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

[Lillominato89]

These qualifiers are such a struggle for us Italians.
It’s a really tough match, and to make matters worse we’re down to 10 men after Alessandro Bastoni was sent off.
I was so anxious I couldn’t bear to watch the match any longer! Bosnia and Herzegovina are playing far better than us, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they managed to turn the result around. There are 15 minutes left – let’s hope for the best.

[MorganaX]

These qualifiers are such a struggle for us Italians.
It’s a really tough match, and to make matters worse we’re down to 10 men after Alessandro Bastoni was sent off.
I was so anxious I couldn’t bear to watch the match any longer! Bosnia and Herzegovina are playing far better than us, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they managed to turn the result around. There are 15 minutes left – let’s hope for the best.

It's 1-1 and Italy just needs to hold on a little longer because they are the one at disadvantage since they have a red card and Bosnia can capitalize on that advantage because to play with 10 men on the pitch is always not a easy task and it takes alot of discipline and focus because the pressure will be much and before you know the defense might crack.

[Adbitco]

Italy Bostani got sent off since the first half for a last challenge against the last man, red card from the referee and that was the right call. Looking at the 2 changes made by Gattuso, his removed an attacker and a midfielder and replaced both with 2 defenders which means he plans to maintain this 1 - 0 and maybe if they are lucky get the killer goal. Looking at this formation, 3 - 5 - 2. I'm not currently watching the match so I really don't know if he has switched formation but if I were in his position, I would use a lone striker with 5 defenders, 3 midfielders and a striker. Yes because he has already introduced 2 new defenders into the game, it will be difficult for Italy to hold off their opponent till FT, I believe if it were a stronger, right now Italy would have been behind because of this formation.

[Davidloki]

Gyokeres scored the winner for Sweden

[Joy_learns_crypto]

It is only Turkey that is has sealed qualification without going to extra time. Sweden lead twice but Poland came back regardless Sweden had the last laugh and are through, Italy who were winning but that red card has opened it up with Bosnia equalizing now it’s going to extra time, Denmark scored early by Czech but gave pressure back to their host and has taken the game to extra time.
My prediction is Bosnia and Denmark goes through.

[Stepstowealth]

Sweden is currently leading Poland, and this match is likely to end with a score of more than 3 goals.

It was a high scoring game as I predicted, Sweden got the first goal, and Poland responded as expected. With the game locked at 2-2, it was going to be either of the two teams to win the game, and luckily for Sweden they have Gyokores who is playing well in this break. His goal sends Sweden to the World Cup, something they will celebrate loudly.

As for Italy, I am shocked they are struggling with Bosnia. I never saw Bosnia as a team that could cause them problems.

[CLS63]

We did it! Turkey won by 1-0 against Kosovo and it was literally a hard-fought win. I must admit Kosovo showed a big character against us and really scared me about going to extra time.

We are finally back in the World Cup after 24 years. I was a little kid when we joined this tournament the last time. Now finally I can enjoy watching a World Cup more than ever. 

[Cryptoprincess101]

My predictions for the teams to qualify for the World Cup:

• Italy
• Denmark
• Turkey
• Sweden

I'm not sure about regular time wins though.    At least half of them are likely to go to extra time. I'm just looking forward to seeing Turkey eliminate Kosovo...

We are a much better team here. Kosovo weren't normally scoring lots of goals in qualifiers but they surprised us against Slovakia. We need to be careful against their attacks. We should be in control of the game the most.

Your prediction is right after all, half of the team namely; Italy and Denmark have advanced to extra time while Sweden and Turkey won their respective matches and moves straight to the world cup. Sweden almost entered into extra time with Poland, but Arsenal star player Viktor Gyokeres scored the winner goal at 88th minute. Italy may have a challenging extra time since they are just 10 men due to a red card they had in the first half. Denmark needs to be careful to avoid Czech Republic from eliminating them at extra time.

[Solodoski]

The early red card from Bastoni made the game early difficult for Italy to score another goal. Italy is defending all through the game, hardly can they convert the chances they had. Despite everything, Italy almost scored twice in the extra minute added. One opportunity from any side could change everything. B-H is in position to win Italy.

