2026 World Cup

When they expand it to 64 teams it'll be impossible for us and the like of Spain to miss out 

When they do they need to put the top 8 Euro ranked teams straight through in my opinion, and the rest battle it out for the other 209 places 

It seems that the end goal here to make the WC as inclusive as the Olympics, with everyone involved

1 hour ago, edmontonowl said:

It seems that the end goal here to make the WC as inclusive as the Olympics, with everyone involved

They might as well though 

Seems ridiculous with all the qualifying bs hijacking our clubs 

I still think international football needs to adopt the cricket model 

17 hours ago, Beighton Owl 87 said:

And yet in-between those failings they were gifted a European championship

15 hours ago, edmontonowl said:

 

 

France and Spain weren't that good back then. Neither were in Mexico in 70 or W. Germany in 74. Portugal had also slipped back after 66 and weren't at Mexico. Uruguay always suffered due to the limited number of S. American qualifiers in the 70s but did make 74. Only Brazil, Argentina and Peru were in the 78 tournament from S.Am

Good points, thank you for the clarifications!.

I think with Zaire in 1974, there's the classic clip of the player charging out of the wall and booting the ball away, with the summation that they didn't really know the rules ( pretty insulting, but that was the 70's). 

I didn't realise only 3 South American teams were in at Argentina '78. Would it have been 2 if Argentina weren't the hosts? 

Jamaica away at New Caledonia in the inter-confederation play offs, then Congo if they get through.

Heck of a journey for Cadamarteri, and potentially Bernard if he's fit by then (game played in March).

Northern Ireland away to Italy in the play offs, ouch. Wales face the winner of that if they beat Bosnia at home - but it's OK because Bellamy says they'll take anybody. 

26 minutes ago, alanharper said:

Jamaica away at New Caledonia in the inter-confederation play offs, then Congo if they get through.

 

Heck of a journey for Cadamarteri, and potentially Bernard if he's fit by then (game played in March).

 

Why has McLaren quit if they can still qualify

6 minutes ago, Fairy Tail Owl said:

Why has McLaren quit if they can still qualify

Probably doesn't want to sit around for 4 months and then bottle it again.  They've just blown qualification by drawing their last two games, if they'd won either one of them they'd already be there. 

If I was Italy I wouldn't be too confident not with the way Wales are playing and having home advantage (providing they get through of course) 

Italy have looked average since winning the Euros 

The one team to avoid in the play offs was Italy so don't fancy the home nations chances now.

Republic of Ireland have a better opportunity but you'd probably fancy Denmark to get through. 

On 19/11/2025 at 06:47, Drewswfc said:

Northern Ireland are in the play offs as well aren't they?

Facing Italy, so that's an easy one for them!

When Norway can beat Italy twice with 7-1 aggregate, now is the time to draw Italy

5 hours ago, Bannofan said:

 

Good points, thank you for the clarifications!.

 

I think with Zaire in 1974, there's the classic clip of the player charging out of the wall and booting the ball away, with the summation that they didn't really know the rules ( pretty insulting, but that was the 70's). 

 

I didn't realise only 3 South American teams were in at Argentina '78. Would it have been 2 if Argentina weren't the hosts? 

 

 

Yes. Arg was 1 of 3 despite being hosts

1 hour ago, DCFCOwls said:

If I was Italy I wouldn't be too confident not with the way Wales are playing and having home advantage (providing they get through of course) 

 

Italy have looked average since winning the Euros 

Not sure why Wales are the home team? Just assumed that with Italy being top seeds they'd be at home in the "final". 

They were saying on the radio the other night that Italy are in a major slump in form at the moment.