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

[nullama]

A lot of controversy is ongoing after Qatar won the world cup qualifying match against India by a margin of 2-1. India were leading by 1-0, after Lallianzuala Chhangte scored a goal in 37th minute. However Qatar equalized in 73rd minute. As per replays, it was clear that the ball has gone out of play, but the referee awarded the goal to Qatar. And then Ahmed Al-Rawi scored another goal for Qatar to put them ahead by a margin of 2-1. If India had drawn this match, then they could have qualified for the next stage.

Yeah, that's the thing, VAR is great and all but at the end of the day the referee has the last call.

It might seem that the ball entered, or not, but the referee is actually in the field and probably has a better idea of what happened.

But yeah, it can be controversial, because if it was clearly out (or in) then why even consider the referee's call...

I like that the referee has the last call though...

[buwaytress]

Eh, all the teams ended up losing, but the Bahamas played half the game shorthanded and the score was only 1-0, which makes me think there was value in this bet.
Personally, I have now reached the state I need and am not at all looking for any game to bet on. It seems to me that the most difficult thing is to just wait for value games and not bet simply because there are some games. I plan to start with the third games of the Euro group stage, I think by this time the value of the games will be clear and it will be possible to predict with greater accuracy.

You echoed my thoughts. To be fair, if they had 11 men, they might have tried harder to equalise, and then end up losing big anyway. All the same, they were huge underdogs and only lost by a goal. A handicap bet should have been worth at least 3/1.

Value is discipline... which I don't always have. I actually used to be much better when I had a lot of time, I bet with reasonably high frequency only in the season, and then entire off season I don't bet at all. Now I'm even betting on F1...

With KO tournaments, I find value only in qualifiers and the latter stages of the finals. Group stages seem to be the worst -- everyone is too careful, and even ending up third or drawing all the games gives you a chance to playoff. Live betting is where it's at too. Last World Cup was pretty good for me, betting first against the favs, and then on them when/if they went a goal behind.

[Lidger]

Ronaldo has already confirmed that he will play in the 2026 World Cup but Lionel Messi has not made any decision on whether he will play for the national team in the next World Cup. Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are definitely two of the most mature players but the way they are connected to football and the way they have maintained their fitness, I don't think the 26 World Cup will be difficult for them. 

We have accepted that they will retire in the 2022 World Cup so if we see them in the 2026 World Cup it will be a bonus World Cup tournament for us. As a football lover, I would definitely like Messi and Ronaldo to play the World Cup together again.

Previously, we all thought that Ronaldo had really retired from defending Portugal, but it seems that he still feels able to play the last World Cup with Portugal and of course staying at Al Nassr this season is nothing but one of the ways for Ronaldo to be able to maintain his playing performance ahead of the 2026 World Cup starting later, so far Portugal still gives great confidence in Ronaldo and several other senior players,  So indeed we will see the Portuguese squad will be filled with a combination of young and old players later, Messi has previously said that the 2022 World Cup will be the last World Cup for him, but reportedly he also does not rule out the possibility of playing in the 2026 World Cup if indeed his physique and stamina are still very supportive to defend Argentina later.

Ronaldo and Messi are two of the best players in the world and they continue to compete to prove who is the best between them, the 2026 world cup of course we want to see the rivalry between the two players happen again and wouldn't it be interesting if later Portugal and Argentina might be able to meet in the final, so it will also be the final of the rivalry between the two before they really decide to retire from football?.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a legendary player and has achieved a lot of personal achievements in his accomplished career, but apart from winning only one Euro title for his country, he has no notable achievements. As the player he is, it is natural to expect him to have a World Cup trophy next to his name and his countrymen to remember him forever for the World Cup trophy. He started the last World Cup with high expectations but did not finish well. Maybe that's why he decided to play for another World Cup team. 

