2026 FIFA World Cup megathread (1 Viewer)

[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

 

[BassNBrew]

At the 2026 World Cup draw, the winner is ... Donald Trump​

Published Sat, Dec 6 20257:01 AM EST

• Trump awarded FIFA’s inaugural peace prize for promoting dialogue
• Event held at Washington’s Kennedy Center at Trump’s urging
• Trump says he has settled eight wars in 10 months

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025.
Stephanie Scarbrough | Afp | Getty Images
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was not attending the draw for the 2026 World Cup to receive a prize, but he got one anyway.

Trump, who has campaigned aggressively this year for a Nobel Peace Prize, was given FIFA’s inaugural peace prize for his efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in some of the world’s biggest hotspots.


The former TV reality show host dominated the scene at Washington’s Kennedy Center on Friday, placing himself squarely at the center of one of the biggest events in the sporting world in a glitzy, celebrity-studded affair that bore the unmistakable stamp of the president.

The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, will host the soccer tournament next year. The prime minister of Canada, Mark Carney, and the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, were there, too, but it was Trump’s show from start to finish.

In a nod to Trump’s love of spectacle, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who served as master of ceremonies, had the three leaders stand behind brightly colored podiums - game-show style - to draw their teams. After the draw, they all posed for a selfie with Infantino.

“This will be unique, this will be stellar, this will be spectacular,” Infantino said at the outset of the ceremony, referring to next year’s games. But he could also have been talking about the Kennedy Center event itself, which was located in Washington at Trump’s urging.

Last month, FIFA announced that a new annual award called the FIFA Peace Prize would be presented at the draw to “reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace.”


A video prior to the presentation celebrated Trump for resolving the war in Gaza and trying to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. The trophy, a gold-plated globe carried by upraised hands, was considerably larger than the Nobel, which is just a simple medal. Trump was given a medal as well and donned it as Infantino lauded him. The president deserved the award for “promoting peace and unity around the world,” he said.

“This is truly one of the great honors of my life – and beyond,” Trump said. He took a moment to congratulate himself. The United States, he said, was “not doing too well” before he took office, but now “we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world.”

Earlier, Trump told reporters he did not care about the prize, but noted that he had “settled eight wars” in his 10 months in office.

“I don’t need prizes. I need to save lives,” Trump said. “I saved millions and millions of lives, and that’s really what I want to do.”

U.S. President Donald Trump, Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, and Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, pose for a selfie with Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw.

The claim that Trump has ended eight wars this year is widely disputed. Much work remains before most of the conflicts the president claims to have ended, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, can actually be considered resolved.

Trump received the award the same week his administration froze immigration applications from 19 countries after last week’s shooting of two National Guard members in Washington. It also came days after the president demeaned Somali immigrants in the United States as “garbage” — sparking an outcry both at home and abroad.

Trump has frequently made the trappings of the presidency a part of major sporting and cultural events this year. He attended the Super Bowl in February, to a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd, and on Sunday he plans to attend the Kennedy Center Honors, which he eschewed during his first term.

The FIFA event — where 48 teams learned their group stage opponents — opened with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli singing “Nessun Dorma,” a favorite of Trump’s and a staple at his campaign rallies.

Later, British pop star Robbie Williams and American Broadway chanteuse Nicole Scherzinger sang FIFA’s 2026 World Cup anthem with highlights from past tournaments playing on a large video screen behind them.

American sports stars Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal and Aaron Judge - none of them soccer players - also took part. Also on hand was Canadian hockey great Wayne Gretzky.

The World Cup will be held from June 11-July 19, 2026, with a record 104 matches in 16 host cities.

The spectacle ended with a live performance of the song “YMCA” by the Village People, the crowning touch for yet another event the president made his own.

Ran across this on CNBC.

 

[Tick]

48 teams dilutes all the groups. Throw in 3rd place advancement and the first round has the least drama ever.

So there really isn't a Group of Death. A couple of real easy groups though (Brazil, Belgium, Spain, Argentina, and Portugal).

 

[Tick]

Only thing is a cold climate team in the summer woulda been nice for USA
-QG

Getting to be fewer and fewer of those. I don't think anyone melts anymore. It seems like a much bigger advantage to host a snow game against Costa Rica than to make Norway play in Qatar.

