World Cup 2026 FIFA World Cup (Qualifiers)

[RossFC]

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

I don't think that was ever in doubt. NZ are practically guaranteed a spot in every WC for the foreseeable future.

 

[happy_eagle]

Is it too late for us to return to Oceania

 

[giggler99]

Is it too late for us to return to Oceania

The more logical solution would be for Oceania to merge into Asia than split the AFC into East/West. But a lot of politicking needs to happen before that could even be considered. atm I don't think either confederation have any interests in each others matters unless FIFA force it.

 

[chef]

REECE.

 

[Frank Bunn]

REECE.

What a great free kick! Strangely he didn't celebrate his first international goal. In fact he looked a bit miserable all game.

England mostly huffed and puffed. Bellingham tried to beat his man 5 times before putting a ball in. He should have received a 2nd yellow card. Rashford made a lot of good runs with the ball but his final ball was poor. They looked better when Rogers, Eze and Foden came on. I was sceptical of Henderson's selection but he's looked handy coming on for a few minutes at the end.

 

[chef]

What a great free kick! Strangely he didn't celebrate his first international goal. In fact he looked a bit miserable all game.

Looks happier here.

 

[terrybull]

The more logical solution would be for Oceania to merge into Asia than split the AFC into East/West. But a lot of politicking needs to happen before that could even be considered. atm I don't think either confederation have any interests in each others matters unless FIFA force it.

Or FIFA should try to make Oceania stronger.

Bring back Australia (and maybe Israel).

Invite Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

 

[Zidane98]

Or FIFA should try to make Oceania stronger.

Bring back Australia (and maybe Israel).

Invite Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

Oceania doesn't have a future as a confederation. Vast area, small population, next to no geopolitical power.

It was viable with Australia in it but now that Australia's gone for good the only real long term solution is Oceania to continue as a sub association of AFC.

 

[Zidane98]

What a great free kick! Strangely he didn't celebrate his first international goal. In fact he looked a bit miserable all game.

England mostly huffed and puffed. Bellingham tried to beat his man 5 times before putting a ball in. He should have received a 2nd yellow card. Rashford made a lot of good runs with the ball but his final ball was poor. They looked better when Rogers, Eze and Foden came on. I was sceptical of Henderson's selection but he's looked handy coming on for a few minutes at the end.

With the amount of midfielders England has I just don't see the point in bringing Henderson back going on 35 years old. The chances of him playing at USA 26 must surely be low. Play young players instead.

 

[Frank Bunn]

With the amount of midfielders England has I just don't see the point in bringing Henderson back going on 35 years old. The chances of him playing at USA 26 must surely be low. Play young players instead.

England have lots of attacking mids. Defensive mids not so much. Jones and Lewis-Skelly played both games. Stones and Mainoo are injured. I don't think Tuchel rates Gallagher.

Hendo got in the squad on his character and experience, and he was fine for 2 x 10 minutes against poor opposition when the games were already won. But suppose Rice was unavailable for a big game in the WC? Would you want a 36 yo mid starting against Germany or Brazil? It looks like Ajax will qualify for next season's CL League phase so we will see how his fitness holds up against good teams.

 

[terrybull]

So what new nations will make their World Cup debut in 2026?

Uzbekistan probably just needs one win to qualify, but against tough opponents.

Jordan needs to beat Iraq, so I doubt it.

Venezuela looked strong early but looks tough now.

There might be a good chance for a debut in the CONCACAF group but to early to tell.

Should be least one African nation making its debut. Strongest contenders - DR Congo,
Cape Verde, Gabon.

The European group just started and probably no country will make it’s debut, but as a betting man I would tip Montenegro or Finland.

Also in Group B Europe there is no clear favourite. Any team can win this group.

 

[ioppolo]

So what new nations will make their World Cup debut in 2026?

Uzbekistan probably just needs one win to qualify, but against tough opponents.

Jordan needs to beat Iraq, so I doubt it.

Venezuela looked strong early but looks tough now.

There might be a good chance for a debut in the CONCACAF group but to early to tell.

Should be least one African nation making its debut. Strongest contenders - DR Congo,
Cape Verde, Gabon.

The European group just started and probably no country will make it’s debut, but as a betting man I would tip Montenegro or Finland.

Also in Group B Europe there is no clear favourite. Any team can win this group.

Sorry to burst your bubble but DR Congo were at the 1974 world cup as Zaire back in the day.

 

[terrybull]

Sorry to burst your bubble but DR Congo were at the 1974 world cup as Zaire back in the day.

Thanks for that.

I didn’t do a background check, but tried just to remember, knew there were name changes like Indonesia but totally forgot about Zaire.

I was most unsure about Jordan though.

