FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread

[bering]

Shocking news came from Indonesia, there are many rumors about PSSI plans to make major changes to the Indonesian national team and all of that cannot be separated from Shin Tae-yong future as coach there, he has become coach who has been proud and even considered great coach because of his success in leading the Indonesian national team so far in the 2026 World Cup qualifying round.
Dismissal of Shin Tae-yong is certainly heavy blow for all Indonesians and if the dismissal is really carried out by PSSI then it could cause the Indonesian national team to decline like what happened to Saudi Arabia, the remaining matches in the qualifying round are very important to determine whether Indonesia will be able to qualify or not and when the decline occurs it can be very detrimental.

I never expect Indonesia football federation will take dare decision by sack Shin Tae-yong because i thought he will continue to train Indonesia until 3rd qualification stages ended but unfortunately on March later Indonesia will playing with new manager which in my opinion this is very risky because new manager means new strategies which all of the players should be adapt quickly with Indonesia next manager later

So far it wasn't announced yet who is the replacement of Shin Tae-yong but according to the rumour new manager will came from European countries however speaking about 3rd qualification stages on Group C this Group is unique because some of managers from the countries who playing at this Group has been sacked because before Indonesia we know Saudi Arabia and Australia has new manager

And his successor is Patrick Kluivert who comes from Europe and his track record is not much better than Shin Tae Yong, I think that Sty will last a long time in Indonesia until the last decision whether to qualify or not to the World Cup but because of the performance given to Indonesia More decreased making this situation more depressed and the main choice is to replace the coach.

Of course this risk is also a difficult consideration where the new coach will have to adapt as well as the players who have to adapt to the coach to be able to understand what is the strategy on the field.

About Patrick Kluivert so far this is still a rumour and not officially yet but if it's true i highly doubt Indonesia can performing well under him considering as a manager Patrick Kluivert hasn't have good track records in fact, he was often sacked when coaching a team and during his time as manager Patrick Kluivert had a winning percentage below 50%

There is no more time for Indonesia to adapt with new manager because 7th match will start in approximately 2 months so this situation makes me doubt Indonesia can beat Australia even more likely that they will lose and if Indonesia failed to qualified to the next round i am sure the federation will regret their decision

[Ahli38]

Shocking news came from Indonesia, there are many rumors about PSSI plans to make major changes to the Indonesian national team and all of that cannot be separated from Shin Tae-yong future as coach there, he has become coach who has been proud and even considered great coach because of his success in leading the Indonesian national team so far in the 2026 World Cup qualifying round.
Dismissal of Shin Tae-yong is certainly heavy blow for all Indonesians and if the dismissal is really carried out by PSSI then it could cause the Indonesian national team to decline like what happened to Saudi Arabia, the remaining matches in the qualifying round are very important to determine whether Indonesia will be able to qualify or not and when the decline occurs it can be very detrimental.

At this stage, actually firing Shin Tae-yong is a very big risk. But PSSI seems ready to take this risk. And currently many people actually regret this decision. Because it seems that Indonesian people still have quite high hopes for the coach from South Korea. And actually I still have hope for STY. Although sometimes I also disagree with some of his decisions in choosing the main players for the national team. But looking at the results this season, I think STY has been quite successful in bringing Indonesia quite far in the qualifying rounds for the current world cup. And don't be surprised if someone immediately signs STY after leaving the Indonesian national team. because I think many national teams from Asian countries are looking at STY.

[temple]

As far as I know Ronaldo didn't always play as a starter and when they won against Switzerland 6-1 in the round of 16, he was substituted for another striker later in the game when it was literally over. It wasn't that he got all the chances he might have needed, but it was at a time when some of the Portuguese players expressed their discomfort about Ronaldo being responsible for everything and having all the privileges during the game. I think that is why the coach let him sit on the bench sometimes.

I wonder what it is going to be like at the next World Cup if Ronaldo keeps scoring goals until then. The fans know that this will be his last World Cup then and they might demand that he plays. But this would not be the best for the team as a whole perhaps.

