FIFA WC USA-Mexico-Canada 2026

[Ikarus360]

Part of me unironically wishes the US is stripped of this given the recent events. But we all know how Infantino loves tyrants and their money, so nevermind.

[StefanMUC]

Just seen bits of Trudeau‘s speech.

FIFA will have so much fun in these coming months.

Even if I repeat myself, but I think people must start to realise that nothing that is happening right now is still within any of the boundaries of what we have perceived as „normal“ for decades.

And that‘s why simply believing WC2026 or LA2028 will come out relatively unscathed because they represent some sort of common denominator of such normalcy is in my view closing eyes from reality.

Yes, they might all go ahead as planned but the likelihood of the opposite is increasing each day. And then it won‘t matter if FIFA or IOC don‘t have a back up plan because there will be much bigger issues on this planet.

[Rob2012]

 

[Ikarus360]

Canada and Mexico should seriously get out and leave America host it alone. FIFA will surely threaten them with some kind of punishment, but at this point, screw it. 

I always disliked how 80% of the thing is hosted by America anyways (while the rest only got like two-three host cities)

[Rob2012]

Infantino is such a cuck

 

[baron-pierreIV]

Oh, ****!!  Now, the Psychopath's muscling in on the running of the event and it looks like, will overrule any moves that he does not like or will not look good for him!  And this could just be a dress rehearsal for LA28. 

2026 FIFA World Cup: Trump to sign executive order establishing task force 

So Melania and/or JD Vance will show up in Milano-Cortina.  He loves spectacles like these!! 

Edited March 8, 2025 by baron-pierreIV

[Rob2012]

"Dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c36wkg47z1po

[Rob2012]

 

David Squires on … Mr Infantino’s trip to Washington and meeting with Donald Trump

https://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2025/mar/11/david-squires-on-infantino-fifa-washington-trump-football?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[SportLightning]

Now 12 Sonic IDs for the host cities are released. We stil got Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Guadalajara and Dallas IDs still to be released.

[baron-pierreIV]

On 3/11/2025 at 11:42 PM, SportLightning said:

Now 12 Sonic IDs for the host cities are released. We stil got Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Guadalajara and Dallas IDs still to be released.

What the heck are "Sonic IDs"?  Is SOnic the Hedgehog already the Official 2026 Mascot???

[SportLightning]

6 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

What the heck are "Sonic IDs"?  Is SOnic the Hedgehog already the Official 2026 Mascot???

Nope. Sonics IDs are generic theme music for each host city.

[baron-pierreIV]

53 minutes ago, SportLightning said:

Nope. Sonics IDs are generic theme music for each host city.

Oh, OK.  Thx. 

[Durban Sandshark]

Certainly looking very bleak for China and its world soccer domination aspirations right now--and its 2026 World Cup qualifications since 2002. That curse of teams making their World Cup debuts and not scoring a goal in it and not returning for a long time strikes again after losing to the Socceroos at home and Japan. Now their lowest ebb:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8vp2e7p64o?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Japan, New Zealand, defending champs Argentina, and Iran have all now qualified for USA-Canada-Mexico as the first to do so. 

[Rob2012]

Woah!

 

[sebastien1214]

14 hours ago, Durban Sandshark said:

Certainly looking very bleak for China and its world football domination aspirations right now--and its 2026 World Cup qualifications since 2002. That curse of teams making their World Cup debuts and not scoring a goal in it and not returning for a long time strikes again after losing to the Socceroos at home and Japan. Now their lowest ebb:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8vp2e7p64o?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Japan, New Zealand, defending champs Argentina, and Iran have all now qualified for USA-Canada-Mexico as the first to do so. 

In fact, it's been a good five years since the PCC "abandoned" the initial ambitions it had in football in the early 2010s. They added a lot of restrictions to transfers in their leagues, clubs found themselves in serious difficulties, and all training programs saw their budgets considerably reduced, if not closed.

