World Cup 2026 Preview

Peter Klein

World Cup 2026 is here, and Couch Potato Diary has you covered in a...unique way.  First, Peter Klein is joined by Kenan Poskovic from Captains Sports Lounge and Grill to talk about why Captains is the place to be to watch Bosnia during this World Cup, including their tournament opener against Canada. He also discusses his connection to soccer and how he thinks Bosnia will do in the World Cup.  Then, Peter unveils his World Cup Bracket like only he can, with a full admission that he has no idea what he is talking about.  #WorldCup2026   🎧 Listen on: Apple https://apple.co/49NGm2L | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3QgazeHcSKSteZbBIubcuM?si=icY7NEBvT7yZadv_JFlT6Q  💬 Follow for live breakdowns: X.com/primetimepk | Twitch.tv/primetimepk  | Kick.com/primetimepk  🔗 Support the Show:   - Tip Jar: https://streamelements.com/couchpotatodiary/tip (fuels more content!)   - Partners: C of Dead http://cofdead403.ca/

Transcript

00:00World Cup fever is taking over Canada and the world

00:03as the tournament kicks off later on today for Canada and for Bosnia.

00:08That gets going on Friday, and a great place to watch it here in Calgary

00:13is Captain's Sports Bar, joined now by Kenan Poskovich from Captain's.

00:18Kenan, thank you so much for doing this today. How are you?

00:20Good. How are you?

00:21I'm doing well. Thank you very much.

00:23It's taken a little bit, admittedly, but World Cup, it's here.

00:27The kickoff goes later on today when we're recording this.

00:30I'm finally feeling pretty excited about this whole thing.

00:32Where's your excitement level at for the biggest tournament in the world?

00:36Oh, it's beyond excitement.

00:38I can't even explain to you what Bosnians are feeling right now towards this game.

00:44It's something that they pretty much live for.

00:47So I'm sure that media has shown excitements from Bosnians all over the world

00:53and Canada and U.S., and it's going to be a great event.

00:57Yeah, it should be a lot of fun.

00:59And interesting, you guys get to kick it off against Canada.

01:03A couple of worlds colliding for you, I would imagine, hey?

01:06Oh, absolutely.

01:07Our pub is well known for soccer since I'm a big soccer fan myself,

01:15and I used to play a little bit just amateur-wise in Calgary.

01:21So, yeah, Canadians are coming.

01:24Bosnians are coming.

01:25Also, Serbians and Croatians, Macedonians, Montenegrians,

01:30all of the people from ex-Yugoslavia are coming to support us tomorrow.

01:34Yeah, it's so much fun to see this event be able to bring so many people together.

01:40Yeah.

01:40That is a lot of what that is about.

01:43And admittedly, with certain things going on, sometimes that gets lost in everything around this one.

01:49But what's your expectation level for Bosnia?

01:52Are we going undefeated, running the table, winning the whole thing?

01:54Or what's the expectation here?

01:57I wish I could say that, but we're a little bit more...

02:00I've got to be more realistic.

02:03It's a huge success for Bosnia just to be in the World Cup.

02:08I actually was a part of that.

02:10I was lucky enough to be able to see it live, Bosnia versus Italy in Bosnia.

02:16And then in Wales as well.

02:17I went to watch Bosnia versus Wales.

02:19And that was for us almost a World Cup final.

02:22Just making it to the World Cup and beating such a great, big, great soccer nations as Italy and Wales.

02:29But right now, I'm just hoping that they'll put up a good fight and hoping for the best,

02:37at least to get out of the stage, first a group stage.

02:39But we'll see.

02:41And for you, what kind of brought you into this sport?

02:46Obviously, it's incredibly popular worldwide.

02:48Is it something that was like right from a child?

02:51You were invested in the sport?

02:53Did you grow into it later?

02:54How did you come into the beautiful game?

02:56Well, I was born and raised in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

03:00So that is our culture, pretty much soccer or football, more like, is our culture.

03:06So I grew up playing.

03:09I grew up playing on the street and then grew up playing for our little teams and watching it my

03:15whole life.

03:16So, yeah, it's been a big part of my life, for sure.

03:20Nice.

03:21So, yeah, this is obviously a big time on the calendar then to be able to celebrate this here in

03:27Calgary.

03:27Now, what brought you to Calgary, if you don't mind me asking?

03:31Well, the war in Bosnia.

03:33I was, yeah.

03:34Yeah.

03:35I came in 1994.

03:37Okay.

03:37Makes sense.

