P/I/P: 2026 World Cup Watch Thread (Non-USA games)

the whole game was a snoozefest, Mexico couldn't put a pass together, SK didn't bother to shoot and as a Tottenham fan it was sad seeing Son subbed out so early, people online were saying he's done and should retire because SK was so dysfunctional in the final third but it seemed to be the tactics that the SK coach implemented and not all on Son

 

for such a drab game, it sucks that the game was won on that flub but he did make two astounding plays to keep the game close

 

What I learned from the announcers of the Mexico game - Guadalajara field has a hedge all around, US team had an astounding victory but are not the best quality but their athleticism may save them, misc other nonsense. They were an astounding mix of Euro snobbery and newbie enthusiasm.

 

it looks coaches are already scheming on how to use the hydration breaks to their advantage and are implementing it into their in game strategy

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...-hydration-break-bosnia-herzegovina-world-cuphttps://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...-hydration-break-bosnia-herzegovina-world-cup

 

I get it that you hate the hydration breaks, but come on, do you really think coaches couldn't plan a triple substitution at the 67th to 70th minute without having a hydration break?

 

*sigh*, he specifically mentioned that he was waiting for the hydration break to make the tactical changes, of course he could have made the changes he wanted at any time, the hydration break is a new thing and these coaches are smart they will eventually come up with ways to take advantage of the hydration break, and the coaches that exploit it will fare better than the coaches who don't.

my issue with the hydration breaks are that they're another vehicle for companies to make even more money and altering a sport to fit their greed.

if a game is played in above 80 degrees and humid, go ahead and take as many breaks as you like player safety is of the upmost importance, taking a hydration break in a rain storm to fit more commercials in a game, get the heck out of here

 

I know it’s hard because they’re in the same group but pray for my Crescent Stars tonight. I would love the US to go through top of group and Türkiye to go through second. And not look tragic.

 

I’m watching on delay but not a good start.
Just saw that Türkiye came in 3rd in 2002 - I had forgotten that. Between them and the US have been a hell of an exciting WC for you!

 

Wow - Almiron red carded for covering mouth!

 

This TUR-PAR game is getting very CONCACAF-y.

I expect to see a dog on the field at some point.

 

Sorry Berks - Türkiye finishing today is Keystone Kop territory. They create a lot of chances but just seem to panic when they get near the goal. Are they a young team?

 

Bummed. Deserved result. But bummed. This team was better than this in qualifying.

Coach should be fired.

Ivan Barton. Woof.

EDIT: it is a young side minus Calhanoglu. Overawed by the moment.

 

Mix of coaching and inexperience? What do you think the coaching errors were, more on selection or tactics?

I don't know if people realize Guler turned 21 this year. He's one of the group's stars and was expected to do a lot, but that's a lot of expectations to put on a pretty young player. I wonder if next 4 years is this team's time

 

Mostly tactics.

1) No target forward against tall teams and then you play mostly from the wing crossing into the box. WTF.

2) I was BEGGING for players to get into the box. Needed one of the midfielders to take a man on. Instead I’m watching Arda pick up the ball in the defensive third. Reminds me of when Puig would drop father and father back. WTF you doing there son? The lack of movement - sheezus.

3) One of the fullbacks has got to get farther up the field when you play a team that has gone down to 10. I don’t understand Mert over Çelik who was great in qualifying. Mert was downright a stinker on the right. Wasn’t a surprise that Yıldız got the ball on the left but then did NOTHING.

4) same game plan from minute 1 to minute 90. In both games.

5) absolutely crap subs with no speed.

6) Too much reliance on Güler. He’s 21 to your point.

7) Calhanoglu looked old. akturkoglu sucks (why wasn’t gül in earlier????)

This team scored in qualifying against European opposition. Absolutely sh*t the bed in the WC.

Defense late 20s as expected
Midfield and forwards early 20s (minus Calhanoglu)

Güler - just turned 21
Can Uzun - 20
Kenan Yıldız - just turned 21
Gül - 21

Turkish media having a collective meltdown. Coach will be fired.

My dad is 86. He was bummed. I was bummed with him.

Well, makes game three for the US a whole lot easier.

 

Great breakdown, thank you.

I kept wondering how Turkiye and Haiti could be eliminated already, but I forgot about the head-to-head tie breaker. Kinda interesting -- a lot of teams won't have anything to play for the in the final matchday, unlike previous tourneys. Weird choice given the expansion to more teams. Under last tourneys rules Turkiye and US would be set-up for helluva final matchday.

EDIT: I'm also sorry they didn't advance! Pretty unexpected, really.

 

Head to head as 1st tie-breaker is unusual and has advantages and disadvantages.
Off the top of my head advantages are:
1. There is some fairness logic to “if 2 teams have same record, the winner of the match between them advances.”
2. It allows many advancing teams to rest and heal up by using subs for third match.

Disadvantages:
1. For teams with equal records it ignores performances in against the other non-tied teams. For example teams A & B are in a group with France and are tied with 1-1-1 records. Team A beats team B 1-0 but loses 6-0 to France. Meanwhile Team B beats France 4-0. (Both tied the remaining team.) Who should advance? Based on overall performance most would argue Team B is the better team, but they go home.
2. Using goal differential as first tie-breaker and goals scored as second rewards aggressive, exciting attacking play much more than head-to-head as 1st tie-breaker.
3. Third games matter more often. More exciting games!

I think the advantages of the usual tie-breaker ordering greatly outweigh the small advantages of the new approach. Now get off my lawn!

 

I had no idea this was a new rule and its a direct red card, I understand the thought process for this but it seems to be a bit harsh IMO, a yellow card would seem sufficient and then hand out suspensions after 2 yellow cards for this offense and a suspension after each subsequent offense throughout the season

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soc...-card-world-cup-2026/54cc05d997e8644bf1560665

 

It did seems harsh. I want to say ired is justified only if there is evidence of hate speech but the mouth covering prevents anyone from seeing the evidence, So I get the logic of making them all reds and training players to just stop it.

 

I now have an irrational disgust for Simon Andingra, Trickhog would have slotted that home and now they're done, great job Ivory Coast bunch of numpties go back to your irrelevance

play in question:

https://streamff.com/v/a573646b

 

it is going to be interesting for sure as most players have a tendency to put their hands to their face, in anger, pain, disbelief. I also wouldn't be surprised that it slowly fades away, just like the crackdown on simulation, also having a CONCACAF ref call the first one seems appropriate, for those of us long term watchers of CONCACAF

 

Almiron has had himself quite the historic WC.

 

Ivory Coast had a few different opportunities to put that game away, but this chance was nuts. How do you not shoot first time there?

 

Unforgivable. Every players dream to be in that situation (tie game, min 88, wide open from 19 yards) and Andriga … does nothing.