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

[Adiljutt156]

Türkiye secured an easy win last night. Beating Georgia was very important, and we did it comfortably. We’ve guaranteed second place in the group and will now compete for the top spot. Turkey has two games left, against Bulgaria and Spain. We need to beat Spain, and Spain also needs to drop points. I know these possibilities are slim and probably won’t happen, but we still have hope.

Türkiye national football team played very well against Georgia national football team and that was one sided match because one team did 4 goals in this match and opponent team did only 1 goal in this match. Demiral was a person who did 2 goals in this match and he did his first goal at 22 minutes and after that we saw goal again by that player and he did goal at 52 minutes and made match totally one sided. Kochorashvili was  the only person who did goal against that team and we saw resistance by that player and he did goal at 64 minutes of the match. The shots of Georgia national team were more in number and these were 12 in this match and 3 shots were on target and possession percentage of that team was 55 percent in this match and passes of that team were more in this match but that team could not win this match because that team could not do more goals in this match.

[Belarge]

Türkiye secured an easy win last night. Beating Georgia was very important, and we did it comfortably. We’ve guaranteed second place in the group and will now compete for the top spot. Turkey has two games left, against Bulgaria and Spain. We need to beat Spain, and Spain also needs to drop points. I know these possibilities are slim and probably won’t happen, but we still have hope.

Reviews about Turkey beating Georgia, it was a simple task for them and they smashed up all area to come out been the best. Turkey had a good treat in the world cup qualifiers because we can see clearly how they humbled oppositions with high goal margin. Turkey should not be underrated because they've good players that are ambitious and patriotic to play to any level for their country. This is what we should be talking about, to see Turkey on a fly level of competing with European countries in the world cup. Turkey facing Spain, a controversial game for them to win because it's going to be extreme difficult.

[Ale88]

The fact that we are going to have so many teams going to world cup now is a great way to add more fun to this. Because the more teams is there, the more nations will watch. A nation whose team is not there, usually do not watch that much, maybe they will watch a bit, like sure same people would, but not as many as the nation that joins.

So take any nation, call it Nation X, if they join, then maybe 30-40% of the population will watch those games at least, whereas 5-10% would watch the version where Nation X is not joining. With more teams, we are getting more views and that is going to matter. The more people view the games, the more nations will end up focusing on football and aiming to be there to get views for their players and team.

I strongly disagree: the World Cup is already the most watched sporting event in the world so I really struggle to understand how the presence of countries such as Jordan, New Zealand, Cape Verde or Uzbekistan can noticeably improve the number of watchers. I actually think it's even counterproductive for the stadiums because the tickets are already extremely expensive so who is willing to spend $2-300 to go watch Jordan playing? In my opinion many matches will have little attendance. If I go to the World Cup I expect to see the best teams in the world, not a bunch of average teams that qualified only because FIFA chose to increase the number of spots. With this new formula 1 federation out of 4 will qualify to the World Cup, it's just too much, we're talking about 25% of the national teams taking part to a tournament that is supposed to be only for the best of the best.

[cande86]

Türkiye secured an easy win last night. Beating Georgia was very important, and we did it comfortably. We?ve guaranteed second place in the group and will now compete for the top spot. Turkey has two games left, against Bulgaria and Spain. We need to beat Spain, and Spain also needs to drop points. I know these possibilities are slim and probably won?t happen, but we still have hope.

Reviews about Turkey beating Georgia, it was a simple task for them and they smashed up all area to come out been the best. Turkey had a good treat in the world cup qualifiers because we can see clearly how they humbled oppositions with high goal margin. Turkey should not be underrated because they've good players that are ambitious and patriotic to play to any level for their country. This is what we should be talking about, to see Turkey on a fly level of competing with European countries in the world cup. Turkey facing Spain, a controversial game for them to win because it's going to be extreme difficult.

