FIFA World Cup 2026 - Discussion Thread

PES4eva said:
View attachment 428865

With Unlockable Cantona when you beat the game 😄
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Some offtopic
It's due his heavy character in real life ?

Honetsly, I am think that idea of fighting with soccer players really can be usable and popular between fan base of soccer games and Mortal Kombat franchise too.
And, quite possible, that some similar small games or mods already exist.
 
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The optimal format of FIFA World Cup Finals are 48 teams, no more teams, no more smaller. The current format is for me the best. We have a lot of interesting matches in the finals and im enjoing the new format of the World Cup Finals. Great idea by FIFA for 48 teams! Great that small nations deserved to be in the finals and participation like Uzbekistan, Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan they played the matches and their matches weren't boring, also Asian Champions Qatar winned their first point on FIFA World Cup, like Curacao, Cabo Vede go through and reached the 1/16 Final where will play against Argentina and this is the best gift for the smallest nation ever reached the knockout rounds of FIFA World Cup Finals. Im on 100 % okay for this format. My favourites are Argentina to win 4-th World Title, or Germany, Netherelands - maybe its time for them to win, but we will see how it will be!
 
Sany023 said:
It's due his heavy character in real life ?

Honetsly, I am think that idea of fighting with soccer players really can be usable and popular between fan base of soccer games and Mortal Kombat franchise too.
And, quite possible, that some similar small games or mods already exist.
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I used to keep seeing a wrestling game in YouTube shorts where they would have Messi and Ronaldo wrestling 😂
 
Great finish to the South Africa Canada match. South Africa got a little bit cagey by about 75 mins and ultimately paid for it. Great goal by Canada at the end, they deserved to go through
 
H_G said:
AFC teams crashed ib this tournament

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Felt bad for the Asian teams in this World Cup. Especially Iran with 0 losses in group stage and still get eliminated because of a disallowed goals vs Egypt + that Algeria vs Austria thriller. They didn't deserve this early elimination without some kind of VAR + organizer shenanigans.

African teams were so dominant in the World Cup except Tunisia. They can't be underestimated. I hope at least 1 team will make through the quarterfinal.

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I think we will have some very tough clashes that no one expects, such as Brazil vs Japan and Netherlands vs Morocco.

*Brazil vs Japan >> 50/50 (Japan will hold Brazil until 120 minutes, maybe even scoring 2 goals in a thrilling draw, but Brazil will prevail on penalties)
*Germany vs Paraguay >> Germany
*Netherlands vs Morocco >> 50/50 (but I'll take Morocco)
*Ivory Coast vs Norway >> Norway
*France vs Sweden >> France
*Mexico vs Ecuador >> I have no idea, I just put Mexico, because of home advantage, but Ecuador Is also very strong team
*England vs DR Congo >> 50/50 (DR Congo is also a good team, they can cause a lot of trouble with low block play like Ghana; but I'll take England at the end)
*Belgium vs Senegal >> Senegal (I don't think this aging Belgium team will score a lot of goals given the performance against Egypt and Iran)
*USA vs Bosnia >> I have no idea, I just put USA. Same reason as Mexico (home advantage)
*Spain vs Austria >> Spain
*Portugal vs Croatia >> 50/50 (but I'll take Portugal - Croatia can even cause an upset and (maybe) even repeating the same deep run in 2018 and 2022)
*Switzerland vs Algeria >> I have no idea, I just put Switzerland, because someone has to pass
*Australia vs Egypt >> I have no idea, I just put Egypt. Same reason as Switzerland
*Argentina vs Cape Verde >> Argentina (Would be excited if Cape Verde goalkeeper pulled an unexpected goalkeeping performance in this game like he did vs Spain)
*Colombia vs Ghana >> Colombia
 
Just to chip on the debate around 3rd placed teams...

It does create wonderful stories, like Cape Verde, but also leads to some horribly turgid football from teams (well, specifically a Steve Clarke Scotland) that try and shit-fest their way through to the next round. I don't know if I necessarily buy the argument that certain teams don't deserve to be there, given we finished top of our qualifying group, but I don't think it does much to encourage teams to play front-foot football.

