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

[Rruchi man]

I agree with you. England already has a lot of very bad experiences with Croatia, which knocked them out of EURO 2008 and in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and Ghana is one of the best African teams.

In that group, group L, I think England and Ghana will be the teams to qualify.

I want to think Ghana because they will make an effort not to be knocked out, and they should be the most physical team in that group. If they put their physicality to good use, they could win against Croatia and Panama and get a draw against England. 

I wouldn't underestimate Brazil opponents in the group stage but i can says they are in the easy group because on the paper Brazil should be able to beat the opponents such as Morocco and Haiti but they should beware of Scotland

Brazil should be able to stroll past the group stages.

I hear Neymar is willing to undergo surgery so he can recover just in time for the World Cup. Do you still think he is a key player for Brazil in the World Cup? I don't think Ancelotti will want to build a team around him knowing how injury-prone he is. He could recover in time but pick up another injury in his first game.

[Lucius]

~snip~

It is said that this championship Portugal will have a special status in the effort to have Ronaldo lift the cup

Tbh, first time hearing this. But its no impossible, as seen at the previous WC. 6 penalties in 7 matches, no something you see often at the WC. 

FIFA is a corrupt organization, everyone saw that in that already famous documentary and there is no secret that everything revolves around a lot of money. When we played in the 2018 final against France, we actually had no chance because of that referee from Argentina who was brought in to ensure that the opening (match of Russia) and the closing would be according to the will of the powerful people from FIFA. Otherwise, how can you explain that some anonymous person gets such an honor to judge the first and last game?

[Rikafip]

Brazil should be able to stroll past the group stages.

Dunno man, I don't trust Brazil one bit and I already decided that I won't put any money on them, no matter against who they are playing at the WC.

I already lost enough betting on them at the qualifications.

FIFA is a corrupt organization, everyone saw that in that already famous documentary and there is no secret that everything revolves around a lot of money. When we played in the 2018 final against France, we actually had no chance because of that referee from Argentina who was brought in to ensure that the opening (match of Russia) and the closing would be according to the will of the powerful people from FIFA. Otherwise, how can you explain that some anonymous person gets such an honor to judge the first and last game?

That's one of the problems with FIFA, wanting to include subpar referees, just to fill the quotas so all federations are included. I will never forget that Griezmann dive that caused us conceed the first goal, and the 2nd one wasn't any better either.

[Ale88]

Brazil should be able to stroll past the group stages.

Dunno man, I don't trust Brazil one bit and I already decided that I won't put any money on them, no matter against who they are playing at the WC.

I already lost enough betting on them at the qualifications.

Last time I bet on Brazil it was in 2024 (I think), it was the Copa America probably, and they drew 1-1 against Costa Rica. Probably the worst Costa Rica team in the last 20 years. I still believe Brazil will go through the group stage but I won't be betting on them. It's going to be interesting to see them playing against Morocco and Scotland, they are not easy teams at all.

[dollyamo]

The reality is that the FIFA president is unable to assert himself against the US president, so he is giving in to everything. I'm not surprised by this decision and I won't be surprised by other decisions to come, because it's very clear that the US president will impose things and the FIFA president will give in. Since the games will be in the US, which is a very powerful country, FIFA will give in. This is a consequence of having a president who forces everyone to do what he wants and who sometimes goes too far.

The FIFA president has always been a sellout and this has always been evident, right now it is not new that this man cannot say no to the powerful of the big countries, especially the host nation, i do not believe that this is a positive thing, football must go beyond the role of individual leaders of the countries

[Lida93]

I agree with you. England already has a lot of very bad experiences with Croatia, which knocked them out of EURO 2008 and in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and Ghana is one of the best African teams.

In that group, group L, I think England and Ghana will be the teams to qualify.

Maybe England is just the only nation that is 100% sure of qualifying in that group for now in my opinion I can't guarantee that Ghana has such assurance as England because I haven't seen them do much recently when compared to how great a form they hard in the days of Gyang, but it would be a great joy as an African watching one of our African country go fat in the world cup and not just qualifying from the group stage but up to the semis or finals.

[Distraction]

It looks like our potential place is Group D.     If Türkiye manage to complete playoffs phase successfully the competitors in the group will be USA, Paraguay and Australia. It sounds like a really nice draw.

This is a group which we can even finish as the leader. But I wouldn't like to talk too much on it yet though. We still need to beat Romania first and then we will need a win against Slovakia/Kosovo away to make it to the World Cup finally after so many years...

[Sithara007]

It looks like our potential place is Group D.     If Türkiye manage to complete playoffs phase successfully the competitors in the group will be USA, Paraguay and Australia. It sounds like a really nice draw.

This is a group which we can even finish as the leader. But I wouldn't like to talk too much on it yet though. We still need to beat Romania first and then we will need a win against Slovakia/Kosovo away to make it to the World Cup finally after so many years...

