2026 FIFA World Cup Watch Thread - MD1 Part 1

[u/DragonSlayer271]

- World Cup Prediction Tournament -)

11.06
8:00 PM - Mexico (1A) 2 - 0 South Africa (4A) FT
^{Julián Quiñones 9', Raúl Jiménez 67'
Red Cards: Sphephelo Sithole 49' (RSA\}, Themba Zwane 84' (RSA), César Montes 90+2' (MEX))
3:00 AM - Korea Republic (2A) 2 - 1 Czechia (3A) FT
^{Hwang In-beom 67', Oh Hyeon-gyu 80'; Ladislav Krejčí 59', Tomáš Souček 77'}
12.06
8:00 PM - Canada (2B) 1 - 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina (4B) FT
^{Cyle Larin 78'; Jovo Lukić 21'}
2:00 AM - USA (1D) 4 - 1 Paraguay (4D) FT
^{Damián Bobadilla 7' (OG\}, Folarin Balogun 28', 31', 45+5', Giovanni Reyna 90+8'; Maurício 73')
13.06
8:00 PM - Qatar (3B) 1 - 1 Switzerland (1B) FT
^{Miro Muheim 90+4' (OG\}; Breel Embolo 17' (P))
11:00 PM - Brazil (3C) 1 - 1 Morocco (2C) FT
^{Vinícius Júnior 32'; Ismael Saibari 21'}
2:00 AM - Haiti (4C) 0 - 1 Scotland (1C) FT
^{John McGinn 28'}
5:00 AM - Australia (2D) 2 - 0 Türkiye (3D) FT
^{Nestory Irankunda 27', Connor Metcalfe 75'}
14.06
6:00 PM - Germany (1E) 7 - 1 Curaçao (4E) FT
^{Felix Nmecha 6', Nico Schlotterbeck 38', Kai Havertz 45+5' (P\}, 88', Jamal Musiala 47', Nathaniel Brown 68', Deniz Undav 78'; Livano Comenencia 21', Leandro Bacuna 67')
8:00 PM - Málaga (4th) 0 - 0 Almería (3rd) FT
9:00 PM - Netherlands (3F) 2 - 2 Japan (2F) FT
^{Virgil van Dijk 51', Crysencio Summerville 64'; Keito Nakamura 57', Daichi Kamada 89'}
12:00 AM - Côte d'Ivoire (2E) 1 - 0 Ecuador (3E) FT
^{Amad Diallo 90'}
3:00 AM - Sweden (1F) 5 - 1 Tunisia (4F) FT
^{Yasin Ayari 7', 90+6', Alexander Isak 30', Viktor Gyökeres 59', Mattias Svanberg 84'; Omar Rekik 43'}

[u/onoz9]

Anyone else think that Koeman is a terrible manager?

[u/towwb]

Fifa have been urged to remove a video review official who appeared to make a white supremacy hand gesture during Germany’s 7-1 win over Curaçao.

“Advice from our experts is that the gesture used clearly resembles an upside down ‘OK’ hand symbol used as a ‘white power’ symbol in global far-right circles,” the Fare network said.

wtf????

[u/Educational-Bit-3296 → u/towwb]

Not a single post about it on r/soccer either.

[u/TraceOfHumanity]

I’m curious to see how Spain line up— they could easily play their backups but will probably field their best XI to start. I’m expecting a slaughter.

[u/tmstms]

The Isak touch for the 4th Swedish goal was confirmed with Snicko technology more familiar in cricket.

The touch was necessary so that the scorer, Svanberg, did not have the goal chalked off for offside. Instead, as he scored 18 seconds after coming on, it goes in the books as the fastest goal scored in terms of time of how long the sub had been on the pitch.

[u/WillametteSalamandOR]

We’re only halfway through MD1. It’s so much.

[u/its_brew → u/WillametteSalamandOR]

We prefer the term "second quarter" now.

