FIFA 2026 A.D. MEN'S WORLD CUP:OFFICIAL THREAD

[jusplay4fun]

You are making a mountain out of a molehill, Apatheist, with regards to Trump and the reinstatement of one player. That player had NO impact on the game where the USA lost to Belgium. If the player did impact the game and if the USA beat Belgium, THEN there would be reason to howl and complain about that situation. NOW, it is a minor footnote to the USA Team results in the 2026 World Cup. It is a very insignificant event. The Team did not play well and Belgium won. END of the Story.

[jusplay4fun]

Instead of continuing to wallow in my misery over the FIFA loss to Belgium, I will relive memories of the Ice Hockey Gold Medals for both the US Men's and Women's Teams during the recent winter Olympics. Enjoy the wins and the championships and Gold Medals; they are often far between.

btw: Mpabbe looked great earlier today vs. Morocco.

and some fans go TOO FAR:

Riots erupt in London following France beat Morocco in FIFA Quarterfinals, police vehicles ambushed in Paris

https://www.financialexpress.com/world- ... s/4288001/

[Apatheist]

You are making a mountain out of a molehill, Apatheist, with regards to Trump and the reinstatement of one player. That player had NO impact on the game where the USA lost to Belgium. If the player did impact the game and if the USA beat Belgium, THEN there would be reason to howl and complain about that situation. NOW, it is a minor footnote to the USA Team results in the 2026 World Cup. It is a very insignificant event. The Team did not play well and Belgium won. END of the Story.

On the contrary, a politician even attempting to interfere in a sporting disciplinary process is unprecedented and against all the sport's protestations that they don't allow politics to interfere with sporting decisions (even though English and Argentinian referees aren't allowed to be involved in games with the other country, due to the Falklands). Even Putin, as far as we know, hasn't tried to do that, and this sets a very dangerous precedent (from a very dangerous president ). It is HUGE in the sporting world, and has, if you'll forgive the phrase, increased Trump's laughing stock. The fact that he thought he could, or should, try to influence the result of a red card is concerning for all sports.
I know it didn't affect the result - it would have been immense if Balogun had scored the winner, for example - but it is far from insignificant, and prompts questions about corruption at FIFA.

[jusplay4fun]

You are making a mountain out of a molehill, Apatheist, with regards to Trump and the reinstatement of one player. That player had NO impact on the game where the USA lost to Belgium. If the player did impact the game and if the USA beat Belgium, THEN there would be reason to howl and complain about that situation. NOW, it is a minor footnote to the USA Team results in the 2026 World Cup. It is a very insignificant event. The Team did not play well and Belgium won. END of the Story.

On the contrary, a politician even attempting to interfere in a sporting disciplinary process is unprecedented and against all the sport's protestations that they don't allow politics to interfere with sporting decisions (even though English and Argentinian referees aren't allowed to be involved in games with the other country, due to the Falklands). Even Putin, as far as we know, hasn't tried to do that, and this sets a very dangerous precedent (from a very dangerous president ). It is HUGE in the sporting world, and has, if you'll forgive the phrase, increased Trump's laughing stock. The fact that he thought he could, or should, try to influence the result of a red card is concerning for all sports.
I know it didn't affect the result - it would have been immense if Balogun had scored the winner, for example - but it is far from insignificant, and prompts questions about corruption at FIFA.

While I agree that we want to keep Politics and Politicians OUT of SPORTS, it ain't happening. Note the cheating by Russians in the Olympics. FIFA is corrupt; there is TOO MUCH money there to avoid some. The same for Olympics and selection of Host Nations (and more).

and is the FIFA Action unique? NO:

This isn’t the first time that the World Cup organizers have deployed Article 27 to rescue a high-profile player from exclusion.

Last November, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card in Portugal’s penultimate qualifying match for deliberately elbowing an Irish player—which would have come with a three-match suspension, and cost him two matches of the World Cup group stage. But within days, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee adjusted his punishment to a one-year probationary period.

Now Balogun has also been granted the same clemency.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer ... r-AA27gbhD

and MORE:

England fans are now pondering whether the UK government can step in and convince FIFA to suspend Jarell Quansah's red card. The right-back was sent off in the Three Lions' thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico last night in the Round of 16. (...)

Thomas Tuchel's men beat the co-hosts in an all-time classic at the Azteca in the early hours of Monday morning. Jude Bellingham's brace and Harry Kane's penalty sent their country through to the quarter-finals despite playing most of the second half with 10 men.

The Balogun controversy came a day after another surrounding the kick-off time for England's match against Mexico. There had been reports suggesting that the game would be moved to a later time due to weather and safety concerns.

