Road to the 2026 World Cup Thread ( Discussion, Analysis, Schedule etc)

[perspolis#1]

FIFA 2026 WORLD CUP

Hosts: USA, Mexico, Canada.



A little over three years left until the big event. 48 teams with a possibility of getting the highest attendance for TM games at a World cup.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup

As per the wiki The teams will be split in 12 groups of 4 teams, with the top two of each group and the eight best third-placed teams progressing to a new round of 32.



Slot allocation :

AFC(Asia) =8 and 1/3rd
CAF(Africa)= 9 and 1/3rd
CONCACAF(N. America +hosts)= 6 and 2/3rd
CONMEBOL(S. America) =6 and 1/3rd
OFC(Oceania) =1 and 1/3rd
UEFA(Europe) = 16

Intercontinental Playoffs:
A play-off tournament involving six teams will be held to decide the final two FIFA World Cup berths: the six teams are one team in each confederation except UEFA, and one additional team from the confederation of the host countries (CONCACAF).


Host Cities:

Canada	Toronto, Ontario	BMO Field	45,500
Canada	Vancouver, B.C.	BC Place	54,000
Mexico	Guadalajara, Jalisco	Estadio Akron	46,232
Mexico	Mexico City	Estadio Azteca	87,523
Mexico	Monterrey, Nuevo Leon	Estadio BBVA	53,500
USA	Atlanta, Ga.	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	71,000
USA	Boston, Mass.	Gillette Stadium	65,878
USA	Dallas, Tex. (Arlington, Tex.)	AT&T Stadium	80,000
USA	Houston, Tex.	NRG Stadium	71,795
USA	Kansas City, Mo.	Arrowhead Stadium	76,416
USA	Los Angeles, Calif. (Inglewood, Calif.)	SoFi Stadium	70,240
USA	Miami, Fla.	Hard Rock Stadium	64,767
USA	New York / New Jersey (East Rutherford, N.J.)	MetLife Stadium	82,500
USA	Philadelphia, Pa.	Lincoln Financial Field	69,176
USA	San Francisco, Calif. (Santa Clara, Calif.)	Levi's Stadium	68,500
USA	Seattle, Wash.	Lumen Field	69,000

From the Asian standpoint:
The qualification structure is as follows:

• First round:Twenty-two teams (ranked 26–47) will play home-and-away over two legs. The eleven winners advance to the second round.
• Second round: Thirty-six teams (those ranked 1–25 and the eleven first-round winners) are divided into nine groups of four teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The eighteen group winners and group runners-up advance to the third round.
• Third round:The eighteen teams that advance from the second round are divided into three groups of six teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The top two teams of each group qualify for the World Cup, while the third-placed and fourth-placed teams of each group advance to the fourth round.
• Fourth round: The six teams that advance from the third round are divided into two groups of three teams each to play a single round-robin. The winners qualify for the World Cup.
• Fifth round:^{[note 4]} The group runners-up in the previous round will compete in a play-off tie to determine the Asian representation at the inter-confederation play-offs.

First round is scheduled to be played October 12 and 17th 2023.


Iran will join in the second round.


Matchdays will be:
16 November 2023
21 November 2023
21 March 2024
26 March 2024
6 June 2024
11 June 2024.


Of note, Iran's first two games will be before the Asian cup.


Third round will take place between:

Matchday 1	5 September 2024
Matchday 2	10 September 2024
Matchday 3	10 October 2024
Matchday 4	15 October 2024
Matchday 5	14 November 2024
Matchday 6	19 November 2024
Matchday 7	20 March 2025
Matchday 8	25 March 2025
Matchday 9	5 June 2025
Matchday 10	10 June 2025

Many talking points to have this world cup. The more forgiving group stage may allow for less traditional teams to make farther runs if they can pull a result in the knockout stages. How will the different confederations prepare when a good amount of them will be stuck in Nations League like tournaments? Which confederation will excel this time? Will the extra teams allow Africa to have all of their best there? Will the USA actually show a deep run like they have wanted at home? Is this is the first world cup without Ronaldo and Messi?

[KC McElroy]

With such a pathetically expanded tournament mere qualification should not even be a matter of debate. Hopefully we will finally be able to replicate our highest placing of being among the final 16 at the World Cup.

[perspolis#1]

With such a pathetically expanded tournament mere qualification should not even be a matter of debate. Hopefully we will finally be able to replicate our highest placing of being among the final 16 at the World Cup.

