World Cup 2026 World Cup 2026 - USA/Mexico/Canada

[Webzcas]

It's not coming home, is it?

Well the record of having the most possession ( 78.8% ) in a World Cup match without scoring a goal is coming home to England.

 

[Mr Shine]

Scotland appear to be going home, yet again not cracking the group stages, after every result last night went against them, need a miracle from the remaining games to not be a bottom-4 3rd place finisher.

 

[Webzcas]

To be honest, Brazil or not, Scotland were shockingly awful against them and don't deserve to qualify for the last 32 - Which after the results played out last night, I doubt they will.

 

[Webzcas]

It really does not want to come home, does it?

 

[2Slots]

It really does not want to come home, does it?

England should get past Congo but have a hard match in the last 16 if Mexico get through. They have home advantage plus I was seeing a lot about the high altitude playing in Mexico.

That match will be at 1am on a Monday if it happens

Have to say that Congo could be much better than expected as they drew 1-1 with Portugal and only lost 1-0 to Colombia.

Argentina look to have an easy run to the semis on paper.

Little but suspicious if you ask me as there weren't really any shocks with the group winners except maybe USA topping their group as Turkey completely flopped

Shame Netherlands/Morocco is at 2am, will probably be a great game.

Edit: Just noticed that Canada don't get to play any more games in their own country. Their match tonight is in LA! Bit odd if they are a host. Mexico get last 32 and 16 in Mexico and USA stay home too however far they go.

 

[Webzcas]

I am in London on Tuesday and staying up there for the night. Won't be home until just an hour before kick off on Wednesday, if that is my train is not delayed.

If it is, just hope the 5/4g signal is good as will have to watch it on my phone.

Yeah playing in Mexico City at altitude in the last 16 is a worrying prospect, even more so if it is indeed Mexico, who have good recent form of late.

But we cannot look past Congo, even though on paper it should be a dead cert win.

 

[Webzcas]

Another great game just gone. Japan so unlucky not to get to extra time. Well done Brazil though, have to say I don't rate this Brazilian side. They are ok, but no chance of winning the World Cup imo.

 

[2Slots]

Another great game just gone. Japan so unlucky not to get to extra time. Well done Brazil though, have to say I don't rate this Brazilian side. They are ok, but no chance of winning the World Cup imo.

I'm convinced it's because they have too many premier league players in the lineup.

They just don't play how Brazil of the past played. More like a prem team trying to keep possession.

A Brazil team with only one flair player just seems wrong!

 

[Webzcas]

For me the best Brazil team in my lifetime was that of the Brazil team in the 1982 World Cup held in Spain. Granted, they did not win it, but the players they had were awesome. Zico, Socrates, Junior, Falcao. They also played how Brazil should play.

 

[Guntis]

I was born in 1982, so I wasn’t really able to watch football live back then... but I watched every game of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. I think Brazil's team with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, etc. was great. Similarly, I think England and Germany's teams that played against Brazil in 2002 were the best.

Here Brazil beat England 2-1 when David Seaman let it slip in:

 

[Guntis]

Paraguay just smoked Germany out of FIFA 2026...

well, that's one less strong team for England to worry about facing.

 

[Guntis]

What's notable is that Paraguay beat both Argentina and Brazil during the qualifiers.

 

[Webzcas]

Paraguay just smoked Germany out of FIFA 2026...

View attachment 223129

well, that's one less strong team for England to worry about facing.

HAHAHA. I nearly spat out my morning coffee seeing this

First time Germany have lost in a penalty shoot out at the World Cup. Welcome to how that feels being an England fan and all

Also Morocco have done the exact same to Holland just now as well.

 

[sufferinsilence]

Morocco beating the Netherlands isn't really that big a surprise but it was a boring game. The Dutch adapted too much to the Moroccans playing a 5 man defense... I don't think I've seen that since Italy somewhere in the 90s!

Unlucky they conceded in the 91st minute even tho it was a deserved goal for Morocco. The keeper of Holland was definitely the man of the match for me, very unlucky on one of the penalties too.

 

[Webzcas]

Too early ( late ) for me to catch the Holland vs Morocco game. But enjoyed the Brazil game and also the penalty shoot out that saw Germany go home.

Watching Germany, was akin to watching England. Lots of good individual players, but woah, they were poor last night.

