As I understand it, the center and both ARs will be women. Brava for the hard work and climbing what must have seemed an impossible ladder for these gals. FIFA not the complete luddites some make it out to be? LOL
for Spain, was not completely happy with the performance against Germany, but understood the overall strategy although it almost cost them the game.
It’s a shame Fati has not completely recovered his pace and performance with his injuries. His finishing was lethal when he healthy for Barca and exactly what Spain is missing. Ferran is so damn frustrating with his finishing for club and country.
for Spain, was not completely happy with the performance against Germany, but understood the overall strategy although it almost cost them the game.
It’s a shame Fati has not completely recovered his pace and performance with his injuries. His finishing was lethal when he healthy for Barca and exactly what Spain is missing. Ferran is so damn frustrating with his finishing for club and country.
I'd start Marotta albeit he didn't perform well in the Euros.
... what Lukaku couldn't do. If he came off his feet on at least two of those chances they were in. Being rusty is one thing but he can't have been close to game fit.
Belgium just aged out of their opportunity to get far in this tourney, though they might have been able to get one more game; just was not in the cards. That's the last time I include reputation/history in my evaluation of teams for pools!
Morocco is just the opposite (from my pool perspective): I saw a documentary recently about the team and the fans and I elevated them above what I'd otherwise have done. I think they will be fun to watch.
But back to Belgium, the overall result today and how it happened was somehow reminiscent of watching many a USMNT game ... PAST USMNT, I mean!
Looking forward to this afternoon's matches. Looks like a with a Germany win and a Spain win, Germany is in with 4 points.
Germany is not in with 4 points if Japan beats Spain. Japan will win the group and Spain already has 4 points plus goal differential Germany is very unlikely to match.
They are automatically in because they are the host right? Do they still play the usual Concacaf games or are they excluded and just have to play friendlies to stay tuned up? If CA, Mex and USA all get in automatically, does the rest of Concacaf all just play for 1 remaining bid?
RE: How does qualifying work for the US next cycle?
They are automatically in because they are the host right? Do they still play the usual Concacaf games or are they excluded and just have to play friendlies to stay tuned up? If CA, Mex and USA all get in automatically, does the rest of Concacaf all just play for 1 remaining bid?
WC expands to 48 teams in ‘26. USA, Mexico, and Canada all get automatic spots. CONCACAF will receive anywhere from 3-5 additional spots.
We will go through the CONCACAF qualifying process. I believe the highest three non-automatic teams will get the spots and the next two will go to the intercontinental playoffs.
Looking forward to this afternoon's matches. Looks like a with a Germany win and a Spain win, Germany is in with 4 points.
Germany is not in with 4 points if Japan beats Spain. Japan will win the group and Spain already has 4 points plus goal differential Germany is very unlikely to match.
Sorry - misread your post. Yes, if Germany and Spain both win, Germany is in.
WC expands to 48 teams in ‘26. USA, Mexico, and Canada all get automatic spots.
I don’t think FIFA has officially announced that. Host countries have always gotten the automatic spot in the past, but they’ve never had more than one host before. Between that and the expansion to 48, some have speculated they may end automatic spots.
Morocco advancing would be great for AFCON.
It’s a shame Fati has not completely recovered his pace and performance with his injuries. His finishing was lethal when he healthy for Barca and exactly what Spain is missing. Ferran is so damn frustrating with his finishing for club and country.
Their Keeper is having a terrible half.
Croatia looking good so far, passing really well and limiting BEL chances
Blocking the vision of the keeper they said.
He was warming up, probably super-subbing along with Hazard
Quote:
for Spain, was not completely happy with the performance against Germany, but understood the overall strategy although it almost cost them the game.
It’s a shame Fati has not completely recovered his pace and performance with his injuries. His finishing was lethal when he healthy for Barca and exactly what Spain is missing. Ferran is so damn frustrating with his finishing for club and country.
I'd start Marotta albeit he didn't perform well in the Euros.
And Lukaku with all the space and a lot of from the 6 hits the post.
Love the Ian Darke
now 5!! What’s happening?!
This is bizarre.
This is bizarre.
He’s hardly played at all this season due to injury and isn’t sharp.
wow
Celebration for MOR, great first set of matches
Quote:
is allergic to the back of the net.
This is bizarre.
He’s hardly played at all this season due to injury and isn’t sharp.
That's one way to look at it. But he missed two sitters that world class strikers should bury - time off or not.
That miss off the right post was cruel.
He was damned good. Player to watch.
Belgium just aged out of their opportunity to get far in this tourney, though they might have been able to get one more game; just was not in the cards. That's the last time I include reputation/history in my evaluation of teams for pools!
Morocco is just the opposite (from my pool perspective): I saw a documentary recently about the team and the fans and I elevated them above what I'd otherwise have done. I think they will be fun to watch.
But back to Belgium, the overall result today and how it happened was somehow reminiscent of watching many a USMNT game ... PAST USMNT, I mean!
Germany is not in with 4 points if Japan beats Spain. Japan will win the group and Spain already has 4 points plus goal differential Germany is very unlikely to match.
WC expands to 48 teams in ‘26. USA, Mexico, and Canada all get automatic spots. CONCACAF will receive anywhere from 3-5 additional spots.
We will go through the CONCACAF qualifying process. I believe the highest three non-automatic teams will get the spots and the next two will go to the intercontinental playoffs.
Quote:
Looking forward to this afternoon's matches. Looks like a with a Germany win and a Spain win, Germany is in with 4 points.
Germany is not in with 4 points if Japan beats Spain. Japan will win the group and Spain already has 4 points plus goal differential Germany is very unlikely to match.
Sorry - misread your post. Yes, if Germany and Spain both win, Germany is in.
WC expands to 48 teams in ‘26. USA, Mexico, and Canada all get automatic spots.
I don’t think FIFA has officially announced that. Host countries have always gotten the automatic spot in the past, but they’ve never had more than one host before. Between that and the expansion to 48, some have speculated they may end automatic spots.
Yeah, that was a pretty bad call.