I'm Simulating the Entire 2026 World Cup on My Tabletop. Here's How It's Going.
14 July 2026
What This Actually Is
Every night through the World Cup, I'm sitting down with my dog, a drink, and my tabletop football game, and playing out that day's real fixtures before bed.
No app doing it for me behind a loading screen. Actual dice, an actual scoresheet, a wallchart filling in by hand as the groups take shape. It's the World Cup, but it's mine, and it goes wherever the dice send it.
I'm filming it as a nightly series too, but the short version is this: it's the most fun I've had with a tabletop game in years, and it costs me twenty minutes an evening. Newest day is always at the top, so scroll down for the story so far.
Following along at home? Everything you need is at ttxsports.co.uk/play - grab the free wallchart and tracker, or pick up Match Day and the World Cup set.
Day Thirty-Three: Semi-Final Two - Brazil Edge Portugal to Reach the Final
Brazil booked their place in the final with a superb display against Portugal. Bruno Guimaraes opened the scoring and a penalty just before half time made it 2-0, and for long spells Brazil looked in total control. Vitinha gave Portugal hope with a goal early in the second half to set up a nervy finish, and Cristiano Ronaldo almost forced extra time with the last kick of the game, only to drive his header straight at Alisson in the Brazil goal. Heartbreak for Ronaldo, whose dream of lifting the trophy is finally over, but Brazil hold on for a 2-1 win.
So it is France against Brazil in New Jersey for all the marbles, the game the whole tournament has been building towards. Before that, Spain and Portugal meet in the third-place playoff on Saturday. Semi-Final Two done, and we have our final.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Thirty-Two: Semi-Final One - France Reach a Third Straight Final
The first semi-final was settled by a moment of magic. Ousmane Dembele picked the ball up just outside the box and unleashed a brilliant strike to sink Spain and send France through. It is a third straight World Cup final for Les Bleus, and after knocking out one of the best teams in the world, they will go in as favourites to lift the trophy. A ruthless, big-game performance from a side that just keeps finding a way. Semi-Final One done.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Thirty-One: Quarter-Final Four - Ronaldo Rolls Back the Years
The last quarter-final might have been the best of the lot. Cristiano Ronaldo turned the clock back with a vintage two-goal display to drag Portugal to a 3-2 win over Belgium in a Kansas City thriller. Whatever you make of him, the man still knows where the net is, and Portugal are into the semi-finals.
So that is the last four set, and what a line-up it is. France meet Spain in Arlington, a genuine heavyweight clash, and Brazil take on Portugal in Atlanta. Two mouthwatering ties. The Golden Boot race is heating up too: Kylian Mbappe still leads, but Nico Williams and Ronaldo are both within striking distance and will fancy one more big performance. Quarter-Final Four done, and only four teams remain.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Thirty: Quarter-Final Three - Vinicius Fires Brazil Into the Semis
Brazil are back among the last four for the first time since 2014, and they have Vinicius Jr to thank for it. He lit up the first twenty minutes with two stunning goals, a ferocious long-range strike and then a brilliant solo effort, to put Brazil 2-0 up before Senegal knew what had hit them. Senegal clawed one back from the penalty spot just before the break, but they could not find a second after it, and Brazil saw out a 2-1 win.
It ends a brilliant Senegal run, their best tournament since 2002, and they can hold their heads high. Brazil, meanwhile, now wait to discover their semi-final opponents, with Belgium and Portugal squaring off on Sunday night for the final place in the last four. Quarter-Final Three done.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty-Nine: Quarter-Final Two - Spain End the Hosts' Dream
The USA's fairytale is over. Spain proved a step too far, running out 2-0 winners to knock the last host nation out of their own tournament. Spain opened the scoring from a corner and Nico Williams put the tie to bed in the closing moments. It has been a good run for the USA, but in the end they bowed out with a bit of a whimper.
That result sets up a mouthwatering semi-final: Spain against France, two of the tournament's form teams going head to head for a place in the final. Two quarter-finals still to play, though. Brazil take on Senegal in Miami tomorrow, and Belgium meet Portugal in Kansas City in what should be a cracker. Quarter-Final Two done.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty-Eight: Quarter-Final One - France First Into the Semis
The quarter-finals are underway, and France wasted no time booking their spot in the last four, easing past South Korea 3-1 in a comfortable afternoon's work. Kylian Mbappe got the ball rolling with his fifth of the tournament, which moves him clear at the top of the Golden Boot race, an own goal doubled the lead, and Marcus Thuram sealed it late on. South Korea did pull one back with a free kick early in the second half, but they never really looked like getting back into it.
