₦airaland Forum

Spain could/would meet the following enroute the finals:

Austria (32)

Portugal (16)
Croatia (16)

Quarter final
USA
Bosnia & Herzegovinia
Belgium
Senegal

Semi
France
Netherlands
Morocco
Germany
Paraguay
Canada
Netherlands
Morocco


Spain would drop out as early as the Round of 16 if they lose to Portugal or Croatia.

Losing to others would be an upset.

Germany could/would meet the following enroute the finals:

Paraguay (32)

France (16)
Sweden (16)

Quarterfinals
Netherlands
Morocco
Canada

Portugal (Semi final)
Spain (Semi final)
Croatia (Semi final)
Austria (Semi final)
USA (Semi final)
Bosnia & Herzegovinia (Semi final)
France (Semi)

Germany would drop out as early as the Round of 16 or Quarterfinals if they lose to France, Netherlands or Morocco.

Losing to others would be an upset.

France could/would meet the following enroute the finals:

Sweden (32)

Germany (16)
Paraguay (16)

Quarterfinals
Netherlands
Morocco
Canada

Portugal (Semi final)
Spain (Semi final)
Croatia (Semi final)
Austria (Semi final)
USA (Semi final)
Bosnia & Herzegovinia (Semi final)

France would drop out as early as the Round of 16 or Quarterfinals if they lose to Germany, Netherlands or Morocco.

Losing to others would be an upset.

Compared to other top contenders, Argentina and Brazil have the easiest route to the finals.

Countries Argentina could/would meet enroute the final match are:
Cape Verde (Round of 32)

Australia (16)
Egypt (16)

Quarterfinals:
Switzerland
Algeria
Colombia
Ghana

At Semi finals:
Brazil
Japan
Ivory Coast
Norway
Mexico
Ecuador
England
DRC

Countries Brazil could/would meet enroute the final match are:
Japan (Round of 32)

(16)
Ivory Coast
Norway

Quarterfinals
Mexico
Ecuador
England
DRC

Semi final
Argentina
Australia
Egypt
Switzerland
Algeria
Colombia
Ghana

Toughest opponents for both (on paper) are themselves (Brazil and Argentina).

If any of them lose to the other countries on the route, it would be an upset.

Other top contenders don't have it so easy.

Niceguy0004:
After applying to 500 Jobs from job boards and communities for 3 months straight with only 18 emails been opened. You followed up and no pim after that.

I have come to the realization that Job board application’s isn’t worth it. After starting glued and sticking like a watch job to submit a job 20-30 mins after being posted and getting ghosted.

I have seen someone commit sucide because she was not able to get a job and have been asked to pack out from where she was leaving. This job hunting game is survival now 😂.

Why post a job if you have given it out already?
Mods
CCc

Ghost jobs may be advertised for fraudulent purposes.

Advertising non-existing vacancies is a violation of consumer protection practices in the UK.

it is also illegal to charge job seekers a fee to find work there.

FBS:
You saw that too? Physical or mental fatigue?

Might be a combination of both.

He is still my star player in the Ivorian team.

I pray whatever is the problem with him is sorted out quickly before the next match.

Diomande has a lot of potential, but something is just not clicking with him. Maybe the position he is playing.

At a point, he had to switch flanks yesterday.

Kessie scoring the ball fumbled by Amad Diallo is what saved Diallo being the villain Adingra is now.

Had Kessie not scored, the fumble by Amad is what everyone will be talking about now.

I was wondering why Amad did not start in the first match. I think my question was answered in this match. He seems best as a substitue. Like Mbaye of Senegal.

Despite all, Amad and Mbaye are still my favourite African players in the tournament. I fell in love with them after the last AFCON. I see that they just love to play football.

Amad was lost yesterday. I wonder why.

I am not giving up Cote d'Ivoire though. I have high hopes for them.

Their heroics during the AFCON they won come to mind. They started very poorly but then went all the way.

geoworldedu:
WHY!!!

I pity the young man!

Did a Yakubu there.

People are going to come for him.

I can't forget his heroics in the AFCON they won though. He was central to them beating us.

Bamz:
Final result: 1 - 1.

Still waiting for the first African victory.

Cote D'Ivoire already has that.

They beat Ecuador.

Congrats to the Elephants!

I wonder why Amad Diallo was not brought on earlier.

He was my man of the match even though Diamanté did very well too.

The early unnecessary yellow cards were quite a scare. They need to watch that going forward.