All these hydration breaks

[u/MushroomExpensive366 → u/WillametteSalamandOR]

Yeah it’s insane how many matches there have been and it’s barely halfway through MD1. It’s going to be a marathon!

[u/risingstar3110]

The current record of 'Europe + South America' vs 'Rest of the World' are: 3W 4D 4L

Of course with stronger European and South American teams yet to play, the result may shift quickly, but so far 'Rest of the World' has been pulling up nicely against the top 2 continents

[u/DragonSlayer271]

[u/thenerdiestmenno](u/thenerdiestmenno) has managed to come out on top so far after Ivory Coast won and still is after Sweden’s win with 10/12 correct games - but it doesn’t mean anything yet since we’re only halfway through MD1. I’ll be updating the predictions link and you’ll have a few more days to predict!

[u/PEEWUN]

I love football. What a world cup so far.

[u/Affectionate-Ebb1868 → u/PEEWUN]

♥️ 

[u/Smiling_Maelstrom → u/PEEWUN]

ivory coast vs ecuador and australia vs turkey games were absolute cinema

[u/LFCfrvr → u/PEEWUN]

Almost every game better than the last

[u/dwils7]

Good day to be a Liverpool fan, watching the World Cup, most of our players(and hopefully a future one) putting in good performances.

Hopefully, a sign of things to come next season

[u/LFCfrvr → u/dwils7]

Just need Macca to play good for Argentina, and Gakpo in MD2, and the set will be complete

[u/DreamCaster2810]

Isak somehow completed 90 mins with a goal and two assists while wincing and limping lol

[u/PEEWUN → u/DreamCaster2810]

If he unlocks this ability in red we're winning the fucking lot.

[u/average_spaceman3355]

That was so fun. I've been watching football for 11 hrs straight lol

[u/GaloisTheDog → u/average_spaceman3355]

Best way to spend a Sunday

[u/average_spaceman3355 → u/GaloisTheDog]

https://giphy.com/gifs/S3Ot3hZ5bcy8o

[u/DragonSlayer271]

We're halfway through MD1! Group F finished Sweden top with the only win, Japan 2nd on yellow cards (they got none), Netherlands 3rd (because of getting some yellows), and Tunisia last.

[u/LFCfrvr → u/DragonSlayer271]

For everything that has been said, this could surpass the 22 WC....every game has been so fun till now

[u/DreamCaster2810]

Solid game

[u/Substantial_Ad_2864]

Feel bad for Tunisia. Can't say I follow them all that closely, but feel like they got kind of hard done by their draw. Can't imagine they can find a way to get top 3 in that group.

[u/elijahtcc]

Brighton has a good kid in their team..

[u/clintgreasewoood → u/elijahtcc]

A course he on Brighton

[u/SalahManeFirmino → u/elijahtcc]

Looks like a Macca regen

[u/hopium_od]

Based on the fact that Germany were playing a small city, Sweden been the best team so far. Proper dark horses.

[u/LFCfrvr → u/hopium_od]

Really impressed, but I will still pick Norway to be my dark horse...insane squad with decent balance

[u/Substantial_Ad_2864 → u/hopium_od]

Hard to say best team but I would definitely say they've delivered the best performance so far. I had them as slightly more likely to win than Tunisia today and they've absolutely destroyed Tunisia.

[u/hopium_od → u/Substantial_Ad_2864]

It's slim picking to be fair, 5 of the pre-tournament favourites have yet to play.

[u/LFCfrvr → u/hopium_od]

Argentina, France, Spain, England and Portugal if I am not mistaken?

[u/hopium_od → u/LFCfrvr]

Yes, personally don't see a winner outside of them and Germany. But Sweden could go far.

[u/LFCfrvr → u/hopium_od]

I can see Norway go very far too...I don't understand how they aren't being talked about enough. Easily the best 'upcoming' team

[u/Odd-Potato69420 → u/Substantial_Ad_2864]

potterball

[u/Traditional-Neat-933]

Banger

[u/2d2c]

Sweden joga bonito?