France are the first team into the semi-finals, where either Spain or the USA await. Job done, minimum fuss, and Les Bleus are quietly looking like the team to beat. Quarter-Final One done.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty-Seven: Messi's Argentina Crash Out, Ronaldo's Dream Lives On
Two games to finish the Round of 16, and both came out as a mirror image of the real tournament, the dice flipping the script on what actually happened. Argentina were sensationally dumped out, Belgium coming from behind to win 2-1. Lionel Messi scored from the spot, but two late Belgian goals turned it on its head and sent the holders home. A gut-punch of an exit for one of the favourites.
Cristiano Ronaldo's dream of finally lifting the trophy stays alive, though. Portugal edged Switzerland 2-1, Rafael Leao levelling before Bruno Fernandes struck his third of the tournament to win it. So that is the last 16 done, and we are down to the final eight. France meet South Korea, with the winner facing Spain or the USA in the semis, while Brazil take on Senegal for a last-four shot at Portugal or Belgium. Day Twenty-Seven done, and the business end is here.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty-Six: It's Not Coming Home, USA Keep Rolling
Nooo. Not like this. England went out on penalties. Again. They had done the hard part in Arlington, Jude Bellingham firing them ahead and the win looking there for the taking, only for Lamine Yamal to break English hearts with a late equaliser. 1-1, extra time settled nothing, and then the dreaded shootout, where Spain held their nerve to win it 5-4. England will rue a hatful of missed chances. Football's oldest story, told once more on my kitchen table.
Spain march on and now face the United States, who beat the Czech Republic 2-1 and are looking better with every game. The hosts are dreaming, and another win would put them into a World Cup semi-final against France or South Korea. Day Twenty-Six done, and I need to go and have a word with the dice.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty-Five: Brazil Dump Out Germany, Senegal March On
The heavyweight tie of the round delivered, just not the way I expected. Brazil powered past Germany 2-0, Rodrygo helping himself to both goals, and the four-time winners are out, knocked out by their biggest rivals. A disappointing end to a disappointing campaign for Germany, who never really got going. A statement result, and Brazil roll on to the quarters.
Waiting for them there will be Senegal, who just keep defying the odds. Petar Sucic had put Croatia ahead, but the underdogs dug in and turned it around, Sadio Mane popping up with the winner once again to seal a 2-1 comeback. What a run they are on. Day Twenty-Five done, and the quarter-final picture is coming together.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty-Four: France Scrape Through, South Korea Shock the Dutch
The Round of 16 is underway and it did not take long for the drama to arrive. France were made to sweat by Morocco, who led through Brahim Diaz before Ousmane Dembele spared French blushes with a late equaliser. It went to penalties, and Diaz turned from hero to villain, missing his spot kick as France held their nerve to win the shootout 5-3. Far from convincing, and they will know it.
The shock came in Houston, where South Korea stunned the Netherlands 3-2, Hwang In-beom firing in the winner. It caps a brilliant run for the Koreans and sets up a mouthwatering quarter-final with France, who will need to be a lot better than they were tonight if they want to keep going. Day Twenty-Four done, and the last 16 is up and running.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty-Three: Messi Magic in Miami, Last 16 Locked In
The Round of 32 signed off with a beauty. The game of the day was in Miami, where Lionel Messi rolled back the years to help Argentina edge Uruguay 3-2 in an absolute banger. Fitting that it was Messi who lit it up.
Portugal were far less flashy but just as effective, another workmanlike win ending Paraguay's dream, Cristiano Ronaldo notching his second of the tournament. And Lois Openda's brilliant tournament rolls on, his third goal helping Belgium come from behind to see off Turkey 2-1.
