World Cup 2026 FIFA World Cup General Discussion Thread - On SBS

[RossFC]

Each group thread to be made just before the world cup.

 

[sydney_gws]

If iran pulls out ( hopefully not as far more importantly all decent humans hope war ends asap), any chance Italy. It is the highest ranked play off loser ( of the 4 European teams and Jamaica, Bolivia)..

 

[peetoo]

England have also underperformed. Not on the same level, but not winning any trophies in the last decade with the teams England have had isn't a great look. Wasted another golden generation.

English heritage Australians aren’t nearly as triggered as Italian ones when the World Cup comes round

 

[peetoo]

I agree. Although, to capitalise on the talent they're now producing, they still lack the world-class English coaches that Spain, Germany and France are producing. Save maybe Eddie Howe, if I'm being generous.

The glut of English talent is driven by clubs more than the FA themselves imo.

Southgate was a good appointment for a few years, he instilled a better culture than previous managers, till they didn't win that home Euros. By that time the talent was there to properly go for titles. He got lucky in Euro 24, they were close to getting knocked out far earlier twice.

Maybe there's some young English coaches that haven't come to prominence yet. In the meantime they still rely on second rate English coaches or foreign coaches like Tuchel. Who's hit and miss. It'll be interesting how they go in this WC then another home Euros. After that Kane won't be around so that's a big gap to fill.

Aren’t we still waiting for an English born manager to win the EPL?

 

[Jeremias]

If iran pulls out ( hopefully not as far more importantly all decent humans hope war ends asap), any chance Italy. It is the highest ranked play off loser ( of the 4 European teams and Jamaica, Bolivia)..

Shouldn’t go to Italy. Should go to an AFC nation so probably the UAE.

 

[RedOrWhite]

Aren’t we still waiting for an English born manager to win the EPL?

I think so yeah

 

[RPCB]

Aren’t we still waiting for an English born manager to win the EPL?

Yes.

The country with the most PL winning managers is Italy, with four.

 

[RPCB]

Shouldn’t go to Italy. Should go to an AFC nation so probably the UAE.

Italy will never replace Iran at the World Cup. As you said, it will probably be UAE.

 

[Frank Bunn]

Aren’t we still waiting for an English born manager to win the EPL?

Howard Wilkinson was the last. The season before the PL started.

 

[Frank Bunn]

Our group is probably the closest. Anyone can win it or finish last.

There's a couple of other groups like that. This is what happens when you have 3 host countries, none of which has a high ranking.

Group A
Mexico 15
South Korea 25
Czech Republic 41
South Africa 60

Group B
Switzerland 19
Canada 30
Qatar 55
Bosnia 65

Group D
USA 16
Turkiye 22
Australia 27
Paraguay 40

 

[GC2015]

How important is it for us to beat/draw with Turkey in the first game of the WC? Is that going to be crucial considering we play the US on their home soil and probably won't be a realistic chance to beat them.

English heritage Australians aren’t nearly as triggered as Italian ones when the World Cup comes round

I'm aware. I have English heritage.

I was just pointing out that not every country can be Spain and win matches when they should. Although missing the WC for a third consecutive time is very embarrassing for a country like Italy.

 

[SM]

How important is it for us to beat/draw with Turkey in the first game of the WC? Is that going to be crucial considering we play the US on their home soil and probably won't be a realistic chance to beat them.


I'm aware. I have English heritage.

I was just pointing out that not every country can be Spain and win matches when they should. Although missing the WC for a third consecutive time is very embarrassing for a country like Italy.

The us aren't great.

 

[giggler99]

If iran pulls out ( hopefully not as far more importantly all decent humans hope war ends asap), any chance Italy. It is the highest ranked play off loser ( of the 4 European teams and Jamaica, Bolivia)..

Shouldn’t go to Italy. Should go to an AFC nation so probably the UAE.

Italy will never replace Iran at the World Cup. As you said, it will probably be UAE.

From what I've been researching there are no rules around this that I could find. FIFA ultimately will decide who they want to replace Iran if they withdraw early enough before the Tournament starts.
This is the best article I could find below. Although it is from three weeks ago so things might have changed since than. FIFA would probably like there next best ranked team that missed out to fill the spot which would be Italy but AFC might kick up a stink about it and put in a challenge for one of there membered nations to replace Iran and we know how easy the AFC can twist FIFA's arm. But its a long shot, doubt that Iran will withdraw now to be honest the World Cup is less then three months away if they are gonna withdraw it would need to be within the next couple of weeks to allow the process and preparations for the new team to be invited.

