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

[asriloni]

Information regarding Iran's participation in the World Cup became clear today. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated: "Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together." I am very glad that the Iranians will be playing in the World Cup; I hope the military conflict with the US does not interfere with their performance.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cewp1pxyqggo

I don't believe with what Infantino said. He's looking for a short term solution and he tries to keep Iran's participation as a escapegoat. He knows even if he let Iran to take the spot, but they are not coming. So what's the different by not allowing them to take the spot? It's just a smartplay from FIFA.

I think we're all know FIFA is always caring by themselves. If they were serious in welcoming Iran to the US, they would be changing the venue.

[MarjorieZimmermanGinger]

With the look of the hype, Portugal may not make it past the round of 16, the presence of C.Ronaldo won't be much of change to his team, the Portugal team isn't that tough to the phase the gravity of the kind of team that would be in America for the world cup, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, England, Germany, are teams to look out for at getting to the final top of the competition, Portugal isn't really that much of a great team, Ronaldo can't do all the magic, and he's aging, the highest his team could reach is the quarterfinals.

Portugal is still one of the favorite team and certainly has a chance of advancing to the round of 16 in this World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo's experience and leadership are still crucial for the Portuguese national team, although his sharpness isn't at the peak of his career. Opponents will be wary of Cristiano Ronaldo as they'll need to guard him well as his goal-scoring instincts are still quite good. If Portugal isn't considered a great team, I think that's a mistake as many of their current players possess good qualities and generally play for good clubs.

[Agbamoni]

Cristiano Ronaldo lifting the world cup at this age will be an interesting one he's still playing very well and scoring goals in almost every matches he's playing, some set of people are saying that he won't be functioning very well in the world cup for Portugal but I believe he will do even what we don't expect him to do meaning he will perform very well in the world cup because this is his last going to the world cup before he retires so his going to give it his best, I really wish he will be able to lift the world cup I believe when he does that he will be more fulfilled in his football career I'm not saying he won't be fulfilled without the world cup, because he has achieve a lot of things but I just wish he can be able to lift the world cup also.

The Portuguese national team has wonderful players to back Cristiano Ronaldo in winning the World Cup. It is very possible, especially with Roberto Martínez; anything is possible.

The point you missed is that, left with Ronaldo's performance, he can't win the World Cup. It has to be a team performance. With Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and Rúben Dias in massive form this season, it is very possible that Portugal is one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup.

[Ale88]

Cristiano Ronaldo lifting the world cup at this age will be an interesting one he's still playing very well and scoring goals in almost every matches he's playing, some set of people are saying that he won't be functioning very well in the world cup for Portugal but I believe he will do even what we don't expect him to do meaning he will perform very well in the world cup because this is his last going to the world cup before he retires so his going to give it his best, I really wish he will be able to lift the world cup I believe when he does that he will be more fulfilled in his football career I'm not saying he won't be fulfilled without the world cup, because he has achieve a lot of things but I just wish he can be able to lift the world cup also.

One thing you should consider is team work. Only Ronaldo cannot win the world cup if not, he would have done that long time ago. Portugal has quality players but not enough to win the world cup because we have other strong countries from Europe that are far better than Portugal in their performance.

Let's see how it will go this time and how far Portugal will reach in the world cup. If Ronaldo doesn't win the world cup nothing changes. At least, he's the world richest footballer.

I keep thinking that everybody here is underestimating Portugal: are they the best team? No. Are they among the best teams? Yes. In my opinion only Spain and France are, on paper, better than Portugal. I don't see them inferior to England, Germany or Argentina. They are missing a real striker, that has always been Portugal's problem because Ronaldo can play in that position but he wasn't born as striker. And of course he can't be playing every match in the starting eleven considering his age.

[Sithara007]

The Portuguese national team has wonderful players to back Cristiano Ronaldo in winning the World Cup. It is very possible, especially with Roberto Martínez; anything is possible.

The point you missed is that, left with Ronaldo's performance, he can't win the World Cup. It has to be a team performance. With Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and Rúben Dias in massive form this season, it is very possible that Portugal is one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup.

Portugal as one of the favorites?

Nope. Not even in top-10. They have the best football player in the world with them. But that alone can't guarantee the world cup trophy. In the group phase, teams that are dominated by individual players perform well. But things get tough during the knockout phase. And for this edition, there is an extended knockout phase, starting with the Round of 32. As such, Portugal is a decent team. To support Ronaldo, they have players like João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição. But it is in defense and mid-field that they struggle. And unless you have a balanced team, you can't face the top teams like France and Argentina.

