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.

[Jimbo]

I have tickets for the R32 match at Arrowhead on July 3.  I'm thinking the price will go up after the matchup is determined.  Plus, I prefer to have tickets in hand *now* instead of waiting.

 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

If Spain wins their group and Argentina takes 2nd, they'll play each other in R32 in LA.

R32 in KC almost definitely Brazil vs somebody and quite possibly the US.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Really hard to see how the USMNT could have played any better. Great start for them.

Honestly, I was equally unimpressed with Paraguay. That team looked utterly clueless. No sense of spacing. No ability to string passes together. Couldn't win a ball to save their lives. There was a lot of talk about how Paraguay was going to force us into a physical game, but we were BY FAR the more physical, more athletic, more tactically savvy team. And Paraguay knew it and looked like they would've rather been in Malibu than on that pitch.

I think Australia and Türkiye will be tougher tests, but 3 pts (and the +3 GD and 4 goals) might well be enough, even if they slip to third.

I will say this: I've been watching this team regularly since '94, and I've never seen them dominate a game like that. Some of that is down to an opponent that wouldn't have qualified under any edition not featuring 48 teams, but still. I don't know if it's Balogun making the difference or Poch, but, either way, it works. 

[Joseph Zarr]

OK. That may have been the most dominant USMNT half of soccer since...? My goodness that 2nd Balogun goal...I may have been waiting for a USMNT player to score that type of goal for two decades. Am I dreaming?!

 

[Jimbo]

In agreement, the best 45 minutes of USA World Cup soccer I've seen.

 

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

38 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

OK. That may have been the most dominant USMNT half of soccer since...? My goodness that 2nd Balogun goal...I may have been waiting for a USMNT player to score that type of goal for two decades. Am I dreaming?!

 

Balogun and Gio both delivered absolutely choice goals. Completely lethal.

The way this groups of midfielders can dominate the center of the park, having competent finishers is such a big deal. Balogun was my one big reason for optimism. When you have questions at the back and lack a clear striker, it's really hard to get points for all your possession. But even with a 38-year-old as part of your central pairing and a largely unproved keeper, you're still alright if you put away chances.

That will have to keep up, but you're absolutely right. That was a US team playing with all the tough togetherness of past editions AND with talent and athleticism all over the space. "What if our best athletes played soccer?" It would look something like that.

 

[Samurai Bucky]

On 6/12/2026 at 10:58 PM, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

Balogun and Gio both delivered absolutely choice goals. Completely lethal.

The way this groups of midfielders can dominate the center of the park, having competent finishers is such a big deal. Balogun was my one big reason for optimism. When you have questions at the back and lack a clear striker, it's really hard to get points for all your possession. But even with a 38-year-old as part of your central pairing and a largely unproved keeper, you're still alright if you put away chances.

I am curbing my enthusiasm a little bit.  Pulisic is a very good player, but the way he split the two defenders led me to one of two thoughts:

1. Where has his been in the second half of AC Milan
2. Is the Paraguay defense like a deer in headlights?

It seems like many were defecating their drawers because Pulisic wasn't carrying the team.  He doesn't have to!!!!!  The US does so much better when they play as a team.  Some of my favorite goals over the past few years are the 2-3 passes in tight quarters at the top of the 18-yard-box followed by a quick short lead pass for an easy goal.

Australia looked tough on the counter.  That is going to be a really good game.

[Jimbo]

AUS #17 was fun to watch.

Beginning to wonder if Curacao could emerge as this tournament's media/fans favorites.

 

 

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

5 hours ago, Samurai Bucky said:

I am curbing my enthusiasm a little bit.  Pulisic is a very good player, but the way he split the two defenders led me to one of two thoughts:

1. Where has his been in the second half of AC Milan
2. Is the Paraguay defense like a deer in headlights?

It seems like many were defecating their drawers because Pulisic wasn't carrying the team.  He doesn't have to!!!!!  The US does so much better when they play as a team.  Some of my favorite goals over the past few years are the 2-3 passes in tight quarters at the top of the 18-yard-box followed by a quick short lead pass for an easy goal.

Australia looked tough on the counter.  That is going to be a really good game.

I remember a lot of talk after the draw about "Turkey is a bad draw for anyone, should they win the playoff."

They might well be.

But Australia looked solid in defense, aside from a late lapse or two, and incredibly clinical and athletic on the counter. They also looked completely unafraid.

Should be fun. 

Totally agree about Pulisic as well. I don't really buy the "he has to be great" narrative. Chris Richards and Balogun seem to fit that bill more for me. Front and back. The middle, though thin, has been the cornerstone of this national team for a long time.