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FIFA 2026 WC - general

I get what you are saying abotu Sweden.

But you are using the wrong critieria to criticise the current situation in relation to minnows.

The World Cup has ALWAYS given weaker confederations more slots than what their ability warrants.


Italy can only blame themselves
Particularly CONCACAF.
 
I’ve got an odd feeling that Croatia will struggle qualifying for future World Cups. Nothing against them but I kinda think they might do an Italy once their Gold Gen retires.
 
 
Big news out of Holland:


In the Netherlands, you automatically lose Dutch citizenship if you acquire another nationality unless you were born in that country, lived there for more than five years since turning 18 or are married to someone from there. This means that Dutch players switching to other non-EU countries are counted as non-EU players and thus don’t have appropriate work permits.

This could potentially deter more Dutch players from switching their allegiances, which would heavily impact Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Indonesia and Suriname.
 
The Mexican stadiums are great as actual football stadiums. The USA ones have the weirdest camera heights and angles. I hope they adjust the platforms for filming. I know football stadiums also have high stand walls but these NFL stadiums with the high pitch edge walls just make it feel more distant and impersonal.
 
Big news out of Holland:


In the Netherlands, you automatically lose Dutch citizenship if you acquire another nationality unless you were born in that country, lived there for more than five years since turning 18 or are married to someone from there. This means that Dutch players switching to other non-EU countries are counted as non-EU players and thus don’t have appropriate work permits.

This could potentially deter more Dutch players from switching their allegiances, which would heavily impact Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Indonesia and Suriname.
Is this a new law? Lots of countries changing things of late.
 
Is this a new law? Lots of countries changing things of late.
Nah in the Netherlands you automatically lose Dutch citizenship if you acquire citizenship of a country you weren’t born in, didn’t live at least five years in before turning 18 or aren’t married to someone from.
 
A couple of articles coming in that Joachim Löw will Coach Ghana at the World cup. If it's true I'd expect more tabloids to be on it tomorrow but a lot of other places don't report until it's official.
 
ELO Ranking

Group A

Team

Elo Rank

Mexico

20

South Korea

32

Czechia

40

South Africa

79
Group average Elo rank: 42.75

Group B

Team

Elo Rank

Switzerland

16

Canada

25

Bosnia and Herzegovina

66

Qatar

95
Group average Elo rank: 50.5 (weakest group by average rank)

Group C

Team

Elo Rank

Brazil

5

Morocco

24

Scotland

29

Haiti

77
Group average Elo rank: 33.75

Group D

Team

Elo Rank

Turkey

14

Paraguay

22

Australia

26

United States

41
Group average Elo rank: 25.75

Group E

Team

Elo Rank

Ecuador

9

Germany

11

Ivory Coast

52

Curaçao

90
Group average Elo rank: 40.5

Group F

Team

Elo Rank

Netherlands

8

Japan

13

Sweden

43

Tunisia

58
Group average Elo rank: 30.5

Group G

Team

Elo Rank

Belgium

19

Iran

31

Egypt

51

New Zealand

68
Group average Elo rank: 42.25

Group H

Team

Elo Rank

Spain

1

Uruguay

15

Saudi Arabia

71

Cape Verde

72
Group average Elo rank: 39.75

Group I

Team

Elo Rank

France

3

Norway

12

Senegal

17

Iraq

63
Group average Elo rank: 23.75 (strongest group by average rank)

Group J

Team

Elo Rank

Argentina

2

Austria

23

Algeria

35

Jordan

50
Group average Elo rank: 27.5

Group K

Team

Elo Rank

Portugal

6

Colombia

7

Uzbekistan

38

DR Congo

54
Group average Elo rank: 26.25

Group L

Team

Elo Rank

England

4

Croatia

10

Panama

36

Ghana

82
Group average Elo rank: 33

Group Strength Summary (by average Elo rank, lowest/strongest to highest/weakest)
Group I23.75
Group K26.25
Group J27.50
Group D25.75
Group F30.50
Group L33.00
Group C33.75
Group H39.75
Group E40.50
Group G42.25
Group A42.75
Group B50.50
 
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If I was any of teams I would be pretty confident of going through as either 1 or 2. Mexico, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, Spain, Uruguay, France, Argentina, Portugal, Columbia, England, Croatia. The rest is a toss up for the other 15 spots including the best 8 thirds.
 

Putting this here too. Can't resist a few upsets to see where things go. I had Australia against NZ in the knockouts.

Egypt had a goalless draw against Spain.

Maybe Algerian will surprise and Austria could be lame. Would love Uzbekistan to do well.

I think the groups with two weaker teams hopefully draw as the it diminishes a claim for 3rd ranking provided we win at least one game.
 
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