If they can hold their own against Germany, I am backing them to go far in the tournament.

success1smyn:
Football fans, there is something interesting about the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.
Back in the 1998 World Cup, Group A consisted of:
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇲🇦 Morocco
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🇳🇴 Norway

Fast forward 28 years to the 2026 World Cup and Group C contains:
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇲🇦 Morocco
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🇭🇹 Haiti

Three of the four teams from the 1998 group have somehow found themselves together again after nearly three decades.

But that's not all.

In 1994, Group D had:
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇬🇷 Greece
🇧🇬 Bulgaria

Then in 2010, Group B had:
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇬🇷 Greece
🇰🇷 South Korea
Again, the same three countries were drawn together.

Considering the number of countries that have participated in World Cups over the years, the chances of the same trio repeatedly ending up in the same group must be quite small.

It also reminds me of the Argentina–Nigeria rivalry. The two countries have met in the group stage of multiple World Cups (1994, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018).

My question to football historians here:
Can you remember any other World Cup group where the same three countries were drawn together in different tournaments?
Or is Brazil–Morocco–Scotland (1998 & 2026) the most remarkable example?

Brazil, Yugoslavia/Serbia, and Switzerland.

Final group standings are shown below.

1950 World Cup (Group 1):
Brazil
Yugoslavia,
Switzerland
Mexico

Only Brazil progressed to the next round.

1954 World Cup (Group A)
Brazil
Yugoslavia
France
Mexico

Brazil and Yugoslavia advanced to the quarterfinals.


2018 World Cup (Group E):
Brazil
Switzerland
Serbia (broke off from Yugoslavia)
Costa Rica

Brazil and Switzerland qualified.


2022 World Cup (Group G):
Brazil
Switzerland
Cameroon
Serbia


Brazil and Switzerland again progressed even though Cameroon famously beat Brazil.

success1smyn:
Football fans, there is something interesting about the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.
Back in the 1998 World Cup, Group A consisted of:
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇲🇦 Morocco
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🇳🇴 Norway

Fast forward 28 years to the 2026 World Cup and Group C contains:
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇲🇦 Morocco
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🇭🇹 Haiti

Three of the four teams from the 1998 group have somehow found themselves together again after nearly three decades.

But that's not all.

In 1994, Group D had:
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇬🇷 Greece
🇧🇬 Bulgaria

Then in 2010, Group B had:
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇬🇷 Greece
🇰🇷 South Korea
Again, the same three countries were drawn together.

Considering the number of countries that have participated in World Cups over the years, the chances of the same trio repeatedly ending up in the same group must be quite small.

It also reminds me of the Argentina–Nigeria rivalry. The two countries have met in the group stage of multiple World Cups (1994, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018).

My question to football historians here:
Can you remember any other World Cup group where the same three countries were drawn together in different tournaments?
Or is Brazil–Morocco–Scotland (1998 & 2026) the most remarkable example?

Mexico and South Africa

Identical opening fixture of Mexico vs. South Africa in both tournaments hosted by South Africa and Mexico.


2010 World Cup (Group A):
Uruguay
Mexico
South Africa
France

2010 tournament kicked off with a 1–1 draw between hosts South Africa and Mexico.

Uruguay and Mexico progressed.

South Africa was the first country in history to be eliminated at the group stage.

2026 World Cup (Group A):
Czech Republic
Mexico
South Korea
South Africa

2026 tournament kicked off with a 2–0 win for Mexico at home.

success1smyn:
Football fans, there is something interesting about the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.
Back in the 1998 World Cup, Group A consisted of:
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇲🇦 Morocco
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🇳🇴 Norway

Fast forward 28 years to the 2026 World Cup and Group C contains:
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇲🇦 Morocco
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🇭🇹 Haiti

Three of the four teams from the 1998 group have somehow found themselves together again after nearly three decades.

But that's not all.

In 1994, Group D had:
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇬🇷 Greece
🇧🇬 Bulgaria

Then in 2010, Group B had:
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇬🇷 Greece
🇰🇷 South Korea
Again, the same three countries were drawn together.

Considering the number of countries that have participated in World Cups over the years, the chances of the same trio repeatedly ending up in the same group must be quite small.

It also reminds me of the Argentina–Nigeria rivalry. The two countries have met in the group stage of multiple World Cups (1994, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018).

My question to football historians here:
Can you remember any other World Cup group where the same three countries were drawn together in different tournaments?
Or is Brazil–Morocco–Scotland (1998 & 2026) the most remarkable example?

One remarkable thing about the Nigeria - Argentina matchups (even outside the senior World Cup) is that Nigeria has never lost by more than a goal margin.

It's always a tight match-up, usually won by the individual brilliance of an Argentine player, when they win - Cannigia (94), Batistuta ('02), Rojo ('18) readily come to mind.

Always painful losing those matches because our players give their best in those match-ups.