 

[Tick]

Looking at ticket prices and locations makes me think of a funny time I was on on a work trip and watching (making up specific teams, but it's representative) Algeria vs. Belgium in Brazil, watched in a Vietnamese restaurant on Univision, while my coworker was talking to his wife on the phone in Russian.

 

[TLEF316]

I can't believe there's a knockout game in Philly on July 4, 2026 and there's basically no chance of the US playing in it.

Just seems like a massive missed opportunity

 

[zoobird]

Not exactly cheap, but there are tickets for games 41, 42, 55, 56 in NJ and/or Philly on Stubhub and on SITickets in the $400s. If my math is correct, one of those games will definitely be Germany-Ecuador and one will definitely be Norway-Senegal. If I can snag either of those after they announce which game is which, but before prices adjust, I'm going to do it.

Figures that the one I'd prefer (Germany-Ecuador) is the higher numbered game, and therefore likely to be announced later...meaning by that time, the Norway-Senegal game may no longer be a reasonably priced option.

 

[zoobird]

Anybody seeing anything on the broadcast right now? I've got what I think is the right stream and it just says "Match Schedule Announcement Coming Up"

 

[zoobird]

This entire thing has had the production value of a high school play

 

[zoobird]

I can't imagine what exactly the interview process was where someone came out of a conversation with Gianni Infantino and said "THAT is the guy we want running the largest sport in the world!"

 

[NewlyRetired]

funniest thing I saw online today was someone talking about poor Gretzky and thanking god Niger did not qualify.

 

[Moe.]

FIFA legend Alexi Lalas

 

[B Maverick]

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.

The Great Park has a ton of fields but nothing really secluded, not even the stadium. Would love to be able to go watch some training sessions there though.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I can't imagine what exactly the interview process was where someone came out of a conversation with Gianni Infantino and said "THAT is the guy we want running the largest sport in the world!"

When are 200+ votes promising more world cup spots was the way to go. Told them what they wanted to hear. He is a next-level Blatter in that Blatter 's corruption matrix was more euro-centric imo. Infantino sees the opportunity for grift everywhere.

-QG

 

[Moe.]

Gotta be a polyglot to follow this thing

 

[Sand]

Gotta be a polyglot to follow this thing

It's like FIFA couldn't afford graphics identifying these people nor could they afford a translator.

 

[NewlyRetired]

No idea if this is true but posting anyway

=======

The Group D meeting between the United States and Australia next summer will be the first-ever World Cup match played between two nations that both call it SOCCER!

 

[QuizGuy66]

Ecuador vs Curacao is Kansas City currently leading the race for lowest get in price at a little over $200
-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

No idea if this is true but posting anyway

=======

The Group D meeting between the United States and Australia next summer will be the first-ever World Cup match played between two nations that both call it SOCCER!

Excluding England who are the ones who coined the term after all


-QG

 

[DA RAIDERS]

What’s the deal with this ticket dump on the 11th. I want to make sure I don’t get any tickets.

 

[Scoresman]

Just purchased tickets for Belgium/Egypt! This is bucket list level for me as a Belgian.

I may have to rock Puddy's devil face paint from Seinfeld. "Gotta support the team".

 

[GenX fan]

Can I buy USA vs Australia tickets yet?

 

[Moe.]

Ecuador vs Curacao is Kansas City currently leading the race for lowest get in price at a little over $200
-QG

which Ecuadorian do you think I’ll be able to convince my son is Messi?

edit: phrasing is horrible but I’m leaving it

 

[NewlyRetired]

Can I buy USA vs Australia tickets yet?

did you already win the lottery for purchasing tickets or are you just starting the process?

 

[Moe.]

Tickets are on stubhub, but I don’t think all of the lottery drawings are done yet either. I hope you all are sitting down for this shocking piece of info but the process itself as far as the lottos go hasn’t been all that clear

 

[GregR]

Tickets are on stubhub, but I don’t think all of the lottery drawings are done yet either. I hope you all are sitting down for this shocking piece of info but the process itself as far as the lottos go hasn’t been all that clear

I signed up and I have gotten so many confusing emails I could have won the lottery and I would have probably thought it was yet another attempt to sell me some extra package.

 

[Capella]

Tickets are crazy right now which I guess I’d expect the day after all the hoopla but holy crap. Planning to see games in LA, SF and Dallas.

