# 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:** 62
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1221 "2026-06-19T16:19:25Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > I’d put quatloos on at least a three-goal difference in Switzerland’s more-than-probable victory over Canada, especially with no Kone. I see the current line for a Switzerland win listed as +145, so you could make a few quatloos if you’re that sure 🙂 . Canada is favored to win the group, so I’d put the odds at something like 40% Swiss win, 30% Canada win, 30% draw. By the time these matches come around, BH and Qatar should have a pretty clear idea of whether 4 points will guarantee progression as a third place team. If so, their incentive will be to protect any lead they get rather than chasing goal differential. I’m also not sure how valuable 1st vs 2nd is for Switzerland, so they may be relatively fine with second. For Canada 1st place gets them a home game in the knockouts. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1222 "2026-06-19T16:49:08Z")
All points taken. I mean, at least I hope I end up.being totally dead wrong on my prediction.. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1223 "2026-06-19T17:02:05Z")
These are the group B results so far: Canada 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina. Qatar 1-1 Switzerland. Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina. Canada 6-0 Qatar. ⁉ As the great Jimmy Grieves used to say, “[It’s a funny old game.](https://youtu.be/dcDb-fwkuGg)” ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1224 "2026-06-19T17:21:25Z")
They came out pretty well. It’s not like spicy pickled vegetables are alien to Mexican cuisine, after all. The bland creaminess of the melted Jack cheese played well with the crunchy spiciness of the kimchi. ---
**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 19, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1225 "2026-06-19T17:29:29Z")
Just a substitution for jalapenos basically? I can see it. Trying to think of other substitutions. On pizza? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1226 "2026-06-19T17:36:21Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > If it was a one-goal difference or tie, I’d understand the rushing. Odd. Remember that goal differential is the tiebreaker in the group stage. Canada could - in fact, if you consider all possibilities, likely will - finish tied with one or more other teams in points, and in some scenarios, it’ll be the difference between moving on or not. ---
**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 19, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1227 "2026-06-19T17:54:25Z")
Head to head is the first tiebreaker if Wikipedia is correct Pulisic confirmed out. US has a lot of juice in the stack even without him, but that’s a big blow. ---
**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 19, 2026, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1228 "2026-06-19T18:18:26Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Canada could - in fact, if you consider all possibilities, likely will - finish tied with one or more other teams in points, and in some scenarios, it’ll be the difference between moving on or not. > [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Head to head is the first tiebreaker if Wikipedia is correct Correct–head to head is the first tiebreaker. But if Canada and Switzerland play to a draw, then goal differential, followed by goals scored, will determine the winner. The same would be the case if Canada loses and BH wins their final game, because Canada and BH played to a draw in their opening game. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1229 "2026-06-19T19:04:19Z")
I did not know that. So Mexico has already clinched first place in Group A. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1230 "2026-06-19T19:12:35Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > So Mexico has already clinched first place in Group A. That’s correct. ETA: “wonderful” own goal by the Aussies. 🤦‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1231 "2026-06-19T19:12:58Z")
Nice. The US team is showing excellent ball control. ---
**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 19, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1232 "2026-06-19T19:13:03Z")
Own goal, but we’ll take it! ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1233 "2026-06-19T19:13:20Z")
USA on the board! At least I feel pretty sure the Australian guy won’t be murdered for putting in the own goal. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1234 "2026-06-19T19:13:32Z")
Australian own-goal trying to keep Balogun’s cross away from Pepi. 1-0 to U.S in the 11th minute. ---
**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 19, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1235 "2026-06-19T19:15:56Z")
Just like with Paraguay! ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1236 "2026-06-19T19:16:51Z")
Good point. “Own” now tied with Balogun for the U.S. scoring lead. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1237 "2026-06-19T19:17:32Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > Australian own-goal trying to keep Balogun’s cross away from Pepi. 1-0 to U.S in the 11th minute. Yes, looks like a goal would have happened if it got by that guy. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1238 "2026-06-19T19:17:32Z")
Twice I’ve passed up on Gillette game tickets that were (somewhat reasonable). Now, we’ve arranged to race up to the stadium if we get late tickets, but Scots are still snapping them up at over $1K, which is nuts (unless your Scottish). I suppose it could be Ghanians. Anyway, Australia looks lumbering, this is a great start! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1239 "2026-06-19T19:19:05Z")
Aussies look like they have some rugby blood in their veins. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1240 "2026-06-19T19:20:22Z")
Now, numerous Australians on reddit(and other sites) have said they have some pretty scathing anti-Trump chants planned. I said I won’t believe it until I hear them watching television. So far, I’ve heard none of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=61) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=63)