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The 2038 FIFA World Cup reaches the knockout stages!

Argentina are safely through into the round of sixteen. The scoreline somewhat flattered Tunisia, who managed to keep the score tight.

It is indeed a reunion with Belgium in the next stage. Can I beat the nation I led to a World Cup final (defeat) in 2030? I bloody hope so! About time I won one, in truth. Tick tock!

The hosts keep on progressing - South Africa beat Switzerland. Brazil are eliminated, as they suffer an unexpected loss to Chile. Spain take out Italy, elsewhere.

That's how the R16 is set. England vs. Scotland catches the eye, to me anyway.

Up La Selección!

The 2038 FIFA World Cup group stage concludes!

Matchday 3:

Group A: Austria 1-1 South Korea, South Africa 4-0 Honduras

Group B: Belgium 1-1 Morocco, Costa Rica 1-2 Chile

Group C: Colombia 1-1 England, Ghana 1-3 Switzerland

Group D: France 2-2 Tunisia (The French are out! Bottom of the group too), United Arab Emirates 2-1 Wales

Group E: Brazil 3-1 China, Egypt 1-1 Scotland

Group F: Canada 1-0 Ecuador, Spain 5-0 Nigeria

Group G: Iraq 0-5 Netherlands, Sweden 5-1 Suriname

Group H: Australia 0-3 Senegal, Germany 4-0 New Zealand

Group I: Serbia 0-0 Japan, Zambia 3-2 Italy

Group J: Mexico 1-0 Paraguay, Portugal 1-0 Cote d'Ivoire

Group K… 

Argentina 1-0 Saudi Arabia

Libya 1-5 Croatia

Group L: Czechia 2-0 Syria, United States 1-1 Uruguay

Eliminated: Honduras (A), Costa Rica (B), Ghana (C), France (D), China (E), Ecuador, Nigeria (both F), Suriname, Iraq (both G), Senegal, Australia (both H), Zambia (I), Cote d'Ivoire (J), Libya (K), Uruguay, United States (both L).

No repeat of 2022 (though hopefully the subsequent events in Qatar do repeat) as Argentina beat Saudi Arabia, which means top spot is secured. On the way in the first knockout stage is Tunisia, with Belgium (reunion pending) or Serbia to come for the winner.

Rest of the Round of 32 draw:

South Africa vs. Switzerland

Egypt vs. United Arab Emirates

Brazil vs. Chile

Italy vs. Spain

South Korea vs. Morocco

England vs. Paraguay

Saudi Arabia vs. Scotland

Wales vs. Canada

Japan vs. Netherlands

Mexico vs. Croatia

Germany vs. Austria

Czechia vs. Colombia

New Zealand vs. Sweden

Belgium vs. Serbia

Portugal vs. Syria

The 2038 FIFA World Cup continues!

Matchday 2:

Group A: Austria 1-0 Honduras, South Africa 3-3 South Korea

Group B: Morocco 1-0 Costa Rica, Belgium 0-1 Chile

Group C: Colombia 1-2 Switzerland, England 6-1 Ghana

Group D: France 2-2 Wales, Tunisia 2-1 United Arab Emirates

Group E: Brazil 1-2 Scotland (great result for Nathan Jones' Scots), China 1-1 Egypt

Group F: Spain 3-1 Ecuador, Nigeria 1-1 Canada

Group G: Suriname 1-0 Iraq (history for Suriname!), Sweden 0-2 Netherlands

Group H: Australia 1-1 New Zealand (a Trans-Tasman battle at the World Cup, you love to see it), Senegal 1-4 Germany

Group I: Japan 1-0 Zambia, Serbia 1-0 Italy

Group J: Cote d'Ivoire 2-1 Mexico, Portugal 2-0 Paraguay

Group K… 

Argentina 3-1 Croatia

Saudi Arabia 4-1 Libya

Group L: Czechia 1-1 Uruguay, Syria 0-0 United States (👀)

Ruud van Nistelrooy's Croatia put up a good fight, but a comeback win was secured for four-time champs Argentina. That, as well as Saudi Arabia's win over Libya, sends La Albiceleste into the knockouts; albeit with top spot still left to fight for on Matchday 3.

