World Cup 2026 ( Merged )

[Ricardo Quaresma]

8 minutes ago, michael_bolton said:

 

Ok, but your previous post should read "alongside other teams I am ignorant of".

 

I'm not ignorant of anything so keep your own words to yourself if you don't mind

[Luckies1874]

5 hours ago, The Black Prince said:

Completely agree on the diluted quality for votes point but there simply wouldn't be a world cup if the various confederations didn't agree on the format. You could argue that all confederations should get equal representation which obviously aint gonna happen. That would mean six confeds each getting 8 spots (great for Oceania).

 

From that perspective, again, UEFA's share is disproportionate but the traditional powerbases mean UEFA is (rightly) over-repped.

 

It's a bummer for Scotland but bear a thought (I don't really expect you to) for poor old Oz back in the bad old days. No-one local would play with Israel so they put Israel into a play-off with Oceania and then into a further play-off with someone either from Europe or South America. It was all about keeping Israel out of the world cup after the terrorist attack at the Munich olympics. But it meant Oz didn't go to the WC for 32 years. 

 

Funny you should mention that qualifying period. My first ever Scotland match at Hampden, in fact looking at the date (November 20th 1985), it must have been my first ever visit to Hampden, as my first Hearts experiences there were the Dundee Utd semi-final and Aberdeen final in April / May 86, was for the Australia play off game that we won 2-0.

 

 

[michael_bolton]

23 hours ago, Luckies1874 said:

When you consider there are 25 UEFA countries in the top 48 of FIFA’s very own rankings it’s really not a good deal at all! 

 

The way points are awarded in the FIFA rankings makes it very unlikely you'll ever see anything other than a European-heavy top end of the rankings.

 

European teams play a lot against each other in competitive games, while teams from other confederations lack the regular matches against highly-ranked opponents to significantly shift their rankings.

 

Scotland are ranked about a dozen places above Uzbekistan, for example, but looking at recent results that is almost certainly just a quirk of the system.

[Luckies1874]

9 minutes ago, michael_bolton said:

 

The way points are awarded in the FIFA rankings makes it very unlikely you'll ever see anything other than a European-heavy top end of the rankings.

 

European teams play a lot against each other in competitive games, while teams from other confederations lack the regular matches against highly-ranked opponents to significantly shift their rankings.

 

Scotland are ranked about a dozen places above Uzbekistan, for example, but looking at recent results that is almost certainly just a quirk of the system.

 

 

Put Scotland aside. There will be numerous European countries NOT at the World Cup who are way better than a number of teams who are. Listen, I get that there has to representation from around the globe, I'm all for it in fact, but it still can be true that UEFA get less than the warranted places when it comes to depth of quality. I'm not even strongly arguing for more places, just pointing out that it's far more difficult to qualify if you are a decent side from Europe than it is if you are a decent side from any of the other confederations. 

[michael_bolton]

1 minute ago, Luckies1874 said:

 

 

Put Scotland aside. There will be numerous European countries NOT at the World Cup who are way better than a number of teams who are. Listen, I get that there has to representation from around the globe, I'm all for it in fact, but it still can be true that UEFA get less than the warranted places when it comes to depth of quality. I'm not even strongly arguing for more places, just pointing out that it's far more difficult to qualify if you are a decent side from Europe than it is if you are a decent side from any of the other confederations. 

 

Depends how you define "decent", I suppose.

 

The World Cup has always had some sides staying home who are better than some who qualify. That's just the nature of it. Same applies in the Champions League or Europa League etc where some sides qualify who would never make it if they played in the Premier League or Serie A.

 

Don't really see the problem.

[Luckies1874]

1 minute ago, michael_bolton said:

 

Depends how you define "decent", I suppose.

 

The World Cup has always had some sides staying home who are better than some who qualify. That's just the nature of it. Same applies in the Champions League or Europa League etc where some sides qualify who would never make it if they played in the Premier League or Serie A.

 

Don't really see the problem.

 

Cool. 👍

 

 

[Cade]

If qualification was a simple matter of the current top 48 FIFA rankings, then this would be the finals;
 

UEFA (Europe, 16 spots in 2026 WC); 
Spain, France, England, Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Ukraine, Turkey, Sweden, Wales, Serbia, Poland, Russia, Hungary, Norway, Czechia, Greece, Scotland, Romania, Slovakia. 
26 spots.

CAF (Africa, 9 spots in 2026 WC);

Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria.
6 spots.

AFC (Asia, 8 spots in 2026 WC);
Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia.
4 spots.
 

CONMEBOL (South America, 6 spots in 2026 WC);
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Paraguay.
8 spots.

CONCACAF (North America, 6 spots in 2026 WC);
USA, Mexico, Canada, Panama.

4 spots.
 

OFC (Oceania, 1 spot in 2026 WC); 
0 spots.

[Thunder and Lightning]

On 06/06/2025 at 14:28, Rudi5kaceldream1ng said:

I agree with this. 

 

Modern football is completely shite and boring compared to what it was in the 80s and 90s and before anyway and I say that as someone in my early 30s so didn't even see the 80s world cups but they looked amazing. 

 

So all the football geeks and snobs like Rory jennings who have never even played the game at any level can stfu. 

 

Expand the world Cup, I'd like to see nations like India appear for the absolutely huge crowds who would watch their games alone. It's the world Cup.

 

It should be for the whole world. (yes I know they're shite atm lol). 

 

 

 

 

 

On 06/06/2025 at 16:40, Rudi5kaceldream1ng said:

I said I knew India are shite atm. 

 

Hopefully one day they qualify because they have great fans. 

 

And aye jennings is a YouTube pundit/failed actor who makes a living talking about football even though he's neither a journalist or a player or has any authority to speak on it whatsoever... he's never even played or coached at any level. 

