# 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:** 129
**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:** [July 2, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2561 "2026-07-02T03:09:22Z")
OK, but when the players are yelling at the ref, is somebody monitoring that tirade and translating it for the ref to understand? Or, as in this afternoon’s game, when the ref was telling the players something, he certainly wasn’t speaking French. There has to be some common language on the field, doesn’t there? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2562 "2026-07-02T03:10:08Z")
So much for the idea that the US was going to get all the calls. Pepi’s in terrible form, but apparently Poch still prefers him to Haji; Monday is going to be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2563 "2026-07-02T03:15:32Z")
Yes, it is English in theory, though in practice, it requires support from other ref team members.. > **[Football or soccer? The dominant language of the FIFA World Cup](https://bild-lida.ca/educationalsociolinguistics/fall-2022/football-or-soccer-the-dominant-language-of-the-fifa-world-cup/)** > > by Ali El Mahmoud It is the world cup fever. Billions worldwide are watching the games, supporting their teams, and participating in heated discussions with family and friends to share their footba… > According to the FIFA website (2022), there are four accepted official languages during the tournaments: French, Spanish, English, and German. In 2022, FIFA added Arabic, Portuguese, and Russian. So, ideally, the referees must be bilingual to accommodate the two teams, but is it always the case? > > No, it is not. English is by default the language of soccer (or football if you like). ---
**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:** [July 2, 2026, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2564 "2026-07-02T03:23:21Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > English is by default the language of soccer (or football if you like). This is what I was looking for. Many thanks! ---
**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:** [July 2, 2026, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2565 "2026-07-02T08:43:08Z")
On a slight tangent, I’m sure I read a few years ago that the Belgian squad uses English, internally within the camp. This is because they all understand it whereas they do not all understand the official languages of Belgium. Which I found quite quirky. I wonder if the same applies to the Swiss team? ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2566 "2026-07-02T09:14:29Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Should the goalie have stopped it? Isn’t that what he’s paid for ? btw, does the added time include the “rehydration” break time ? ---
**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:** [July 2, 2026, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2567 "2026-07-02T09:37:59Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Like if I disagreed with a call and made the masturbation gesture toward the ref, I’d probably be looking at a yellow card. I believe in that case you would rather be looking at a red card. > [@Railer13](#): > > There has to be some common language on the field, doesn’t there? Not necessarily, but common sense is assumed. I darkly remember an Argentinian player who way back when there were no cards, but the players were sent off orally, that is, by being told “you are off!” by the referee, simply claimed he did not understand and refused to leave the field. I think it was in England '66, but it may be even before that. The referees learnt from that, and cards were introduced. Clear and unambiguous. But what the referee and the players say, well, I guess, like they say in German, the tone makes the music. Anybody understands when he is insulted. Any player shoud understand when the referee says next ugly foul, and you’re off. Or calm down. And if the players don’t understand the referee’s instructions, much the worse for them. He has told them, probably in English or rather Globish. If they don’t obey, he can send them off. With a card. Claiming colour blindness won’t help: there are no green cards in Football. > [@pjd](#): > > btw, does the added time include the “rehydration” break time ? Yes, and them some. As the referee sees fit, it is his prerogative and his alone. He blows the final whistle when he thinks it is the right time, he does not even have to take into account what has been signalled at the end of the 45 / 90 / 105 / 120 minutes at his own instruction. But he usually more or less does. ---
**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:** [July 2, 2026, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2568 "2026-07-02T13:07:44Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I darkly remember an Argentinian player who way back when there were no cards, but the players were sent off orally, that is, by being told “you are off!” by the referee, simply claimed he did not understand and refused to leave the field. Rattin, in '66 against England. The version I heard is that the expulsion itself came from a misunderstanding, the ref asked something of him in English, he didn’t understand, the ref sent him off, all of it possibly a complot with the hand of perfidious Albion behind. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2569 "2026-07-02T13:57:40Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > Isn’t that what he’s paid for ? Apparenty that’s what the rumour is, but still doesn’t address the fact that (well, according to my channel’s colour commentator, anyway - with a Scottish brogue that was almost impossible to understand) Vasilj didn’t track the free kick well enough, and, had he done so, would’ve got to the ball in time for a save. Kinda borderline - going one way or the other - and I was curious if others thought the same way. The ball was certainly never near the post. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2570 "2026-07-02T14:02:28Z")
One of the downsides of a defender wall is that it can be much tougher for the keeper to see to ball and its trajectory. It didn’t look to me like he was particularly late in reacting. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2571 "2026-07-02T14:03:12Z")
They had five guys in the main wall and it looked like three of them didn’t leave their feet on the shot. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2572 "2026-07-02T14:28:39Z")
That’s purposeful. One strategy of the kicker is to kick under the wall when everyone jumps. In an earlier free kick, you saw a defender lying down behind the wall to block a shot like that. For this shot, the wall tried to load the kicker into trying to go under, but then didn’t jump. It didn’t work out for them. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2573 "2026-07-02T15:10:01Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > One of the downsides of a defender wall is that it can be much tougher for the keeper to see to ball and its trajectory. Here’s a good angle of the shot from the keeper’s view (cued up to 1:27). He can’t see the ball until it’s on top of him. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ntr0cla9QYE/maxresdefault.jpg "Malik Tillman Scores Brilliant Free Kick 🤯 Extends United States' Lead vs Bosnia & Herzegovina") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntr0cla9QYE&t=86) ---
**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:** [July 2, 2026, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2574 "2026-07-02T15:52:42Z")
Does the red card have any impact after that game? Will USA suffer any other consequences? ---
**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:** [July 2, 2026, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2575 "2026-07-02T15:55:26Z")
Well, he will be suspended at least for one game. ETA: I haven’t seen the game and the foul (it was late night here), but depending on the roughness of the foul, FIFA can decide to suspend him even longer. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2576 "2026-07-02T16:21:12Z")
Shouldn’t have been a red in the first place so an additional suspension would be shocking. There’s a pretty sizable step down from Balogun to Pepi or Haji so it’s a pretty huge penalty as is. ---
**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:** [July 2, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2577 "2026-07-02T16:34:50Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Shouldn’t have been a red in the first place so an additional suspension would be shocking. I figured as much from what I read, I just wanted to point out the possible consequences for red cards in the long run of a tournament (and sometimes beyond, if a player gets a red in the final, he will be suspended for at least the next competitive game). ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2578 "2026-07-02T17:21:05Z")
Red card felt harsh. Can see why it was given though, Balogun nearly broke the player’s ankle so they treated it as a reckless challenge that endangered an opponent. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2579 "2026-07-02T17:36:05Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Can see why it was given though, Balogun nearly broke the player’s ankle so they treated it as a reckless challenge that endangered an opponent. It was seemed unintentional, but spikes into the the ankle crosses the line enough that intent doesn’t matter. I like that Balogun has enough sportsmanship that he didn’t display an outburst over the call. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2580 "2026-07-02T19:00:27Z")
The serious foul play definition is > [@LOTG](#): > > A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play. > > Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play. I would argue that “a tackle or challenge” implies intent, not just stumbling sideways and stepping on someone. If you concentrate on the endangering the safety of the opponent, red all day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=128) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=130)