So that is the last 32 done and the Round of 16 set, and there are some proper crackers in there. Brazil against Germany is a heavyweight tie for the ages, and England against Spain is the one I cannot wait for. Harry Kane goes in as joint top scorer on four, and a win would line England up with the USA or Czech Republic in the quarters. Day Twenty-Three done, and it is getting serious now.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty-Two: England Set Up a Spain Blockbuster
Harry Kane led from the front again, his goal helping England to a 2-0 win over Colombia and a place in the Round of 16. Their reward? A monster of a tie against Spain, who look every bit the real deal after thrashing Algeria 3-0. That one has got my full attention already.
The other game was a proper ding-dong. Switzerland and Sweden went the distance, Zeki Amdouni bagging twice before Breel Embolo settled it with a late winner in extra time, 3-2 the final score. The Swiss go through and now wait to see whether it is Portugal or Paraguay in the next round. Day Twenty-Two done.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty-One: Favourites Hold Firm, USA Fly the Host Flag
A day for the big names to do their jobs. Croatia eased past Uzbekistan 2-0, ending a fairytale run for the White Wolves, who stunned everyone just by getting this far and now head home to a proud nation. No shame in that.
Iran nearly wrote a bit of history of their own. Sardar Azmoun had them leading right up to the 73rd minute before the Czech Republic finally levelled, then broke Iranian hearts with a stoppage-time free kick to win it 2-1. Cruel stuff. And the USA, now the only host nation left standing, are making home advantage count. Folarin Balogun and an Austrian own goal sealed a comfortable 2-0 win over an Austria side that never really turned up. Day Twenty-One done, and the favourites are lining up.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twenty: France Roll On, Senegal Stun the Hosts
France are starting to look frightening. Egypt were brushed aside 4-0, a tearful Mo Salah waving to the fans as he left the field, possibly at his last World Cup, while Kylian Mbappe helped himself to two more. That takes him to four for the tournament and out in front in the golden boot race. Germany held off the young guns too, edging Norway 2-1 despite an Erling Haaland goal, Florian Wirtz and co keeping the old guard's grip on power for a little longer.
The shock came late, as the second of the host nations crashed out. Senegal battled through the humidity and altitude and somehow found a way, Sadio Mane firing in the winner to silence the home crowd. A brilliant result for the underdogs. Day Twenty done, and the bracket is really taking shape now.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Nineteen: Heartbreak for Scotland, Brazil Strike Late
Well, that one stung. My team of the tournament, the side I've been cheering on since Day Three, bowed out in the cruellest way there is. Scotland stunned the Netherlands in Guadalupe, racing into a 2-0 lead inside the first half, only for the Dutch to claw it back to 2-2 and drag the game to penalties in the Mexican heat. Scotland blinked first, missing twice, and the Dutch took the shootout 5-3. The first Scottish side ever to reach the knockouts, and they went down swinging. Gutted, but what a ride it's been.
Earlier, Brazil broke hearts of their own, Vinicius Jr popping up in the final seconds to send Japan home and Brazil into the last 16. Morocco kept their run going too, Youssef En-Nesyri with the winner to book their place in the next round. Day Nineteen done, and I need a minute.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Eighteen: Knockouts Begin, South Korea Survive a Scare
The knockout phase is here, and it opened with a proper rollercoaster. South Korea looked to be cruising at 3-0, Son Heung-min grabbing his third of the tournament, only for Canada to come roaring back. Cyle Larin scored twice in the second half and Canada were within a whisker of forcing a draw in the final moments before they ran out of road. 3-2 it finished, and Canada's run is over after a brave fightback. South Korea march on, and now wait to see whether it's the Netherlands or Scotland they face next after Tuesday's tie. Day Eighteen done, and the win-or-go-home football has officially begun.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Seventeen: Mahrez Shocks Austria, Portugal Leave It Late
The group stage signed off with a bang. Algeria pulled off a huge shock in Group J, Riyad Mahrez rolling back the years with two goals in a 2-1 win over Austria that leapfrogs the Algerians into second. Argentina had already wrapped up the group with a clean sweep, a routine 2-0 over Jordan making it three wins from three.
