World Cup: World Cup 2026 - Pre Tournament Thread

[cgf]

Someone needs to go to work

Does he need to change that SN if buddy ever actually gets to work?

 

[robertmac43]

A lot of the Asian Qualifying games are free on Youtube.

Saudi Arabia currently finds themselves down 1-0 to Indonesia.

 

[LOGiK]

Columbia - Argentina is a wonderful matchup. My new favorite rivalry. They hate each other and both of them play beautiful football.
Their match two or three days ago was great.

 

[gary69]

European Qual group stage draw will take place on Dec 13th.

All teams in each group won't be known yet at the draw since Nations League playoffs are not concluded by then.

"Qualifiers begin in March 2025 and end with the play-offs in March 2026. Teams will be drawn into 12 groups of four and five teams. Teams drawn in groups of five will begin qualifying in March and teams drawn in groups of four start their campaigns in September. All groups conclude in November 2025."

"The 12 group winners qualify directly for the World Cup. The 12 group runners-up participate in the play-offs, along with the four best-ranked group winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League that did not finish their European Qualifiers group stage in first or second place."

European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: All you need to know | European Qualifiers

 

[spintheblackcircle]

I hope this is the worst event in sports history

https://www.wsj.com/sports/soccer/gianni-infantino-world-cup-fifa-us-mexico-canada-trump-d9963542

This past week’s tariff imbroglio has left one man in an unenviable position: FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is tasked with organizing a U.S.-Canada-Mexico World Cup next summer​

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Paywalled but what is the issue?

Everyone pretty much walked back on the tariffs. Kicked the can until next month while they negotiate. Can’t see it being a long term issue.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

I don't think it's a coincidence that Trump started displaying a replica World Cup trophy last week when the tariffs were talked about. I think he was reminding Canada and Mexico that his very close friend is in charge of FIFA and, gosh, wouldn't it be a shame if he suddenly decided the US should host the World Cup alone?

Why does Trump have the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office - and is it real?

The US President can be seen at his desk with the iconic trophy in the background ahead of next year’s tournament, with the USA co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico

sports.yahoo.com