Turkey has a golden generation at the moment and it's a fact that Arda Güler and Kenan Y?ld?z are two players who are easily worth 100m between them.
And indeed they are great players and whoever underestimates Turkey is wrong, because they have very strong players.

[yudi09]

The England national team is currently in its golden age. Their squad boasts a blend of talented young players and star senior players of undeniable quality. Seeing them dominate is truly a well-deserved achievement. I hope they can continue this momentum until the World Cup.

It is true that the England team has become very strong in this new season, both the attack and defense can perform aggressively and can resist the opposing team. The current squad is stronger than the past squad of the England team, so they have the right to perform well with any team and this season they are calm among the fans with good results. And each player is helping the England team to become more confident.

England won all six of their qualifying matches and did not concede a single goal. Another team that followed England was Norway, but Norway conceded three goals.
The weakness of the English team is not in qualifying, but they are often unlucky when playing in official World Cup or European Cup matches.

The match against Latvia was the most interesting. Not because they won with their signature style of play, but because the stadium where the match was held looked nothing like the stadiums in England.
I won't dwell on their strength because I've already mentioned where their weakness lies, which you call confidence, but in the match against Latvia, not only the spectators, but also the players and all the team officials felt a different atmosphere.

[Die_empty]

The fact that we are going to have so many teams going to world cup now is a great way to add more fun to this. Because the more teams is there, the more nations will watch. A nation whose team is not there, usually do not watch that much, maybe they will watch a bit, like sure same people would, but not as many as the nation that joins.

So take any nation, call it Nation X, if they join, then maybe 30-40% of the population will watch those games at least, whereas 5-10% would watch the version where Nation X is not joining. With more teams, we are getting more views and that is going to matter. The more people view the games, the more nations will end up focusing on football and aiming to be there to get views for their players and team.

I strongly disagree: the World Cup is already the most watched sporting event in the world so I really struggle to understand how the presence of countries such as Jordan, New Zealand, Cape Verde or Uzbekistan can noticeably improve the number of watchers. I actually think it's even counterproductive for the stadiums because the tickets are already extremely expensive so who is willing to spend $2-300 to go watch Jordan playing? In my opinion many matches will have little attendance. If I go to the World Cup I expect to see the best teams in the world, not a bunch of average teams that qualified only because FIFA chose to increase the number of spots. With this new formula 1 federation out of 4 will qualify to the World Cup, it's just too much, we're talking about 25% of the national teams taking part to a tournament that is supposed to be only for the best of the best.

But more people will watch the game online or through television transmission. I guess @sana54210 was not referring to going to the US or other co-hosting nations to watch the games in the stadiums. The citizens of Jordan and New Zealand can afford to travel to the US to support their national teams and they might also have nationals who reside in the US. But games of developing nations like Cape Verde or Uzbekistan might have empty stadiums, but there will be online viewership.  However, increasing the number of participants will increase the development of football in some countries.

[Roseline492]

Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak have failed their country this season after they missed out on the 2026 world cup qualifiers and this is not funny. A team like Sweden have one of the very best frontlines in the European football and yet they couldn't exhibits their worth to the national team. Both players are not having what it takes to win games and step up as leading players.

Although we ought not to pour all blames on Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak because they're not the only players on the pitch, we have quite good names who are not also helping matters but trolling the frontlines because they're top players and representing elite teams in the English Premier League.

They are the people that when you call the Swedish players they will come first but I don't blame them of there lack of incoming world Cup because the club is not on there hand and they're like every other players the country has. If there were more like them with there skills it wouldn't have been centered to them alone. Although if some of them that plays for big teams were to transfer how they are playing on the club side to there national team Sweden would have made it. Slovenia even tried are least not to loss much as they draw three games before getting won by Switzerland but apart from Slovenia draw with Sweden there has not been another point for Sweden so they only have a point.

[ajanwalker]

Sweden parted ways with Jon Dahl Tomasson and Ivan Hasek in the Czech Republic.

