Today’s Football 2022/23 Season

[GoldenToffee]

104 matches set for World Cup 2026, with 12 groups of 4 and a last 32 stretching over 39 days.

Hilariously, FIFA decided to keep the four-team groups after the excitement and jeopardy of the group stage in Qatar - but are now allowing 8 third-placed sides through to the knockouts now as well.

Frankenstein's Monster is alive and well and kicking off in Mexico, Canada, and the USA in three years time.

So only 16 from 48 competing teams drop after the group stage? lol You'll have teams playing their Women's Second XI in the second and third games when they know they're making it through.

 

[Billy Dean]

So only 16 from 48 competing teams drop after the group stage? lol You'll have teams playing their Women's Second XI in the second and third games when they know they're making it through.

It will basically be an enlarged version of the new 24-team Euros. No real jeopardy in most groups so all the fun will probably be in the knockouts only

 

[Nymzee]

I see Ronaldo is trying to make himself relevant again with outbursts.

 

[glory_daze]

104 matches set for World Cup 2026, with 12 groups of 4 and a last 32 stretching over 39 days.

Hilariously, FIFA decided to keep the four-team groups after the excitement and jeopardy of the group stage in Qatar - but are now allowing 8 third-placed sides through to the knockouts now as well.

Frankenstein's Monster is alive and well and kicking off in Mexico, Canada, and the USA in three years time.

The fact that it being held in 3 different countries devalues it right away, it's now becoming the international version of the fa cup where all the games kick off times/ dates are spread all over the place. Its more about quantity than quality the world cup now.

 

[ForestBlue]

Potentially looking at 1000+ stickers in the Panini album .. good luck affording to collect that lot!

A tournament across 3 different countries has no real soul but you know the yanks will try to brand it their way

Mexico's 3rd go at hosting too!

Go Canada!

 

[DualityNSNO]

Potentially looking at 1000+ stickers in the Panini album .. good luck affording to collect that lot!

A tournament across 3 different countries has no real soul but you know the yanks will try to brand it their way

Mexico's 3rd go at hosting too!

Go Canada!

I'm probably alone in the "I think it'll be fun" camp.

Horrible for travelling and catching non-"local" (to your hotel/airbnb) games though.

 

[Drico]

So only 16 from 48 competing teams drop after the group stage? lol You'll have teams playing their Women's Second XI in the second and third games when they know they're making it through.

This really is a bloated irrelevant mess, isn't it? I'll tune in for the last 16, though, to be fair, a last 32 will basically be like the current World Cup - standard wise - without bothering with groups. So, depending on your mindset, it might actually be entertaining at that point. Essentially, this group stage is not included for the integrity of the competition. It is included to give teams with no real business at the World Cup the chance to compete - and make more money for FIFA. It ensures that the likes of Italy find it harder to miss out - and, once there, they will find it even harder to go home before the knockouts.

 

[Billy Dean]

I'm probably alone in the "I think it'll be fun" camp.

Horrible for travelling and catching non-"local" (to your hotel/airbnb) games though.

I’m kind of in that camp too. Quality will be diluted but it’s still more matches to enjoy and probably some new countries too

 

[DualityNSNO]

I’m kind of in that camp too. Quality will be diluted but it’s still more matches to enjoy and probably some new countries too

Yeah my thoughts exactly. Plus travelling and climate for some teams will be an obstacle so potential for quite a few upsets is there for sure.

What's the housing for the teams like? Is it geographically paired by potential groups etc. or planes to everywhere every day lol

 

[TheBigIguana]

Pep's seat could get rather warm if they go out tonight

 

[bluelife]

State of this light show. Every game going to be a super bowl soon. Such a shame

 

[Billy Dean]

Yeah my thoughts exactly. Plus travelling and climate for some teams will be an obstacle so potential for quite a few upsets is there for sure.

What's the housing for the teams like? Is it geographically paired by potential groups etc. or planes to everywhere every day lol

Haha yeah it would be funny if a team played their group games in Canada and Mexico or something lol

I can imagine north European teams might struggle in the heat even in Canada though at that time of year

 

[4737carlin]

Come on City

 

[Tommy Chong]

Peno...

 

[Runub]

Don’t understand these dodgy hand ball penalties that nobody sees until they forensically review incidents