It's not that he's unfit, he's fit enough to play and he's been performing well regularly in the Saudi league so the team will definitely give him another chance if he wants to. However, if you want to do something good in the 26th World Cup, every player must play with a lot of responsibility and do well only then this star can make the 2026 World Cup memorable

[Distraction]

Messi has just said Inter Miami would be his last team to play for. But as far as I know he hasn't made any statement on his national career yet. I hope we can see him also in next World Cup together with Ronaldo.    Ronaldo has also stated that he doesn't have long years ahead of him to play football. It is obvious next World Cup would be the most optimistic tournament to see them both for one last time.

Anyway there is still a long time for European qualifiers to start I guess. Now we have Euro 2024 right ahead. After that I would start thinking about the qualifiers.

[Ruttoshi]

Ronaldo has already confirmed that he will play in the 2026 World Cup but Lionel Messi has not made any decision on whether he will play for the national team in the next World Cup. Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are definitely two of the most mature players but the way they are connected to football and the way they have maintained their fitness, I don't think the 26 World Cup will be difficult for them. 

We have accepted that they will retire in the 2022 World Cup so if we see them in the 2026 World Cup it will be a bonus World Cup tournament for us. As a football lover, I would definitely like Messi and Ronaldo to play the World Cup together again.

Previously, we all thought that Ronaldo had really retired from defending Portugal, but it seems that he still feels able to play the last World Cup with Portugal and of course staying at Al Nassr this season is nothing but one of the ways for Ronaldo to be able to maintain his playing performance ahead of the 2026 World Cup starting later, so far Portugal still gives great confidence in Ronaldo and several other senior players,  So indeed we will see the Portuguese squad will be filled with a combination of young and old players later, Messi has previously said that the 2022 World Cup will be the last World Cup for him, but reportedly he also does not rule out the possibility of playing in the 2026 World Cup if indeed his physique and stamina are still very supportive to defend Argentina later.

Ronaldo and Messi are two of the best players in the world and they continue to compete to prove who is the best between them, the 2026 world cup of course we want to see the rivalry between the two players happen again and wouldn't it be interesting if later Portugal and Argentina might be able to meet in the final, so it will also be the final of the rivalry between the two before they really decide to retire from football?.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a legendary player and has achieved a lot of personal achievements in his accomplished career, but apart from winning only one Euro title for his country, he has no notable achievements. As the player he is, it is natural to expect him to have a World Cup trophy next to his name and his countrymen to remember him forever for the World Cup trophy. He started the last World Cup with high expectations but did not finish well. Maybe that's why he decided to play for another World Cup team. 

It's not that he's unfit, he's fit enough to play and he's been performing well regularly in the Saudi league so the team will definitely give him another chance if he wants to. However, if you want to do something good in the 26th World Cup, every player must play with a lot of responsibility and do well only then this star can make the 2026 World Cup memorable

A single player ot two players cannot win the world cup when there are countries with strong players in their first eleven and their bench. The problem of Ronaldo unable to win the world cup is because of the country he is from. They don't have the players that it takes to join force with Ronaldo in order for Portugal to win the world cup.

It was in the last world cup that Messi was able to break the curse after playing in several world cup, and he didn't do it all alone. France also have great players, if Portugal players have improved their performance and take the world cup competition a do or die affair, maybe they can win it next season. I doubt if such thing will happen.

[Sakanwa]

Messi has just said Inter Miami would be his last team to play for. But as far as I know he hasn't made any statement on his national career yet. I hope we can see him also in next World Cup together with Ronaldo.    Ronaldo has also stated that he doesn't have long years ahead of him to play football. It is obvious next World Cup would be the most optimistic tournament to see them both for one last time.

Anyway there is still a long time for European qualifiers to start I guess. Now we have Euro 2024 right ahead. After that I would start thinking about the qualifiers.

Yes,I guess that's the time they would want to okay their last games.They are the two created footballers of all time.Messi is the greatest player of all time,while Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time.We can't compare the both because they are unique in their different ways.I know very well that Christiano will play in the world cup and retire immediately after the tournament.He has really tried for himself and his family consider his game,and the fact that he is still playing.
Where as Messi has already stated that Inter Miami is his last club,but his last game might come after world cup.