Turkiye and Sweden has qualified. Denmark and Czechia are 2:2.

[Fiatless]

We did it! Turkey won by 1-0 against Kosovo and it was literally a hard-fought win. I must admit Kosovo showed a big character against us and really scared me about going to extra time.

We are finally back in the World Cup after 24 years. I was a little kid when we joined this tournament the last time. Now finally I can enjoy watching a World Cup more than ever. 

Congratulations to Turkey. They deserve the victory. It was a well-contested game that any team could have won it. Hoping to see Turkey make an impact in the World Cup. 24 years is a long time, congratulations to you all again.

Meanwhile, Italy is still fighting to get a place in the World Cup. The match between Gli Azzurri and Bosnia and Herzegovina is 1-1. Alessandro Bastoni's red card has put Gennaro Gattuso's side under pressure.  I hope Italy makes it to the competition.

[Richbased]

These qualifiers are such a struggle for us Italians.
It’s a really tough match, and to make matters worse we’re down to 10 men after Alessandro Bastoni was sent off.
I was so anxious I couldn’t bear to watch the match any longer! Bosnia and Herzegovina are playing far better than us, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they managed to turn the result around. There are 15 minutes left – let’s hope for the best.

Italy are not playing like they want to qualify for the world cup so i won't be surprised if Bosnia wins them in the extra time and qualify instead of Italy. I wonder if Italy can struggle so much just to qualify, if they eventually make it through to the world cup we might be seeing funny display by the Italian team. Well, it will be a bad record if they miss the world cup again, it will really degrade them so much and might even affect their FIFA rankings. I don't know why i still want Italy to qualify, maybe due to their performance in the past.

[slapper]

Italy is a major footballing nation, and it boasts one of the best domestic leagues. However, in recent World Cups, they have failed to qualify, raising the question of why a major nation with such strong football can’t compete to make it to the World Cup.

If they fail again this year, I don’t know what else to say. The competition is indeed fierce to secure a spot in the World Cup, but they actually have a very solid foundation in their football. Hopefully, this year we’ll see them back in the World Cup.

Italy have 4 World Cup titles and they are only behind Brazil in World Cup title records but the last World Cup they joined is in 2014, and since the last title they won in 2006, it's already 20 years. In 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments, they did not pass the group phase which was disappointed but it became worse in World Cup 2018 and 2022 when they even did not win playoff matches to be there.

It's surprising that during two disappointed and terrible World Cup propaganda in 2018 and 2022, they still managed to win Euro 2020 but hosted one year later in 2021 as consequence of Covid-19. Their Italian player resource and quality is actually worse than 20 years ago but they are still good enough to be in World Cup 2026. It is just too high pressure on their players before playoff matches with North Ireland, and now Bosnia. Let's see how Gattuso and his players perform in the final playoff in coming hours.

Gattuso was not the first choice for this job. Ranieri said no. Ranieri. Would rather sit at roma in some advisory role than take the Italy job. That says everything about how damaged the position was expected to be. But Gattuso came in and weirdly it worked? He has coached nine clubs and was fired from Fiorentina after 22 days. Then somehow he is the one who finally made Italy hard to beat again. He put Barzagli and Bonucci on his coaching staff (both 2006 winners).

The thing that actually gives me hope is Kean scores against Northern ireland. Because historically? That is exactly the time Italy concede historically. That is the minute they panic and fall apart. Instead they scored. It is a small thing but it means a lot. 

But yeah. They will be in North America. That still feels after missing two world cups. Truly surreal to say.

[MK-74]

Turkiye defeated Kosovo 1–0 away and qualified for the World Cup.
In my opinion, we were the better side and deserved the win.

I was expecting a high scoring match, but it turned out to be a tight and low scoring game.
The referee and the pitch were poor, and the artificial turf caused problems for all the players.