We've always gone on to the next round in each of these match ups, if my memory serves me right.

Argentina has never won a senior world cup tournanent in which they met us along the way.

Kalulu44:
It was
Brazil
Norway
Morocco
Scotland.
.
Brazil and Norway went thru to the next round.
Morocco didn't secure enough points to qualify as one of the 3rd best loser

Thanks

Looks like Scotland would go through this time.

johnie:
Germany

Jamal Musiala
The superstar playmaker was born to a Nigerian father and a German mother.

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139681270

Felix Nmecha
The midfielder, born in Germany to a Nigerian father, features in Julian Nagelsmann's side.

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139681022

Nmecha and Musiala both score for Germany against Curacao.

success1smyn:
Football fans, there is something interesting about the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.
Back in the 1998 World Cup, Group A consisted of:
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇲🇦 Morocco
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🇳🇴 Norway

Fast forward 28 years to the 2026 World Cup and Group C contains:
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇲🇦 Morocco
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🇭🇹 Haiti

Three of the four teams from the 1998 group have somehow found themselves together again after nearly three decades.

But that's not all.

In 1994, Group D had:
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇬🇷 Greece
🇧🇬 Bulgaria

Then in 2010, Group B had:
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇬🇷 Greece
🇰🇷 South Korea
Again, the same three countries were drawn together.

Considering the number of countries that have participated in World Cups over the years, the chances of the same trio repeatedly ending up in the same group must be quite small.

It also reminds me of the Argentina–Nigeria rivalry. The two countries have met in the group stage of multiple World Cups (1994, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018).

My question to football historians here:
Can you remember any other World Cup group where the same three countries were drawn together in different tournaments?
Or is Brazil–Morocco–Scotland (1998 & 2026) the most remarkable example?

Cc: nlfpmod, semid4lyfe

Would have helped to give us the final group standings then.

Balogun dedicates World Cup goal to Alex Iwobi


United States striker Folarin Balogun has revealed that his eye-catching celebration after scoring against Paraguay was a heartfelt tribute to Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi, a player he credits with helping him during a crucial stage of his development.

Balogun was one of the standout performers in the match, scoring twice as the United States secured victory. However, it was his celebration after finding the net that quickly attracted attention.

The forward lifted his jersey to reveal a shirt carrying the message “Thank you 17”, leaving supporters and observers wondering about the meaning behind the gesture.

Balogun later provided the answer, explaining that the celebration was dedicated to Iwobi, who has worn the number 17 throughout much of his professional career.

The revelation transformed what appeared to be a simple goal celebration into a personal message of gratitude from one footballer to another.

Balogun explained that his connection to the Nigerian international dates back to their time together at Arsenal, where Iwobi played an important role in helping him navigate the early stages of his career.

“When I was at Arsenal, he was a mentor who helped guide me at an important stage of my career. This goal was dedicated to him,” Balogun said after showering.

The tribute highlighted the lasting influence experienced players can have on younger teammates behind the scenes, often away from public attention.


https://thenationonlineng.net/balogun-dedicates-world-cup-goal-to-alex-iwobi/

GaskiyaTV:
Is that not David Ben Gurion?

Yes. It is

PRIME MIN. DAVID BEN GURION (L) IN CONVERSATION WITH CHIEF S.L. AKINTOLA, PRIME MIN. OF WESTERN NIGERIA,AT P.M. BEN GURION'S OFFICE, JERUSALEM

9 October 1961



https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Samuel_L%C3%A1d%C3%B2k%C3%A8_Ak%C3%ADnt%E1%BB%8D%CC%81l%C3%A1_-David_Ben_Gurion1961.jpg

johnie:
United States

Folarin Balogun
The striker, born in New York to Nigerian parents, leads the frontline for the host nation.

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139660352

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139661883

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139664229

Folarin gets a brace in the opener.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt95LtslUOk?si=re2-pIRKR_VoqBkd


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhZhn2lYmHU?si=ryS9D52TBXsVrrvT

johnie:
Canada

Tani Oluwaseyi
The forward brings a strong diaspora presence to one of the tournament co-hosts.

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680392

Promise David
The physical striker strengthens Canada’s attacking depth.

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680365

Owen Goodman
The young goalkeeper secures a spot on the Canadian roster.

I think the analysis on third party culture in the formative ages in the first video here was brilliant!

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680250

David and Tania will be leading Canada's attack against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

johnie:
South Africa

Probably the most surprising.

Ime Okon
The defender has successfully integrated into Hugo Broos' defensive plans for Bafana Bafana.

