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

[retreat]

Why big teams like Germany, England, France, and Spain can survive to compete in the 2026 World Cup? I think they have maintained their noble consistency since the beginning of qualifying and have also finished in the top 8 almost every time they participate in the World Cup.
-snip-

The national teams you mentioned are regular World Cup contenders. They maintain their consistency from the grassroots, such as good infrastructure, competitive domestic leagues, stable coaching, and a deep pool of talented young players. This is what allows these teams to sustain their success. Meanwhile, Italy and Brazil are currently in a difficult phase due to a lack of a strong long-term plan. Their management is also quite poor, which has made their teams struggle in the qualifying phase.

The rise of Asian and African teams is also quite a positive aspect of this World Cup. We usually assume these teams are out of the running, but it's unexpected that several of these national teams have become genuine contenders in this World Cup. It's possible we'll see African or Asian national teams compete in the higher rounds.

[Spack17]

The next international break will be in November. That will be the time UEFA World Cup qualifiers come to an end as well.

There are 5 international breaks in a year currently. I think this is just too many. November will be the last break of the year by the way.

UEFA is aware of this and thinks of cutting down this number by 1. They are planning to merge September - October breaks into one. Do you think this is enough?

[BigBos]

There are many teams that are doing very well in various international competitions, they are coming up well, and just this morning the case of Morocco which turned out to be the best U20 team in the world, this makes us understand that the world of football is changing and that other continents can also do very well.

Morocco has a good U20 but also the original team is excellent and reached the 4th place in Qatar World Cup so I cannot say that the world of football is changing because of that example. In fact african or asian players don't stay fit for a long time and they drop rapidly their performance at the opposite of the european nations or even south american ones, the performance of the players stay good for a longer time. So when you mix older and more experienced players with younger and talented ones, nations like Brazil, Argentina and France appear to be the best, without forgetting that a team like France is a multinational team collecting the best of the best from every country mostly from Africa.

Morocco has developed its football so well that they are now slowly reaping the rewards. They took swift action, bringing in many former diaspora players and simultaneously developing local talent.

This is due to their system, which has led them to become the best in the World Cup in their age group. They could have a bigger say if they maintain this level of development in the 2026 World Cup. And if I'm not mistaken, they will be the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

[Ale88]

Until now, Brazil fans have claimed that the team has done so badly due to the lack of a good manager in their team

These are not fans, are just people who have no idea of how football works, and they pretend to be fan. If your offensive players are Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho you don't even need a manager to win games; on the other hand if you have Vinicius, Rodrygo and Raphinha then you can also have the best manager in the world and yet you won't score a single goal.

Players go on the pitch, not managers. If those so called Brazilian fans don't see how bad Brazilian players are right now, well, it's their problem.

[Rikafip]

Croatia really has a very good league which has produced some very important players for any them, some are playing in some of Europe best teams, football is not about how big or even small a country is it's about the system that you have built that will work and croatia is one team that has done that. Going into next year world cup I see them doing very great again.

Nah we don't have a good league (currently ranked ~20th in Europe or something like that). We do have 1 successful football club (Dinamo Zagreb) and that's about it.

What we do have (beside quality players) though is team spirit. Our players are good friends and can't wait to play together for our national team and they usually play even better than for their club and I think that's one of the main reason for our success. Its like the biggest honor in our country, to play for our national football team and that's what makes difference compared to some other teams that have even better teams on the paper.

[red4slash]

These are not fans, are just people who have no idea of how football works, and they pretend to be fan. If your offensive players are Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho you don't even need a manager to win games; on the other hand if you have Vinicius, Rodrygo and Raphinha then you can also have the best manager in the world and yet you won't score a single goal.

Players go on the pitch, not managers. If those so called Brazilian fans don't see how bad Brazilian players are right now, well, it's their problem.

Brazil is still stuck with the past glory and it still shows its impact until now, I know that for now the capacity of their players in terms of individual does look very good but when they play for the unity of their team that has great players from almost every line from goalkeepers to strikers it is like an ordinary team without anything special.

The reason a few years ago when they always said poor team management in terms of coaching may still make sense but for now the reason seems to be forced.

Indeed, they have qualified for the World Cup next year but it is undeniable that they still have a lot of work to do and this is a task that may not be easy even though their current coach is Don Carlo.

