| World Cup 2026 12:37 - Dec 8 with 210 views | wessex_exile |
I'm sure everyone noticed the draw for the 2026 World Cup group stage was made last week, with England drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Obviously Croatia should be our strongest opposition (on paper), but it's going to be very hot, perhaps better suited for teams like Ghana and Panama?
Meanwhile, the World Cup Willies had their customary draw, and are in Group C alongside Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, Spain and Brazil (again). Well, Brazil at least, but 2022 semi-finalists Morocco are no slouches, so their advancement may well come down to how they perform against Haiti (another team infinitely better suited to the conditions). I suppose in their favour, given the new format of 48 teams at the group stage with 32 to qualify for the knock-out stage, 3rd place should be enough - all they have to do is beat Haiti and not get completely battered in the other two games.
There are still six places to fill from the play-offs, with Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all in with a shout of joining England and Scotland.
Other takeaways from Friday's draw - if anyone was wondering what level of influence Trump is going to have over the World Cup next year - there was your answer. Or indeed, the level of corruption in FIFA for that matter, with their hastily arranged 'inaugural' FIFA Peace Award going to none other than Trump himself. Trump is still smarting from being overlooked for the actual Nobel Peace Prize, and I would wager a pound to a penny actually demanded FIFA create a Peace Award for him to soothe his fragile ego.
In other news, now the draw has been made, the predetermined "Pride Match" in support of LGBTQ rights on June 26 in Seattle will be between...Egypt and Iran.
Honestly, who says satire is dead  |  |
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| World Cup 2026 on 19:01 - Dec 8 with 147 views | ghughes11 |
We're all very excited over here in NZ - our first World Cup since going undefeated in 2010 (3 draws)!
A group led by Belgium with Egypt and Iran has the Nation believing that we can get our first ever win at a World Cup (lost all 3 in 1982), and as Wessex mentioning a chance for some of the 3rd placed teams qulaifiying for the next round, a chance to get out of the group stages for the first time!
Everyone seems happy that we have all of our matches on the West Coast (2 in Vancouver and 1 in LA) as there are direct flights from NZ to both of these cities and the kick-off times are better for watching in NZ apparently (2x 1pm and 1x 3pm), rather than on the East Coast (8am, 9am etc).
All hopes will lay firmly with Chris Wood. However, there are a few names from the EFL in the squad including Liberato Cacace (Wrexham), Marko Stamenic (Swansea), Matt Garbett (Peterborough) and Ben Waine (Port Vale) and few with MLS experience which should help in a tournament held in that part of the World 
Kia kaha All Whites!  |  |
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