I believe the Czech Republic made a hasty decision, but Sweden made a mistake by appointing Tomasson as manager and later corrected this mistake.
Sweden failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Indonesian national team also parted ways with Patrick Kluivert.
I reiterate my belief that Dutch managers cannot succeed outside the Netherlands.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Ronaldo is not even looking like he will retiring after the world cup cause he's looking younger than his age and he still does what he knows how to do well very well so he can't be forced to retire by anyone when he is still doing what some younger players can't do. Ronaldo vs beat the best defenders today if he face them a player with such qualities should know what is best for him and when to retire, the penalty miss should not deter from playing more penalties because he is a legend whi has made a good name for himself.

I'm with you, these are the moments when we should make the most of seeing this legend, afterward it's not the same as people telling stories about him, it's a shame that Messi has retired, for me they have been the best players after Pelé and Maradona, for now all that's left to do is enjoy it, there will always be detractors towards good players, it's normal, except that CR7 has made even more history.

[Ale88]

The fact that we are going to have so many teams going to world cup now is a great way to add more fun to this. Because the more teams is there, the more nations will watch. A nation whose team is not there, usually do not watch that much, maybe they will watch a bit, like sure same people would, but not as many as the nation that joins.

So take any nation, call it Nation X, if they join, then maybe 30-40% of the population will watch those games at least, whereas 5-10% would watch the version where Nation X is not joining. With more teams, we are getting more views and that is going to matter. The more people view the games, the more nations will end up focusing on football and aiming to be there to get views for their players and team.

I strongly disagree: the World Cup is already the most watched sporting event in the world so I really struggle to understand how the presence of countries such as Jordan, New Zealand, Cape Verde or Uzbekistan can noticeably improve the number of watchers. I actually think it's even counterproductive for the stadiums because the tickets are already extremely expensive so who is willing to spend $2-300 to go watch Jordan playing? In my opinion many matches will have little attendance. If I go to the World Cup I expect to see the best teams in the world, not a bunch of average teams that qualified only because FIFA chose to increase the number of spots. With this new formula 1 federation out of 4 will qualify to the World Cup, it's just too much, we're talking about 25% of the national teams taking part to a tournament that is supposed to be only for the best of the best.

But more people will watch the game online or through television transmission. I guess @sana54210 was not referring to going to the US or other co-hosting nations to watch the games in the stadiums. The citizens of Jordan and New Zealand can afford to travel to the US to support their national teams and they might also have nationals who reside in the US. But games of developing nations like Cape Verde or Uzbekistan might have empty stadiums, but there will be online viewership.  However, increasing the number of participants will increase the development of football in some countries.

I'm sorry but seriously, who is going to watch Jordan or Uzbekistan playing? Even online, let's say those two teams play against each other or against Cape Verde or Bolivia or Qatar, besides people from those two countries who is going to care? Do you really think that many people are excited about games like those? Come on, let's be honest and real, nobody cares.

And I don't understand how, for you, having empty stadiums at the World Cup wouldn't be a problem because "there would be online viewers". I mean, come on, if there is the World Cup and the stadiums are empty it means there is something wrong, very wrong.

And I just read this declaration from Jamie Carragher about the next World Cup: "There are definitely going to be some really boring games at this World Cup. No one in their right mind gets excited for Cape Verde vs Uzbekistan or Jordan v Tunisia."

And I totally agree. Again, this is the World Cup, only the best teams are supposed to be there, now it became ridiculous because almost everyone is participating. FIFA is a disgrace for football, and the 48-team World Cup is the natural result of a corrupted association that only cares about making money in any possible way, legal or not.

[satscraper]

Turkey won a fantastic victory.

