2026 World Cup and Qualifiers

Oh poor Scotland you can't even qualify now there are three teams that can qualify as an Englishmen i actually feel sorry for you guys i think.

(25-06-2026 23:02 )coolguy4u Wrote:  Incredible especially against the Germans

should we be protecting our chip shops in case of retaliation?? (copyright Stan Boardman)

I got a little nerdy about this ‘mighty’ versus ‘minnows’ question and pulled some data on every World Cup from 2002 onwards.

What was the correlation between FIFA ranking at the start of the tournament and the composition of later stages of the bracket (i.e. QF+)?

Not groundbreaking enough to publish, but still interesting. The World Cup seems to get progressively more ‘top heavy’ with the average rank of quarterfinalists starting at 18.8 in 2002, then 14 in 2006, 12.4 in 2010 and 11.1 in 2014. Then it bounced back up to 19.0 in 2018 because of deep runs by Russia and Croatia. But it crashed back down to its lowest in 2022, when the average rank of quarterfinalists was 8.0.

Let’s see what happens when more ‘minnows’ get a crack at the elimination rounds.

Iran Vs Egypt is apparently going to be designated a "pride match" which I'm sure they're thrilled about... Is this some kind of ridicule and humiliation strategy?

Having to depend on the results of others was always gonna be arse, the odds getting worse after each match is just typical though. Self inflicted.

At least there are plenty of other teams to support going forward. I've enjoyed watching Mexico, so will watch more of them, Japan too.

I did enjoy the Ecuador and Germany game, despite the consequences. Ecuador played like a team that knew they needed a result...funny that.

I've just seen this report
Austria are playing Algeria on Sunday.
If they win, then they play Spain
If they draw then they still play Spain

If they lose then they are on the plane home.

Tough choice

(25-06-2026 19:15 )Goodfella3041 Wrote:  It has also been noticed that this format creates situations where teams can ‘collaborate’ on a result that gets them both through. Something FIFA has worked hard to eradicate since the West Germany v Austria scandal of 1982 (…where, at 1-0, they just passed the ball around because that scoreline would see them both qualify).

I haven’t checked the maths, but according to The BBC, if Paraguay and Australia draw on Friday and if Austria and Algeria draw on Saturday, then all four teams are likely to advance.

It will be interesting to see how those play out.

I like the idea of teams not knowing how the other teams are doing, I think at league level it works because teams in relegation position know what they have to do to stay up as well the teams at the top too,. etc etc

At international level it probably becomes a bit different I think. Whether FIFA email the teams before hand before the last round of games begin and remind them of their position and warn them against trying anything similar to what Germany & Austria did in '82, but I would be very surprised if one or two games end up looking a bit suspect.

Scotland still have a chance of going through to the next round, even if it's a very small chance

One site says that the following has to happen

Austria has to beat Algeria by 2 or more goals
Ghana has to beat Croatia by 3 or more goals
Uzbekistan has to beat draw with DR Congo

Sky sports had the percentage at 0.05 I think it was. Or 0.5. Something ridiculously small anyway. I'm sure the players would prefer to be on their holidays right now anyway.

Cape Verde smallest nation to reach knockout stages and will play Argentina. Dream land for them.

Paraguay 0-0 Australia

“…with very little risk taken at either end”.

No surprise there then. I kind’ve regret not putting a tenner on this game. So predictable.


Austria v Algeria may have some stakes now. I think Algeria need at least a draw to qualify. But then it’s - bizarrely - a race for third. The second-place team in that group plays Spain, so you’d rather finish 3rd than 2nd. It’s mind-bending.