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

[BIT-BENDER]

The last African cup of nations held in Morocco had lots of scandals and questionable decisions even after the world cup there was still more questionable decisions from the African football governing body. I was so ashamed on their behalf and I actually believed that football has moved beyond this and host nations should not be allowed to do as they please, and I even thought that this will not happen in FIFa.

I was actually wrong to think that FIFA is above scandals and questionable decisions because even before the matches started lots of signs about how FIFA handles things and how some teams has had it very difficult for them than others, to crown it up FIFA suspended the one match compulsory ban for a united state player that got a red card, although I think it should not be a red but it was given and he should serve it, where do they draw the line and will this leniency be given to other teams.

[SUPERSAIAN]

Portugal is going home. Spain advanced to the next round with a single goal. The USA and Belgium match is in a few hours, which I expect will be more entertaining. I actually expected more from the Portugal-Spain match. Goodbye Ronaldo, another legend has passed from the world football stage. I wish Portugal had at least reached the final. It's unfortunate that they're currently matched against Spain.

[JiiBs]

I was actually wrong to think that FIFA is above scandals and questionable decisions because even before the matches started lots of signs about how FIFA handles things and how some teams has had it very difficult for them than others, to crown it up FIFA suspended the one match compulsory ban for a united state player that got a red card, although I think it should not be a red but it was given and he should serve it, where do they draw the line and will this leniency be given to other teams.

FIFA was always going to bend to Trump, we all know how he is as a person and being the president of the world power, Gianni Infantino was always going to say yes to whatever Trump throws at him, knowing he would be smiling to the bank.

Now the game has being split into 3, hydration breaks and half time break. Football is now looking like basket ball. America has never being a big fan of soccer and FIFA is ready to look the other way with the idea that, it’s just this once just to cash in. It’s very disturbing and quite frankly sport is lacking in standards right now, even with all the advancement in technology.

The USA and Belgium match is in a few hours, which I expect will be more entertaining.

Two host nations already out, are we going to see a third being kicked out tomorrow? I don’t really trust Belgium to do the job though.

[EL MOHA]

Exactly, most football fans are starting to predict Argentina and France to win the world cup. Norway (The Vikings), and Spain are starting to make their presence felt, but I think France and Argentina will still meet yet again. They both knocked out two of the best teams in the tournament. I read a quote online saying "Haaland knocked Neymar out of his last World cup, Lamine yamal knocked Ronaldo out of his last world cup, and Mbappe might do the same to Messi. I think France and Argentina might still meet in the finals again.

I looked at Spain today and sincerely I am not convinced because let’s be honest this wasn’t any different performance from the Portuguese too. This current Portugal team have actually been so poor that I didn’t fancy them even winning anything but Spain too is on same class with them for me and the only major difference now is that one person is still in the competition which is Spain and can get to actually improve their game but let’s say they move to the Semi finals, I definitely will be fancy any of the Morocco or even France to knock them out for me.

For the other side I think Norway are definitely the most underrated side at the tournament and just like many actually chose them to be the most surprised team of the tournament and currently they are on the verge of winning that accolade. But let’s not forget that they are actually going against the England side who I think even if they go against any side remaining they would find a way to win. For me they are the favorite to reach the semi final against Norway

[topbitcoin]

Honestly, I really wanted Portugal to win, just because of Cristiano Ronaldo. To my mind, Portugal was a bit unlucky that they had to face Spain because Spain has a strong team but honestly, this world cup is crazy. Brazil lost against Norway and actually Haaland scored 7 goals and stands next to Messi and Mbappe. Guys, he scored 7 goals while playing for Norway. Also, Argentina even lost against Cape Verde, that has a population of 500K people.

It will be a massive heartbreak because seeing the conditions and chances then this is the last chance for one of the goats but this is the competition even though their squad is quite complex but when a rift occurs then the situation is like What Portugal is experiencing now.

Since the first match in the group phase we have always seen a rift in the Portuguese squad and unfortunately this cannot be fixed and we also cannot close our eyes that in this match Spain was more dominant and deserved to win.

I also hope Portugal can continue to go to the next phase but sometimes things like this cannot be forced because in big competitions like the World Cup all teams expect the same result.  Portugal have worked hard to get to this stage but they also have to admit that there are still some teams that are more solid than Portugal at the moment.

[Tonimez]

Honestly, I really wanted Portugal to win, just because of Cristiano Ronaldo. To my mind, Portugal was a bit unlucky that they had to face Spain because Spain has a strong team but honestly, this world cup is crazy. Brazil lost against Norway and actually Haaland scored 7 goals and stands next to Messi and Mbappe. Guys, he scored 7 goals while playing for Norway. Also, Argentina even lost against Cape Verde, that has a population of 500K people.