Maybe that's a Scotland specific problem...I don't know. Clarke did the same in the Euros - happy to play for a draw against Switzerland and then didn't really have a go in that must-win game v Hungary. On Clarke, I'm somewhat pleased he's gone; 3 qualifications is impressive after 20-odd years away from major tournaments but he did so with expanded formats and easier routes into qualification and also had the best squad we've had in years to work with. The fact that we've not even tried to have a go until we are already well out of a game is criminal. 9 games, 4 goals and 1 win is a hoaching record in tournaments.

I'd love someone like Ange or even Moyes but I doubt we can afford them.
 
Does Japan have something wrong with Knockout stage? They struggle both on continental and world level in this stage
 
Gutted for Japan, losing in the final minutes of the game.
Brazil hasn't really impressed yet, though they clawed their way back after a pretty dull first half.
Don't think they'll go more than to a semi.
The banger game tonight will be Netherlands Vs Morocco
And will Germany go through Vs Paraguay, could be a upset?
 
rockstrongo said:
Gutted for Japan, losing in the final minutes of the game.
Brazil hasn't really impressed yet, though they clawed their way back after a pretty dull first half.
Don't think they'll go more than to a semi.
The banger game tonight will be Netherlands Vs Morocco
And will Germany go through Vs Paraguay, could be a upset?
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Heart can only get you so far. Japan played brilliantly in the first half but that extra quality of some of the Brazil players took hold of the second half completely.

Paraguay are up by a goal. I don't particularly like to see a team play all out defend and nick one on the counter but to be fair to Paraguay they've played to their strength and it's worked for them so far. Id expect Germany to come back out at half time with a bit more hustle. Perhaps this will be the first match to go to extra time due to Paraguay stubbornness.
 
PES4eva said:
Heart can only get you so far. Japan played brilliantly in the first half but that extra quality of some of the Brazil players took hold of the second half completely.

Paraguay are up by a goal. I don't particularly like to see a team play all out defend and nick one on the counter but to be fair to Paraguay they've played to their strength and it's worked for them so far. Id expect Germany to come back out at half time with a bit more hustle. Perhaps this will be the first match to go to extra time due to Paraguay stubbornness.
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Looks like extra time now ,79 min in.
I mean Japan is much more organized than Paraguay, and the difference is Brazil have the tools to break down a team if plan A fails, not sure Germany have those tools
Tight game so far
 
rockstrongo said:
Looks like extra time now ,79 min in.
I mean Japan is much more organized than Paraguay, and the difference is Brazil have the tools to break down a team if plan A fails, not sure Germany have those tools
Tight game so far
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Fair point. Maybe Musiala can unlock that stubborn defence.
As for the Netherlands Morocco match I'll probably watch that with you (virtually lol) since I've got some time off over world cup. I'm thinking Netherlands could beat Morocco convincingly from what I've seen of Netherlands so far.
 
Brazil 0–1 Japan.

It’s incredibleand extremely frustrating just how naive these guys are. Brazil played terribly; they were lost and very nervous. The stage was set for Japan to win, but instead of keeping up the momentum, they chose to make the worst possible mistake against Brazil. They sat back. They played without drive. No one was shouting or complaining; it had the feel of a friendly match... What happened? Eight minutes into the second half, I said: "They’re going to let them equalize." Sure enough, they ended up conceding a second goal and losing the lead!

The Japanese team's problem is that they are too nice. And you’ll never beat Brazil that way.
 
PES4eva said:
Fair point. Maybe Musiala can unlock that stubborn defence.
As for the Netherlands Morocco match I'll probably watch that with you (virtually lol) since I've got some time off over world cup. I'm thinking Netherlands could beat Morocco convincingly from what I've seen of Netherlands so far.
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Think it can be a tough game, Morocco can be brilliant at times, but id say 65-35 or 60-40 Netherlands
I'm off work tmw as well so trying to stay awake til kick off, though long day at the beach will have fall asleep on the couch most likely😀
 
@rockstrongo Yeah it's on at like 2am here.

Not happy Paraguay went through it's going to be more of the same defensive play until someone eliminates them.
Great pen shootout though... Drama.

