2026 World Cup and Qualifiers

This 3rd place stuff is just a prelude to 64 team world cup at some point. Agree it's getting bloated but FIFA stand to make toms of money and smaller nations get more chance to qualify for a world cup and potentially qualify for knockout rounds for the first time. Win win in FIFAs eyes but the product may be too watered down in terms of quality

(24-06-2026 08:15 )Charlemagne Wrote:  The U.S.authorities have announced that travel restrictions of the Iranian team have been eased and that the team has been permitted to travel two days before their next match.

I wonder how long that will last and will the Iranians meet the USA?

(25-06-2026 13:54 )coolguy4u Wrote:  This 3rd place stuff is just a prelude to 64 team world cup at some point. Agree it's getting bloated but FIFA stand to make toms of money and smaller nations get more chance to qualify for a world cup and potentially qualify for knockout rounds for the first time. Win win in FIFAs eyes but the product may be too watered down in terms of quality

If they want to do a 64 team world cup properly they have to stage it spreading right across one continent (i.e. Europe, Asia, south America Africa), it would be way too much for one country on it's own to handle that's for sure, but I also fear the logistics planning of it may become a financial/travel nightmare that would wipe out any profits made not only for the host nation but also likely for FIFA, I think 32 teams is absolute limit, and having the 32 best teams in the world battling it out is in my opinion a far better tournament. I suppose one way to include smaller nations, in future, could be to allow two teams to have an automatic berth for the two teams that get the furthest from this one in the next competition, then the four highest smaller teams in the rankings have an extra intercontinental play off game for last two 'minnows' spots. It might mean

What are the chances this one does make a loss?

Any other WC there'd be real tension to whether Spain or Uruguay might get knocked out should Cape Verde win their final game. Even if they lose though, they should be safe as a third placer.

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.

Good point think it was mentioned last night during the Scotland match. Would any country have the balls to do another match of shame? The format won't be staying around for long anyway like I said soon enough it will be 64 teams. It definitely isn't going to get smaller/back to how it was.

Famous win for Ecuador.
Wow.

Incredible especially against the Germans

Great game, great story. They are guaranteed qualification as a best third placed, no-one currently outside the top 8 can overtake them.

and almost certainly knocks the Scottish out 8th now with Belgium cape verde needing draws