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

[Stavri]

There will definitely be a surprise team in this World Cup.
So far, the most cohesive looking teams in my opinion are Norway and Portugal. Though how accurate is it to consider Portugal a surprise, that’s another story.

In the previous World Cup there was Morocco as a surprising team as you can remember. They eliminated Spain and Portugal to reach the semi finals which was really insane! 

They are a part of this World Cup also. What do you think about another surprise by them? I guess expecting that from them would be too much. But I also think there could be another surprising team in this one.

Yeah. Morocco is a incredibly fighting team, coming into the cup with pretty much the same squad as 2022...
if they can replicate that 2022 team spirit led by Hakimi and Brahim Diaz they could definitely crash the quarter finals. they're really a great side for sure.

[CLS63]

Norway could be the dark horse. It’s not necessarily a sure thing, though, because 2026 is their first World Cup since they missed the previous tournament in Qatar. Portugal isn’t a dark horse. Perhaps Portugal is considered a dark horse because most people predict they have a chance to reach the final. If Portugal is a solid team, I agree, since they’re in a group that’s relatively easy to advance from to the knockout stage.

Predicting the World Cup is not easy. We’ll only see the real picture once the group stage is over.

Not a bad prediction at all. Norway look really interesting in the recent times. Their qualifiers performance was amazing first of all. We have all seen how they defeated Italy in that group as well.

Their World Cup group now consists of France, Senegal and Iraq. I can't say it is an easy one. France would finish as the leader most probably. Senegal might be a challenge maybe but Norway look promising to qualify for next round.

[juttsab@]

Belgium looks ready for the World Cup. The team, which managed to score a full five goals against Tunisia, won the match comfortably. The Belgian national team hasn’t lost a match in a long time, and frankly, I don’t see any team in their group that could beat them. Of course, it’s possible that Egypt could defeat them, but in my opinion, Belgium’s roster is unbeatable in this group. Tunisia won’t advance from the group. I can’t honestly say they put up much of a fight against Belgium either. Belgium didn’t even score enough goals against them.

Belgium team is very good and strong due to which they are ready to perform very well in this match and this season. They performed well but due to their lack of proper striker they were eliminated before the semi-final match was held. So they need some players in their team and if they can make proper players then they will definitely be able to reach the final match well.
So if Belgium team has proper strikers it will be much easier for them to win the World Cup, they can win by a wide margin with any team in the group stage.

Belgium smashed 5 goals against Tunisia in friendlies DE Bruyne scored in the 65th minute, Lukebakio scored in the 85th and Raskin scored in the 87th minute for Belgium and that's not it 2 more goals were scored in total they got 5 against Tunisia and tunisia failed to score any . In the first half 64% possession kept by Belgium 3 big chances created and total of 11 shots . in the second half again they kept 68% possession 2 big chances created and 16 total shots. Doku was named as player of the match for Belgium . Now Belgium is going to face Egypt in the WC26 .

[Taricoins]

Portugal now looks like  a team that will have little to no dependency on Ronaldo, they are very likely going to do so well even in his absence and fortunately for them, at the group stage, they will be having a relatively easy ride because  their opponents in the group stage are such that I do not expect to be of much  challenge to them, not even Colombia.  Looking at the depth and form of the Portuguese side, they are definitely going  to do so well at the group stage with little or no challenge.

If Portugal wants to succeed in this stint of the World Cup competition, they just have to do that because putting hopes in Ronaldo's physicality, technicality and Finishing is a long shot that will probably leave they vulnerable, but still I don't see Ronaldo being left out of there plays, that would he a weird watch

[VanKushFamily.com]

So, I’m Working at this Event, the FIFA Fan Fest. While I Launch my Blockchain and all:
https://www.facebook.com/share/18g2oetT1L/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I Wrote this the other Day

06-04-2026
So this is about to Happen. At Dos Equis what they did is set up a Fence so the Concert Venue is Expanded with the Fenced Area, that then Requires a Ticket to Enter, and it has a kind of like State Fair or Event kind of Type like Setup, the Word used is Fan Festival, #FIFAFanFestival, and it’s still Days away so it’s still getting set up, but there seem to be like Liquor and Other Sponsors/Vendors.

