WORLD CUP RANKINGS 2026

 

Here is my listing of the best teams in World Cup 2026 after the second round of Group matches.  In completing these rankings I take nothing from the historical traditions of the countries and their respective teams, nor FIFA's pre-tournament rankings.  I only rank based upon what I have seen on-the-field - for both of each team's games so far.  And since outcomes are paramount, all teams that are 2-0 will be ranked ahead of all teams that are 1-1-0, which will be ranked ahead of teams that are 1-0-1.  For example, Senegal which has lost both of its games will be ranked below teams with a draw or a win, even though Senegal has looked REALLY FREAKIN' GOOD.  (As an aside, we should all hope Senegal qualifies as one of the top 3rd place teams.)  Record matters.  So, as the games progress, this will be an incredibly fluid ranking system.  After round 1, here are the best performing teams in the World Cup.

But before we get to the rankings, I wanted to share my Top 15 list of things to happen during the second set of group games (and some things that occurred in the interim between the second game and the upcoming third games.) 

15.  On a down note, Ismael Kone of Canada broke his leg in his match against Qatar.  This is listed not because we cheer broken legs, but because of its importance in this tournament as he is/was a key cog to Canada's chance for advancement.

14.  Egypt won its first ever World Cup game in defeating New Zealand 3-1!  

13.  And speaking of firsts, Spain's Lamine Yamal - all 19-years old of him - scored his first of what we all assume will be many World Cup goals in his career!

12.  And speaking of goals, Cristiano Ronaldo has entered the chat with his first two goals of this World Cup, becoming the first man ever to score in 6 different World Cups.

11.    And speaking of goals, we should all have to goal to meet the Tartan Army on a ship passing-by while we jog so we can SHOTGUN A BEER WITH THEM!!!  Bienvenidos a Miami, indeed!!!

10.    Germany's Deniz Undav entered his team's match in the 60th meeting, trailing Cote d'Ivoire 1-0.  ALl he did was score the equalizer in the 68th minute, AND THE WINNING GOAL in the 90+5 minute!!!

9.  And speaking of goals, Jonathan David scored a hat trick for Canada, as the best player in Canada's history is stepping up for one of the host countries!

8.  Curacao's goalkeeper, Eloy Room, tied a World Cup record by stopping 16 shots (some sites only credit him with 15), helping his country - the smallest ever to qualify for the World Cup - to a draw and its first point against Ecuador.  Whether its 15 or 16 saves, it is still the most in 90 minutes as Tim Howard's 16 important saves for the USA came in game played into extra time!

7.  The Viking Row makes another appearance as the team joined their supporters in a row led by team captain Martin Odegaard on drums.  But that doesn't take this spot as the most spectacular row that occurred was the Viking Row to the beat of SENGALESE SABER DRUMS!!!  Keep in mind that Norway played and defeated Senegal (and this is sport bringing the world together).  My only regret is that I couldn't find a longer clip to share.

6.  And Yes, we cannot have a World Cup top 15 ranking without multiple appearances from the Tartan Army ... this time on SOUTH BEACH!!!  This time the Scots are joined by the Brazilians for a helluva party.  If I was a couple of decaeds younger I would have tried to have hit E11EVEN, Space, and B.E.D.

5.  Cabo Verde secured its first point ever in the World Cup by tying Uruguay 2-2!!!

4.  The Stars again shone bright, as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and ever Cristiano Ronaldo all had braces, to join Jonathan David's hat trick.

3.  And yes, this World Cup is full of history.  Not soccer history, literal history.  Michel Nkuku Mboladinga, a superfan from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was named an official delegate of the DRC's team, meaning he is free to attend all games of the DRC and perform his tribute known as Lumumba Vea ("Lumumba Lives") (in the center of the picture in red jacket).  He missed the DRC's opening game because issues related to Covid restrictions and entering the country, but he was able to attend last night's game against Colombia.  For the entire game, Mboladinga stands as if a statute dressed exactly like Patrice Lumumba.  Lumumba is a legendary figure in the DRC, as he led the revolution against Belgian rule (which was particularly terrible - even as compared to other terrible colonial histories - Leopold is definitely in hell!) and became its first Prime Minister in 1960 and was seen as a leader in the One Africa movement.  Sadly, he was assassinated before his first year in office elapsed.  You can read more about Mboladinga and Lumumba HERE!

2.  My new favorite player is winger Yan Diomande, the 19-year old wunderkind from Cote d’Ivoire, who just happened to pen this in THE ATHLETE'S TRIBUNE!  It is a letter to his younger sister who always believed in him and his soccer abilities.  DO NOT OPEN WITHOUT TISSUES HANDY!

1.  And although I particularly love points 2 and 3, number 1 has to occur on the pitch, and you don't perform any better than Lionel Messi scoring two goals to first break the Men's World Cup record he shared with Germany's Miroslav Klose, and then to break the all-time World Cup record he then shared with Brazil's Marta.  Congrats Messi - and keep scoring because you know Kylian Mbappe is right behind you.