 

[cof180]

Lovely couple of results to wake up to!

 

[pereblue]

Wow, amazing match between the Netherlands and Morocco. I’ve just watched the replay... no way I could watch it live, and I really enjoyed it as a spectator.
Very emotional moment when Gakpo scored (an Angel saw his father scoring fr the first time), and then that 91st-minute goal from Diop… incredible. Penalties as usual a Lottery and its a "must" to suffer some round with Penalties for a Winner Candidate.
Also, an “interesting” stat from this Round of 32: 2 out of 4 games have gone to penalties so far, and Brazil did a miracle just last minute.

Overall I'm enjoying this WC, and we are still Live (La Roja). fr today 3 more but TBH I'm only able to watch Ivorie C. vs Norway, LEt see if Haaland could defeat vs th Elephants

 

[Mr Shine]

Can anybody explain why this bet at Betano is so lopsided? It seems like it should be evens, but I don't think bookies make stupid mistakes, so there must be a reason.

 

[2Slots]

View attachment 223219

Can anybody explain why this bet at Betano is so lopsided? It seems like it should be evens, but I don't think bookies make stupid mistakes, so there must be a reason.

Bookies odds aren't only based on event probability but also volume of money placed on each possibility so the odds change based on that.

The coin toss to decide ko is 50/50 but the bookie odds will reflect the amount of money that has been or could be placed on either outcome.

In your example it probably means that there has been more money placed on England to win the kick off or they expect more people to bet on England than Congo for that market.

 

[Mr Shine]

Bookies odds aren't only based on event probability but also volume of money placed on each possibility so the odds change based on that.

The coin toss to decide ko is 50/50 but the bookie odds will reflect the amount of money that has been or could be placed on either outcome.

In your example it probably means that there has been more money placed on England to win the kick off or they expect more people to bet on England than Congo for that market.

That is absolutely not true. Bookies do not chase stupid odds down. If the punters bet irrationally they prepare for either taking a bath or getting a good payout, they can cope with any event due to their scale. I would also find it implausible that on a bet that is 50/50 punter money would go far one way. I think there has to be a reason it's not 50-50 but eff me if I know what it is.

 

[Mr Shine]

The coin toss is definitely 50-50. What happens then is the winning captain gets to choose the starting end or whether to kick off first and the other captain chooses the other. I can't see any reason for any asymmetry in what the captains would desire in either case.

 

[Lemon]

Eddie Howe was about 15 minutes from falling upwards there...

 

[Webzcas]

I think I have lost my voice, if you find it please let me know!

 

[Mr Shine]

Never in doubt.

 

[2Slots]

That is absolutely not true. Bookies do not chase stupid odds down. If the punters bet irrationally they prepare for either taking a bath or getting a good payout, they can cope with any event due to their scale. I would also find it implausible that on a bet that is 50/50 punter money would go far one way. I think there has to be a reason it's not 50-50 but eff me if I know what it is.

It seems you're confusing how sports betting works and how casino games work for the bookies/casinos.

What happens in the actual event is irrelevant to the bookie, they are only interested in balancing their book as best as possible to make a profit. You would never get both outcomes at evens as that would mean no margin for the bookies.

Either way you should do a bit of research yourself how bookmakers work if you don't believe what I've written. A google search should confirm it and probably has more information that I didn't include.

 

[Mr Shine]

It seems you're confusing how sports betting works and how casino games work for the bookies/casinos.

What happens in the actual event is irrelevant to the bookie, they are only interested in balancing their book as best as possible to make a profit. You would never get both outcomes at evens as that would mean no margin for the bookies.

Either way you should do a bit of research yourself how bookmakers work if you don't believe what I've written. A google search should confirm it and probably has more information that I didn't include.

Obviously they wouldn't pay evens, they'd pay 1.83 or something. You need to learn how economies of scale work and how bookmakers don't go chasing down every piddling little market to try to "balance their book" just because that market is lopsided.

The fact they were paying 1.3 and 3.0 instead of 1.83 and 1.83 indicates that for some reason Betano's traders thought England were far more likely to kick off, not that more people bet on England to kick off

This is too much of a digression now, so I won't respond again in this thread, feel free to get the last word in if you wish, or if you want to create a new thread I'll be happy to discuss it there.

 

[Guntis]

Claude AI says the following about those kickoff bets. Not sure whether it's true, but it makes sense.