FIFA were believed to be considering rescheduling the match from 1 am to a 7 pm kick-off time in the UK. Some in the Mexican media even claimed that the BBC had held discussions with FIFA to make the change for broadcast reasons.

https://www.givemesport.com/england-kei ... me-demand/

There are so many examples of Politics entering Sports: The Olympics have many (1968 Mexico City, Munich 1972, Moscow 1980, LA 1984, and many more examples. The US dealt with Taking Knee during NFL games and NBA games dealing with the Death of George Floyd, etc. etc.)

You, Apatheist, wish for "Goodness" in Sports; you fail to acknowledge the role of Humans with ALL their Foibles (can I say SINS..??...) involved.

[Apatheist]

I didn't say that FIFA's actions were unique; attempted intervention by a head of state is the issue.
Rescheduling due to weather is not unusual, and was well understood in advance, to protect the players and the fans, so that's not a concern - unless it's not actually necessary.
Whilst politics has impinged on sport in a wider sense, sadly, I think there's a difference between entire countries at a national level due to military conflicts, and a head of state trying to interfere in the discipline of an individual in one game. Boycotting Moscow in 1980 isn't the same as Jimmy Carter ringing up the president of the IOC over a relay runner stepping out of their lane and trying to get them reinstated.
Humans are involved and generally rubbish, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to stop things going wrong where we can. Infantino should have told Trump where to get off. If his intervention had led to the USA winning the tournament, the US would have become even less popular than they are now (if you're wondering, according to this: https://yougov.com/en-gb/ratings/countries, the USA sits at 62, just behind Estonia). Sports have rules, and they should be observed. That's the end of the discussion.

[Maxleod]

You are making a mountain out of a molehill, Apatheist, with regards to Trump and the reinstatement of one player. That player had NO impact on the game where the USA lost to Belgium. If the player did impact the game and if the USA beat Belgium, THEN there would be reason to howl and complain about that situation. NOW, it is a minor footnote to the USA Team results in the 2026 World Cup. It is a very insignificant event. The Team did not play well and Belgium won. END of the Story.

On the contrary, a politician even attempting to interfere in a sporting disciplinary process is unprecedented and against all the sport's protestations that they don't allow politics to interfere with sporting decisions (even though English and Argentinian referees aren't allowed to be involved in games with the other country, due to the Falklands). Even Putin, as far as we know, hasn't tried to do that, and this sets a very dangerous precedent (from a very dangerous president ). It is HUGE in the sporting world, and has, if you'll forgive the phrase, increased Trump's laughing stock. The fact that he thought he could, or should, try to influence the result of a red card is concerning for all sports.
I know it didn't affect the result - it would have been immense if Balogun had scored the winner, for example - but it is far from insignificant, and prompts questions about corruption at FIFA.

No it's happened before. Or so I heard. Like Argentina '78.

[Apatheist]

You are making a mountain out of a molehill, Apatheist, with regards to Trump and the reinstatement of one player. That player had NO impact on the game where the USA lost to Belgium. If the player did impact the game and if the USA beat Belgium, THEN there would be reason to howl and complain about that situation. NOW, it is a minor footnote to the USA Team results in the 2026 World Cup. It is a very insignificant event. The Team did not play well and Belgium won. END of the Story.

On the contrary, a politician even attempting to interfere in a sporting disciplinary process is unprecedented and against all the sport's protestations that they don't allow politics to interfere with sporting decisions (even though English and Argentinian referees aren't allowed to be involved in games with the other country, due to the Falklands). Even Putin, as far as we know, hasn't tried to do that, and this sets a very dangerous precedent (from a very dangerous president ). It is HUGE in the sporting world, and has, if you'll forgive the phrase, increased Trump's laughing stock. The fact that he thought he could, or should, try to influence the result of a red card is concerning for all sports.
I know it didn't affect the result - it would have been immense if Balogun had scored the winner, for example - but it is far from insignificant, and prompts questions about corruption at FIFA.

No it's happened before. Or so I heard. Like Argentina '78.

Allegedly, but not proven:

The most infamous scandal surrounds the second-round group stage match on June 21, 1978, at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in Rosario. Argentina needed to defeat Peru by at least four clear goals to eliminate Brazil and advance to the final. Before the match, General Videla reportedly visited the Peruvian dressing room alongside armed guards to speak about "Latin American solidarity". Argentina went on to win the match 6-0 in a heavily suspicious performance.

Despite decades of suspicion and testimonies from former players, there has been no official FIFA investigation or overturned result.

It's not the behaviour one expects from a democracy though. Trump has shown himself to be a dictator.

[Dukasaur]

I think this editorial says it all:
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/overt ... 00579.html

Trump is once again an international laughingstock after the U.S. Men's National Team crashed out of the World Cup despite the president's meddling.

