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

[pawel7777]

Shame to see Poland dropping out of the World Cup. They played a decent game against Sweden. They managed to respond twice when Sweden took the lead, but the 3rd goal came unexpectedly. I think they might have been mentally set for overtime, lost focus, which the Swedes took advantage of.

Italy getting eliminated by Bosnia is probably the biggest surprise of the playoffs. They used to be a powerhouse of European football. They made it to almost all FIFA World Cup tournaments from 1934 to 2014 (except 1958), winning 4 of them. But now they have failed to qualify for the 3rd time in a row, which must be super disappointing for their fans.

[Italian Panic]

I watched italy match and I have to say it was truly embarrassing; they were afraid of bosnia and at times were completely pinned back on the defensive. In the end, the statistics showed that Bosnia had 30 (!!!) shots on goal and Italy 9; if you let teams like germany, france or brazil have 30 shots on goal, it’s going to end very badly.
Best compliment to Turkey for returning to the WC after so many years, it feels like it’s been since the days of hakan sukur. They’ve got a great team with technically gifted young players and incredible potential.

[AYOBA]

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.

In the final results the match end up 1-1, but I was surprised that the Bosnia couldn’t capitalized on that advantage after the Italy was playing 10 men in the pitch i was also expecting them to use that advantages and scoring more goals but they find it difficult shall that is all about football; which is why is very hardly to predict. And if you take look at the ball possession Bosnia are the one dominating the entirely ball possession, but refuse to win 10 men on the pitch till the game end up in the penalty they later got win.

[sergiorus]

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.

absolutely, the group isn't very difficult and Turkey should advance.
after that its most likely an underdog among big boys but i have a feeling they will surprise everyone by beating some big team. they have got the character just for that.

[xLays]

I watched italy match and I have to say it was truly embarrassing; they were afraid of bosnia and at times were completely pinned back on the defensive. In the end, the statistics showed that Bosnia had 30 (!!!) shots on goal and Italy 9; if you let teams like germany, france or brazil have 30 shots on goal, it’s going to end very badly.
Best compliment to Turkey for returning to the WC after so many years, it feels like it’s been since the days of hakan sukur. They’ve got a great team with technically gifted young players and incredible potential.

I’m surprised you didn’t mention the red card Italy received. I’m pretty sure the outcome would have been different if they hadn’t gone down a man.
I also watched the match and Italy actually played well in the first half before the red card. After that, everything changed and they struggled to attack.
With this loss, Italy has now missed three consecutive World Cup appearances.
As for the penalty shootout if I remember correctly it wasn’t really about great saves by the goalkeeper. Italy simply missed several of their kicks, which ultimately led to their defeat.

[8rch7]

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.

Sadly, another time Italy failed playing to World Cup after failure at World Cup edition 2018, 2022 and finally World Cup 2026 Italy not qualify, I watch the match last night after Italy leading one goal from Moise Keane looks will win the match but since playing with ten player at 40 minutes the match change significant.
Bosnia and Herzegovina get full supported by playing at home and its another time back to participants at World Cup after missing at several edition, as Italy fans actually very disappointed Italy with full talent player have absent again in World Cup 2026 and Gennaro Gattuso must be out from Italy team manager.

[LGD2Business]

Italy lost on penalties and is missing out on another major trophy. What’s going on with these Italians?
Türkiye is in the World Cup for the first time since 2002. We've been waiting for this moment for years. We have a very good generation of players, but we have a terrible manager. We barely even managed to win the play-off final against Kosovo. If it weren't for Kenan and Orkun's outstanding efforts, we wouldn't have made it to the tournament again. Going to the tournament with this manager would be a mistake, but unfortunately the entire media and politicians are backing him.

[Sexylizzy2813]

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. 

After the first half ended goalless I had that feeling that it is anybody's game and as I thought that Turkey would demolish Kosovo the whole thing changed, honestly the host team did well but allowing an early goal in the second half was very poor after defending the whole of the first half, replying became a problem to even get a 1-1 before talking of winning the game. This is to show that in the world Cup it won't be as easy as we are seeing it, imagine how Netherlands are playing like they all have bad players on their squad, too bad or should I go on to mention England with the best squad but act like they are playing with amateur players, these guys will do nothing impressive in the World Cup if care is not taken.

[7juju]

Italy getting eliminated by Bosnia is probably the biggest surprise of the playoffs. They used to be a powerhouse of European football. They made it to almost all FIFA World Cup tournaments from 1934 to 2014 (except 1958), winning 4 of them. But now they have failed to qualify for the 3rd time in a row, which must be super disappointing for their fans.