Yeah, they did. Turkey defeated Georgia 4-1. As I had predicted, Kenan Yıldız played the key role in this match, scoring the first goal in the 14th minute. In fact, his goal set the tone for the rest of the match. This young player continues to impress me every time he steps on the field. Turkey has to be proud of him. I only wonder why he plays for Juventus rather for some of Turkey club let's say Galatasaray. The management of the latter should think about it.

In the other group match, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 and maintained their group lead.

Bulgaria was the sitting duck for Spain.

[Rikafip]

I'm sorry but seriously, who is going to watch Jordan or Uzbekistan playing? Even online, let's say those two teams play against each other or against Cape Verde or Bolivia or Qatar, besides people from those two countries who is going to care? Do you really think that many people are excited about games like those? Come on, let's be honest and real, nobody cares.

I know I won't. Back in the old format I watched like 90% of the games, and now I will have to wait for the 2nd round to finally get more competitive football. Thanks to this new format, you will have better chances to go through the group stages than not.  


 

FIFA is a disgrace for football, and the 48-team World Cup is the natural result of a corrupted association that only cares about making money in any possible way, legal or not.

Imho, things will become only worse in the future. Last month I read that some South American countries are pushing for 64 teams in 2030 WC. While I don't think its gonna happen as of yet, there is a solid chance that we see it in lets say 10-15 years.

[Polkeins]

Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak have failed their country this season after they missed out on the 2026 world cup qualifiers and this is not funny. A team like Sweden have one of the very best frontlines in the European football and yet they couldn't exhibits their worth to the national team. Both players are not having what it takes to win games and step up as leading players.

Although we ought not to pour all blames on Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak because they're not the only players on the pitch, we have quite good names who are not also helping matters but trolling the frontlines because they're top players and representing elite teams in the English Premier League.

They are the people that when you call the Swedish players they will come first but I don't blame them of there lack of incoming world Cup because the club is not on there hand and they're like every other players the country has. If there were more like them with there skills it wouldn't have been centered to them alone. Although if some of them that plays for big teams were to transfer how they are playing on the club side to there national team Sweden would have made it. Slovenia even tried are least not to loss much as they draw three games before getting won by Switzerland but apart from Slovenia draw with Sweden there has not been another point for Sweden so they only have a point.

I think Obari is right when mention that Gyokeres and Isak let their team down, because Sweden has only scored two goals in their last few matches, even though before the group stage began, it seemed that Sweden had one of the strongest attacking lines since Ibrahimovic played. In addition, Gyokeres and Isak missed part of the training sessions when they wanted to leave Sporting and Newcastle and did not get into the necessary shape before the national team's games. On top of that, the head coach decided to play with three defenders for some reason, which the Swedish national team had hardly ever played before, and frequent defensive failures led to seven goals conceded.

[m4r1o]

Yeah, they did. Turkey defeated Georgia 4-1. As I had predicted, Kenan Y?ld?z played the key role in this match, scoring the first goal in the 14th minute. In fact, his goal set the tone for the rest of the match. This young player continues to impress me every time he steps on the field. Turkey has to be proud of him. I only wonder why he plays for Juventus rather for some of Turkey club let's say Galatasaray. The management of the latter should think about it.


Bulgaria was the sitting duck for Spain.

Kenan is an exceptional player, he always manages to amaze me and this generation of phenomena will go very far, this team will certainly do well in the World Cup, they have done an exceptional job of growing and in fact it shows, they score and they do it well too.

[KTChampions]

I strongly disagree: the World Cup is already the most watched sporting event in the world so I really struggle to understand how the presence of countries such as Jordan, New Zealand, Cape Verde or Uzbekistan can noticeably improve the number of watchers. I actually think it's even counterproductive for the stadiums because the tickets are already extremely expensive so who is willing to spend $2-300 to go watch Jordan playing? In my opinion many matches will have little attendance. If I go to the World Cup I expect to see the best teams in the world, not a bunch of average teams that qualified only because FIFA chose to increase the number of spots. With this new formula 1 federation out of 4 will qualify to the World Cup, it's just too much, we're talking about 25% of the national teams taking part to a tournament that is supposed to be only for the best of the best.

