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

[Jatiluhung]

Honestly, I don't want to be too pessimistic, but any of these national teams ( Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, Bahrain and China ) that qualify will only be able to celebrate for qualifying and will not win the World Cup, that is, they are only dreaming of guaranteeing participation in the World Cup, unfortunately the national teams from Asia have no chance of winning the World Cup, in America there is only Brazil and Argentina, while in Europe there are many national teams such as France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

https://www.marca.com/en/world-cup/winners.html

There is no national team in Asia and we in Africa have no chance of winning the World Cup. So they can only dream of qualifying and then they will lose in the World Cup games.

Well maybe like that. But still, successfully qualifying for the World Cup is already an extraordinary source of pride. So all national teams are competing just to qualify for the World Cup. Because the FIFA ranking will immediately increase rapidly when you successfully qualify for the World Cup.

But from Asia, I still see the Japanese and South Korean national teams as teams that actually have the potential to become champions because I see the rapid development of football in these two countries. And actually from Africa I also have confidence that one day there will be a successful national team. Because we can see that several players from there are currently playing at big clubs in Europe. So yeah, that's a pretty positive sign.

[retreat]

-snip-
China will meet Indonesia, in the previous match China won, so this match they also have a chance too.

I'm optimistic that Indonesia can win this match, because it's a match on Indonesia's home turf, it will put immediate pressure on the Chinese national team. Especially Indonesia will play key players such as Rafael Struick, Rizky Ridho, Marselino Ferdinan, this will provide a better potential win for the Indonesian national team at home. And Patrick Kluivert as the new coach of the Indonesian national team already has a strategy to be able to face China. He will probably implement a high-pressing at the beginning of the match, and utilize the key players to be able to control the middle sector. My prediction is 2-0, with Indonesia winning.

[Hanadawa]

-snip-When they were hosts, Indonesia managed to beat the Saudi Arabian and Bahraini teams. Even holding Australia to a draw at that time. So the biggest possibility is that the Indonesian national team will really be the favorite in the match against China.

When hosting the Indonesian National Team, they had a good record. I also support Indonesia to win the match. They have many naturalized players who play in Europe. Although they do not play in top European clubs, they can bring the philosophy of European football to Indonesia. I see how the Indonesian National Team can develop significantly when they have naturalized players. They played very well. Unfortunately, Indonesia did not have a good striker at the beginning of the third round. The last piece of the puzzle they got when Ole Romeny joined. This is what makes me sure that Indonesia will be able to beat China and at least they will qualify for the fourth round. I see the opportunity for Indonesia to shift Australia as very, very impossible and unrealistic.

[Despairo]

When hosting the Indonesian National Team, they had a good record. I also support Indonesia to win the match. They have many naturalized players who play in Europe. Although they do not play in top European clubs, they can bring the philosophy of European football to Indonesia. I see how the Indonesian National Team can develop significantly when they have naturalized players. They played very well. Unfortunately, Indonesia did not have a good striker at the beginning of the third round. The last piece of the puzzle they got when Ole Romeny joined. This is what makes me sure that Indonesia will be able to beat China and at least they will qualify for the fourth round. I see the opportunity for Indonesia to shift Australia as very, very impossible and unrealistic.

They already played with naturalized players, but they lost 2-1 against China.

Ole Romeny joined didn't give any big impact, they got humiliated by Australia. The match against Bahrain, they're quite lucky, draw was possible. China only lost with 2 goals against Australia was already an achievement.

Indonesia are in advantage, they only need draw to survive.

[AmoreJaz]

For the Indonesia vs China match, I'm not really sure which one to favourite. But maybe I will choose Indonesia.

I would go with Indonesia for sure: it's football, so everything could happen, but until now China have always been a huge deception, the players are simply bad, and we've never seen any improvement during all these years, not even when they were actually investing in football's develop. On the other hand there isa movement that is growing a lot, and lately Indonesia have been calling up a lot of dual-citizen players, mainly from The Netherlands but, for example, I also remember Emil Audero, who played with Italian youth teams.

As we have seen, a lot of these teams are indeed attracting "foreign" players to their team. That's one strategy though. And any team can employ such strategy. It is actually quite old strategy. Just look at the PH football team. Look at the athletes and for sure, you would say, they are not pure Filipinos by blood - Just for comparison purposes - look at the features of Pacquiao as he is the representation of a pure Filipino vs the features of these below athletes. So yes, such strategy has been used by most Asian teams. They import foreign blood to strengthen their team.