The way Backstage is set up it doesn’t seem like there are going to be any Normal Performances but there are like 9 Games from what I heard, and Dos Equis is Supposed to be like where People go to Watch the Games on the Big Screens on the Side of the Stage, like how some Churches have Screens and Things on both sides of the Stage with Lyrics and Things, but there is a Media Company, and You can go to Dos Equis EVERY DAY, while I assume AT&T is more of a Place doing Game Day Events Only. So You can go to Dos Equis Pavilion for Nearly 2 Months Straight Everyday for the whole 2 Months if You wanted, Theoretically. It is Expected also People will go there when they don’t have Tickets to a Game, so they can Watch at the Venue at the Official FIFA Fan Fest.

Then, so, Fair Grounds does have Other Things to do also, like a Butterfly Garden Thing and Animals and Things for Kids, and like Places Open all Year Round with that stuff. And that is all outside the Gate, like an Aquarium and like Science Museum and Things. But, depending what Happens, all kind of stuff could be going on outside the Official Fenced Area and it’s by like MLK DART Station which is kind of like already something of a Congregation Point, it’s not West End, but it is a Place.


HOW TO GET TO EVENTS

Also, to Help People get to AT&T, the FanFest is DART, if You get the GoPass App and have a Ticket on there, You can get a GoLink from like Cedars or like MLK Station, or Walk from there or Fair Park Station.

But for AT&T, You either take a Blue or Red DART to EBJ Union Station or Green or Orange to Victory Station, both get You on the TRE. On the TRE You go to Centreport or Centrepoint Station, it’s in the Middle, You can get a Ticket by Switching the GoPass App to TRE, it is $1.50 because Centrewhatever is halfway. From there You use an App Called “Arlington Transportation” it’s called like Via, the Service is, but to use it in Arlington You have to put Your Card on their App, they will take You anywhere in Arlington from anywhere in Arlington for $3.00 like a Taxi, but You can also, get an Uber or whatever from there. It can get to like $75+ for an Uber during Events and stuff though. Also, Taxis come out wanting like $100 to take You wherever. Idk the Rules for these Games, but at AT&T (WHICH IS DALLAS STADIUM IN THESE EVENTS), but usually there is like some kind of Block on Uber and Lyft where no one can pick You up after an Event after it Ends, and You have to Walk to get an Uber. There is also Parking lots around AT&T with Buses that take You to them and stuff or something also, I know your Employees for sure, but maybe Other lots too.

And TRE doesn’t Run Past like Midnight or something, and usually not on Sunday, but they make Exceptions during the Fair and stuff, so maybe FIFA too.

And the State Fair is at Dallas Fair Park in like August also.

[Donneski]

Portugal now looks like  a team that will have little to no dependency on Ronaldo, they are very likely going to do so well even in his absence and fortunately for them, at the group stage, they will be having a relatively easy ride because  their opponents in the group stage are such that I do not expect to be of much  challenge to them, not even Colombia.  Looking at the depth and form of the Portuguese side, they are definitely going  to do so well at the group stage with little or no challenge.

If Portugal wants to succeed in this stint of the World Cup competition, they just have to do that because putting hopes in Ronaldo's physicality, technicality and Finishing is a long shot that will probably leave they vulnerable, but still I don't see Ronaldo being left out of there plays, that would he a weird watch

Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the team and because of the records he's set for the national team, you don't expect him to be overlooked. But that doesn't mean he'll not be benched when it's for the best interest of the team. Ronaldo isn't as selfish as people wants to paint him. If he sees the need to rest while others play to win games, I don't think he'll hesitate from being rested.