 

[GregR]

Houston NRG stadium games, Stubhub prices:

$741 for Portugal-Uzbekistan
$825 for Portugal- (Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia)
$484 for Germany-Curacao
$216 for Cabo Verde-Saudi Arabia
$656 for Netherlands-Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania


$765 for Round of 32.
$1044 for Round of 16

 

[titusbramble]

I was targeting this WC as the one to go to pretty much the day after they announced Russia/Qatar, but I'm thinking not happening at these prices

 

[GregR]

So I'm asking myself if $216 is worth just the experience of going to a WC game. Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia. I'm sure the Cabo Verde Blue Sharks could use another person cheering for them, but can't say I'd be invested in the outcome much.

 

[GregR]

So I'm asking myself if $216 is worth just the experience of going to a WC game. Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia. I'm sure the Cabo Verde Blue Sharks could use another person cheering for them, but can't say I'd be invested in the outcome much.

And I answered myself yes. Yes it is.

Now I need something Tubarões to wear.

ETA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN527S3...tionToken=MC_Assembly_1#B07537S1YY&th=1&psc=1

 

[titusbramble]

OPs updated

 

[Dickies]

Glad I didn’t pony up $4k for tickets to see a game in the Bay Area. Absolute brutal group of games being held at Levi’s

 

[guru_007]

I see that Germany's first game is in Houston. Ugh, guess I'll have to start filling out second mortgage applications. NFW I'm missing that game.

 

[zoobird]

Tickets are crazy right now which I guess I’d expect the day after all the hoopla but holy crap. Planning to see games in LA, SF and Dallas.

I bought germany-Ecuador immediately after matchups were announced today. Prices more than doubled by an hour later.

Slightly depressing thinking about how much money could have been made just buying tickets to all the games a few days ago

 

[Sand]

Ecuador vs Curacao is Kansas City currently leading the race for lowest get in price at a little over $200
-QG

Funny enough that is one I'd be very interested in seeing. Used to live in Ecuador, so it would be a cool trip.

That and game 72, which is probably going to be a stinker (uzbekistan vs Congo(?)), but it's in Atlanta and the only one not with Spain in it.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I am a big fan of seeing random teams tbh.


-QG

 

[Scoresman]

Can I buy USA vs Australia tickets yet?

Cheapest I saw was $1,200 for terrible seats.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Can I buy USA vs Australia tickets yet?

Cheapest I saw was $1,200 for terrible seats.

is that the secondary market?

 

[Moe.]

Can I buy USA vs Australia tickets yet?

Cheapest I saw was $1,200 for terrible seats.

is that the secondary market?

I think it has to be - FIFA has their ticketing portal shut down until December 11th. This is from FIFA’s site:

The Random Selection Draw application period runs from 11 December 2025 to 13 January 2026 and begins and ends at the same time on both dates: 11:00 am (Eastern Time) / 8:00 am (Pacific Time) / 10:00 am (Mexico City Time) / 17:00 (Central European Time). We look forward to welcoming your ticket application during this upcoming phase.
Please note: The FIFA Marketplace will be temporarily closed from 4 December 2025 until 11 December 2025 at 11:00 am (Eastern Time) / 8:00 am (Pacific Time) / 10:00 am (Mexico City Time) / 17:00 (Central European Time).

During this time, you will not be able to access the Marketplace, including listing, withdrawing, purchasing, or reselling tickets. From 11 December to 15 December, you will again be able to list or withdraw tickets in the Marketplace. Purchasing will remain unavailable during this period.

From 15 December at 11:00 am (Eastern Time) / 8:00 am (Pacific Time) / 10:00 am (Mexico City Time) / 17:00 (Central European Time), all Marketplace services, including the ability to purchase tickets, will resume. Thank you for your patience.

 

[Moe.]

I’ve decided to wait and try to exhaust every opportunity to get tickets through FIFA. I’ll hit the secondary market in the spring if I don’t get selected. I don’t see Ecuador-Curaçao getting too expensive, so I know I’ll be able to go to that one at least if things get nuts.

 

[Scoresman]

Can I buy USA vs Australia tickets yet?

Cheapest I saw was $1,200 for terrible seats.

is that the secondary market?

Yes.