# 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:** 130
**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, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2581 "2026-07-02T19:11:41Z")
Yamal certainly went down easily there, but I’m not sure he wasn’t also fouled. Interesting to see a replay. **ETA** acceptable level of tussling, imo. Disappointing in Yamal in that he probably was able to continue that run. ---
**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, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2582 "2026-07-02T19:40:08Z")
Austria is lucky to be down only 1-0 at this point. Thus far, Spain is dominating this game. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2583 "2026-07-02T20:02:56Z")
Concur, Austria’s keeper is just barely holding them in the game, but barely a hint of an offense. Luck or a major Spanish blunder is about their only hope. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2584 "2026-07-02T20:32:06Z")
Brawndo break ---
**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, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2585 "2026-07-02T20:47:43Z")
Yamal is desperate for a goal, but he can’t buy one. And now he’s off. ---
**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, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2586 "2026-07-02T20:52:00Z")
What a wonderful ball in by Cucurella. Spain finally looking like a contender. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2587 "2026-07-02T20:52:08Z")
Beautiful goal by Spain to seal the deal ---
**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, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2588 "2026-07-02T20:53:30Z")
I didn’t catch it if the announcers said, but who’s the woman rooting for Spain they’ve showed like 12 times on the Fox broadcast? The one w/ Penelope Cruz. ---
**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, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2589 "2026-07-02T20:56:26Z")
I can’t wait to see France v Spain in the semi final, which I think is inevitable. Spain look every bit as fearsome as France but for different reasons. ---
**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, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2590 "2026-07-02T21:02:47Z")
Yes I thought before the tournament started that that would be the semi final that determined the winners. Bit concerned Messi might have something to say about it but still think, if I had to bet, that either of those teams would put Argentina away. ---
**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, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2591 "2026-07-02T21:04:24Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > if I had to bet, that either of those teams would put Argentina away. I did have a bet, and I put my money on Argentina. So I hope you’re wrong! ---
**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, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2592 "2026-07-02T21:07:45Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > who’s the woman rooting for Spain they’ve showed like 12 times on the Fox broadcast? The one w/ Penelope Cruz. Google tells me it’s a Spanish singer/songwriter/actress named Rosalía. ---
**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, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2593 "2026-07-02T21:15:20Z")
You don’t know Rosalía? She’s so good and cool! And so multifaceted! Here a **[sample](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htQBS2Ikz6c&list=RDhtQBS2Ikz6c&start_radio=1)**. And there is a whole rabbit hole to explore from there. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2594 "2026-07-02T21:21:53Z")
Small chance of thunderstorms just after kick off for Portugal and Croatia… ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2595 "2026-07-02T21:52:46Z")
Former referee here. When I saw the replay of Balogun’s tackle, I thought he’d be sent off, even before the commentators talked about it. I don’t think there was any intent - Balogun is not a dirty player - but intent is not required to constitute Serious Foul Play. The tackle was reckless, which is the litmus for SFP. A caution, for which the bar is ‘negligent’, would not have been appropriate. He was lucky not to have broken the Bosnian’s ankle. I like Balogun, and have for a long time, ever since his days in Arsenal’s youth system. ---
**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, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2596 "2026-07-02T21:53:28Z")
Couldn’t we have had this tournament in the (southern hemisphere) summer? I just took my ritual day-before-the-game cold bath and DAMN was the water cold. ---
**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, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2597 "2026-07-02T22:07:19Z")
If you suffer enough in advance you will not suffer during the match, I understand. **[Las meigas no existen, pero haberlas, haylas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2489)**. That is the original Galician Spanish saying as I know it. _Meiga_ is Galician for witch. No, you are not supersticious, it’s just a ritual. 😛 PS: Your translation was spot on. ---
**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, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2598 "2026-07-02T22:10:54Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > No, you are not supersticious, it’s just a ritual. 😛 “It’s just a ritual” I repeat, trembling while drying myself, “just a ritual, I’m not superstitious” > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > **[Las meigas no existen, pero haberlas, haylas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2489)**. > That is the original Galician Spanish saying as I know it. _Meiga_ is Galician for witch. That’s great! some of my ancestors came from Vigo, in Galicia, I must have had the saying from them. ---
**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, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2599 "2026-07-02T22:11:36Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > No, you are not supersticious, it’s just a ritual. 😛 See, it’s the same reason I always start brushing my teeth at the upper left last molar, working my way further. Else all my teeth would fall out, clear as mud. ---
**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, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2600 "2026-07-02T22:13:10Z")
Why run the risk? 😁 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=129) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=131)