And now on to the team rankings (with last post's rankings in parentheses)!

1.  France 2-0 (5)
2.  Germany 2-0 (1)
3.  Argentina 2-0 (2)
4.  Norway 2-0 (6)
5.  Colombia 2-0 (6)
6.  United States 2-0 (7)
7.  Mexico 2-0 (10)
8.  Netherlands 1-1-0 (18)
9.  Spain 1-1-0 (16)
10.  Brazil 1-1-0 (19)
11.  England 1-1-0 (4)
12.  Portugal 1-1-0 (27)
13.  Japan 1-1-0 (26)
14.  Canada 1-1-0 (25)
15.  Morocco 1-1-0 (20)
16.  Ghana 1-1-0 (11)
17.  Switzerland 1-1-0 (22)
18.  Egypt 1-1-0 (23)
19.  Cote d’Ivoire 1-0-1 (13)
20.  Sweden 1-0-1 (3)
21.  Algeria 1-0-1 (47)
22.  Scotland 1-0-1 (15)
23.  Australia 1-0-1 (12)
24.  South Korea 1-0-1 (14)
25.  Austria 1-0-1 (9)
26.  Paraguay 1-0-1 (40)
27.  Croatia 1-0-1 (36)
28.  Uruguay 0-2-0 (17)
29.  Belgium 0-2-0 (21)
30.  Iran 0-2-0 (24)
31.  Cabo Verde 0-2-0 (38
32.  Ecuador 0-1-1 (35)
33.  South Africa 0-1-1 (41)
34.  Czechia 0-1-1 (38)
35.  Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1-1 (29)
36.  Qatar 0-1-1 (31)
37.  New Zealand 0-1-1 (28)
38.  Curacao 0-1-1 (48)
39.  Saudi Arabia 0-1-1 (30)
40.  Senegal 0-0-2 (34)
41.  Iraq 0-0-2 (42)
42.  Turkiye 0-0-2 (39)
43.  Panama 0-0-2 (43)
44.  Haiti 0-0-2 (37)
45.  Tunisia 0-0-2 (44)
46.  Democratic Republic of the Congo 0-0-2 (32)
47.  Uzbekistan (45) 0-0-2
48.  Jordan 0-0-2 (46)

WORLD CUP 2026 RANKINGS

 

Here is my listing of the best teams in World Cup 2026 after the first round of Group matches.  In completing these rankings I take nothing from the historical traditions of the countries and their respective teams, nor FIFA's pre-tournament rankings.  I only rank based upon what I have seen on-the-field.  And since outcomes are paramount, all teams that are 1-0 will be ranked ahead of all teams that drew, and subsequently those teams will be ranked ahead of all of the teams that lost their first games.  Record matters.  So, as the games progress, this will be an incredibly fluid ranking system.  After round 1, here are the best performing teams in the World Cup.

But before we get to the rankings, I wanted to share my Top 15 list of things to happen during the first set of group games. 

15.  Japan's team and fans cleaning their own locker rooms and stadiums after the games.  This would have been A LOT higher if we haven't seen it before at EVERY Olympics, World Cup, World Baseball Classic, and literally EVERYTHING!  Still deserves a spot in this list. 

14.    Europeans and others Christopher Columbusing America on social media - Costco, Buccee's, Waffle House, Whattaburger, Chipotle, WalMart, Chick-fil-A, KFC and Raisin' Cane's, etc.  Freddie from Germany is the most well-known but you can just look up anybody!

13.  Tyler and Jenny Bindon.  Tyler, a defender for New Zealand and Nottingham Forest, may not have the world clout of teammate Chris Wood, but he - along with his mother Jenny - became the first Mother-Son Duo to appear in the World Cup, after Jenny manned the pipes as the goalkeeper for New Zealand in 2007 and 2011.

12.  Gio Reyna's goal for the United States.  If the goal was more important - say to tie the game or take the lead - this would be A LOT higher.  But as it is, it is very important given Reyna's history with the USMNT and what happened last World Cup.  Sports Illustrated encapsulates that history HERE.  

11.  The Scotland traveling fan base - The Tartan Army - DRANK BOSTON BARS OUT OF BEER!!!  Well, not Bud Light, but all of Sam Adams Boston Lager and many other better beers!!!  Scotland plays agains tomorrow at Foxborough Stadium.  Hope there was a re-stock!!!

10.  And speaking of the Tartan Army, one member joined this Boston street performer for a Cross-Cultural Duet that Just Slaps!

9.  Other fan bases have also taken over the cities where their teams are playing, but some of them have targets other than their team's opponents.  I wonder who is the target of Australia's chants?  "He's fat.  He's old.  He likes them 12-years old"!  "Aussie blokes are on a bender.  Donald Trump is a sex offender!"  And not to be outdone by their younger brother, Great Britain's fans have chimed in with, "He's fat, with piles.  He's in the Epstein files.  Trump the cuuuunt, Trump the cuuuunt!"

