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

[Jossque]

In Group D, Iceland managed to defeat Azerbaijan and increased their points to 7. We can say that Azerbaijan played better with the ball and had more chances than their opponents, but failed to capitalize on them. This situation obviously benefited Iceland, who managed to secure second place with a game in hand. Now they will be hoping for France to win against Ukraine. This would give them a great chance to finish second in the group.

[Unsoldier]

If France defeats Ukraine and Iceland defeats Azerbaijan, then Iceland will move up to second place as long as Iceland remains ahead of Ukraine in terms of goals scored. Currently, Iceland is ahead of Ukraine by one goal. Furthermore, Iceland is more productive in scoring goals. However, if Ukraine manages to draw or even win, Iceland will certainly fail sooner. At least in this match, Iceland will be heavily favored. Azerbaijan may have an advantage as the host of the upcoming match. But I don't think that will help much at all.

France could convincingly beat the Ukrainian tonight but for Iceland, I don't think they would be able to beat the Azerbaijani team, it's a match with lots of sentiment attached, hence the stakes are high and both teams would be at ease, if there is a win win for both France and Iceland then the Azerbaijan team would be at disadvantage. So for this reason, the Azerbaijan side would be going all out against Iceland as well as trying to stop them from scoring much goals which is a very tedious assignment for the Azerbaijani team tonight.

France looks confident at home, and given their status, they have a good chance of winning. Ukraine is showing decent results, but the opponent is too strong.

As for the match between Iceland and Azerbaijan, a 2-0 result in favor of Iceland is quite expected. The Icelandic team, despite facing challenges in the tournament, managed to secure three points.

[Jossque]

In Group F, Hungary secured its second-place position by defeating its opponent Armenia. Having created numerous chances and dominated the game against Armenia, Hungary now finds it easier to advance from the group in second place. I don't think Portugal will lose the match. Ireland might get a draw because I think Portugal might give Ireland one last chance to advance from the group. If Ireland gets points from this match, they will need to win against Hungary in the final match.

[Bazzu]

The Ireland vs. Portugal match has begun, just nine minutes into the match. I like the starting eleven. Joao Felix, who starts, usually produces a decent score. I'm confident he'll score alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal has also managed to build some attacks. I predict at least one or two goals in the first half, so I'm hoping for a two-goal lead. However, Portugal's matches often result in both teams scoring, so I'm also choosing that opportunity.

[snipie]

I don't think Portugal will lose the match. Ireland might get a draw because I think Portugal might give Ireland one last chance to advance from the group. If Ireland gets points from this match, they will need to win against Hungary in the final match.

Portugal is better than Ireland and they should win the game. It is true Ireland made a surprising start and knocked Portugal by a surprising goal but I assume Cristiano Ronaldo and his colleagues will flip the table later. Portugal is dominating the game so far.
The other games including France, Italy and England started too and all these teams are favourites. There is still no goal scored in the first fifteen minutes in these games.

[Adbitco]

Portugal is better than Ireland and they should win the game. It is true Ireland made a surprising start and knocked Portugal by a surprising goal but I assume Cristiano Ronaldo and his colleagues will flip the table later. Portugal is dominating the game so far.
The other games including France, Italy and England started too and all these teams are favourites. There is still no goal scored in the first fifteen minutes in these games.

Ireland draws first blood and they are currently winning 1 - 0 as surprising as it may be the home side leads and Portugal will have to fight their way back from a goal down if they intend to win this match. During their last match too, I didn't know what they were thinking that made them fall behind and they equalised but they couldn't find the winner. Today again, they have found themselves behind. They need all 3 points in other to cement their place in the WC.

[Unsoldier]

Norway crushed Estonia 4-1.

Not long ago, it seemed that the final match between Italy and Norway would be crucial in the battle for a direct spot in the 2026 World Cup. Now it has become clear that this game will hardly have any significance.

When points are tied, the goal difference across the entire qualifying group is taken into account. Norway currently has +29 (thanks to Haaland), while Italy has +10. For Italy, compensating for a 19-goal deficit in just two matches is virtually impossible. They would need to beat Moldova 10-0 and then Norway 5-0. That seems rather unlikely.

[Precious236]

France looks confident at home, and given their status, they have a good chance of winning. Ukraine is showing decent results, but the opponent is too strong.

As for the match between Iceland and Azerbaijan, a 2-0 result in favor of Iceland is quite expected. The Icelandic team, despite facing challenges in the tournament, managed to secure three points.

They are at half time now and non of the teams has scored a goal. Before now it was going to be an easy match for France, that's what I thought but Ukraine has stood for in the first half without conceding a goal. Second half is almost here and maybe France can do what we expected of them which is a win.

