Don't forget -- FIFA changed the set up the draw this year
They set it so the top four seeds -- England, France, Argentina, and Spain -- couldn't meet each other until the semis unless something wild and weird happened with the group results. They'll likely do that going forward as well.
It's sounding more and more like 2030 will expand to 64 teams, probably meaning 16 groups of four -- and back to only first- and second-place getting through. And fewer Groups of Death, too, due to the expansion and the top teams being spread out in more groups.
Finally, IMHO Argentina had just as easy a path this year as England. Cabo Verde, Egypt, Switzerland vs DR Congo, Mexico (in Azteca), Norway? England's just might have been harder.
Thread Replies (7)
Messi and Co. lost the WC championship
-- Snape
Jul 20, 2026 at 10:59 AM ET
Snape
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07/20/26 10:59 AM ET
They will take a step back. 2034 for Argentina
-- Hate2SeeItEnd Hokie
Jul 20, 2026 at 12:59 PM ET
Hate2SeeItEnd Hokie
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07/20/26 12:59 PM ET
Of course they will qualify. He's referring to chances of winning it
-- Hate2SeeItEnd Hokie
Jul 20, 2026 at 06:35 PM ET
Hate2SeeItEnd Hokie
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07/20/26 06:35 PM ET
I mean as a serious favorite to take the cup.
-- Snape
Jul 20, 2026 at 04:22 PM ET
Snape
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07/20/26 04:22 PM ET
The wild cards that you may not be factoring in are how the groups look and
-- VTHokie2000
Jul 21, 2026 at 09:11 AM ET
VTHokie2000
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07/21/26 09:11 AM ET
Don't forget -- FIFA changed the set up the draw this year
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-- Nova Hokie 95
Jul 21, 2026 at 10:23 AM ET
Nova Hokie 95
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07/21/26 10:23 AM ET
The top 4 teams will likely change between now and 2030, so I was
-- VTHokie2000
Jul 21, 2026 at 05:16 PM ET
VTHokie2000
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07/21/26 05:16 PM ET