Group K had the late drama. Portugal left it until the 93rd minute to beat Colombia 3-2, though both were through already, while Uzbekistan produced the shock of the day, dismantling DR Congo 3-0 in ten crazy minutes. In Group L, England looked more themselves with a 3-1 win over Panama but had to settle for second, Croatia pipping them to top spot on goal difference after a 2-0 win over Ghana. Spare no tears for DR Congo and Ghana, both heading home without a single point all tournament. Day Seventeen done, and that's the groups finished.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Sixteen: Iran's Coup, Cape Verde Make History
The upsets keep coming. Iran pulled off a real coup to win Group G, stunning Egypt 2-1 and leaving the Egyptians with a nervous wait on a third-place spot. Belgium, far from their best all tournament, finally found their feet with a 4-0 thumping of New Zealand, Lukaku and Openda both grabbing their second of the tournament to seal second place.
There was history in Group H too. Cape Verde won their first ever World Cup game, a 1-0 victory over a Saudi Arabia side who meekly exit having lost all three. Spain rounded off a perfect group stage with a 2-1 win over Uruguay, both moving on. And in Group I, France clinched top spot with a comfortable 3-1 win over a heavily-rotated Norway, Dembele and Mbappe both scoring as Les Bleus start to tick. Both go through, while Senegal's 4-0 demolition of Iraq, Nicolas Jackson with two, leaves them third but well placed on goal difference. Day Sixteen done.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Fifteen: Ecuador Stun Germany, the USA Sign Off in Style
Six matches, twenty goals, three more groups put to bed. The headline came in New Jersey, where Ecuador pulled off the shock of the day, beating Germany 3-2 in the game of the round. Germany still qualify in second, but it's Ecuador who bizarrely top the group having beaten all comers. Ivory Coast are the big casualty, sensationally dumped out with a single point, though Curacao nearly stole the headlines themselves, leading them 2-1 before a late equaliser spared a few blushes.
Elsewhere the USA finally hit their straps, a 3-1 win over Turkey with Christian Pulisic helping himself to two, and both sides go through from Group D as Paraguay, held to a 1-1 draw by Australia, finish third. In Group F the Dutch eased past Tunisia 2-0 in typically workmanlike fashion, and Japan won 2-1 in Arlington to qualify alongside them. Sweden finish third but with four points and a healthy goal difference, they should still sneak in. Day Fifteen done, the group stage all but wrapped.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Fourteen: Scotland Make History, the Groups Take Shape
I've been banging on about Scotland since Day Three, so forgive me this one. They lost 1-0 to Brazil in their final group game and I thought that was that. Then I checked the table. Superior goal difference, second place, and Scotland become the first Scottish side ever to reach the knockout phase of a World Cup. Brazil won the group as expected, and Morocco's 3-0 thrashing of Haiti, Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri on the scoresheet, wasn't quite enough for second, but it should sneak them through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Elsewhere it was a proper goal fest. Mexico drew 2-2 with the Czech Republic, Raul Jimenez announcing himself with a stunning last-minute equaliser for his first ever World Cup goal, enough to take top spot. South Korea then beat a spirited South Africa 2-1 through a Son Heung-min winner to leapfrog into second, leaving the Czechs to sweat on a best-third-place spot.
Switzerland edged Canada 2-1, Breel Embolo and a late penalty doing the damage, which means Canada squeak through in second but lose home advantage, heading to Los Angeles to face South Korea. And spare a thought for Bosnia and Qatar, who played out an entertaining 2-2 draw that sent them both home, a game neither could afford to draw. Day Fourteen done, and the groups are just about wrapped.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Thirteen: Ronaldo Makes History, England Find Their Teeth
Round Two of the group stage wrapped up with a record that may never be beaten. Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player ever to score in six different World Cups as Portugal brushed past Uzbekistan 3-0. Say what you like about him, that's some longevity. Colombia joined them in the next round with a businesslike 1-0 win over DR Congo, and the pair now scrap it out for top spot in Group K.
The real drama is in Group L. England looked more themselves, Harry Kane helping himself to two in a 3-1 win over Ghana, while Croatia were comfortable 3-0 winners against Panama, Bruno Petkovic grabbing a brace. That leaves England and Croatia level on four points, Panama lurking on three, and everything still to play for in the final round. Panama face England, Ghana take on Croatia, and nothing's settled yet. Day Thirteen done.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Twelve: Messi and Mbappe Turn Up, Norway and France Through
The big names finally started clicking. Kylian Mbappe got off the mark at last as France saw off a plucky Iraq 2-0, and over in Group J it was Lionel Messi with the moment that mattered, bagging the winner as Argentina came from behind to beat Austria 2-1. Even Erling Haaland got involved, no goal for him this time but an assist as Norway booked their place too.
