View Full Version : World Cup 2026...........'draw'....
Nesta99
05/12/2025, 6:09 PM
Ok so we're in the draw, thats all, Im traumatised so far.....
pineapple stu
05/12/2025, 6:20 PM
Jokes aside, I'm surprised at how crap it is. Kevin Hart blends in with the background and all you can see is a loud-mouthed necklace. The official song was tame. Lauryn Hill was crap (and did she say it's Bob Marley's birthday? I think there's been more than one mic malfunction. And how is Rio Ferdinand the best they could find to do the draw?
But Christ, Infantino gets worse and worse. At one stage I was hoping he'd shut up and let Trump speak, because that would be less painful.
Anyway, down to the draw now. Let's see who we maybe get
Nesta99
05/12/2025, 6:38 PM
I want group B, Canada for football reasons obviously, but that could cause a very frosty houshold when we qualify! Odds on its Portugal though.
So Canada group B out of the equation now based on the rules? D looking nice now.
pineapple stu
05/12/2025, 6:39 PM
So Canada group B out of the equation now based on the rules? D looking nice now.
Why?
Four groups can have two European teams - there's no such group yet. I think all options open to us still
pineapple stu
05/12/2025, 6:42 PM
I was wondering!
England have Croatia, so we can't be in that group. Which I'm quite ok with to be honest.
pineapple stu
05/12/2025, 6:47 PM
Canada/Qatar/Switzerland looking about a good a draw as you could hope for
Totally. Still liking B & D.
Metrostars
05/12/2025, 6:58 PM
Canada/Qatar/Switzerland looking about a good a draw as you could hope for
Also USA-Australia-Paraguay
pineapple stu
05/12/2025, 6:58 PM
Mexico, South Africa and South Korea it is
You'll take that
rebelmusic
05/12/2025, 6:58 PM
One of the best possible groups I would say. Nice!
Crosby87
05/12/2025, 6:59 PM
I feel like this is touching the money at the blackjack table
Metrostars
05/12/2025, 6:59 PM
I think it's a tough draw. South Korea will be the toughest and although they've been poor lately, Mexico at home will be hard.
pineapple stu
05/12/2025, 7:01 PM
I think it's a tough draw. South Korea will be the toughest and although they've been poor lately, Mexico at home will be hard.
Oh it's a tough draw. It's the World Cup.
I think it's maybe slightly easier than the draw we have to get there in the first place.
Crosby87
05/12/2025, 7:10 PM
Mexico will also be under crazy pressure and probably threats....no fun.
Glad to avoid MetLife. I know they are putting in grass but it will probably be horrible that Stadium is awful.
Crosby87
05/12/2025, 7:16 PM
Then again, Atlanta is becoming a dump tho I would love to take you lads up Stone Mountain and those Waffle Houses are legit
Bungle
05/12/2025, 7:19 PM
That's a good draw.
Mexico are generally very good and at home it will be very tough. Still, an easier team than the others in that section bar USA and Canada.
As pot 2 teams go, South Korea are a good draw. A good team usually.
South Africa looks a favourable draw.
tetsujin1979
05/12/2025, 7:21 PM
Dear lord that was a slow death
Nesta99
05/12/2025, 7:27 PM
I thought we had decided not to enter the Eurovision!?!?!
Not the worst draw, not the best, compared to some you'd take it. Heath being taken in to consideration unlike 94. England for a change have a bit of a stinker. There'll be a good few suprises this WC, Germany could be vulnerable more than normal. Not unexpected but there will be some poor group games. Lopes will be liking that draw getting to play Spain, just keep fit for the summer lad. It does feel a bit off talking about groups we havent confirmed but as long as no Irish person has toouched the trophy i'll set the superstition aside.
How did we ever manage to get someone worse than Blatter leading FIFA, peace prizes and YMCA, dandcing Don, it was like a blooper reel from Police Academy.
When you see those groups, you realize the amount of dross that will be there. No doubt it will throw up a few surprises and some classic games (like Qatar WC did) but it is hard to pick a true group of death out of that one.
Nesta99
05/12/2025, 7:34 PM
When you see those groups, you realize the amount of dross that will be there. No doubt it will throw up a few surprises and some classic games (like Qatar WC did) but it is hard to pick a true group of death out of that one.
Biggest shock of all, not even Scotland could find a way not to get out of their group!
Groups I and L probably the most interesting ones in terms of big hitters. There are a good few groups that would be equally mediocre so will be interesting in a different way.
2 Year Contract
05/12/2025, 7:36 PM
When you see those groups, you realize the amount of dross that will be there. No doubt it will throw up a few surprises and some classic games (like Qatar WC did) but it is hard to pick a true group of death out of that one.
