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

[PremiumcryptoHub]

To be honest Canada and South Africa are facing each other in the first match of the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup but we have already noticed why these two teams are in the same position in terms of performance in this World Cup. South Africa has earned four points and they have won one match. Canada has earned four points and they have won one match. However even though they were not strong in the group stage matches, I think they will give their best in the upcoming round of 32 match because this will be a knockout stage match for them, so the team that wins this game will be able to qualify for the next round. But one thing we should all note is that South Africa surprised everyone by winning 1-0 against South Korea, which allowed them to reach this knockout round, so we think they will be able to perform similarly against Canada in this FIFA World Cup match.

[Adbitco]

What a complete disappointment from the Portugal team and Ronaldo's performance. Like that was their chance to go to the semi finals easily. Now Portugal fans will again talk against FIFA saying that they wanted Portugal to lose that they are always against Portugal and always give favors to Argentina and Messi.

To be honest guys I think Portugal have missed their chance now. I don't think they will go far in this tournament because their next matches will be against the world's top teams which I don't think they have a chance to stand against. I think guys Ronaldo's dream of winning a World Cup is over. This team has zero potential to win this World Cup.

It's the teams problem and not just an individual. I put more of the blame on the coach, you have 11 players, you choose the lineups and you you tell the players what to do, they have the squad to play as a team but instead it's all individuality that I see, some teams that plays collectively doesn't even have the kind of Portuguese squad but they are playing better, look at what Columbia did to them. Portugal would have had the easier path than this if only they won against columbia. Portugal came into the match in second position and were playing as if hey were the ones topping the group.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Portugal's squad for this world cup is much stronger than in previous World Cups. Most of the players have played well in  club football in the last season. And that's why fans had high expectations from portugal. But their performance  in the group stage matches has disappointed everyone. They couldn't win against teams like Congo. They played well against Uzbekistan but stumbled again against colombia. Croatia, their opponent in the Round of 32 , is even stronger. I wouldn't be surprised if Portugal loses.

You're right, I'd say something, for me everyone has done well, but if CR7 plays as a false 9 it would be much better, because that way he touches the ball more, he's more deceptive than being a lone striker. I think he would do better that way because he draws defenders away and every time he draws defenders he leaves the other strikers unmarked, but the thing is, the beast wants to be a lone striker and it's difficult like that, because also they don't pass him the ball much.

[MorganaX]

Portugal's squad for this world cup is much stronger than in previous World Cups. Most of the players have played well in  club football in the last season. And that's why fans had high expectations from portugal. But their performance  in the group stage matches has disappointed everyone. They couldn't win against teams like Congo. They played well against Uzbekistan but stumbled again against colombia. Croatia, their opponent in the Round of 32 , is even stronger. I wouldn't be surprised if Portugal loses.

You're right, I'd say something, for me everyone has done well, but if CR7 plays as a false 9 it would be much better, because that way he touches the ball more, he's more deceptive than being a lone striker. I think he would do better that way because he draws defenders away and every time he draws defenders he leaves the other strikers unmarked, but the thing is, the beast wants to be a lone striker and it's difficult like that, because also they don't pass him the ball much.

For me I think the whole problem is with that Portugal squad because there are so many things that seems to be wrong with the way they play together, there is no hunger and zeal like before, they were much better when they played in the nations league competition and they have struggled since the start of this world cup, I really don't know if it's because of the center of attraction that is focus on Christaino Ronaldo that has made this Portuguese team like this because everything they do seems to cause attention.

[Smack That Ace]

I never imagined that they would enter the knockout stage by winning the match against South Korea. But anyway, they did it and entered the knockout stage. However, their chances of winning against Canada are very low. South Africa is a weak team, based on their performance, I expected them to exit the World Cup without a win. But with the help of luck, they get a win, but that may be their only win in this World Cup. They may be going out tonight and Canada is going to be the first team to enter the Round of 16. The winner may be decided by a penalty shootout in the first match of the knockout stage.

South korea was not a weak opponent. South Africa won this match, and their performance was quite good. And that is why I can not underestimate South africa. It is true that South Africa is not a very strong team. Even then, it is not  possible to give a sure prediction in football.

The match has just started. No team has scored in  15 minutes. However, both teams are continuing to attack. The match will probably not be boring. Although canada is considered the favorite , the road to victory will not be easy for  them.

[Obim34]

For me I think the whole problem is with that Portugal squad because there are so many things that seems to be wrong with the way they play together, there is no hunger and zeal like before, they were much better when they played in the nations league competition and they have struggled since the start of this world cup, I really don't know if it's because of the center of attraction that is focus on Christaino Ronaldo that has made this Portuguese team like this because everything they do seems to cause attention.

