If they can get Koba Koindredi, Angelo Fulgini and Vadaine Oliver into the set up, their chances of being competitive with Jamaica would seriously improve.
just in case anyone has forgotten, or god forbid wasnt aware of football back then. image.png24.96 KB That's right we finished above Italy, and were the only team not to lose a game the entire tournament. image.png57.3 KB
Without wishing to jinx us, we have not lost a game at the World Cup since 23rd June 1982 ...
If they can get Koba Koindredi, Angelo Fulgini and Vadaine Oliver into the set up, their chances of being competitive with Jamaica would seriously improve.
DR Congo would be too difficult a task.
Yea DR Congo's squad is pretty immense. Most playing at clubs in top leagues. Surprised they didn't qualify directly.
If they can get Koba Koindredi, Angelo Fulgini and Vadaine Oliver into the set up, their chances of being competitive with Jamaica would seriously improve.
DR Congo would be too difficult a task.
Yea DR Congo's squad is pretty immense. Most playing at clubs in top leagues. Surprised they didn't qualify directly.
If they can get Koba Koindredi, Angelo Fulgini and Vadaine Oliver into the set up, their chances of being competitive with Jamaica would seriously improve.
DR Congo would be too difficult a task.
Yea DR Congo's squad is pretty immense. Most playing at clubs in top leagues. Surprised they didn't qualify directly.
They had Senegal in their group.
And even then had to beat Nigeria in a playoff to qualify for the playoff...
I was hoping for clarification from FIFA about where the playoff spots would get potted in the draw after the playoff draws were finalised but the wait goes on.
The draw will be Saturday December 6th at 6am, looking at a few venues that do breakfast, let us know if you'd be keen for it and where you're based. When the World Cup suddenly becomes real.
Supporting the supporters and love an away day anywhere in the world. Kiwis Can Fly!
I would be quite surprised if any team we played against rotated their players in a consequential match for the opposition. The downside would far outweigh the benefit of resting key players. Only really if it is the third group game for an already-qualified side would I expect that; the draw looks like it has Pot 4 teams playing Pot 1 teams third, so, if correct, we may face one if they win their first two matches.
In 2026, there are 100s of hours of match footage and terabytes of data to analyse. I doubt any mystery will exist around us at all - Auckland City at the CWC were fully analysed and faced top strength teams, for example, and their disparity versus the opposition was much greater. From the moment the draw is done in a couple weeks, those three teams will be poring over every match we've played for years.
Not quite the case re: the draw, while A1 v A4, B1 v B4, D1 v D4 have been locked in for MD3, that's only the case so far in the three host nation groups to provide early clarity, but more importantly, A4 etc aren't automatically the pot four team, teams get drawn in to one of the four slots.
This bit is really important detail in planning isn't it. It means (I'm guessing here) at least a few days, possibly more before games are confirmed. In each matchday of a pool, the two games are often in two different cities. So being drawn into a pool won't mean you know when and where the three games are, other than a 50/50 between two.
Supporting the supporters and love an away day anywhere in the world. Kiwis Can Fly!
I'd replace Austria with Iran as they haven't been in the best of form recently. They had two 0-0 draws in the last window, both going to pens which they lost against Uzbekistan and won against Cape Verde. carlind
I'd replace Austria with Iran as they haven't been in the best of form recently. They had two 0-0 draws in the last window, both going to pens which they lost against Uzbekistan and won against Cape Verde. carlind
I'd replace Austria with Iran as they haven't been in the best of form recently. They had two 0-0 draws in the last window, both going to pens which they lost against Uzbekistan and won against Cape Verde. carlind
Canada, Austria, South Africa best group possible?
FIFA have confirmed every group has to have at least one UEFA side, so Iran from Pot 2 (alongside Canada) would mean we'd have either Norway or Scotland instead of South Africa.
Austria and South Africa might be less intimidating than Iran and Scotland. Austria didn't have the toughest group (Bosnia and Romania), whereas Scotland had Denmark and Greece.
i assume however that if we draw Canada, USA or Mexico that all our pool games will be in one of those countries?
No, look at the venues for games in groups A,B,D https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage Multiple countries as venues for games within these groups
Groups are contained within one region ....
Western Region (Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles)
Central Region (Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City)
Eastern Region (Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey)
... with the exception of Canada opening game in Toronto before Canada and their opponent in that game play rest of games in West
While today's FIFA announcement is good news for us, it's even better for the Socceroos who sneak into Pot 2. Big boost to their Pool chances, remembering they just got beaten 3-0 by Colombia.