The 2038 FIFA World Cup is here!

Matchday 1:

Group A: South Africa 1-0 Austria, Honduras 0-3 South Korea

Group B: Costa Rica 1-4 Belgium, Chile 1-1 Morocco

Group C: Switzerland 2-6 England, Ghana 0-3 Colombia

Group D: Wales 5-0 Tunisia, United Arab Emirates 0-0 France

Group E: Scotland 5-0 China, Egypt 2-0 Brazil

Group F: Ecuador 2-1 Nigeria, Canada 0-6 Spain

Group G: Iraq 2-7 Sweden, Netherlands 3-0 Suriname

Group H: Germany 1-1 Australia, New Zealand 5-0 Senegal

Group I: Italy 2-1 Japan, Zambia 0-3 Serbia

Group J: Paraguay 4-2 Cote d'Ivoire, Mexico 0-1 Portugal

Group K… 

Croatia 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Libya 0-2 Argentina

Group L: United States 0-2 Czechia, Uruguay 0-1 Syria 

More goals would've been welcome for Lionel Batistuta's team, but a dominant enough start against our friends from Libya. There was also the added bonus of Croatia and Saudi Arabia drawing.

The 2038 FIFA World Cup Preview:

Hosts: South Africa

Holders: England (2034, Japan)

Random # (1-7): 1 = England (already managed, 2026 - double checked, I hope, this time!🙃) | 2 = Argentina (replacing Marcelo Gallardo)

Last World Cup Win: 2026 (4th)

Qualifying: 1st in CONMEBOL. Won 13/18, GF 35, GA 12, 40pts. In a group with Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela.

Most Goals: 8 - Marcos Musiari (Manchester City, newgen)

Most Assists: 5 - Gianluca Prestianni (Inter Milan), Marcos Musiari (Manchester City, newgen)

Average Rating: 7.35 - Marcos Musiari (Manchester City, newgen)

Pre-Tournament Friendlies: 1-1 draw away to England, 3-1 win at home to Morocco

Finals: Group K with Croatia (26th), Libya (84th) and Saudi Arabia (17th).

Fixtures: Libya  > Croatia > Saudi Arabia

Squad:

Rest of the tournament:

Group A: Austria, Honduras, South Africa, South Korea

Group B: Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Morocco

Group C: Colombia, England, Ghana, Switzerland

Group D: France, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Wales

Group E: Brazil, China, Egypt, Scotland

Group F: Canada, Ecuador, Nigeria, Spain

Group G: Iraq, Netherlands, Suriname, Sweden

Group H: Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Senegal

Group I: Italy, Japan, Serbia, Zambia

Group J: Cote d'Ivoire, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal

Group L: Czechia, Syria, United States, Uruguay

Let's see what South Africa 2038 has to offer!

Thanks both! …and I second that.

Cheers pal! It has made for a pleasant change of pace.

Oops! I didn't even realise I messed that up until right now. That's a big brain fart! I'm not entirely sure how I've managed it.

A peak behind the curtain: For 2030, I did the random number generator too soon (April, iirc, rather than June) and Spain were #6 in the rankings in April, but in June it was Belgium; hence why I done it with the latter. So I think that plus the ‘Spain win the World Cup’ screenshot being the last update posted at the time must've thrown me.

I appreciate the kind words! It's definitely unique to me, I love a boring old journeyman but something different is always good.

Good wordplay for the title. Best of luck with the save, I'll aim to follow it!

The 2034 FIFA World Cup reaches the quarter-finals!

Bloody English! In a tight encounter, it is the English who came out victorious thanks to Fulham newgen Jake Laskowski. Still no World Cup for yours truly. We go again!