Exactly this. The group stage has been turned into such garbage that it's unclear who will watch it. I'm not sure even Brazil fans will watch a game like Brazil vs. Papua New Guinea. If we talk about visiting the stadium (for a lot of money), then even more so. In general, it would be rational to assume that the audience for this historical competition, already known to everyone, is already at its maximum, new formats and an increase in the number of teams can only reduce it.

[giorgione]

The fact that we are going to have so many teams going to world cup now is a great way to add more fun to this. Because the more teams is there, the more nations will watch. A nation whose team is not there, usually do not watch that much, maybe they will watch a bit, like sure same people would, but not as many as the nation that joins.

So take any nation, call it Nation X, if they join, then maybe 30-40% of the population will watch those games at least, whereas 5-10% would watch the version where Nation X is not joining. With more teams, we are getting more views and that is going to matter. The more people view the games, the more nations will end up focusing on football and aiming to be there to get views for their players and team.

I strongly disagree: the World Cup is already the most watched sporting event in the world so I really struggle to understand how the presence of countries such as Jordan, New Zealand, Cape Verde or Uzbekistan can noticeably improve the number of watchers. I actually think it's even counterproductive for the stadiums because the tickets are already extremely expensive so who is willing to spend $2-300 to go watch Jordan playing? In my opinion many matches will have little attendance. If I go to the World Cup I expect to see the best teams in the world, not a bunch of average teams that qualified only because FIFA chose to increase the number of spots. With this new formula 1 federation out of 4 will qualify to the World Cup, it's just too much, we're talking about 25% of the national teams taking part to a tournament that is supposed to be only for the best of the best.

But more people will watch the game online or through television transmission. I guess @sana54210 was not referring to going to the US or other co-hosting nations to watch the games in the stadiums. The citizens of Jordan and New Zealand can afford to travel to the US to support their national teams and they might also have nationals who reside in the US. But games of developing nations like Cape Verde or Uzbekistan might have empty stadiums, but there will be online viewership.  However, increasing the number of participants will increase the development of football in some countries.

I'm sorry but seriously, who is going to watch Jordan or Uzbekistan playing? Even online, let's say those two teams play against each other or against Cape Verde or Bolivia or Qatar, besides people from those two countries who is going to care? Do you really think that many people are excited about games like those? Come on, let's be honest and real, nobody cares.

And I don't understand how, for you, having empty stadiums at the World Cup wouldn't be a problem because "there would be online viewers". I mean, come on, if there is the World Cup and the stadiums are empty it means there is something wrong, very wrong.

And I just read this declaration from Jamie Carragher about the next World Cup: "There are definitely going to be some really boring games at this World Cup. No one in their right mind gets excited for Cape Verde vs Uzbekistan or Jordan v Tunisia."

And I totally agree. Again, this is the World Cup, only the best teams are supposed to be there, now it became ridiculous because almost everyone is participating. FIFA is a disgrace for football, and the 48-team World Cup is the natural result of a corrupted association that only cares about making money in any possible way, legal or not.

Yes, the reasoning is correct, but we must also consider that there are nations like Italy that have not seen their national team participate for a very long time and yet they watch the World Cup regardless of whether they are protagonists, and I have seen this several times.

[armanda90]

I think Obari is right when mention that Gyokeres and Isak let their team down, because Sweden has only scored two goals in their last few matches, even though before the group stage began, it seemed that Sweden had one of the strongest attacking lines since Ibrahimovic played. In addition, Gyokeres and Isak missed part of the training sessions when they wanted to leave Sporting and Newcastle and did not get into the necessary shape before the national team's games. On top of that, the head coach decided to play with three defenders for some reason, which the Swedish national team had hardly ever played before, and frequent defensive failures led to seven goals conceded.