8.  "Where in the World Cup is Jameis Winston" is a fantastic segment during this World Cup.  He has been spotted with Croatian fans calling himself Jameisovic Winstonivic; cleaning the stadium with Japanese fans (See #15), bringing a Goat dressed as Lionel Messi to the Argentina game, and marching the Oranje Walk with the Dutch fans!  Jameis Winston is a National Treasure!

7.  After about 10 to 15 minutes of complete build-up, where it seemed like Ghana was destined to score a goal, with seemingly its only opponent being the clock, Caleb Yirenkyi, who had been playing most of the game on a yellow card earned in the 16th minute, scored in the 90 +6th minute of the game to cause Toronto Stadium to just explode as the Black Stars defeated Panama 1-0.  The tension, anticipation of what seemed like a pre-destined goal, and then the exuberance when it happened was simply palpable. 

6.  The Tartan Army is back here again, this time taking over Fenway Park with their own chants and songs, like Super John McGinn, Yes Sir I Can Boogie and 5000 Miles, as well as Baseball Classics like Take Me Out to the Ball Game, and Fenway staple Sweet Caroline.  And I just found out Scotland's last group stage game is against Brazil in the Artist Formerly Known as Hard Rock Stadium, Formerly Known as Sun Life Stadium, Formerly Known as Land Shark Stadium, Formerly Known as Dolphin Stadium, Formerly Known as Dolphins Stadium, Formerly Known as Pro Player Stadium and Formerly Known as Joe Robbie Stadium.  LONG LIVE THE TARTAN ARMY!!!

5.  Stars Shine.  Lionel Messi with a hat trick.  Braces from Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, a goal and an assist from Luis Diaz.  Even defender Virgil van Dijk scored a goal.  The stars showed out in the first set of games.  Except for Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to score as Portugal drew with the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1-1.

4.  And speaking of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Portugal game, a watch party was held in Praca do Comercio, the main plaza in Lisbon, Portugal (a place which is amazing by the way).  Watch what happens when YOANE WISSA ties the game up 1-1 just before halftime after Jaoa Neves shot the Portuguese into an early lead at the 6th minute.

3.  No fan base can outdo Norway's, especially when they perform the VIKING ROW!!!

2.  Except maybe the Tartan Army, that collects donations for every location to which they travel for Scotland's games.  They have donated over $10,000 to Hasbro's Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, $10,000 for grassroots soccer programs for underprivileged children in the Providence area, $6500 to the Rhode Island Highlanders Pipe Band to teach children to play the bagpipes, and $1,300 to Horizons for Homeless Children - a Boston based charity.  This is actually number 1, except I had to have number 1 actually be about on the field play.

1.  And the number 1 spot goes to Vozinha Dias, the goalkeeper for Cabo Verde, who at age 40 and after a journeyman professional career, made 7 saves - many of them of the spectacular variety - to preserve a 0-0 draw with one of the World Cup favorites Spain.  His Instagram page went from 40,000 followers to over 12.1 million!!!!  Well-earned Vozinha.  Well-earned.

And now to the team rankings!

1.  Germany 1-0

2.  Argentina 1-0

3.  Sweden 1-0

4.  England 1-0

5.  France 1-0

6.  Norway 1-0

7.  United States 1-0

8.  Colombia 1-0

9.  Austria 1-0

10.  Mexico 1-0

11.  Ghana 1-0

12.  Australia 1-0

13.  Cote d'Ivoire 1-0

14.  South Korea 1-0

15.  Scotland 1-0

16.  Spain 0-0-1

17.  Uruguay 0-0-1

18.  Netherlands 0-0-1

19.  Brazil 0-0-1

20.  Morocco 0-0-1

21.  Belgium 0-0-1

22.  Switzerland 0-0-1

23.  Egypt 0-0-1

24.  Iran 0-0-1

25.  Canada 0-0-1

26.  Japan 0-0-1

27.  Portugal 0-0-1

28.  New Zealand 0-0-1

29.  Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-0-1

30.  Saudi Arabia 0-0-1

31.  Qatar 0-0-1

32.  Democratic Republic of the Congo 0-0-1

33.  Cabo Verde 0-0-1

34.  Senegal 0-1

35.  Ecuador 0-1

36.  Croatia 0-1

37.  Haiti 0-1

38.  Czechia 0-1

39.  Turkiye 0-1

40.  Paraguay 0-1

41.  South Africa 0-1

42.  Iraq 0-1

43.  Panama 0-1

44.  Tunisia 0-1

45.  Uzbekistan 0-1

46.  Jordan 0-0

47.  Algeria 0-1

48.  Curacao 0-1

The Final Four Chronicles: FAQ

 

So one week out from the National Championship game (and the Final Four Chronicles), and as always, your boys are being inundated with questions about the trip.  Here are some "important" questions from our readership that we think we should answer.