03:39Now, as far as the restaurant goes, the headquarters for Bosnian soccer fans here during the World Cup,

03:47what can fans expect if they make their way to captains for one of the matches here?

03:51Oh, we've been gearing up for this for a while, all of us at Captains and Brickwell as well.

03:59We've been always talking about it since 2014, as that was the first time the Bosnia made the World Cup.

04:06And we had a great event, great turnout.

04:08And this time around, we have a little more to offer.

04:11So, we're going to have a national Bosnian dish called cevapi.

04:16And we're also going to have a lamb on a rotisserie tomorrow for everybody to come and enjoy.

04:24That sounds amazing.

04:26Cebapi, was that the first one?

04:28For the white dude from Saskatchewan.

04:30Can you explain to me what that is?

04:32Well, they're a little beef, a mixture of beef and lamb sausages that come in a specialty bread.

04:39Also made locally.

04:42From European bakery downtown.

04:44And yeah, it's been our national dish since day one.

04:50So, yeah, it's kind of like a fast food food back home.

04:57But it's very, very good.

04:58So, you should come try it.

04:59Yes.

05:00No, you're selling me on it very well.

05:02That sounds delicious.

05:03And it sounds incredible.

05:05And I would imagine the atmosphere for these games is going to be something pretty special as well.

05:09With a lot of the fans from the community getting out to the bar and just kind of celebrating together,

05:14right?

05:15Yes.

05:16We're pretty much full at capacity at both bars.

05:20And we're very excited.

05:22Yes.

05:23Captains and Brickwell as well.

05:24Yes.

05:25I forgot to mention that too.

05:27But yeah, this is, it's such a fun thing.

05:30And, excuse me.

05:32It's such a fun thing and such a fun event, obviously, getting everyone involved.

05:36And now to have it here in Canada and, I mean, easier time zone-wise for us to watch it

05:43now.

05:43But what do you think that's going to do for kind of the growth of the sport, soccer here, football,

05:48in the places that actually invented it?

05:50But what do you think that's going to do for the sport here in this country, having this on our

05:57stage here?

05:58Oh, absolutely.

06:00It will help.

06:01I mean, soccer in Canada has grown over the years very much and it keeps growing from year to year.

06:08But this time around, being in Canada, kids are going to be able to see it firsthand and see the

06:15fans and the magnitude of the game itself.

06:19So I'm sure it will just help to have more soccer players and more impact on Canadian national team.

06:26Yeah.

06:27And soccer overall, for sure.

06:29Yeah.

06:29Well, Ken, thank you so much for doing this.

06:31Again, everyone, go check it out at Brickwell's or at Captain Sports Bar, the home for Bosnians here during the

06:38World Cup.

06:39But all the matches available as well.

06:41So, Ken, thank you so much for taking the time today.

06:44And I wish your team nothing but luck in two of their three games in the group stage.

06:49Go Canada and go Bosnia.

06:51Nice one-two finish in the group, right?

06:53Absolutely.

06:55All right.

06:55Here is a World Cup bracket from someone who will openly admit he has no clue what he's doing.

07:01So, let's go into Group A.

07:06I thought this would be easier.

07:07And there are people screaming.

07:09It actually is easier.

07:11Yeah, we'll go Mexico.

07:13Yeah, Mexico finishing first.

07:17Korea second.

07:19South Africa third.

07:20And Czechia fourth.

07:21I feel okay about that.

07:22I'm probably incredibly wrong.

07:23But that's what we're going with.

07:25Group two.

07:26I think we can understand there's a bias here.

07:30So, we will go.

07:31This is the one group I've actually heard stuff about.

07:34We'll go Canada one.

07:35Switzerland two.

07:38Bosnia three.

07:39And Qatar four.

07:41So, in this group.

07:42Group C.

07:43I mean Brazil, yes.

07:45Now, I do have Scottish background.

07:47And so, I have come to understand that maybe not necessarily the powerhouse.

07:51So, let's go with Morocco.

07:53We'll go Scotland and Haiti.

07:56Group D.

07:58Now, again, from what I have gathered.

08:01Not supposed to be the best tournament for our fine neighbors to the south.

08:06So, we will go.

08:09Let's go Australia one.

08:11We'll go the States two.

08:13Turkey three.

08:14And Paraguay four.

08:17Group E.

08:18Germany.

08:19Also, you can.

08:19Klein.

08:20Last name.

08:21So, when it comes to this event.

08:23This is definitely where more of the background comes out a little bit more.

08:27We will go with Germany one.