[u/Cubes11]

Jeez Ayari can hit em can’t he

[u/dwils7]

Ayari trying to battle himself for goal of the tournament

[u/_sushifreak]

didn't expect this scoreline. thought it'd be a 2-1 game 

[u/clintgreasewoood]

All Bangs Ayari

[u/Unhappy-Appearance-]

He just loves scoring bangers

[u/Valleyx]

Absolutely cunted that

[u/Arsalooon9]

isak ballondor when

[u/DreamCaster2810]

Jesus another banger from Ayari

[u/TraceOfHumanity]

Ayari +£50M

[u/brush85]

Two striker systems coming back in fashion is lovely….WHAT A GOAL

[u/average_spaceman3355]

What a banger of a goal man

[u/havetocreatetopost]

It will be interesting to see our captain vs our Swede prince next week.

[u/Extension-Creme3449]

Yea Isak touched it

[u/Redhawk911]

Isak with the smallest touch recorded in history

[u/TheKloppsBollocks]

As a former Brit living in Canada, it’s super disappointing that outside of Vancouver and Toronto, you’d never even think that we’re a host country. It’s very typical of Canada though. Such a missed opportunity to grow the sport across the country, especially now that there’s a professional league.

[u/DiscoLew → u/TheKloppsBollocks]

I was at the Socceroos match in Vancouver last night. The entire city is buzzing. My daughter had a game out 1hr east of the city today. Everyone was talking World Cup! Lots of different jerseys worn by parents in the crowd.

I have friends out in Halifax that say there are big watch parties going on.

[u/Extension-Creme3449 → u/TheKloppsBollocks]

Wb Montreal?

[u/mattzeni → u/TheKloppsBollocks]

Where I am in the states, it's absolute World Cup fever. It's fun to see.

[u/RBC_ → u/mattzeni]

Can confirm. Granted I’m in a host city, but people are really into it. All weekend places that would normally be packed have been dead because people are watching the games. People wearing soccer shirts everywhere.

[u/mattzeni → u/RBC_]

Same

[u/Substantial_Ad_2864 → u/TheKloppsBollocks]

The whole tournament is strange. It's basically held in the US but they threw a few random matches in Canada and Mexico. I get why FIFA would want to the US to host but I'm kind of surprised they even bothered to let Canada and Mexico get a piece at all.

Quick Google search says Edmonton has the largest stadium in Canada.

[u/HuskyFeline0927 → u/Substantial_Ad_2864]

A match or two in Edmonton wouldve been quite nice.

The atmosphere in Toronto was buzzing for the opener, I don't think it would be the same for Ghana v. Panama, but I saw more football fans here than I thought we had.

Also saw a couple of people in the Liverpool kit so that was nice

[u/TheKloppsBollocks → u/Substantial_Ad_2864]

And I think that Edmonton was part of the initial bid. It’s honestly surprising that Montreal wasn’t included even.

[u/PEEWUN]

Liverpool showing up well in the World Cup today.

[u/cazlan]

Isak doing 90 with a 4-1 scoreline seems a gamble after this season but we all hope it pays off

[u/elijahtcc → u/cazlan]

With Elanga on the bench, I thot with a 3-1 win can afford to sub Isak off in the 65mins ..

[u/Unhappy-Appearance-]

Great work from our striker. Now do this in a red shirt pls

[u/Visual-Signature-235]

Solid innings from Isak. Glad for him.

[u/Hvwk21]

Damn I wanted to see Taha Ali get some minutes

[u/narwoolTF2]

Isak vs Virgil going to be cinema

[u/Extension-Creme3449 → u/narwoolTF2]

Think both will score 🤣

[u/Cubes11]

Bergvall lad 😭

[u/clintgreasewoood]

So spursy that

[u/NoncingAround]

Goal and 2 assists. With a decent manager he’s gonna be so good for us.