It was very disappointing to see Italy miss out on the World Cup again. It was even more disappointing that they were knocked out by a team that’s not even part of the European powerhouse when it comes to football. This wasn’t what I was expecting. Had it been it was one of the big teams in Europe that knocked them out it would have been understandable. But losing to Bosnia & Herzegovina makes it look disgusting. Italy was one of the countries I was so convinced would make it to the world cup but they couldn’t live up to expectations.

[KingsDen]

Italy lost on penalties and is missing out on another major trophy. What’s going on with these Italians?
Türkiye is in the World Cup for the first time since 2002. We've been waiting for this moment for years. We have a very good generation of players, but we have a terrible manager. We barely even managed to win the play-off final against Kosovo. If it weren't for Kenan and Orkun's outstanding efforts, we wouldn't have made it to the tournament again. Going to the tournament with this manager would be a mistake, but unfortunately the entire media and politicians are backing him.

After Italy became the World Cup champions in 2006, things fell apart for them.;
They were unable to qualify from the group stage in 2010, they finished at the bottom of their group with only 2 points;
Something that hasn't happened in their team since 1974.
After 2010, they haven't qualified for world cup till date.
Once the feared giants are gone...

[IceLincoln]

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.

Another sad ending for the Italians, a team that used to be formidable in the World Cup four times winners will not be playing at this prestigious new format competition just like our country Nigeria. A story of Big for nothing, they fought well but not till the end, the silly mistake by Bastoni might have cost them.
With the pedigree they have they shouldn’t be in this mess, but it is what it is.
We have Sweden, Turkey, Bosnia and Czechia joining the rest of the qualified nations.

[JiiBs]

Shame to see Poland dropping out of the World Cup. They played a decent game against Sweden. They managed to respond twice when Sweden took the lead, but the 3rd goal came unexpectedly. I think they might have been mentally set for overtime, lost focus, which the Swedes took advantage of.

Italy getting eliminated by Bosnia is probably the biggest surprise of the playoffs. They used to be a powerhouse of European football.

It’s the unexpected last minute goals that usually gets the job done, it kills every momentum and you know the team is going to defend it for sure. Sweden actually did dictate how the game should go with Poland being the equalizers all game, never taking the lead but always finding ways to equalize until the Arsenal striker gave them the shocker.

Italy however did put in their most but, had a red card that put them in quite a disadvantage. You just know it was going to be hard for them to keep the lead after they just got it but, loosing on penalties, that’s something that shouldn’t have being a problem with them.

[Wake Up]

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.

Another sad ending for the Italians, a team that used to be formidable in the World Cup four times winners will not be playing at this prestigious new format competition just like our country Nigeria. A story of Big for nothing, they fought well but not till the end, the silly mistake by Bastoni might have cost them.
With the pedigree they have they shouldn’t be in this mess, but it is what it is.
We have Sweden, Turkey, Bosnia and Czechia joining the rest of the qualified nations.

Italy is a footballing nation. Therefore, this result will cause some changes in the Italian national team. Italy has always been one of the favorites in both the European Championship and the World Cup. The biggest reason for this defeat was the change in the balance of the game due to the red card. Donnarumma took the Italians to penalties, but Bosnia did not miss their penalty.

[Ale88]

I watched italy match and I have to say it was truly embarrassing; they were afraid of bosnia and at times were completely pinned back on the defensive. In the end, the statistics showed that Bosnia had 30 (!!!) shots on goal and Italy 9; if you let teams like germany, france or brazil have 30 shots on goal, it’s going to end very badly.

I agree. The most annoying part about this elimination is how it happened: we scored a random goal thanks to the Bosnian goalkeeper's mistake; then Bastoni made a huge mistake because you can't get a red card with more than a half time to play, let the player end the play and see what happens, worst case scenario he scores but at least we can still play 11 vs 11. There was no passion, no interest, I don't even understand how they can represent the national team, it's been a total shame. And the worst thing is that the president of the Italian Federation is refusing to leave: he and his friends literally destroyed Italian football and, once again, he refuses to leave his spot. Unbelievable. If he really stays we can say goodbye to the next World Cup too, nothing will ever change.

[Jostern]

Shame to see Poland dropping out of the World Cup. They played a decent game against Sweden. They managed to respond twice when Sweden took the lead, but the 3rd goal came unexpectedly. I think they might have been mentally set for overtime, lost focus, which the Swedes took advantage of.

Italy getting eliminated by Bosnia is probably the biggest surprise of the playoffs. They used to be a powerhouse of European football. They made it to almost all FIFA World Cup tournaments from 1934 to 2014 (except 1958), winning 4 of them. But now they have failed to qualify for the 3rd time in a row, which must be super disappointing for their fans.