Q:  Who all went on the trip?  We suspect it is the four guys (Kev-O, Pepster, Sinickal, Tony), but in the Facebook prompts for the Chronicles, you always tag three of the ladies.  Are they present also?

A:  This question seems to come up every year.  Our respective wives (Susan, Racecar, Allison) are always invited, and welcome, but they seldom want to join us.  I suppose it depends upon the location, timing/schedules and teams.  In a pre-Kev-O trip, Allison and Racecar did join us in Indianapolis, and Racecar is still a little miffed at herself that she did not go last year to San Antonio, being University of Florida alumna, but none of the wives attended this year.

Q:    Why do you always tag us?  Stop doing that!  (From Racecar)

A:    Our bad.

Q:    How much planning goes into the trip beforehand?

A:    Well, we enter the NCAA ticket lottery as soon as it opens, which is generally the week after the tournament concludes (so now).  Then we book plane tickets and an AirBnB generally at the end of the year.  For individually planning of each day, we generally just wing it, except for one really good meal during the trip.  This year it was St. Elmo, which Pepster booked on the Wednesday after touching down back home from San Antonio in 2025.

Q:   Is St Elmo really that good?

A:    Quick Answer is YES!!!  Longer answer is ... it is pretty amazing, but it depends upon what you are looking for in a steakhouse.  They only have one appetizer on the menu because the shrimp cocktail is so legendary.  But, if you are looking for a lot of choices, this isn't the place.  The ambiance is steakhouse ambiance, but very busy, so if you want quiet, this isn't the place for you.  But, it IS amazing.

Q:    What one thing stood out to you about this trip?

A:    On the court it was the extremely poor basketball.  Off the court, it was Ithiyia, our waitress at The Fountain Room for brunch on Saturday, and no, this isn't a veiled post about looks.  She was absolutely amazing.  On top of everything we needed without being constantly at our table, jumping in with quick quips after she hears parts of our conversation as she delivered food, drinks, and more drinks, putting up with us staying longer than we wanted to because it started pouring rain outside, just really a great server.  The type we all wish we had at every meal.  And the food/drinks were great too.

 Q:    What was the most surprising thing that happened during this trip?

A:    On the court it was Michigan absolutely boatracing Arizona, the team most thought was the second-best team all year (behind Michigan).  Off the court was Kev-O being converted into supporting Southwestern Central (Stick 'em Scorpions!).  It was instinctive, and he almost didn't even know it was happening, as it was happening!  Soon he might become part of the administration!

Q:    What was the least surprising thing that happened during the trip?

A:    That we ended up running into and hanging with people we already knew outside of our Final Four trips.  Sinickal's friend Anne - who is "in the business" (they always are) - joined us for the Arrival Day.  [Ed. Note - In the business means in the engineering field with Sinickal and Tony].  Pepster's second-cousin-in-law Trey and his friend Tyler (we did not know Tyler beforehand) joined us for part of The Interregnum and dinner at St. Elmo!  Something akin to this ALWAYS happens.  And, we have peeps in Detroit, so we assume it will happen next year as well!

Q:    So the trip could not have been all roses.  Anything disappointing?

A:    Oh God yes.  During the weekend, we had been discussing the best starting five for each of the Final Four teams.  For example, Michigan's is Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Glen Rice, and then really any other guard - let's say Rumeal Robinson because of the title, but Trey Burke could work, or Lendeborg could join him.  [Ed. Note - we did not discuss Lendeborg in this group; just added him for this blog entry.]  UConn's team is Ray Allen, Rip Hamilton, Emeka Okafor, Andre Drummond if you want to go big, or Clifford Robinson if you want a more standard team - with Kemba Walker at point, or Kemba and Shabazz Napier if you want to go small.  Illinois' team is Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Kendall Gill, Marcus Liberty and honestly, I don't remember the 5th - maybe Nick Anderson.  And, Arizona's team is Gilbert Arenas, Sean Elliott, Mike Bibby, Richard Jefferson, and Lauri Markkanen or DeAndre Ayton if we have to have a big, but really another guard here like Damon Stoudamire or Andre Iguodala work as well.

Q:    What is your point?

A:    Well, we decided to do this for our respective favorite teams.  Since Kev-O and Pepster are both fans of the University of Kentucky, and Kev-O is an alumnus, we tried to do Kentucky.  Point guard was a debate between John Wall and Rajon Rondo - which Kev-O eliminated by starting both of them in his backcourt.  Pepster went with Rondo and Rex Champman.  Some disagreement at the 3, with Kev-O going with Ron Mercer and Pepster selecting Jamal Mashburn.  No argument at the center position as it IS Anthony Davis.  Then came the power forward slot.  For Kev-O it is Oscar Tshiebwe, who matches well with Davis since Davis can roam inside and outside on offense and defense, and Tshiebwe can literally just grab every rebound.  Pepster couldn't think of his selection immediately and a discussion with him and Kev-O turned up KAT in a big lineup, or Jack Givens, or even Dan Issel.  And to answer the original question as we put this topic to Trey and Tyler, Tyler - a Louisville fan - suggested DeMarcus Cousins.  Who Kev-O and Pepster completely forgot about.  On the good side, Kentucky has so many stars that it is difficult to always remember them all.  On the bad side, a Louisville fan had to remind us of Boogie Cousins.  Just so disappointed in ourselves.