AFC Asian Cup: ‘half-breed’ Pilipinas Azkals symbolise what it means to be Filipino, says former AFC official

[joniboini]

Look at the athletes and for sure, you would say, they are not pure Filipinos by blood - Just for comparison purposes - look at the features of Pacquiao as he is the representation of a pure Filipino vs the features of these below athletes. So yes, such strategy has been used by most Asian teams. They import foreign blood to strengthen their team.

I remember how some pundits were strongly against this in the past. I think the issue was that this move doesn't really affect grassroots football, so the quality of national competition is still terrible. I kinda agree with that, but the sentiment seems to have changed recently, at least in my country. The governing body promises to improve national competition and grassroots development, even though the process is quite slow. Relying on naturalization for the national team isn't a good long-term plan to begin with.

[traderethereum]

-snip-
China will meet Indonesia, in the previous match China won, so this match they also have a chance too.

I'm optimistic that Indonesia can win this match, because it's a match on Indonesia's home turf, it will put immediate pressure on the Chinese national team. Especially Indonesia will play key players such as Rafael Struick, Rizky Ridho, Marselino Ferdinan, this will provide a better potential win for the Indonesian national team at home. And Patrick Kluivert as the new coach of the Indonesian national team already has a strategy to be able to face China. He will probably implement a high-pressing at the beginning of the match, and utilize the key players to be able to control the middle sector. My prediction is 2-0, with Indonesia winning.

Yup, Indonesian people want to see their team win against Chine. But I read on local newspaper, Ferdinan was scores currently under suspension but I don't for sure about that.

But in that match, both Indonesian and China already prepare their best squad to the match. This match is very decisive for Indonesia because it can raise their ranking and eliminate other countries. So no matter how hard, Kluivert will do the best and we need to support them.

[giorgione]

-snip-
China will meet Indonesia, in the previous match China won, so this match they also have a chance too.

I'm optimistic that Indonesia can win this match, because it's a match on Indonesia's home turf, it will put immediate pressure on the Chinese national team. Especially Indonesia will play key players such as Rafael Struick, Rizky Ridho, Marselino Ferdinan, this will provide a better potential win for the Indonesian national team at home. And Patrick Kluivert as the new coach of the Indonesian national team already has a strategy to be able to face China. He will probably implement a high-pressing at the beginning of the match, and utilize the key players to be able to control the middle sector. My prediction is 2-0, with Indonesia winning.

Yup, Indonesian people want to see their team win against Chine. But I read on local newspaper, Ferdinan was scores currently under suspension but I don't for sure about that.

But in that match, both Indonesian and China already prepare their best squad to the match. This match is very decisive for Indonesia because it can raise their ranking and eliminate other countries. So no matter how hard, Kluivert will do the best and we need to support them.

but I absolutely did not know that Patrick Kluivert was the coach of Indonesia, I am very pleased that players of this caliber have become such strong coaches and that they have then managed to coach these national teams that have a lot of growth to do, I am really happy, football is growing

[Arenga pinnata]

I remember how some pundits were strongly against this in the past. I think the issue was that this move doesn't really affect grassroots football, so the quality of national competition is still terrible. I kinda agree with that, but the sentiment seems to have changed recently, at least in my country. The governing body promises to improve national competition and grassroots development, even though the process is quite slow. Relying on naturalization for the national team isn't a good long-term plan to begin with.

Well, this process is not for the long term but only for the short term. Because however, in the long term, our government or national sports body must focus more on providing a better football academy with more complete facilities if the goal is long term and to grow lots of extraordinary young potential.

But for now, it's not a problem to include more naturalized players. But I hope that this cannot be done continuously in our national team. Because after all, pure blood Indonesian players must get a stage and opportunity too. Because I sometimes see that the quality of naturalized players is sometimes not much better than real local players. Unfortunately, there are several real Indonesian football players with pure blood who were not called up to the national team even though I know they are very quality players.

[masulum]

but I absolutely did not know that Patrick Kluivert was the coach of Indonesia, I am very pleased that players of this caliber have become such strong coaches and that they have then managed to coach these national teams that have a lot of growth to do, I am really happy, football is growing

The next match will be an important for Patrick and the Indonesian National Team. Will Indonesia advance to the next phase or not. There is still hope, 2 matches left, Indonesia target is to advance to the 4th round, if this can be achieved the Indonesian public will be very happy. We cannot refuse a change of coach, although I still hope for STY. However, if Patrick can bring Indonesia to the 4th round, I can accept that.

