2026 World Cup

[Stuntman_Mike]

Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, USA

AFC: Australia, IR Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan

CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia

CONCACAF: Curaçao, Haiti, Panama

CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay

OFC: New Zealand

UEFA: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland

 

6 places left to fill

[Stuntman_Mike]

Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine

Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia

Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo

Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland

How does the draw work?

Each of the four paths in the play-offs will feature one team from Pot 1, one from Pot 2, one from Pot 3 and one from Pot 4. The semi-finals will see the Pot 1 team face the Pot 4 team, and the Pot 2 team face the Pot 3 team, with those Pot 1 and 2 teams at home. The two semi-final winners from each path will then meet in the final (with home advantage to be decided in the initial draw) and the winner of that clash qualifies for the World Cup.

[Leicesterpool]

16 minutes ago, Stuntman_Mike said:

Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine

Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia

Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo

Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland

How does the draw work?

Each of the four paths in the play-offs will feature one team from Pot 1, one from Pot 2, one from Pot 3 and one from Pot 4. The semi-finals will see the Pot 1 team face the Pot 4 team, and the Pot 2 team face the Pot 3 team, with those Pot 1 and 2 teams at home. The two semi-final winners from each path will then meet in the final (with home advantage to be decided in the initial draw) and the winner of that clash qualifies for the World Cup.

Northern Ireland i can imagine out of pot one, they will be hoping for Ukraine. Just imagine situation Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland for a place at the world cup that would be lethal.

[The boy Linacre]

So I've just retired and am pretty keen to go to at least a few games (any will do).  I applied for the Visa early ticket draw, no luck.

 

Then I also got this, I registered a year ago etc.;
Entry Completed

Your entry for the FIFA World Cup 26™ Early Ticket Draw has been completed. Thank you for submitting your entry.

A random selection draw will take place, which will determine if you are successful in being selected to purchase tickets. FIFA Ticketing will begin notifying you of your results no earlier than 7 November 2025.

If you are successful in the Early Ticket Draw, you will be given a date and time slot to purchase tickets (subject to availability), with time slots starting from 12 November 2025. Being successful in the draw does not guarantee that tickets will be available for any or all matches, as tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis and are subject to availability.

 

Anybody who might be going had any luck in any of these draws??  Wanted to get a jump on the draw at the beginning of Dec, but looks like no luck.

Value any suggestions

[bovril]

1 hour ago, goose2010 said:

Am i right in saying that ALL the home nations could potentially qualify? 

 

 

If they do, they should give them games in places associated with their historic migrations - N. Ireland in Appalachia, Scotland in Carolina, England in the North East other than Boston, which will host the Irish matches. 

[Alf Bentley]

12 hours ago, bovril said:

Two 1998ers qualify in Scotland and Norway. Leaves Hungary then Bulgaria as the two 'big' European teams with the longest drought. 

 

We could also have two 1974ers: Haiti qualified, DR Congo (the artist formerly known as Zaire) with a good chance in play-offs.

 

Indeed, more strong 1974 parallels: Scotland and Australia qualified; East Germany and Yugoslavia represented; Czechoslovakia not qualified (so far); USSR banned.

We just need DR Congo, Poland & Sweden to win playoffs...

[bovril]

4 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

We could also have two 1974ers: Haiti qualified, DR Congo (the artist formerly known as Zaire) with a good chance in play-offs.

 

Indeed, more strong 1974 parallels: Scotland and Australia qualified; East Germany and Yugoslavia represented; Czechoslovakia not qualified (so far); USSR banned.

We just need DR Congo, Poland & Sweden to win playoffs...

Hope that DR Congo have improved their free kick defending since they were Zaire...

[bovril]

There's actually quite a dark story behind that infamous Zaire free kick isn't there? Can't remember exactly but I think it had something to do with time wasting so they didn't concede more goals and face the wrath of the country's leader.

[Alf Bentley]

3 minutes ago, bovril said:

Hope that DR Congo have improved their free kick defending since they were Zaire...

 

Indeed. We'll be seeing a few TV replays of that 1974 free-kick if they do qualify. That was the first World Cup that I followed closely, though I remember hearing about England's games against Brazil and West Germany in 1970 (we first got a TV for the 1974 World Cup).

 

I watched much of the DR Congo v Nigeria match and DR Congo looked much the better side - should've won without penalties.

Nigeria have been pathetic, mind you - arguably put Sweden in the shade. Just shows yet again that it's a team game, useful though it is to have good individual players.