That's Norway and France through from Group I, and Argentina safely into the next round from Group J. The final Group J spot is wide open though. Austria and Algeria both sit on three points after Algeria edged Jordan 3-2 in a thriller, and they meet next with a knockout place on the line. Day Twelve done.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Eleven: Egypt's First Ever Win, Spain Roll On
Group G served up the drama again. Iran nicked a point off Belgium with a late penalty, and then Egypt landed a little slice of history, a thrilling 3-2 win over New Zealand for their first ever World Cup victory. That leaves Iran and Egypt level on four points and Belgium scrambling in third, with everything still to be settled in the final round.
Group H had the goals without the nerves. Spain brushed Saudi Arabia aside 4-1 and Uruguay saw off minnows Cape Verde 3-1, Rodrigo Bentancur helping himself to the first hat-trick of the tournament, and that's both of them through. Saudi Arabia cling to the faintest of hopes, but realistically the big two have it sewn up. Day Eleven done, and the knockout picture is nearly complete.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Ten: Germany Find Their Feet, McTominay Leads the Race
Day Ten opened with a cracker, Sweden and the Netherlands trading blows in a 1-1 draw. Sweden led through an absolute rocket from distance, Tijjani Reijnders levelled it midway through the second half, and Alexander Isak nearly won it at the death with another long-range effort, only for a stunning save to deny him. Both sides stay unbeaten, which leaves Japan and Tunisia needing wins to stay in it.
Ecuador all but booked their ticket with a 2-0 win over Curacao, a brace from Enner Valencia sending them top of the group. Japan then got their tournament going at last, a 2-1 win over Tunisia settled by a late Takefusa Kubo winner. And Germany finally clicked into gear, hammering the Ivory Coast 4-0 to qualify top of the group and set up a winner-takes-top showdown with Ecuador in the final round.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Nine: McTominay Does It Again, Brazil Cruise Through
Day Nine and this thing is really heating up. Brazil booked their knockout spot by thumping minnows Haiti 5-2, finally looking like the Brazil everyone's afraid of. But the game of the night was Scotland, again. My favourite story of the tournament drew 3-3 with Morocco in a proper classic, and with them trailing 3-2 in the dying seconds, who else but Scott McTominay popped up with a dramatic equaliser to snatch a point. That's his second of the game and his third of the tournament, and it might just be enough to see Scotland through. I was off my chair.
Elsewhere the USA finally got their campaign going, a 2-0 win over Australia with Timothy Weah adding the second after an earlier penalty. It sets up a massive final game against Turkey, who are already through after a 1-0 win over Paraguay. Brazil now wait for Scotland next, Morocco can still sneak in if they beat Haiti, and Paraguay and Australia aren't quite dead yet either. Day Nine done, and the groups are getting tense.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Eight: Mexico Make History, Switzerland and Canada Through
Day Eight belonged to the hosts. Mexico became the first team to book a knockout spot, and they did it in style, a 4-2 thriller against South Korea that was the best game of the tournament so far. Three-nil up, pegged back to 3-2, then a late winner to settle the nerves. Edge of the seat stuff. In the other Group A game the Czechs slipped on a banana skin, held 1-1 by South Africa, so that group's still wide open.
Group B is nearly done and dusted. Zeki Amdouni grabbed his second of the tournament as Switzerland edged Bosnia 1-0, and Canada hammered a hapless Qatar 3-0. Both are through, and they meet next to decide who wins the group. Day Eight done, the wallchart's really filling up now.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Seven: England Held, Panama Spring a Surprise
We missed Day Six. Real life got in the way. The dice don't mind waiting, so here we are.
Portugal got us going and made it look easy, a 2-0 over DR Congo with Bruno Fernandes and a penalty doing the business. Tidy, professional, next.
Then the one I'd actually been waiting for. England against Croatia in Arlington, Texas. After all that fuss? Nothing. 0-0. Both sides cagey, both sides cancelling each other out.