They may not be the perfect country to win the World Cup but there is just nothing wrong with how they play, as it stands, Ronaldo is not their best player to rely on, considering his age factor, i think the team should be more about the young players and how they can carry the team, Ronaldo can't lead the team like he used to, so the blame shouldn't go to him.

[Just Say]

For me I think the whole problem is with that Portugal squad because there are so many things that seems to be wrong with the way they play together, there is no hunger and zeal like before, they were much better when they played in the nations league competition and they have struggled since the start of this world cup, I really don't know if it's because of the center of attraction that is focus on Christaino Ronaldo that has made this Portuguese team like this because everything they do seems to cause attention.

They may not be the perfect country to win the World Cup but there is just nothing wrong with how they play, as it stands, Ronaldo is not their best player to rely on, considering his age factor, i think the team should be more about the young players and how they can carry the team, Ronaldo can't lead the team like he used to, so the blame shouldn't go to him.

The Colombian team completely dominated the Portuguese team in the group stage of the World Cup because because as far as I know, Colombia was better than Portugal in every aspect of this FIFA World Cup match, but they couldn't score goals. To be honest, before the start of this World Cup, we all assumed that Portugal would be a semi-finalist because they have many star players in their team but after watching their performance against Colombia, it seems that they will face tough obstacles in getting through to the Round of Sixteen. Another thing to note is that Colombia has won one more match than Portugal in this World Cup, and I noticed that Portugal only won one match and that was against Uzbekistan, and even then they managed to score five goals in that World Cup match.

[Distraction]

South Africa's defeating South Korea was an unexpected thing. They were far from being favourite. Somehow they managed to hold their competitor off without conceding a goal.

But they have a limited squad in terms of skillset. Defending is what they can do the best. For now they are doing good about it. But I'm also believing that it won't work out against Canada also.

How far can they go like this while not having much of a good squad?

[Obim34]

The Colombian team completely dominated the Portuguese team in the group stage of the World Cup because because as far as I know, Colombia was better than Portugal in every aspect of this FIFA World Cup match, but they couldn't score goals. To be honest, before the start of this World Cup, we all assumed that Portugal would be a semi-finalist because they have many star players in their team but after watching their performance against Colombia, it seems that they will face tough obstacles in getting through to the Round of Sixteen. Another thing to note is that Colombia has won one more match than Portugal in this World Cup, and I noticed that Portugal only won one match and that was against Uzbekistan, and even then they managed to score five goals in that World Cup match.

It was a difficult game for the Portugal side, I never predicted Portugal to reach the semi final, and if they eventually do, I don't see the chance of winning the World Cup, I can count up to five other countries that are far better than Portugal so far, we also have African countries that stands a perfect chance against Portugal.

Portugal also have a tough competition where they were group, it will be difficult for them to survive until the last.

[icebar]

South Africa surprised most people I guess by that effort in the last moments of the group stage. They were never among the favourites to qualify for next phase. 

However this is most probably the end of the road for them against Canada... I mean they just need to show some really good defending. The only way to increase their chance is that.

But I don't think they'll advance unless they get lucky with a red card for example.

I never imagined that they would enter the knockout stage by winning the match against South Korea. But anyway, they did it and entered the knockout stage. However, their chances of winning against Canada are very low. South Africa is a weak team, based on their performance, I expected them to exit the World Cup without a win. But with the help of luck, they get a win, but that may be their only win in this World Cup. They may be going out tonight and Canada is going to be the first team to enter the Round of 16. The winner may be decided by a penalty shootout in the first match of the knockout stage.

Yes, Canada will be the first team to enter the Round of 16. Canada is the favorite in today's match, but South Africa is trying a lot. South Africa's performance seems to have improved a lot compared to before. They are defending Canada's attacks at a fast pace. Also, South Africa is trying to keep the ball under their control for more time. Canada is a strong team there is no doubt about it. But the match may be a draw at full time. Because South Africa is working more on defense than attack.

[*Ace*]

South Africa's defeating South Korea was an unexpected thing. They were far from being favourite. Somehow they managed to hold their competitor off without conceding a goal.

But they have a limited squad in terms of skillset. Defending is what they can do the best. For now they are doing good about it. But I'm also believing that it won't work out against Canada also.

How far can they go like this while not having much of a good squad?

Many national teams have been very fortunate in this World Cup.
South Africa is one of them! They undoubtedly deserved to win, but they were by no means the favourites.
The same goes for Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who find themselves in the round of 16 almost by chance

[Frankolala]

South Africa surprised most people I guess by that effort in the last moments of the group stage. They were never among the favourites to qualify for next phase. 