I am not pleased with the way the Portuguese national team has treated Cristiano Ronaldo. He has carried the entire burden on his shoulders for almost two decades and even now they insult him by not picking him in the starting XI. Just imagine Portugal without Ronaldo. They would not have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup without him. But then, the world is becoming increasingly ungrateful. At least Ronaldo did the right thing by moving to Saudi Arabia, rather than allowing Manchester United to treat him the same way that Portuguese team has treated him.

I don't think it is about being ungrateful. Ronaldo has intentionally been a controversial player. You could tell from his press conferences, from his behavior on and off the field. It is something he wanted for himself, but then he is someone who quickly feels insulted, which is kind of contradictory.

But I understand that a national team like Portugal has to plan for the transition. Ronaldo has been the number one player for them for two decades as you mentioned and it was obvious that the time is about to come when they have to plan ahead, I think this has nothing to do with being ungrateful.

In sports it is about how you are doing today and not how you have done in the past. If Ronaldo doesn't score goals anymore, it is time to bench him. Now in the last few games I don't know what you mean. He has been a start in every game for months now except for the last one before winter when they didn't call him, but I am sure that was agreed upon and not because they didn't want Ronaldo to be in the team.

Since Portugal was already safely finishing the Nations League as the group winner, I think they gave him a break with his agreement when they played against Croatia and there was nothing to win or lose.

[lixer]

I'm still in serious doubt that the Indonesian Football Federation are trying to sack Shin Tae-yong who is regarded as one of the best national team managers in Asia at the moment for his contributions to the national team and how he helped them reach 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. If Shin Tae-yong is sacked, I strongly doubt Indonesia will have a good outing during the next edition of the FIFA World Cup. Hopefully the news isn't true because I don't think they'll be able to get a manager who understands the players better than Shin Tae-yong at this moment

Indonesian soccer already parted away from Shin Tae-young which is surely not good decision because now he was bringing things on level and their teams were giving good results even now we have good chances for them to jumping into next round of FIFA World Cup qualifications but suddenly having decision like this surely can bring negativity in teams moral.

In last few games we have positive changes against big teams specially their win against Saudi Arab was big moment for them and this also increase their chances for having spot into next round now as media reports are coming most chances we will have coach from Europe who will join team in next few days it's going to be taken good time for having all things under control and also having adjustment as well.

[dezoel]

The main question is if these clubs will ever get there? I think they will be able to convince more young players also as a lot of players can be persuaded if you offer them enough money. Some of them will decline it as they want to play in the best leagues but throw enough money and a lot of players can be persuaded.

Money has never been problem in Gulf region while we have the biggest problem about local youngsters they are never been interested in sports which is the biggest problem in this new revolution able to bring this new culture then surely we can feel things could be going to have change which is surely not easy because here environment is never been easy for bringing these youngsters in this main streamline from childhood they are having few habits which make them not fit for sports even though it's not applied on all but big part of population is living life which is just creating sugar patience.

But as things are taking changes now hopefully they will increase their all system for having competitions in school levels which will surely bring good and skills players, and then we can expect sports is going to have good impact on this region currently looking not easy.

[Sithara007]

Money has never been problem in Gulf region while we have the biggest problem about local youngsters they are never been interested in sports which is the biggest problem in this new revolution able to bring this new culture then surely we can feel things could be going to have change which is surely not easy because here environment is never been easy for bringing these youngsters in this main streamline from childhood they are having few habits which make them not fit for sports even though it's not applied on all but big part of population is living life which is just creating sugar patience.

But as things are taking changes now hopefully they will increase their all system for having competitions in school levels which will surely bring good and skills players, and then we can expect sports is going to have good impact on this region currently looking not easy.

LOL.. local youngsters are not interested in the sport? Who told you that? In each and every one of the GCC nations, football is the most popular sport by a long way. But similar to the other Asian regions such as South Asia and Southeast Asia, interest alone is not enough. The physical strength and athleticism is far below the levels that we see in Europe or Latin America. And this is the reason why despite the larger population, countries such as China and India hardly ever features in the FIFA World Cup.

[Fiatless]

It's now official that Netherlands and Barcelona football legend Patrick Kluivert has been appointed as the new national team coach of Indonesia. The 48-year-old former striker's main task is to ensure that Indonesia qualifies for the World Cup. His managerial career has not been successful like his days as a player when he scored 123 goals in six seasons for Barcelona and netted 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Netherlands. He had a brief managerial stint with Turkish club Adana Demirspor and also served as a caretaker manager for Curacao in 2021. But he has worked under some good coaches like Louis van Gaal. Do you think the PSSI made the right choice after the surprise sacking of Shin Tae-Yong?   

