# 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:** 87
**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 23, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1721 "2026-06-23T22:05:54Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Good on you, @Maserschmidt, that you didn’t sell your house for this stinker. 😉 Can you imagine!? We dodged one there. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1722 "2026-06-23T22:07:16Z")
My crazy prediction for Group L - Croatia beats both Panama and Ghana and wins the group. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1723 "2026-06-23T22:13:05Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > but if we extend the championship to 64 teams… I like the idea. It makes the group stages a lot simpler. 1st and 2nd place move on, 3rd and 4th to home. No worrying about some of the 1st place teams having to play a 2nd place and others a 3rd place. If they add the extra group stages matches in the morning hours, the tournament could still be kept at the same number of days. I’m in favor of the idea. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1724 "2026-06-23T22:13:18Z")
England going to drop points to Panama too? ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1725 "2026-06-23T22:15:10Z")
I said it was a crazy prediction. But it does fit the England narrative. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1726 "2026-06-23T22:15:45Z")
They are +900 to do just that. I just put 2 bucks on them, and will win 18 if they succeed. I’ll be happy to share my winnings with you if that happens. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1727 "2026-06-23T22:17:52Z")
How bad is this for England? I figured they would win. I mean, it’s a draw. They will certainly still end up in the top 3 of their group…right? ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1728 "2026-06-23T22:18:05Z")
The problem is, what country will have enough stadiums to hold such a monster? ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1729 "2026-06-23T22:18:57Z")
So, the USA vs Turkiye game doesn’t matter; the US is guaranteed to win the group and Turkiye is guaranteed to be eliminated. Should be a lazy affair. However, the other game is between 2 teams on 3 points and a draw would almost certainly send both through while a loss for either side could eliminate them. Will Paraguay or Australia go for the win? > [@Mahaloth](#): > > How bad is this for England? I figured they would win. I mean, it’s a draw. They will certainly still end up in the top 3 of their group…right? They’re huge favorites to win the group. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1730 "2026-06-23T22:19:04Z")
IMHO Not good, but not a disaster, they are practically qualified already, but depending on Croatia’s results against Panama and Ghana they may end up facing a top team too early. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1731 "2026-06-23T22:19:22Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > The problem is, what country will have enough stadiums to hold such a monster? The United States does. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1732 "2026-06-23T22:20:26Z")
Yeah but who else? we will NOT hold the world cup always there. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1733 "2026-06-23T22:21:00Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > However, the other game is between 2 teams on 3 points and a draw would almost certainly send both through while a loss for either side could eliminate them. Will Paraguay or Australia go for the win? I suppose it’s a good thing that neither Australia nor Paraguay have ever annexed the other… ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1734 "2026-06-23T22:22:51Z")
I think they are through, but if they don’t win against Panama it’s the difference between playing a 3rd place team and a group winner. Not the end of the tournament but could get thorny. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1735 "2026-06-23T22:26:30Z")
They are not guaranteed through, although they practically are. They can also still win the group with a draw vs Panama pending other results. **ETA** England could still theoretically finish 4th in their group if Panama vs Croatia draw and then on the last match day Croatia beat Ghana and Panama beat England. Panama would have to win by 4 though. If they fall to 3rd they’re well positioned in the rankings there. But the most likely scenario is they win vs Panama and win the group. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1736 "2026-06-23T22:26:43Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Yeah but who else? we will NOT hold the world cup always there. I’m sure Germany would have enough stadiums with at least 35,000 seats to hold such a tournament, but who would want that? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1737 "2026-06-23T22:29:14Z")
Beat Panama and England are probably through as group winners (unless Ghana crush Croatia by a couple of goals minimum). No panic, these games against decent sides playing a low block are very difficult. It was probably good for England that it happened now, just like Spain’s 0-0 draw doesn’t affect their chances. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1738 "2026-06-23T22:36:59Z")
It’s 35000 enough?, I would guess yes, and why not having a World Cup in Germany?. I guess Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay-Uruguay-Chile could work, the southern cone world cup. It would take some work but there are a lot of stadiums, some would need refurbishment. ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1739 "2026-06-23T22:41:51Z")
Hot off the presses! > **[France advised to bid for 2038 World Cup hosting rights - Get French Football...](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/france-advised-bid-2038-world-175500630.html)** > > Will France host the FIFA World Cup forty years after the unforgettable 1998 tournament? L'Equipe understands that France's Minister of Sports, Marina ---
**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 23, 2026, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1740 "2026-06-23T22:51:46Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > I would guess yes, and why not having a World Cup in Germany?. Last time, in 2006, it went quite well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=86) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=88)