• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

fifa world cup 2026

#181
joeLowB said:
The World Cup has had a great run so far but three events over the weekend seem to me to have taken the shine off of what has otherwise been magnificent football and viewing:
  • Rescinding of the red card against Balogun sure seems to undermine the on-field referee and the VAR process (which is itself intended as a backstop against bad errors by the on-field officials). If the decision on the field, after VAR review, isn't final, it calls many things into doubt and we are sure seeing this now. FIFA has a well-earned rap as corrupt and this only fuels that image.
  • The Paraguay v Brazil game was awful viewing. Paraguay was mugging and holding and hacking the Brazilians all over the pitch. It reminded me of the NBA in the 1990s with Bill Lambier and the "Bad Boy" Pistons hammering Michael Jordan and the Bulls every time he headed to the hoop. It was a bad look and the NBA corrected that.
  • In the England v Mexico game last night, the over-the-top protestations at every call by the Mexicans was a very bad look. It slowed the game and showed utter disrespect for the official. How he put up with hit was amazing.
"The Beautiful Game" showed some of it's ugly underbelly. Made me sad. So many of these games have been awesome.

As the stakes get higher in the knockout rounds, the bad side may emerge.

YMMV.

.
Click to expand...

I agree on all these points. I will say that every time I see Mexico play, they are complaining to the referee if they are losing. Last night was no exception, and they still lost, at home of all places. The funny thing is that the stats don't match the outcome. Mexico had some clear advantages, but I honestly think that they thought they could coast through that match, and it bit them in the rear. Kudos to England for hanging on and having a good showing on the pitch.

Looking forward to tonight's U.S. v Belgium match.
 
  • Like
Reactions: joeLowB
#182
Oddly said:
With all due respect, that sort of interference...a phone call from the US president to one of his cronies... that's nowhere near normal for such a world sporting event.

Justifying it just confirms what most of the rest of the world thinks of your once-fine country.
On that note, I'm out of this thread before I get hit with a ban.
Click to expand...
I should have been more clear. The game call was normal. The political interference was most definitely not. It’s sad but what we’ve come to expect now 🫤
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregC, SoonerBill, Old Blastard and 3 others
#183
The British announcers and commentators have been hilarious. They just made a remark about the great fitness of Ronaldo. Ok, granted, but are they aware of LeBron James, or Tom Brady, among others? They made another remark to the effect that if they opened the roof at the July 4th game in Houston, there’d be another Revolution. 😂
 
  • Like
Reactions: Plake
#184
bass player 53 said:
The British announcers and commentators have been hilarious. They just made a remark about the great fitness of Ronaldo. Ok, granted, but are they aware of LeBron James, or Tom Brady, among others? They made another remark to the effect that if they opened the roof at the July 4th game in Houston, there’d be another Revolution. 😂
Click to expand...

Yeah, gotta love the British commentators' humor. I always enjoyed the color commentary when watching Premier League matches LOL
 
  • Like
Reactions: bass player 53 and Plake
#185
bass player 53 said:
The British announcers and commentators have been hilarious. They just made a remark about the great fitness of Ronaldo. Ok, granted, but are they aware of LeBron James, or Tom Brady, among others? They made another remark to the effect that if they opened the roof at the July 4th game in Houston, there’d be another Revolution. 😂
Click to expand...
Meanwhile, Vozinha from Cabo Verde is 40 and did an incredible job as goalie holding off teams like Spain and Argentina. I understand some of these guys are great, but it annoys me sometimes hearing the announcers completely gush over Ronaldo, Kane, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dabndug, joeLowB and bass player 53
#186
Oddly said:
With all due respect, that sort of interference...a phone call from the US president to one of his cronies... that's nowhere near normal for such a world sporting event.

Justifying it just confirms what most of the rest of the world thinks of your once-fine country.
On that note, I'm out of this thread before I get hit with a ban.
Click to expand...
Still a fine country. Perfect? Lord no. Far from it. As always, we will proceed forward. Clearly not the only country facing challenges. But its still home. Peace and good health to all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: joeLowB and SoonerBill
#191
As part of not being a soccer fan and therefor not understanding everything I don't get the red card to begin with.
The closest sport I do understand is NBA basketball. A Flagrant 2 foul gets a player ejected and fined. Balogun stepping on the other players ankle did not look intentional to me. So it wouldn't be equal to a Flagrant 2. A Flagrant 1 fits but that gets a NBA player a warning.
 
#193
SoonerBill said:
As part of not being a soccer fan and therefor not understanding everything I don't get the red card to begin with.
The closest sport I do understand is NBA basketball. A Flagrant 2 foul gets a player ejected and fined. Balogun stepping on the other players ankle did not look intentional to me. So it wouldn't be equal to a Flagrant 2. A Flagrant 1 fits but that gets a NBA player a warning.
Click to expand...

I'm a baseball/hockey guy. Wanna hear about the infield fly rule? I'm your huckleberry. I enjoy the World Cup and international sport in general. But, I don't claim to understand soccer/non-US football and I think it's generally better to acknowledge that than argue about the rules by super-imposing logic from a different sport that we do understand. People used to do that with hockey every 4 years and people who played or watched hockey were never swayed by their arguments.

The world consensus seems to be that it was probably not a good call, but questionable calls against your team happen in every sport, in every league, at every level. You have to respect the rules and the processes of the league/association you are playing in. The best thing about international sports is the goodwill and the experience of bringing us all together. You play hard, and win or lose, leave respecting each other a little bit more. We've lost the plot, I'm afraid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OldShark, joeLowB and SoonerBill
#194
TroyK said:
I'm a baseball/hockey guy. Wanna hear about the infield fly rule? I'm your huckleberry. I enjoy the World Cup and international sport in general. But, I don't claim to understand soccer/non-US football and I think it's generally better to acknowledge that than argue about the rules by super-imposing logic from a different sport that we do understand. People used to do that with hockey every 4 years and people who played or watched hockey were never swayed by their arguments.

The world consensus seems to be that it was probably not a good call, but questionable calls against your team happen in every sport, in every league, at every level. You have to respect the rules and the processes of the league/association you are playing in. The best thing about international sports is the goodwill and the experience of bringing us all together. You play hard, and win or lose, leave respecting each other a little bit more. We've lost the plot, I'm afraid.
Click to expand...
I'm really just asking a question and trying to learn something from those who do understand the rules.
 
#198
SoonerBill said:
How much could a guy be suspended? I would have to build myself a tiny house or buy a camper.
Click to expand...

TRIXIE natura Cottage Dog House, Peaked Roof, Adjustable Legs, Brown, Small 39530 - The Home D...jpg
 
  • Haha
Reactions: SoonerBill

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back