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139649397

Reaction of South Africans to Okon's call up:

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139650919

“Not A Debut I’d Want To Remember” — Okon


For Okon, the occasion marked a significant milestone in his career, but the result left the 22-year-old reflecting on a night that failed to live up to his expectations.

Speaking after the match, Okon admitted that his first appearance at a World Cup was not the memorable debut he had hoped for.

“Yeah, I think it was a good season, yes, and today also, I think it’s not a debut I’d want to remember at the World Cup,” he told Sporty TV.

“I think we just need to keep fighting. We trust each other. All of us worked so hard to be here and, yeah, it’s on to the next one.”

Despite the disappointing outcome, Okon insisted that the squad remains united and determined to bounce back in their remaining matches. He also highlighted some encouraging aspects of their performance against Mexico.

“Yeah, I mean, it was a tough game, but I thought we fought well. We competed and managed to contain them at times,” he added.

“I just think we couldn’t apply the finishing touch, but that’s what we’re working on. We have to keep looking forward and stay positive. We know it’s a loss, but our focus is now on the next game.

“I know this team, and I know myself. All of us want to fight for ourselves, our families and our country. And yeah, man, on to the next one.”

https://sportswire.co.za/not-a-debut-id-want-to-remember-okon/

panafrican:
We are seeing a Black guy on the Springbok team out there, but No White on 2026 FIFA world cup team.
Definitely Black South Africans are the most racist. They complained about Apartheid because it was not implemented by a
" Black Powa" regime.

Janine van Wyk and Robyn Moodaly are not black but have played for the female national football team.

Van Wyk even captained the team for a decade.

She holds the record for the most international appearances for any South African player (male or female) with 185 caps. She became the first captain to lead South Africa out at a FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019

Makodama:
It is good that they stopped at "a Nigerian" without necessarily mentioning his name. It is a welcome development.

Nairaland Name Checkers Association of Nigeria ( NNCAN):



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRlRGAR_uho

johnie:
Here's the South African women’s rugby team who won the Africa championship this year.

You can see the white players.

Black are 81% of the population so will definitely be in the majority of most sunsets of the population, including sport teams.

"Black Africans remain the dominant population group at 81,4%, followed by the coloured population at 8,2%. The white population percentage declined to 7,3% in 2022 from 8,9% in 2011, while that for Indians/Asians increased slightly from 2,5% in 2011 to 2,7% in 2022" - Department of Statistics, Republic of South Africa

https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=16738

Rugby is traditionally a "white" sport while football is "black."

Men's team

zoghys:
That's all BS. Many south Africa white citizen has made the cut in the past, and if they're good enough to make the cut so be it. Most whites their are into rugby , track and field and some other sports, so that's no racism is anyone is not good enough to make the team. That's doesn't take it thing away from the xenophobic attack by the south African on fellow black African especially those who help them achieve independence in wish Nigeria comes to mind

Correct.

Mark Fish is white.

He played at the 1996 AFCON.

Here's the South African women’s rugby team who won the Africa championship this year.

You can see the white players.

Blacks are 81% of the population so will definitely be in the majority of most subsets of the population, including sport teams.

"Black Africans remain the dominant population group at 81,4%, followed by the coloured population at 8,2%. The white population percentage declined to 7,3% in 2022 from 8,9% in 2011, while that for Indians/Asians increased slightly from 2,5% in 2011 to 2,7% in 2022" - Department of Statistics, Republic of South Africa

https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=16738

panafrican:
The racist and afrophobic South African team does not have any white players. There are 4.5 million white South Africans, 950,000 of whom are between the ages of 18 and 35. Is it normal that not a single one of these people knows how to play football or is fit to be on the World Cup team? That is real racism. Anyway, it is a good thing that the team was defeated by Mexico. If we Africans support South Africans, they will say we are stealing their jobs

They have a player who has a Nigerian father in the team that played yesterday - Ime Okon.

Check details here:

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139643684

slipperyanus07:
Their goalkeeper is white and he's the captain too

He's coloured or black.

Certainly not white!

seppuku:
I wish him well. I hope he is not scapegoated by our fellow South Africans who don't like anything Nigerian.

Thank God Okon wasn't one of the red carded players!

donmik:
Olise

Mentioned here

https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139643666

rickpat:
Antonio nusa of norway

Thanks!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gRICBfrBuM?si=dUlI4Hr3u1fszg4-


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j80wpLVecJ0?si=NJWjVJYtXrbQucBK


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVv_3O3pZTU?si=K76IQU3LYv4oyYE_


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r2Eopl4Fq0?si=8xRUc08sGMFiBaNo


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohsIsNFsXyQ?si=790z-acgRZ_Z3MwB