Two top striker Gyokeres and Isak can't help more for their national teams Sweden qualifying to World Cup two defeating matches in a row from Switzerland and Kosovo, current standing almost over for Sweden get finish as runner up position standing behind two matches left and have six points remaining from Kosovo at 2nd place for awhile. Most disappointed of Gyokeres and Isak performance they can't scoring any one goals last three matches in a row and make Sweden have dropped to bottom standings at group B.

For Arsenal and Liverpool fans have disappointed awhile because their striker can't participants at World Cup 2026 although win two matches left its can't help more if Kosovo getting minimum one points by playing two matches left. Lets waiting which one top player will miss World Cup 2026 and which top national team have absent.

[Alex077]

Two top striker Gyokeres and Isak can't help more for their national teams Sweden qualifying to World Cup two defeating matches in a row from Switzerland and Kosovo, current standing almost over for Sweden get finish as runner up position standing behind two matches left and have six points remaining from Kosovo at 2nd place for awhile. Most disappointed of Gyokeres and Isak performance they can't scoring any one goals last three matches in a row and make Sweden have dropped to bottom standings at group B.
For Arsenal and Liverpool fans have disappointed awhile because their striker can't participants at World Cup 2026 although win two matches left its can't help more if Kosovo getting minimum one points by playing two matches left. Lets waiting which one top player will miss World Cup 2026 and which top national team have absent.

I disagree with you a little. yeah Gyökeres &  Isak have underperformed in these qualifiers &  Swedens campaign is now in deep trouble after losing to Kosovo and Switzerland. The situation is so bad that they even sacked coach Jon Dahl Tomasson. But football is weird. Big players can show surprises, especially when their backs are against the wall.
It is true that the odds are not in Swedens favor right now. But writing them off totally is dangerous. If Gyökeres or Isak find form in the last two matches, the game could still turn around !

Do you think the new coach will be able to bring any new tricks to the team in this situation or is the players form the real bet?

[Sithara007]

Exactly this. The group stage has been turned into such garbage that it's unclear who will watch it. I'm not sure even Brazil fans will watch a game like Brazil vs. Papua New Guinea. If we talk about visiting the stadium (for a lot of money), then even more so. In general, it would be rational to assume that the audience for this historical competition, already known to everyone, is already at its maximum, new formats and an increase in the number of teams can only reduce it.

Typical European arrogance. Wake up and smell the coffee. Europe is no longer the kings of football. Neither are teams from the CONMEBOL. Remember the match between Cameroon and Brazil during FIFA World Cup of 2022? FIFA has decided to expand the world cup, because the gap between the top teams and lower ranked ones have narrowed. I can't even count the upsets that happened during the last edition. BTW, Papua New Guinea hasn't qualified. It is New Zealand, who qualified from the OFC. And they are a very good team.

[xzone]

Türkiye secured an easy win last night. Beating Georgia was very important, and we did it comfortably. We’ve guaranteed second place in the group and will now compete for the top spot. Turkey has two games left, against Bulgaria and Spain. We need to beat Spain, and Spain also needs to drop points. I know these possibilities are slim and probably won’t happen, but we still have hope.

Reviews about Turkey beating Georgia, it was a simple task for them and they smashed up all area to come out been the best. Turkey had a good treat in the world cup qualifiers because we can see clearly how they humbled oppositions with high goal margin. Turkey should not be underrated because they've good players that are ambitious and patriotic to play to any level for their country. This is what we should be talking about, to see Turkey on a fly level of competing with European countries in the world cup. Turkey facing Spain, a controversial game for them to win because it's going to be extreme difficult.

There were tactical errors in the first match against Spain. Yes, Spain is the best team in the world, but no one expected them to concede so many goals and end the match with such a large score difference. I'm confident we won't see such a significant difference in the next match. If Türkiyeplays with the right tactics and the right players, they're not a weak team; they have world-renowned players. But for them to succeed, all players need to play very well