Trump had urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the weekend to overturn a red card that would've kept the U.S. team's top scorer from playing against Belgium Monday night. For the first time in half a century, FIFA overturned the decision, but even that couldn't save the U.S. Men's Soccer team from being handily defeated 4-1. (And the player in question, Folarin Balogun, didn't even score America's lone goal of the night.)

"Overturn this," the Belgian Red Devils, Belgium's national team, wrote in a post on X after the game.

As if losing wasn't humiliating enough, a handful of players on the Belgian team were spotted doing Trump's iconic dance to celebrate one of their goals.

The American team had done well up to that point. There would have been no shame if they just lost at that point. But after Trump couldn't help but stick his nose in and try to rig the game, everybody in the world was cheering the ass-kicking that Belgium served up.

[jusplay4fun]

USA beat Canada for the Gold Medals (Men and Women) in Ice Hockey at the 2026 Olympics. We are are not a soccer nation.

[Apatheist]

USA beat Canada for the Gold Medals (Men and Women) in Ice Hockey at the 2026 Olympics. We are are not a soccer nation.

..which begs the question of why you were awarded the premier global competition to host.

[jusplay4fun]

USA beat Canada for the Gold Medals (Men and Women) in Ice Hockey at the 2026 Olympics. We are are not a soccer nation.

..which begs the question of why you were awarded the premier global competition to host.

Without knowing all the rules and "deals" and other relevant issues, I would say that the combination of Canada, Mexico, and the USA offered enough "stuff" of good venues, good income from sponsors and media broadcasts, and money.

I did read a bit on this issue; you can read or research if you want.

https://theworldcupguide.com/how-does-f ... -cup-host/

Here is something relevant from the above source:

FIFA promised reform after the 2015 Corruption Case and (then FIFA Presidential Candidate and now serving as FIFA President) Gianni Infantino promised transparency and true democracy on host selection.

In the end, a formal Bidding Process was created but one that also opened the gates for some backroom dealings

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_20 ... ld_Cup_bid

[Apatheist]

The next tournament is in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Fair enough.
The one after that (2034) is Saudi Arabia - another place with loads of money that's far too hot and not particularly interested in football. They're ranked 58th, one place above Qatar.
The problem is that it takes a lot of money to stage these tournaments - more so now with almost a quarter of the world playing - and that's going to limit it, like the Olympics, to those who are wealthy (and can afford the bribes) or have the infrastructure already in place.
I expect there to be more multi-country events - which ironically will limit the chances for smaller nations to qualify, if there are multiple hosts already there.
It's also going to increase the carbon footprint - which I know some don't believe in for some reason of mental incompetence - unless they limit it to places with good road and rail networks, which may restrict FIFA's ambition to spread it to less-developed nations. One thing I dread, which may bring a halt to the multi-country cups, is a plane crash.

[Dukasaur]

I expect there to be more multi-country events - which ironically will limit the chances for smaller nations to qualify, if there are multiple hosts already there.

I don't think Bohemia would ever be big enough to host. However, I can well imagine a composite bid of Bohemia, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. I actually think this is a good change.

And I wouldn't worry too much about flying... the major cities in the four countries are all accessible by overnight train, with the team arriving well rested.

[Apatheist]

I expect there to be more multi-country events - which ironically will limit the chances for smaller nations to qualify, if there are multiple hosts already there.

I don't think Bohemia would ever be big enough to host. However, I can well imagine a composite bid of Bohemia, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. I actually think this is a good change.

And I wouldn't worry too much about flying... the major cities in the four countries are all accessible by overnight train, with the team arriving well rested.

Bohemia isn't a member of FIFA, so that wouldn't happen. You'd have to include the whole of Czechia.

[jusplay4fun]

Two good games today:

England defeats Norway 2 - 1, and

Argentina defeats Switzerland 3 - 1, with some controversy about one Yellow Card. The Swiss Team played much of the 2nd Half a man down as a result and only gave up the last two goals in Extra Time.

[jusplay4fun]

USA beat Canada for the Gold Medals (Men and Women) in Ice Hockey at the 2026 Olympics. We are are not a soccer nation.

..which begs the question of why you were awarded the premier global competition to host.

And, to give a more complete picture, note that the USA hosted the World Cup in 1994:

FIFA Men's World Cup
Brief History Of The 1994 World Cup In The United States
Updated Jun. 3, 2026

In 1994, the United States proved global critics wrong as hosts of the World Cup.

Skeptics in Europe and South America argued that a country without a top-tier professional league, paired with a population that supposedly didn't "understand" the game, was a questionable choice for the world’s biggest sporting event.

But what unfolded over the course of the summer was a memorable tournament witnessed by massive crowds at stadiums that were known more for the other kind of football. American soccer had its long-awaited defining moment.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/socce ... story-host

[jonesthecurl]

Not a soccer nation?