@drigOrange it wasn't a case of they let them, more that Japan were spent by half time and Brazil have the quality in attacking positions.
 
Love a underdog beating a great old Dragon.
The downfall of Germany is monumental from winning 2014.
God knows why though
Vet that Paraguay will have problem of facing a really good team later on
 
scottish_carson said:
Just to chip on the debate around 3rd placed teams...

It does create wonderful stories, like Cape Verde, but also leads to some horribly turgid football from teams (well, specifically a Steve Clarke Scotland) that try and shit-fest their way through to the next round. I don't know if I necessarily buy the argument that certain teams don't deserve to be there, given we finished top of our qualifying group, but I don't think it does much to encourage teams to play front-foot football.

Maybe that's a Scotland specific problem...I don't know. Clarke did the same in the Euros - happy to play for a draw against Switzerland and then didn't really have a go in that must-win game v Hungary. On Clarke, I'm somewhat pleased he's gone; 3 qualifications is impressive after 20-odd years away from major tournaments but he did so with expanded formats and easier routes into qualification and also had the best squad we've had in years to work with. The fact that we've not even tried to have a go until we are already well out of a game is criminal. 9 games, 4 goals and 1 win is a hoaching record in tournaments.

I'd love someone like Ange or even Moyes but I doubt we can afford them.
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Cap Verde finished 2nd
 
This Germany NT is a complete joke in major tournaments since 2018

Did you know that the last time Germany lost on penalty shootout in any of major tournaments, the so-called "Panenka" penalty was born
 
Sad for Japan (as a Captain Tsubasa fan), and honestly surprised for the Netherlands (also a little annoyed because I hoped they would progress further, and sooo sad for Gakpo).
I would have loved to see Germany face France (just for the "big match" atmosphere, not that I'm rooting for France to beat Sweden) but I guess that it won't happen. I would have rooted for the meteor in that case, so maybe it's better that it isn't happening.

Now without Germany I can hope in a Paraguay vs. Sweden matchup, and for the winner to take on Canada.
 
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I had a feeling Morocco would be a tough opponent for Netherlands, plus i think they played quite defensively (Netherlands).
Morocco can go far.

France Sweden and I predict my Sweden will lose 4-0
Our neighbours Norway Vs Cote Ivory, can be a real tough game, obviously hoping Norway gets knocked out

Mexico Ecuador is wide open, but I think Mexico playing at home will be the decider
 
Summerville is that player with high Acceleration and Top speed, and Dribble speed on PES.

Brahim Diaz is that player who doesn't prefer playing big matches on Football manager.
 
*aLe said:
Now without Germany I can hope in a Paraguay vs. Sweden matchup, and for the winner to take on Canada.
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Might as well add the potential upsets for Cape Verde and DR Congo against their opponents. As well as Croatia ending Ronaldo's football career :LOL::LOL::LOL:

Just kidding. But anything can still happen. It would be insane if the likes of France, Argentina, Portugal, and England go out. This World Cup is now unpredictable.
 
Ravager29586 said:
Might as well add the potential upsets for Cape Verde and DR Congo against their opponents. As well as Croatia ending Ronaldo's football career :LOL::LOL::LOL:

Just kidding. But anything can still happen. It would be insane if the likes of France, Argentina, Portugal, and England go out. This World Cup is now unpredictable.
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Wouldn't say the WC is unpredictable.

Brazil won.
Paraguay wasn't much of a shock - Germany are not that good anymore.
Morocco beat Netherlands which I fully expected them too.

But for me the WC has been very poor so far - The 48 team format took any jeopardy for the big teams going out.
And teams in the final groups playing for results knowing that would take them through.
 
Knockouts have been good so far. Two giants slayed 🫣
I thought Netherlands would turn over Morocco
 
I hope the Netherlands never participates in a World Cup again.

It’s always a pathetic performance, marred by external emotional issues. Infighting, clashes of ego, blah, blah, blah.
They get to the World Cup, have to deal with the pressure, and then back downthey fail to assert themselves.

Obviously, they’re going to get ELIMINATED. :CONF:
 
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