 

 

 

What level have you played/coached at? 

[Rudi5kaceldream1ng]

44 minutes ago, Thunder and Lightning said:

 

What level have you played/coached at? 

I've played at youth pro level and coached a feeder team to torino. Why? 

[briever]

6 hours ago, Luckies1874 said:

 

Funny you should mention that qualifying period. My first ever Scotland match at Hampden, in fact looking at the date (November 20th 1985), it must have been my first ever visit to Hampden, as my first Hearts experiences there were the Dundee Utd semi-final and Aberdeen final in April / May 86, was for the Australia play off game that we won 2-0.

 

 

 

That last Scottish side that was probably good enough to take on anyone.

[Luckies1874]

2 minutes ago, briever said:

 

That last Scottish side that was probably good enough to take on anyone.

 

But still performed very disappointingly in the 86 World Cup!  1 goal scored and 1pt won in the 3 games. Not much has changed in that regard however much quality we've had or not had! 

[briever]

3 minutes ago, Luckies1874 said:

 

But still performed very disappointingly in the 86 World Cup!  1 goal scored and 1pt won in the 3 games. Not much has changed in that regard however much quality we've had or not had! 

 

I know, but they were genuinely good enough.

[Rudi5kaceldream1ng]

Sorry Welsh fans.... But absolutely girfuy. 

[Australis]

Belgium look very, very good.

Flowing non robotic football.

 

Or Wales are rank rotten.

 

[Malinga the Swinga]

If Belgium penalty soft, the Welsh one was a total and utter joke. Never a penalty in a million years 

[PortyJambo]

3-2 now. Soft penalty gave Wales a lifeline, and they've taken advantage. Belgium could have scored 3 or 4 more though, and might regret not doing so, so far anyway

[Malinga the Swinga]

Lukebakio doing his best to keep Wales in the game by missing as many sitters as he can. 

[tiger Rudi]

Credit to Wales, not giving up and having a real go. That header could have made it level. Unbelievable after that first 40 odd minutes. 

[Fitzroy Pointon]

[PortyJambo]

3-3

[Malinga the Swinga]

Belgium's right back has been invisible in defence for last 30 minutes. Caused 2 of the goals.

Should be about 6 -2 for Belgium but they have missed way too many sitters 

[tiger Rudi]

3.3 astonishing. Played off the park at times in that first half. 

 

Credit it to Bellamy. Organized and playing to their strengths. Could still end up losing a few yet like. Good game to watch 😁

[Fitzroy Pointon]

Do the funniest thing Belgium and score the winner in injury time 🙏

[Malinga the Swinga]

Finally Belgium take off number 14. Should have made it 4-1 just after half time but couldn't hit a barn door. 

[Luckies1874]

Prediction: Scotland make the play offs and instead of getting Northern Ireland or North Macedonia end up against Italy or Belgium!  

[Chairman of the Bored]

Just arrived in Wales and turned the game on jin my hotel room when they were doing the VAR check for the penalty. Came back from having a drink and saw the second and third go in.

 

Any Welshmen on here willing to send me cash to keep watching to the end?

[Mikey1874]

That's a nice goal. Good character.

[Luckies1874]

Croatia pumping Czech Republic 5-1

[Mikey1874]

Don't have touchline technology. Maybe a failing at this level.

 

Ball looked in play just. 

[Malinga the Swinga]

These delays are ridiculous. 

[Mikey1874]

Drama

[PortyJambo]

Haven't seen any angle showing the ball clearly out. Taking an age though 

 

Edit - and chalked off...eventually. VAR has been very kind to Wales tonight!

Edited June 9, 2025 by PortyJambo

[Luckies1874]

How have they got away with that one. Spawny *******s constantly. 

[Mikey1874]

Justice I think 

[PortyJambo]

VAR's not saving you this time Wales!

[invernessjt]

Yaaaas. Get in!!!

[tiger Rudi]

Game over 😁 some game! 

[Pasquale for King]

That was never a corner, extremely unlucky there. 

[Pasquale for King]

I wish Scotland had a manager with the balls to play as Wales are doing here, with lesser players in most positions. 

[ehcaley]

Was a goalkick and not a corner leading to fourth goal,VAR farce tonight

[Australis]

VAR is constantly getting involved way to much.

 

 

 

[Mikey1874]

1 minute ago, Pasquale for King said:

That was never a corner, extremely unlucky there. 

 

The defender celebrated the tackle like a goal which didn't help. 

[Luckies1874]

Just now, ehcaley said:

Was a goalkick and not a corner leading to fourth goal,VAR farce tonight

 

Thankfully VAR can't overrule the award of a corner! GIRU the Welsh.

[Chairman of the Bored]

1 minute ago, ehcaley said:

Was a goalkick and not a corner leading to fourth goal,VAR farce tonight

That's where I don't see the point in VAR. If they can check for a throw in about ten minutes before a goal, they can check whether or not a corner or goal kick should have been awarded.

[Footballfirst]

Willie Collum will be having palpitations. Conclusive?

 

[Shanks said no]

Really enjoyed the Belgium Wales game, best game of football I have watched in a long time as a nuetral.

[Mikey1874]

Win win 

[Malinga the Swinga]

Bellamy a ***** of a player and Bellamy a ***** of a manager.

Hopefully Belgium and North Macedonia can keep Wales in third but they're guaranteed a play off place anyway.

[Pasquale for King]

20 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

The defender celebrated the tackle like a goal which didn't help. 

Because it was a goal kick

[Mikey1874]

6 minutes ago, Pasquale for King said:

Because it was a goal kick

 

He didn't claim for it. Too busy celebrating.