"The U.S. women's national soccer team (USWNT) is the most successful team in FIFA Women's World Cup history, winning four titles and medaling in every tournament except 2023."

[Apatheist]

After all that...the top 4 teams in the world rankings are in the semi-final. Needn't have bothered with all the other games...

[Dukasaur]

I expect there to be more multi-country events - which ironically will limit the chances for smaller nations to qualify, if there are multiple hosts already there.

I don't think Bohemia would ever be big enough to host. However, I can well imagine a composite bid of Bohemia, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. I actually think this is a good change.

And I wouldn't worry too much about flying... the major cities in the four countries are all accessible by overnight train, with the team arriving well rested.

Bohemia isn't a member of FIFA, so that wouldn't happen. You'd have to include the whole of Czechia.

I am a traditional Czech. I refuse to go along with this idiotic renaming. It was Bohemia for a thousand years, and I will call it Bohemia until the day I die.

I am one of those old coots who refuses to re-learn the language any time some marketing asshole renames something. You can post that on Twitter, if you like.

[Apatheist]

Not a soccer nation?

"The U.S. women's national soccer team (USWNT) is the most successful team in FIFA Women's World Cup history, winning four titles and medaling in every tournament except 2023."

True, but a) this is the men's tournament b) having success doesn't make it a soccer nation - GB has had success in hockey, both men's and women's, but it's still a long way down the list of sports in terms of participation and supporters c) the game didn't really catch on when you had the likes of Pele and George Best playing there - two of the best ever. Now that the older players looking for a pre-retirement pay day are heading to the middle East, I don't see it catching on any time soon d) medal is a noun, not a verb.

From what I see on TV shows, the kids are playing soccer rather than American football, perhaps because it's less physical or cheaper - one only needs a ball and jumpers for goalposts ("is it? Marvellous!"), so maybe something will happen in a decade or two.

[Apatheist]

Well at least we've still got the Falkland Islands

Undone by panicky substitutions made by the German double-agent to stop us winning it.

[jusplay4fun]

This source has soccer #4 in the USA for viewship, participation, cultural impact, and revenue:

The Most Popular Sports in the USA Ranked
Published on November 2, 2025 • By Sarah Anderson

https://usaheaven.com/articles/popular-sports-usa

In order, 1 - 8: Football, basketball, baseball, soccer, ice hockey, tennis, golf, and motorsports.

Football, basketball, and baseball are the Big 3. Soccer is growing, especially among the younger ones; baseball has declined.

same source:

While no longer America's dominant sport, baseball maintains a special place in the nation's cultural history. Major League Baseball (MLB) remains a powerful economic force, generating approximately $10.7 billion in revenue for 2022.

Hence, the USA is NOT a soccer nation, imo.

[Apatheist]

I'm surprised golf is that low, with 3 of the majors and the Masters in particular.

[mookiemcgee]

I'm surprised golf is that low, with 3 of the majors and the Masters in particular.

I wouldn't put too much weight into some random 15 best article online

US soccer barely beat golf purely in terms of TV viewership in 2025 for the first time ever, but golf is still much larger in terms of US participants (50 million vs 24 million), total revenue of pro leagues (MLS vs PGA,LPGA, seniors tours, PGA of America, college level ect), way way larger in terms of overall revenue as a sport given the high cost of entry (clubs,balls,gloves,$100s greens fees ect for a single participant vs the cost of a single soccer ball spread across 20+ players lol).

Golf TV viewership has really struggled in the US since LIV, not because LIV has been all that successful but alot of the biggest names weren't even playing majors there for a few years and it's always hard to bring people back once they've left.

[jusplay4fun]

I'm surprised golf is that low, with 3 of the majors and the Masters in particular.

Golf and tennis are (or at least were) considered here in the US, as sports of gentlemen, played a country clubs and the like. As such, fewer typically PLAY those games and watch those games and the sport. Note that loud cheering and jeering during the game is NOT allowed.

In the USA, loud cheering for the Team, jeering of opponents and even officials (referees and umpires and the like) are all part of the game. The games that appeal to the masses and the more "common man" are football (American style), basketball (most men's), and baseball. Such loud cheering is part of the game so that everyone yells at an 18 year old college freshman on the foul line during a basketball game, but everyone is quiet when a golf veteran of 30+ years old goes to putt (same for tennis, especially during the serve). I suspect that in England that yelling, cheering, and jeering is part of the norm for soccer (or football) there and throughout the UK. (I cannot speak intelligently about cricket, rugby, polo, or other sports in the UK.)

To me, the sports that appeal the masses will have a bigger viewship (live and TV and now streaming) and bigger money, usually.