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

[Nokhodi]

I don't think there is any chance of them scheduling TM games in LA, SF , Toronto or even Vancouver.
My prediction, it's either Guadalajara, Jalisco or Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. If we do get placed in the US, it will probably be some far off place like Atlanta or Kansas City,

Yap.
I don't think they will host TM in the US or Canada. Way too much headache.

The US just refused visas for volleyball players and the head coach for games in Anaheim.
They would probably do the same for TM.

Not to mention most of them don't want Iranians protesting on their soil by a stadium during a World Cup, even if it's peaceful!

[diz]

^such a shame…. Ruining potentially wonderful and memorable experience for thousands of die hard TM expat fans due to the cacophony of a small number of misguided souls who equate TM players with IR.

[oracle]

Top 2 in Groups - my predictions

Group A: Qatar, Kuwait.

Group B: Japan, North Korea.

Group C: South Korea, China.

Group D: Oman, Malaysia.

Group E: Iran, Uzbekistan.

Group F: Iraq, Vietnam.

Group G: Saudi Arabia, Jordan.

Group H: UAE, Bahrain.

Group I: Australia, Palestine.

With regards to rankings, I saw that you guys are underestimating North Korea, Malaysia and Palestine. North Korea is a speedy team who play defensive football they usually win over Arab teams. Malaysia has several naturalized footballers, the current players are very tall and physical. Palestine is improving, capable of defeating Lebanon.

Also it seems that Team Melli's last friendly will be just before the first match in Asia Cup. I looked at FIFA calendar for 2024 and for each month in FIFA window, teams can only play 2 matches. Well teams can play more matches but only 2 will be counted for FIFA rankings. Also knowing that clubs in Iran refuse to release players for national team matches outside the FIFA window, that means next year the only matches Team Melli will play after the Asia Cup will be the World Cup qualification matches.

I agree with u n.k can hang in there ,
reason I didn't pick them was
they haven't play int games for long time, they
be a tough cookie in any group specially on matches on their home turf.
i picked them then edit it for that factor.

[Abtin]

Yap.
I don't think they will host TM in the US or Canada. Way too much headache.

The US just refused visas for volleyball players and the head coach for games in Anaheim.
They would probably do the same for TM.

Not to mention most of them don't want Iranians protesting on their soil by a stadium during a World Cup, even if it's peaceful!

but can they really do anything about it? the match venues and schedule is determined beforehand, so once the draw happens they can't really change things around?

[Hosseini]

If the US or Canada doesn't host us, they are not suited to host the world cup

Same precedent when Israel was not hosted by Indonesia for political reasons and the world cup literally got moved

[diz]

but can they really do anything about it? the match venues and schedule is determined beforehand, so once the draw happens they can't really change things around?

The can and they will. International norms and laws only apply to weak countries, not super powers

[perspolis#1]

^such a shame…. Ruining potentially wonderful and memorable experience for thousands of die hard TM expat fans due to the cacophony of a small number of misguided souls who equate TM players with IR.

In this situation, I think it was going to come home to roost anyway.

In WC 1998 France, the MEK pulled a very dangerous stunt that could have ended in deaths during the USA game.

In the United States most Iranians are here in the US because they or their parents hate(d) IR.Thats the calculus, even if they love TM. In Canada, its more split with newcomers and actual Hezbollahis. Wherever Team Melli plays a game in the World cup it will be the same. Think of all the things people wanted to do in Qatar to protest but were prevented from doing. That's what they are allowed to do here. It's going to be shir o khorshid flags everywhere and we absolutely will see clashes with IR supporters(if they get in). Thankfully, US security is aggressive and won't tolerate much in terms of fans fighting but they won't do anything to stop shir o khorshid flags or anti-IR chants.

IRIB might have to show the most censored game in history.
I have my suspicions that IR specifically asks not to be placed in the US or they withdraw!


On a different note, The actual choice of city should be predetermined prior to the actual draw if my memory serves correct. I will be going regardless of where the games are. 2 weeks of Kansas City? PFDC get together. This is once in a lifetime.

-------
I went to the Manchester United-Arsenal game in East Rutherford, NJ which will be a WC stadium. 82, 262 in attendance. It was a surprisingly easy way from the parking lot to your seat and with some touchup should be a fine stadium for a world cup.

[oracle]

Fifa will not fix the draw to avoid tm in us or canada. ..fifa it is very strong they are like their own nation...and since fifa is involve there is no issue of visa.. security is very strong in us ,I am sure canada is the same way...persians can peacefully protest all they want and security will make sure nothing will happen..
NOW MEXICO IS DIFFERENT STORY
I think it will be more Chaos there if tm is place in mexico.security is weaker and their security might get aggressive and make things worst. .tm fans will travel and games will have massive persian crowed is Mexico as well......fifa would not change draw even if Isreal make it...3-0 for isreal if they are drawn with tm Since tm will refuse to play..it's fifa world and everyone live in it..

