2026 World Cup thread

[HanSenSE]

Just to clear some loose ends.

 

[Spartan Squad]

Question: how will the third place seedlings work? There are five possibilities for the US to play in the knockout round (provided Turkey doesn’t do something silly and win tonight and against the US). Some are overlapping with other possible parings. So what takes precedent? Alphabetical order? The US would get group B unless they don’t qualify and then it’s next up until there’s a match up? Is itv seedings (best team out of the knockout gets the worst of their available opponents)? If it’s the first option, US look really good to go to the round of 16 facing Bosnia and good beyond that depending if Belgium doesn’t win its group. If it’s something else, there’s a chance they get the non 2nd finisher between Japan and Netherlands which would be less optimal.

 

[micropolitan guy]

My god I get these are US commentators in a US game in the US but I don’t know if they could be blowing these players and fans any harder

Worse than a WNBA or WBB broadcast.

 

[brn623cl]

Post match is much better with Alexi on the road and not part of the studio team today.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

My mate Hickey out of the XI today. Gutted.

 

[dixiehack]

I’m sure conservative America will be thrilled as the next match comes into focus and they learn it is spelled Türkiye now. Doubt we hear a discouraging word really.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

“Gobble gobble, *******!”

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Post match is much better with Alexi on the road and not part of the studio team today.

Zlatan obviously missed him. Thierry Henry too classy a guy to pile on.

 

[Cosmo]

Look, these are the matches we used to lose, the Ghanas, the Irans, etc. Instead, a comfortable win. Lovely.

Also, I went to school at VT with Antonio Freeman and it’s pretty cool to see his son kicking ass.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

Question: how will the third place seedlings work? There are five possibilities for the US to play in the knockout round (provided Turkey doesn’t do something silly and win tonight and against the US). Some are overlapping with other possible parings. So what takes precedent? Alphabetical order? The US would get group B unless they don’t qualify and then it’s next up until there’s a match up? Is itv seedings (best team out of the knockout gets the worst of their available opponents)? If it’s the first option, US look really good to go to the round of 16 facing Bosnia and good beyond that depending if Belgium doesn’t win its group. If it’s something else, there’s a chance they get the non 2nd finisher between Japan and Netherlands which would be less optimal.

A lot to unpack there. I’m gonna wait until after tonight’s last match. Everything will be a lot more clear (and before the next deadline.)

 

[Sam Mills 51]

I’m sure conservative America will be thrilled as the next match comes into focus and they learn it is spelled Türkiye now. Doubt we hear a discouraging word really.

Well, we all know who the real turkeys are.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

I am at the pub. About half the fellow US fans have filed out. A smattering of Scots have filled in - including one who brought a tray of meat pies. Two or three Brazil fans are here. I am enjoyably day drunk. I love the World Cup.

 

[tapintoamerica]

This isn't like previous World Cups. The field is diluted. Grew 50% from the last time. Although the sample sizes are smaller, it's probably somewhat analogous to half of Triple-A baseball getting promoted to the Majors.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

I am at the pub. About half the fellow US fans have filed out. A smattering of Scots have filled in - including one who brought a tray of meat pies. Two or three Brazil fans are here. I am enjoyably day drunk. I love the World Cup.

Still not eating haggis, though no overall shade meant toward the Scots.

 

[tapintoamerica]

Just to clear some loose ends.

Another statement that needs a qualifier. In 1930, the US won its two group stage matches and advanced. Back then, each team only played twice in group play because the field was smaller.

 

[tapintoamerica]

This is only the second time that the US has been 2-0 in the World Cup. The inaugural 1930 event is the other.
Before today, the US had tied five straight middle (second of three) games in group play.

 

[Roscablo]

Let's analyze the this isn't like previous World Cups when it is over. Maybe the US will still prove to be **** in the knockout or the group will be shown to be ****.

That said, what they are playing now is still the same format and they have never done this before (in three pool matches). Ever. And as has been mentioned, they have played teams like Slovenia, Wales, Iran and Algeria, the latter they needed a stoppage time goal to move forward.

And I'll say it again, I'm also old enough to remember some Concacaf blundering. Like losing to Trinidad and Tobago when they only needed a tie. It's OK to call this about something the US hasn't done before and to be good and happy about it.

 

[Roscablo]

This is only the second time that the US has been 2-0 in the World Cup. The inaugural 1930 event is the other.
Before today, the US had tied five straight middle (second of three) games in group play.

Just more examples of how there hasn't been a lot of excelling in this!

 

[Cosmo]

This isn't like previous World Cups. The field is diluted. Grew 50% from the last time. Although the sample sizes are smaller, it's probably somewhat analogous to half of Triple-A baseball getting promoted to the Majors.

It’s diluted, but the U.S. drew probably the most well balanced group in the tournament. No minnows.

 

[bumpy mcgee]

Fox couldn't help itself, they had to put Gronk and Edelman in kilts and have them doofus it up with Scotland fans.