[MorganaX]

Until now, Brazil fans have claimed that the team has done so badly due to the lack of a good manager in their team

These are not fans, are just people who have no idea of how football works, and they pretend to be fan. If your offensive players are Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho you don't even need a manager to win games; on the other hand if you have Vinicius, Rodrygo and Raphinha then you can also have the best manager in the world and yet you won't score a single goal.

Players go on the pitch, not managers. If those so called Brazilian fans don't see how bad Brazilian players are right now, well, it's their problem.

So in essence you are saying that a good team will do well even with a poor manager? Because I think it's the opposite, I do understand the context of having a team filled with talent but still the same I think a good manager count to how the team performs because I have seen lots of cases where the team is filled with talent but no proper manager and they still end up playing rubbish and likewise goes for cases where the team is limited with talent and the hard work of the manager and style of play shows in the performance of the team.

[Sithara007]

Morocco has a good U20 but also the original team is excellent and reached the 4th place in Qatar World Cup so I cannot say that the world of football is changing because of that example. In fact african or asian players don't stay fit for a long time and they drop rapidly their performance at the opposite of the european nations or even south american ones, the performance of the players stay good for a longer time. So when you mix older and more experienced players with younger and talented ones, nations like Brazil, Argentina and France appear to be the best, without forgetting that a team like France is a multinational team collecting the best of the best from every country mostly from Africa.

This maybe a very controversial thing to say, but I feel that there is a lot of truth in that argument. Look at the European/American players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema. Despite their age, they maintain very high level of fitness. On the other hand, look at players from Asia and Africa. They are unable to do so. What is the reason behind this? I don't want to say that it is genetics. European and American teams have more experienced coaches and better medical care.

[8rch7]

The next international break will be in November. That will be the time UEFA World Cup qualifiers come to an end as well.

There are 5 international breaks in a year currently. I think this is just too many. November will be the last break of the year by the way.

Next international break will play at 14 to 19 November and many crucial qualifying match for several top standing national team for qualifying to World Cup, for this time international break will play two games and the match result will know which one team will secure place for participating at World Cup 2026. So far only England have been qualified as UEFA continent after collecting 18 points and can't catch up any more by Albania or Serbia on the 2nd and 3rd position with 7 points left. England the only one team who success winning 6 matches in a row and have chance completed qualifier match without unbeaten.

UEFA is aware of this and thinks of cutting down this number by 1. They are planning to merge September - October breaks into one. Do you think this is enough?

I think its good ideas because player have many days left taking recovery than have to play for international break match every month, but UEFA have many tournament from UEFA Nation League and qualifying World Cup until Euro qualifying match, by the way how UEFA will manage its if merge September-October international break match?

[Rikafip]

So in essence you are saying that a good team will do well even with a poor manager? Because I think it's the opposite, I do understand the context of having a team filled with talent but still the same I think a good manager count to how the team performs because I have seen lots of cases where the team is filled with talent but no proper manager and they still end up playing rubbish and likewise goes for cases where the team is limited with talent and the hard work of the manager and style of play shows in the performance of the team.

So does that mean that Ancelotti is a bad manager then, since he couldn't make Brazil team look much (if any) betteer than under previous managers, and they continue to struggle?

The same guy that won absolutely everything across multiple clubs, suddenly forgot how to do his job? Or its the simple fact that Brazil team is nowhere as good as it was in the past, and more or less this is their reality?

[Frankolala]

So in essence you are saying that a good team will do well even with a poor manager? Because I think it's the opposite, I do understand the context of having a team filled with talent but still the same I think a good manager count to how the team performs because I have seen lots of cases where the team is filled with talent but no proper manager and they still end up playing rubbish and likewise goes for cases where the team is limited with talent and the hard work of the manager and style of play shows in the performance of the team.

So does that mean that Ancelotti is a bad manager then, since he couldn't make Brazil team look much (if any) betteer than under previous managers, and they continue to struggle?

The same guy that won absolutely everything across multiple clubs, suddenly forgot how to do his job? Or its the simple fact that Brazil team is nowhere as good as it was in the past, and more or less this is their reality?

Sometimes, the problem of a team isn't the coaching system but from the management or national. However, I wouldn't be too quick to judge Ancelotti because he hasn't spent much time with the players. The fact is that, the current squad of Brazil national team doesn't have the passion and zeal to play better for their nation. They lack that team bond.

[Mate2237]

So in essence you are saying that a good team will do well even with a poor manager? Because I think it's the opposite, I do understand the context of having a team filled with talent but still the same I think a good manager count to how the team performs because I have seen lots of cases where the team is filled with talent but no proper manager and they still end up playing rubbish and likewise goes for cases where the team is limited with talent and the hard work of the manager and style of play shows in the performance of the team.

