FIFA World Cup 2026

[bremsstrahlung]

Some absolute cinema over this last week of qualifying.

Norway beating Italy to secure their spot. (I bloody love when Italy lose after 2006).

Iraq scoring a 107th minute winner. (17 minutes of additional time - somehow).

Scotland beating Denmark for a spot with 93rd and 97th minute goals.

Last but not least - Ireland. Beating Portugal and getting Ronaldo sent off (and creating a meme) to keep hopes alive. Then against Hungary with an 86th minute equaliser (still not enough) and a 96th minute winner. Irish commentary is a hoot.


Very glad we are already in, and not having to go through the sudden death playoff games for a change.

 

[Celticman98]

New Zealand will be at the FIFA World Cup next year for the first time since 2010.

 

[bremsstrahlung]

USA getting a rigged draw* worked in our favour as:

Australia drew USA (host), Paraguay (lowest ranked South American qualifier) and the winner of Turkey, Kosovo, Romania and Slovakia (lowest ranked euro qualifier).

New Zealand also got a decent group with Belgium, Egypt and Iran.

And big congratulations to President Trump on being awarded the very first “FIFA Peace Prize”.

* from a USA Perspective they ended up with the lowest ranked team in Pot 2, the worst South American team and the weakest European playoff team. So the draw couldn’t have gone any better for the USA.

 

[Thieves Like Us]

Potential group of death for England with games against Croatia and Ghana! If they manage to top the group the seedlings thing will see them likely play Brazil in the quarters so that will be the end of our WC! 60 years of hurt and counting…..