In the end, we won and qualified for the World Cup after a long absence.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Hey guys, I don't know what to say about Italy, Bosnia played an amazing game; they were superior in every aspect Unfortunately, Italy wasn't lucky. I didn't see that spark, that brilliance that their great legends, Totti, Inzaghi, and Del Piero, used to have. We desperately need players like that, The old school is missing in Italy the new generations aren't living up to expectations. Congratulations to the Bosnians they really showed some great football. I understand my friends in Italy, I felt that same pain with my team, Keep your heads up, and there's always another chance in four years.

[sergiorus]

Montanella built a good team. i wouldn't be surprised if Turkey becomes a surprise on the WC like Colombia did in 2014.  
i wonder who will be their "James Rodriguez" in that scenario?

[Agathamay]

Hey guys, I don't know what to say about Italy, Bosnia played an amazing game; they were superior in every aspect Unfortunately, Italy wasn't lucky. I didn't see that spark, that brilliance that their great legends, Totti, Inzaghi, and Del Piero, used to have. We desperately need players like that, The old school is missing in Italy the new generations aren't living up to expectations. Congratulations to the Bosnians they really showed some great football. I understand my friends in Italy, I felt that same pain with my team, Keep your heads up, and there's always another chance in four years.

World cup is alive for the bigger boys and those that are making themselves passionate for the bigger boys. Italy are not competitive after all? They're knocked out of the world cup and won't be going to anticipate in the WC this year. It hurts so bad to see a country with brilliant performing players not been able to find their path for Greatness. Tonight game was very magnificent and was very impressing, so entertaining to watch.

[katanic97]

Hey guys, I don't know what to say about Italy, Bosnia played an amazing game; they were superior in every aspect Unfortunately, Italy wasn't lucky. I didn't see that spark, that brilliance that their great legends, Totti, Inzaghi, and Del Piero, used to have. We desperately need players like that, The old school is missing in Italy the new generations aren't living up to expectations. Congratulations to the Bosnians they really showed some great football. I understand my friends in Italy, I felt that same pain with my team, Keep your heads up, and there's always another chance in four years.

Bosnia above all played with heart, and they left it all on the pitch. A team with real chemistry that actually knows how to play football. They were so much better that the penalty shootout felt more like a reward for their performance than anything else.On the other side, it’s just disappointment again and more bad luck for Italy missing out on the tournament. Gennaro Gattuso even said he’d move away from Italy, and some media are already calling it a disaster.These new generations just can’t seem to step up yet, but i still believe their time will come and Italy will be back at the world cup. Congrats to Bosnia!

[Joy_learns_crypto]

Italy only score one penalty from their squad best player Tonali, The massive wall of a man Donnarouma did not save any penalty. Italy feared that they may not qualify although they got one of the team they would have loved to face.
It is three points World Cup tournament in a row that Italy who are former champions won’t be playing and contrary to that Czech ended their World Cup qualification failures today.

[snipie]

Hey guys, I don't know what to say about Italy

I have a lot of words to say about this humiliation for the third time in a row. Italian should be very angry about their national team players and management. Did they ever trained about a possible penalties scenario? Are they stressed a lot at the point they ruin the shots?

Bosnia played an amazing game; they were superior in every aspect Unfortunately, Italy wasn't lucky...

Congratulations for Bosnia and Herzegovina. They were wonderful and merited the qualification after kicking Wales and Italy. Well done!

i wouldn't be surprised if Turkey becomes a surprise on the WC like Colombia did in 2014.

Congratulations to Turkiye, Czechia and Sweden also. Beating Denmark and Poland is not an easy task even if it was by penalties for Czechia.
For Turkiye, I don't think their group is very difficult honestly. USA, Paraguay and Australia aren't very superior to them and passing that stage should be a feasible task in my opinion.

[Suleiman the Magnificent]

Despite a tough match against Kosovo, we finally secured our spot in the World Cup. It’s been 24 years since our last appearance when we came in third in the world. I’m confident we’ll bring some real excitement to the tournament in the US. Come on Türkiye!

Plus, I'm thrilled to see Bosnia and Herzegovina making it to the World Cup after knocking out Italy.