[perspolis#1]

I think it will be more Chaos there if tm is place in mexico.security is weaker and their security might get aggressive and make things worst. .tm fans will travel and games will have massive persian crowed is Mexico as well......fifa would not change draw even if Isreal make it...3-0 for isreal if they are drawn with tm Since tm will refuse to play..it's fifa world and everyone live in it..

This is the first world cup where there is a real risk of this happening. They have Manor Solomon who is a decent player. FIFA will let us forfeit. It wouldn't take much for them to ban us, previously they would keep Ukraine and Russia apart then just banned Russia. They also didn't let Armenia and Azerbaijan get grouped but let them both play.

[KC McElroy]

In this situation, I think it was going to come home to roost anyway.

In WC 1998 France, the MEK pulled a very dangerous stunt that could have ended in deaths during the USA game.

In the United States most Iranians are here in the US because they or their parents hate(d) IR.Thats the calculus, even if they love TM. In Canada, its more split with newcomers and actual Hezbollahis. Wherever Team Melli plays a game in the World cup it will be the same. Think of all the things people wanted to do in Qatar to protest but were prevented from doing. That's what they are allowed to do here. It's going to be shir o khorshid flags everywhere and we absolutely will see clashes with IR supporters(if they get in). Thankfully, US security is aggressive and won't tolerate much in terms of fans fighting but they won't do anything to stop shir o khorshid flags or anti-IR chants.

IRIB might have to show the most censored game in history.
I have my suspicions that IR specifically asks not to be placed in the US or they withdraw!


On a different note, The actual choice of city should be predetermined prior to the actual draw if my memory serves correct. I will be going regardless of where the games are. 2 weeks of Kansas City? PFDC get together. This is once in a lifetime.

-------
I went to the Manchester United-Arsenal game in East Rutherford, NJ which will be a WC stadium. 82, 262 in attendance. It was a surprisingly easy way from the parking lot to your seat and with some touchup should be a fine stadium for a world cup.

We also took the train. Much more convenient than driving there. In contrast we drove to Red Bull Arena for New Castle vs. Brighton and even with only 26k here I don't see us getting out of this stadium traffic for at least another hour.

[perspolis#1]

We also took the train. Much more convenient than driving there. In contrast we drove to Red Bull Arena for New Castle vs. Brighton and even with only 26k here I don't see us getting out of this stadium traffic for at least another hour.

The one time I went to Red Bull Arena I was stuck on Essex Freeway for an hour and a half. Sucked.

[oracle]

This is the first world cup where there is a real risk of this happening. They have Manor Solomon who is a decent player. FIFA will let us forfeit. It wouldn't take much for them to ban us, previously they would keep Ukraine and Russia apart then just banned Russia. They also didn't let Armenia and Azerbaijan get grouped but let them both play.

thanks for info.
Tm will worst in pot 3 or best in pot 2
and Isreal will be in pot 4
Chance is there.

europe is having 16 teams in 26 wc
Love to see Isreal in 2026 wc they had a great
u20 wc run...I still think they won't make it. Europe
is very tough to make it even with 16 teams going.

[Hosseini]

Fifa will not fix the draw to avoid tm in us or canada. ..fifa it is very strong they are like their own nation...and since fifa is involve there is no issue of visa.. security is very strong in us ,I am sure canada is the same way...persians can peacefully protest all they want and security will make sure nothing will happen..
NOW MEXICO IS DIFFERENT STORY
I think it will be more Chaos there if tm is place in mexico.security is weaker and their security might get aggressive and make things worst. .tm fans will travel and games will have massive persian crowed is Mexico as well......fifa would not change draw even if Isreal make it...3-0 for isreal if they are drawn with tm Since tm will refuse to play..it's fifa world and everyone live in it..

Forfeiting against Israel would be a disaster for Iran. It makes no sense. We play against USA and Canada but Israel is where IR draws the line? At the end of the day they are a recognized state like anyone else regardless of any major criticisms we have about them.

[oracle]

Forfeiting against Israel would be a disaster for Iran. It makes no sense. We play against USA and Canada but Israel is where IR draws the line? At the end of the day they are a recognized state like anyone else regardless of any major criticisms we have about them.

The funniest thing is
PALESTENIANS play against Isreal all the time.

[Hosseini]

The funniest thing is
PALESTENIANS play against Isreal all the time.

When did Palestine NT play against Israel NT? Have they even ever met? War would break out

Even now Arab majority clubs in Israel have bitter rivalries with non Arab Israeli teams. There needs to be maximum security and precautions