FIFA World Cup 2026

[AZ_HighCountry]

Was not expecting AUT to tie it up in literally the closing seconds.

 

[ShapurII]

I want to stay positive, but I cannot see it happen. I think Ramin teared up because he knew our chances are really slim now.

Ghana does not want to advance as the 2nd team because one of their players cannot enter Canada (the host of their would-be next match) due to having an open sexual harassment case against him. Also, as a rule of thumb, Queiroz excels at defensive football only.

Algeria might want to win against Austria, but I'm not sure if they have the quality to pull that off without counting on luck. And I think both teams will play for a draw because why risk when a draw helps you both advance?

As for Uzbekistan, Congo isn't that bad. They play physically and it'll be a difficult match for the Uzbeks, and we already have a bad memory from Uzbekistan vs Qatar in 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Besides that, Uzbekistan has no chance of advancing to the next round. So, why bother?

Maybe if Ghana, Algeria, Austria or Uzbekistan had more motivation to play and needed to win to advance to the next round, things would've been different.

On paper, our chance to advance to the next round remains high but with a bit of pessimism, not that much.

Unfortunately, my predictions came true.

 

[Fatman17]

Was not expecting AUT to tie it up in literally the closing seconds.

What did yogi berra say?

 

[_Arabia_]

Messi is absolutely amazing. GOAT without any question. Anyone questioning this is not very bright or knows very little about football.

Never has there been a footballer this good let alone at 39 years of age. 6 goals already with zero of them being penalties. This is more than most World Cup top scorers throughout World Cup history since 1930.

With the favorable draw of Argentina he can extend this goal tally further if he does not suffer from an injury.

Allien.

 

[Musings]

Ffs that’s unbelievable - Austria scoring like that in the 6th minute of extra time when there was only 4 minutes left? Crazy just crazy.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

What did yogi berra say?

Not over until it's over?

 

[LeonBlack08]

Crazy game. Heart break for Iran.

 

[Fatman17]

Ffs that’s unbelievable - Austria scoring like that in the 6th minute of extra time when there was only 4 minutes left? Crazy just crazy.

Fergie time bro! Don't be surprised

 

[LeonBlack08]

Iran can only blame themselves. The conspiracy theories are hilarious

Conspiracy theories aside, we do have to acknowledge the unfair treatment they had to endure. Flying back to Mexico after every game is not easy and impacted their on field performance and recovery. Fifa should have changed the fixtures or intervened. Imagine this was happening against a Western country. Fifa would have bent over to accommodate.

 

[Fatman17]

Conspiracy theories aside, we do have to acknowledge the unfair treatment they had to endure. Flying back to Mexico after every game is not easy and impacted their on performance and recovery. Fifa should have changed the fixtures or intervened. Imagine this was happening against a Western country. Fifa would have bent over to accommodate.

True

 

[Fatman17]

Knockout stage is set

 

[ChillVein]

After the group stage, I no longer see Spain, Portugal, and England as favorites; I think we'll see a repeat of the France vs. Argentina final.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

After the group stage, I no longer see Spain, Portugal, and England as favorites; I think we'll see a repeat of the France vs. Argentina final.

As long as @Watandar doesn't endorse any one, the field is wide open. Except for England perhaps.

 

[Desert]

Anyway, respect to the Iranian team and hope the best for them in the future.

 

[lightning f57]

After the group stage, I no longer see Spain, Portugal, and England as favorites; I think we'll see a repeat of the France vs. Argentina final.

I think the Spainish can go all the way too. But on current form hard to see beyond France and Arg final again.