# FIFA World Cup 2026 - discussion etc **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [October 14, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962 "2025-10-14T15:43:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/181 "2025-12-10T19:44:29Z")
Hehehe, you’re right, and I hope it will be epic! I’m making a note for June 26th in my calendar… ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/182 "2025-12-10T20:16:44Z")
One reason I’ll always love Leon Goretzka, the Germany national team player, and Manuel Neuer: in 2020, Hungary came to Munich to play in the Euros just as their parliament was passing anti-LGBTGQ+ laws. They protested the lighting of the Munich stadium in Pride colors, as well as German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer wearing the Pride armband. In classic bureaucratic fashion, the armband was under the authority of German officials, and they let him wear it; stadium lighting was under the governance of the Euro federation, UEFA, and they disallowed it. Anyway. Goretzka scored the late equalizer in the match, raced over to the Hungarian section, and made a heart symbol at them with his hands. In general, making any kind of motion to away fans is very poor form, but fuck them. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/183 "2025-12-10T20:39:38Z")
Seems to me the most likely outcome is FIFA saying, “We can’t control anything outside of the stadium, but no fans inside the Seattle stadium will be allowed to wear anything pro-LGBT.” ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/184 "2025-12-10T20:47:04Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Seems to me the most likely outcome is FIFA saying, “We can’t control anything outside of the stadium, but no fans inside the Seattle stadium will be allowed to wear anything pro-LGBT.”. That’d be extremely fucked up. As @Thing.Fish pointed out, the Qataris got to push their homophobic agenda on the rest of us when the World Cup was held there. Now it’s our turn to set the rules. If Iran or Egypt doesn’t like it, they don’t have to come here. And if Trump does try something, we all need to start amplifying the message is Trump is weak, giving in to the hostile nation of Iran like the pathetic little coward he is until he’s too embarrassed to do it. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/185 "2025-12-10T21:11:18Z")
> [@Jegpeg](#): > > I will not be watching the world cup. I’m not quite that far yet, but my enthusiasm is definitely way down for this WC. Between the ongoing sports washing, now including Trump and the thoroughly insane “peace prize”, and the ridiculous ticket pricing, what should have been a great local World Cup experience is now just something to be endured. I’ll still watch, so far, but may be spending some time in Mexico to watch games there and enjoy the local atmosphere, even if only in a bar. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/186 "2025-12-12T00:21:55Z")
> **[Fifa urged to halt World Cup ticket sales after ‘monumental betrayal’ of fans](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/11/world-cup-2026-ticket-prices-fifa)** > > Fifa has been urged to halt World Cup ticket sales after it emerged countries’ most loyal fans would have to pay £3,000 for a ticket to the final ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/187 "2025-12-12T01:11:18Z")
> [@dougrb](#): > > Fifa has been urged to halt World Cup ticket sales after it emerged countries’ most loyal fans would have to pay £3,000 for a ticket to the final I know it’s a very flippant comparison. But this reminds me of John Rabe appealing to Hitler after the Rape of Nanking to stop Japanese atrocities in China. Gouging loyal fans for every penny they can get away with is like FIFAs whole entire deal, what makes you think they are the ones you should be appealing to? ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/188 "2025-12-12T07:40:16Z")
The only way they will ever listen is if/when people vote with their feet and don’t attend. Ain’t gonna happen…they will find enough mugs who will complain and then stump up the cash anyway. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/189 "2025-12-14T18:14:53Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I’m pretty sure Trump/MAGA would come down on the side of Iran and Egypt. They dislike gays more than they dislike those nations On the other hand neither country has contributed billions to the Trump-Kushner benevolence fund. If this was Qatar-Saudi it would be a done deal, the pride march would be cancelled, using seal team 6 and bunker busters if necessary. They may still let their hatred of gays and liberal East coast big cities overcome their hatred of Iran (Egypt they have no problem with, run as it is by a vicious authoritarian strong man), but they will be at least conflicted. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/190 "2025-12-14T18:24:46Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > funny as fuck if they gave Trump the made-up “FIFA Peace Prize” and then we failed to even make the knock-out rounds Though tbh Trump would care as much as if 3rd oboist at the Kennedy Center played the wrong note in a concerto. He doesn’t care about the football at the world cup in this slightest. He only cares because it’s a prestigious event where he gets demonstrate how much of a boss he is and be sucked up to by lots of important people. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/191 "2026-01-27T00:09:35Z")
[Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter joins those calling for boycott of World Cup in United States](https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/ex-fifa-president-sepp-blatter-joins-those-calling-for-boycott-of-world-cup-in-united/article_66e0c0da-7089-5d73-ab41-9a401b7f2cac.html) > Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday backed a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States because of the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration at home and abroad. > … > In his interview with Der Bund, Pieth said, “If we consider everything we’ve discussed, there’s only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA! You’ll see it better on TV anyway. And upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t please the officials, they’ll be put straight on the next flight home. If they’re lucky.” [Heartbreaking: The Worst Person You Know Just Made a Great Point - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartbreaking:_The_Worst_Person_You_Know_Just_Made_a_Great_Point) ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/192 "2026-01-27T00:16:36Z")
Not really calling for a boycott by the national teams I see, just the fans. There’s a part of me that wants all european teams and brazil to boycott the cup… (hey a star is a star!) There’s also a larger part of me that wants Argentina to boycott it, but knows that with our current Trump-ass-kisser president and Infantino-ass-kisser football federation president that is not possible. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/193 "2026-01-27T06:39:39Z")
If enough of the players have strong enough principles it would be possible. It’d be possible for all the teams. But never going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/194 "2026-01-27T07:32:54Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Heartbreaking: The Worst Person You Know Just Made a Great Point - Wikipedia Indeed. When the famously corrupt former chief of a famously corrupt organization says, “you know, _that_ guy has gone too far,” that’s saying something. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/195 "2026-01-27T09:12:58Z")
Sepp Blatter is still alive? Damned, corruption is healthy! Bad news that. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/196 "2026-01-27T12:32:08Z")
“Hierba mala nunca muere” (bad weeds (as in those you need to remove from your fields) never die) On second thought if every big player except Argentina boycotts the World Cup, we’ll probably get overconfident and lose against Morocco or Japan , so I hope it doesn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/197 "2026-01-27T16:54:15Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > If enough of the players have strong enough principles it would be possible. It’d be possible for all the teams. But never going to happen. It was unwise to choose the United States during Trump’s first administration(decision was made in 2018). I would completely understand any boycott by any amount of people. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/198 "2026-02-08T18:03:56Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > It was unwise to choose the United States during Trump’s first administration(decision was made in 2018 I suppose they (and IOC) figured he would be done and gone by then, not pull a Grover Cleveland. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/199 "2026-02-08T19:56:30Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > I suppose they (and IOC) figured he would be done and gone by then, not pull a Grover Cleveland Or if he had been reelected in 2020, he would also be done and gone by 2026. But here we are. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/200 "2026-02-08T22:19:08Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Or if he had been reelected in 2020, he would also be done and gone by 2026. Yes, I think that is what they meant. I don’t think teams will boycott, but fans should consider. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=11)