OFFICIAL 2026 US/Canada/Mexico World Cup Thread

[Jeff Lebowski]

I just can't imagine the cognitive dissonance progressives must be feeling right now.

Embedded Tweet

[falafel]

Yes to everyone on your list except France and Spain but I’m basing solely on performance in this WC, not reputation. Third round is hard to judge because for many it was meaningless, but through two rounds Netherlands and Japan had played as well or better than anyone you named. Japan is as team as it gets. I don’t know a single one of them by rep but I wouldn’t like facing them. We’ll find out real soon as they’re going to face Brazil. I bet they make it interesting.

As an aside, Netherlands is regularly a peer to every team you listed.

Yes, I never want to face the Orange.

[Omaha 680]

Norway resting all their starters is more evidence of the new format and rules ruining what used to be the best days in all of sports: final days of world cup group play. Without the new head to head tiebreaker, Norway would have a nonzero chance of falling to third with a loss against France coupled with a Senegal win. Under that scenario they would surely play their usual lineup for at least the first half. Without the head to head tiebreaker and without the field expansion, they would have a nonzero chance of being eliminated today.

Unintended consequences of simplistic thinking that more games always equals better product and more excitement. Take note, college football.

[Omaha 680]

Group G completion today has significant impact on the US path forward in the knockout stage. Assuming we beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, we play the winner of 1st Place Group G vs. 3rd Place Groups E/F/I/J.

It would be very nice if Belgium does NOT win Group G so they are not a potential Round of 16 opponent. I expect they will beat New Zealand handily today so the outcome of the Group will hinge on the Pride Match (Iran/Egypt). Egypt tops the group with a win. Iran tops the group with a win by a greater goal differential than Belgium's win over NZ.

For the possible third place opponent opposite Group G winner, Ecuador and Sweden are both locked in as third place in their groups and are through. Senegal is technically still alive to go through as third place in Group I, but they sit on zero points so it is very likely they are one of the 4 third place teams that do not qualify for round of 32. For Group J, 3rd place depends solely on the Austria/Algeria match tomorrow. A draw or Austria win puts Algeria in third. An Algeria win puts Austria in third.

Summary for potential Round of 16 opponent - Winner of:

Belgium / Egypt / Iran (determined by Group G matches today)

VS.

Ecuador / Sweden / Austria / Algeria


Looking even farther down the road, the chalk opponent in the quarterfinal would be winner of Group H. So if Uruguay could steal a win from Spain today and top Group H that would also be great.

[SteelBlue]

Embedded Tweet

Japan's national team vs 100 elementary school kids

[SteelBlue]

You'd rather face France, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Germany, England, and Brazil before Japan or the Netherlands??

Yes to everyone on your list except France and Spain but I’m basing solely on performance in this WC, not reputation. Third round is hard to judge because for many it was meaningless, but through two rounds Netherlands and Japan had played as well or better than anyone you named. Japan is as team as it gets. I don’t know a single one of them by rep but I wouldn’t like facing them. We’ll find out real soon as they’re going to face Brazil. I bet they make it interesting.

As an aside, Netherlands is regularly a peer to every team you listed.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Well i certainly agree with not playing those who were sitting on yellow cards. And I liked the idea of wholesale changes to get all the bench playing time. But it certainly would be nice to enter the knockout stages with momentum some day.

Ultimatley I think this doesnt affect the team though.

Could be a motivator.

[Omaha 680]

Well i certainly agree with not playing those who were sitting on yellow cards. And I liked the idea of wholesale changes to get all the bench playing time. But it certainly would be nice to enter the knockout stages with momentum some day.

Ultimatley I think this doesnt affect the team though.

[Jeff Lebowski]

[Omaha 680]

Confirmed we play both Bosnia and Herzagovina in the round of 32.

[Joe Public]

McKenzie

[Joe Public]

USA! USA! USA! USA!

That corner was awesome.

[Jeff Lebowski]

USA! USA! USA! USA!

[falafel]

I've been able to watch a lot of games in this WC and based solely on that, the two teams I'd least want to face are Netherlands and Japan.

You'd rather face France, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Germany, England, and Brazil before Japan or the Netherlands??

[Jeff Lebowski]

I agree. Selecting Iran vs Egypt as the "pride match" is truly hilarious.

Embedded Tweet