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

 

[cgf]

What did they expect when you let tinpot dictators host the world cup?

 

[robertmac43]

64 teams for the 2030 World Cup? lol

FIFA mulling expanded 64-team World Cup in 2030

Football's governing body will review a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams to mark the centenary of the sport's marquee event.

www.espn.com

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Trump to lead task force for 2026 World Cup

President Donald Trump created a task force Friday to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which will bring the globe's premier soccer tournament to North America.

www.espn.com

 

[les Habs]

All the participating nations should say they are boycotting the tournament and set it up somewhere else.

Trump task force… LOL.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I honestly can’t fathom what or why this would be needed?

 

[bluesfan94]

What happened to keeping politics out of football

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

What happened to keeping politics out of football

It’s always been the politics I don’t like out of football/sports. Otherwise I very much want to keep it.

The world is basically between the havs and hav nots

 

[les Habs]

What happened to keeping politics out of football

LOL, f*** that.

 

[bluesfan94]

It’s always been the politics I don’t like out of football/sports. Otherwise I very much want to keep it.

The world is basically between the havs and hav nots

Just dumb that we’ve seen FAs get in trouble for having government meddling and then this is not just permitted but celebrated by Infantino.

Gross

 

[koyvoo]

I honestly can’t fathom what or why this would be needed?

More European teams

 

[cgf]

I honestly can’t fathom what or why this would be needed?

Cause they're making america great again by actually qualifying for the tourney this time!

 

[robertmac43]

Trump getting more involved makes this tournament far more FIFA. The string of competitions with questionable governments and leadership continues.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

The Biden admin wasn’t questionable asking for a friend

 

[robertmac43]

The Biden admin wasn’t questionable asking for a friend

I have more questions for the current administration haha

 

[Scandale du Jour]

The Biden admin wasn’t questionable asking for a friend

Every admin everywhere is questionable to some degree, but... come on.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Every admin everywhere is questionable to some degree, but... come on.

Nothing to come on about both enabled the G word

 

[Power Man]

Both can be true. Toronto will be hyped as well, but Montreal would definitely bring a different vibe to the table. The city's own fault though really

Well the stadium isn’t WC material and then you add the french language police lol

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Imagine laughing at a massacre m. I guess we know he isn’t a human rights lawyer