08:31Uh, yeah.

08:32We'll just go in order that they have it here.

08:34Ecuador two.

08:35Uh, so, Ivory Coast three.

08:36And Curaçao.

08:37Uh, smallest nation ever in the World Cup.

08:39That one I knew.

08:39Uh, we'll put them in at number four in Group E.

08:42Uh, Group F.

08:45Been hearing, uh, hearing a lot about how good this Netherlands team is.

08:49So, we'll go with them one.

08:50I have a soft spot for Japan.

08:52I don't know.

08:52Can you guys see?

08:53Oh, yeah.

08:53You can.

08:53In the background there.

08:54Got the sumo wrestler there.

08:55So, we'll go.

08:56I don't know if this is an upset or not.

08:57Feels like it might be.

08:58Uh, we'll go.

08:59Um.

09:00From Japan two.

09:01Sweden three.

09:02And then Tunisia in the four.

09:05Uh, Group G.

09:06God, there's a lot of groups.

09:07Uh, Group G.

09:10Belgium, Iran, Egypt, and New Zealand.

09:14Okay.

09:15Okay.

09:15Yeah.

09:16Belgium.

09:16I feel like I'm just going in order of all of these now.

09:18Uh, we'll go Egypt just to break it up a little bit.

09:21I mean, Iran's going to be dealing with some shit during this.

09:24So, maybe not.

09:25But, uh, there.

09:26That's my Group G.

09:27Group H.

09:28Again, I understand.

09:30That, uh, Spain.

09:31Quite good at this whole soccering thing.

09:34Uh, we'll go the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the two.

09:40Uruguay three.

09:41And I didn't even know who that was.

09:43Cabo Verde at, uh, at four.

09:45Group I.

09:46Uh, again, France generally pretty good at this thing.

09:49I think Norway is as well, usually.

09:52Uh, and then we'll go Senegal and Iraq.

09:56Group J.

09:58You know, I feel like they put these in order where it might be how people might think they go.

10:02Uh, but again, I can only imagine people just screaming at their screens watching me do this.

10:09Uh, so we will go Argentina.

10:12Yeah, we'll go Australia here.

10:14And then, again, just to mix it up a little bit in that group.

10:18Uh, we'll go Jordan and Algeria.

10:21Group K.

10:23Yeah, I think we have to go Portugal.

10:26Uh, we will go Colombia.

10:29Uh, Uzbekistan didn't do great against Canada in that friendly, which is all of the research I have done here.

10:34Uh, so we'll put them at, uh, four.

10:37And the Congo at three.

10:40And then in this group, England one.

10:44Uh, yeah, we'll go Croatia two.

10:47And then again, mixing it up.

10:49Ghana and Panama.

10:50So, now I have to pick the best third place teams.

10:57Okay.

10:58Let me.

10:59There we go.

11:00Uh, so, all right.

11:02I don't know why it's scrolling down to the bottom.

11:03Best third place teams.

11:05I get to pick eight of them.

11:06Oh, and they're in world ranking.

11:08Thank you, FIFA Bracket.

11:11Uh, all right.

11:13Well, just for the story.

11:14Obviously them.

11:15Yep.

11:18Like, I feel like these first ones should be pretty easy.

11:21Like, there's four.

11:22We'll go five.

11:23You know what?

11:24Let's, uh, let's do that.

11:26We had an interview with our boy, Kennan, from, uh, Captain Sports Bar about Bosnia.

11:32And so, I got a soft spot.

11:33So, we'll go with the Bosnian side there.

11:35How many do I got now?

11:36Oh, we got seven out of the eight.

11:37Uh, and then.

11:38Sorry, Ivory Coast.

11:40Uh, but I'll go back with, uh, back with the roots with Scotland.

11:44Uh, so, there we go.

11:47Now, let's pick the knockouts.

11:49So, oh, it's my...

11:51It is the...

11:52Oh, can I move that?

11:53Whoops.

11:53All right.

11:54Just a sec.

11:54Hold on.

11:55Hold on.

11:56Let's move that over so you can see.

11:57The Peter Klein Bowl, uh, that is Germany against Scotland.

12:01My two family backgrounds going head-to-head.

12:03Again, I know how that goes out in Bastion.

12:05Uh, so it'll be Germany getting the dub there.

12:09Uh, we'll say France picks up the win in, uh, Newark and New Jersey.

12:14Out in LA, we'll go...

12:16Oh, you know what?

12:17I've been hearing a lot about how good Switzerland is.

12:18So we'll go Switzerland there.