[Spaceman1000$]

Messi has just said Inter Miami would be his last team to play for. But as far as I know he hasn't made any statement on his national career yet. I hope we can see him also in next World Cup together with Ronaldo.    Ronaldo has also stated that he doesn't have long years ahead of him to play football. It is obvious next World Cup would be the most optimistic tournament to see them both for one last time.

Anyway there is still a long time for European qualifiers to start I guess. Now we have Euro 2024 right ahead. After that I would start thinking about the qualifiers.

As for Lionel Messi his move to inter Miami was unnecessary for me, he would have still remained in Paris Saint-Germain at least most of Europe would have still be seeing and watching him, which for me would have been a better place for retirement. However I think both Ronaldo and Messi are waiting for next world cup in 2026 before they will hang their boots. Ronaldo might really look like a player closing in little by little to his retirement, but he is still banging goals for his club. For the Europe 2024 that is about to kick off in about 24 hours from now, Portugal are heavily fronting Ronaldo as their Talisman which he has always been, and we are hopeful of still seeing his magical touches on the field of play this time around, not minding his age.

[FanEagle]

Value betting is definitely a way to look at all of this. Doesn't mean you will always be right, but it just means that you are going to end up seeing something different and good eventually. We just need to make sure that we do not bet too much, if we control our betting amount then value betting is not bad at all.

It usually means that we are going to see a situation that is unorthodox, and not going to be something that will take a while to happen. I think the situation should be something that will take a while. We should consider the situation to be highly sensitive. The reality is that we are going to be something that will take care of the situation getting a bit more risky but also has a risk value that is at positive.

[armanda90]

Messi has just said Inter Miami would be his last team to play for. But as far as I know he hasn't made any statement on his national career yet. I hope we can see him also in next World Cup together with Ronaldo.    Ronaldo has also stated that he doesn't have long years ahead of him to play football. It is obvious next World Cup would be the most optimistic tournament to see them both for one last time.

Anyway there is still a long time for European qualifiers to start I guess. Now we have Euro 2024 right ahead. After that I would start thinking about the qualifiers.

Recently Lionel Messi announced Inter Miami become his last team to play and never has decision for him return back to play with top European team or joining with Saudi Arabia club. Seems Lionel Messi getting more comfortable with Inter Miami and enjoying first season although failed bring his team to play off round qualifier,
but Messi still not giving confirmation about his future with national team will Copa America 2024 become his last appearance or waiting World Cup 2026 before retiring from national teams.

For Lionel Messi its bad decision because he still on the top level performance for playing with many top European teams, but his decision seems final make Inter Miami as last team for his career and he has planning will retire one day later with Inter Miami. Seems Lionel Messi will be Inter Miami legend one day later after his loyal announcing his last teams is Inter Miami.

[Leviathan.007]

Messi has just said Inter Miami would be his last team to play for. But as far as I know he hasn't made any statement on his national career yet. I hope we can see him also in next World Cup together with Ronaldo.    Ronaldo has also stated that he doesn't have long years ahead of him to play football. It is obvious next World Cup would be the most optimistic tournament to see them both for one last time.

Anyway there is still a long time for European qualifiers to start I guess. Now we have Euro 2024 right ahead. After that I would start thinking about the qualifiers.

Yes,I guess that's the time they would want to okay their last games.They are the two created footballers of all time.Messi is the greatest player of all time,while Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time.We can't compare the both because they are unique in their different ways.I know very well that Christiano will play in the world cup and retire immediately after the tournament.He has really tried for himself and his family consider his game,and the fact that he is still playing.
Where as Messi has already stated that Inter Miami is his last club,but his last game might come after world cup.