[Pumared]

The Portuguese national team has wonderful players to back Cristiano Ronaldo in winning the World Cup. It is very possible, especially with Roberto Martínez; anything is possible.

The point you missed is that, left with Ronaldo's performance, he can't win the World Cup. It has to be a team performance. With Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and Rúben Dias in massive form this season, it is very possible that Portugal is one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup.

Portugal as one of the favorites?

Nope. Not even in top-10. They have the best football player in the world with them. But that alone can't guarantee the world cup trophy. In the group phase, teams that are dominated by individual players perform well. But things get tough during the knockout phase. And for this edition, there is an extended knockout phase, starting with the Round of 32. As such, Portugal is a decent team. To support Ronaldo, they have players like João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição. But it is in defense and mid-field that they struggle. And unless you have a balanced team, you can't face the top teams like France and Argentina.

Exactly, that has always been Portugal's dilemma in cup competitions. They need eleven good players. Having just one exceptional player doesn't guarantee victory, and that's why they never do well in these tournaments.

[rezakurnia66]

Portugal as one of the favorites?

Nope. Not even in top-10. They have the best football player in the world with them. But that alone can't guarantee the world cup trophy. In the group phase, teams that are dominated by individual players perform well. But things get tough during the knockout phase. And for this edition, there is an extended knockout phase, starting with the Round of 32. As such, Portugal is a decent team. To support Ronaldo, they have players like João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição. But it is in defense and mid-field that they struggle. And unless you have a balanced team, you can't face the top teams like France and Argentina.

I don't think bad put Portugal team in the favorite list for winning the World Cup 2026.

The Portugal national team have full talented players dominance between youth and senior players, Bruno Fernandez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernando Silva and top talented PSG players João Neves are most waiting for players their performance in World Cup 2026.
I think difficult for predicting the favorite winner team in World Cup 2026 because all top teams right now have many top players who playing with their club, without two months left we can watch the World Cup 2026 and hope without politic drama and present us most interested matches to watch.

[BlackBoss_]

I don't think bad put Portugal team in the favorite list for winning the World Cup 2026.

The Portugal national team have full talented players dominance between youth and senior players, Bruno Fernandez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernando Silva and top talented PSG players João Neves are most waiting for players their performance in World Cup 2026.
I think difficult for predicting the favorite winner team in World Cup 2026 because all top teams right now have many top players who playing with their club, without two months left we can watch the World Cup 2026 and hope without politic drama and present us most interested matches to watch.

Portuguese national team have many star players who are at world class level and have had very good performances throughout this season. The challenge for the head coach is combining those star players well, and how to use Cristiano Ronaldo properly in World Cup 2026. Ronaldo is still helpful for any team but at this 41-year old, perhaps Cristiano must proactively accept a different role in his national team. He can be start a match in 11-chosen players or as a substitution, and he must be comfortable with both roles depend on each opponent of Portuguese national team in the World Cup.

The ultimate goal is go as farthest as possible and win the World Cup 2026 trophy if possible so which roles he will play in the tournament is not too important. As a captain, he must proactively maintain unity of the team, and avoid creating internal conflicts with the head coach as well as his teammates.

[blue Snow]

With the look of the hype, Portugal may not make it past the round of 16, the presence of C.Ronaldo won't be much of change to his team, the Portugal team isn't that tough to the phase the gravity of the kind of team that would be in America for the world cup, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, England, Germany, are teams to look out for at getting to the final top of the competition, Portugal isn't really that much of a great team, Ronaldo can't do all the magic, and he's aging, the highest his team could reach is the quarterfinals.

Portugal is still one of the favorite team and certainly has a chance of advancing to the round of 16 in this World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo's experience and leadership are still crucial for the Portuguese national team, although his sharpness isn't at the peak of his career. Opponents will be wary of Cristiano Ronaldo as they'll need to guard him well as his goal-scoring instincts are still quite good. If Portugal isn't considered a great team, I think that's a mistake as many of their current players possess good qualities and generally play for good clubs.

Portugal is indeed one of the favorites in this World Cup. In the group stage, Portugal was in an easier group and they would certainly qualify for the round of 16, even as group winners. This World Cup will be Ronaldo's last. Ronaldo is very ambitious to win the World Cup trophy before retiring. Ronaldo's presence in the Portuguese national team squad is crucial because he is indeed the most influential player. Perhaps in this World Cup Ronaldo is no longer playing like at the peak of his career due to his age, but Ronaldo still has a good goal-scoring instinct and his presence on the field is worth watching for opposing teams. In terms of player quality, Portugal has great players, and I hope Portugal can go far in this World Cup.

