Men's Football FIFA World Cup 2026

[heywoodu 15,997]

1 hour ago, Olympian1010 said:

211 team tournament if we're talking full membership party.

Yeah, but the logistics and planning for an odd number of teams would be too much. There'll definitely be a 212th member by then though.

[heywoodu 15,997]

Interestingly enough, San Marino is ranked in 210th and last place, which is a great way to show the nonsense of this ranking system....I have not a single doubt that they'd run circles around at least 30-40 of the teams above them (but who I assume get easier points by playing easier matches?)

https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men

[JoshMartini007 2,762]

When was the last time San Marino played against a non-European opponent?

[heywoodu 15,997]

5 minutes ago, JoshMartini007 said:

When was the last time San Marino played against a non-European opponent?

Ok, they lost against Saint Lucia in November 2022  

 

I might have been too excited, but they scored in their previous three matches  (against Denmark, Kazakhstan and Finland, one would imagine the likes of Anguilla or São Tomé shouldn't be that much of a problem then, but if Saint Lucia proves too much...)

 

We'll see, they have a double-header against  scheduled next month!

Edited February 5, 2024 by heywoodu

[hckošice 15,502]

23 minutes ago, heywoodu said:

There'll definitely be a 212th member by then though.

you mean ?

[LDOG 2,464]

10 minutes ago, heywoodu said:

Ok, they lost against Saint Lucia in November 2022  

 

I might have been too excited, but they scored in their previous three matches  (against Denmark, Kazakhstan and Finland, one would imagine the likes of Anguilla or São Tomé shouldn't be that much of a problem then, but if Saint Lucia proves too much...)

 

We'll see, they have a double-header against  scheduled next month!

They had a draw with Seychelles some time ago too.  

 

I think Sao Tome wouldn't be easy either, they have some professional players. One even played for Newell's old boys some years ago. 

 

I think only the bottom 5-6 teams of concacaf and OFC are clearly worse. Maybe Guam or Brunei too.

[LDOG 2,464]

16 minutes ago, hckošice said:

you mean ?

 is very close to joining I believe. 

[Orangehair43 285]

What happens if the USA blocks a team from entering. What would FIFA do. Must be serious chance if Trump is president he won’t let in Iran or Palestine. 

[thepharoah 2,411]

WOW ! Afghanistan defeated India at their home 2-1  

[Olympian1010 8,228]

 eliminated from qualifying