Elsewhere in the quarters, Wales beat Denmark to get to the World Cup semis for the first time. Italy edged out Portugal, Argentina lost to the United States!

England vs. United States. Wales vs. Italy. Quite the semi-final line-up! But who would make the 2034 final?

An England vs. Wales final at the FIFA World Cup? How about that! United States narrowly lose to England, à la Brazil. Wales scored five past Italy; who did end up beating the US in third place play-off.

An all-UK meet. Who would win the 2034 World Cup?

It is Vincenzo Italiano's England who reign supreme at the Japan National Stadium. Wales had Phill Davies sent off after just three minutes, which evidently messed them up badly. Arsenal newgen Alistair Rattray grabbed a hat-trick for the victors.

So, to recap: Argentina, Spain and England have won the World Cups thus far. Who will do so in 2038? Time will tell…

Thanks for reading!

The 2030 FIFA World Cup reaches the Round of 16!

Extremely unconvincing, but Brazil get the job done - South Korea can feel very hard done by though.

Up next? England! The first time I've faced a nation that I've previously managed (in 2026).

Spain and Germany are out! Denmark and Wales defeat the pair! Netherlands went out to England.

Denmark and Wales (the two lowest ranked nations left, Cymru lowest at 15th) meet in the quarter-finals, so what a chance for one of those to reach a World Cup semi-final. United States are fifth in the world, so should provide ranking toppers Argentina with a good test.

The 2034 FIFA World Cup reaches the knockout stages!

A narrow scoreline, but a merited victory over Senegal. Ângelo Gabriel was Brazil's top goalscorer in qualifying and at the finals has now scored three games in a row. South Korea up next, who lost in game one to the Netherlands but have won their last three games by an aggregate of 12-0 against Jamaica, Angola and Slovakia.

Just the one shock, with France losing to Sweden. That's first knockout round defeats to Georgia and Sweden now for France at these World Cups. Elsewhere, DR Congo continue their fairytale by defeating Saudi Arabia after extra time. 

The final sixteen. All the big guns are kept apart, DR Congo (18th in rankings tbf) have their toughest test yet in Italy. Viva Les Léopards!

The 2034 FIFA World Cup group stage concludes!

Matchday 3:

Group A: Japan 0-2 Tunisia, Slovakia 3-3 Uruguay

Group B: Spain 2-1 Germany, Thailand 0-0 South Africa

Group C: Angola 0-6 South Korea, Jamaica 0-4 Netherlands

Group D: Colombia 3-0 New Zealand, Wales 2-1 Portugal (a cracker for Cymru)

Group E: El Salvador 0-0 Denmark, England 3-0 Australia

Group F… 

Brazil 2-1 Norway

United Arab Emirates 1-1 Tanzania

Group G: DR Congo 4-0 Panama, France 2-2 Paraguay

Group H: Argentina 1-0 Serbia, Sweden 4-2 Honduras

Group I: Belgium 3-0 Chile, Congo 0-4 Saudi Arabia

Group J: Iraq 4-2 Nigeria, Scotland 1-1 United States

Group K: Mexico 1-3 Ukraine, Senegal 5-0 China

Group L: Ecuador 1-4 Italy, Syria 1-2 Cameroon

Eliminated: Japan (poor from the hosts, A), South Africa, Thailand (both B), Jamaica, Angola (both C), New Zealand (D), Australia, El Salvador (both E), United Arab Emirates, Tanzania (both F), Panama (G), Honduras (H), Congo (I), Nigeria (J), China (K), Syria (L).

Group play is complete, 3 out of 3 wins as Brazil secure first place - can't not be happy with that. Senegal await in the knockouts, with South Korea or Slovakia possibly after.

Rest of the Round of 32 draw:

South Korea vs. Slovakia

Denmark vs. Colombia

Chile vs. Spain

Germany vs. Uruguay

Netherlands vs. Iraq

England vs. Cameroon

Wales vs. Norway

DR Congo vs. Saudi Arabia

Scotland vs. Mexico

Argentina vs. Tunisia

Paraguay vs. Italy

Sweden vs. France

Belgium vs. Portugal

Serbia vs. Ukraine

Ecuador vs. United States

The 2034 FIFA World Cup continues!