[Agbe]

It's now official that Netherlands and Barcelona football legend Patrick Kluivert has been appointed as the new national team coach of Indonesia. The 48-year-old former striker's main task is to ensure that Indonesia qualifies for the World Cup. His managerial career has not been successful like his days as a player when he scored 123 goals in six seasons for Barcelona and netted 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Netherlands. He had a brief managerial stint with Turkish club Adana Demirspor and also served as a caretaker manager for Curacao in 2021. But he has worked under some good coaches like Louis van Gaal. Do you think the PSSI made the right choice after the surprise sacking of Shin Tae-Yong?   

The last round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will restart very soon so all the National Teams that has not been doing well now is changing their coaches to new to qualify in the world cup. Eric Chelle from Mali was also recommended to be the head coach of the Nigerian Super Eagles after George Finidi losses about 2 or 3 games last year. So because not that, another coach was appointed as the head coach in the team to play in the Inter-continetal games (African Nations Cup) and the team performed incredible but they decided to bring in a new coach for the world cup so let see how it will go.

[Leviathan.007]

It's now official that Netherlands and Barcelona football legend Patrick Kluivert has been appointed as the new national team coach of Indonesia. The 48-year-old former striker's main task is to ensure that Indonesia qualifies for the World Cup. His managerial career has not been successful like his days as a player when he scored 123 goals in six seasons for Barcelona and netted 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Netherlands. He had a brief managerial stint with Turkish club Adana Demirspor and also served as a caretaker manager for Curacao in 2021. But he has worked under some good coaches like Louis van Gaal. Do you think the PSSI made the right choice after the surprise sacking of Shin Tae-Yong?   

In Group C the main reason to see a team like Indonesia have good sistion is not because of them having good performance but mostly they have a good position in the table because Indonesia is lucky. In this group, China is much weaker than were expecting to see from this team and they are not in good form at all while I was expecting to see China in the 2026 World Cup considering the investment they had and the last games we saw from this team.
Also, Saudi Arabia is not in good form and they even got their coach fired from this team because of the bad performance they had while Saudi Arabia had good investment for their team so far. These two teams helped Indonesia to get this place in the table otherwise they would not have any chance.

[Sithara007]

In Group C the main reason to see a team like Indonesia have good sistion is not because of them having good performance but mostly they have a good position in the table because Indonesia is lucky. In this group, China is much weaker than were expecting to see from this team and they are not in good form at all while I was expecting to see China in the 2026 World Cup considering the investment they had and the last games we saw from this team.
Also, Saudi Arabia is not in good form and they even got their coach fired from this team because of the bad performance they had while Saudi Arabia had good investment for their team so far. These two teams helped Indonesia to get this place in the table otherwise they would not have any chance.

This time Indonesia is doing whatever they can to qualify for the tournament. Their national team is full of players of foreign origin (including Liberian origin Ronaldo Kwateh and players such as Rafael Struick, Maarten Paes, Sandy Walsh, Jay Idzes, Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers, who were born in the Netherlands). And it is interesting that they got a Dutch coach as well. In cricket I have seen similar tactics, but this is the first time I am witnessing the same in international football.

[Rampagoe004]

This time Indonesia is doing whatever they can to qualify for the tournament. Their national team is full of players of foreign origin (including Liberian origin Ronaldo Kwateh and players such as Rafael Struick, Maarten Paes, Sandy Walsh, Jay Idzes, Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers, who were born in the Netherlands). And it is interesting that they got a Dutch coach as well. In cricket I have seen similar tactics, but this is the first time I am witnessing the same in international football.

It seems that this morning Indonesia is struggling to show to the world that there is no doubt about the Indonesian National Team's football so that the international world knows that the Indonesian squad will try hard to qualify for this big tournament. Many foreign players such as Rafael Struick, Maarten Paes, Sandy Walsh are included in the Indonesian squad, providing great opportunities. To qualify, in the hands of Shin Tae-Yong, the game is getting better and better.