Q:    Reading the Chronicles, it looks like you all have a lot of fun.  What was the single most fun thing that occurred.

A:    Not sure we can accurately answer that question, but it is assuredly is NOT one of Pepster's jokes. 

Q:    What do you mean by pheromones?

A:    A really long, convoluted story which has a lot of inside reference/information/ramifications for friends outside of the trip.  So in order to keep that (somewhat) confidential, let's just say it isn't a bad thing in the context of the Chronicles.

Q:    Does Southwestern Central really have a merch store?  You guys are kidding, right?

A:    YES WE DO!  And no, we are not.

Q:    You all are just egotistical enough for this ... Are you taking credit for Viktor Orban's loss in Hungary since you watched the Last Week Tonight episode.

A:    Somehow, Yes we are.

Q:    Are all of your Holy Week references/puns (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday) intended?

A:    What do you think?

Q:    Did you all really notice drapes?  Seriously?

A:    Yes we did.  And you would have too, if you saw them!

Q:    Who IS Pam?

A;    Not sure we all really know.  She is basically a representation/manifestation of a conglomerate of people.  And no, she is not the Pam that regularly meets up with us when the Final Four is in Houston.

Q:    What and where is Kev-O's school?

A:    It is New Madrid College in New Madrid, Kentucky.

Q:    Why were you discussing hollers?

A:    Listen, in a span of four plus days, lots of unusual topics will arise in discussion.

Q:    Why did you mention the Illinoisivic shirts on the Illinois fans?

A:    Illinois has at least five Eastern Europeans on their squad, starters David Mirkovic, and Tomislav Ivisic, and rotational players Andrej Stojakovic, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Mihailo Petrovic.

Q:    DV cannot be a real person, can she?

A:    Sadly, yes.

Q:    What has "filled-in nicely?"

A:    We will probably catch some flak for that one!

Q:    You guys made up Maguire University just so you wouldn't seem so bizarre for creating Southwestern Central, right?

A:    Nope.  It was a real thing.  And not only pre-dates Southwestern Central, it predates US!!!

Q:    Did you really schedule Maguire for a home-and-home?

A:    No, not yet.  But the conversations have started.  Seriously.

Q:    How do you know Bernie Mac has good taste in women?

A:    That is a story for another day/time, but trust us, he does.

Q:    What IS the ladies' equivalent of Drakkar Noir?

A:    This is a very good question.  Please let us know once you find out!  From our senses it is Clinique "Happy".  Any ladies have a different opinion?

Q:    Are you really going to Detroit?

A:    Absolutely.  Well, we are certainly planning on it.  Of course, sometimes real life gets in the way, and it may for one or more of us next year, but it is on our respective calendars, and the plan is to attend one way or the other!!!

See you all in Detroit! 

The Final Four Chronicles: THE DEPARTURE

 

So the Michigan Wolverines are the champions, and we are EXHAUSTED!  That does not mean that we cannot get a few more shots up on the way out.  

07:45 - All are up.  It is still freakin' cold - 36 degrees Fahrenheit!!!  Isn't this April?

09:53 - AirBnB cleaned, and we are showered, packed and leaving for breakfast.

10:05 - Reacting to Trump's tweet today about destroying a civilization today, Sinickal notes that "We might actually be the terrorists."

10:08 - We enter Lincoln Square Pancake House.  As we sit down at our table we notice that Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean is playing.  Oh yeah, we picked the right place!

10:15 - After coffee, and while perusing the menu, we notice that they have Boston Creme pancakes - AS A SIDE to their egg entrees (skillets and omelets)!!!  Yes please (at least for Sinickal and Pepster)!

11:00 - I think it is important to note that this place is AMAZING!!!  Traditional diner with mostly traditional breakfasts, but some slight twists.  To quote our waitress Michelle, "Everything here is good.  Even the butter.  We make it in house!"

11:03 - Leave Lincoln Square Pancake House.  It has not warmed up one degree.  In fact, it feels colder!

11:21 - Drop off Pepster at IND.

11:42 - After Pepster clears security and is walking to his gate, he sees a police officer walking through the concourse with a sealed and clearly labeled evidence box.  

11:47 - As Pepster enters his concourse, he sees a police handler with a dog that is going ABSOLUTELY NUTS!!!  Nobody is around and neither is anything.  This can't be good.

12:17 - Pepster is posted up at the bar nearest his gate, several people who are not together but only started talking because the bartender admonished them for looking at their phones begin talking about Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman-winning, soon-to-be 1st overall draft pick from Indiana via California via Miami.  The bartender chimes in that he was just in the airport the other say sitting at her bar.  One of the guys - wearing Indiana gear - says that people look at him like Jesus around these parts.  Pepster reminds them his name is Mendoza, so they probably look at him like Hay-Zues.  Laughter ensues, but only after a two-second delay.

