2026 World Cup and Qualifiers

(Yesterday 21:18 )Charlemagne Wrote:  Uruguay are out of the World Cup and their football association has taken it badly.
They've cancelled the private jet that they had arranged to get them home.
They are now returning by commercial flight.

First class or economy I wonder?

(Today 01:26 )Snooks Wrote:  Steve Clarke has resigned as Scotland Head Coach.

Who could realistically take over from him? I don't think he has done a bad job, I think Scotland has performed consistently well in qualifying for this World Cup, even if they had to go through the playoffs, what they need now is someone who can rebuild that confidence and belief and take it forward and instil a bit more pride and keep the squad together, as I think it is one that can only get better with this experience

To be honest a 2-0 win flattered England.

They badly missed Rice and James, and it got worse was when Anderson went off.

There was a lack of midfield cover for the defense.

(Yesterday 12:30 )southsidestu Wrote:  It was quite amusing the way in which results when against us, we needed Ecuador to get a least a draw and they went and beat Germany of all teams. We needed Senegal to draw and they scored five. We needed USA (who have been good) to at least draw against Turkey (who have been shit) and Turkey win in the 98th minute. Australia to beat Paraguay by 2+ or Paraguay beat Australia by 4+ and the draw 0-0

There is a Real sense of Deus Ex Machina, England were screw by the hand of god in 86 & now its Scotland's turn

Scotland finished 3rd in their group with 3 pts. Based on previous tournaments with qualifying from 3rd place possible, that qualifies you for the next round 61% of the time, with goal difference being critical. 3pts with a goal difference of -1 or better qualifies you 74% of the time, but if (like Scotland) your goal difference is worse than -1 you only go through 46% of the time. So Scotland weren't really a victim of circumstances. With their results, they were always more likely to be eliminated than qualify.

Incidentally, your statement above that Scotland needed USA to at least draw against Turkey is incorrect. USA won the group and Turkey finished bottom, and that would have been the case whatever the outcome of that particular game. USA were already confirmed as group winners before that match and Turkey were already confirmed as finishing last. So that result had no bearing on Scotland's chances. It was Paraguay who finished 3rd in that group (and qualified as one of the best 3rd place teams).

(Today 12:04 )William H Bonney Wrote:  3pts with a goal difference of -1 or better qualifies you 74% of the time

Wow, how unlucky were Iran? 3rd in group with 3pts and goal difference of 0 and still didn't qualify.

Cape Verde also had 3pts and goal difference of 0, but they finished 2nd in group so did qualify.

(Today 09:12 )lovebabes56 Wrote:  I don't think he has done a bad job, I think Scotland has performed consistently well in qualifying for this World Cup, even if they had to go through the playoffs

Scotland didn't go through the play offs. They won their qualifying group. It was Denmark who went through the play offs from that group, and lost to Czechia.

(Today 12:48 )Joannis Wrote:  Wow, how unlucky were Iran? 3rd in group with 3pts and goal difference of 0 and still didn't qualify.

Yes, very unlucky, Joannis. 3rd in group with 3pts and goal difference of 0 would be enough to qualify 81% of the time.

(Today 13:00 )William H Bonney Wrote:  

(Today 12:48 )Joannis Wrote:  Wow, how unlucky were Iran? 3rd in group with 3pts and goal difference of 0 and still didn't qualify.

Yes, very unlucky, Joannis. 3rd in group with 3pts and goal difference of 0 would be enough to qualify 81% of the time.

not to mention two onside goals given as off its almost like it was planned

The two offside decisions against Iran were both correct, even if marginal.

Marginal offside is still offside.