The [Alternate] World Cup 2026

Danimal5981 · Post by **Danimal5981** » 04 Jul 2026, 06:13

WORLD CUP 2026... BUT DIFFERENT

Since the end of March, we knew who was playing whom at the real 2026 World Cup. We've seen early exits by Germany, Netherlands and Uruguay. But we're also witnessing quite deep runs by Canada, Egypt and Paraguay.

But this is The Alternate World Cup 2026: possibly different teams, likely a different draw, defintely different outcome!...

With the teams available, we are redoing the play-offs within UEFA (Europe) and AFC (Asia) giving the likes of Italy, Poland and Indonesia another shot at the tournament. After that we'll redo the tournament draw (according to the existing principles of FIFA), thereby creating an alternative tournament. All together 113 games (roughly two seasons in career mode) to find out who'll be world champion at the end. By that time, EA Sports FC 27 most likely will be waiting around the corner.

Rules:

Legendary level, 10 minutes p/half, OS sliders
Each game, we'll play the team highest on FIFA world ranking, to ensure bigger chance that bigger teams get further
The draw will be performed via https://www.randomresult.com/tournament.php and continue until Mexico, Canada and USA are drawn in groups A, B and C

RMJH4 · Post by **RMJH4** » 04 Jul 2026, 12:19

I'm here for it bro. Hoping Ireland qualify this time. My son and I went to all the home games in the campaign.

Danimal5981 · Post by **Danimal5981** » 04 Jul 2026, 16:10

WALES GETS RED CARD TWICE, SEES 2-0 LEAD EVAPORATE

If the play-offs are a precursor to the actual tournament, the fans are in for quite some entertainment. Though the Welsh won't be laughing at all. The home team went 2-0 up, but a late comeback by Bosnia & Herzegovina saw the Balkan nation advance. They face Italy in the path A final, while Wales will remain at home during the World Cup 2026 summer.

Until Ben Cabango's red card, Wales was in total control of the game. Even being one man down didn't seem to change a lot. Early in the second half, Wales were given a penalty and Harry Wilson doubled the score as well as his own tally. But soon after the old fox veteran-striker Edin Dzeko scored the link-up goal.

Things really got dire just past the hour mark, when Jordan James received his second yellow card. Wales parked the bus and for a long time it seemed they'd succesfully defend their 2-1 lead. Daniel James was one-on-one with Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to score 3-1 but failed. That's when fatigue and Balkan stubborness kicked in.

Bosnian manager Sergej Barbarez decided earlier to bring on midfielders Armin Gigović (from Swiss club Young Boys) and Amir Hadziahmetović (Hull City, Eng 2) and that decision would now pay dividend. Gigović scored the equalizer minutes before full time (2-2), while during injury time the other substitute player scored the winner!...

Even though Wales were dominant in terms of possession, the red cards and sent-offs for Cabango and James have broken up the game for Cymru. Y Draigiau are staying home, while the Bosnians take on Italy for a ticket to World Cup 2026.

Danimal5981 · Post by **Danimal5981** » 04 Jul 2026, 17:20

POLAND THANKS LEWANDOWSKI

In an exciting match in the Polish capital Warsaw, home team Poland defeated Sweden (3-2). Despite the win, Poland did suffer two injuries of winger Jakub Kamiński and defender Jan Bednarek. It is of yet uncertain if both will be fit in five days when Ukraine will be the opponent.

Poland was in control of large parts of the game and went 1-0 up, thanks to a precise header by the legend himself Robert Lewandowski. Sweden responded immediately however and an accurate deep pass was caught by Anthony Elanga in his run towards the opponent's goal. The score was almost immediately balanced again.

In the second half Poland retained the initiative and it was thanks to Nicola Żalewski that Poland scored twice. First he assisted Robert Lewandowski, before scoring Poland's third goal himself. A late response by Elanga could not turn the tide anymore. Poland will play its eastern neighbour for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

Danimal5981 · Post by **Danimal5981** » Yesterday, 05:03

LATE DECIDER BRINGS JUSTICE FOR ROMANIA

Romania managed to defeat Northern Ireland in the final seconds of regular time. Romania was the far better side throughout the game, but in a moment of unawareness they suffered an equalizer by the Ulstermen. Striker Daniel Birligea kept hopes up and struck when he had the chance: 2-1.