[SportLightning]

20 hours ago, Durban Sandshark said:

Certainly looking very bleak for China and its world soccer domination aspirations right now--and its 2026 World Cup qualifications since 2002. That curse of teams making their World Cup debuts and not scoring a goal in it and not returning for a long time strikes again after losing to the Socceroos at home and Japan. Now their lowest ebb:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8vp2e7p64o?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Japan, New Zealand, defending champs Argentina, and Iran have all now qualified for USA-Canada-Mexico as the first to do so. 

Jordan and Uzbekistan on the other hand, are getting closer to their FIFA World Cup debut.

[StefanMUC]

18 hours ago, Rob2012 said:

Woah!

 

I guess the remaining 30% have reasons they cannot cancel (family, business), of else they would too.

[Durban Sandshark]

On 3/28/2025 at 10:00 AM, sebastien1214 said:

In fact, it's been a good five years since the PCC "abandoned" the initial ambitions it had in football in the early 2010s. They added a lot of restrictions to transfers in their leagues, clubs found themselves in serious difficulties, and all training programs saw their budgets considerably reduced, if not closed.

All this has been noted in the BBC piece. But that'll take time to recover. Still, its biggest problem IMO (and cited there) is that there are non-soccer CCP government people making CFA football decisions from the top down and failing to encourage and develop the grassroots for the long run on the men's side. China needs to have more and younger registered soccer players to develop, identify, and build upon.

Agree that their soccer ambitions were way too unrealistic right now. China's officially out now. Dead last in its group now with a worse goal differential than also-eliminated Bahrain.  

On 3/28/2025 at 4:26 PM, SportLightning said:

Jordan and Uzbekistan on the other hand, are getting closer to their FIFA World Cup debut.

Uzbekistan is somewhat expected, while looking good during play, given how well they've been playing under Slovenian coach Skrecko Katenic, who took Slovenia to its World Cup debut in 2002 with the mercurial Zlatko Zahovic. Both had a row later during group play. Also, their Paris 2024 Olympic soccer appearance deepening their talent pool in their deepest personnel overall at the senior level yet. Jordan is carrying on the unexpected and very strong momentum from the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar--if it can fend off Iraq in June. Almost going neck and neck between the two.  Australia's Socceroos will surely join Uzbekistan and Jordan soon. No doubt with expansion, we'll definitely see some debutants. 

Congrats to New Zealand to finally directly qualify out of its own OFC region at Auckland's Eden Park! Expected, yes, as the strongest, the most talented, and deepest Oceania team but still nice to see as it builds a more consistent World Cup pedigree instead of those intercontinental playoffs. Oceania should've had an automatic bid for many years by now IMO. And that's even when Australia was still a member. Now go develop some players and depth while gaining further international experience within the next year en route to USA/Canada/Mexico, All-Whites. Good times for NZ soccer these days. Along with this, the Auckland Black Knights FC, an expansion team in the Australian A-League men this season, top the standings with some top talent both with players and coaches at Mt. Smart Stadium as a serious contender for the A-League Men title. By contrast, the Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand's other team in this league, currently sits 11th in the standings

New Caledonia, by virtue of being a OFC finalist with NZ's All-Whites and eventual runner-up, now heads into the FIFA 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoffs March 23-31, 2026 as the first qualifier there among the six teams battling for the two spots at that stage.

[baron-pierreIV]

Frump did NOT even know that Russia is banned from the World Cup.  🙃 🤔

Trump didn't know Russia were banned from the World Cup | indy100 

Ooops.  Wait 'til he hears that they're also banned from the Olympics.  I can just hear his hemmoroids working -- hey, maybe I can dangle their re-admittance as an incentive to back off from Ukraine.  Even if in his twisted mind, he could play that card -- then I'll give him a LIKE on Meta.  

[krow]

JD Vance Jokes About Deporting Tourists Attending 2026 World Cup

oh well as long as it's a joke.