All the other teams in Group D are very strong. United States will have the home advantage, while Paraguay is afterall a CONMEBOL team. Australia is one of the strongest teams from the AFC. That said, qualifying won't be a cakewalk for Türkiye. They need to win both their matches in UEFA Path C. The good news is that Romania is a shadow of their former self, and same can be said about Slovakia as well. Kosovo has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, but recently they had a few upset wins to their name. The second match will be most probably be against Kosovo. 

[Ale88]

All the other teams in Group D are very strong. United States will have the home advantage, while Paraguay is afterall a CONMEBOL team. Australia is one of the strongest teams from the AFC. That said, qualifying won't be a cakewalk for Türkiye. They need to win both their matches in UEFA Path C. The good news is that Romania is a shadow of their former self, and same can be said about Slovakia as well. Kosovo has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, but recently they had a few upset wins to their name. The second match will be most probably be against Kosovo.

If Turkey qualify, it would clearly be the best team in the group. The USA have a good team and, of course, the support of the local fans, but Turkey is superior. I don't understand how you think Paraguay are a good team just because "they a CONMEBOL team", San marino are a UEFA team...

And Australia are just a far cry from what they used to be. They are nowhere close to Japan and South Korea now.

[YUriy1991]

Just like Lionel Messi is important to the Argentine fans and Cristiano Ronaldo is important to the Portuguese fans, Neymar Jr is Brazil fans' star player and that's why they're seriously calling for his inclusion in the national team's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That said, they must allow Carlo Ancelotti to make his decisions without any form of influence. I don't think the Brazilian fans are more interested in seeing Neymar play in next summer's World Cup than the Italian manager but the truth is he'll definitely make his final selection based on merit and not just about name or personality. The most important aim of every nation playing in the competition next year is to win the most coveted trophy in football history, not about who's included in the team or not.

I think Carlo Ancelotti should give Neymar the opportunity to go to the 2026 World Cup. Neymar is the magnet of Brazilian football. His big name, Naymar, will bring spirit to the Brazilian national team squad. He must appear even as a substitute. Because I think the presence of experienced star players really motivates the team to play on the field, especially if the opportunity given by Ancelot is maximized well by Neymar by presenting his best performance and scoring goals. I think Neymar deserves the opportunity to be included in the squad that will compete in the World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. I still remember when Ronaldo Nazário was given the opportunity to play for his last World Cup and the public gave him respect. I hope Neymar does the same.

[Daniel91]

I agree with you. England already has a lot of very bad experiences with Croatia, which knocked them out of EURO 2008 and in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and Ghana is one of the best African teams.

In that group, group L, I think England and Ghana will be the teams to qualify.

Maybe England is just the only nation that is 100% sure of qualifying in that group for now in my opinion I can't guarantee that Ghana has such assurance as England because I haven't seen them do much recently when compared to how great a form they hard in the days of Gyang, but it would be a great joy as an African watching one of our African country go fat in the world cup and not just qualifying from the group stage but up to the semis or finals.

These discussions remind me of a similar debate we had here on the forum four years ago, before the start of the World Cup in Qatar. Back then, the group included Belgium, Canada, Morocco, and Croatia, and many forum members predicted that Belgium and Canada were the favorites to advance from the group. In the end, Croatia and Morocco advanced, and they eventually met again in the semifinals of the tournament. Croatia won silver and bronze medals in the last two World Cups and is currently among the top 10 national teams in the world according to the FIFA rankings, yet I see that many forum members still underestimate them. Last time, the predictions were that Croatia wouldn't even get out of the group, and they ended up finishing third in the world. We'll see how Croatia will do this time.

[pewboy]

Although there is an "if" statement which is a conditional statement in Carlos ancelottis remark, but from all indications if you read in between the lines, there is a likelihood that Neymar will definitely go to the World cup come June next year. He Said "if he's well, if he's better or same as every other player, he will play the World cup". So the only thing stopping Neymar from not going to the world cup from  the statement of ancelotti is the fact that, if he's not fit or injured or nothing bad happens to him between now till the period of the World cup then he will go else he will not go.

This certainly weighs heavily on him too, because being Brazil's top player this will be felt. Now they can't think about a World Cup and a Brazil without Neymar Jr., but they would do well to look for another player to be able to carry on Brazil's hopes.

[verdinio]

All the other teams in Group D are very strong. United States will have the home advantage, while Paraguay is afterall a CONMEBOL team. Australia is one of the strongest teams from the AFC. That said, qualifying won't be a cakewalk for Türkiye. They need to win both their matches in UEFA Path C. The good news is that Romania is a shadow of their former self, and same can be said about Slovakia as well. Kosovo has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, but recently they had a few upset wins to their name. The second match will be most probably be against Kosovo. 

As for the United States, i don't think they have a real advantage in having the chance to play at home. Right now, these national teams are all at a good level and what's happening is that they will all be balanced matches. Obviously, there will be the top seeds as always.