[pusaka]

but I absolutely did not know that Patrick Kluivert was the coach of Indonesia, I am very pleased that players of this caliber have become such strong coaches and that they have then managed to coach these national teams that have a lot of growth to do, I am really happy, football is growing

A little information, Patrick has handled Indonesia a few months ago, his debut at that time he faced Australia and Indonesia had to lose with a landslide score. But then in the second match, he managed to bring Indonesia to a narrow win when facing Bahrain.
His task in Indonesia is to achieve the best results, realistically in 3rd or 4th position and advance to the next round. Actually that was also the task of the previous coach, STY, but for some reason PSSI decided to replace him even though I think he was still on the right track at that time.
China will be the country he must defeat before facing Japan in the last match of the 3rd round of Qualification.

[Die_empty]

As we have seen, a lot of these teams are indeed attracting "foreign" players to their team. That's one strategy though. And any team can employ such strategy. It is actually quite old strategy. Just look at the PH football team. Look at the athletes and for sure, you would say, they are not pure Filipinos by blood - Just for comparison purposes - look at the features of Pacquiao as he is the representation of a pure Filipino vs the features of these below athletes. So yes, such strategy has been used by most Asian teams. They import foreign blood to strengthen their team.

AFC Asian Cup: ‘half-breed’ Pilipinas Azkals symbolise what it means to be Filipino, says former AFC official

This is also the case on most national teams in Africa. They have been filled with foreign players will African heritage. This might be because these players are more skillful and experienced. They were trained with good facilities and have been exposed to quality teams and players. Some of them play in good clubs abroad that cannot be compared with our local leagues. Our local leagues are not well funded and lack infrastructure, which is why they don't produce good players like before. So coaches will simply use this half breed players.

[Sithara007]

A little information, Patrick has handled Indonesia a few months ago, his debut at that time he faced Australia and Indonesia had to lose with a landslide score. But then in the second match, he managed to bring Indonesia to a narrow win when facing Bahrain.
His task in Indonesia is to achieve the best results, realistically in 3rd or 4th position and advance to the next round. Actually that was also the task of the previous coach, STY, but for some reason PSSI decided to replace him even though I think he was still on the right track at that time.
China will be the country he must defeat before facing Japan in the last match of the 3rd round of Qualification.

Unfortunately for Indonesia, they are placed in one of the toughest groups in third round. Japan has already secured qualification, and Australia are close behind. And below them comes Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. I would say that either Saudi Arabia or Australia has the maximum chances to qualify from this group along with Japan. For Indonesia, the remaining matches are against China and Japan. Winning against Japan is almost impossible, and even if they win these two matches, there is no guarantee that they will qualify. 

[hyudien]

but I absolutely did not know that Patrick Kluivert was the coach of Indonesia, I am very pleased that players of this caliber have become such strong coaches and that they have then managed to coach these national teams that have a lot of growth to do, I am really happy, football is growing

The next match will be an important for Patrick and the Indonesian National Team. Will Indonesia advance to the next phase or not. There is still hope, 2 matches left, Indonesia target is to advance to the 4th round, if this can be achieved the Indonesian public will be very happy. We cannot refuse a change of coach, although I still hope for STY. However, if Patrick can bring Indonesia to the 4th round, I can accept that.

The remaining two matches are very important especially against China because they cannot lose and even a draw could be a problem for Indonesia, Bahrain could win another match and catch up with their points. Well, regarding the change of coach, I actually regret it, but let the past be the past and Patrick must prove his ability by at least bringing Indonesia to 4th place, although for me it can also be achieved in Shin hands.

[cande86]

Well, this process is not for the long term but only for the short term. Because however, in the long term, our government or national sports body must focus more on providing a better football academy with more complete facilities if the goal is long term and to grow lots of extraordinary young potential.

But for now, it's not a problem to include more naturalized players. But I hope that this cannot be done continuously in our national team. Because after all, pure blood Indonesian players must get a stage and opportunity too. Because I sometimes see that the quality of naturalized players is sometimes not much better than real local players. Unfortunately, there are several real Indonesian football players with pure blood who were not called up to the national team even though I know they are very quality players.

Here we enter, in my opinion, into a truly complex discussion, a minefield.
Many people leave their country for many reasons, but they are always tied to it.
So let's say it's a really controversial discussion in which one risks saying something banal.
i am not against it, mind you, but it's difficult to establish, in my opinion it should be established from person to person

[Jatiluhung]

The next match will be an important for Patrick and the Indonesian National Team. Will Indonesia advance to the next phase or not. There is still hope, 2 matches left, Indonesia target is to advance to the 4th round, if this can be achieved the Indonesian public will be very happy. We cannot refuse a change of coach, although I still hope for STY. However, if Patrick can bring Indonesia to the 4th round, I can accept that.

