In the case of a later withdrawal from Iran, I expect a bye for either Italy or Russia. Joke's asside, it will be messy. If the playoffs are done i forsee as follows: 1) Bolivia or Suriname have won it, all clear 2) if Iraq have won it, playoff between the Bolivia (as the other finalist) and UAE.
I can't imagine they play another Playoff after the Intercontinental Playoffs. Iraq will receive Iran's place if they lose. If Iraq qualifies I guess VAE as next AfC team will receive the spot. To me it's more likely than the Playoff Runner Up (Bolivia or Suriname).
Infantino will select Italy as er.... let me think... the most recent winners that didn't quality, yes that's it. FIFA out of the arse rule 6969.69
I know this is a joke, but also at the same time, I actually kinda believe it. More so they will say they will select the team with the highest FIFA ranking that did not qualify. That would put Italy, Denmark, and Turkey as first options in order if they don't qualify, and Nigeria next if they all do.
Its definitely believable / could happen. That would likely lead to a lot of arguing between 3 teams: the one with the highest FIFA ranking, the AFC team with the highest ranking, and the winner of Bolivia v Suriname if they lost to Iraq. This is already being discussed in Bolivia.
This is hilarious... The US World Cup will be the biggest in history...and the most forgettable of them all From @TheAthleticFC: Six days after FIFA president Gianni Infantino claimed that “every” 2026 World Cup match is “already sold out,” FIFA, out of nowhere, launched an effort to sell World Cup tickets. https://t.co/z0ZaNKIK4T— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 2, 2026
New Zealand will be based in San Diego, using Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego, and staying at a hotel in La Jolla
AFAIK, this is the aim of dynamic pricing. I.e. to sell tickets at just the right price to barely secure a sell out. If you sell out too easily, it implies the tickets were underpriced, and vice versa. And this holds true for each individual match. Not saying it's the right way to do things, but it's the route FIFA have chosen.
True. Also, if they sell tickets at 3x price of previous world cups and somehow don't sell 20% of seats, they still make much more money this way so it's a financial success no matter what the stadiums look like on game day
But one empty seat and some people will declare it a "disaster". The Copa was a "disaster" despite the second highest average and largest aggregate attendance ever. The CWC was "embarrassing" despite an average attendance of almost 40,000. People see empty seats at a MLS match and act as if the league is on a precipice. The funny thing is that 1994 was the first World Cup that had packed stadiums. Now people have come to expect it.
Bad examples dude. Both international tournaments in our country were organizational laughingstocks, thanks to penny-pinching MFers like Conmebol+FIFA. They had no shame in setting them up for failure, while claiming they were a success. See a pattern here? A) 2024 Copa America: ‘It was inhuman’: Why the Copa America final was delayed and dangerously close to disaster Copa América organizers settle for $14M after final debacle B) 2025 Club World Cup: Club World Cup: MetLife Stadium field criticised after hosting first game PSG manager Luis Enrique blasts Club World Cup pitches as being 'full of holes' as his side reach knockout stages
The world is ready. Are you? 🏆 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/fKARdGg5ep— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 3, 2026
These things happen. "Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said the turf was a "catastrophe" and that players "risked serious injury" He was talking about Frankfurt's Waldstadion at Euro 2024. Chile president condemns ‘obvious irresponsibility’ after fan violence suspends Copa Sudamericana match
It seems the winner of UEFA Path B play-off, will automatically assign to Dallas for Base Camp. Locked in for the Summer of Soccer ⚽️We will serve as a @FIFAWorldCup Base Camp for the winner of the UEFA Path B Qualifier. pic.twitter.com/oCu5kAwMXG— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) March 3, 2026
Boston 2026 says Kraft Group backing World Cup funding - ESPN FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Two weeks before a licensing deadline, Boston World Cup organizers told Foxborough town officials they would pay for about $8 million in security costs, but the two sides remained at odds at a town meeting Tuesday evening.
Mansfield, Texas will be the base camp for the winner (Czech Republic, Denmark, North Macedonia, or Republic of Ireland) of UEFA Play-Off Path D. Mansfield Stadium has been selected as a Team Base Camp for the FIFA World Cup 2026!Mansfield Stadium will serve as the team’s primary training and operational headquarters for the winner of UEFA Play-Off Path D — Czech Republic, Denmark, North Macedonia, or Republic of Ireland pic.twitter.com/fGoUdljaWi— Texas Health Mansfield Stadium (@Mansfieldstdm) March 3, 2026