[Adbitco]

Ireland is pulling up a big surprise right now against Portugal as they now lead 2 - 0, what a surprise. It would have been even more than this because in the 37 minutes Ogbene struck the post after beating the goalkeeper only for the ball to be saved by the post, that's when it would have been 2 - 0. Ireland are defending deep in their own half and is making the attacks of Portugal ineffective but once there's a breakaway, the take it and because Portugal has pre bodies forward, they find it hard to back track that quickly, Ireland is hitting them in the counter and it's really hurting them. Can Portugal score 2 goals or more to save their night without conceding again! Only the second half can tell.

[SimpeleSimpele]

Norway crushed Estonia 4-1.

Not long ago, it seemed that the final match between Italy and Norway would be crucial in the battle for a direct spot in the 2026 World Cup. Now it has become clear that this game will hardly have any significance.

When points are tied, the goal difference across the entire qualifying group is taken into account. Norway currently has +29 (thanks to Haaland), while Italy has +10. For Italy, compensating for a 19-goal deficit in just two matches is virtually impossible. They would need to beat Moldova 10-0 and then Norway 5-0. That seems rather unlikely.

In their final match, Norway will face Italy. Norway only needs to lose by a maximum of 3-0 or by a margin of 3 goals to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. This is certainly a very difficult mission for Italy. Italy must win against Moldova tonight. It is an easy mission for Norway and a very difficult mission for Italy to qualify directly for the World Cup as group winners.

[stompix]

Man, I'm enjoying this, 30 minutes left, Portugal is fuming, total possession and the goal isn't there, and no way the current pace will make it.
40 minutes for Ireland to resist, and if Ronaldo fails to score it will be my popcorn and beer match of the month!

Oh, and add Italy not managing to score with Moldova....delishhhh!  

[CLS63]

Ronaldo was sent off in the match. I think it is the right call to be honest. It is a quite dangerous action towards his opponent. You can't directly hit your opponent with your elbow like that.

Despite controlling the whole match it was still not enough for Portugal to get the advantage in score. If we don't see a big surprise they will lose. This will still keep them as the leader in their group.

[slapper]

Ronaldo recently announced that he is aiming for the 2026 World Cup and that this tournament will be his last. He is the greatest player in the history of football, in my opinion. I am sure that he will remain involved in football after his active career and continue to achieve success, but I don't give him and the Portuguese national team much chance in this tournament...

Why? Portugal have a very good team, probably they are not as good as Spain, France and Argentina but, in my opinion, they are at least at the same level as England, Germany, Brazil, etc. If they have a little luck they may actually go a long way next year. I simply hope for them that Ronaldo won't have to be a starter every single match just because of his name.

yeah thats right. But making Cristiano Ronaldo a starter is fine. As long as he is also given limited playing time, such as being substituted in the second half. Because age never lies. At that point, his stamina will definitely not be as good as in the first half. Because, after all, it seems that Cristiano Ronaldo will remain the captain of the Portuguese national team.

Fortunately, the Portuguese national team does not rely solely on one or two players. However, the Portuguese national team is similar to the English national team. Both teams have a deep squad filled with star players who have extensive experience playing for big clubs. Although Felix has moved to the Saudi Pro League, I see that he has actually improved in quality, as his confidence may have grown even more. Therefore, when he is given playing time, he almost always scores goals, even for the Portuguese national team at present.

However, if I may be honest about Cristiano Ronaldo's stamina, it seems that he has not declined much. As a result, he is rarely substituted, even in the final minutes. He is always able to run and receive passes with good concentration and does not appear to be overly fatigued. But that is the case now. We do not know what will happen in the coming months.

Now they have the storm of a century. Bruno Fernandes with 1.73 xA at United, and Bernardo Silva continuing to press at City, and Leao scoring 4 goals in his final 5 Serie A matches. These men are in their absolute prime, and are being made to run at walking pace because their striker can no longer make a press, or make a recovery run.

My point is really illustrated in the Félix situation. This child goes to Saudi Arabia, on the same team with Ronaldo, on the same service, everything. And he is literally flying! 10 goals out of 4.65 xG at the same time Ronaldo is struggling to meet his expected figures. Felix is 26, hungry, and displaying world-class finishing. Yet who starts for Portugal? The man who is now allergic to changing his game.

Martinez continues to discuss Ronaldo as an example to the group, but what example is it? That you can coast on your reputation while your teammates bust their guts? It doesn’t matter how many people follow you on Instagram when doing such a tactical discipline?

I am certain that Portugal has a chance at this World Cup, and only when they take the tough choice they can succeed. Consider Spain - they are younger (26.9 average age compared to 27.3 in Portugal), have increasing elite-level minutes in the Champions League and do not have a tactical anchor pulling them down

[xLays]

Ronaldo was sent off in the match. I think it is the right call to be honest. It is a quite dangerous action towards his opponent. You can't directly hit your opponent with your elbow like that.

Despite controlling the whole match it was still not enough for Portugal to get the advantage in score. If we don't see a big surprise they will lose. This will still keep them as the leader in their group.