[MarjorieZimmermanGinger]

Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the team and because of the records he's set for the national team, you don't expect him to be overlooked. But that doesn't mean he'll not be benched when it's for the best interest of the team. Ronaldo isn't as selfish as people wants to paint him. If he sees the need to rest while others play to win games, I don't think he'll hesitate from being rested.

Sometimes there's too much talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and we must admit that his presence in the team is still needed because his experience and maturity will be crucial in certain matches. Experience is clearly important in certain matches. He's not as selfish as he used to be, perhaps because he realizes that there will be times when he won't be a starter or was benched. The coach certainly has a plan for determining which players to play or rest. Far more important is how his contribution can lead Portugal to victory in this World Cup, as the competition will undoubtedly be much tougher.

[alankasman]

Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the team and because of the records he's set for the national team, you don't expect him to be overlooked. But that doesn't mean he'll not be benched when it's for the best interest of the team. Ronaldo isn't as selfish as people wants to paint him. If he sees the need to rest while others play to win games, I don't think he'll hesitate from being rested.

Sometimes there's too much talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and we must admit that his presence in the team is still needed because his experience and maturity will be crucial in certain matches. Experience is clearly important in certain matches. He's not as selfish as he used to be, perhaps because he realizes that there will be times when he won't be a starter or was benched. The coach certainly has a plan for determining which players to play or rest. Far more important is how his contribution can lead Portugal to victory in this World Cup, as the competition will undoubtedly be much tougher.

Currently Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are only needed by their respective national teams because of their experience. Their presence in the squad provides some motivation for the other players who still need motivation other than their own coaches. Therefore I think your answer is quite appropriate regarding the matter concerning these players. Currently due to their age they may no longer be suitable to compete in the World Cup but that is why their names must be included in their respective national team squads.

Indeed the attitude shown by Ronaldo so far is quite good and this is not only in his club but in the national team also does the same thing so that with the presence of Ronaldo in the Portugal squad can provide not only energy in helping the national team but also motivation to the players whose age is still in the category worthy of defending the national team in carrying out this 4-yearly tournament even though sometimes only become a reserve player but motivation that may be one way for him to give to the players who play in every match starting from the group preliminary round to the next round if they can get through it because of the competition in group K where in their group there are Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo where each team will have their own goals so there is no term for Portugal to underestimate the three teams that are in the same group with them.

[Ale88]

There will definitely be a surprise team in this World Cup.
So far, the most cohesive looking teams in my opinion are Norway and Portugal. Though how accurate is it to consider Portugal a surprise, that’s another story.

In the previous World Cup there was Morocco as a surprising team as you can remember. They eliminated Spain and Portugal to reach the semi finals which was really insane! 

They are a part of this World Cup also. What do you think about another surprise by them? I guess expecting that from them would be too much. But I also think there could be another surprising team in this one.

I really hope that the surprise will be Japan. I mean, they already improved a lot during the last World Cups, their movement grew exponentially during the last 20-25 years, but they never managed to achieve a noticeable result in the World Cup despite beating big teams. I hope this year they can finally reach at least the quarter finals.

[B-BossMan]

Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the team and because of the records he's set for the national team, you don't expect him to be overlooked. But that doesn't mean he'll not be benched when it's for the best interest of the team. Ronaldo isn't as selfish as people wants to paint him. If he sees the need to rest while others play to win games, I don't think he'll hesitate from being rested.

Sometimes there's too much talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and we must admit that his presence in the team is still needed because his experience and maturity will be crucial in certain matches. Experience is clearly important in certain matches. He's not as selfish as he used to be, perhaps because he realizes that there will be times when he won't be a starter or was benched. The coach certainly has a plan for determining which players to play or rest. Far more important is how his contribution can lead Portugal to victory in this World Cup, as the competition will undoubtedly be much tougher.

