World Cup 2026

[opus]

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

That's true. But my heart is with Norway!

So I want Norway, Morocco, Spain & Switzerland to win in the next round !

Ruh-roh, to quote Scooby Doo. Three of those are big underdogs.

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by opus

Ruh-roh, to quote Scooby Doo. Three of those are big underdogs.

Yeah ! I know! I'm hoping for the best though! Kind of really just wish Argentina doesn't win if I have to settle. They just really remind me of The New England Patriots ( Messi being like Brady).

[opus]

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

That's true. But my heart is with Norway!

Have you seen the videos of the Norwegian fans doing their rowing thing?

[Duster76]

I was very disappointed in the America's performance in the game against Belgium, I'm still watching the games but I don't have a rooting interest in which team wins.

It's A Small World After All

That title is very apropos when it comes to the World Cup competition. There have been 22 World Cup winners, 2 European nations have won 8, Germany 4, Italy 4, 2 South American nations have won 8, Brazil 5, Argentina 3. Of the remaining 6 winners 4 are European nations, France twice, England and Spain once, the other two cups were won by Uruguay 1930 (the first World Cup) and 1950 (the first World Cup after World War II).

We see similar consistency in teams that have gone to the World Cup final and lost, of the 22 losing teams Brazil and Argentina have lost 5 times, no other South American team is represented. Of the 17 remaining teams that made it to the finals and lost, 8 are from the European countries that are mentioned above. Five additional European countries have made the finals and lost, Czech Republic twice, Hungry twice, the Netherlands three times, Sweden once and Croatia once. Only the Netherlands (1) and Croatia have made the World Cup finals since 1980.

Of the remaining 8 teams left 6 are from Europe and South America is once again represented by Argentina leaving only Morocco as the newbie.

Basically the World Cup is Europe. Brazil and Argentina. I don't have an answer for any of this, but future World Cup competition needs to address this redundancy. The groupings should reflect a need to eliminate European teams by matching them against each other. The final 8 teams should be more reflective of the entire world, no more than three or tops four European teams should ever get this far again.

[Bonniegirl]

Duster 76- I agree. I think something is amiss. I can not believe it's a coincidence that it always seems to be the same few countries winning every time.

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by opus

Have you seen the videos of the Norwegian fans doing their rowing thing?

Yes. It is so cool. And BBG ( Big blonde guy) was beating that big drum after they had won!

I really hope they win. Norway deserves it. And fun, cool fans! I also saw a video of them doing a conga line dance thing.

[TJ]

Belgium has always had the USA's number for some reason. They didn't even start two of their better goal scorers.

Many of Europe's better teams didn't even make the World Cup. Italy (who missed their third consecutive tournament), Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Ukraine, and Wales failed to qualify.

I think many countries' top 11 players can compete with any countries' top 11 on any given day. Look at how well the tiny nation of Cape Verde played. The gap is still closing.

Africa has made some great strides in this tournament. 9 out of their 10 teams advanced to the Round of 32.

Morocco - It wouldn't be a huge upset if they beat France the way they have been playing.

Egypt - Advanced to the Round of 16. They had the defending champions Argentina on the ropes.

Senegal - They blew a 2-0 lead against Belgium in the closing minutes. I think they would have been a better matchup for the USA.

Cape Verde - They had draws against Spain and Uruguay. Argentina needed extra time to beat them in the Round of 32.

I thought the groups were pretty fair and balanced. The Round of 32 matchups should be based on the group standings. Putting all of the European teams against each other in the same groups wouldn't really increase the chances of a non-European team winning by very much.

[Dude111]

Ya think Belgium is doing better buddy??

[opus]

Originally Posted by Duster76

I was very disappointed in the America's performance in the game against Belgium, I'm still watching the games but I don't have a rooting interest in which team wins.

It's A Small World After All

That title is very apropos when it comes to the World Cup competition. There have been 22 World Cup winners, 2 European nations have won 8, Germany 4, Italy 4, 2 South American nations have won 8, Brazil 5, Argentina 3. Of the remaining 6 winners 4 are European nations, France twice, England and Spain once, the other two cups were won by Uruguay 1930 (the first World Cup) and 1950 (the first World Cup after World War II).

We see similar consistency in teams that have gone to the World Cup final and lost, of the 22 losing teams Brazil and Argentina have lost 5 times, no other South American team is represented. Of the 17 remaining teams that made it to the finals and lost, 8 are from the European countries that are mentioned above. Five additional European countries have made the finals and lost, Czech Republic twice, Hungry twice, the Netherlands three times, Sweden once and Croatia once. Only the Netherlands (1) and Croatia have made the World Cup finals since 1980.

Of the remaining 8 teams left 6 are from Europe and South America is once again represented by Argentina leaving only Morocco as the newbie.

Basically the World Cup is Europe. Brazil and Argentina. I don't have an answer for any of this, but future World Cup competition needs to address this redundancy. The groupings should reflect a need to eliminate European teams by matching them against each other. The final 8 teams should be more reflective of the entire world, no more than three or tops four European teams should ever get this far again.

There's an easier way to take out Europe, South America, whoever , then attempting to prearrange groups. When you play them, beat them.

Mexico had England in a home field high altitude stadium Mexico "never" loses at with England down to 10 men. It couldn't have been arranged any better for Mexico. Still couldn't get it done.

[opus]

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Yes. It is so cool. And BBG ( Big blonde guy) was beating that big drum after they had won!

I really hope they win. Norway deserves it. And fun, cool fans! I also saw a video of them doing a conga line dance thing.

Google Erling Haaland. Check out what happens.

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by opus

Google Erling Haaland. Check out what happens.

I just did. What happens? Are you referring to me never calling him by his name ? I don't think he would be offended at me calling him BBG.

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by opus

Google Erling Haaland. Check out what happens.

He has a face like a big rubber ducky!

[opus]

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

I just did. What happens? Are you referring to me never calling him by his name ? I don't think he would be offended at me calling him BBG.

Don’t a bunch of cartoon Norwegians start rowing across the bottom of the screen?

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by opus

Don’t a bunch of cartoon Norwegians start rowing across the bottom of the screen?

Attachment 337152

Oh yeah, I googled him again and did notice that . Cute.

[opus]

The FIFA rankings for the remaining teams

France - 1
Argentina - 2
Spain - 3
England - 4
Morocco - 6
Belgium - 8
Switzerland - 14
Norway - 19

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...s/90830358007/