 

I'd back DR Congo and Iraq or Bolivia to win the inter-continental playoffs. New Caledonia surely have no chance, Suriname have probably blown theirs - and Jamaica's results suggest they're weaker than in the past. Though I see that Steve McClaren has resigned as their manager, so maybe a new and better manager might get them in shape? Recall for Wes?

 

It's a shame that the UEFA and inter-continental playoffs won't happen until March. Could harm those teams with momentum (Wales, Rep. Ireland) and help those that have suffered bad defeats recently (Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Slovakia, North Macedonia). All qualification is usually done and dusted before Christmas, isn't it, or am I misremembering?

[bovril]

6 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

Indeed. We'll be seeing a few TV replays of that 1974 free-kick if they do qualify. That was the first World Cup that I followed closely, though I remember hearing about England's games against Brazil and West Germany in 1970 (we first got a TV for the 1974 World Cup).

 

I watched much of the DR Congo v Nigeria match and DR Congo looked much the better side - should've won without penalties.

Nigeria have been pathetic, mind you - arguably put Sweden in the shade. Just shows yet again that it's a team game, useful though it is to have good individual players.

 

I'd back DR Congo and Iraq or Bolivia to win the inter-continental playoffs. New Caledonia surely have no chance, Suriname have probably blown theirs - and Jamaica's results suggest they're weaker than in the past. Though I see that Steve McClaren has resigned as their manager, so maybe a new and better manager might get them in shape? Recall for Wes?

 

It's a shame that the UEFA and inter-continental playoffs won't happen until March. Could harm those teams with momentum (Wales, Rep. Ireland) and help those that have suffered bad defeats recently (Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Slovakia, North Macedonia). All qualification is usually done and dusted before Christmas, isn't it, or am I misremembering?

You've been following more closely than I have. Shame if you're right about New Caledonia. I was hoping they'd play Scotland in Nova Scotia. 

[Super_horns]

1 hour ago, bovril said:

Hope that DR Congo have improved their free kick defending since they were Zaire...

 

1 hour ago, bovril said:

There's actually quite a dark story behind that infamous Zaire free kick isn't there? Can't remember exactly but I think it had something to do with time wasting so they didn't concede more goals and face the wrath of the country's leader.

Yes he did it deliberately.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8711835.stm

 

Projected World Cup pots.

https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/soccer/fifa-world-cup-2026-draw-projected-pots-england-scotland/1lob116m1ofda1cgetz6jzw42e

 

Edited 19 November 2025 by Super_horns

[David Hankey]

What the hell was Kasper up to for the Scots fourth goal last night?

[Alf Bentley]

12 minutes ago, Super_horns said:

 

Yes he did it deliberately.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8711835.stm

 

I can't access that link - deemed insecure. 

 

But here are 2 other links about the circumstances behind the notorious 1974 Zaire free-kick and its perpetrator - plus the video clip for anyone who's not seen it.

Shame the player died in 2015 and won't be around if DR Congo do qualify.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37370095/mwepu-ilunga-explains-zaire-dismal-1974-campaign

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/08/zaire-mwepu-ilunga-free-kick-world-cup-1974#:~:text=We ask for your permission,click 'Allow and continue'.&text=Ilunga enjoyed a long and,champions in 1968 and 1974.

 

 

[ratters]

2 hours ago, The boy Linacre said:

So I've just retired and am pretty keen to go to at least a few games (any will do).  I applied for the Visa early ticket draw, no luck.

 

Then I also got this, I registered a year ago etc.;
Entry Completed

Your entry for the FIFA World Cup 26™ Early Ticket Draw has been completed. Thank you for submitting your entry.

A random selection draw will take place, which will determine if you are successful in being selected to purchase tickets. FIFA Ticketing will begin notifying you of your results no earlier than 7 November 2025.

If you are successful in the Early Ticket Draw, you will be given a date and time slot to purchase tickets (subject to availability), with time slots starting from 12 November 2025. Being successful in the draw does not guarantee that tickets will be available for any or all matches, as tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis and are subject to availability.

 

Anybody who might be going had any luck in any of these draws??  Wanted to get a jump on the draw at the beginning of Dec, but looks like no luck.

Value any suggestions

 

I'm planning on going for 10 days, last group game and some knockouts.   I've had no luck on the lottery but have bought a few tickets on the FIFA resale platform for a small amount higher than face value.   Everything is so expensive though, even face value tickets are crazily high vs previous tournaments.   FIFA's greed is off the scale.

 

I also have England membership and have built up caps so hope to get some tickets from the FA.

 

The general principle for this World Cup is not availability of tickets but more how much you are prepared to pay.