Ronaldo is still a big part of his team Portugal, and we just aw Portugal is literally nothing without Ronaldo in their team. They didn't let Ronaldo play against Croatia and they failed to win the game while in the next game with Ronaldo against Irland, they won the game.
This indicates that in the next World Cup in 2026, we are going to definitely see Ronaldo playing for Portugal, however, he will get older but they haven't found any player to fill his place in Portugal yet.

[Docnaster]

Messi has just said Inter Miami would be his last team to play for. But as far as I know he hasn't made any statement on his national career yet. I hope we can see him also in next World Cup together with Ronaldo.    Ronaldo has also stated that he doesn't have long years ahead of him to play football. It is obvious next World Cup would be the most optimistic tournament to see them both for one last time.

Anyway there is still a long time for European qualifiers to start I guess. Now we have Euro 2024 right ahead. After that I would start thinking about the qualifiers.

Yes,I guess that's the time they would want to okay their last games.They are the two created footballers of all time.Messi is the greatest player of all time,while Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time.We can't compare the both because they are unique in their different ways.I know very well that Christiano will play in the world cup and retire immediately after the tournament.He has really tried for himself and his family consider his game,and the fact that he is still playing.
Where as Messi has already stated that Inter Miami is his last club,but his last game might come after world cup.

Ronaldo is still a big part of his team Portugal, and we just aw Portugal is literally nothing without Ronaldo in their team. They didn't let Ronaldo play against Croatia and they failed to win the game while in the next game with Ronaldo against Irland, they won the game.
This indicates that in the next World Cup in 2026, we are going to definitely see Ronaldo playing for Portugal, however, he will get older but they haven't found any player to fill his place in Portugal yet.

To me Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest footballer that's ever lived even when I know some other people have a different opinion about what I just said but that doesn't mean that without him, the Portugal national team is nothing without him. Portugal is blessed with so many young talents that can play in Cristiano Ronaldo's position in the team and still help them win major finals but the obvious truth is that none of them possess the kind of football experience their captain Cristiano Ronaldo posseses. I would like to see Cristiano Ronaldo play in the next edition of the FIFA World Cup but I don't know how possible that'll be.
Recently, Lionel Messi granted an interview in which he said that there's a possibility of playing in the next edition of the FIFA World Cup only if he's fully fit to participate. The two best players of the last two decades are without doubt playing in their final years in football and that's why I'll advise everyone to enjoy the moment while it lasts.

[Mame89]

Messi has just said Inter Miami would be his last team to play for. But as far as I know he hasn't made any statement on his national career yet. I hope we can see him also in next World Cup together with Ronaldo.    Ronaldo has also stated that he doesn't have long years ahead of him to play football. It is obvious next World Cup would be the most optimistic tournament to see them both for one last time.

Anyway there is still a long time for European qualifiers to start I guess. Now we have Euro 2024 right ahead. After that I would start thinking about the qualifiers.

Yes,I guess that's the time they would want to okay their last games.They are the two created footballers of all time.Messi is the greatest player of all time,while Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time.We can't compare the both because they are unique in their different ways.I know very well that Christiano will play in the world cup and retire immediately after the tournament.He has really tried for himself and his family consider his game,and the fact that he is still playing.
Where as Messi has already stated that Inter Miami is his last club,but his last game might come after world cup.

In terms of age, it is likely that neither of them will play again at the 2026 World Cup. Indeed, Ronaldo said he would retire after the World Cup, and so did Messi. However, 2026 is still very far away and as their age increases, it is possible that Ronaldo and Messi will retire after last representing the national team at the Euros and Copa America.

Or maybe one of the two great players who will play in the next world cup is Ronaldo. Because he felt imperfect before winning the world cup in his career, the world cup added perfection to end his career. Moreover, currently Ronaldo is still quite productive in scoring goals even though he plays in a different SPL from Messi at Inter Miami.

But if I have to choose, I want Ronaldo to enter the 2026 world cup because his stamina is extraordinary and I want Ronaldo to win two world cups.

[Volgastallion]

Well with the star of the Eurocup and after that the start of the american cup on united state soil, we are gonna start to see some real clues about the teams thinking in the next world cup in a distant future, becuase until now we have 0 clues about what teams are gonna be real contenders.