[paco92x]

The Portuguese national team has wonderful players to back Cristiano Ronaldo in winning the World Cup. It is very possible, especially with Roberto Martínez; anything is possible.

The point you missed is that, left with Ronaldo's performance, he can't win the World Cup. It has to be a team performance. With Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and Rúben Dias in massive form this season, it is very possible that Portugal is one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup.

I can't say that Portugal are, for me, a title contender. They simply lack some quality in their squad depth. Every time I think it is their time to shine in the World Cup, they disappoint. So this time, I’m sure they can maybe even reach the semi-finals, but that is the most I see for them. For me, the favourites are France, Spain, and maybe Brazil, but they are my third pick.

[$crypto$]

The Portuguese national team has wonderful players to back Cristiano Ronaldo in winning the World Cup. It is very possible, especially with Roberto Martínez; anything is possible.

The point you missed is that, left with Ronaldo's performance, he can't win the World Cup. It has to be a team performance. With Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and Rúben Dias in massive form this season, it is very possible that Portugal is one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup.

I can't say that Portugal are, for me, a title contender. They simply lack some quality in their squad depth. Every time I think it is their time to shine in the World Cup, they disappoint. So this time, I’m sure they can maybe even reach the semi-finals, but that is the most I see for them. For me, the favourites are France, Spain, and maybe Brazil, but they are my third pick.

Francis and Spain are many people's favorites to win the World Cup this year.

Brazil? The team is still unstable and I'd rather have Argentina who I think is OK than Brazil.

Portugal is a great team with great depth now, I can't predict now, because in the World Cup it might be a different scenario, but I hope it's not too bad.

[Agbe]

Francis and Spain are many people's favorites to win the World Cup this year.

Brazil? The team is still unstable and I'd rather have Argentina who I think is OK than Brazil.

Portugal is a great team with great depth now, I can't predict now, because in the World Cup it might be a different scenario, but I hope it's not too bad.

Francis (France) can't win this world cup and I doubt for Spain too but for Portugal, they were beaten by Morocco last time and I don't think they can repeat that in this time again and I am suspecting them to play the final with Spain. What happened in the previous World Cup would not repeat itself again because teams would like to strive harder to see the end. Last time many strong teams were beaten by weak teams and that will not happen. Teams like Ghana and some few teams are just to support others in the world cup. They can't go far.

[leea-1334]

Portugal as one of the favorites?

Nope. Not even in top-10. They have the best football player in the world with them. But that alone can't guarantee the world cup trophy. In the group phase, teams that are dominated by individual players perform well. But things get tough during the knockout phase. And for this edition, there is an extended knockout phase, starting with the Round of 32. As such, Portugal is a decent team. To support Ronaldo, they have players like João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição. But it is in defense and mid-field that they struggle. And unless you have a balanced team, you can't face the top teams like France and Argentina.

I agree personally Portugal can't win the world cup but they are 100% in the top 10 favorites, and usually they are. In fact just based on odds alone they are in top 6 or top 5, every day it shifts a little bit,,, all bookies favor them more than Netherlands for example.

I do not think their midfield struggle is as bad as you say, do you not think Bruno Fernandes is one of the best, if not the best in Premier League?  Possibly by that, best in Europe.

[Oluwa-btc]

The Portuguese national team has wonderful players to back Cristiano Ronaldo in winning the World Cup. It is very possible, especially with Roberto Martínez; anything is possible.

The point you missed is that, left with Ronaldo's performance, he can't win the World Cup. It has to be a team performance. With Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and Rúben Dias in massive form this season, it is very possible that Portugal is one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup.

Roberto Martinez?! Who couldn't win shit with the great Belgium sqaud he had over the past years?! I honestly do not rate him so highly.
Although, I still think the Portuguese players would thrive and fight to win on their own terms.
Why would you say such. Impossible is nothing and I believe they can do just that.

[SilverCryptoBullet]

I agree personally Portugal can't win the world cup but they are 100% in the top 10 favorites, and usually they are. In fact just based on odds alone they are in top 6 or top 5, every day it shifts a little bit,,, all bookies favor them more than Netherlands for example.

I do not think their midfield struggle is as bad as you say, do you not think Bruno Fernandes is one of the best, if not the best in Premier League?  Possibly by that, best in Europe.