Currently Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are only needed by their respective national teams because of their experience. Their presence in the squad provides some motivation for the other players who still need motivation other than their own coaches. Therefore I think your answer is quite appropriate regarding the matter concerning these players. Currently due to their age they may no longer be suitable to compete in the World Cup but that is why their names must be included in their respective national team squads.

I gat where you are heading to and why you see or think it that way, but I also think there's another or some aspects we need to put into consideration. Experience at times should not guarantee a place in the national team, some players may still be able to contribute at the field, for Ronaldo and Messi, fortunately they are not just a symbol, they also still producing goals, also assist and the match winning moment for their lovely countries. Its bestter to select them, it a good ideas because they add both quality and leadership in them, not because of thier own reputation. If a star players can still influence game while assisting or helping younger teammates to develop, then keep them in the squad truly make a bigger sense. However once the players performance actually drops below the required standard, no amounts of any experience should outweigh merit, moreover it's indeed for national team should always balance respect for the legends in order to remain more competitive along the way.

[M47AK16]

I agree with you. The undoing of the French national team will not be a lack of quality players but the ability of the coach to organise them. Coach Didier Deschamps would have the hard task of ensuring that these star players drop individual goals for the success of the entire squad. The French squad will make it to at least the semi-finals if the coach can maximize the talents at his disposal. My major problem is Mbappe. His greed and selfishness are always visible.

It is difficult for any manager to organize a  squad with players like Mbappe. PSG managers failed. Real madrid had Ancelotti, Alonso and Arbeloa. I don't see Didier deschamps  succeeding.

France's squad is strong. If they play  well as a team, if the players are able to do well in their positions, then no  team will be able to stop this squad. But even  though there are many talented players in the squad, the understanding between them is not good. If teamwork is not good in the world cup , it is not possible to become a  world champion.

I mean they did win one world cup with him, and failed at the last penalty to win another one as well. So not like they have been doing terrible, they have done great. I would guess France once again will be good, and with the way PSG is doing, they had some great French players that would be going there on very good form as well. So I do think that Deschamps will be fine, he is not going to have any problems running this team towards getting the cup again, but Spain has been quite great at the same time.

[Lembo69]

Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the team and because of the records he's set for the national team, you don't expect him to be overlooked. But that doesn't mean he'll not be benched when it's for the best interest of the team. Ronaldo isn't as selfish as people wants to paint him. If he sees the need to rest while others play to win games, I don't think he'll hesitate from being rested.

Sometimes there's too much talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and we must admit that his presence in the team is still needed because his experience and maturity will be crucial in certain matches. Experience is clearly important in certain matches. He's not as selfish as he used to be, perhaps because he realizes that there will be times when he won't be a starter or was benched. The coach certainly has a plan for determining which players to play or rest. Far more important is how his contribution can lead Portugal to victory in this World Cup, as the competition will undoubtedly be much tougher.

Yes, this is a big challenge for Portugal, this is Cristiano Ronaldo's last chance. Messi won the World Cup as a legendary player, but Ronaldo has not yet won the World Cup as a legendary player. I think he will try to give his best in this World Cup. And he will not spare any effort to win the World Cup. Looking at the current preparations of Portugal's players, it is clear that they are preparing to enter the field with a lot of hard work and strategy. I do not know how Portugal will play in the World Cup. But I know this much that they will try to give their best.

[Localhostspeed]

Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the team and because of the records he's set for the national team, you don't expect him to be overlooked. But that doesn't mean he'll not be benched when it's for the best interest of the team. Ronaldo isn't as selfish as people wants to paint him. If he sees the need to rest while others play to win games, I don't think he'll hesitate from being rested.

Sometimes there's too much talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and we must admit that his presence in the team is still needed because his experience and maturity will be crucial in certain matches. Experience is clearly important in certain matches. He's not as selfish as he used to be, perhaps because he realizes that there will be times when he won't be a starter or was benched. The coach certainly has a plan for determining which players to play or rest. Far more important is how his contribution can lead Portugal to victory in this World Cup, as the competition will undoubtedly be much tougher.

