674 replies to this topic

[BSLMikeLowe]

Announcement today.....the 2026 Cup, with 48 teams, will feature 12 groups with 4 teams each. The top 2 in each group will still advance to the knockout rounds, as will the top eight 3rd place teams (not sure exactly how tie-breakers would work there).

 

Since the tournament will now feature 104 matches, it will last for 39 days. FIFA will reduce the pre-tournament release period from 23 to 16 days to help make up for it.

[Mashed Potatoes]

I hate it!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

I hate it!

Which part(s)?

 

While I wouldn't have expanded in the first place 4 team groups was the only way to go. The idea of 3 team groups was a nonstarter.

[DuffMan]

Which part(s)?

 

While I wouldn't have expanded in the first place 4 team groups was the only way to go. The idea of 3 team groups was a nonstarter.

The only way I would get on board with a 3 team group would be if the WC was more frequent (3 years).  But if we are sticking to 4 years then I need at least 3 games.

[BSLMikeLowe]

3 team groups creates a situation where one team doesn’t get to play on the final day of the group stage. That can potentially lead to prearranged deals between the two teams that do play. 4 team groups were the way to go.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

3 team groups creates a situation where one team doesn’t get to play on the final day of the group stage. That can potentially lead to prearranged deals between the two teams that do play. 4 team groups were the way to go.

Besides the ability to create collusion like this its also a serious mistake from a pure soccer standpoint. One team gets to see a result for the other 2 before they even step on the field. Allows them to juggle their roster.

 

Then suppose a team gets the easy draw and plays on match day 1 and 2. They can use same starting XI in both matches since they have an extra long break between their second match and the knockout stage. A 3 team group just was full of problems and shouldn't have even been considered in the first place. But then hey its FIFA.

[Mike in STL]

Does this make the qualifiers watered down? Like the US will always get in now with a field of this size? Was it Italy that was a surprise missing team this year? That’ll never happen again, right.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Does this make the qualifiers watered down? Like the US will always get in now with a field of this size? Was it Italy that was a surprise missing team this year? That’ll never happen again, right.

 

2026 is a bit different with three hosts each guaranteed automatic berths. Not sure what the breakdown will be after that in cycles with one host country, but for sure CONCACAF will get at least one extra bid, making it more unlikely the US would ever miss out.

[Mashed Potatoes]

Which part(s)?

While I wouldn't have expanded in the first place 4 team groups was the only way to go. The idea of 3 team groups was a nonstarter.

For sure 3 team groups would've been worse but I don't like the diluting of the field.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Certainly with a 48 team format the intensity of qualifications is reduced. And Mike is right. With CONCACAF getting at least 4 spots in the future there is really no excuse for the US not making it every time.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

In the latest insanity, the head of CONMEBOL has proposed that WC2030 be expanded to 64 teams. It's insanity. We haven't even had the first WC with 48 teams to see how that works and this dumb ass wants more.

Newsflash you idiot: EVERY country in the world already participates. It's just 32 and now 48 that make the final rounds.

Maybe we should just eliminate qualification and have a tournament with all 211 countries? 😂😂

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Well in not so fun, but no surprising news, I got notified today by FIFA that I did not get a lottery draw to buy tickets. Still have the USSF lottery draw this winter but looks like any chance to get tickets is going to lie in the second hand market. $$$$

[MJM]

Woohoo Scotland beats Denmark 4-2 to win their group and qualify for the WC! First time since 1998! Mon the bhoys!!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Draw for the WC is today. US is in Pot #1. Unfortunately it will be a shock if we don't get a very tough draw. FIFA in its infinite wisdom has decided to repeat the disaster from 2022 and put the playoff teams all in Pot #4. Without going in to a long discussion that means that the US has a greater than 50% chance of drawing a UEFA team in Pot #4 since they can't draw a CONCACAF team. I have seen all the permutations and it won't surprise anybody if we end up with 2 UEFA teams in our group.

 

This team is good enough to win our group regardless of the draw but for once it would be nice to have a group with a little breathing room. Although I can't imagine us not advancing given that 8 of the 12 3rd place finishers will advance.

 

Fingers crossed and for those interested its on FOX starting at 1100 EST.

[BSLChrisStoner]

I hope they get the toughest draw possible. 

 

They'll be told over and over they can't advance, and there will be no expectations that they do.

 

The US with a chip on their shoulder, with no larger expectations over them, defending their home soil will be fun to watch. 

[BSLSteveBirrer]

[BSLSteveBirrer]

I hope they get the toughest draw possible. 

 

They'll be told over and over they can't advance, and there will be no expectations that they do.

 

The US with a chip on their shoulder, with no larger expectations over them, defending their home soil will be fun to watch. 

In a "normal" WC I'd could actually get in line with that. But not so much this time around since they have 48 teams. Means that to get to what most would consider a solid tournament, the Round of 16, we have to play an extra game. Playing 5 vs 4 is going to mean even more importance on roster rotation. The easier the group the more rotation you can do during the group stage. Now also have to recognize that that is mitigated a little by the group schedule. With basically 6 days between matches players are going to get more rest than normal to begin with.

 

Man I so can't wait.

[glenn__davis]

I'm not getting sucked into this again.  Last time I watched the draw it was like 45 minutes of corporate brown-nosing until they actually started.  

[BSLSteveBirrer]

I'm not getting sucked into this again.  Last time I watched the draw it was like 45 minutes of corporate brown-nosing until they actually started.  

Kinda like the Super Bowl.....lol

[DuffMan]

I'm not getting sucked into this again. Last time I watched the draw it was like 45 minutes of corporate brown-nosing until they actually started.

Without elaborating it's even worse this time. I'll check on the groups later.