[Lucius]

~snip~
That's one of the problems with FIFA, wanting to include subpar referees, just to fill the quotas so all federations are included. I will never forget that Griezmann dive that caused us conceed the first goal, and the 2nd one wasn't any better either.

I have nothing against all countries being represented when it comes to football referees, but then everyone should be clearly told that they must respect the same rules of the game - and if we already have VAR, why isn't it always used when a controversial situation occurs? It turns out that VAR is an excellent tool for directing matches in the desired direction, I have no doubt that it will be the same next year in the US.

~snip~
Last time, the predictions were that Croatia wouldn't even get out of the group, and they ended up finishing third in the world. We'll see how Croatia will do this time.

Croatia is definitely not one of FIFA's favorite teams, coach Dalic is definitely right about that. They treat us like a small and insignificant country, regardless of the fact that from 1998 to today we have been on the podium three times when it comes to world football championships. This makes us one of the most successful countries considering that we only declared independence in 1991.

Look who they give the best chance of winning first place, because Croatia isn't even in the top ten.

1.Spain +400
2.England +600
3.France +650
4.Brazil +750
5.Argentina +800
6.Portugal +1100
7.Germany +1200
8.Netherlands +1600
9.Norway +2500
10.Italy/Colombia +3300

Italy, which has not even qualified yet, and Norway are bigger favorites than Croatia

[dollyamo]

Maybe England is just the only nation that is 100% sure of qualifying in that group for now in my opinion I can't guarantee that Ghana has such assurance as England because I haven't seen them do much recently when compared to how great a form they hard in the days of Gyang, but it would be a great joy as an African watching one of our African country go fat in the world cup and not just qualifying from the group stage but up to the semis or finals.

I wouldn't be so convinced, there are teams that were super sure of qualifying and yet they had notable problems that led them to have quite a few problems against decidedly terrible teams, no national team, is now as underestimated, as it once was, everyone has become good at football

[cande86]

I think Carlo Ancelotti should give Neymar the opportunity to go to the 2026 World Cup. Neymar is the magnet of Brazilian football. His big name, Naymar, will bring spirit to the Brazilian national team squad. He must appear even as a substitute. Because I think the presence of experienced star players really motivates the team to play on the field, especially if the opportunity given by Ancelot is maximized well by Neymar by presenting his best performance and scoring goals. I think Neymar deserves the opportunity to be included in the squad that will compete in the World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. I still remember when Ronaldo Nazário was given the opportunity to play for his last World Cup and the public gave him respect. I hope Neymar does the same.

Honestlu I don't think that right now there is any presupposition on Carlo Ancelotti's part to make Neymar go to the World Cup, we are talking about a player who can't handle pressure, he has never been able to do it and I don't think he will be able to do it very soon or at the end of his career, I think he is even an obstacle for his national team.

[8rch7]

I agree with you. England already has a lot of very bad experiences with Croatia, which knocked them out of EURO 2008 and in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and Ghana is one of the best African teams. At the last World Cup, Morocco finished in fourth place, so African teams are very tough opponents. Argentina and Portugal are certainly favorites, but surprises are always possible. The group stage, due to the new rules that even third-placed teams in the group can advance, will certainly be passed by all the favorites, and then the real competition begins, the knockout stage.

Not underestimate with Croatia, after seeing England team performance in qualifier matches without loss yet I don't think difficult for England defeating Croatia, Ghana and Panama at phase group matches. I am optimistic football is coming home for this time and England as top candidate team for winning FIFA World Cup 2026. Thomas Tuchel as England manager has good statistic since appointed head coach and never loss during qualifier matches indeed many fans not favorite England candidate winner team.

For the match system with World Cup new format I am still confusing after England if qualify to next round which one team possibility will face? After phase group matches will play knock out round match or will draw group phase again? I don't know more about match of World Cup 2026

[Volgastallion]

Some groups are a real shit for sure, and worst of all is some players are gonna grow some big statistics playing against shit teams when in the past it was nearby to impossible to face a low tier team in the world cup, i dont like so much this new era rules where national teams which are weaker can participate in the name of "reaching more people across the world".

[vivekdhyani1]

An official complaint has been submitted to FIFA's Ethics Committee, alleging "repeated breaches" of FIFA's duty of political neutrality by its president, Gianni Infantino, while also requesting an investigation into the process that saw United States President Donald Trump receive the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

The complaint has been made by FairSquare, a non-profit organization and advocacy group which focuses mainly on global labour migration rights, political repression and sport.

In the sporting realm, the organization says it promotes “better, more democratic governance to prevent sporting institutions contributing to harm and suffering.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6873068/2025/12/09/fifa-infantino-trump-peace-prize-complaint/?source=twitteruk

[Stavri]

South American teams and Mexico are going to put on an absolutely incredible fan show in this tournament. It’s going to be great to watch them. In the matches these teams play, the atmosphere will probably feel like pure hellfire in the best possible way  .
By the way match times are terrible for my country our sleep schedule is going to be ruined probably.