[TheGoldenGod]

36 minutes ago, David Hankey said:

What the hell was Kasper up to for the Scots fourth goal last night?

Trudging through tar that's for sure. He's proper finished! Reminded me of that time the Slavia Prague journo put out that tirade on Kasper right before they shithoused a win vs us in Europe. Class tbf!

[Aleksz]

1 hour ago, David Hankey said:

What the hell was Kasper up to for the Scots fourth goal last night?

Doing that thing he likes to do to show some urgency when losing and becomes a pound shop Manuel Neuer.

[CrispinLA in Texas]

15 hours ago, isaidno said:

Can't wait for Scotland to get knocked out by Cape Verde.

You must be great fun to be at party's 🙄

[Leicesterpool]

Despite how poor Brazil have been this year they must be favourites next year, I think Ancelotti with his experience and getting the best out of top players they will do it. Brazil v Argentina final coming I think which no doubt FIFA hoping for.

[Lionator]

6 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

Indeed. We'll be seeing a few TV replays of that 1974 free-kick if they do qualify. That was the first World Cup that I followed closely, though I remember hearing about England's games against Brazil and West Germany in 1970 (we first got a TV for the 1974 World Cup).

 

I watched much of the DR Congo v Nigeria match and DR Congo looked much the better side - should've won without penalties.

Nigeria have been pathetic, mind you - arguably put Sweden in the shade. Just shows yet again that it's a team game, useful though it is to have good individual players.

 

I'd back DR Congo and Iraq or Bolivia to win the inter-continental playoffs. New Caledonia surely have no chance, Suriname have probably blown theirs - and Jamaica's results suggest they're weaker than in the past. Though I see that Steve McClaren has resigned as their manager, so maybe a new and better manager might get them in shape? Recall for Wes?

 

It's a shame that the UEFA and inter-continental playoffs won't happen until March. Could harm those teams with momentum (Wales, Rep. Ireland) and help those that have suffered bad defeats recently (Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Slovakia, North Macedonia). All qualification is usually done and dusted before Christmas, isn't it, or am I misremembering?

Iraq and DR Congo are automatically in the final matches, I’m guessing they’d both want to avoid Bolivia’s side of the draw.

 

Itll also be the first World Cup draw I can remember where all teams aren’t qualified. Will make it an interesting dynamic in terms of how many teams from each confederation can qualify.

 

All in all this has been an amazing week, and for those of us disillusioned with LCFC and the general direction of top level club football, international football alongside non league is the last bastion of wholesomeness. 

Edited 19 November 2025 by Lionator

[Detroit Blues]

1 hour ago, Lionator said:

Iraq and DR Congo are automatically in the final matches, I’m guessing they’d both want to avoid Bolivia’s side of the draw.

 

Itll also be the first World Cup draw I can remember where all teams aren’t qualified. Will make it an interesting dynamic in terms of how many teams from each confederation can qualify.

 

All in all this has been an amazing week, and for those of us disillusioned with LCFC and the general direction of top level club football, international football alongside non league is the last bastion of wholesomeness. 

What do you mean? 

[Vacamion]

 

BBC Reporting Scotland (what we get up here instead of East Midlands Today) has run an hour long special, interviews with players, spectators, even with the commentators.

 

They interviewed some of the players as they emerged from their hotel.

 

I know these guys are pros and treat their bodies like a temple, but Kiernan Tierney looked ROUGH.

 

Eyes like a black sheep's rude bits.

 

I wondered what he was drinking last night - pints of Uranium?   

[Super_horns]

20 minutes ago, Detroit Blues said:

What do you mean? 

Fist time where we won't know some of the teams in the draw as the play-offs haven't happened.

 

Same as with the last Euros. 

[Trav Le Bleu]

11 hours ago, Stuntman_Mike said:

Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, USA

AFC: Australia, IR Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan

CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia

CONCACAF: Curaçao, Haiti, Panama

CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay

OFC: New Zealand

UEFA: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland

 

6 places left to fill

Too many teams 

 

There'll be a lot of pointless matches.

Edited 19 November 2025 by Trav Le Bleu

[Samilktray]

8 minutes ago, Trav Le Bleu said:

Too many teams 

 

There'll be a lot of pointless matches.

If you aren’t looking forward to Uzbekistan v Haiti at 3am on a Wednesday morning, I’m not sure this sport is for you pal 

[davieG]

1 hour ago, Samilktray said:

If you aren’t looking forward to Uzbekistan v Haiti at 3am on a Wednesday morning, I’m not sure this sport is for you pal 

Record and whiz through, better clear my memory store though.