Hardest draw for me France, Japan, Norway Easiest Canada, Austria, Quatar British Empire draw England, Australia, Scotland Best crowd atmosphere for me would be Argentina. Amazing fans
And best region for AWs would be Western Region with games in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and L.A. All rather hip cities far removed from the red neck zone. The Central zone with Mexico and Southern USA cities would be a sweat box in summer
Im quite keen on that is it a rugby world cup? Is it a cricket world cup? No it's a football world cup England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand draw. Although to be honest the last four years has suggested we've never been able to come close to pipping one over our trans-tasman neighbours im not sure what would change now. Might be best if we give them a swerve in our Pot 2 allocation.
Apart from the host nations, I wouldn't mind Belgium as a pot 1 team. I've not been impressed by them at all over the past few windows, and their quality has massively dropped off from where they were over the past 10 years. They look the most likely to be 2010 Italy-esque imo. I'd honestly rather play them than a full strength Norway from pot 3.
Best case scenario for me: Canada, Austria, Qatar or South Africa
Worst case scenario: Spain or France, Uruguay and Norway
Is that from the perspective of fans or team performance? austin111
And best region for AWs would be Western Region with games in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and L.A. All rather hip cities far removed from the red neck zone. The Central zone with Mexico and Southern USA cities would be a sweat box in summer
Supporting the supporters and love an away day anywhere in the world. Kiwis Can Fly!
They should be, or they said they would be. However going through the groups it turns out 20/48 teams will have games in more than one 'region' (some of which are still flights away within one 'region') reubee
AucklandPhoenix
i assume however that if we draw Canada, USA or Mexico that all our pool games will be in one of those countries?
No, look at the venues for games in groups A,B,D https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Group_stage Multiple countries as venues for games within these groups
Groups are contained within one region ....
Western Region (Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles)
Central Region (Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City)
Eastern Region (Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey)
... with the exception of Canada opening game in Toronto before Canada and their opponent in that game play rest of games in West
Any travel will be North/South than East/West.
Supporting the supporters and love an away day anywhere in the world. Kiwis Can Fly!
Is that from the perspective of fans or team performance? austin111
And best region for AWs would be Western Region with games in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and L.A. All rather hip cities far removed from the red neck zone. The Central zone with Mexico and Southern USA cities would be a sweat box in summer
Bazeley has already said he would prefer cities where the temps won't be too high, otherwise it will be much harder for the AWs to press hard for 90 mins.
Agruably the team's worst performance of the last few years (3-0 loss to Mexico in Pasadena) was on a sweltering day, with the midfield over run.
But likely most of the international coaches will be hoping for similar cooler venues. Certainly most of the UEFA teams.
Now the Top Pot are seeded so they keep the favourites on opposite sides of the draw a la Wimbledon (FIFA quote Wimbledon apparently). It'll be Dukes & Duchesses ( a.k.a celebs & influencers) plus strawberry & cream next. At top prices of course. [Note: I saw a riveting match between Argentina & Romania at the Pasadena Rosebowl at WC 94 and paid bugger- all].
June temps in Guadalajara and Mexico City ain't bad. Max mid 20s.
Monterrey like Houston, Dallas and Kansas City not so nice. Mid 30s and above
Houston and Dallas are at least indoors. Not great for supporters, but shouldn't impact matches. Kansas City could be brutal for all involved.
Santa Clara could also be sneaky hot. People think of San Francisco as relatively mild, but Santa Clara is 45 miles south and inland. It should be high-20s, but it can easily be hotter. The real issue is the stadium. The 'main stand' is more than half private suites and press boxes and that's in the shade for day games. The opposite side of the stadium is three tiers of stands in the sun with no protection. It *should* be fine in June, but a day game with warmer than normal temps seems like a miserable combination in Santa Clara for the majority of attendees. Also, no one seems to want to go to Atlanta (this is based on other UK/Euro supporters as much as anything I've read here). I think Atlanta is one of the best options there is. It's a hub for Delta airlines which means lots of flight options and easy access. The metro system is very good with two lines that run straight to the stadium. The stadium is right downtown and a couple of blocks from a massive park which will be great on match days. There are numerous hotels within walking distance from the stadium and there are several museums and tourist attractions surrounding the park. And the food's great.
I guess it depends on what you like (being close to the ocean in LA or Miami and being able to hit Disneyland/World/other theme parks nearby appeals to some too), but I think Atlanta is under-rated.
Go to Seattle and do the Homeless Tour, score some of the latest drugs. Go to LA for the same and a chance you might see a Movie Star, Go to Frisco wearing flowers in your hair whilst doing another homeless tour.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
Go to Seattle and do the Homeless Tour, score some of the latest drugs. Go to LA for the same and a chance you might see a Movie Star, Go to Frisco wearing flowers in your hair whilst doing another homeless tour.
