2026 WC USA (et al): Worldwide Opponents Watch [all R's]

Halftime in the late European games

France and Ukraine scoreless

France probably wouldn't be thrilled with that result but they would effectively qualify (though not officially). If Ukraine can hold that, they'd only need a tie in the final game against Iceland, if they lose they'll need a win

England leads Serbia 1-0 while Andorra and Albania are scoreless.

Serbia would stay alive if those hold, but it's probably not ideal to be pinning your hopes on Andorra getting a result.

Ireland adds a second to lead Portugal 2-0

If that holds Portugal would still almost certainly win the group, but it'd require them to get a result against Armenia. This would provide Ireland a win and in scenario (to the playoffs) in their final match away to Hungary. If this match ends in a draw Ireland would have to win that by 2 goals and if they lose, they're out

Italy 0-0 Moldova

Italians not exactly denting into that 19 goal differential deficit they need to make up

 

It may be far past time to ask if MLS is now well-established as a superior league to Serie A from team A to team Z.

 

DRC finally scores. Took long enough.

 

DR CONGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

90th minute winner off a corner

 

Possible penalty for Ukraine.

 

Only the 3rd time since 1990 that Cameroon will not be in The World Cup

 

Referee looks at the monitor and says no penalty for Ukraine.

 

And now France is awarded a PK, oof.

 

Nervous moments for Albania, would be heartbreaking to trip on the final hurdle against Andorra. Still scoreless as the clock strikes the hour mark

 

Red card for Cristiano Ronaldo! Caught on VAR for an elbow.

 

Albania finally scores. Serbia going out as it stands

 

Ironically the NCAA could turn out to be a huge advantage for the US in drawing these kinds of players especially now that there are fewer restrictions on players with limited pro experience (think there's a freshman somewhere this year who actually appeared in an EPL game prior to washing out of whichever club's academy)

Get them in school for 2-3 years, MLS for another 2-3 and by then they're citizens. Narrowly missed on Jack Harrison this way

 

Super Happy for DRC. Just 1 win away, but man is that a tough match up. If nothing else, FIFA's generally poor rankings (not as bad as they were pre-changes, but still blech) will boost DRC for the purposes of qualifying the next cycle, so there's that. If they can be a Pot 1 side for WC '30, it will really help them, so doing well at AFCON will be important if they fall to Nigeria next week. They're in a tough AFCON group with Senegal and Benin, if runner up they'd get Algeria or Burkina Faso in the knockouts, so the AFCON should be quite interesting after Christmas.

 

France comfortably up 3-0 now.

 

Italy do finally breakthrough on Moldova in the 88th minute. They're just a 10 goal win against Norway away

 

I had DRC over Cameroon. It was an easy decision based on sooooo many factors.

DRC defense is a very tough nut to crack, plus they seem to have this inspiring camaraderie about them this cycle. I like them over Nigeria next week. Allez!

 

Eze scores the insurance goal for England

France have qualified

Norway have effectively qualified

Portugal needs to handle Armenia at home to punch their ticket

Albania and Italy to the playoffs

Ukraine vs Iceland for the playoff (tie goes to Iceland)

Hungary vs Ireland for the playoff (tie goes to Hungary)

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Serbia out (though Serbia may have a slim path through The Nations League but it's unlikely)

 

I hope you're right, looks like the game is sunday?

I took DRC and Gabon +.5 (was too scared to go for the huge regulation win payout if either won) and the under on both. So a little bit in the kitty from that. Doing some hedging at halftime cost me money on France and Ireland though (Went with U3.5 with France, and Portugal +.5 to come back pre red card, ouch).

I got all excited for Ireland for a second, then realized they have to beat Hungry away and get results in the playoff, good luck with that. It is nice to see Ireland not completely suck in a qualifying campaign though after having been complete and total --- in qualifying for WC '18, Euro '21, WC '22, and Euro '24. Maybe they might finally become bang average again, rather than hot garbage .

 

Nice to see Iceland waking up after a three cycle nap ('21 and '24 Euro's and '22 WC qualifying), man they would be in much better position without giving up 2 80something minute goals to lose at home to Ukraine 5-3.

Still would rather have Ukraine make it for obvious reasons.

 

I get the theory but it hasn't really manifested a ton. Same with MLS' U22 initiative. But if we don't end up grabbing someone like Kai Wagner ... I'm just not sure it is really ever going to yield a ton of value.

 

San Marino still has a path!

 

Does set up the very funny scenario that San Marino may need to lose their last match in order to stay alive

 

Suriname dominating the run of play and just hit the crossbar. They really could use a win here

 

Suriname draw a penalty on an incredibly quick restart after a handball

 

Halftime in Paramaribo.

Suriname 1-0 El Salvador

They simply need to take care of business and they're in.