# 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:** 148
**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, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2941 "2026-07-05T21:30:56Z")
So close for Norway. Hydration break. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2942 "2026-07-05T21:34:33Z")
The thing is FIFA are changing the rules on the fly. The premier league in England has an appeals process where red card decisions can be reversed but world cup rules is there is none. After the game red card are assessed and the 1 game ban from future games can be increased but they can not remove the ban or “suspend” it. The suspension makes it even more odd, by maintaining the ban they are saying the offence was worthy of a red card but by suspending it they are saying they are going to be lenient on the offender. Whether the red card was deserved or not is debatable but the only reason Balogun is allowed to play in the next game is Rubio (and maybe others) told FIFA how important he was to the world cup. For the same reason Ronaldo’s three game ban before the world cup was reduced to one so he was available for all Portugal’s games in the world cup. ---
**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, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2943 "2026-07-05T21:38:03Z")
Did I hear the announcers say that Norway is the only team that Brazil has played but never beaten? ---
**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, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2944 "2026-07-05T21:39:02Z")
Apparently Otamendi and Caicedo too. The US is obviously going to play him and obviously have a better chance with him on the field. And even though I think the red was undeserved I wish he was still suspended for the game. I dunno about taking that shot instead of laying off to Haaland. Good chance for Norway though. Neymar coming on is wild. ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2945 "2026-07-05T21:40:29Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > That was the chance! > > Great little play to get behind the defense, but the cross is inches off for Haaland. But wasn’t he well-marked anyway? ---
**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, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2946 "2026-07-05T21:41:31Z")
Nah. He’s scored 200 goals on crosses that he was able to get to ahead of a defender only because he’s quick and has 9 foot long legs. ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2947 "2026-07-05T21:41:36Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Did I hear the announcers say that Norway is the only team that Brazil has played but never beaten Correct. They’ve played four times, with Norway winning two and two ending in a draw. Three of the games were friendlies; Norway beat Brazil in the 1998 WC group stage. > **[Brazil vs. Norway history: Head-to-head matches at World Cup, last meeting,...](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/brazil-vs-norway-history-head-185932868.html)** > > Brazil and Norway meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16. Here's a look at their head-to-head record, previous World Cup meetings, and overall results between the two nations. ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2948 "2026-07-05T21:42:17Z")
Wow - Norway ahead on a header!!! 1-0. Ten minutes to go. EDIT: Well, plus injury time, of course. ---
**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, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2949 "2026-07-05T21:42:42Z")
I love Haaland. ---
**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, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2950 "2026-07-05T21:42:53Z")
Harland finally! Ro! ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2951 "2026-07-05T21:43:27Z")
I wonder if he still sleeps with, like, five or six balls, apparently. ---
**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, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2952 "2026-07-05T21:43:40Z")
Lots of force for a header. ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2953 "2026-07-05T21:43:51Z")
Brazil have looked blunt, while Norway have a gigantic blade up front. ---
**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, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2954 "2026-07-05T21:44:58Z")
Disagree that Brazil have looked blunt, they’ve been the better team overall. Haaland scored over Gabriel which is his biggest club rival, so that’s fun. ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2955 "2026-07-05T21:48:48Z")
Thought Brazil would finish, there. ---
**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, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2956 "2026-07-05T21:48:49Z")
Nyland the player of the game so far. ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2957 "2026-07-05T21:49:36Z")
I just think Norway have been relatively comfortable. Brazil have had chances but most of them have come from Norway over committing men forward and then losing the ball in stupid positions. Brazil have had a few 3 v 3’s and failed to capitalise. ---
**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, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2958 "2026-07-05T21:50:29Z")
Nyland took a hit on that post. ---
**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 5, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2959 "2026-07-05T21:51:29Z")
No dog in this fight, but finding myself nervous for Norway to hold on, here. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2960 "2026-07-05T21:51:42Z")
Listening to the Telemundo announcer saying Bob over and over and how he sounds is oddly amusing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=147) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=149)