# 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:** 146
**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 5, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2901 "2026-07-05T18:50:46Z")
I know your response because you think it was a red, but what do you make of the argument that “it wasn’t a challenge and so it can’t be serious foul play. It was just his plant foot that lateral momentum and chance caused him to awkwardly land on the opponent.” I guess the argument is then it’s merely violent conduct instead. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2902 "2026-07-05T18:53:02Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > And if Balugon scores again and the US advances, Trump will surely claim credit. The irony is that Balugon would not be a US citizen under Trump’s overturned executive order. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2903 "2026-07-05T18:55:07Z")
Just hop across the pond and watch it at my house. Can you make it to St. Louis in an hour? ---
**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 5, 2026, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2904 "2026-07-05T18:58:15Z")
Sure, I just take my private rocket. 😉 Should I bring beer? ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2905 "2026-07-05T19:10:18Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > what do you make of the argument that “it wasn’t a challenge and so it can’t be serious foul play. It was just his plant foot that lateral momentum and chance caused him to awkwardly land on the opponent.” It absolutely WAS a challenge. Balogun was contesting for the ball. > [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I guess the argument is then it’s merely violent conduct instead. IMO, not violent conduct. VC is generally behavior that endangers others (could actually be toward a teammate), but away from the ball/play in general. Sucker punching an opponent in the penalty area before a corner kick, for instance, would be VC. ---
**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 5, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2906 "2026-07-05T19:16:56Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > It absolutely WAS a challenge. Balogun was contesting for the ball. He’s just staying with the opponent and pushing him with his upper body. He’s not trying to win it with his leg, that’s just his plant leg. > [@ricepad](#): > > IMO, not violent conduct. VC is generally behavior that endangers others (could actually be toward a teammate), but away from the ball/play in general. Sucker punching an opponent in the penalty area before a corner kick, for instance, would be VC. Right, because you think it was a challenge. I was saying if it wasn’t a challenge you could argue VC. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2907 "2026-07-05T19:34:43Z")
[https://xcancel.com/RepJackKimble/status/2073823332558925841](https://xcancel.com/RepJackKimble/status/2073823332558925841) > To everyone characterizing this as corruption, I’d like to remind you that each FIFA Peace Prize comes with a Get Out of Red Card Free. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2908 "2026-07-05T19:44:24Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > He’s not trying to win it with his leg, I didn’t say he was trying to win the ball with his leg. In fact, I’ll stipulate to that: he was not trying to win the ball with the leg that raked his opponent’s ankle. The ball was in the air, coming from distance. Both players were tracking the ball, and Balogun was also tracking Muharemovic, too. Balogun was putting his body on Muharemovic to try to move him off the ball, or more correctly, move him from the ball’s ‘drop zone’ or at least attempt to disrupt Muharemovic’s control of the ball. Nothing wrong with that kind of challenge as long as you don’t step on his ankle in the process. ---
**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 5, 2026, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2909 "2026-07-05T19:51:23Z")
Then would you also say it’s a red if players A and B challenge for a header, A lands first, and then B’s comes down cleats first onto A? ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2910 "2026-07-05T19:59:19Z")
It depends, and I’d have to see it. I do think, however, that the chief rationale for having SFP as a send-off offense is that it’s a check on uncontrolled mayhem on 50-50 (or 75-25) balls. We can’t have players just barging into each other like bowling balls into bowling pins. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2911 "2026-07-05T20:00:04Z")
Now there are reports that Trump asked for a review of Balogun’s suspension, which, just, fglgfbnkd… ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2912 "2026-07-05T20:00:40Z")
Here we go! Ro! ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2913 "2026-07-05T20:03:52Z")
Goal Norway! Uff da, offside. No goal. ---
**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 5, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2914 "2026-07-05T20:05:20Z")
What percentage of goals get waved off for offside? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2915 "2026-07-05T20:05:43Z")
I simply can’t root for my country after this. ¡Viva Mexico! ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2916 "2026-07-05T20:07:25Z")
I feel like I’ve gone through the looking glass every time I see someone talk about “Balogun’s challenge”, often in the context of “reckless”. At best, it was two players jockeying for position as happens a hundred times a game, but at worst it was Muharemovic trying to go through Balogun’s back to get to the ball and throwing them both off balance. If you think Balogun is just supposed to go, “I see you want get to the ball. Let me clear a path for you,” I’m sorry, but that’s not the way the game is played. ---
**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 5, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2917 "2026-07-05T20:10:49Z")
Seems like a clear penalty… ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2918 "2026-07-05T20:11:50Z")
Going to the replay… For those not watching, Norwegian player slid for the ball and knocked Brazilian off his feet. Norway was a bit early on the slide. Norway saved the penalty kick. ---
**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 5, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2919 "2026-07-05T20:12:38Z")
I’d prefer if VAR just told the ref it’s a penalty. Send him to watch a replay only if it’s iffy, but that’s clear as day. ---
**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 5, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2920 "2026-07-05T20:13:33Z")
Right call even if one view looked like he got the ball first. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=145) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=147)