Group L gave the shock of the day. Panama beat Ghana 2-1. Thomas Partey had Ghana in front and it looked done, then Panama hit back twice, a counter-attack finish and an Adalberto Carrasquilla strike, and turned the whole thing on its head.
Colombia saved the best for last. They properly turned it on against Uzbekistan, Luis Diaz, James Rodriguez and Jhon Duran all getting on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win that was good fun to roll out.
And that's Round One done. Every team's played once, the wallchart's filling up nicely, and we've already got a golden boot race brewing. Three players sit on two goals, and Erling Haaland is the biggest name among them. Of course he is.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Five: A Salah Moment of Genius, Spain Stroll
Spain got Day Five rolling against Cape Verde, and it went about as you'd expect. A workmanlike Spanish performance, no drama. Aymeric Laporte headed them in front early, Rodri added a second from a corner just before half time, and Lamine Yamal wrapped it up late. 3-0, no surprises. The pick of the day came in Group G though, Belgium against Egypt - one of the best games of the tournament so far. Lois Openda struck late and Belgium must have thought they'd nicked it, then a moment of genius from Mo Salah stole a point for Egypt. 1-1, and with Iran and New Zealand also in the group, both sides will probably take it. Elsewhere, Manuel Ugarte's goal was enough for Uruguay to edge Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Group H, and Iran knocked off New Zealand 2-0 in their opener, Mehdi Taremi finishing off a dominant display. Day Five in the books.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Four: Germany Survive a Brief Scare, Ecuador Pull Off the Shock
Curacao stunned Germany early in Group E, equalising after going behind. It wasn't enough though, Germany found another gear and ran out 5-1 winners. Then it was Netherlands against Japan, two evenly matched sides that drew 2-2 in real life. My dice had other ideas. Memphis Depay and a penalty gave the Dutch a 2-0 win and a tidy start to their campaign. Ivory Coast versus Ecuador was the upset of the night, Ecuador coming back to win 2-1 through an own goal and a Gonzalo Plata strike, with the Ivory Coast failing a late roll to grab an equaliser. Sweden rounded the day off with a convincing 3-0 over Tunisia, Dejan Kulusevski helping himself to a couple off the counterattack. Are Sweden a dark horse? On this form, maybe. That's Groups A to F now complete, and four more games waiting tomorrow.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Day Three: Not Many Surprises, One Big Smile
Here's where the dice took us:
- Qatar 0-4 Switzerland. The Swiss kicked off their campaign by thrashing the hosts of the last World Cup. Qatar looked ordinary without the Doha crowd to cheer them on and they need to pick up the pace, and quick.
- Brazil 2-0 Morocco. Brazil won, but they have not been convincing. Rafinha and a penalty did the job, but one of the strongest sides in the set had to grind out a win rather than blowing teams away. Watch this space.
- Haiti 0-3 Scotland. The story of the day. Scotland haven't been to a World Cup since 1998 - twenty-eight years of near misses and heartbreak - so when they put three past Haiti without conceding, I had a proper laugh. McTominay, Shankland, and a free kick to finish it. I'm not even Scottish and I was buzzing. Job done.
- Australia 1-2 Turkey. The tight one. Barely a rating between them, and Turkey edged it late through Kenan Yildiz and a defender's header to grab their opening win.
Want to run your own? Grab the wallchart and Match Day at ttxsports.co.uk/play.
Sim vs Reality: The Best Part
The real 2026 World Cup is happening right now, which makes this whole thing addictive in a way I didn't expect.
Some nights my dice agree with the real result. Some nights they go completely off-script and Scotland top a group they have no business topping. Either way I'm sat there comparing the two, and it turns a quiet evening into something I actually look forward to.
You don't need to be a stats nerd or a tabletop veteran to do this. You need a die, a scoresheet, and a tournament worth following. The World Cup is right there.
Play Along at Home
If you fancy running your own World Cup alongside mine, everything you need is at ttxsports.co.uk/play. Grab the free printable wallchart and tracker to follow your tournament by hand, or pick up Match Day and the World Cup set to play it out the same way I am.
I'll be updating this devlog every night as the groups play out, all the way to the final. Newest day stays at the top - come back and see whether Scotland keep the dream alive, or whether the dice finally remember they're 150-1 outsiders.
Roll your own. See you for the third-place playoff, then the big one.