12:20 - On the drive to CVG, Sinickal remarks that "you know you are in the middle of nowhere when you see 4G on your phone." Tony replies that he knows because he is looking out the window. 

12:59 - Sinickal, Kev-O and Tony arrive at the CVG rental car return center, then head to the Delta Sky Club. Unfortunately, we have arrived more than 3 hours before our flight. Agent takes pity on us and lets us through.

13:10 - Sinickal and Kev-O realize that the long weekend requires a soft landing. To the bar for bourbon!

14:02 - While finishing the final work on the tournament squares, Sinickal reminds Tony how close he was to winning the final square (he needed Michigan to miss two free throws at the end of the game). He then is told how much the square was worth and says that "if I had known how much the square was worth last night, I would have shot the guy myself."

14:00 - 14:20 - A guy sitting two stools down at the bar is asked by another two people if he could move down one seat so they can sit together.  He obliges.  She starts talking to him and at first he is cordial answering her questions:  He is a famous criminal lawyer in DC, Maryland; he went to Morehouse; is an Alpha Phi Alpha, Incorporated (his words); he defends white-collar criminals - like drug dealers; and they know someone in common.  She starts to ask him incessantly how he knows this guy Tony, she says they should call him, and then just starts to cross-examine him about everything.  Finally the guy tells her that he used to bust Tony's ass, that is how he knows Tony.  Not taking the hint, she then starts to talk about everything else, including that Michigan won the championship (she is an alumna), and that Morehouse hasn't won anything.  He tells her he has won a lot of trials, then she tells him if she was a lawyer she would beat his ass.  Finally guy next to me looks to the other guy in the couple in a way that says, "Come get your girl."  Other guy, getting the hint just says, "She ain't my girl.  I mean, we traveled to the game together because we both went to Michigan, but she ain't my girl.  I don't control her like that."  And this was only part of the conversation for that 20 minute time period.  Pepster almost wishes he didn't have to leave to go board my flight.

14:41 - Pepster boards his flight behind a kid in his 20s wearing a Duke hoodie.  Fifty or 60-something guy in the aisle seat on the last row of first class asks Duke kid to lean down and tells him, "You guys played hard."  He said this, but sarcastically.  Duke kid keeps walking.  Women, who does not look like she is with UConn man but is sitting next to him says, "He thinks you're being an asshole."  He retorts, "So what if I am?"

14:59 - Pepster wheels up to CLT.

15:05 - Mike and Larissa Hanpeter enter the CVG Delta Sky Club and join us. They know Sinickal and Kev-O from their golf club in Washington DC and are on their way home from Oakland. We are all on the same flight back to DCA

16:24 - Pepster wheels down in CLT.

16:30 - Tony found our Uber driver with too much cologne's girlfriend on his flight.  Ladies, what is the ladies' perfume equivalent of Drakkar Noir?  Seriously, we need to add it to our repertoire of disses.

16:32 - Sinickal and Kev-O board flight. Mary Washington basketball team - the team that just won the Division III national championship, is on the flight.  One dude is still wearing a part of the net he cut down around his neck!  THAT is a flex! They walked past us in first class to their coach seats as we all said congratulations.

16:50 - Sinickal and Kev-O wheels up to DCA.

17:55 - Tony wheels up to LGA.

18:31 - Sinickal and Kev-O land in DCA. 

18:53 - Pepster wheels up to PBI.  After his Indianapolis bar experience he is happy for quiet in Charlotte.

19:30 - Tony lands in LGA!

20:43 - Pepster lands at PBI, maybe his last flight before it changes to DJT.

It has been another great tournament weekend, even if the basketball wasn't.  See everyone in a revamped and renewed, and apparently vibrant Detroit!!!  Might even bring the passports for a sojourn into Windsor!!!

And the Winner Is: The Tournament Squares Pool

Congratulations Matt Hopps! You matched the final score of an absolutely horrendous final game last night and won the big prize in this pool.

Hail to the Victors?

I don't have a lot to say about that game other than eww! And if you think that was a hard game to watch on TV, be thankful you weren't there in person. At one point during the game, a drunken kid was running on the concourse telling everyone that this isn't a football game! I wasn't convinced that he was telling the truth. If they were throwing footballs at the rim, it might have been more entertaining. 

Alas, we have a champion. Michigan was the best team all year and deserved that win. UConn was a pest. A past champion playing with a muscle memory that let everyone know that they were not going away quietly. The fact that they were down 4 points with the ball with less than 30 seconds left in that game is a miracle!

That's enough about that game. I just need to get my head right for Detroit next year and hope that we get back to high-level basketball in the Final Four. Although we keep getting close finishes in games, we haven't seen really well played game in quite some time.