Yes, Patrick Kluivert's quality will really be tested through the remaining matches for the Indonesian national team in the Asian zone World Cup qualifying round. To fight China, I am actually quite optimistic that Indonesia can win. but I'm not sure about the next match, which is against Japan. and at that time Japan would be the host. And I think that's a tough task. It's just that if Indonesia can qualify for the next stage then that is an extraordinary achievement for Indonesia's new coach, Patrick Kluivert. I personally also like STY even though sometimes I have some things that I don't like about some of the strategies used by STY. but still STY is the one who has succeeded in bringing Indonesia this far.

[Ahli38]

Unfortunately for Indonesia, they are placed in one of the toughest groups in third round. Japan has already secured qualification, and Australia are close behind. And below them comes Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. I would say that either Saudi Arabia or Australia has the maximum chances to qualify from this group along with Japan. For Indonesia, the remaining matches are against China and Japan. Winning against Japan is almost impossible, and even if they win these two matches, there is no guarantee that they will qualify. 

Indonesia is indeed in the hell group in the Asian zone. Because we all know there is a very clear difference between Indonesia and the strong teams in Group C. Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia are the 3 teams that always play in the World Cup. So against these three teams, it is a level that is actually still quite far away for Indonesia to win. It's just that I was surprised when Indonesia managed to hold them to a draw and even beat Saudi Arabia. This proves that Indonesia has also experienced improvement. And even if we look at the FIFA rankings, we can see that Indonesia is the lowest in Group C. Then followed by Bahrain and China. But if Indonesia manages to qualify for the next stage then I will be optimistic about the future development of Indonesian football. Even though I didn't qualify for the world cup in this period, I am quite sure that a bigger opportunity could come in the next period.

[Sithara007]

The remaining two matches are very important especially against China because they cannot lose and even a draw could be a problem for Indonesia, Bahrain could win another match and catch up with their points. Well, regarding the change of coach, I actually regret it, but let the past be the past and Patrick must prove his ability by at least bringing Indonesia to 4th place, although for me it can also be achieved in Shin hands.

Indonesia has performed relatively well, compared to the previous editions. But unless they are able to qualify, it doesn't matter much. And chances are that they will fail to secure a qualification slot in the third round. And in case they get to fourth round, securing qualification is even tougher (out of 6 teams, only 2 are going to qualify). Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is being given 8.5 qualification slots this time. If Indonesia can't make use of them, then the wait for them will get a lot longer.

[TastyChillySauce00]

China will meet Indonesia, in the previous match China won, so this match they also have a chance too.

China seems have greater chance to win. however, i'm going straight to the odds. Indonesia is being favored in this game, and i think they can equally battle against China. So i pick Indonesia.
This is a risky bet, but the odds is not bad though. China was performing badly in their previous games, and i think they're mentally bad. Indonesia can take chance in their home game.

[Ahli38]

-snip-When they were hosts, Indonesia managed to beat the Saudi Arabian and Bahraini teams. Even holding Australia to a draw at that time. So the biggest possibility is that the Indonesian national team will really be the favorite in the match against China.

When hosting the Indonesian National Team, they had a good record. I also support Indonesia to win the match. They have many naturalized players who play in Europe. Although they do not play in top European clubs, they can bring the philosophy of European football to Indonesia. I see how the Indonesian National Team can develop significantly when they have naturalized players. They played very well. Unfortunately, Indonesia did not have a good striker at the beginning of the third round. The last piece of the puzzle they got when Ole Romeny joined. This is what makes me sure that Indonesia will be able to beat China and at least they will qualify for the fourth round. I see the opportunity for Indonesia to shift Australia as very, very impossible and unrealistic.

Well, we already know the Indonesian national team quite well. Where they are able to play with great confidence when playing as the host. And their game improves drastically when they play in front of their own supporters. So we will indeed feel very optimistic about being able to see the Indonesian national team succeed in beating China. Although that's not certain. because in terms of FIFA rankings, China is actually still much better than the Indonesian national team, so if it turns out that the Indonesian national team faces defeat then perhaps we don't need to be surprised by all that. But what is clear is that several previous wins while hosting can make us confident that Indonesia will also be the favorite in this match.