It is a more disappointing situation that Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup, this should be the second time in a row, Everyone would be disappointed that such a country like Italy wouldn’t be at the World Cup which is a very nasty situation for them and their country, it’s a very disappointing result, Italy is known as one of the biggest countries at World Stages and for something of this magnitude to have happened to them then I must say is something that cannot be taken, all the Italian players should be ashamed of themselves, and the Manager should be ashamed of himself for not qualifying for the World Cup, it’s a huge disappointment and a huge blow for them in this nasty predicament.

[BlackBoss_]

Shame to see Poland dropping out of the World Cup. They played a decent game against Sweden. They managed to respond twice when Sweden took the lead, but the 3rd goal came unexpectedly. I think they might have been mentally set for overtime, lost focus, which the Swedes took advantage of.

Poland can feel disappointed by losing this playoff and miss World Cup 2026 but with their performances in latest World Cup and Euro, they will not likely be able to go far in World Cup 2026 if they participate in it. It's also a goodbye of Robert Lewandowski with his national team as he is old already but before he announces his retirement in national team, his fans can hope that he will continue for Euro 2028.

Italy getting eliminated by Bosnia is probably the biggest surprise of the playoffs. They used to be a powerhouse of European football. They made it to almost all FIFA World Cup tournaments from 1934 to 2014 (except 1958), winning 4 of them. But now they have failed to qualify for the 3rd time in a row, which must be super disappointing for their fans.

Italy scored first but the moment of inexperienced tackle from Bastoni and a direct red card changed the match. Italy possibly get a conceded goal in that situation but even so they will have 11 players and can continue well in remaining time. This red card affected a whole team in about 80 more minutes and to make it worse, Moise Kean wasted a very good opportunity to make it 2 - 0 for Italy. If Kean scores the second goal, it would be the end for Bosnia already.

At penalty shootouts, I don't know why they let Esposito shot first and this mistake reminds me about Saka and his penalty shot for England in  Euro 2020 final match with Italy. Both Saka and Esposito are very young when taking such responsibility for their national teams.

[Bitinity]

Frankly speaking I am not that surprised to see Italy failed to qualify to the 2026 WC. I do not see something special in this team even since the group round when they lost 2x against Norway. I think the main problem with Italy is that the players regeneration is not that good. They have no special players like few decades back, I can even say that the current Italian team is just like a group of mediocre players. Failed to qualify 3 times in a row is absolutely a nightmare for a team like Italy, 2 times in a row was already bad for them but now it is 3x.

[Ale88]

At penalty shootouts, I don't know why they let Esposito shot first and this mistake reminds me about Saka and his penalty shot for England in  Euro 2020 final match with Italy. Both Saka and Esposito are very young when taking such responsibility for their national teams.

I don't know either, as soon as I saw Esposito as the first penalty taker I knew there was a huge probability he was going to miss it, not only because he is young but also because Bosnia had already scored the first penalty, so he had the pressure of equalizing. And when I saw the third penalty taker was Cristante I turn off the tv because I knew he was going to miss, I don't even know what he is doing in the national team...

[BlackBoss_]

I don't know either, as soon as I saw Esposito as the first penalty taker I knew there was a huge probability he was going to miss it, not only because he is young but also because Bosnia had already scored the first penalty, so he had the pressure of equalizing. And when I saw the third penalty taker was Cristante I turn off the tv because I knew he was going to miss, I don't even know what he is doing in the national team...

Perhaps Esposito proactively made a proposal to take that responsibility but even if he actually did that, Gennaro Gattuso as a head coach and by his experience with Italy teams in the past, must refuse that proposal from Esposito. Giving that huge responsibility to a very young player like Esposito is like suicide as a first and last shots in first five penalty shots are most important.

Italy have other players who can shoot penalty well like Dimarco, Mancini, Barella and even more but generally older players are possibly better choices with less risk than Esposito.

[YUriy1991]

In the final results the match end up 1-1, but I was surprised that the Bosnia couldn’t capitalized on that advantage after the Italy was playing 10 men in the pitch i was also expecting them to use that advantages and scoring more goals but they find it difficult shall that is all about football; which is why is very hardly to predict. And if you take look at the ball possession Bosnia are the one dominating the entirely ball possession, but refuse to win 10 men on the pitch till the game end up in the penalty they later got win.

Bosnia played with great discipline, a feat for them to defeat Italy, four time World Cup champions. Italy has now set a new record by failing to qualify for the World Cup for three consecutive years, despite the league having contributed numerous players to compete for their country. Ironically, Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. A highly competitive league like Serie A failed to bring Italy to the World Cup. This should be a major evaluation for the Italian Football Federation. The FIGC, in my opinion, must be held accountable. The fans desperately miss Italy World Cup appearances like the era of Francesco Totti, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, and Del Piero. Last night match against Bosnia was particularly painful for the Tifosi.