[baron-pierreIV]

YUP, I JUST KNEW IT!!  In Frumpie's mind, he will tie a Ukrainian peace deal with bringing Russia in the World Cup and/or LA28!  God, the dickhead's as predictable as a . . . . 

Trump claims football World Cup could end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 

But hey, if it works, . . .  just don't give him The Nobel Peace Prize!!

[Durban Sandshark]

On 5/8/2025 at 10:54 PM, baron-pierreIV said:

YUP, I JUST KNEW IT!!  In Frumpie's mind, he will tie a Ukrainian peace deal with bringing Russia in the World Cup and/or LA28!  God, the dickhead's as predictable as a . . . . 

Trump claims football World Cup could end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 

But hey, if it works, . . .  just don't give him The Nobel Peace Prize!!

Definitely not holding my breath for--or even expecting--both for the Cheeto Man In Chief

Anyway, it's full steam ahead for NBCUniversal's Telemundo as far as its 2026 FIFA World Cup US-Spanish television plans: It'll broadcast all 104 matches from all three countries live starting from Mexico City at Azteca Stadium with Mexico to East Rutherford, New Jersey's Met Life Stadium for the WC final in the New York/New Jersey area across Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes Ahora, and NBC Universo and streamed on Peacock and the Telemundo app. Not only that, the already robust, authentic, and dedicated Road To The World Cup content leading up to the massive event already on there and being the designated and exclusive US Spanish TV home of Team USA soccer games...

Quote

As part of its Rumbo al Mundial franchise, Telemundo will enhance its FIFA coverage leading up to the tournament with exclusive Spanish-language rights to nine Argentina and Brazil’s home of FIFA World Cup 26™ Qualifiers and Team USA games. FIFA coverage will continue with the live presentation of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Draw in December 2025 from Las Vegas. 

Just remembered Telemundo is going to launch its own 24/7 sports channel come August called Telemundo Deportes Ahora, devoted to offering 50+ live hours a week of Spanish language sports devoted to also, not unexpectedly, "spotlight on “fútbol” as the countdown to FIFA World Cup 26™ begins. Telemundo Deportes Ahora brings viewers closer than ever to the world of sports—anytime, anywhere.":

https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/telemundos-2025-26-upfront-slate-powered-5000-hours-live-tv-fifa-world-cup-26tm-premium-series-and

[Bear]

The Volunteer Program will open in August.

There is an interest form that is open on the FIFA Volunteer Community platform that you can fill out, that asks for your country, if you're interested in volunteering, what host city you want to volunteer in, and if you live within a 50 mile radius of said city.

The requirements are:

• Ability to commit to 9 shifts between 11 June and 19 June 2026
• Be 18 years or older by the time you apply
• If outside Canada, Mexico, or the US, comply with entry requirements of the host country you are volunteering in
• Ability to speak English
• Ability to attend an in-person interview or group recruitment event and complete training
• You have to agree to and pass a background review

You can sign up for the FIFA Volunteer Community platform to access the interest form (and later on, the volunteer application) here: https://volunteer.fifa.com/

[Jaroll]

General question: How would you hypothetically construct your ideal broadcast package for the World Cup, using only American components and resources. So, imagine taking the analysts from CBS' Champion's League Coverage, the production value that NBC has for Prem League, and the Channel infrastructure that ESPN has, with the commentary booth from Apple TV+

[Durban Sandshark]

BREAKING NEWS: South Korea, and special congratulations to Jordan and Uzbekistan in making their history-making World Cup debuts today in their international windows, all qualified out of Asia!

Australia's Socceroos is just another game away in qualifying in beating Japan for the first time in 16 years in Perth as one of the top two teams directly qualifying out of their group with already-qualified Japan. Despite Saudi Arabia eliminating Bahrain 2-0, it'll be very difficult to successfully chase the Australians in the standings when they face each other in Jeddah June 10. Goal differential being one tough factor. Will have to settle for the fourth round with Iraq, Indonesia, Qatar, UAE, and Oman/Palestine.