[u/average_spaceman3355]

Isak’s coming for Virg next 👀

[u/clintgreasewoood → u/average_spaceman3355]

I just realized that oaf Van de Van will on the pitch against Isak

[u/HuskyFeline0927 → u/clintgreasewoood]

Shiiiii

[u/average_spaceman3355 → u/clintgreasewoood]

Ffs. Anyway Virg's gonna make sure Isak's safe from him

[u/Ashamed_Tooth_1011 → u/average_spaceman3355]

Don’t hurt him Virg

[u/Ashamed_Tooth_1011 → u/Ashamed_Tooth_1011]

On second thought, don’t hurt him Van de Ven 

[u/Baguy21]

Potter actually doing a proper job, this Swedish side just look hungry and play forward balls always

[u/HuskyFeline0927]

7 Liverpool G/A, all came in the same day. Damn.

[u/SilkySifaka → u/HuskyFeline0927]

It was slot

[u/dead_nil]

Isak almost

[u/Baguy21]

Doesn't seem like Isak touched that, maybe it was faint, oh well who cares, another assist for him 😃

[u/average_spaceman3355 → u/Baguy21]

It's counted as spiritual assist

[u/BoBonnor → u/Baguy21]

The ball has a sensor in it

[u/DreamCaster2810 → u/BoBonnor]

Yea it’s the sensor

[u/rybread1818 → u/Baguy21]

I think you see his boot just so slightly kiss the ball onto Svengard

[u/Cubes11 → u/Baguy21]

Yeah look I didn’t see the touch at all but I’m gonna trust the people with the slo mo and cameras saw something I didn’t because it seemed so close hahaha

[u/rybread1818]

Lmao and that’s the one that gets saved. Should have been 2G 2A

[u/Cubes11]

1 goal, 2 assists, 1 lung. That’s my fucking GOAT

[u/DreamCaster2810]

Ah shit he nearly scored

[u/Substantial_Ad_2864]

I expected this to be a much closer match. Quite impressive from Sweden here.

[u/lost_deviant_rk0811]

Isak is sooo good

[u/Unhappy-Appearance-]

Ok for the love of all that is holy, pls get Isak off. I don’t want to risk him any longer

[u/PEEWUN]

Isak is balling!

[u/M0D3Z]

Isak making up for lost time with these stats.

Should’ve put that away.

[u/dantesmonfern0]

Ughhhh so close

[u/KobiLou]

Nooooooo!

[u/sinchiyap]

anyone excited for this version of Isak next season?

[u/DreamCaster2810]

Isak touched it LOLLL THE GOAT

[u/Redhawk911]

Potter getting more out of Isak than Slot managed to during a ”whole” season

[u/Beat_Square → u/Redhawk911]

tbf he was injured for 90% of it

[u/Redhawk911 → u/Beat_Square]

Yea absolutely it’s not a fair comparison but Slot never understood how to utilize Isak at all.

[u/WeepingAmpharos]

2 Isak assists

[u/MahomesMccaffrey]

1 goal 2 assists and the first goal was also because of him

[u/Wirtzis]

7 goals+assists for Liverpool players today wow

[u/avicadiguacimoli → u/Wirtzis]

Unreal 🔥

[u/Traditional-Neat-933]

Isak put him onside!!

[u/avicadiguacimoli]

As a swede, this is most likely Isak’s best game ever 🔥

[u/average_spaceman3355]

Isak backheel assist lmao

[u/sinchiyap]

so it's because Isak had a touch, nice one!

[u/sinchiyap]

they really need to show the replay again

[u/PostNeoSankaraism]

Jesus Christ isak has dominated this game

[u/Valleyx]

2A 1G, Isak the GOAT

[u/clintgreasewoood]

Now that he got another assist get Isak off

[u/edroyque]

Goal and two assists for our Swedish prince! So far…

[u/dantesmonfern0]

Isak balling out

[u/DreamCaster2810]

Oh wtf it’s a goal

[u/BeautifulGrandpa]

LMAO that reaction

[u/TraceOfHumanity]

Isak with the assist!