However, recently the news of Shin Tae-Yong's dismissal from the coaching chair means that Indonesia's hopes of qualifying have been slightly doubted, if it is true that Shin Tae-Yong being fired, what will be the fate of the Indonesian squad in the future?

[bering]

This time Indonesia is doing whatever they can to qualify for the tournament. Their national team is full of players of foreign origin (including Liberian origin Ronaldo Kwateh and players such as Rafael Struick, Maarten Paes, Sandy Walsh, Jay Idzes, Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers, who were born in the Netherlands). And it is interesting that they got a Dutch coach as well. In cricket I have seen similar tactics, but this is the first time I am witnessing the same in international football.

It seems that this morning Indonesia is struggling to show to the world that there is no doubt about the Indonesian National Team's football so that the international world knows that the Indonesian squad will try hard to qualify for this big tournament. Many foreign players such as Rafael Struick, Maarten Paes, Sandy Walsh are included in the Indonesian squad, providing great opportunities. To qualify, in the hands of Shin Tae-Yong, the game is getting better and better.

However, recently the news of Shin Tae-Yong's dismissal from the coaching chair means that Indonesia's hopes of qualifying have been slightly doubted, if it is true that Shin Tae-Yong being fired, what will be the fate of the Indonesian squad in the future?

Shin Tae-Yong sacked replace by Patrick Kluivert although this still not officially yet but plenty of online media has been publish this news so since March Kluivert will do his job as Indonesia National team manager and the federation is targetting to advances to World Cup 2026 without through an 4th round which is a hard task for him

Kluivert has two assistants they are Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat which Dutch people know the reputation of these man especially Alex Pastoor that his reputation as a coach in Netherlands is unquestionable because Alex Pastoor managed to bring several teams from Eredivisie 2 to be promoted to the 1st division and the last team he took to promotion was Almere City

[Sithara007]

This time Indonesia is doing whatever they can to qualify for the tournament. Their national team is full of players of foreign origin (including Liberian origin Ronaldo Kwateh and players such as Rafael Struick, Maarten Paes, Sandy Walsh, Jay Idzes, Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers, who were born in the Netherlands). And it is interesting that they got a Dutch coach as well. In cricket I have seen similar tactics, but this is the first time I am witnessing the same in international football.

It seems that this morning Indonesia is struggling to show to the world that there is no doubt about the Indonesian National Team's football so that the international world knows that the Indonesian squad will try hard to qualify for this big tournament. Many foreign players such as Rafael Struick, Maarten Paes, Sandy Walsh are included in the Indonesian squad, providing great opportunities. To qualify, in the hands of Shin Tae-Yong, the game is getting better and better.

However, recently the news of Shin Tae-Yong's dismissal from the coaching chair means that Indonesia's hopes of qualifying have been slightly doubted, if it is true that Shin Tae-Yong being fired, what will be the fate of the Indonesian squad in the future?

As I mentioned in my post, Kluivert himself is Dutch, so he should not be having any problem with the inclusion of all these Dutch players. But the big question is whether Indonesia can qualify or not. Despite the increased number of slots for AFC region, the chances look dim. Japan has already secured their qualification from Group C with 16 points. Then we have Australia with 7 points and all the remaining teams (Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, China and Bahrain) with 6 points each.

[temple]

It's now official that Netherlands and Barcelona football legend Patrick Kluivert has been appointed as the new national team coach of Indonesia. The 48-year-old former striker's main task is to ensure that Indonesia qualifies for the World Cup. His managerial career has not been successful like his days as a player when he scored 123 goals in six seasons for Barcelona and netted 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Netherlands. He had a brief managerial stint with Turkish club Adana Demirspor and also served as a caretaker manager for Curacao in 2021. But he has worked under some good coaches like Louis van Gaal. Do you think the PSSI made the right choice after the surprise sacking of Shin Tae-Yong?   

It's crazy how former players are willing to accept any job as a coach throughout the whole world when their career as a coach has been going South for a while.

But I suppose that even Indonesia is paying good money to convince those former stars to take on the job as a coach. That's why you can see some coaches who made themselves a great name as players coaching irrelevant nations and clubs anywhere in the world.

