fifa world cup 2026

[joeLowB]

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.

.

 

[Passinwind]

Did they do something similar for Cristiano? I feel like he was supposed to miss some WC games. I guess the precedent is there but I absolutely hate this decision.

He was slated to miss two WC games, but the very questionable reprieve at least came before the tournament started. FIFA gets zero respect from me, same as it ever was unfortunately.

 

[BklynKen]

This is a pretty fun stat.

Cristiano Ronaldo handed harsh reality check as Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha outperforms Portugal star in unexpected 2026 World Cup metric

Though Ronaldo's squad advanced to the last 16 and Cape Verde bowed out, this bizarre individual comparison briefly captured the attention of fans all over the world.

worldsoccertalk.com

 

[sonic boogaloo]

• 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

i think you're confusing brazil with france, although france are doing a pretty good job of impersonating the brazil team from 1970.

i really hope the US get the win against belgium because i think the tournament would lose momentum if all the host nations were eliminated at this stage.

it's been an excellent world cup so far.

 

[FRoss6788]

Balogun should sit this game out.

Show a little respect for the game….

 

[joeLowB]

i think you're confusing brazil with france, although france are doing a pretty good job of impersonating the brazil team from 1970.

Thanks...you are exactly right. My bad. It was Paraguay mugging France. A bad look, even in French, not Portuguese

 

[Zooberwerx]

When I flub a note or difficult passage, I throw myself to the deck, grab my calf, and writhe in agony.

 

[Oddly]

Not that I was really interested but the blatant political interference in keeping a player in the game who shouldn't be there... that's just pitiful. It demeans the game, it's rules and traditions, and indeed the US players themselves who I'd bet didn't want this.

 

[2saddleslab]

When I flub a note or difficult passage, I throw myself to the deck, grab my calf, and writhe in agony.

Interesting. Cause when I hit a clam it's my bandmates that writhe in agony.

 

[BklynKen]

When I flub a note or difficult passage, I throw myself to the deck, grab my calf, and writhe in agony.

So you can add time to the end of the set for an extra song?

 

[vvvmmm]

I like futbol, my kid was something of a primary and HS star and still plays pick-up games (using his HS and street Spanish to join in at his local fields), but I feel vindicated in my decision not watch the WC, the Balogun issue being the most recent reason.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Interesting. Cause when I hit a clam it's my bandmates that writhe in agony.

My guys are a little more sympathetic when I play the drama-queen.

 

[Passinwind]

Interesting. Cause when I hit a clam it's my bandmates that writhe in agony.

Hopefully they don’t give you a penalty kick!

 

[SoonerBill]

When I flub a note or difficult passage, I throw myself to the deck, grab my calf, and writhe in agony.

I actually really enjoyed watching a soccer game last week. We were at a local grill/bar and Panama vs England. An English couple was sitting in our usual spot so we sat next to them. By the cheering they were obviously there to watch England. I was next next to him. My wife overheard my say "Oh come on. You missed each other by a foot. Get up!). She elbowed me, hard. But I explained to her that my new English friend was complaining about it as much as I was! I loved it. My former SIL is a huge fan. He always told me the flopping was just part of the game and it would be wrong if they didn't. Well, I've one English fan that agrees with me.

 

[gln1955]

Not that I was really interested but the blatant political interference in keeping a player in the game who shouldn't be there... that's just pitiful. It demeans the game, it's rules and traditions, and indeed the US players themselves who I'd bet didn't want this.

The red card call was sketchy, but that's futball. Happens all the time. Suck it up and move on.

FIFA rejected Belgium's appeal of the reversal....no surprise.

 

[SoonerBill]

Hopefully they don’t give you a penalty kick!

Ouch!

 

[gln1955]

Hopefully they don’t give you a penalty kick!

This is me...I swear it's not my fault....it's the drummer.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I actually really enjoyed watching a soccer game last week. We were at a local grill/bar and Panama vs England. An English couple was sitting in our usual spot so we sat next to them. By the cheering they were obviously there to watch England. I was next next to him. My wife overheard my say "Oh come on. You missed each other by a foot. Get up!). She elbowed me, hard. But I explained to her that my new English friend was complaining about it as much as I was! I loved it. My former SIL is a huge fan. He always told me the flopping was just part of the game and it would be wrong if they didn't. Well, I've one English fan that agrees with me.

Hmmm…I wonder if this will work along the lines of normal day-to-day activities? Both trash cans (refuse & recycling) hit the curb tomorrow AM….we’ll see.

 

[Plake]

Some spectacular goalkeeping. Fun to watch.

 

[Oddly]

The red card call was sketchy, but that's futball. Happens all the time. Suck it up and move on.

FIFA rejected Belgium's appeal of the reversal....no surprise.

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.