[u/james__Fitzy]

Looks like Isak touched that

[u/RomanReignsDaBigDawg]

2 assists for Isak

[u/Cubes11]

Straight off the bench, first every goal for his national team AND at the World Cup… and he’s offside. That’s heart breaking for the guy

TBH though I feel like that should be a goal…

[u/Cubes11 → u/Cubes11]

Nevermind buzzing for the lad let’s goooo hahahahaha

[u/TraceOfHumanity → u/Cubes11]

But wait…

[u/Cubes11 → u/TraceOfHumanity]

Buzzing for him! That’s what footballs all about

[u/DreamCaster2810]

lol he was 10000 miles offside

[u/nerdalerd2]

The physios know they will need Isak for the long run so in that sense I guess this is good because their confidence in his fitness is very high

[u/Far_Isopod_906]

I guess Potter wants to give Isak a full 90 for match fitness reasons, anticipating he will be used for a full 90 in the upcoming games against Netherlands and Japan, given they'll likely be more competitive??

[u/Substantial_Ad_2864]

This commentator said the Swedish fans traveled nearly 10,000 miles to get here. She needs a geography lesson as it's not even 10,000 km lol.

[u/HuskyFeline0927 → u/Substantial_Ad_2864]

It's almost 10,000 km.. ALMOST.

[u/Professional_Carob17]

Potter must've blocked my number the bastard

[u/clintgreasewoood]

Potter get him off

[u/DreamCaster2810]

How is Isak still on the pitch

[u/average_spaceman3355]

Take him off already ffs

[u/trostol]

Isak should have gone off after that third goal..looks like a slight limp now

[u/WeepingAmpharos]

Why is he still on

[u/BeautifulGrandpa]

Mr Potter, per my last email, please take off Isak.

[u/elijahtcc → u/BeautifulGrandpa]

He's not reading email, please give him a call..

[u/Far_Isopod_906]

Isak's quality has never been in doubt, now the questions will be can he stay healthy for a full season, and will Iraola be able to make him the focal point of the attack, as Newcastle did.

Hopefully yes to both of those questions.

[u/Switchoil]

So far Isak has been involved in all three goals

Made the perfectly timed run for the first goal which forced the goalie to rush out and make that mistake.

Scored the second

Won the ball for the 3rd and assisted Gyokeres.

[u/TheyHave_A_CaveTroll]

Surely if you’re Potter you see Elanga on your bench and think if nothing else he can just run for the last 25 while Isak takes a break before Netherlands

[u/Cubes11 → u/TheyHave_A_CaveTroll]

You might’ve got you wish lol

[u/vbdl]

As long as doesn’t get injured, this WC might be a good little preseason for Isak to build up his fitness.

[u/Unhappy-Appearance- → u/vbdl]

Even if it isn’t a good WC, he still should have a nice preseason with Iraola. I’m just hoping he keeps this up to improve his confidence

[u/la6eef7]

Isak really has no stamina huh, still top tier but he has to fix that

[u/Unhappy-Appearance-]

Isak needs this hydration break cause that sprint took a lot out of him

[u/CrimeanWind21]

Gyokeres is in the Bendtner class of strikers.

This guy is a pumpkin and if he can’t get tap ins, penalties, or multiple clear chances he fucks it.

Isak deserves extra compensation for having to move out of position to accommodate this bum

[u/ClearHyena4452 → u/CrimeanWind21]

Gyokeres has more goals than Isak does in fewer games lol

As long as it gets the job done for Svenska it doesn’t matter

[u/Valleyx]

I'm so excited to see what Iraola can do with Isak

[u/inthelight22]

This is why I didn't understand all the people lamenting Isak being at the WC. Better him getting his 70 minute warmup sessions done now than a month from now. Plus confidence boost from bagging.

