World Cup 2026 Thread

[Samurai Bucky]

12 hours ago, adambr2 said:

Cape Verde is still most likely going to lose but this is pretty incredible.

How many of the players actually live in Cape Verde?

[adambr2]

Balogun has had his red card suspension suspended and will be eligible to face Belgium.

This is pretty shocking, don’t know if this happens if we aren’t a host country, but there is precedent here with Ronaldo.

[OldHeidelberg]

3 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

Balogun has had his red card suspension suspended and will be eligible to face Belgium.

This is pretty shocking, don’t know if this happens if we aren’t a host country, but there is precedent here with Ronaldo.

Yes, I was under the impression that there was really no chance, that rules are rules in the World Cup and no exceptions. Great news, no more excuses tomorrow. Can't wait.

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

And Balogun is back just like that.  The red card was ********, but FIFA is corrupt as ****

let’s go!!!

[adambr2]

[adambr2]

There’s a small part of me that wishes that Balogun just served his suspension tomorrow.

It feels like it’s no win now, if we lose then we lose but even if we win, it’s going to be considered controversial and tainted.

[Fear The Chorizo]

18 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

There’s a small part of me that wishes that Balogun just served his suspension tomorrow.

It feels like it’s no win now, if we lose then we lose but even if we win, it’s going to be considered controversial and tainted.

No way its tainted in my book - honestly if they lose tomorrow without him because of a bogus red card that would be tainted.

 

FIFA has always made up rules as they go, for once it benefits the US

[adambr2]

9 minutes ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

No way its tainted in my book - honestly if they lose tomorrow without him because of a bogus red card that would be tainted.

 

FIFA has always made up rules as they go, for once it benefits the US

Not tainted in my eyes, but the European fans are going to be absolutely up in arms.

[Fear The Chorizo]

37 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

Not tainted in my eyes, but the European fans are going to be absolutely up in arms.

Eh, I don't care...lol

[adambr2]

11 minutes ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

Eh, I don't care...lol

I get it. The original call sucked. It’s just that this reeks of political influence.

[Fear The Chorizo]

7 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

I get it. The original call sucked. It’s just that this reeks of political influence.

As if everything in the history of FIFA doesn't reek of political influence, much of which has been driven by European countries in the history of soccer.  Care to dive into how Qatar ever got to host the event 4 years ago?  If you dislike political influence and the corruptness of FIFA, I'd advise you not to crack that egg.

If the US were to win the entire world cup without this nonsensical red card drama, Soccer purists would deem it tainted anyway because the US was one of the host countries for the event this go-round - despite the fact it's been an incredible success for a sporting event of this caliber.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Had the US lost to Bosnia playing 10 v 11 we'd be the ones up in arms and the result couldn't be changed. They had to play 1/3 of the game down a man due to that ridiculous card. That was already unfair as it is.

FIFA is terrible, no argument there. But this is nothing as far as "unfair" is concerned. Belgium can win the game with the roster at full strength and all is well for them. It'd be weak as hell to whine about him playing when his foul had nothing to do with them anyway.

 

[yourout]

Mexico versus England has been a fun watch.

[SeaBass]

17 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

Belgium can win the game with the roster at full strength and all is well for them. It'd be weak as hell to whine about him playing when his foul had nothing to do with them anyway.

It sure didn't stop them though, they've entered full temper tantrum.

[Fear The Chorizo]

34 minutes ago, SeaBass said:

It sure didn't stop them though, they've entered full temper tantrum.

The reaction to all this is a big reason why soccer just doesn't resonate in the US the same way the other major sports followed in our country.  Feels like the feigned outrage is based on how an off-the-field procedure was followed/interpreted for what was a universally-panned and unfair red card issued on the field.  The end result is getting a perceived star player onto the field in an elimination game, and every other team besides the USA is upset about it in the spirit of "fairness".  

I'll ask this simple question - if Messi, Haaland, Yamal, or any other country's star player switched spots with Balogun on that exact play - would VAR have even called down to the sideline to have the referee review the play knowing the still images would lead to that player getting red-carded?  

European fans upset over this because of fairness when that continent gets 1/3rd of the World Cup bids to start with is laughable.  US culture wants teams to be at full strength or as close to full strength playing each other so it's "best on best", and star players get special treatment - it's high time this sort of break goes in the US' favor for soccer, when we all know the rest of the world's stars wouldn't ever find themselves under that sort of VAR scrutiny/review for a penalty that wasn't called directly on the field by a referee in the flow of the actual game.

[Fear The Chorizo]

11 hours ago, yourout said:

Mexico versus England has been a fun watch.

The combination of the teams, venue, and moment made that match one of the most entertaining I've seen - I'm no soccer diehard, but that was awesome to watch.

[adambr2]

Supposedly Belgium has won the “right to appeal” the decision. I have no idea what that means. Appeal to whom? FIFA? 

[Fear The Chorizo]

Just now, adambr2 said:

Supposedly Belgium has won the “right to appeal” the decision. I have no idea what that means. Appeal to whom? FIFA? 

lol - somehow this is going to wind up in front of the Supreme Court.  

If that appeal happens after the decision is made (assuming Belgium wins they won't appeal, but if they lose I'm sure they will), do we just have to start the whole World Cup over?

[homer]

FIFA is hilarious. 

[OldHeidelberg]

The game is going to be a ratings monster with all the controversy. That was probably Trump's pitch to FIFA if they didn't already figure it out for themselves. In retrospect I should have seen this all coming. I am not buying this will motivate Belgium, this is knockout stage of WC everyone is motivated. I hope it is not a distraction for USMNT but again, these games are so huge it's hard to see them not staying focused.

[owbc]

Maybe I’m an exception but I have trouble caring about this controversy. Breaking news, FIFA is corrupt and everything looks like a red card in super slow motion. Shocking! 
 

Go beat Belgium!!! 

[ErnieRilesBrianGiles]

4 hours ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

The reaction to all this is a big reason why soccer just doesn't resonate in the US the same way the other major sports followed in our country.  Feels like the feigned outrage is based on how an off-the-field procedure was followed/interpreted for what was a universally-panned and unfair red card issued on the field.  The end result is getting a perceived star player onto the field in an elimination game, and every other team besides the USA is upset about it in the spirit of "fairness".  

European fans upset over this because of fairness when that continent gets 1/3rd of the World Cup bids to start with is laughable.  US culture wants teams to be at full strength or as close to full strength playing each other so it's "best on best", 

A bit of a tangent, but I found this half serious article amusing as to why soccer doesn't resonate in the USA

https://thefederalist.com/2026/06/30/soccer-is-spiritually-third-world-sport/

 

[rickh150]

On 7/5/2026 at 1:45 PM, adambr2 said:

There’s a small part of me that wishes that Balogun just served his suspension tomorrow.

It feels like it’s no win now, if we lose then we lose but even if we win, it’s going to be considered controversial and tainted.

Not sure what USA or Trump did wrong?? Asking to revisit/look at bad call again? Not first time a call has been changed between games.

[yourout]

1 hour ago, rickh150 said:

Not sure what USA or Trump did wrong?? Asking to revisit/look at bad call again? Not first time a call has been changed between games.

I agree it was a bad call but you can be sure there was more than just a pleasant phone call involved.

[adambr2]

Yeah I mean I’m gonna avoid getting political here but… come on, man. 

I know politics are (rightfully) avoided here and I’m not saying anything good or bad about any political party or individual. Just saying any government involvement in any tournament like this is bad for optics at best and reeks of corruption at worst and shouldn’t happen.

That’s all.