I checked the table and they’re still on top of their group. I think it will still be easy for Portugal to qualify for the next round even if Ronaldo doesn’t play in the next match. This is their first loss in the group, and the only game left is against Armenia. That should be an easy match for Portugal, even without Ronaldo.

England, Italy, and Norway are the only teams with no losses and no draws. Italy and Norway are in the same group, and they’ll face each other on the last matchday. I guess they’ve both already qualified for the next round, so I don’t think that game will be very interesting anymore.

[DYOR+BTC]

Ronaldo was sent off in the match. I think it is the right call to be honest. It is a quite dangerous action towards his opponent. You can't directly hit your opponent with your elbow like that.

Despite controlling the whole match it was still not enough for Portugal to get the advantage in score. If we don't see a big surprise they will lose. This will still keep them as the leader in their group.

Its already a lost game for Portugal after there dominance, possession and other good statistical results  but all because of cristaino ronaldo's red card at the. 59th minutes of the game. Even with the absence of Cristaino , Portugal where still favorite to win the game but where not lucky in converting chances created into goals.  With portigals  good statics in the game it it is clear that statistical results never guarantees  winning because if  it where so portugal would have been given the winner of the game without questioning

[LTU_btc]

Ronaldo was sent off in the match. I think it is the right call to be honest. It is a quite dangerous action towards his opponent. You can't directly hit your opponent with your elbow like that.

Despite controlling the whole match it was still not enough for Portugal to get the advantage in score. If we don't see a big surprise they will lose. This will still keep them as the leader in their group.

Didn't watched this game, but from what you wrote, I can recognize Ronaldo. Sometimes when his team is losing and game doesn't goes completely he just cant handle frustration and makessomething what he done today.
For Ireland this win is crucial and keeps their hope alive before decisive game with Hungary.
France had very easy game against Ukraine, but it was visible that for Ukraine it's not priority game. Everything will be decided on their last game with Iceland.

[Amphenomenon]

Ronaldo was sent off in the match. I think it is the right call to be honest. It is a quite dangerous action towards his opponent. You can't directly hit your opponent with your elbow like that.

Despite controlling the whole match it was still not enough for Portugal to get the advantage in score. If we don't see a big surprise they will lose. This will still keep them as the leader in their group.

Its already a lost game for Portugal after there dominance, possession and other good statistical results  but all because of cristaino ronaldo's red card at the. 59th minutes of the game. Even with the absence of Cristaino , Portugal where still favorite to win the game but where not lucky in converting chances created into goals.  With portigals  good statics in the game it it is clear that statistical results never guarantees  winning because if  it where so portugal would have been given the winner of the game without questioning

Portugal game tonight is another night to remember in football the team who dominate is not the victor but rather the team who score more goals is. Portugal played full attack but still couldn't get to the scoresheet and like you said the Ronaldo red card didn't still limit them for not winning, it's just that this wasn't their night and Republic of Ireland did well but I think in as much as Portugal were dominating if they could get a goal early in the second half they could have more likely gotten a comeback win or a draw.

[*Ace*]

We can already say that Group I is now decided. Even a hypothetical victory for Italy against Norway would not change the order in the standings! Unless Italy wins by at least 9 goals! Highly unlikely, given how easily they beat their opponents! Mamma mia, we are really in a bad way when it comes to the national football team...

[Sexylizzy2813]

Ireland is pulling up a big surprise right now against Portugal as they now lead 2 - 0, what a surprise. It would have been even more than this because in the 37 minutes Ogbene struck the post after beating the goalkeeper only for the ball to be saved by the post, that's when it would have been 2 - 0. Ireland are defending deep in their own half and is making the attacks of Portugal ineffective but once there's a breakaway, the take it and because Portugal has pre bodies forward, they find it hard to back track that quickly, Ireland is hitting them in the counter and it's really hurting them. Can Portugal score 2 goals or more to save their night without conceding again! Only the second half can tell.

I can't tell what the Portugal side was thinking after getting in to the pitch, win this game and save yourselves the stress in the next game but the did pretty bad and it seems like Ireland are playing like the way Portugal are suppose to play and with Ronaldo receiving a red card made things even more harder for them to continue hunting for the 2 goals like you said but again is a good thing for the other players that he won't be on the field of play, let them play the way they know how to without Ronaldo. What seems to be the problem with the Portugal national side?

[FiliOrangGila]

We can already say that Group I is now decided. Even a hypothetical victory for Italy against Norway would not change the order in the standings! Unless Italy wins by at least 9 goals! Highly unlikely, given how easily they beat their opponents! Mamma mia, we are really in a bad way when it comes to the national football team...

The final match, which is very decisive, can be said to be the final match for a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup between Italy and Norway. To qualify, Italy must win by a margin of more than 3 goals. This is certainly a very difficult task for Italy. If it were the Norway of the past, it might be easy. But Norway is now a strong team with Erling Haaland and players from Arsenal such as Odegaard.