World Cup 2026 Thread

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Wanted to start a World Cup thread, as we are exactly two weeks from the start of the biggest sporting event on Earth (probably the biggest ever given the increased size of the tournament). Lots to talk about, from ticket prices to geopolitics to debutantes to heat to European favorites and Team USA.

I have no idea what to expect from the US. Their group is weird. You looked at it on draw day and were like, "This is a gift." But now that all the groups are set in stone, I think it might be one of the most competitive. There isn't a true underdog team in there, really, and, in a year where 3rd place is going to be enough to advance in a lot of cases, that's scary. Who in this group is the US clearly better than? Australia, maybe? I could fully see this team finishing 4th.

The good news is that Balogun is probably the most creative goal-scorer this roster has had in decades, and the midfield is pretty stocked with top-level players. You worry a bit about the goalkeeping and health at center back, but the roster is definitely trying to preserve options there.

I like Canada's chances of making a run as hosts, and I'll go with Spain as my favorite, though a lot of that depends on Yamal's fitness. Elsewhere, France is always a good bet, England will have another deep roster, and we'll see whether the South American nations can challenge for the trophy.

I'll close with a gripe: I actually find the European time zone friendlier for US viewers. It's more fun when these games are on from like 9 until 3 than from like 2 until midnight. But there are also days with six (!!) matches, so this is going to get wild. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I am super pumped. While I think we'll be a fairly poor host country, I expect a lot of issues to come out, for TV I could not ask for more.  I expect very little out of the US. They just aren't very good. 

The ticket process has been a joke. I've heard hotels are vacant and I am expecting most of these games prices to plummet in the short time before kickoff. The huge headline games will stay where they are but this has been such a tragic disaster as far as what it could have been...but FIFA gonna FIFA.

I had sights on attending, but I'm perfectly happy to sit back at home and enjoy on TV.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

27 minutes ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

I am super pumped. While I think we'll be a fairly poor host country, I expect a lot of issues to come out, for TV I could not ask for more.  I expect very little out of the US. They just aren't very good. 

The ticket process has been a joke. I've heard hotels are vacant and I am expecting most of these games prices to plummet in the short time before kickoff. The huge headline games will stay where they are but this has been such a tragic disaster as far as what it could have been...but FIFA gonna FIFA.

I had sights on attending, but I'm perfectly happy to sit back at home and enjoy on TV.

Agree completely. It's going to make for a lot of great entertainment, and I think the TV experience will be better than the in-person one, unless maybe you live in KC and can scoop up some tickets at the last minute.

Obviously, I think FIFA and the current power brokers here in the US have so, so much to do with the cluster that this has been so far. They're primarily to blame.

It's also true for me that continental host nations (especially three of them together) make for a more difficult tournament. During the Brazil World Cup, such a big deal was made about teams going to Manaus to play in the Amazon (rightfully so), but I believe this WC is going to be the most physically spread out ever. It's tough to offer a fun atmosphere and sense of place when you're dealing with three massive host nations. Even 2030, where you'll have three matches in South America and the rest in Europe and Africa will be much more compact. The wonders of geography.

I also have very low expectations for the US. The federation has been such a mess for so long, it's hard to see this working out well. But the talent is there. If the midfield plays as well as it has in previous cycles and Balogun is a legit, world-class striker, that's the only way I see a run to the QF round.

[Joseph Zarr]

Yeah, color me absolutely uninterested in this USMNT. If I have to hear another heartfelt plea as to why Tim Ream means so dang much to this inexperienced group I may pull out what little hair I have left. He is such a meaningless player. I'm amazed at how the US capably creates Jeff Agoos clones. Goalie is no longer the strength of the team it historically has been, and with a Tim Ream led defense inevitably leaving men wide open unmarked or turning it over, this will likely rear its head numerous times in the Group Stage. I won't even get into the USMNT Program's ongoing inabilities to shore up the Midfield or attacking third. With their injury woes the roster leaves a lot to he desired. They will likely get manhandled up the Middle. Other than that, things look great.😅

[Samurai Bucky]

I am really interested to see which Pulisic shows up.  He was injured for part of the year and I have absolutely no idea what was going on at the end of the AC Milan campaign in Serie A.  What a mess.  Between Chelsea and AC Milan, Pulisic seems to get caught up with poor clubs and poor coaches.

Hopefully he will be rested up.  I'm excited to see what Weston will do, too.