World Cup 2026 Thread

[Bil522]

Mike your guys had a particularly challenging game today. You have quality upfront, but their back line is shaky. Now on to the easy portion of your group games.

[gil]

Pulisic won't play in today's game. Can the US team overcome his absence?

[mostonmike]

Mike your guys had a particularly challenging game today. You have quality upfront, but their back line is shaky. Now on to the easy portion of your group games.

Don't worry mate the entire country has now moved into stage 2 as I mentioned in the OP...

: a summer of blinding, unearned optimism, shouting "It's Coming Home" to each other for weeks in crowded pubs

[mostonmike]

The knockout stage bracket is starting to form now. England hope to win Group L tonight to fix their position (which I have marked on the chart)

USA have already clinched their group and now that Last 16 game in Seattle will be the prize for winning their first knockout game.

But if the US can win the Group and survive the first knockout game, the Round of 16 match—possibly against Belgium—would also be at Lumen. I'd probably look at buying tickets for that early; even if you don't end up going, the secondary market demand for a Seattle knockout game is going to be insane.

Did anyone secure tickets like I mentioned in the OP ?

Anyway, England could be heading for a game against Brazil in the quarter finals so thats where I think our run will end.

The last games in each group are played simulataneously to avoid collusion (see Austria v West Germany 1982 for an explanation - wiki link click here).

It can be quite entertaining to see teams battling to qualify in higher seeding spots and worrying about how the other game in the group can help or hinder them.

Then its knockouts from Sunday and this amazing tournament really takes off.

[Bil522]

Now we get to watch England vs. Ghana...and you know how they have historically done in the Boston area.

[Bil522]

Well, I'd say sorry Mike, but you're English and a Mariner fan, so I know you expected it.

[mostonmike]

Well, I'd say sorry Mike, but you're English and a Mariner fan, so I know you expected it.

Indeed we did. Nil Nil FFS

Another Mariner-esque day at the office.

[mostonmike]

bracket.jpg (113.16 KiB) Viewed 16 times

England limp into the knockouts. USA should get past Bosnia and head to Seattle for the last 16.

The country moves back to the optimism and blind hope that "Its coming home" again. Mexico in the Azteca stadium looms large but of course one game at a time.....

[mostonmike]

Group stages complete and the knockouts start today at midday PDT with Canada v South Africa.

Latest Odds
3/1 fav - Argentina
6/1 - France
8/1 - England
8/1 - Spain
40/1 - USA

The 2 big games as far as the forum is concerned

Last 32 Knockout Stage

Wed 1 Jul
9am PDT / 5pm BST in Atlanta
England v Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
followed later by
5pm PDT / 1am BST in Santa Clara
United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina

Next Round, the IF's & BUTs
> England will have to travel to Mexico to play Mexico or Ecuador, that will be tough
> USA will be off to Seattle to play Belgium or Senegal, which I called before the tournament started - hope someone has cashed in and bought some tickets. Belgium are nowhere their best and I think with the home crowd you could get through to the Quarter Finals.

See you in the final, in our dreams.......

[gil]

Group stages complete and the knockouts start today at midday PDT with Canada v South Africa.

Latest Odds
3/1 fav - Argentina
6/1 - France
8/1 - England
8/1 - Spain
40/1 - USA

The 2 big games as far as the forum is concerned

Last 32 Knockout Stage

Wed 1 Jul
9am PDT / 5pm BST in Atlanta
England v Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
followed later by
5pm PDT / 1am BST in Santa Clara
United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina

Next Round, the IF's & BUTs
> England will have to travel to Mexico to play Mexico or Ecuador, that will be tough
> USA will be off to Seattle to play Belgium or Senegal, which I called before the tournament started - hope someone has cashed in and bought some tickets. Belgium are nowhere their best and I think with the home crowd you could get through to the Quarter Finals.

See you in the final, in our dreams.......

Are you surprised at the odds for England?

Yes, a dream final. Even better, for the USA's 250th Birthday!