However this is most probably the end of the road for them against Canada... I mean they just need to show some really good defending. The only way to increase their chance is that.

But I don't think they'll advance unless they get lucky with a red card for example.

I never imagined that they would enter the knockout stage by winning the match against South Korea. But anyway, they did it and entered the knockout stage. However, their chances of winning against Canada are very low. South Africa is a weak team, based on their performance, I expected them to exit the World Cup without a win. But with the help of luck, they get a win, but that may be their only win in this World Cup. They may be going out tonight and Canada is going to be the first team to enter the Round of 16. The winner may be decided by a penalty shootout in the first match of the knockout stage.

Yes, Canada will be the first team to enter the Round of 16. Canada is the favorite in today's match, but South Africa is trying a lot. South Africa's performance seems to have improved a lot compared to before. They are defending Canada's attacks at a fast pace. Also, South Africa is trying to keep the ball under their control for more time. Canada is a strong team there is no doubt about it. But the match may be a draw at full time. Because South Africa is working more on defense than attack.

South Africa defense was strong enough to stop all Canada goal attempts even the last one that they had before the final whistle to end the first half. Canada tried their best but it wasn't enough to break the deadlock. I believe that we will see something different in the second half because both coaches would have talked to their men in the dressing room.

[fredericktaylor]

Norway managed to beat France. It’s fair to say that it wasn’t a difficult match for France, which had built a two-goal lead by halftime. Ousmane Dembélé scored a hat trick in the 32nd minute, giving his team a 3-1 lead at halftime. Norway failed to convert a penalty kick early in the second half, and perhaps lost their chance to salvage a draw from that moment on. Had they converted that penalty, there might have been a chance for the match to end in a draw.

France topped the group flawlessly. In their 3rd and last group stage match they beat Norway with 4-1. Ballon d'or winner Dembele scored a hat-trick in just 32 minutes 7, 20 and 32nd minute. And the last goal was scored by Doue in the added time of 2nd half 90+4 . Norway scored one in the 21st minute and Aasgaard scored that one. France kept 57% of the possession,1.50xG , 3 big chances created and 18 shots. Norway with 43% possession created 4 big chances 10 shots and 1.70 xG.  Dembele was named as player of the match for France. Norway will face Ivory coast in their RO32.

France are one of the favorites in this competition so am not surprised with their performance at the group stage levels but the competition just got more serious as we have reached the knockout stages and everyone should be open for a lot of surprises too because there are so many things that could change if there is just one small slip up from the top teams. Personally I feel France will go all the way to even the finals.

The knockout stage games are expected to be a surprise because it will be a fight for live-die and existence. It is not yet certain which team will participate in the final because each team will play with all their strength and at the end of the day we do not know what the result will be. Fortunately, if a match is draw sometimes plenty of times, the weak team has to lose. There is a lot of history in the past, so nothing is certain yet. However from our own thoughts or research we can guess which team will play the final.

[Stavri]

imo the two biggest surprises in the World Cup so far are Uruguay being eliminated by Cape Verde and Ecuador advancing to the next round by coming from 1-0 down to beat Germany 2-1.
there is also South Korea getting eliminated after losing to South Africa in their final match, despite beating Czechia in their first game.

The elimination of Uruguay and South Korea after a series of dramatic group stage results was among some of the biggest upsets at the 2026 World Cup. Another surprise came from Cape Verde after successfully making history as a debutant team that managed to advance to the round of 32. The 2-2 draw against Uruguay was also a crucial moment in Cape Verde journey, while for Uruguay, the result was one of the keys to their failure to advance to the next round. In my opinion, Ecuador success in qualifying from the Group stage was due to luck. If Julian Nagelsmann had not rotated in that game, the result might have been different.

btw following Uruguay's elimination, the private plane chartered to bring the team home was canceled and the players were instructed to book economy flights back  

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/world-cup-2026-uruguay-federation-reportedly-cancels-charter-flight-home-has-players-fly-commercial-after-elimination-231056137.html

[Mayor of ogba]

South Africa will be facing Canada in the round of 32 and I still believe that the SA guys will be leaving the FWC soon, this could be their last dance because I don't see anything special in that squad, they are good but they don't have that quality to fight for long in the World Cup. Canada have a chance of beating SA, as the favorite I expect them to continue with that good form they started with in the group games, the question is, can SA hold Canada to a draw? Because if it happens that they end up in a draw I bet you that SA will survive if they extend the game till extra time. What's your take on this?