12:20Uh, let's go Netherlands out in Monterey Stadium.

12:24In Toronto, uh, it'll be Croatia getting the dub.

12:28We'll have Spain getting the win.

12:32Oh, sorry.

12:33Spain getting the win in Los Angeles Stadium.

12:36Out in San Francisco.

12:39Uh, I can't go any further.

12:41My Bosnian-Herzegovinean friends.

12:44Uh, Australia gets the nod there.

12:47Belgium in that spot.

12:49Brazil taking on Japan.

12:51Brazil will get the win there.

12:54Uh, we'll go Norway out in Dallas.

12:56Why not?

12:56Mexico home field advantage.

12:59Mexico City Stadium.

13:00Come on.

13:01Uh, we'll get England getting the win in the England of the United States.

13:05That being Atlanta, obviously.

13:07Uh, Miami Stadium.

13:08We'll see the Argentinian side move on.

13:11The Americans with home field.

13:12They'll get that done.

13:13Canada, BC place.

13:16Be a bit of a soft landing spot for Iran to end up in.

13:20Uh, we'll go with Canada getting the victory there.

13:22And, uh, Portugal with the advancement.

13:25Now, into...

13:26With a round of 16.

13:28Germany, France.

13:29That feels like a battle of the titans.

13:31Round of 16.

13:32Uh, we'll go with the German side.

13:33Getting the victory there.

13:35Uh, this will be where my...

13:37Hey, I've heard Switzerland is good.

13:38Run comes to an end.

13:39We'll have the Netherlands advancing to the quarters.

13:42Croatia against Spain.

13:43Uh, sorry, Sandra Persina, who has been on this show before.

13:46Uh, we'll go with Espana.

13:48I don't think that's how you say that.

13:50Uh, Belgium against Australia.

13:52Yeah, Belgium.

13:52Yeah, we'll do that.

13:54Brazil taking on Norway.

13:55Uh, this will be one for the Brazilian side.

13:57They'll advance to Miami.

13:59That crowd will be nuts.

14:00I'm assuming.

14:01Mexico against England.

14:03Ugh.

14:04This would be such a...

14:06Oh my gosh, panic.

14:08For the English folks.

14:09Mexico City Stadium.

14:11I'm gonna go England, though.

14:13Getting the win there.

14:13Apologies.

14:14Um, I do think this is where...

14:16The home field advantage comes to an end for the American side.

14:20Argentinia.

14:21Um.

14:23Argentina.

14:24Sorry.

14:25Uh, with the, um, with the advance.

14:27And then Canada against Portugal.

14:29What the hell?

14:29We're biased here.

14:30We don't know what we're doing.

14:31We're gonna go Canada.

14:32Into the quarterfinals.

14:33Taking that home field advantage from, uh, not BC play.

14:37Or do we get to call it BC play?

14:39We do!

14:39Alright, in BC place in Vancouver.

14:41They're gonna get it done.

14:42Now to the quarterfinals.

14:43Out in Boston again.

14:44Uh, it'll be the German side getting past the Netherlands.

14:48Uh, we will have Spain beating Belarus.

14:52Uh, we will have...

14:55Ooh.

14:57Again, I don't know if this is actually closed or not.

15:00Feels like it maybe would be.

15:02Uh, we'll go with, uh, we'll go with England.

15:04Getting the win over Brazil.

15:05In that spot.

15:06And this is where I will bring a halt to my Canadian bias.

15:10And have Argentina with, um, advancing.

15:13So now, into the semifinals.

15:17We have...

15:18Do I have to go up for that one?

15:19Yeah, there we go.

15:19Uh, we have Germany taking on Spain.

15:22Uh, I will go with Germany in that spot.

15:26And over here, England against Argentina.

15:28We will go with the English squad.

15:30So now, the final.

15:32Back in New York slash New Jersey Stadium.

15:35Because it's definitely in New Jersey.

15:37But you can't say that the World Cup final is in the same place where Snooki and the situation were

15:43able to become famous.

15:45Uh, so we have, in our World Cup final, moving around all over the place.

15:49Uh, we have Germany.

15:51England.

15:52Um, yeah, why not?

15:53I like Tommy Wheldon Jr.

15:55He likes England.

15:56Being from there and all.

15:57Uh, so I'm gonna have England as your 2026 World Cup champion.

16:03Rejoice.

16:04Or mock.

16:05Either way.

16:05That is my bracket.

16:07Again, I have no idea what I'm doing.

16:09Here we go.

16:09einer

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