[Forsyth Jones]

In terms of age, it is likely that neither of them will play again at the 2026 World Cup. Indeed, Ronaldo said he would retire after the World Cup, and so did Messi. However, 2026 is still very far away and as their age increases, it is possible that Ronaldo and Messi will retire after last representing the national team at the Euros and Copa America.

Or maybe one of the two great players who will play in the next world cup is Ronaldo. Because he felt imperfect before winning the world cup in his career, the world cup added perfection to end his career. Moreover, currently Ronaldo is still quite productive in scoring goals even though he plays in a different SPL from Messi at Inter Miami.

But if I have to choose, I want Ronaldo to enter the 2026 world cup because his stamina is extraordinary and I want Ronaldo to win two world cups.

It's quite possible that Messi and Ronaldo will change their minds by 2026, remember that the same thing happened with Pelé in the 62 World Cup, he said he would retire from the national team until he was champion in the 70 World Cup, with this Brazil lineup being the most overwhelming of all editions of the world cups that became known as "the squadron".

I have the impression that we don't see great stars like Ronaldinho, the phenomenon Ronaldo emerge, it seems that these are the only ones.

[Franctoshi]

In terms of age, it is likely that neither of them will play again at the 2026 World Cup. Indeed, Ronaldo said he would retire after the World Cup, and so did Messi. However, 2026 is still very far away and as their age increases, it is possible that Ronaldo and Messi will retire after last representing the national team at the Euros and Copa America.

Or maybe one of the two great players who will play in the next world cup is Ronaldo. Because he felt imperfect before winning the world cup in his career, the world cup added perfection to end his career. Moreover, currently Ronaldo is still quite productive in scoring goals even though he plays in a different SPL from Messi at Inter Miami.

But if I have to choose, I want Ronaldo to enter the 2026 world cup because his stamina is extraordinary and I want Ronaldo to win two world cups.

This is true and could play out, we are talking about 2 years plus down here, and despite the fact that now time flies but still people can change decisions at any point especially when age is no longer by their side, But reason that the two football legendary players would try to make it or play in that 2026 world cup is for them to say farewell to football, especially Christino Ronaldo who still needs to add the world cup trophy to his football records before he retires wouldn't want to miss this very last opportunity to try to lift the world cup.

[EL MOHA]

Yeah, that's the thing, VAR is great and all but at the end of the day the referee has the last call.

It might seem that the ball entered, or not, but the referee is actually in the field and probably has a better idea of what happened.

But yeah, it can be controversial, because if it was clearly out (or in) then why even consider the referee's call...

I like that the referee has the last call though...

Not entirely that though, the center referees have the say because the whistle is with them, when it comes to VAR though the referees at the VAR room usually have a say too, when you see calls are make you will see the referees hesitant to go to the TV for a review because they feel like the VAR referee is also capable. It is when the call is controversial that the referee is called to the monitor, so it’s not only the referee that makes call in the field.

Concerning this particular case of India vs Qatar, i think we can’t just conclude that the ball was totally out of play.  There were fractions of the ball still on the line which is a reason to actually award the goal. The only major thing done there that made me not to be happy with the centre referee is the fact that he didn’t go up to check it himself

[Rampagoe004]

It's not that he's unfit, he's fit enough to play and he's been performing well regularly in the Saudi league so the team will definitely give him another chance if he wants to. However, if you want to do something good in the 26th World Cup, every player must play with a lot of responsibility and do well only then this star can make the 2026 World Cup memorable

Ronaldo plays in the Saudi Arabian League and he managed to break the league record as the highest goal scorer in one season. At more than 35 years old, I think Ronaldo is the GOAT who still has an extraordinary physique to play in high level competitions. I am sure Ronaldo will be able to play in the 2026 World Cup at the same level. Usually only goalkeepers or defenders can play in old age for footballers. But I think Ronaldo will be a striker who can play even until he is 40 years old. I am truly amazed by Ronaldo's consistency and discipline in maintaining his physique.