The kick-off decision isn't purely random even though the coin toss is. Since 2019, the IFAB rules changed: the toss winner chooses either which goal to attack or whether to kick off, and the other captain gets the remaining choice. So there are two steps, a 50/50 coin toss, then a team decision that's often habitual rather than random.

 

[2Slots]

Obviously they wouldn't pay evens, they'd pay 1.83 or something. You need to learn how economies of scale work and how bookmakers don't go chasing down every piddling little market to try to "balance their book" just because that market is lopsided.

The fact they were paying 1.3 and 3.0 instead of 1.83 and 1.83 indicates that for some reason Betano's traders thought England were far more likely to kick off, not that more people bet on England to kick off

This is too much of a digression now, so I won't respond again in this thread, feel free to get the last word in if you wish, or if you want to create a new thread I'll be happy to discuss it there.

You asked a question asking for an explanation in a way that came across like you didn't have any idea at all, I answered, you said I'm wrong but in a very confusing way so I replied again.

You just replied again like you know how bookies work but still don't put any reason why you think that market was like that but snidely want to argue against my answer again then do the patronising 'have the last word but I won't reply' bs.

What a weird interaction!

 

[2Slots]

I think I have lost my voice, if you find it please let me know!

When Congo scored I straight away thought about the post I made about them. Kane to the rescue!

The thing is there's so many moments where England looks world class, if they can put it together more consistently like France do I can't see why they don't make it to the semis at least.

Test after test all the way now - Mexico then Brazil/Norway and probably Argentina/Colombia.

The squad has got players that can match every team I reckon. Apart from Messi and Vinius Jr everyone else is either pretty equal or much better compared to players in those 5 squads imo.

 

[Webzcas]

Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, 7000 feet above sea level, with a cauldron of support for the joint hosts. They have not lost a game or indeed conceded as of yet.

It is an incredibly tough ask, especially when you look at the frailties of the England defence, which is average at best.

This is our first proper test against the 9th best team in the world according to the last FIFA rankings. A tall tall ask.

Will I be up at 1am Sunday night / Monday morning to watch it? Absolutely!

 

[Webzcas]

Oh I do have one thing to add

 

[Webzcas]

Spain easing through to the last 16. My pre tournament tip for the World Cup. I cannot believe that Yamal is only 18.

 

[sufferinsilence]

And the worst thing is Yamal hasn't even been playing that good. Spain is just quietly going through to the last 16 whilst France is playing with so much flair... Wonder if Spain can still turn it up a notch.

I'm still shellshocked by our game yesterday evening, what a turnaround that was!

 

[Guntis]

One thing i've noticed about England is that they start to play properly only in the second half - around 30 min before the end. And if they manage to get a lead, say 2-1, it becomes very tough for the other team (especially one that is technically worse) to score.

 

[Webzcas]

I'm still shellshocked by our game yesterday evening, what a turnaround that was!

Quite and that is what makes football 'the beautiful game'

 

[Guntis]

I just checked, and England only scored in the first half in one of their four games. So i reckon if they wake up from the start and score at least 1 goal, they'll be tough to beat, whoever they play next.

England would face Ghana in the quarterfinals if Ghana wins Colombia and England wins Mexico.

 

[Webzcas]

Mexico at the Azteca, 2000 meters or 7000 feet above sea level. 90,000 strong crowd cheering on the hosts. A very very tough ask based on England's four games so far. Mexico are ranked #10 in the world by FIFA prior to the World Cup.

But then, to win the World Cup you have to get through these games. One thing for sure is that I am convinced like a seasoned boxer, England do and will raise their game depending on the opposition.

 

[Mr Shine]

England would face Ghana in the quarterfinals if Ghana wins Colombia and England wins Mexico.

Ghana at the semis if we beat Mexico then Brazil/Norway and they beat Colombia, Switzerland and Argentina/Cape Verde/Australia/Egypt.

 

[Guntis]

Cabo Verde vs Argentina was a great game, and X is buzzing about it. Cabo Verde equalized twice, but Argentina still managed to win 3-2 after extra time. I was secretly hoping Argentina would get knocked out

 

[sufferinsilence]

That was one hell of a game, well especially the extra time.

And the goal from Cabo Verde in the extra time might just be the goal of the tournament so far. Hope we get to see more of them next time around!