Romania could've easily one with bigger numbers. The Wallachians under the leadership of their national football-icon Gheorghe Hagi play a very attractive and attacking 4-3-3, that maybe exposes their defense to the better footballing nations of this world, but attractive nonetheless. However, Romania did not manage to score, or rather: Northern Irish goalie Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday) kept his goal clean, thanks to some impressive saves.

But when Romania did manage to go one goal up early in the second half, Romania quite quickly took its foot of the accelerator. This gave Northern Ireland a few instances to make threats which they did. Shea Charles (brother to goalkeeper Pierce) did not even hit the ball with full power, but his strike from 15-20 yards out had such a weird curve that Ionut Radu (RC Celta) did not have an answer: 1-1.

Fortunately for Romania, Birligea replied before the 90 minutes were up. Romania now go to Istanbul to take on Türkiye for a ticket at the 2026 World Cup.

Danimal5981 · Post by **Danimal5981** » Yesterday, 05:29

RMJH4 wrote: ↑
04 Jul 2026, 12:19
I'm here for it bro. Hoping Ireland qualify this time. My son and I went to all the home games in the campaign.

RMJH4 you Irish by any chance; or, of Irish descendancy? For us Dutch they're one of our Angstgegner (a German phrase for an opponent you traditionally fear, or always dislike to play due to the other's tenacity). Lucky win EURO '88, draw World Cup '90, desicive win World Cup '94, but they eliminated us in the qualifiers for World Cup 2002 (and that was considered a golden generation for us), they've always been tough to play - something about their game we (Netherlands) cannot handle..., nor the Czechs

IRELAND HAS HOME TEAM 'CZECHMATE'

At the end of the game, home team Czechia and visitors Ireland were equal in almost every statistic, save the score. Where the home side could not get the ball in, the Irish managed to score three times. Ireland advances to face off with Denmark.

Ireland opened the score quickly, when a second ball landed in front of the feet of Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town) in the 6th minute. Many thought the goal to be circumstancial or incidental and for much of the game after it were the Czechs that were hunting for an equalizer. For over an hour, the home side tried it through well executed attacks through the middle, while sometimes attempting across the flanks getting a large number of corners by doing so. But it did not result in a goal, courtesy of some magical goalkeeping by Caoimhin [Kee'veen] Kelleher.

Close to 70 minutes, Ireland decided they've had enough of constantly being besieged: a quick counter brought Ogbene one-on-one with Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven). The attacker lobbed the ball over the goalie and doubled the score for Ireland as well as his personal tally. Soon after, Czechia went all out attack to desperately find means to get level. But in their fanaticism, Pavel Sulc tackled Troy Parrott in a dangerous place. Ryan Manning converted the direct free kick and settled the encounter at 3-0 for the visitors.

Ireland now face Denmark in Parken, Copenhagen for a ticket at the 2026 World Cup.

Danimal5981 · Post by **Danimal5981** » Yesterday, 05:53

I think this formula works. In all 4 games, I played as the home team and it delivered exciting games!

Went up with Wales, to see my lead evaporate
Poland was a narrow win for me
Romania played easily but goals were hard to make
I was the better team with Czechia but couldn't score, so Ireland won 3-0

So, what's next?

Post by **Caesar** » Yesterday, 06:19

Here's hoping Bosnia beats Italy in this, too.

RMJH4 · Post by **RMJH4** » Yesterday, 17:35

Irish born and raised. So happy to see that scoreline v Czechia, only for Ryan Manning giving away a stupid peno when we were 1-0 up we'd have won easy IRL. Yes we have a great history vs Netherlands. Remember in particular the 2002 qualifier, watched it with friends after we played and won National U16 Basketball semi final. We then went to disco after in the complex and everyone was absolutely crazy happy! But the loss in Euro 96 playoffs in Anfield was a tough one to take, and ended the Big Jack era.

Post by **Captain Canada** » Today, 09:54

Very intriguing and creative premise. Definitely going to follow along. Wales must be sick to their stomachs to lose like that :rg3:

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