France is the best candidate as they have very strong squad and deep substitution players too but in a short tournament like World Cup or Euro, everything can happen. If France got out  and went home after group phase in World Cup 2002 when they were very strong with three best scorers in Lique 1 (Cisse), Serie A (Trezeguet) and Premier League (Henry) together with Zidane, the same thing can happen with France in World Cup 2026.

If Greece won Euro 2004 surprisingly, Portugal with stronger and more experienced squad than Greece 2004 would be able to do well and win World Cup 2026 title. They are surely not the strongest national team in this World Cup, not the best candidate, but they're able to go far, even win the title.

[$crypto$]

Francis and Spain are many people's favorites to win the World Cup this year.

Brazil? The team is still unstable and I'd rather have Argentina who I think is OK than Brazil.

Portugal is a great team with great depth now, I can't predict now, because in the World Cup it might be a different scenario, but I hope it's not too bad.

Francis (France) can't win this world cup and I doubt for Spain too but for Portugal, they were beaten by Morocco last time and I don't think they can repeat that in this time again and I am suspecting them to play the final with Spain. What happened in the previous World Cup would not repeat itself again because teams would like to strive harder to see the end. Last time many strong teams were beaten by weak teams and that will not happen. Teams like Ghana and some few teams are just to support others in the world cup. They can't go far.

According to the gambling bookie ‘World Cup Winner 2026’, the first position is Spain, France, England --- while Portugal is in 6th place, once this is not a reference only sourced from bookies that we know can be wrong and missed.

We actually can't guess how the game will be in the World Cup when it starts, now it's just speculation and some teams from Africa also look strong to me even though we know from the European continent team is much greater.

[m4r1o]

Yes the tension is gradually going down. For the risk taking, the Football Federation of Iran and FIFA will discuss that and agreed on a term for them to go and play if their matches fall on US. That is a play ground and US or Iran will not do anything to disrupt the events. The risk is not only on Iran but also in US. And FIFA will be held responsible for any action that will take place there. And people would blame FIFA that they could not provide an adequate security in the events. With all this analysis, I believe everything will be okay and seeing the ceasefire discussion.

Iran will go as a team that won the possibility of going on the field, so i believe that it is necessary for them to have a chance to play without there being other political tensions to stop everything, this is necessary, for a correct collaboration, the USA must not interfere, even if they are the host country.

[KTChampions]

I keep thinking that everybody here is underestimating Portugal: are they the best team? No. Are they among the best teams? Yes. In my opinion only Spain and France are, on paper, better than Portugal. I don't see them inferior to England, Germany or Argentina. They are missing a real striker, that has always been Portugal's problem because Ronaldo can play in that position but he wasn't born as striker. And of course he can't be playing every match in the starting eleven considering his age.

First, we need to understand what Portugal's squad will be going to the World Cup to assess their chances. For example, if Mendes misses due to injury, it will be one team, if he does, it will be a different team. Unfortunately, several players are in question. If Portugal had their best squad, I would easily include them in the top five favorites without a doubt. It is clear that all teams are at risk of losing players, but some (like France) have much more extensive replacement options.

[Slow death]

Iran will go as a team that won the possibility of going on the field, so i believe that it is necessary for them to have a chance to play without there being other political tensions to stop everything, this is necessary, for a correct collaboration, the USA must not interfere, even if they are the host country.

But the United States didn't ban Iranian players from playing in the World Cup. The schedule was set, and Iranian players can play in the United States. Now, if they don't go, it would only be due to their own whim. I guarantee you that if the World Cup were in Iran, the first thing the Iranian government would have done would be to ban US players from entering Iran. But since the United States is democratic and has common sense, they won't arrest or harass Iranian players during the World Cup. Besides, I highly doubt Iran will go far in this competition.

[Agbamoni]

Portugal as one of the favorites?

Nope. Not even in top-10. They have the best football player in the world with them. But that alone can't guarantee the world cup trophy. In the group phase, teams that are dominated by individual players perform well. But things get tough during the knockout phase. And for this edition, there is an extended knockout phase, starting with the Round of 32. As such, Portugal is a decent team. To support Ronaldo, they have players like João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição. But it is in defense and mid-field that they struggle. And unless you have a balanced team, you can't face the top teams like France and Argentina.

Everybody has their preference, right? For me, Portugal looks more promising, they are part of the team that is well compact from attack to defense. Their players in their respective clubs are doing very well.

What other team do you have in mind, besides Spain, Argentina, and France to win the 2026 WC.