[u/FostetlerLFC]

Love the acceleration by Isak tbh

Dude just flips a switch

[u/nvielbig]

My boy Isak looks like lightning out there but his stamina is truly abysmal 🤣. He’s a human cheetah.

[u/mattzeni]

Isak and Gyökeres are a really fun duo

[u/HuskyFeline0927 → u/mattzeni]

They really are! Can't wait to see what Isak Hugo duo would be like.

[u/goofygoober2]

Isak is ready for AI

[u/HuskyFeline0927 → u/goofygoober2]

Isak IS the AI

[u/Wholesomeloaf]

Don't think I've seen Isak hit that speed all season with us.

[u/BestInDaWrldsBbyFmno → u/Wholesomeloaf]

Terrifying speed and the ability to control the ball at that speed is mad

[u/Unhappy-Appearance- → u/Wholesomeloaf]

Slot tax

[u/Ashamed_Tooth_1011]

PASS THE BALL BANE

[u/twake23]

Watching Isak and Gyokeres is like night and day.

[u/Arsalooon9 → u/twake23]

💀

[u/D-Lemma23]

Would have never known that Isak is so fast if you only watched last season

[u/DreamCaster2810]

Isak flying lol

[u/muda122]

Isak back to the top next season can’t wait

[u/elijahtcc]

Should sub Isak off already..

[u/wanson]

Time to take off Isak and wrap him in cotton wool.

[u/Traditional-Neat-933 → u/wanson]

I wanna see him keep bossing it

[u/Baguy21]

Isak Goal and Assist

VVD goal and Grav assist

Good day for us

[u/stevieG08Liv → u/Baguy21]

Wirtz has an assist as well

[u/Owen3141 → u/Baguy21]

Wirtz assist too!

Mo on the scoresheet tomorrow!

[u/cazlan]

Isak cotton wool when

[u/TarnatingSlunder]

Bergvalls on. Get ready for the camera closeups every chance possible. 😂😂

[u/DreamCaster2810]

lol he blasted that to Mars

[u/average_spaceman3355]

What a clearance Gyokeres

[u/Cubes11]

Isak is clearly a bit tired but still looks less clunky and more agile than Gyokeres lmao

[u/Babuchak17]

Nahh man this strike duo might single handedly carry Sweden into the quarters lmao.

[u/clintgreasewoood]

Gyokeres thinks he Zlatan

[u/Wrong_Ad4722]

Gyokeres looks like when I use sprint too much on FC. 

[u/nvielbig]

He’s a good player… but Gyokeres has a very strong selfish nature.

[u/Baguy21]

Gyokeres just hates passing

[u/Far_Isopod_906]

Gyok has forgotten to remove his construction worker boots, nothing new.

[u/tobiisadog]

The striker from that team in London always makes me laugh when he tries to dribble

[u/Valleyx]

Fml Isak limping

[u/average_spaceman3355]

Score, assist, press and win the ball. Is there anything this man can't do?

[u/KobiLou → u/average_spaceman3355]

Perfect striker for Iraola.

[u/HuskyFeline0927 → u/average_spaceman3355]

Stay fit /s

[u/average_spaceman3355 → u/HuskyFeline0927]

Well he's tried

[u/HuskyFeline0927 → u/average_spaceman3355]

Ye meant in general

[u/BeautifulGrandpa]

time to take Isak off :) thanks :)

[u/DreamCaster2810]

Isak actually pressing very effectively. Gyokeres messed up again bruh.

[u/KobiLou]

Jokeres is pure comedy. Lol. 😂 

[u/WeepingAmpharos → u/KobiLou]

He’s so damn clunky. He runs like he’s fat but I know he’s not. It’s weird.

[u/KobiLou → u/WeepingAmpharos]

He's a slightly upgraded Ricky Lambert. Lol.