Matchday 2:

Group A: Japan 1-1 Slovakia, Tunisia 2-2 Uruguay

Group B: Germany 2-1 Thailand, Spain 0-0 South Africa (oh?)

Group C: Angola 1-2 Netherlands, South Korea 5-0 Jamaica

Group D: Colombia 2-1 Portugal, New Zealand 1-4 Wales

Group E: Denmark 0-2 England, El Salvador 0-2 Australia

Group F… 

Brazil 3-1 Tanzania

Norway 1-0 United Arab Emirates

Group G: DR Congo 6-3 Paraguay (wow, Les Léopards are flying!), Panama 0-4 France

Group H: Argentina 6-0 Honduras, Serbia 1-1 Sweden

Group I: Congo 0-2 Chile, Saudi Arabia 0-1 Belgium

Group J: Scotland 3-0 Nigeria, United States 3-1 Iraq

Group K: Senegal 0-2 Ukraine, China 0-5 Mexico (CHN back down to earth!)

Group L: Italy 4-1 Syria, Ecuador 2-1 Cameroon

Can't ask for much more than that. Hopefully top spot can be sealed on the final gameday.

The 2034 FIFA World Cup is here!

Matchday 1:

Group A: Japan 1-2 Uruguay, Slovakia 2-0 Tunisia

Group B: Thailand 1-3 Spain, South Africa 1-2 Germany

Group C: Netherlands 1-0 South Korea, Jamaica 3-1 Angola

Group D: Portugal 3-1 New Zealand, Wales 1-0 Colombia

Group E: England 9-0 El Salvador (ouch!), Australia 1-3 Denmark

Group F… 

Tanzania 0-3 Norway

United Arab Emirates 0-3 Brazil

Group G: Paraguay 3-0 Panama, France 2-3 DR Congo (wow!)

Group H: Sweden 2-2 Argentina, Honduras 0-2 Serbia

Group I: Chile 2-3 Saudi Arabia, Belgium 7-1 Congo (not so good for the other Congo)

Group J: Nigeria 0-6 United States (ouch!), Iraq 0-2 Scotland

Group K: Ukraine 0-1 China (Xi Jinping's '2050 vision' bearing fruit?!), Mexico 0-0 Senegal

Group L: Cameroon 0-2 Italy, Syria 1-4 Ecuador

An expected start, it should be shoot-out for first place between Neymar Pelé's Brazil and Norway.

The 2034 FIFA World Cup Preview:

Hosts: Japan

Holders: Spain (2030, Türkiye)

Random # (1-7): 3 = Spain (already managed, 2030) I messed this up (see below here), I should've played as Spain, but no biggie | 4 = Brazil (replacing Odair Hellmann)

Last World Cup Win: 2002 (5th. record)

Qualifying: 3rd in CONMEBOL. Won 12/18, GF 31, GA 17, 37pts. In a group with Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia.

Most Goals: 8 - Ângelo Gabriel (Manchester City)

Most Assists: 5 - Guilherme (Manchester City, newgen)

Average Rating: 7.72 - Ângelo Gabriel (Manchester City) - best in the region

Pre-Tournament Friendlies: 3-1 win away to Denmark, 3-2 win at home to Sweden

Finals: Group F with Norway (17th), Tanzania (94th) and the United Arab Emirates (39th).