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

Qatar are currently sitting 4th in their group and cannot qualify directly. Along with their pitiful home WC performance, it really makes you wonder about the legitimacy of their back to back Asian Cup wins.

 

[Zidane98]

Qatar are currently sitting 4th in their group and cannot qualify directly. Along with their pitiful home WC performance, it really makes you wonder about the legitimacy of their back to back Asian Cup wins.

Qatar fielded multiple players at the Asian Cups that their mothers magically had Qatari nationality at birth to get around the 5 year naturalisation / residence requirement. There were protests but these were always destined to fail up against corrupt oil money.

According to their documents they were born in Qatar with Qatari citizenship and decided to migrate to Africa. Which is a steaming pile of BS as Qatar doesn't give nationality to anyone automatically at birth unless their parents are Arabic.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Ancelotti appointed manager of Brazil.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Qatar are currently sitting 4th in their group and cannot qualify directly. Along with their pitiful home WC performance, it really makes you wonder about the legitimacy of their back to back Asian Cup wins.

Nothing to wonder about. Those wins were fixed.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Europe should get way more spots. They had 15 going back a few world cups ago. Only 16 when there's 48 teams is criminal.

 

[gaskin]

Europe should get way more spots. They had 15 going back a few world cups ago. Only 16 when there's 48 teams is criminal.

Why should they? If there are 16 spots and you are not good enough to make it then tough ****.

These are the top 16 ranked European countries (rank 2-29):

Spain, France, England, Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Ukraine, Turkiye, Sweden, and Wales.

These are the next 16 (rank 31-69):

Serbia, Poland, Russia, Hungary, Norway, Czechia, Greece, Scotland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland

Arguably from Switzerland down, anyone down to Ireland have a realistic shot of making it (Albania I give an outside chance to). There needs to be jeopardy for those final 7 places and you lose that by guaranteeing too many countries a spot at each World Cup. People have rightly clowned on Italy when they have missed the World Cup because they are too good to not make it but were piss poor in qualifying and found out what happens if you don't perform.

 

[Frank Bunn]

Europe should get way more spots. They had 15 going back a few world cups ago. Only 16 when there's 48 teams is criminal.

It's not based on merit, more about politics within FIFA. UEFA has 26 countries ranked in the top 48.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Barely a year to go before the next world cup. Time flies. Spain are equal faves with France Spain lucky in that qf vs Germany last Euro Cuccurella gave away ahand ball should have been a pen. Changed the whole game maybe Germany could have won Euro. Brazil had a 24 year drought in winning world cups last time it was in USA its 24 years next year maybe Ancelotti can repeat history Brazil. I just don't trust Brazil though but you never know with the MAster tactician in Ancelotti. I'd still fancy Spain and France against them. Poms were garbage last Euro lucky to make the final I can't pick them either. France were also dog shitless at the Euro worst Euro teams in history in France, England even Portugal all played poorly for where they finished. Italy suck will probably lose to Norway soon or draw if they miss a 3rd world cup in a row that would be huge. Germany will be strong I think. Spain or France because of Mbappe. He hasn't scored in 2 euros but when he went goalless in his first he came back with 8 goals at the world cup. Should turn it on again if healthy.

 

[Upstart Swan]

Barely a year to go before the next world cup. Time flies. Spain are equal faves with France Spain lucky in that qf vs Germany last Euro Cuccurella gave away ahand ball should have been a pen. Changed the whole game maybe Germany could have won Euro. Brazil had a 24 year drought in winning world cups last time it was in USA its 24 years next year maybe Ancelotti can repeat history Brazil. I just don't trust Brazil though but you never know with the MAster tactician in Ancelotti. I'd still fancy Spain and France against them. Poms were garbage last Euro lucky to make the final I can't pick them either. France were also dog shitless at the Euro worst Euro teams in history in France, England even Portugal all played poorly for where they finished. Italy suck will probably lose to Norway soon or draw if they miss a 3rd world cup in a row that would be huge. Germany will be strong I think. Spain or France because of Mbappe. He hasn't scored in 2 euros but when he went goalless in his first he came back with 8 goals at the world cup. Should turn it on again if healthy.

Argentina? Easily qualified, 8 points ahead of 2nd. Won the Copa America last year. Messi of course will be 38 or 39, may not even play. But they still should be contenders.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Argentina? Easily qualified, 8 points ahead of 2nd. Won the Copa America last year. Messi of course will be 38 or 39, may not even play. But they still should be contenders.

For sure.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Norway vs Italy if Italy lose they'll shit themselves for qualification.

Nations league semis coming up also Germany vs Portugal and Spain vs France

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Socceroos vs Japan tomorrow