True, the two groups below are probably the highest in quality. Norway are flying it at the minute so it’ll be interesting to see if they can get 2nd place ahead of Senegal.
Group I
France
Senegal
Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
Norway
Group L
England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama
Even group L is a bit of a stretch to be honest, Ghana aren’t half the side they once were.
Eirambler
05/12/2025, 7:39 PM
Would be a fun group if we qualified, would be good to not play any other European teams for a change. Tough draw for Scotland, but maybe having Haiti in there might save them, they could have gotten Italy as the Pot 4 team, which would have been a proper group of death. Knowing them they'll still find a way to get knocked out early.
France/Norway/Senegal/Bolivia probably the closest to a group of death.
pineapple stu
05/12/2025, 7:39 PM
Dear lord that was a slow death
The RTÉ coverage was due to finish at 6:50 (I think BBC was the same) but it went on until 7:20. That's amateur hour stuff.
Controversial opinion here, but seeing the draw, I'm looking forward to the 48-team competition (sorry Stu!). Scotland v Haiti, Curacao v Germany, Spain v Cabo Verde (Pico Lopes will be delighted I'm sure), Argentina v Jordan, Portugal v Uzbekistan (that's a banana skin if Ronaldo is still playing) - it looks fascinating.
France will have nightmares about Senegal, and Norway in the group too. Poor Scotland get their 1998 group again, though with Haiti instead of Norway.
Can't see any of the big teams going out in the groups, but there's interesting games in there all the same. Just hope we're in there too.
True, the two groups below are probably the highest in quality. Norway are flying it at the minute so it’ll be interesting to see if they can get 2nd place ahead of Senegal.
They could challenge France for first I think. They're a serious team at the moment; they should be looking at the quarters at least. Senegal could help them as Senegal v France is an us v England game.
Eirambler
05/12/2025, 8:23 PM
For what it's worth, using the world rankings as a guide, the three Pot 1 to Pot 3 teams that Ireland's playoff path was drawn with are ranked the lowest of the 12 groups (average ranking for the three teams is 33). In other words, it's about the best possible draw we could have gotten if we do go on to qualify.
legendz
05/12/2025, 8:34 PM
ROUND OF 32
Runner up group A v Runner up group B
(B: Switzerland or UEFA A [Italy, Wales, Bosnia or N. Ireland].)
ROUND OF 16 v Group F winner or Group C runner up
(F: Netherlands or UEFA B [Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania] v C: Morocco or Scotland.)
OR
ROUND OF 32
Winner A v 3rd Group C/E/F/H/I
ROUND OF 16 v Winner L or 3rd Group E/H/I/J/K
(L: England, Croatia or Ghana or ...)
OR
3rd Group A...!
Glass half full for UEFA Path D winner as Group A runner up:
Round of 16:
1. Germany v France
2. UEFA D v Netherlands
3. Croatia v Spain
4. USA or UEFA C [Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo, or Romania] v Belgium
5. Brazil v Ecuador/Ivory Coast/Norway/Senegal
6. Mexico v England
7. Argentina v Egypt
8. Switzerland v Portugal
backstothewall
06/12/2025, 9:55 AM
Getting into that group is going to be tougher than getting out of it.
Pretty decent draw for us IF we get through the playoffs
Sure lads, we’re goin to win the feckin thing.
Eirambler
06/12/2025, 6:34 PM
Some pretty ludicrous match timings for Ireland's games if we qualify - 3am Irish time for the South Korea game and 2am for the Mexico game. I don't remember the timings being anything like as bad as that at USA 94. Buth then there were only half as many teams.
In the 24 team and 32 team World Cups I have always tried to watch as many games as possible because it's only once every four years. But a combination of the sheer numbers of teams and games, the lack of quality of some of the qualifying countries and the awful timings will mean I will be only be watching games a lot more selectively here regardless of whether Ireland end up qualifying or not.
It almost feels a bit more like the Olympics where there's far too much sport to watch so you end up just watching certain games/events of interest to the part of the world you are from. But it does dilute the meaningfulness of the group stages a lot I think - very few decent teams are going to be knocked out in the group stages of this World Cup. Arguably the tournament will only seriously start at the round of 32.
Nesta99
07/12/2025, 12:12 AM
I like night duty, most dont, I will very graciously volunteer to work those nights and hope they are quiet so chill in a staffroom in front of the tv. We'll robably suffer after with a load of injured drunken people that have been in the pub from before midnight to almost 5am in case anone thinks any health service staff always have the feet up!!
The earlier ko in the US in 94 meant playing Mexico for one KO 12 midday I think. Stan was burnt before the anthem finished. Throwing knotted bags of water was pretty new thinking at the time. No water breaks so just a stop in play, not water bottles so refs couldnt do a whole lot if a player was holding a sandwich bag filled with water.
