Sure. When FIFA went to 48 teams, it was clear that they didn’t mind much if some weak teams get in. For the discussion of automatic spots for the hosts, Canada getting in just means they’re replacing another weak entry.
And hey, CONCACAF could even send eight teams, if I’m reading the regulations properly. There’s a playoff tournament for the final two qualification spots, where each confederation (except UEFA) sends a team, plus the host confederation gets an extra entry.
You don’t think 8 spots for CONCACAF and 6 for CONMEBOL is fair?
For all the shit it gets, CONCACAF is easily the 3rd best confederation. The number of teams it sends is totally consistent with its performance at the WC too. Multiple teams advancing from the group stage in '06, '10, and '14. No top teams from CONCACAF, but generally not the teams that are just happy to be their either.
I do really hate that they’re expanding the field though. Going to be a lot of shit games.
Don’t confuse results with product on the field. After US drew with Mexico in Mexico, everyone was crowing about how we could expect to see the US in the final 8 of the WC.
All i saw was a lucky US team that constantly gave up poseesion and didn’t challenge the ball until it was brought up to the 35 yard line. It was shit team and their absence from the WC this time is not surprising to me at all.
The US team that drew with France had little resemblance to the team that screwed up the World Cup qualifying. It was basically a ‘b’ team. It’s up to you to determine if that says more about the US or more about France.
As for the US-Canada-Mexico winning the 2026 World Cup, obvious choice. The last US World Cup still holds the attendance records. With the expansion, FIFA is going for the guaranteed payback. Giving portions to Canada and Mexico is FIFA’s version of a push back.
For any early risers pregame activities are live from Russia on Telemundo in Spanish.
Sundays Germany v Mexico match is being billed as David vs Goliath :rolleyes:
One cultural difference between the English coverage v Spanish is the hot women dancing in the background of the studio segments.
Apparently flag waving babosos acting the fool aren’t only Americans.
Everyone is excited to get this party started. This first two weeks are my favorite of the tournament. Everyone still has hope and the atmosphere is amazing.
What I’ve never understood is the format. They put the 32 teams into eight groups of four, take the top two in each group and then have a 16 team bracket. The trouble is as I see it, you go 3-0-0 in group play but could be put out in the round of 16. I think it would make more sense to have a second round robin by taking the top two from each group in the first round and putting them into four groups of four for another round robin. Call them groups I,J,K, and L. Then group I would be A1,B1,C2, and D2, group J would be A2, B2, C1, and D1. Group K would be E1, F1, G2, and H2. Group L would be E2, F2, G1, and H1. Everybody sees 3 teams the hadn’t seen before. Top 2 in each group go to the Round of 8 That way you only go to elimination games when there are only 3 rounds to go and a superior team won’t be upset in the round of 16. Or even take it further by having another round robin of 2 groups of 4 with the top 2 in each group going to the semifinals.
Now they’re going to have more teams in the North American combined games. Will each get an automatic berth?
I like this, but I think fatigue is a factor. This would make a team have to play six games in order to reach the quarterfinals as opposed to just four. World Cup matches are notoriously exhausting. By the time two teams reached the Final, they’d have each played eight games.
Not sure what this means - you mean the three teams of Canada, USA and Mexico? Yes they will all automatically qualify, AIUI.
I thought this would be easy to find, but what are the group stage tie-breakers; i.e., teams tied for either the top spot or 2nd spot in their group on points? I assume it would be head-to-head first? If there are 3 , then points gained in just the games amongst the 3 teams, followed by goal differential, followed by goals scored.
Google keeps leading me to the qualifying tie-breakers.
Hope they don’t let Euro TV dictate start times in 2026. In 1994 Germany and South Korea were forced to play at noon in Dallas…in 90+ temps and 80-90% humidity. There was a similar match played in the Meadowlands. Games should be started no earlier than 3pm.
But at least there is shadow and the second half will be cooler as the players tire. The German players were visibly affected by the heat and humidity.