It will be a massive heartbreak because seeing the conditions and chances then this is the last chance for one of the goats but this is the competition even though their squad is quite complex but when a rift occurs then the situation is like What Portugal is experiencing now.

Since the first match in the group phase we have always seen a rift in the Portuguese squad and unfortunately this cannot be fixed and we also cannot close our eyes that in this match Spain was more dominant and deserved to win.

I also hope Portugal can continue to go to the next phase but sometimes things like this cannot be forced because in big competitions like the World Cup all teams expect the same result.  Portugal have worked hard to get to this stage but they also have to admit that there are still some teams that are more solid than Portugal at the moment.

This is the biggest heartbreak I have had in recent years, watching Portugal now out of the world cup, not just world cup: last world cup for the world biggest name to grace the pitch. I pains me how FIFA has always given a rough path to Portugal or maybe nature has always destined them to have it in a hard way. This Portugal team definitely needs a new coach who can manage the dressing room better. Roberto Martinez has overlooked the underlying rift in this team and it has destroyed the team already.

Roberto Martinez don't seem to unite the players and it reflects on their games in each match. Portugal is even lucky to reach the round of 16 because truth be told, the team has a lot of things to talk about. How Bruno Fernandez got into the world cup and became a shadow of himself, many wrongs, the selfish forwards and unnecessary hoarding of balls and shooting for shooting sake.

Christiano Ronaldo has done his part to the great team of Portugal and is leaving the tournament. Portugal may have lost, but the entire world will forever stand with Ronaldo. The goat will forever be remembered. Portugal could loose half of their fanbase henceforth because the hero will soon leave the stage completely.

[Juicyhome]

Honestly, I really wanted Portugal to win, just because of Cristiano Ronaldo. To my mind, Portugal was a bit unlucky that they had to face Spain because Spain has a strong team but honestly, this world cup is crazy. Brazil lost against Norway and actually Haaland scored 7 goals and stands next to Messi and Mbappe. Guys, he scored 7 goals while playing for Norway. Also, Argentina even lost against Cape Verde, that has a population of 500K people.

Every lover for football wanted Ronaldo to win this world cup, but the Portugal players let him down, they didn't play with their hearts for Ronaldo to win, they expected him to do all the dirty work and carry Portugal on himself at 41years.  The management was also poor, it's hurt to see Ronaldo existing from the world cup at this stage. This is football, unpredictable game,the lucky team won,  Spain wasn't special in this game,both team played rubbish football,but span was able to make use of the last opportunity to win.

Cape Verde left the world cup with a standing ovation, Haaland is a mortal he displayed against Brazil in and knocked them out other world cup, Mbappe will be the top scorer, he's in form and I wish he wins the world cup too.

[Hispo]

Portugal is going home. Spain advanced to the next round with a single goal. The USA and Belgium match is in a few hours, which I expect will be more entertaining. I actually expected more from the Portugal-Spain match. Goodbye Ronaldo, another legend has passed from the world football stage. I wish Portugal had at least reached the final. It's unfortunate that they're currently matched against Spain.

So far Belgium has advantage against the United States. The USA team is specially under pressure, not only because they are hosts in this world cup but also because they have just reached 250 years of independence this year, and I am sure there are many fan who would wish their national team to bring the World cup to the USA as a gift for the 250th anniversary.

However, Football and the world cup does not care about the feelings of the people of a country, this is a do or die sport, when all matter is raw skill and dominance on the ball.

Let us see if the United States has enough willpower to score another goal an remain within this competition.

[Ale88]

I'm sorry for Portugal because despite having a lot of very good young players, many others are at the end of their cycle with the national team: Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva above everyone. I always felt like Portugal played many games in 10 men because of Ronaldo, you could see how the players were obsessively trying to pass him the ball even when other mates were in a better spot.

[Catenaccio]

I'm sorry for Portugal because despite having a lot of very good young players, many others are at the end of their cycle with the national team: Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva above everyone. I always felt like Portugal played many games in 10 men because of Ronaldo, you could see how the players were obsessively trying to pass him the ball even when other mates were in a better spot.

Portugal have many star players and individually they are very good but as a team, they lack of chemistry among star players. While Spain are more like a united team and they play very well from control balls to create attacking chances. Playing against Spain, only a moment can change the match and it's a moment when Ferran Torres and Merino combined each other and scored the winning goal for Spain.

The goal came at very late time so Portugal had very little minutes left for finding an equalizing goal. Generally Spain played better than Portugal but Portugal had their own chances in this match and had reasons to feel disappointed with this result.

In this match, again Yamal struggled when playing against Nuno Mendes and this fight reminds me about Cristiano Ronaldo and Ashley Cole about 2 decades ago.