[KTChampions]

Eh, all the teams ended up losing, but the Bahamas played half the game shorthanded and the score was only 1-0, which makes me think there was value in this bet.
Personally, I have now reached the state I need and am not at all looking for any game to bet on. It seems to me that the most difficult thing is to just wait for value games and not bet simply because there are some games. I plan to start with the third games of the Euro group stage, I think by this time the value of the games will be clear and it will be possible to predict with greater accuracy.

You echoed my thoughts. To be fair, if they had 11 men, they might have tried harder to equalise, and then end up losing big anyway. All the same, they were huge underdogs and only lost by a goal. A handicap bet should have been worth at least 3/1.

Value is discipline... which I don't always have. I actually used to be much better when I had a lot of time, I bet with reasonably high frequency only in the season, and then entire off season I don't bet at all. Now I'm even betting on F1...

With KO tournaments, I find value only in qualifiers and the latter stages of the finals. Group stages seem to be the worst -- everyone is too careful, and even ending up third or drawing all the games gives you a chance to playoff. Live betting is where it's at too. Last World Cup was pretty good for me, betting first against the favs, and then on them when/if they went a goal behind.

That is why I plan to start from the third round and if I bet, I will only bet on games where the outcome of the game will mean life and death. If there are no such games (or they are not interesting in terms of odds), then I will look for interesting bets in the playoffs.
Did I understand correctly that you bet against the favorites in the group stage and in the playoffs on the favorites if they started to lead? Or were these some kind of hedging bets in live?

[Dailyscript]

Messi has just said Inter Miami would be his last team to play for. But as far as I know he hasn't made any statement on his national career yet. I hope we can see him also in next World Cup together with Ronaldo.    Ronaldo has also stated that he doesn't have long years ahead of him to play football. It is obvious next World Cup would be the most optimistic tournament to see them both for one last time.

Anyway there is still a long time for European qualifiers to start I guess. Now we have Euro 2024 right ahead. After that I would start thinking about the qualifiers.

The news would come as a shocking to the fans when they do not expected it that Messi ill quit playing for the National team. Which means the next world cup competition which would take place soon he wont be playing as well. Dude is over football age, in as much he is lying that he is still younger with the age online, however before then his age will be equal to the retirement football age. Of course no matter what he do, FIFA wont let him play at all. What else is he looking for in his career again he has won the world cup which was what we all was especting.

[ndutndut]

It's not that he's unfit, he's fit enough to play and he's been performing well regularly in the Saudi league so the team will definitely give him another chance if he wants to. However, if you want to do something good in the 26th World Cup, every player must play with a lot of responsibility and do well only then this star can make the 2026 World Cup memorable

Ronaldo plays in the Saudi Arabian League and he managed to break the league record as the highest goal scorer in one season. At more than 35 years old, I think Ronaldo is the GOAT who still has an extraordinary physique to play in high level competitions. I am sure Ronaldo will be able to play in the 2026 World Cup at the same level. Usually only goalkeepers or defenders can play in old age for footballers. But I think Ronaldo will be a striker who can play even until he is 40 years old. I am truly amazed by Ronaldo's consistency and discipline in maintaining his physique.

Yes that's right. Ronaldo, in terms of maintaining his physical condition and continuing to train, will most likely return to play in the next world cup. It's rare for a 39 year old player to still be productive in scoring goals, especially now that he has broken the record in the Arab Pro League.

Just look at other players, there is no player like Ronaldo who consistently maintains physical fitness and scores goals. Messi currently at his new club is also not as good as Ronaldo at AL Nassr, so with Ronaldo's consistency and discipline in maintaining his physique, it is not impossible that Ronaldo, at the age of more than 40 years in 2026, will still be able to play in the World Cup even if he doesn't play. full time but his presence in the team will maintain the motivation of the other players.