Im still quite indifferent about getting there after that absolute shambles yesterday. I never held FIFA in much esteem like many, but they plumbed new depths. Even if I were a tiny bit supportive of Trump it will sicken to see him in the middle of everything, nabbing the trophy during the final winner presentation. Its bothered me more than it should listening to Infantino and the whole pure tone deaf bs bootlicking grotesque charade.
Neish
07/12/2025, 10:21 AM
Some pretty ludicrous match timings for Ireland's games if we qualify - 3am Irish time for the South Korea game and 2am for the Mexico game. I don't remember the timings being anything like as bad as that at USA 94. Buth then there were only half as many teams.
In the 24 team and 32 team World Cups I have always tried to watch as many games as possible because it's only once every four years. But a combination of the sheer numbers of teams and games, the lack of quality of some of the qualifying countries and the awful timings will mean I will be only be watching games a lot more selectively here regardless of whether Ireland end up qualifying or not.
It almost feels a bit more like the Olympics where there's far too much sport to watch so you end up just watching certain games/events of interest to the part of the world you are from. But it does dilute the meaningfulness of the group stages a lot I think - very few decent teams are going to be knocked out in the group stages of this World Cup. Arguably the tournament will only seriously start at the round of 32.
There will be 48 nations in the tournament, its being played in time zones 4 - 8 hours behind "Irish time" . Games are timed to suit the location they are played in, not Ireland or any other nation. I'd do think 48 teams is far too many will be a significant amount of games of little interest to the neutral fan in the the early stages
Eirambler
07/12/2025, 11:32 AM
There will be 48 nations in the tournament, its being played in time zones 4 - 8 hours behind "Irish time" . Games are timed to suit the location they are played in, not Ireland or any other nation. I'd do think 48 teams is far too many will be a significant amount of games of little interest to the neutral fan in the the early stages
This isn't actually the case at all. They took two days to work out the fixtures for TV so that they suited certain nations in other parts of the world other than the host nations. Among European teams France, Germany and England have all been handed better kickoff times for TV viewers in those countries and the Italy playoff path has been looked after too, presumably in the expectation of accommodating another big TV audience in the form of Italy. Whereas the smaller TV audiences like Ireland's playoff path teams, Scotland and Austria have been given whatever times are left. It would be a mistake to think that this is some kind of coincidence - this has all been carefully planned to suit FIFA and their sponsors around the world.
This isn't actually the case at all. They took two days to work out the fixtures for TV so that they suited certain nations in other parts of the world other than the host nations. Among European teams France, Germany and England have all been handed better kickoff times for TV viewers in those countries and the Italy playoff path has been looked after too, presumably in the expectation of accommodating another big TV audience in the form of Italy. Whereas the smaller TV audiences like Ireland's playoff path teams, Scotland and Austria have been given whatever times are left. It would be a mistake to think that this is some kind of coincidence - this has all been carefully planned to suit FIFA and their sponsors around the world.
That is the preference for winning groups and world rankings, UEFA Playoff patch C have probably worse kickoff time than Ireland in path D(IF we get through playoffs) . Handful of Asian & African nations playing at (local) times as bad if not worse than . Ireland. FIFA will be looking to maximise viewership and potential revenue from advertising etc, a small 4 million populated nations who has yet to quaify if way down their priorities list.
When World cup payed in Europe the rest of the world has to get up early or stay on late to watch games, I'll be delighted if we qualify a first world cup in almost 35 years and early kick off times will be of little worry
Eirambler
07/12/2025, 2:25 PM
That is the preference for winning groups and world rankings, UEFA Playoff patch C have probably worse kickoff time than Ireland in path D(IF we get through playoffs) . Handful of Asian & African nations playing at (local) times as bad if not worse than . Ireland. FIFA will be looking to maximise viewership and potential revenue from advertising etc, a small 4 million populated nations who has yet to quaify if way down their priorities list.
When World cup payed in Europe the rest of the world has to get up early or stay on late to watch games, I'll be delighted if we qualify a first world cup in almost 35 years and early kick off times will be of little worry
No,. it's the preference for having a big domestic TV audience, as shown by Italy's playoff path getting much more viewer friendly kickoff times than the others.
No,. it's the preference for having a big domestic TV audience, as shown by Italy's playoff path getting much more viewer friendly kickoff times than the others.
Exactly why should UEFA cater to a country of less than 5 million when Italy has a population of almost 60 million? Far more interest in Italy games from the neutral viewer too
Eirambler
07/12/2025, 4:44 PM
Exactly why should UEFA cater to a country of less than 5 million when Italy has a population of almost 60 million? Far more interest in Italy games from the neutral viewer too
I'm responding to your previous post where you said:
"Games are timed to suit the location they are played in, not Ireland or any other nation."