Experience to do what exactly? Is Ronaldo the only player among that team as the only one that has been to world cup? Some have been there twice and if we are taking about experience, it's not like he has won it before to say he will need experience to win the next one, even the person with experience can still lose their spot before the quater final. I can't remember the last time that team reach the quater final and they have never been to final in their history.

It will be funny that by the year he decided to retire from football, that's when Portugal will win the World cup. The world cup isn't Saudi Arabia league where they have to make ways for him to score, I'm not even sure if they ever going to pass the group stage if he is going to play that half bake performance they have been hyping about him in Saudi, he can't do that even in Seria A not to talk of World cup where world champions are going to assemble.

[Oluwa-btc]

Portugal now looks like  a team that will have little to no dependency on Ronaldo, they are very likely going to do so well even in his absence and fortunately for them, at the group stage, they will be having a relatively easy ride because  their opponents in the group stage are such that I do not expect to be of much  challenge to them, not even Colombia.  Looking at the depth and form of the Portuguese side, they are definitely going  to do so well at the group stage with little or no challenge.

Luiz Diaz is the only Colombian I can remember having a great season and he will be a whole lot of trouble on that day if he is not properly man-marked.
The Congolese national team are also strong defenders of the game, and they can make it difficult even for the best sides. The likes of Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Neves, Joao Neves and also Nuno Mendes will have to detect this game properly for them to succeed, Cristiano Ronaldo reads the game better than anyone but can no longer detect games as he did before, so life now dependent on his teammates to work it out for themselves. It is good as all burden can be shared.

[AprilioMP]

Norway could be the dark horse. It’s not necessarily a sure thing, though, because 2026 is their first World Cup since they missed the previous tournament in Qatar. Portugal isn’t a dark horse. Perhaps Portugal is considered a dark horse because most people predict they have a chance to reach the final. If Portugal is a solid team, I agree, since they’re in a group that’s relatively easy to advance from to the knockout stage.

Predicting the World Cup is not easy. We’ll only see the real picture once the group stage is over.

Not a bad prediction at all. Norway look really interesting in the recent times. Their qualifiers performance was amazing first of all. We have all seen how they defeated Italy in that group as well.

Their World Cup group now consists of France, Senegal and Iraq. I can't say it is an easy one. France would finish as the leader most probably. Senegal might be a challenge maybe but Norway look promising to qualify for next round.

It’s certainly true that Norway is in the same group as France, and France is expected to finish the group stage at the top—though that’s not yet certain.

In their first match, Norway will face Senegal, which will be their first official test. Iraq also faces a tough challenge in their group if they aim for a perfect record. Although Norway’s opponents are formidable, they still have a chance to advance from the group stage. If they cannot finish in second place, they may still secure third place and then hope for a spot through the best third-place finishers, as determined by FIFA.

How they qualify for the 2026 World Cup will serve as a benchmark for assessing their strength.

[rezakurnia66]

Luiz Diaz is the only Colombian I can remember having a great season and he will be a whole lot of trouble on that day if he is not properly man-marked.
The Congolese national team are also strong defenders of the game, and they can make it difficult even for the best sides. The likes of Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Neves, Joao Neves and also Nuno Mendes will have to detect this game properly for them to succeed, Cristiano Ronaldo reads the game better than anyone but can no longer detect games as he did before, so life now dependent on his teammates to work it out for themselves. It is good as all burden can be shared.

Colombian behind has Luiz Diaz there are have most experienced players James Rodríguez still get national team calling indeed do not know well what the last his club right now, I think Colombia not get difficulty at Group K with team face Portugal, RD Kongo and Uzbekistan. Finish under Portugal's position not quite difficult but seeing the opponent team at 16th round easily or not?