Fixtures: United Arab Emirates > Tanzania > Norway

Squad:

Rest of the tournament:

Group A: Japan, Slovakia, Tunisia, Uruguay

Group B: Germany, South Africa, Spain, Thailand

Group C: Angola, Jamaica, Netherlands, South Korea

Group D: Colombia, New Zealand, Portugal, Wales

Group E: Australia, Denmark, El Salvador, England

Group G: DR Congo, France, Panama, Paraguay

Group H: Argentina, Honduras, Serbia, Sweden

Group I: Belgium, Chile, Congo, Saudi Arabia

Group J: Iraq, Nigeria, Scotland, United States

Group K: China, Mexico, Senegal, Ukraine

Group L: Cameroon, Ecuador, Italy, Syria

Let's get it underway!

The 2030 FIFA World Cup reaches the final!

There was no fairytale at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, as Spain win their second FIFA World Cup after securing a 1-0 victory; Pedro Porro with an outstanding free-kick just before half-time. Romelu De Bruyne's Belgium gave ‘em a good test, but it wasn’t to be. A tournament to remember, nevertheless.

Well, that was fun. All eyes turn to 2034…

The 2030 FIFA World Cup reaches the semi-finals!

To quote Gary Neville, un-believ-able! Belgium are into their first-ever FIFA World Cup final! France are defeated! You gotta feel for Kylian Mbappé, who not only missed a penalty in extra time but also missed his spot-kick in the shoot-out. Our boys were made of far sterner stuff, as we converted all four penalties to punish Mbappé (and Ayyoub Bouaddi).

Just the Spanish in the final. If we can beat the French, we can beat Spain… right? Either way, what a run from Belgique! One final push, lads…

The 2030 FIFA World Cup reaches the quarter-finals!

Let's go! Belgium into the semi-finals! Unlike in 1986 and 2018, can The Red Devils finally reach a FIFA World Cup final? With France up next, I wouldn't hold your breath… but what if?

Brazil, Spain and the aforementioned France also head through to the final four. United States, Colombia, Portugal and Denmark bid farewell.

A nation dreams…

The 2030 FIFA World Cup reaches the Round of 16!

Lightning did not strike twice! Japan do not knock another one of my teams out of the World Cup, though they nearly did just that. It took penalties, but it is Belgium who head into the quarter-finals! Stunningly, it will be the United States in the next round - just like in 1950, the USMNT beat England! That wasn't the only Round of 16 upset…

Holders Argentina are also out! Brazil got a priceless victory over their CONMEBOL rivals. Spain, France and Portugal remain in.

I'll no doubt be eating my words in a few minutes, but getting the US is probably the most ideal result from that quarter-final line-up; either them, Denmark or Colombia, anyway. If we were to secure progression, it would be France or Denmark in the semi-finals.

Squeaky bum time!

The 2030 FIFA World Cup reaches the knockout stages!

A tight game with the Swiss was expected and a tight game with the Swiss duly arrived. It is Belgium who advance, Jérémy Doku the matchwinner!

Someone go get Denzel Washington, because I'm getting Déjà Vu. Like in 2026 with England, it is Japan in the Round of 16. Again. What are the chances?

No major shocks in this round, though Italy are out after losing to Spain (AET). Norway secured the most eye-catching result, battering the United Arab Emirates 7-0. Hosts Türkiye are eliminated by Wales, while those pesky Argentines are still in with a chance of three World Cups in a row after knocking out the Netherlands.

Sixteen nations remain in the competition. Argentina vs. Brazil is the standout Round of 16 tie, while there is also an Anglo/American match-up.

The 2030 FIFA World Cup group stage concludes!

Matchday 3:

Group A: Curaçao 1-4 Senegal, Türkiye 1-2 Ecuador

Group B: Nigeria 2-1 Haiti, Wales 0-2 Brazil

Group C: England 6-0 El Salvador, Japan 3-0 Mali

Group D: Netherlands 2-2 Colombia, United Arab Emirates 1-1 Costa Rica

Group E: Argentina 1-2 New Zealand, Ukraine 3-0 Cote d'Ivoire

Group F… 

Belgium 5-1 Croatia 🔥

Iran 1-4 Canada

Group G: Spain 2-2 Algeria, Venezuela 0-3 Australia

Group H: Greece 3-0 Uruguay, Qatar 0-4 Mexico

Group I: Norway 1-0 Italy, South Korea 1-1 Congo

Group J: Denmark 1-0 France, Tunisia 4-0 Kyrgyzstan

Group K: Saudi Arabia 1-0 DR Congo, Switzerland 0-2 Portugal

Group L: Ghana 0-4 Iraq, United States 0-2 Romania

Eliminated: Curaçao (A), Nigeria, Haiti (both B), El Salvador (C), Costa Rica (D), Cote d'Ivoire (E), Iran (F), Algeria, Venezuela (both G), Qatar (H), South Korea, Congo (both I), Tunisia, Kyrgyzstan (both J), DR Congo (K), Ghana (L).

Group stage = finito. What a way to secure progression, a tonking of prior group leaders Croatia - Canada beat closest challengers Iran, so it was literally the perfect final day. Switzerland await in the knockouts, which is a tricky one to call. If we win? Japan or Ecuador. It would be funny, to be fair, if Japan knocked me out of a second World Cup in a row.

Rest of the Round of 32 draw:

Japan vs. Ecuador

Argentina vs. Netherlands

Uruguay vs. Brazil

Türkiye vs. Wales

England vs. Canada

United States vs. New Zealand

Colombia vs. Croatia

Italy vs. Spain

France vs. Saudi Arabia

Greece vs. Senegal

Romania vs. Mali

Mexico vs. Australia

Norway vs. United Arab Emirates

Ukraine vs. Portugal

Iraq vs. Denmark

The 2030 FIFA World Cup continues!

Matchday 2:

Group A: Senegal 0-2 Ecuador, Türkiye 4-0 Curaçao

Group B: Wales 2-0 Haiti, Brazil 6-0 Nigeria

Group C: Japan 3-1 El Salvador, Mali 1-2 England

Group D: Netherlands 4-0 Costa RIca, Colombia 4-2 United Arab Emirates

Group E: Cote d'Ivoire 0-2 Argentina, Ukraine 0-1 New Zealand

Group F… 

Croatia 1-0 Iran

Belgium 1-0 Canada

Group G: Algeria 2-2 Venezuela, Spain 2-1 Australia

Group H: Greece 0-1 Mexico, Uruguay 1-2 Qatar

Group I: Congo 1-3 Norway, South Korea 1-1 Italy

Group J: Denmark 6-2 Kyrgyzstan, France 3-0 Tunisia

Group K: DR Congo 0-2 Switzerland, Saudi Arabia 0-2 Portugal

Group L: Romania 6-4 Ghana, United States 0-0 Iraq

Belgium head into Matchday 3 in an OK position, but are certainly not out of the woods just yet given they face group leaders Croatia next. They do sit with four points, which ought to see them in with a chance of securing qualification as one of the eight best third place sides if they do lose to the Croatians - but that obviously depends on results elsewhere. Let's see!

The 2030 FIFA World Cup is here!

Matchday 1:

Group A: Türkiye 2-1 Senegal, Ecuador 3-0 Curaçao

Group B: Haiti 0-5 Brazil, Nigeria 0-4 Wales

Group C: El Salvador 0-4 Mali, England 5-1 Japan (bit of revenge for 2026!)

Group D: Costa Rica 2-3 Colombia, United Arab Emirates 1-0 Netherlands (!)

Group E: Argentina 3-1 Ukraine, New Zealand 1-1 Cote d'Ivoire

Group F… 

Canada 0-2 Croatia

Iran 1-1 Belgium

Group G: Australia 4-1 Algeria, Venezuela 1-4 Spain

Group H: Qatar 0-4 Greece, Mexico 0-2 Uruguay

Group I: Norway 3-0 South Korea, Italy 4-0 Congo

Group J: Tunisia 0-4 Denmark, Kyrgyzstan 0-11 France (ouch!)