So does that mean that Ancelotti is a bad manager then, since he couldn't make Brazil team look much (if any) betteer than under previous managers, and they continue to struggle?

The same guy that won absolutely everything across multiple clubs, suddenly forgot how to do his job? Or its the simple fact that Brazil team is nowhere as good as it was in the past, and more or less this is their reality?

Sometimes, the problem of a team isn't the coaching system but from the management or national. However, I wouldn't be too quick to judge Ancelotti because he hasn't spent much time with the players. The fact is that, the current squad of Brazil national team doesn't have the passion and zeal to play better for their nation. They lack that team bond.

Ancelotti is one coach that doesn't needs much introduction with the pedigree that,he has built for himself over the years we know the problem of the Brazilian national team it's not a problem of coach , but players you don't expect ancelotti to come and change everything over night for the Brazilian national team.


It will take time before Brazil team can put up good results, we know the reason why ancelotti was brought in.it was due to the coming world cup so he should be given time to work because ancelotti is not a magician that will turn everything over time.

[uche6215]

I don't know if this is the right thread to post this. Since there is no other World Cup thread this should be.
Morocco become second African country to win U-20 World Cup

Morocco Jr Team is trying and also the Sr. Team too. It was Morocco Sr. Team that removed Portugal National Team in the previous World Cup and other strong international clubs. They were the only Africa team that most of us supported in the last world cup. They are top in their group again and their Jr. Team has win the under 20 world cup. This is a good recommendation of them.

[Donneski]

The next international break will be in November. That will be the time UEFA World Cup qualifiers come to an end as well.

There are 5 international breaks in a year currently. I think this is just too many. November will be the last break of the year by the way.

UEFA is aware of this and thinks of cutting down this number by 1. They are planning to merge September - October breaks into one. Do you think this is enough?

Football players are overly stressed in modern day football which is why I think FIFA and every other football body should try cut down the number of games footballers play in each season. Cutting the number of international breaks a year by 1 is a great idea but just like FIFA, other football governing bodies should also reduce the number of games and competitions to help footballers who are obviously suffering fatigue as a result of too much games. If this policy is implemented, it'll be a good development

[Sithara007]

Football players are overly stressed in modern day football which is why I think FIFA and every other football body should try cut down the number of games footballers play in each season. Cutting the number of international breaks a year by 1 is a great idea but just like FIFA, other football governing bodies should also reduce the number of games and competitions to help footballers who are obviously suffering fatigue as a result of too much games. If this policy is implemented, it'll be a good development

I don't agree with this argument. The salaries have increased by manifold in the past one decade or so. Given this, it is only natural that the workload will also go up. In case any player is feeling exhausted, he always has the option of taking a break. But the argument from them is that they want both the money and rest. It is not a very viable argument. Football is just like any other profession, and it is driven by open market dynamics. You can't implement a socialist system here.

[Ale88]

Until now, Brazil fans have claimed that the team has done so badly due to the lack of a good manager in their team

These are not fans, are just people who have no idea of how football works, and they pretend to be fan. If your offensive players are Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho you don't even need a manager to win games; on the other hand if you have Vinicius, Rodrygo and Raphinha then you can also have the best manager in the world and yet you won't score a single goal.

Players go on the pitch, not managers. If those so called Brazilian fans don't see how bad Brazilian players are right now, well, it's their problem.

So in essence you are saying that a good team will do well even with a poor manager? Because I think it's the opposite

Well, I'll leave you this quote from Scolari, someone who probably knows a couple of things more than us:
"One day I went into the dressing room to talk about tactics, but when I saw Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Adriano, Roberto Carlos and Cafú in front of me, I said to them: 'Get out, play and be yourselves, I'll warn you if I make any changes."

I do understand the context of having a team filled with talent but still the same I think a good manager count to how the team performs because I have seen lots of cases where the team is filled with talent but no proper manager and they still end up playing rubbish and likewise goes for cases where the team is limited with talent and the hard work of the manager and style of play shows in the performance of the team.

What I'm saying is that you can be the best manager in the world but if the players are average there is only so much you can do. I think we all agree that Ancelotti is a better manager than Scolari but probably Ancelotti won't be able to win the World Cup with this Brazil because the players are not good. If he actually wins for me would be an incredible result and it would be all thanks to Ancelotti because right now, on paper, Brazil has almost no chance to win the World Cup.

