-camp-locations-an-underrated-part-of-2026-fifa-world-cup/

I had a corporat condo right there and still frequent Javier's for business lunches.

 

[Sand]

By FIFA rankings and assuming the highest rank team wins their playoffs the hardest group is Group F - Netherlands/Japan. The USA group is second hardest. Easiest group is the Germany group.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Giants Stadium possible games in the group round:

6/13 is BRA/MOR or HAI/SCO (I bet the former)

6/22 Is FRA/SEN or NOR/IRQ/JAM/NCL (Again likely the former)

6/25 is ECU/GER OR CURACAO/CIV (they won't give us tasty ones I will guess the latter)

6/26 is FRA/NOR or IRQ/SEN (probably the former they will have France based on the NYC area with this draw)

6/27 is PAN/ENG OR CRO/GHA (I guess the former? This group has a team playing twice in Toronto but not on this day - I think our England friends are gonna learn from BMO stadium in those and probably come to NJ in this one.

But they are gonna try to spread the top games at least a little

-QG

When does this all get hammered out for sure?

All announced tomorrow.
Brazil would be eschewing playing two games in the same stadium for having basically a home game with the huge Brazilian population in Hudson County. They want to be where they can get the good rodizio.

-QG

This has never happened before in my memory that we had to wait a day for the actual stadiums/game pairings.

Did FIFA do this to introduce 24 more hours where they can accept bribes from either the teams and/or stadium operators?

My guess (and this is just a guess) is that they have 45 training bases lined up and there's some coordination between the bases, game locations, and TV schedule especially given how large the geo footprint is here.

I am sure they are coordinating with the seeded teams particularly - most probably prefer two games in the same stadium (see group I) but there may be cultural and other factors that change that (like perhaps Brazil wanting to play a game in NJ). I don't know if the camps are charging different amounts or not but that may be a factor for some confederations if they do. They may want to specifically avoid having certain teams crossing borders in the group stage. They DEFINITELY want to set game times to maximize television where possible. A big old puzzle. We'll see what comes out of it but honestly it is probably the logical thing to do.

-QG

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

We also have the chance that our government will get involved and really cause a nightmare.

No joke with the draw and the peace prize, I had the thought today that FIFA might really sell the trophy and we win it, like Argentina, 1978. If we beat Peru 6-0 to go thru to the final questions will have to be asked.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

We also have the chance that our government will get involved and really cause a nightmare.

No joke with the draw and the peace prize, I had the thought today that FIFA might really sell the trophy and we win it, like Argentina, 1978. If we beat Peru 6-0 to go thru to the final questions will have to be asked.

Don't steal my conspiracy shtick, man.

 

[QuizGuy66]

In case you see any conspiracy theories about why Uzbekibekistan skipped Group I the explanation is here. They were in fact put in the correct group.

- 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

 

[QuizGuy66]

I looked back at all of the 4-team groups starting with 1994 and the switch to 3 points for a win to get an idea of the distribution of points earned by the 3rd place teams.

Based on that the rough expectation would be 5 teams with 4 points. 5 teams with 3 points. 2 teams with 2 points.

A win and a draw SHOULD get you through (though I will note that four years ago 7 of the 8 3rd place teams finished with 4 points).

Based on the above expect probably 5 teams finishing on 3 and 3 of those teams advancing. Running up the score will be key for teams that have 3 strong teams in their group.

-QG