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

Ok, now THAT was a World Cup game. Totally unlike the afternoon atrocity to kick off the tournament on a bum note.

I think Mexico are more likely to win the group at home just because of the massive Azteca advantage for two of their three matches, but I think the Koreans are probably the best team in the group by a small margin.

 

I think they could draw them, then pour it on against South Africa on match day 3, that's the way through unless they can upset them at the Azteca (which they can if they bring their finishing boots). Can't let El Tri get an opener, especially early, kill the crowd, then kill the game.

 

I think Korea plays them in Guadalajara. Czechia gets them in Azteca.

 

Maybe, but Mexico are nearly unbeatable at 7200' where there's seemingly more smog than oxygen. They play that slow-paced game all across the country. England are a much better side, obviously, but I wouldn't feel too overconfident should the possible R16 match-up of Mexico and England at the Azteca come to pass. England plays a high-energy running game. Everything about Mexico City mitigates against that.

 

For anyone giving SA a pass because of altitude, a lot of these players are based in Gauteng (Joburg or Pretoria) for there teams. Joburg in particular is about 1700 meters up, so like 5800 feet I think on the Highveld and one guy is coming from Bloemfontein at like 4600 feet. So its not like these guy were all coming from sea level or not used to the elevation than a lot of teams.

 

I was thinking that’s the type of thing MLS VAR calls offside all the time.

 

Disagree. I think if he’d been a step over, yes. But here he was clearly not blocking the GK line of sight on the shot or trajectory. And he doesn’t make a motion at the ball. I would be shocked to see it called in any professional game, including MLS. (But it only takes a bit of different positioning to change that.)

 

To be clearer, I liked that it wasn’t called offside. I was just saying that in MLS VAR, they are overzealous about calling anybody offside in that position if they can.

 

It was off a throw in. No offside on a throw in.

The commentaror (Graham Barton) did not understand that either when he talked about it getting reviewed.

Now, IDK if that goes away once the player heads it or not? I think so.

So......nevermind.

Great game, though. I think Czechia have a great chance to go through in 3rd as everybody will probably beat woeful South Africa by multiple goals.

I think, at worst, 3 PTs with and even GD should get a team through. Though SIM people would know better.

 

He cannot be off on the initial play, because it is a throw in. On the secondary play once it is headed, then yeah.

I agree with your analysis, good goal.

 

Yeah that's what I was thinking too, offside is back in play once another player touches the ball

 

My takes on yesterday.

SA was the worst passing team I have watched in a long, long time. Maybe ever. Pitiful.
Mexico is not that good but they have Azteca going for them.
South Korea is the best team in the group. Can they overcome Azteca.
Czechia and Mexico is going to be a hoot.

 

Mexico has also probably never had a substantially less talented team than SK for their past meetings, though.

Although of course they have home field too.

If I had to guess Mexico draws their remaining 2 group games. Korea and Czechia are both better teams, but not by such an extent that I see them getting the W in Mexico. Should still be good for Korea to win the group, though.

 

The good news for them is neither of their remaining group stage matches are in Azteca.

 

I could see South Korea getting the draw against Mexico at best. Should be a good game though.

 

for those interested, this is the language from Law 11:

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:

a goal kick
a throw-in
a corner kick​

 

They have begun to give up results in recent years there, usually or almost always draws, rather than losses, but yeah, there's several WCQ's they've drawn there in recent cycles.

The Smog issue is better too, apparently it reached peak hellscape in the later 80's and early 90's, but is about 60% down in terms of particulates from where it was in the early 90's. I would give England next to no chance if it wasn't for the fact that this is a generationally bad Mexico versus what they would've faced '86-'18, and the smog levels are better too than what they once were 20 and 30 years ago and the game will be in early evening instead of say, early afternoon like that famous WCQ in August of '09, the swine flu game.

 

Yep. He couod have made a play on the initial ball with no problem because he cannot be off directly. So there is no passive/making a play on the ball discussion.

But once the other guy heads it? Then I believe we are back to 'normal' and he could be offside if he is interfering eith the keeper.

 

Korea and Mexico are in the same tier. I think both are a half step up from Czechia, but that's the type of team that steals game.

You guys still win the group, I think, in most situations.

I do think you are overrating your midfield and it's going to become clear once you face a stronger team in that area. But Korea is somewhat built like Mexico, and Czechia just look like set piece merchants. And South Africa is a mess, or were yesterday.

 

Yes. The TI exemption is very narrow (to the consternation of many a youth parent screaming there cannot be OS because there had recently been a TI). Note that a player is still considered to have received the ball directly from the TI if it is deflected by an opponent.

(As an aside there is an interesting question (for Laws geeks) as to whether a player could be OS for interfering with an opponent before a teammate touches the ball. As worded the answer would be "yes," as the literal words refer only to receiving the ball directly. Nonetheless, what I believe is intended is that the TI isn't considered a play or touch by a teammate for purposes of OS. But like many areas of the Laws, the drafting could be much better.)

 

I mean Korea is also a bit down themselves compared to past iterations.

 

Really good? Your group is one of the easiest at this Cup. (And no, I don't count the US as really good so this isn't about us). South Korea did peak a while ago; Son is clearly past his prime and that changes quite a bit.

But it is as close to a cakewalk as you can get. There's little threatening here relative to most groups. Czechia is basically set piece theater, which is dangerous, but hardly really good. And Korea is better but with Son on the downswing, the threat level is simply lower.