 

[Wait!What?]

Mexico at the Azteca, 2000 meters or 7000 feet above sea level. 90,000 strong crowd cheering on the hosts. A very very tough ask based on England's four games so far. Mexico are ranked #10 in the world by FIFA prior to the World Cup.

But then, to win the World Cup you have to get through these games. One thing for sure is that I am convinced like a seasoned boxer, England do and will raise their game depending on the opposition.

I see this one going into to the penalty shootouts.

 

[Mr Shine]

Whoever actually wins it, Cape Verde are the team of the tournament.

 

[geordiecolin]

Whoever actually wins it, Cape Verde are the team of the tournament.

One thing seems sure.That the distance between what where the elite nations and the also rans has shortened. Individual skill and fitness is the thing that seporate them because there is little difference in tactics and team formations these days.

I have loved Cape Verde and the smaller nations. Iran was a total travesty

 

[mcgameboy]

The 2-2 goal for Cape Verde was an absolute worldie. I literally went "WHOA!" when it happened.
And I almost NEVER do that while watching a game of footy.
Like seriously, HOW does a left back score a goal like THAT with his supposedly WEAKER foot?

And massive credit to the ref for NOT booking Sidny Cabral for going into the stands to celebrate.
He knew the impact and the sheer beauty of the moment and decided "no, I'm not going to be THAT guy today".

I'll be honest, I was a bit sceptical about there being so many minnows in this World Cup.
And when Germany beat Curacao 7-1, I thought my scepticism was going to be justified.
But then the Spain vs Cape Verde game happened.

They have gone out of the tournament without losing a game in 90 minutes.
Didn't win one either, but still. What a helluva job they did.

I really hope they can qualify for the next one (and that Vozinha has enough left in him to enjoy one last hurrah at the age of 44). And also that the players land some good contracts off the back of their efforts in this one, because they have been a breath of fresh air.

 

[geordiecolin]

The 2-2 goal for Cape Verde was an absolute worldie. I literally went "WHOA!" when it happened.
And I almost NEVER do that while watching a game of footy.
Like seriously, HOW does a left back score a goal like THAT with his supposedly WEAKER foot?

And massive credit to the ref for NOT booking Sidny Cabral for going into the stands to celebrate.
He knew the impact and the sheer beauty of the moment and decided "no, I'm not going to be THAT guy today".

I'll be honest, I was a bit sceptical about there being so many minnows in this World Cup.
And when Germany beat Curacao 7-1, I thought my scepticism was going to be justified.
But then the Spain vs Cape Verde game happened.

They have gone out of the tournament without losing a game in 90 minutes.
Didn't win one either, but still. What a helluva job they did.

I really hope they can qualify for the next one (and that Vozinha has enough left in him to enjoy one last hurrah at the age of 44). And also that the players land some good contracts off the back of their efforts in this one, because they have been a breath of fresh air.

I can see a lot of those never heard of before players gracing the English game next season. And I agree that 2nd Verde goal was great.
I hope Englands game is brought forward 7 hours like it has been suggested.

 

[Wait!What?]

A hard one for the English boys at the Azteca

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[Guntis]

Viagra can actually help reduce fatigue from physical exertion at high altitude, or so they say.

So you're running and kicking a ball around with a hard-on, but hey, no altitude sickness?

I bet there has to be alternatives that mountain climbers usually take.

 

[geordiecolin]

A hard one for the English boys at the Azteca

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I wondered why Mrs Patel across the road says she is planning on watching the next England game in bed

 

[2Slots]

One thing seems sure.That the distance between what where the elite nations and the also rans has shortened. Individual skill and fitness is the thing that seporate them because there is little difference in tactics and team formations these days.

I have loved Cape Verde and the smaller nations. Iran was a total travesty

It seems like a lot of nations are slowly implementing the same strategy; grandparenting in so many players who were born abroad if they play at a decent/high level in the top leagues/teams.

Many of those guys wouldn't get into the european national teams where they were born unless they are the best of the best.

Turns out Hakimi is born in Spain but how many of the other Moroccan players would get a permanent spot in the Netherlands/France/Belgium teams.

The Cape Verde story is interesting. Popped up when I was watching the highlights:

 

[Guntis]

I'd say France barely beat Paraguay. That penalty handed them the win.