Yes as opposed to previous World cups there is a real chance one or even two of the teams in our group will be equal or weaker to us.

Watching Team Melli in an elimination round of the World cup would be a first if we advance.

[Abtin]

Rofl with our luck and the world hatred towards us, all Iran games will be placed in Mexico, just wait 😂👍🏻

[Babak_Shirazi]

Rofl with our luck and the world hatred towards us, all Iran games will be placed in Mexico, just wait 😂👍🏻

Playing in Mexico is definitely better than playing in the devils nest of America or Canada 😂

[a_m]

What you have to understand is that there will be 12 groups, Canada will have two groups Mexico will have two groups and the US will have the remaining eight groups so if we’re lucky enough to be in one of the groups in Mexico, that does not include Mexico that will be our best bet we could have minimal political disturbance and not facing Mexico is a good thing but if we’re in the US or Canada group, it’s gonna suck for us big time especially if we’re group with Canada or USA because they’re going to bring the political thing big time to us us

there won’t be any protection for Iran this time just like it was in Qatar , it’s gonna suck for the fans. Either way the fans are the ones that will suffer the most because you’ll have to go to these games and hear a whole bunch of people cussing the team and demonstrating just a big ass embarrassment.

[koorosh]

Iran will be a recently freed country and the darling of the world....and everyone will hope they will be playing in their city. 😁😁

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

[MucizeLions1992]

This is a brilliant thread. As someone who is an international football nerd I will post here my predictions for which 45 countries I think will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. In Asia we potential debutants will smash it. Believe me Asia will send 2-4 debutants. Hopefully not at the expense of our TM.

[Abtin]

Playing in Mexico is definitely better than playing in the devils nest of America or Canada 😂

It's more concerning the fans attendance 😎

[perspolis#1]

there won’t be any protection for Iran this time just like it was in Qatar , it’s gonna suck for the fans. Either way the fans are the ones that will suffer the most because you’ll have to go to these games and hear a whole bunch of people cussing the team and demonstrating just a big ass embarrassment.

I wouldnt call what was in Qatar protection but it seems that way because of censorship due to allied nations. Ultimately, the diaspora will be the majority of the fans so things like flags, chants, etc will not be similar to what the fans in Qatar(from more local areas inc Iran) did. This would ultimately be in FIFA's hand to enforce no politics in interviews etc. FIFA has such a terrible reputation of corruption that I expect no such thing.


We could discuss this in general thread as its an expansive topic of its own but I'm sure that topic will get enough attention in this thread.

We don't know the state of Iran in 2026 so maybe things will be different but it should be on the mind of whichever team we do qualify there hopefully.


Separate note,

The draw for the first AND second round (including Iran) will be on 27th July , 2023. Seeding has not yet been announced.

[Nokhodi]

I think as fans we will want 2 things in terms of the political atmosphere around TM in WC 2026.

1 - freedom to protest against the regime which hopefully won’t be around then.

2 - no distractions, actions, protests against TM itself.

[perspolis#1]

USA beats Mexico 3-0 in CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE SEMIFINAL.

Given the expected trajectory of both teams squads I would much rather get Mexico in our group than US. Mexico doesnt look like they have any world class stars left while the US team is still very young and gelling together.

[Keshwardoost]

Playing in Mexico is definitely better than playing in the devils nest of America or Canada 😂

Looking forward to Sardar, Kaanani, Ramin and the rest of the boyz living good life in Mexico 😂😂 (remember the leverkusen interview..)

Btw, here is a photo from Tijuana, Maxico i found on google.. and one of Agha General below.. Can you se what I se?


Im just saying.. Might be the first time ever we will send a head coach as a scout to a tournament to "check out the facilities" something like 3+ years before cup starts

[perspolis#1]

Of note, the draw for the World cup qualifying groups for Africa will take place on Thursday July 13th.

https://www.cafonline.com/press-rele...raw-on-13-july


The draw for Round 1 and 2 of the Asian World cup qualifying will take place on July 27th

https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.korea...newsIdx=354484

[oracle]

Of note, the draw for the World cup qualifying groups for Africa will take place on Thursday July 13th.

https://www.cafonline.com/press-rele...raw-on-13-july


The draw for Round 1 and 2 of the Asian World cup qualifying will take place on July 27th

https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.korea...newsIdx=354484

TeaM melli first wcq 2026 will be Nov 16th.