Portugal have many top player for the World Cup from Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandez, Vittinha and Jooao Neves also many top defense having who playing for top club. Looking the opponent team at Group K I think Portugal have chance finish at 1st place and Colombia will finish as runner up standing but has chance for Uzbekistan as Asian team for qualifying to next round.

[Silence Scream]

Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the team and because of the records he's set for the national team, you don't expect him to be overlooked. But that doesn't mean he'll not be benched when it's for the best interest of the team. Ronaldo isn't as selfish as people wants to paint him. If he sees the need to rest while others play to win games, I don't think he'll hesitate from being rested.

Sometimes there's too much talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and we must admit that his presence in the team is still needed because his experience and maturity will be crucial in certain matches. Experience is clearly important in certain matches. He's not as selfish as he used to be, perhaps because he realizes that there will be times when he won't be a starter or was benched. The coach certainly has a plan for determining which players to play or rest. Far more important is how his contribution can lead Portugal to victory in this World Cup, as the competition will undoubtedly be much tougher.

Yes, this is a big challenge for Portugal, this is Cristiano Ronaldo's last chance. Messi won the World Cup as a legendary player, but Ronaldo has not yet won the World Cup as a legendary player. I think he will try to give his best in this World Cup. And he will not spare any effort to win the World Cup. Looking at the current preparations of Portugal's players, it is clear that they are preparing to enter the field with a lot of hard work and strategy. I do not know how Portugal will play in the World Cup. But I know this much that they will try to give their best.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be trying to achieve the most important success of his career during this period, but his chances of winning are slim. Unfortunately, let's be realistic, their squad is not stronger than France, Spain, Brazil, or Argentina. Therefore, I don't think Portugal will win the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo single-handedly carried Portugal through many tournaments for a long time. I hope he achieves what he wants in this tournament as well, but I don't give it much chance.

[Webetcoins]

I disagree with you guys, the French team is not only a bunch of amazing players who has the ability to win the world cup, but they are also managed very well as we have seen previously in many games.

I think they are not going to do badly, they are going to do very good and the idea that they will not be getting the world cup just because of managerial quality is one that I can't agree with considering how they have done with the current manager. So they are still one of the biggest favourites in my book.

[KTChampions]

It’s certainly true that Norway is in the same group as France, and France is expected to finish the group stage at the top—though that’s not yet certain.

In their first match, Norway will face Senegal, which will be their first official test. Iraq also faces a tough challenge in their group if they aim for a perfect record. Although Norway’s opponents are formidable, they still have a chance to advance from the group stage. If they cannot finish in second place, they may still secure third place and then hope for a spot through the best third-place finishers, as determined by FIFA.

How they qualify for the 2026 World Cup will serve as a benchmark for assessing their strength.

I think Iraq's ceiling is the fight for third place, but it's hard for me to imagine a scenario where they'll be better than some other third-place teams based on additional criteria. Although... I just checked the information and saw that there will be as many as 8 teams making it to the playoffs from third place  It's a bloody circus, but with this system, literally anyone could end up in the playoffs, even Curaçao. To be honest, it burns my butt when only 3 teams qualify from a group of 4.

[AprilioMP]

[edited out]

I think Iraq's ceiling is the fight for third place, but it's hard for me to imagine a scenario where they'll be better than some other third-place teams based on additional criteria. Although... I just checked the information and saw that there will be as many as 8 teams making it to the playoffs from third place  It's a bloody circus, but with this system, literally anyone could end up in the playoffs, even Curaçao. To be honest, it burns my butt when only 3 teams qualify from a group of 4.

With eight teams advancing to the playoffs, it’s very possible that Norway could qualify through that route if Senegal proves to be stronger than Norway.
In another scenario, such as finishing in second place, Senegal would compete through the best third-place finishers route.
I doubt Iraq will advance from the group stage because, personally, I’m not very familiar with their strength and rarely watch their games.
In Group I, only three teams will finish in the top three spots. None of them are Iraq.