FIFA Want Nation We Haven’t Seen Since 2014 to Replace Iran at 2026 World Cup

Where did this come from?! 😱🏆

www.givemesport.com

 

[GC2015]

The us aren't great.

Do you think we can beat them on their home soil? I like our chances against Paraguay so we probably just need to find a way to beat either Turkey or the US to advance.

 

[SM]

Do you think we can beat them on their home soil? I like our chances against Paraguay so we probably just need to find a way to beat either Turkey or the US to advance.

Yes

 

[RPCB]

Do you think we can beat them on their home soil? I like our chances against Paraguay so we probably just need to find a way to beat either Turkey or the US to advance.

It’s the US home soil, so they will have a Pro-USA crowd, but the stadium the match is at is one the national team haven’t played a match at this decade at least and probably much further back than that. So it should feel like a neutral ground for both sides.

 

[happy_eagle]

Secured tickets for USA vs Australia (Seattle) and then Australia vs Paraguay (San Francisco).

Hopefully its a good vibe

 

[giggler99]

This is a more recent article from two days ago suggesting FIFA at the moment have no plans in place in case of an Iran withdrawal. Expecting Iran to participate as scheduled. Though could just be Infantinio being diplomatic with not having any Plans B, C etc.. I'm sure contingency plans are being drawn up just in case.

FIFA chief Infantino insists Iran will play in World Cup: No Plan B

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday promised to "continue to support" Iran's preparations for the World Cup as he met the Iranian national team for the first time since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on the country a month ago.

www.espn.com.au

 

[GC2015]

It’s the US home soil, so they will have a Pro-USA crowd, but the stadium the match is at is one the national team haven’t played a match at this decade at least and probably much further back than that. So it should feel like a neutral ground for both sides.

You think team USA playing Australia in Seattle is going to feel like a neutral ground? Surely not...

 

[RPCB]

You think team USA playing Australia in Seattle is going to feel like a neutral ground? Surely not...

I just mean because neither nation has actually a match at the stadium in a very long time.

 

[Zidane98]

From what I've been researching there are no rules around this that I could find. FIFA ultimately will decide who they want to replace Iran if they withdraw early enough before the Tournament starts.
This is the best article I could find below. Although it is from three weeks ago so things might have changed since than. FIFA would probably like there next best ranked team that missed out to fill the spot which would be Italy but AFC might kick up a stink about it and put in a challenge for one of there membered nations to replace Iran and we know how easy the AFC can twist FIFA's arm. But its a long shot, doubt that Iran will withdraw now to be honest the World Cup is less then three months away if they are gonna withdraw it would need to be within the next couple of weeks to allow the process and preparations for the new team to be invited.

FIFA Want Nation We Haven’t Seen Since 2014 to Replace Iran at 2026 World Cup

Where did this come from?! 😱🏆

www.givemesport.com

The allocations for confederations world cup finals places is final and is not subject to change .

Otherwise FIFA could change it as they please. Eg tell Haiti bad luck. You aren't good enough - we want Italy in instead .

AFC gets 8.5 places at 2026 - that isn't changing. .
Iraq claimed the half place already The only issue I can see is how FIFA would determine which AFC team replaces Iran.

 

[GC2015]

The allocations for confederations world cup finals places is final and is not subject to change .

Otherwise FIFA could change it as they please. Eg tell Haiti bad luck. You aren't good enough - we want Italy in instead .

AFC gets 8.5 places at 2026 - that isn't changing. .
Iraq claimed the half place already The only issue I can see is how FIFA would determine which AFC team replaces Iran.

Surely it would just go to the UAE given they lost the AFC fifth round qualification playoff against Iraq?

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Secured tickets for USA vs Australia (Seattle) and then Australia vs Paraguay (San Francisco).

Hopefully its a good vibe

Mums best friends went to the US late last year and were quizzed on arrival at customs about social media posts and they're straight laced plain Jane sort of people, so watch out for that.

Not just anything you've said but retweets, reposts and shares.

 

[ioppolo]

Surely it would just go to the UAE given they lost the AFC fifth round qualification playoff against Iraq?

It could go to the highest ranked AFC team, whoever that may be.

 

[AJ_2000]

Mums best friends went to the US late last year and were quizzed on arrival at customs about social media posts and they're straight laced plain Jane sort of people, so watch out for that.

Not just anything you've said but retweets, reposts and shares.

(Bigfooty posts ....)

 

[GC2015]

It could go to the highest ranked AFC team, whoever that may be.

The highest ranked AFC team that hasn't already qualified just so happens to be the same team - UAE.