World Cup '26 qualifiers discussion

[Maradona37]

The key would be that the group next to Argentina has easy teams for the knockout stages.

Meant to say, with the tournament being co-hosted by three nations, and the logistics etc, Argentina if they finish first could very well be playing a third place team (8 of the twelve group winners will be), and that could be from about five groups. So it's not that simple that you will have a fairly predictable path like in the 32 side tournaments. Also it's not as simple as A1 plays B2, C1 plays D2 etc. The groups are quite all over the place with the pairings.

You can look here if you like

2026 FIFA World Cup - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Maradona37]

Been reading the World Cup records and statistics page on wikipedia, some interesting stuff - some I knew, some I didn't.

This lot should just give up though

Most consecutive failed qualification attempts​

[edit]

• 
  Luxembourg – 21 (all 1934–2022)

 

[Maradona37]

@soul24rage

Assuming no injuries or either being dropped, if Argentina are eliminated in the group phase and Portugal reach the final, Ronaldo will overtake Messi in the all-time appearance list. Would be 30 to 29.

Ronaldo would also become the oldest player ever to play in a World Cup Final, beating Dino Zoff.

More chance of pigs flying, though.

 

[soul24rage]

@soul24rage

Assuming no injuries or either being dropped, if Argentina are eliminated in the group phase and Portugal reach the final, Ronaldo will overtake Messi in the all-time appearance list. Would be 30 to 29.

More chance of pigs flying, though.

All time WC appearance list, but still no WC KO G/A

 

[Maradona37]

'Fewer than half of all World Cup tournaments have been won by the highest-scoring team.'

Interesting.

Also, there have been 2,720 goals scored in total in the World Cup, 280 away from 3,000. We might see that milestone goal in the upcoming tournament, as we could definitely see 280 goals in 104 games. It would require about 2.7 goals per game, a big ask but not impossible with the amount of lesser teams that could take a pasting in the group phase, especially if they're playing against Cristiano.

2022 saw 2.69 per match so maintain that ratio and we might see the 3,000th goal, maybe even close to the final.

 

[MonteCuler]

It's getting closer isn't it

Just a year left, it'll fly by

 

[Maradona37]

It's getting closer isn't it

Just a year left, it'll fly by

The buzz will get bigger in 6 months when the draw is done. We will know the placings of 42 of the 48 teams in their groups (won't know the four UEFA play-off qualifiers and two interconfederation qualifiers yet).

I am not a big fan of this new thing in recent years of some teams' identities not being known until play-offs between the draw and the tournament's commencement.

 

[RedxMAK]

Tunisia will qualify Insha’Allah

 

[RedxMAK]

Tunisia hasn’t qualified to 3 consecutive World Cups in 2006

 

[RedxMAK]

And we haven’t went past the group stage ever.

It’s a shame though, we were the first African team to register a win in the World Cup. Last World Cup we were in it for about 4-7 minutes until Denmark decided to sabotage us.

Maybe 2026 will be different.

 

[Maradona37]

Tunisia will qualify Insha’Allah

Looking good for you right now. 4 point lead with 4 games to go.

 

[Maradona37]

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.

India supports Portugal at the World Cup anyway so most of their population will watch

@KingLeo10

 

[Messigician]

@Messigician

You should be able to finish above us in the qualifying group bud, we are terrible. Just if you can finish above Denmark. Games start in September.

Hopefully but u never knew with Greece these days

 

[Gnidrologist]

Our commentator just said Tuchel is about to set a record as the first England manager to keep three clean sheets in his first three competative games... and I just looked they played against Latvia (home), Albania (home), Andorra (away)... scoring just six goals in these three games... this national team is just destined to be boring is it, no matter what players they have on the roster...

Damn, i didn't even notice that they beat us. They're just that boring.

 

[Messi983]

Been reading the World Cup records and statistics page on wikipedia, some interesting stuff - some I knew, some I didn't.

This lot should just give up though

Most consecutive failed qualification attempts​

[edit]

• 
  Luxembourg – 21 (all 1934–2022)

Tbf Luxembourg improved a lot over last few years and are a decent team. Could see them qualifying for the WC or Euros in near future.