[cande86]

So in essence you are saying that a good team will do well even with a poor manager? Because I think it's the opposite, I do understand the context of having a team filled with talent but still the same I think a good manager count to how the team performs because I have seen lots of cases where the team is filled with talent but no proper manager and they still end up playing rubbish and likewise goes for cases where the team is limited with talent and the hard work of the manager and style of play shows in the performance of the team.

So does that mean that Ancelotti is a bad manager then, since he couldn't make Brazil team look much (if any) betteer than under previous managers, and they continue to struggle?

The same guy that won absolutely everything across multiple clubs, suddenly forgot how to do his job? Or its the simple fact that Brazil team is nowhere as good as it was in the past, and more or less this is their reality?

Sometimes, the problem of a team isn't the coaching system but from the management or national. However, I wouldn't be too quick to judge Ancelotti because he hasn't spent much time with the players. The fact is that, the current squad of Brazil national team doesn't have the passion and zeal to play better for their nation. They lack that team bond.

Ancelotti is one coach that doesn't needs much introduction with the pedigree that,he has built for himself over the years we know the problem of the Brazilian national team it's not a problem of coach , but players you don't expect ancelotti to come and change everything over night for the Brazilian national team.


It will take time before Brazil team can put up good results, we know the reason why ancelotti was brought in.it was due to the coming world cup so he should be given time to work because ancelotti is not a magician that will turn everything over time.

It is known that coaching Brazilians is a difficult thing and not everyone can do it, clearly Ancelotti is a very, very good coach who knows his stuff and has been coaching for many years, in addition to the fact that he has already coached almost all of them.
The only thing that worries me is the fact that these players may not listen to the coach but this doesn't seem to be the case.

[Agbe]

Ancelotti has to select his team based on merit going into the world cup. Because there are players that will like to flatter and deceive the coach with the hopes of going into the world.ancelotti should do a proper background check on the players and only take players that has been consistent with their form. Another thing he should try and avoid us the fact that players who has paid their dues such as Neymar junior and is trying to come back to the Brazilian national team should not be given the chance for the interest and overall benefits of the team.he should go into the world cup with young players who can help build a new Brazilian team.

[masulum]

What I'm saying is that you can be the best manager in the world but if the players are average there is only so much you can do. I think we all agree that Ancelotti is a better manager than Scolari but probably Ancelotti won't be able to win the World Cup with this Brazil because the players are not good. If he actually wins for me would be an incredible result and it would be all thanks to Ancelotti because right now, on paper, Brazil has almost no chance to win the World Cup.

there are still many talented Brazilian players, but those who are considered to have potential and recruited by European clubs, they have difficulty adapting to their new clubs. So they rarely get a chance to playing as starter.

I have also read about Brazilian players who are undisciplined and often go to nightclubs or another reason, perhaps this is also bad behavior for maintaining stamina. So, when they get a busy match and training schedule, these types of players get tired more easily. I'm not saying this issue is true, but if it is true, then I'm sure it will affect the quality of Brazilian players in the future.

[Ale88]

What I'm saying is that you can be the best manager in the world but if the players are average there is only so much you can do. I think we all agree that Ancelotti is a better manager than Scolari but probably Ancelotti won't be able to win the World Cup with this Brazil because the players are not good. If he actually wins for me would be an incredible result and it would be all thanks to Ancelotti because right now, on paper, Brazil has almost no chance to win the World Cup.

there are still many talented Brazilian players, but those who are considered to have potential and recruited by European clubs, they have difficulty adapting to their new clubs. So they rarely get a chance to playing as starter.

But who are exactly all these talented Brazilian players? Of course Brazil has very good players, we're talking about a country where football is like a religion and people are super passionate, but right now there has been a noticeable decline in the quality of the players, in every single role. Do they have any promising goalkeeper after Alisson and Ederson? Do they have any great center back after Thiago Silva and Marquinhos? Any left back after Marcelo? And what about right back after Daniel Alves and Danilo? Any midfielder (both defensive and offensive) like Casemiro, Coutinho, Fernandinho? And of course the biggest problem: the strikers. After Neymar they didn't produce a single great offensive player. Maybe Endrick and Estêvão will the next big things, I hope it for them, because if Brazil wants to win a World Cup with Vinicius and Rodrygo, well, good luck, combined they played 78 games and scored only 17 goals, that means they produce 1 goal every 4.5 matches; Neymar's average was 1.6...