On to the Squares. Below are the final tallies for square wins. If you are a winner this year, I will be sending Venmo payments over the next several hours. 

Final Four Chronicles: THE FINALS

 

Can UConn win its third title in four seasons?  Will Michigan just continue what it started this season and maul the Huskies?  Let's find out!!!

08:00 - All up ... almost.

10:37 - Signs of life from Kev-O.

10:59 - Continuing a conversation from yesterday, Sinickal texts Allison to remind her that "funny is the point!"

11:19 - We have scheduled Maguire University for a home-and-home series next year.

11:38 - Off to lunch.

11:39 - So we messed up big time.  For the first time ever, the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, the National Invitational Tournament, and the Division II and III Championships were all here in the same location.  Since it was the first time ever, we did not expect or anticipate it.  There could have been A LOT more basketball this weekend.  We will rectify this next year.  [Ed. Note - This scheduling was changed because the NABC annual convention is always on-site of the Final Four.  With all the tournaments here, all of the coaches can also be in attendance.]

11:44 - We pass a building that is very obviously an old/former church.  It is now a dispensary.  The stained-glass windows framing the front door are of Bob Marley and Willie Nelson.

11:50 - Enter Fat Dan's Deli.  After walking around the block to find it.

11:51:30 - It is a Chicago-Style deli.  The Chicago Combo with is 1/2 sausage and 1/2 Italian Beef with peppers, dipped, is calling Sinickal's name.  Pepster orders the same.

11:56 - It arrives and is glorious.  Tony orders the Italian Beef, and Kev-O has one of the best Cuban Sandwiches he has ever had.

11:59 - The guy at the bar sitting next to Sinickal strikes up a conversation.   He ends up being the President of the Indy Eleven, a USL soccer team.

12:06 - A sign behind the bar of Champagne Velvet Brand Beer.  Apparently, Miller High Life ISN'T the champagne of beers!

12:07 - The bar does not carry Champagne Velvet.

12:21 - Kev-O notices this gem on one of the walls.

12:23 - OK, this place is just loaded with amazing signs.  One is from Burn Em Brewing, whose motto is "Comforting the Disturbed and Disturbing the Comfortable!"

13:11 - Pepster buys Tony a hug from the bartender.  They are actually listed on the menu.  Hugs are free, but kisses are $5.

13:50 - As Kev-O is on a call outside, the bartender catches Sinickal, Pepster, and Tony all looking at their phones.  She asks why everyone is so serious.  Sinickal said that it's bad as he was doom scrolling.  Pepster goes, "Serious? I was checking some gambling odds."  Tony, "I was just looking at porn!"  [Ed. Note - He wasn't.  We think.]

13:58 - We all started to notice the pheromones.

13:59 - Bartender asks Pepster if he would like another Old Style.  He says "No.  I would love another Old Style."  Bartender immediately yelled, "Woooooo!"   Out of nowhere from some other region of the deli a waitress yells, "Wooooooo!"

14:08 - Sinickal after returning from a bio break mentioned that there is a cuck chair (and a spare) in the bathroom.  Seriously, a chair sitting against the wall facing the toilet.  Kev-O says, "Yeah, I tied my shoes on it earlier!"

14:17 - Discussing the reasons for the chair being in the bathroom, the bartender says, "I have not heard of untoward things happening in that chair.  I have heard not a thing." Do we believe her, or is she hiding something?

14:35 - A local couple sits down next to us, although the guy is covered head-to-toe in Michigan gear.  She roots for Auburn, so she watched the NIT final last night.  He, obviously, is a Michigan fan.  Strike up one of many conversations, but when he says he is from Marysville, Ohio, where a Honda plant is, he notes, "I hope you don't drive a Honda, because it was likely made by my classmates.  That isn't good."

14:59 - Discussing Southwestern Central and our merch shop with this couple as Sinickal is going to text the link to the lady.  Kev-O tells him he should just get a QR code, followed by, "Damnit, why am I helping you."  He claims he has Stockholm Syndrome and will likely be the first recipient of the Southwestern Central Stockholm Syndrome Scholarship.  Pepster immediately starts to call him "Patty Hearst!"

15:18 - Having a discussion about extroverts and introverts.  Trying to convince everyone that he is an introvert, Sinickal explains that he set his mancave up so he can just be in his basement by himself, and that Allison doesn't even want to go down there.  Pepster remarks, "So introverts include people hiding from their spouses?  That's like 90% of the population!"

15:21 - Sinickal re-sent the text to the couple next to us because he messed up the area code the first time and mistakenly sent it to someone in Quebec.  Kev-O tells Pepster to start brushing up on international law because we are going to need help with all the tariff issues.

15:21:04 - Sinickal notices HE SAID WE!!!!

15:24 - While perusing the merch store, the lady says on her upcoming girls' golf trip her team is going to be the Scorpions and wear polos!!!!

15:25 - We tell her that every time one of them nails a putt, they have to yell, "Stick 'Em!"