Group K: Portugal 3-1 DR Congo, Switzerland 2-3 Saudi Arabia

Group L: Ghana 1-2 United States, Iraq 0-2 Romania

Belgium begin iffily under (the randomized, bar name) Romelu De Bruyne, probably were the better team but c'est la vie.

Matchday 2 is coming.

The 2030 FIFA World Cup Preview:

Hosts: Türkiye

Holders: Argentina (2026, United States/Canada/Mexico)

Random # (1-7): 6 = Belgium (replacing Marcelino)

Last World Cup Win: n/a

Qualifying: UEFA's Group E. Won 8/8, GF 23, GA 2, 24pts. In a group with Czechia, Northern Ireland, Georgia and Andorra.

Most Goals: 6 - Loïs Openda (Bayern Munich), Jérémy Doku (Real Madrid)

Most Assists: n/a - no-one with 3+

Average Rating: 7.72 - Julien Duranville (Barcelona)

Pre-Tournament Friendlies: 1-1 draws away to both Sweden and South Korea.

Finals: Group F with Canada (33rd), Croatia (17th) and Iran (46th).

Fixtures: Iran > Canada > Croatia

Squad:

Rest of the tournament:

Group A: Curaçao, Ecuador, Senegal, Türkiye

Group B: Brazil, Haiti, Nigeria, Wales

Group C: El Salvador, England, Japan, Mali

Group D: Colombia, Costa Rica, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

Group E: Argentina, Cote d'Ivoire, New Zealand, Ukraine

Group G: Algeria, Australia, Spain, Venezuela, 

Group H: Greece, Mexico, Qatar, Uruguay

Group I: Congo, Italy, Norway, South Korea

Group J: Denmark, France, Kyrgyzstan, Tunisia

Group K: DR Congo, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland

Group L: Ghana, Iraq, Romania, United States

It begins! Tougher task compared to 2026, one would think.

It's a bit of fun, which is what I wanted. I'll keep an eye out for Hungary, they would be an interesting nation to manage actually.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches the Round of 16!

Ouch! That's a rough one. Despite dominating (e.g. xG = 0.41 vs. 2.35), Japan produce a stunning upset thanks to Keito Nakamura.

England were not the only big dog to fall, however.

Germany were knocked out by the Netherlands, while Spain went out of the competition after losing to Italy. Quite the round of fixtures at the worlds!

Here's how the quarter-finals were lined up:

…and the subsequent results from the aforementioned stage:

Portugal are eliminated by Sweden! Netherlands and Argentina safely through to the semi-finals, where they will be joined by Italy - who beat Brazil on spot-kicks!

To confirm the semi-final line-up:

Who would make the final?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final would be between Argentina and the Netherlands. Could Messi's men go back-to-back?

First, the third place play-off went like this:

More importantly, the World Cup winners are…

…Argentina! The South American giants do indeed retain their title. Very impressive stuff from Lionel Scaloni's team.

Will they make it three in a row and/or will I be managing them?

We'll soon find out at the 2030 FIFA World Cup across Morocco, Portugal, Spain and, technically, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay! in Türkiye!

Thanks for reading!

The 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches the knockout stages!

A simple progression into the Round of 16 for The Three Lions, Slovenia were no match. Japan are up next, that should be a trickier encounter.

Here's the rest of the results, as well as the full draw for next time out:

Major shock as Georgia (only qualified by placing third in Group J!) knocked out France. Wow!

And then there was sixteen. France aside, the big boys remain.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage concludes!

Matchday 3:

Group A: New Zealand 0-1 Algeria, United States 2-0 Slovenia

Group B: Canada 0-1 Netherlands, Cote d'Ivoire 3-0 Ecuador

Group C: Mexico 2-0 Iraq, Switzerland 3-3 Ghana

Group D: Guinea 1-2 Colombia, Saudi Arabia 3-1 Germany (!)