South Africa and Canada just finished playing the first 45 minutes of their match and the score is 0-0. South Africa is dominated Canada in terms of ball possession while Canada dominated South Africa shot on target and chance created. From the stats between South Africa and Canada match in the first half I think Canada will edge South Africa in the second half.

[Merit.s]

Any side that scores first will win the game because there wouldn't be much goals in this game only if it ends in a penalty shootout because one team must go home.

Both countries ain't giving any goal space to their opponents because they know what losing this game means.

[*Ace*]

I’ve had a look at the statistics for this World Cup and I’d say there have been some nice surprises.
For example, the national teams belonging to the CAF confederation achieved a 90% success rate, with 9 out of 10 qualifying.

I’ve attached the statistics

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32 Breakdown

QUALIFIED (32 teams)

UEFA (13/16)
Germany, France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Bosnia & Herzegovina

CAF (9/10)
Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Cape Verde, DR Congo

CONMEBOL (5/6)
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay

CONCACAF (3/6)
USA, Mexico, Canada

AFC (2/9)
Japan, Australia

OFC (0/1)
None


ELIMINATED (16 teams)

UEFA – Scotland, Turkey, Czech Republic 
CAF – Tunisia 
CONMEBOL – Uruguay 
CONCACAF – Panama, Haiti, Curaçao 
AFC – Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Uzbekistan 
OFC – New Zealand


SUMMARY
CAF: 90% qualified (9/10) – best performance 
UEFA: 81.3% 
CONMEBOL: 83.3% 
CONCACAF: 50% 
AFC: 22.2% 
OFC: 0%

[Crytohillss]

The Colombian team completely dominated the Portuguese team in the group stage of the World Cup because because as far as I know, Colombia was better than Portugal in every aspect of this FIFA World Cup match, but they couldn't score goals. To be honest, before the start of this World Cup, we all assumed that Portugal would be a semi-finalist because they have many star players in their team but after watching their performance against Colombia, it seems that they will face tough obstacles in getting through to the Round of Sixteen. Another thing to note is that Colombia has won one more match than Portugal in this World Cup, and I noticed that Portugal only won one match and that was against Uzbekistan, and even then they managed to score five goals in that World Cup match.

Colombia looked like the better side for most the match , they controlled possession create more chances and were more organised, the only thing missing was the finishing aspect. Football can be cruel sometimes the better team doesn't always get the results Portugal still has quality players but they're need to improve if they want to go far in this competition because tougher opponent will punish performance like that, if  any of the Side can protect their value on the tournament.

[Hyphen(-)]

South Africa and Canada just finished playing the first 45 minutes of their match and the score is 0-0. South Africa is dominated Canada in terms of ball possession while Canada dominated South Africa shot on target and chance created. From the stats between South Africa and Canada match in the first half I think Canada will edge South Africa in the second half.

It’s already 60 minutes above, and the match remains 0-0, no goal from both teams, but they are all hopeful of scoring because South Africa keeps the ball possession and the dominance, but has created just one shot on target, while Canada has created five shots on target with less ball possession; this simply means that if Canada can have the chance to control the game the same as South Africa is doing, they will easily get a goal, but it is not yet over because I am very sure they might convert one of their chances before the end of the match if they are lucky today.

[Agbam]

Come on now, did you really write you wouldn't be surprised if Cape Verde beat Argentina? Cape Verde already did a miracle qualifying to the next round but they really struggle to score any goal. They only scored 2 against Uruguay and one was a free kick and the other a huge mistake by Uruguay's defense. I didn't watch all the full matches but their offensive phase is almost non-existent. They are a solid team in defense, that's for sure, but I can't imagine them beating Argentina.

At this level any thing can happen to any team including Argentina although it will be difficult for Cape Verde to practically succeed over the Argentina team just like this. Argentina are giants right now as they are the defending champions and the winners of the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar where they finished the first and second half with a 3 - 3 draw and went on to win 4 - 2 in penalties. How will it be so easy or why won’t someone be surprised if a team like Cape Verde wins against Argentina in the match they have. It will definitely be surprising despite how strong the Cape Verde team becomes at the round of 32.

What a story it’ll make if Cape Verde wins against Argentina but that is a most unlikely outcome so I don’t need to worry about that. The Argentinian team are strong both offensively and defensively. This is the end of the road for them, they’ve gotten a good World Cup campaign already, the rest is just extra.

South Africa are proving to be a hard nut to crack for Canada tonight even as hosts lol. I’ll say they’re evenly matched, Canada is more direct with their attacks, while South Africa is just playing with the ball too much.