Figured it’s time to get the thread started.
Pots are almost full.
Bracket drawings on Dec 5th
Scotland are in first time in 28 years
Curacoa are the smallest nation ever to qualify.
Italy playing for survival (again) in March.
Ronaldo confirmed in as FIFA postpones his last 2 suspensions until after the WC.
Neymar Jr. suffered another knee injury and his future is uncertain.
Messi…well…we’ll see
I’m still annoyed with FIFA in general and the 48 team format.
Good to have a dedicated thread. Especially once things kick off (pun intended)
A few of us have been tracking this in the other thread as well.
Yea I debated using the other thread but thought a dedicated one was better.
Might it be beneficial to indicate in your title the sport and whether men’s or women’s for which this ‘World Cup’ is being awarded (after the increase in number of teams which will result in so many lop-sided matches)?
Nope. This world cup was the first ever World Cup of any sport. Without my coffee I’m feeling snobbish. After I’ve had a cup maybe I’ll add FIFA. Who knows what the day will bring!
Happy Thanskgiving
The World Cup 2026.
There you go.
I’m with you. Everyone knows what the World Cup means.
Nobody needs to clarify they aren’t referring to the World Series of Backgammon when referencing that tournament in October.
You should specify which fuck is the sake we’re talking about. Don’t want any confusion.
Yep. It’s the WC and then the WWC. Dont even need to specify which gender.
As a heads up, drawing for the WC groupings is today (noon Eastern).
Fox will televise it in the US.
It’ll also be on Youtube, and FIFA’s website.
Big question (amongst others) … What countries will wind up in the group of death?
I’m surprised they are having draws without fully knowing who has qualified. Will a group be left to consist of the last remaining qualifiers?
The way the draw works is the 48 teams are ranked and initially grouped into 4 pots from which draws will select from. The 4th pot to draw from has placeholders for whomever comes through those matches.
Geez, there’s some load of bad teams in there. It’s hard to see any group of death. Group of average at best.
Well, it’s an expanded pool to 48 so additional slots opened up.
Credit to those teams for having won when it counts to make it this point. To those that haven’t made it but have a chance in the qualifying rounds – those are pretty brutal. Italy truly may not make it through. Other powerhouses (e.g. Nigeria) are also missing.
Either way, it should be interesting.
Yes I’d say there is added danger in drawing a team not yet qualified. That’s where the stronger group will come.
It’ll take me a while to get my brain around the new format and who progresses.
Totally worth it 
Haha
F*ck FIFA
That is all.
Let’s gooooooo WC!