If you think about this decision, is it the right one that Indonesia made here? If a player was a great player and no doubt Kluivert was pretty good, but then afterwards mostly fails as a coach, does a nation like Indonesia need someone like him or should they try and get someone who made himself a respectable name as a coach too.

I am aware that it won't be easy for Indonesia to get one of the best names out there, but failed coaches like Kluivert is probably not the best solution to the problems they have.

[Agbe]

It's crazy how former players are willing to accept any job as a coach throughout the whole world when their career as a coach has been going South for a while.

But I suppose that even Indonesia is paying good money to convince those former stars to take on the job as a coach. That's why you can see some coaches who made themselves a great name as players coaching irrelevant nations and clubs anywhere in the world.

If you think about this decision, is it the right one that Indonesia made here? If a player was a great player and no doubt Kluivert was pretty good, but then afterwards mostly fails as a coach, does a nation like Indonesia need someone like him or should they try and get someone who made himself a respectable name as a coach too.

I am aware that it won't be easy for Indonesia to get one of the best names out there, but failed coaches like Kluivert is probably not the best solution to the problems they have.

Those who are not even qualified to coach National Teams accepting the job to coach and do the worst in the team to disqualified. Former players now see coaching job as a lucrative one so everyone like to dash in. But it is better for most of them to venture into other businesses and live their life comfortably from their and not to disappoint people through coaching job. The skills the players were using when they were still in active in the team might not be the same with the new ones they are using now. So if such person teaches the team they might not do well because he will be teaching them old skills. So coaching job needs extra training and he must be well equipped with the new techniques. Coaching job is not all about money but what the coach delivers. If he does well then Money will come on it own so id Indonesia National Football Association is using money to entice  former players to Coach the team because they were doing well when they were in the active players, it is a waste of time.

[armanda90]

As I mentioned in my post, Kluivert himself is Dutch, so he should not be having any problem with the inclusion of all these Dutch players. But the big question is whether Indonesia can qualify or not. Despite the increased number of slots for AFC region, the chances look dim. Japan has already secured their qualification from Group C with 16 points. Then we have Australia with 7 points and all the remaining teams (Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, China and Bahrain) with 6 points each.

Despite have much controversial for appointing Justin Kluivert as Indonesia teams head coach I think right replacement due majority of Indonesia squad from Dutch, its easily for Kluivert communicating with his players due lack communication under Shin Ta yong era. Communication is most important part for every national teams due Indonesia have naturalization many players from Dutch is right time for appointing manager from Dutch to make easily communicate each players.

Huge pressure for Indonesia team new manager Justin Kluivert get qualify to World Cup 2026, actually current standings position awhile not difficult yet for reaching the second place or playoff round position but Justin Kluivert must get faster adapt well if won't loss his position. I can't believing with Indonesian fans atmosphere if Justin Kluivert loss at the first match against Australia due its important match for qualifying to World Cup.

[bitcampaign]

As I mentioned in my post, Kluivert himself is Dutch, so he should not be having any problem with the inclusion of all these Dutch players. But the big question is whether Indonesia can qualify or not. Despite the increased number of slots for AFC region, the chances look dim. Japan has already secured their qualification from Group C with 16 points. Then we have Australia with 7 points and all the remaining teams (Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, China and Bahrain) with 6 points each.

Despite have much controversial for appointing Justin Kluivert as Indonesia teams head coach I think right replacement due majority of Indonesia squad from Dutch, its easily for Kluivert communicating with his players due lack communication under Shin Ta yong era. Communication is most important part for every national teams due Indonesia have naturalization many players from Dutch is right time for appointing manager from Dutch to make easily communicate each players.

Huge pressure for Indonesia team new manager Justin Kluivert get qualify to World Cup 2026, actually current standings position awhile not difficult yet for reaching the second place or playoff round position but Justin Kluivert must get faster adapt well if won't loss his position. I can't believing with Indonesian fans atmosphere if Justin Kluivert loss at the first match against Australia due its important match for qualifying to World Cup.

