The 2026 FIFA World Cup Thread

[Chaplin]

I started watching live during my recording with about 20 minutes left and it was the announcers gushing about the team, saying they were so good in the 2nd half. But all I saw is a regression. Over passing in the box not even looking for shots. And the passing was abysmal. Not a great way to finish the group stage.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

germany and usa got punched in the mouth today - not by talent but by sheer determination pride and heart

 

[Lorenzo]

I started watching live during my recording with about 20 minutes left and it was the announcers gushing about the team, saying they were so good in the 2nd half. But all I saw is a regression. Over passing in the box not even looking for shots. And the passing was abysmal. Not a great way to finish the group stage.

Pulisic barely missed on a great look. Aaronson also missed on a wide open look. Pepi is probably the 2nd #9 off the bench but he was underwhelming today. Maybe Haji Wright played his way to a shout off the bench for the next game by doing nothing.

Overall I thought the effort was there, but just way too clumsy defensively. They had to end the game a man down and trustee probably did more harm by being out there. But they still went for it which is impressive to me.

the team will look completely different on Wednesday.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

took my usa kit off so i don't spill stout on it but now im drinking beer wearing a wife beater and cut-off jeans - oof

 

[Chaplin]

Pulisic barely missed on a great look. Aaronson also missed on a wide open look. Pepi is probably the 2nd #9 off the bench but he was underwhelming today. Maybe Haji Wright played his way to a shout off the bench for the next game by doing nothing.

Overall I thought the effort was there, but just way too clumsy defensively. They had to end the game a man down and trustee probably did more harm by being out there. But they still went for it which is impressive to me.

the team will look completely different on Wednesday.

Hope your right and that the team we saw in games 1 and 2 is the real USA team and not this one.

 

[Lorenzo]

Hope your right and that the team we saw in games 1 and 2 is the real USA team and not this one.

Well the only guy that started in this game that will start in the next game is Weston McKinnie. Even Berhalter is most likely coming in off the bench. Both Berhalter and mckinnie were the two best players for the USA.

Before we get too down on the guys that did play. The World Cup comes down to depth and a battle of attrition. Maybe we lose to B&H, but if we beat them, depth will start to come into play. Some of the guys that played tonight might have to step in for a starter. If something happens to Adams, I feel good about Berhalter. But a lot of guys got some rest tonight which is important if they are able to win the next match.

The one area I’m really concerned about is center back. Luckily we have Ream and Richards, but if one of them can’t go that is where there is a massive drop off more than anywhere else on the pitch. And we saw that tonight. Center backs and holders in the midfield are the most important positions if you want to prevent getting scored on and play high up the pitch the way pochettino wants to play.

After tonight it’s 100% clear that poch definitely picked the starting 11 right to open the tournament against Paraguay. I feel really good about that lineup and it appears that’s what we will see on Wednesday now that pulisic is back.

 

[Lorenzo]

germany and usa got punched in the mouth today - not by talent but by sheer determination pride and heart

I was impressed with a few of the turkey players. Great quality. And the centerback that pocketed Pepi was one of the best players on the pitch tonight. Pepi had a lot of menacing services that got erased by that guy. But make no mistake, that was USA’s B team out there. And I still thought for most of the 2nd half the USA looked more likely to score.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

I was impressed with a few of the turkey players. Great quality. And the centerback that pocketed Pepi was one of the best players on the pitch tonight. Pepi had a lot of menacing services that got erased by that guy. But make no mistake, that was USA’s B team out there. And I still thought for most of the 2nd half the USA looked more likely to score.

they kinda manhandled pepi - wouldn't let him do his thing

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

so much for the headhunter strain- i think i jinxed trusty

 

[Lorenzo]

so much for the headhunter strain- i think i jinxed trusty

It sucked that he rolled his ankle. That basically ruined any chance of winning.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

wasn't gonna wash it if we won but now i have to wash and smudge it

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[FB94]

while the game itself didn’t matter, the overall look and feel of this game was poor. Defensively they were bad. Offensively average. Just didn’t see the fire in this team as before for majority of the game. I hope this is a wake up call going into win or go home mode that they cannot take anything for granted.

 

[Stout]

All Fútbol MX
@AllFutbolMX
·
28m
BREAKING: MEXICO is set to face ECUADOR in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Azteca!

Good. Ecuador have a good chance of stymieing Mexico. fudge those homophobic bastards.

 

[Stout]

Hope your right and that the team we saw in games 1 and 2 is the real USA team and not this one.

Well, this one was mainly reserve players, so yeah, he's right

 

[ajcardfan]

oh no - that young turkey dude pulisiced pulisic - then bingo bango chaos and turkey is in the goal - but with our destination already being decided im kinda happy for turkey-yay

That kid is a hell of a player.

There is a reason why the country of Turkey is really pissed about how the team performed. It was their most talented team ever and they were knocked out in two games. Probably the biggest disappointment of the entire group stage.

 

[Lorenzo]

That kid is a hell of a player.

There is a reason why the country of Turkey is really pissed about how the team performed. It was their most talented team ever and they were knocked out in two games. Probably the biggest disappointment of the entire group stage.

When you look at it from that lens it kind of impresses me how our bench players pushed them. Granted I have to be real and say the game changed when pulisic came on for Weah. Before that turkey was the better team.

 

[Lorenzo]

My prediction for the next starting 11 on Wednesday and some perspective from last nights game.

GK: Freese
Defense: Freeman, Richards, Ream
Holding Midfielder: Adams
Attacking Midfield: Robinson, Dest, McKinney, Tillman, pulisic
Striker: Balogun

Top Subs: Berhalter, Weah, Pepi, Wright, Aaronson

This is the same lineup that started the first half against Paraguay. It is versatile and pochettino can change formations on the fly because all these players can play positionless football.
For some perspective, only McKinney was in the starting 11 vs. turkey

As much as I like our attacking players and they score most of the goals, the heart of our team is Adams, Richards, and Ream. They are the most important players.

 

[Adrian]

Square profile picture
Underdog
@Underdog
·
42m
BREAKING: Erling Haaland expected to be on bench vs France today, per
@lequipe