You're basically arguing with yourself at this point, so I'll leave you to it...
I’m pretty sure it’s both. Scheduled to suit the local markets in the host countries and, where possible, timed to appease some of the bigger countries.
EalingGreen
07/12/2025, 8:01 PM
Monday June 15th
FIVE games on
All at different times (UK/ROI):
5pm Spain v Cape Verde
8pm Belgium v Egypt
11pm Saudi v Uruguay
2am Iran v New Zealand
5am Austria v Jordan
Ludicrous. í ½í¸±
Eirambler
07/12/2025, 8:21 PM
I’m pretty sure it’s both. Scheduled to suit the local markets in the host countries and, where possible, timed to appease some of the bigger countries.
Correct.
pineapple stu
07/12/2025, 8:38 PM
Monday June 15th
FIVE games on
All at different times (UK/ROI):
5pm Spain v Cape Verde
8pm Belgium v Egypt
11pm Saudi v Uruguay
2am Iran v New Zealand
5am Austria v Jordan
Ludicrous. ������
Is it ludicrous?
You have to get through the games in a 48-team tournament. I think there has to be a trade-off in maximising viewership such that the individual viewer mayn't watch more games or may even watch less. But maximising viewers has to mean different kickoff times. And Iran v New Zealand seems ideal for a 2am (our time) game
Eirambler
07/12/2025, 9:29 PM
I think it's probably just it being a 48 team tournament that's ludicrous. Though I'll probably withdraw that comment if we qualify! But 32 did seem like the sweet spot - it still felt like every game mattered and was worth watching. Even if the tournament was on at European times - which it presumably will be in 2030 - you just couldn't watch it all with this format. And there are just too many teams qualifying more due to geography than ability which will impact the tournament quality as well.
EalingGreen
07/12/2025, 10:37 PM
Is it ludicrous?
You have to get through the games in a 48-team tournament. I think there has to be a trade-off in maximising viewership such that the individual viewer mayn't watch more games or may even watch less. But maximising viewers has to mean different kickoff times. And Iran v New Zealand seems ideal for a 2am (our time) game
As 'Eirambler' says, this just shows the ludicrousness of a 48 team tournament, that they have to include 5 games a day, covering a 14 hour period. While also requiring some of the teams to play when the weather conditions - temperatures/humidity/storms - may not just be detrimental to good football, but positively dangerous.
But still, I'm sure it's not just me but the whole world, who must be looking forward to Iran v NZ, even if they have to get up at three or four in the morning to see it...:rolleyes:
pineapple stu
07/12/2025, 11:24 PM
But 5 games in a day isn't what makes the 48-team World Cup ludicrous. For one thing, in the vast majority of the world, Iran v New Zealand isn't on in the middle of the night - not just in Iran and New Zealand of course, but the entire of the Americas, and Asia as you go farther east. Arguably five games in a day (which I'm assuming is an exception rather than a rule) gives everyone in the world a chance to watch 2/3 games at a reasonable time - maximising money for FIFA, which is of course the only thing they care about.
What makes the 48-team competition ludicrous is games like Cabo Verde v Spain or Curacao v Germany (though I'll admit the unusual teams are the ones I'd have more interest in watching in the group stage); it's the lack of danger/interest for top teams in the qualifying campaigns (we've already seen the suggestions about changing UEFA qualifying); it's the extra game for top players in an already crowded calendar; it's the continuing under-representation of Europe in the finals (which has 16 of the 48 teams despite having 27 teams in the top 48 in the Elo rankings); it's the fact that the first 72 games end up knocking out just 12 teams.
All of that - but not five games in one day. (Which, by the way, Eirambler didn't mention)
ifk101
08/12/2025, 11:05 AM
Times and venues are all preliminary, no? If he moves venues, games could conceivably kick off at the same time (as with the recent 48 team U17 WC). Anyways, long way to go for us to worry about this and who knows, Europeans could be banned from entering the 4th Reich come next June. Absolutely bonkers draw btw.
pineapple stu
08/12/2025, 11:31 AM
It was provisional on the day of the draw, but
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Match_schedule.
Kingdom
08/12/2025, 3:35 PM
Just realising Algeria get to correct the wrongs of 1982 committed on them by the Austrians.
That will be a match to watch out for.
punkrocket
08/12/2025, 4:51 PM
Do we have any idea where our potential games will be played yet? Mexico surely, but the other ones? I seem to remember that in 2002 we were the only country that had to up sticks after the first round and catch a flight for the next round so we could be dicked around again. Anyone better informed about this?
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