15:44 - Tony notices that they have actual bleachers seats - two of them - outside of the bathroom door.  (This place loves it some Chicago!).  We immediately dub it "The On-Deck Circle."

15:56 - We leave Fat Dan's and notice we have received a parking ticket.  Sinickal goes, "But I paid!  Have we been here more than two hours?"

15:57 - We all stop laughing.

16:21 - Back at home after a stop at the store.

16:30 - Another 48 Hours is on!  We somehow always find an Eddie Murphy flick on these trips!

16:45 - Nice little power nap time.

17:50 - Uber ordered.

17:56 - In Uber to Tom's Watch Bar.

18:07 - At Tom's Watch Bar.  This line is way too long to wait in queue.  We are walking to the stadium until we find a place with a shorter line.

18:14 - Dick's Last Resort it is.  No line.

18:22 - Glancing at the television sets behind the bar, and the temperature is going to be a low of 32 tonight.  We thought it was April?!

18:51 - Unc is definitely trying to hit on the waitress that is 40+ years his junior.

19:47 - Guy on the other side of the bar is lifting his shirt and taking selfies of himself.

19:55 - One bartender asks the other if he has vehicular transportation.  Yes, those words exactly.

20:24 - We head to the stadium.

20:34 - Enter Lucas Oil Stadium.

20:42 - A whole lot of Michigan fans being incredibly disrespectful during the national anthem.  We don't think anybody will be protesting them.

20:48 - House DJ does a pre-game yell, and this place is about 90% Michigan fans.

20:50 - Tip-Off.  Radio Silence.

21:14 - We eschewed our seats and decided to stand in the standing room only area, which is close to three separate concessions, the largest men's room we have ever seen in a stadium, and the exit.  As we are standing, guy walking down the concourse just yelling at everybody, "This isn't football.  This isn't football."  Security actually came up to us to ask what he was saying, because they thought he might be trying to start something.

21:20 - We refer to this game as a "Rock Fight" because of how poorly both teams are shooting.

21:23 -We found Waldo.  Student in the Michigan section dressed up as Waldo and got pictured on the Jumbotron.

21:47 - Halftime.  Michigan up 33-29.

21:59 - UConn's "Spirit Program" performs.  Not cheerleaders.  Spirt Program.  We are doomed as a country.

22:00 - UConn's mascot is still a furry.

22:21 - They show Bruce Pearl on the Jumbotron.  Everybody, and we mean EVERYBODY, Boos.

22:45 - During a second-half break, they play Journey's Don't Stop Believing, which apparently won a fan poll over Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi and the Black-Eyed Peas' I Gotta Feeling.  Kev-O goes, "Yeah.  This one is on us."

23:03 - We call time of death.

23:19 - Michigan wins the national championship!  Hail to the Victors!  Wait a minute.  We have not heard Hail to the Victors all night.  That is odd.

23:28 - Elliott Cadeau is named MOP.  

23:34 - There it is.  Hail to the Victors is finally being played.

23:58 - ONE SHINING MOMENT!

00:02 - Leave Lucas Oil Stadium.

00:15 - Loughmillers is closed!  Huh?

00:20 - To Ten Hands at the Westin.

00:39 - We get our drinks and are sitting out in the lobby.  A group of 6 or so people in the couch/table area next to us is talking about the game.  They are all Michigan fans.  One of them says that if Lendeborg had two good legs this would have been a much different game.  The only woman in the group said, "He had 2 good legs.  He didn't have 3 good legs!"

00:40 - One of the guys at the same table jokes, "Such bad shooting.  We need to fire the coach!"

00:45 - Pepster starts talking to the Michigan people next to us when one of them shows a picture on his phone of himself guarding Magic Johnson in high school.

01:03 - Checking some news about the game and The Score Mobile app has the headline, "Michigan Thrives in Rock Fight."  Were they listening in on our conversation from earlier?

01:05 - Enter our Uber home.  Way too much Drakkar Noir going on.  Either the driver spilled some, or he dropped off some high school kids earlier in the evening.

01:11 - Home.

01:17 - The Rundown is on.

01:32 - Pepster and Tony turn in.  Sinickal and Kev-O not far behind!

NCAA Tournament Pool 2026 - The Finals/Championships

 

Congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines, and congratulations to our Pool winners (unofficially).  It would appear that Benny Merchant of Asheville, NC, Silas Nichols of Washington, DC, and Jeff Plamondon of Lincoln, Rhode Island are our three winners, as well as Allison Parker of Washington, DC, who will receive her money back for finishing in 141st place.

Please allow me some days to travel back home, get acclimated with some work and to double check all of the scores of the top 6 or so Michigan selectors so that I can verify that my current tally is correct (or incorrect).  I will then pay out the winnings to those that finish in the Top 3.

As a note - if you have not yet paid your entry fee - please do so NOW!!!  I will be paying out the winners in a few days, so it would be great if I did not have to chase you down!