World Cup 2026 - Official Thread

Korea just capitulated so badly, set out from the first minute to get the draw they needed to secure second in the group and play Canada in LA (home to the largest Korean population outside of Korea) and let South Africa have as much ball as they wanted. SA are terrible out of possession but with nothing to lose and all of the ball they got the goal they deserved, and with half an hour left Korea went on the offensive but had no momentum and couldn't find the attacking rhythm they needed to score or even really threaten much. Not a good game objectively, but a fascinating one and as a Canadian I'm not upset to get South Africa instead of Korea.

As a side note, I now understand why Spurs let Son walk when they did. He looks a shadow of the player he was.

At least Scotland are probably out.

It's worth watching the first 30 seconds of the BBC highlights for Scotland v Brazil. Feel bad for McKenna, but the timing of the over ambitious Scottish commentary is absolutely perfect.

I'm not defending the referee (as I didn't see the penatly decision) or afcon as a month is a ridiculous delay but it is actually a rule that you can't just walk off the pitch and then come back on as and when you feel like it. so they didn't win fair and square. Why it took afcon a month to realise that you will have to ask them.

Im proud in certain ways to be British and English and to have elements of that heritage. It is who I am (Fuck the Nazis obvs). I really love Scotland and Scots. But fuck their football team and what fun for them to finally get to a WC and be thoroughly reminded of their place.

They will quite likely qualify for the knockouts for the first time ever and declare the great progression of Scottish football.

So not put in their place at all, quite the opposite sadly.

You think? I haven't thoroughly reviewed the fixtures of the teams below them, but they look in big trouble to me. Their GD has screwed them. Even losing that game 2-0 rather than 3-0 is likely to be the difference.

Senegal beat Iraq and Congo DR beat Uzbekistan and Scotland go home, plus a few other variations of this. They will be very lucky to have all the results go their way for them to qualify for the knockouts .

Opta have it 50:50 I think I heard, so guess not likely but a fair chance.

That may have been before the games early this morning not sure if they changed anything.

I'm not sure it's as simple as that. Paraguay currently sit above Scotland, but if they lose to Australia say 2-0 they would drop below. Sure there are other potential scenarios like that too.

A lot can change, currently Cape Verde amongst that 8 but they could easily win leaving Uruguay in 3rd who would probably not make the 8 if they lost to Spain

I'd not be confident if I was a Scotland fan.

You won't be surprised to hear I'm of the same opinion.

Opta now have them at 25%

Another round of pretty boring games tonight. Curacao obviously going out. Germany already top of the ground guaranteed. Ecuador and Ivory Coast just going through the motions for second and third but can't imagine they care much between those options.

Ecuador have to win, if they don't they're not going through to R32. So I imagine they care very much.