Group E: Norway 1-1 France, Paraguay 1-3 Nigeria

Group F: Portugal 0-2 Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago 1-2 Uruguay

Group G: Jamaica 1-1 South Korea, Spain 3-0 Cameroon

Group H… 

England 2-0 Iceland

Morocco 2-2 Australia

Group I: Belgium 1-1 Iran, Denmark 1-2 Egypt

Group J: Costa Rica 1-2 Georgia, Japan 1-2 Argentina

Group K: Brazil 6-2 Senegal, Scotland 5-1 Uzbekistan

Group L: Qatar 1-4 Italy, Tunisia 2-1 Peru

Eliminated: New Zealand (A), Canada, Ecuador (both B), Iraq (C), Guinea (D), Norway (E), Trinidad & Tobago (F), Jamaica (G), Morocco, Australia (both H), Iran (I), Costa Rica (J), Uzbekistan, Senegal (both K), Peru, Qatar (both L)

That's the groups complete. Slovenia await in the next round. If we win that? Japan or Scotland. A kind draw, on paper anyway. Bad news: Jude Bellingham injured for 2-4 weeks.😞

Rest of the Round of 32 draw:

Algeria vs. Ghana

Germany vs. Nigeria

Netherlands vs. Cameroon

Egypt vs. Sweden

United States vs. Cote d'Ivoire

Portugal vs. Mexico

Georgia vs. France

Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia

Spain vs. Belgium

Japan vs. Scotland

Switzerland vs. Italy

South Korea vs. Iceland

Denmark vs. Colombia

Paraguay vs. Brazil

Tunisia vs. Argentina

The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues!

Matchday 2:

Group A: Slovenia 0-3 Algeria, United States 6-0 New Zealand

Group B: Cote d'Ivoire 0-3 Netherlands, Canada 1-1 Ecuador

Group C: Mexico 1-0 Ghana, Iraq 1-1 Switzerland

Group D: Guinea 0-3 Germany, Colombia 1-1 Saudi Arabia

Group E: Norway 0-1 Nigeria, France 5-0 Paraguay

Group F: Trinidad & Tobago 1-5 Sweden, Uruguay 4-0 Portugal

Group G: South Korea 0-5 Spain, Jamaica 0-4 Cameroon

Group H…

Australia 0-3 England

Morocco 1-1 Iceland

Group I: Iran 0-2 Denmark, Belgium 4-1 Egypt

Group J: Argentina 2-1 Costa Rica, Japan 4-1 Georgia

Group K: Uzbekistan 0-0 Brazil, Scotland 1-0 Senegal

Group L: Tunisia 1-1 Italy, Peru 1-0 Qatar

Objective numero uno complete: group stage qualification! Top spot still needs securing, Iceland (who we play last) can still catch us.

Matchday 3 up next!

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here!

Matchday 1:

Group A: United States 1-2 Algeria, New Zealand 0-3 Slovenia

Group B: Canada 0-0 Cote d'Ivoire, Netherlands 1-0 Ecuador

Group C: Ghana 3-1 Iraq, Mexico 0-0 Switzerland

Group D: Germany 2-0 Colombia, Saudi Arabia 2-0 Guinea

Group E: Nigeria 1-2 France, Paraguay 3-2 Norway

Group F: Portugal 7-0 Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden 2-0 Uruguay

Group G: Cameroon 0-1 South Korea, Spain 4-1 Jamaica

Group H…

Iceland 3-1 Australia

England 4-1 Morocco

Group I: Egypt 2-2 Iran, Denmark 4-1 Belgium

Group J: Georgia 0-3 Argentina, Costa Rica 0-1 Japan

Group K: Senegal 0-0 Uzbekistan, Brazil 3-0 Scotland

Group L: Qatar 1-3 Tunisia, Italy 6-0 Peru

A good start for The Three Lions! Managed by a certain Wayne Kane (sounds a little rude, genuinely didn't mean it to - I just conflated England's top two goalscorers in Mr Kane and Mr Rooney), whose appearance I randomised all the way. What a look!

Matchday 2 up next.