# FIFA World Cup 2026 - discussion etc **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [October 14, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962 "2025-10-14T15:43:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 104
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2061 "2026-06-28T01:39:37Z")
Are we down to two spots left? If the Austria / Algeria game ends in a draw, they both advance and Iran is out. If one of them wins, then the winner advances, loser goes home, and Iran goes through? Am I missing any other scenarios? ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2062 "2026-06-28T01:43:11Z")
Colombian goal being pulled back is technology overload. I officially hate VAR/wearables. The ref’s on field decisions should always prevail - VAR should be a fallback only. That said - I wish I had watched DR Congo v. Uzbekistan instead. I’m thrilled for DR congo. On the fence about which late game to watch. I feel like Argentina v. Jordan is going to be a second string snooze fest, but Argentina… I think I’m going for Austria v. Algeria. ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2063 "2026-06-28T02:08:54Z")
Right - 5 minutes in and Austria - Algeria is clearly going to end in a 0-0 tie. Guess I’ll watch the blowout. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2064 "2026-06-28T02:26:01Z")
> [@Thumper668](#): > > Right - 5 minutes in and Austria - Algeria is clearly going to end in a 0-0 tie. That does seem like the safe bet. Austria in particular looks like they are making a lot of sloppy passes that cut short potential attacking opportunities. Are they really that sloppy, or is the fix in and they’re just trying to make it look less obvious? ETA. And the announcers on Telemundo have started talking about the disgrace of Gijon. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2065 "2026-06-28T02:29:32Z")
> [@Thumper668](#): > > Austria - Algeria is clearly going to end in a 0-0 tie Did not age well. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2066 "2026-06-28T02:32:39Z")
Is Austria trying to erase the Disgrace? ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2067 "2026-06-28T02:45:56Z")
Japan is going crazy waiting for match against Brazil. It’s all that the news programs are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2068 "2026-06-28T02:48:20Z")
Fair enough, I take it back. Still going to watch Argentina though - fading fast tonight. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2069 "2026-06-28T03:04:12Z")
The game could easily end in a 1-1 draw. If it’s still tied after the water break, then it’s quite possible that neither team will be all that interested in attacking. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2070 "2026-06-28T03:17:31Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > The game could easily end in a 1-1 draw. Also did not age well. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2071 "2026-06-28T03:25:50Z")
“If you were the keeper, would you want Messi to score on you?” What a stupid fucking question. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2072 "2026-06-28T03:27:08Z")
I’m not sure if anyone asked or if it was mentioned but what is up with the Austria #5, is that a chin helmet or a beard? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2073 "2026-06-28T03:42:32Z")
Messi from the free kick extends him golden boot lead and all time scorer lead. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2074 "2026-06-28T03:58:21Z")
I know their recent record is very good, but I really don’t see Argentina as a favorite. They have about as favorable a path through the knockouts as possible, but I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2075 "2026-06-28T03:58:31Z")
Scripted. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2076 "2026-06-28T04:00:17Z")
I chose the wrong match to watch, wow! ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2077 "2026-06-28T04:01:28Z")
After Saturday’s games: **Group J:** Argentina wins the group. Austria somehow finishes second. Algeria also advances with 4 points. **Group K:** Colombia wins the group and Portugal finishes second. Congo DR also advances with 4 points. **Group L:** England wins the group and Croatia finishes second. Ghana also advances with 4 points. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2078 "2026-06-28T04:01:31Z")
I was thinking Austria would tie it. It took a lot precision for that header pass to header goal to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2079 "2026-06-28T04:02:28Z")
The end of the Algeria Austria game was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2080 "2026-06-28T04:02:59Z")
> [@Thumper668](#): > > I officially hate VAR/wearables. Welcome to the club! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=103) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=105)