This controversy will continue to be discussed by many circles and some also think that this is Erick Thohir's strategy in appointing Patrick Kluivert as Shin Tae-yong's replacement as the coach of the Indonesian National Team, Only this tactic can convince Grade A players who have Indonesian descent to want to defend the Indonesian National Team, that's why Erick Thohir appointed Patrick Kluivert as the new coach of Indonesia because Patrick Kluivert's reputation is highly respected in the Netherlands, so surely young Grade A players who have Indonesian blood will be willing to accept to defend the Indonesian National Team.

Actually Patrick Kluivert is not alone, he invites several well-known staff and is familiar to the Dutch people there because the famous names that will be brought to help Patrick Kluivert have a very good record, namely Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat, these two people are no longer in doubt about their quality as coaches such as Alex Pastoor who has succeeded in bringing 3 clubs from Eredivisie 2 to promotion to division 1 and both will become the Indonesian National Team tacticians.

[fullhdpixel]

In Group C the main reason to see a team like Indonesia have good sistion is not because of them having good performance but mostly they have a good position in the table because Indonesia is lucky. In this group, China is much weaker than were expecting to see from this team and they are not in good form at all while I was expecting to see China in the 2026 World Cup considering the investment they had and the last games we saw from this team.
Also, Saudi Arabia is not in good form and they even got their coach fired from this team because of the bad performance they had while Saudi Arabia had good investment for their team so far. These two teams helped Indonesia to get this place in the table otherwise they would not have any chance.

This time Indonesia is doing whatever they can to qualify for the tournament. Their national team is full of players of foreign origin (including Liberian origin Ronaldo Kwateh and players such as Rafael Struick, Maarten Paes, Sandy Walsh, Jay Idzes, Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers, who were born in the Netherlands). And it is interesting that they got a Dutch coach as well. In cricket I have seen similar tactics, but this is the first time I am witnessing the same in international football.

Now we have nearly 10 weeks for having next qualification matches for the World Cup with Indonesia is having four games to play first will be against Australia away then we have against Bahrain at home third game is against China at home and last game against Japan in Japan.

At third spot currently with 6 points, and 6 points each for all four teams on 3rd to 6th mean things could be interesting but if they are able to win their two games then most chances we will have them in Fourth stage of which could be good for them but still not guaranteed for place in FIFA World Cup because we will have more teams which will give their best and things could be challenging their quality is good but still not as we needed for World Cup so they have to wait more and improve their game if they want to be spotted in this mega event.

[Sithara007]

Now we have nearly 10 weeks for having next qualification matches for the World Cup with Indonesia is having four games to play first will be against Australia away then we have against Bahrain at home third game is against China at home and last game against Japan in Japan.

At third spot currently with 6 points, and 6 points each for all four teams on 3rd to 6th mean things could be interesting but if they are able to win their two games then most chances we will have them in Fourth stage of which could be good for them but still not guaranteed for place in FIFA World Cup because we will have more teams which will give their best and things could be challenging their quality is good but still not as we needed for World Cup so they have to wait more and improve their game if they want to be spotted in this mega event.

Any of the five teams from this group can qualify to the FIFA World Cup, unlike the case with other groups. I would still argue that given the schedule for the remaining matches, Australia has the most chances of qualifying directly. In case they can't get a direct qualification slot, then they may need to try their luck with the fourth round. Out of six teams in 4th round, top-two will again gain direct qualification. It doesn't end there. There is a fifth round, for the 3rd and 4th placed teams, and then a Inter-confederation play-off match.

[Zlantann]

Any of the five teams from this group can qualify to the FIFA World Cup, unlike the case with other groups. I would still argue that given the schedule for the remaining matches, Australia has the most chances of qualifying directly. In case they can't get a direct qualification slot, then they may need to try their luck with the fourth round. Out of six teams in 4th round, top-two will again gain direct qualification. It doesn't end there. There is a fifth round, for the 3rd and 4th placed teams, and then a Inter-confederation play-off match.

Group C in the Asian World Cup qualifiers turned out to be the most complicated. Only Japan has secured a spot to move to the next round. Australia has seven points, one point higher than the other four teams. All the remaining five teams have almost equal chances to qualify. Based on past performances and ranking it would have been simple to predict that Australia would have gotten the next qualification ticket. But this is not the case now because they have not lived up to expectations. They have not lost any game but their point is suffering because of four draws and a single win.