World Cup '26 qualifiers discussion

[Maradona37]

I didn't wanna derail the predictions thread further, and there's games going on now, other regions than Europe are starting to submit qualified teams, so feel free to discuss.

I don't expect the thread will get too busy until the European qualifiers ramp up. But Uzbekistan just qualified, one of Saudi or Australia will soon, it's looking like Jordan and South Korea will. There's a few who might be almost qualified from CONMEBOL this week.

So feel free to discuss the qualifiers here. A separate thread to the predictions.

 

[Maradona37]

Got mixed up with this.its actually goal difference first.

So Australia all but qualified.

 

[Maradona37]

@Fati_Future_BallonDor @MonteCuler

Thoughts on Jordan and Uzbekistan reaching their first ever World Cup? Thanks to the expansion obviously, but still.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

@Fati_Future_BallonDor @MonteCuler

Thoughts on Jordan and Uzbekistan reaching their first ever World Cup? Thanks to the expansion obviously, but still.

Must be an amazing feeling for the guys who live there but i dont like the expansion overall, too many teams and too many games...

 

[Maradona37]

Must be an amazing feeling for the guys who live there but i dont like the expansion overall, too many teams and too many games...

I agree. While it is great for the players, coaches and fans of the nations who have more shot at qualifying now (mainly in Africa and Asia), it will certainly dilute the quality of the tournament. I feel 32 was already a struggle for quality teams so 48 is, ya know...

Also, a 48 team World Cup presents so many more logistical problems, especially with the third place teams. Did you know that while there are 15 combinations for 4 third place qualifiers from 6, there are 495 for 8 qualifiers from 12? It's gonna be mad for the third place teams sorting themselves out for their round of 32 matches.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

I agree. While it is great for the players, coaches and fans of the nations who have more shot at qualifying now (mainly in Africa and Asia), it will certainly dilute the quality of the tournament. I feel 32 was already a struggle for quality teams so 48 is, ya know...

Also, a 48 team World Cup presents so many more logistical problems, especially with the third place teams. Did you know that while there are 15 combinations for 4 third place qualifiers from 6, there are 495 for 8 qualifiers from 12? It's gonna be mad for the third place teams sorting themselves out for their round of 32 matches.

The braindead idea to expand it to 48 🤣

495 😳 the quality of wcs continues to decrease 👎

 

[Gnidrologist]

Thanks to the expansion obviously, but still.

Not "but still". These final tournaments are made to become a joke. Just abolish the qualifiers already and just make huge playoff for all the FIFA teams right from the get go throughout the couple of summer months. But that would make too much sense within the context and make less money so let's make "qualifying games", where 2/3td of the teams qualify anyway so it's redundant waste of time, but also play huge amount of matches to create revenue and run players into the ground. The slavery system is being imbued in every strata of our totalitarian society, even in the entertainment clown shows like football. Everybody needs to work 24/365 so the overlords are happy.

 

[Maradona37]

Not "but still". These final tournaments are made to become a joke. Just abolish the qualifiers already and just make huge playoff for all the FIFA teams right from the get go throughout the couple of summer months. But that would make too much sense within the context and make less money so let's make "qualifying games", where 2/3td of the teams qualify anyway so it's redundant waste of time, but also paly huge amount of matches to create revenue and run players into the ground. The slavery system is beinbgimbued in every strata of our totalitarian society, even in the entertainment clown shows like football.

Yeah obviously I agree as I have said on here before. The 'but still' was just me being nice.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Qatar had the best group stage of any NT tournament I've seen. 2018 was also fairly solid.

Qatar was the only dogshit team and the tournament, and that was because they decided to take players from their clubs for months rather than letting them play competitively, if it wasn't for this stupid ass decision, all 32 teams would have put a fight.

It took time, but teams eventually catches up with the proper level.

Same will happen with 48 teams, there will be many awful teams but things will improve.

The WC isn't just about the best teams and best level, it is essential part of developing and expanding the game everywhere, they need to balance between that and the level. I think expansion was about time, maybe one tournament too early.

 

[Gnidrologist]

What are you talking about? Every world cup group stage since like 2002 has been dogshit. Everybody just waits for some rare big dog fights, while the minnows duke it out in the background. Not that there haven't been great matches between mediocre teams and some tense drama all around, but that's not what needs to be associated with World Cup, the literal ultimate football tournament of the world, not conference league. Only the best should participate. 16 is ideal format for Euros and 24 for world cup. Maybe be different number for convenience sake, but definitely not more than 30 teams.

 

[Windhook]

The 48 team expansion was a huge injustice on UEFA nations. It's a maneuver by Gianni Infantino to secure his FIFA reign for life. You can bet Asian and African nations will vote for him in all forthcoming elections next decade.

The reason given officially is always "to popularize football". The Sepp Blatter playbook. In reality football in those countries hasn't evolved at all except for Qatar and Saudi Arabia that invest heavily in sportswashing, and the results are below expectations.

Call Infantino's actions lobbyism or corruption. All the same. If only there was a legal way to qualify China and India to World Cups... the cheat code.

 

[MonteCuler]

@Fati_Future_BallonDor @MonteCuler

Thoughts on Jordan and Uzbekistan reaching their first ever World Cup? Thanks to the expansion obviously, but still.

Same thoughts I'd have if Montenegro were to reach it

Great stuff, happy for them but maybe it's not worth the smashing that will inevitably come

 

[MonteCuler]

Montenegro-Czechia on

after a long time Savić and Jovetić together on the pitch

think we will be fucked, but I'm looking forward to Joveta masterclass

 

[DonAK]

The terrible weather here today should give the advantage vs. this Italy side that isn’t anything special, but I can feel a loss incoming.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

The terrible weather here today should give the advantage vs. this Italy side that isn’t anything special, but I can feel a loss incoming.

same here dude, lets hope it will be better next week, hope