# 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:** 150
**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, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2981 "2026-07-05T22:10:27Z")
Here comes the Ro! ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2982 "2026-07-05T22:10:55Z")
Not 18 minutes itself, but I have seen games where I’ve thought, “You have to be kidding me, there is no way the game had _this_ much stoppage.” ---
**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, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2983 "2026-07-05T22:12:01Z")
The rest of the world always hates it when Americans bring it up, but the game would be so much more transparent with an official stopping stadium clock and timekeeper. ---
**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, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2984 "2026-07-05T22:12:24Z")
I would say that 99.999% of games have more stoppage than gets added back 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 5, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2985 "2026-07-05T22:12:41Z")
Sad for Brazil now, they haven’t been on top form for a while now but I expected them to get further. Hell I expected to lose honorably against them in the semis as a best possible result for Argentina in this world cup (winning it being out of the question). ---
**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, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2986 "2026-07-05T22:16:17Z")
Everyone agrees with that. Most people just don’t care if it’s more transparent. ---
**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, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2987 "2026-07-05T22:16:50Z")
Small, but non-negligible chance that Kane joins them later today. ---
**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, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2988 "2026-07-05T22:29:51Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I would say that 99.999% of games have more stoppage than gets added back on. Which brings up a question: what constitutes ‘stoppage’? Obviously, the celebration that follows a goal, which may last 2-3 minutes, should be stoppage. Likewise, when play stops for an injured player is also stoppage. But when a ball goes over the end line for a corner or a goal kick, is that stoppage? Or out of bounds? Is actual stoppage time tracked during the game? I really don’t know, which is why I’m asking. ---
**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 5, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2989 "2026-07-05T22:33:03Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Not 18 minutes itself, but I have seen games where I’ve thought, “You have to be kidding me, there is no way the game had _this_ much stoppage.” Yes, didn’t the last USA game have 10 minutes of stoppage time? I…question that. ---
**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, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2990 "2026-07-05T22:40:47Z")
AFP and Reuters are reporting that Trump personally called Infantino to ask FIFA to overturn the Balogun suspension. The Begian FA have issued a statement expressing their astonishment: > **[Royal Belgian FA](https://www.rbfa.be/en/news/rbfa-statement-regarding-folarin-balogun)** > **The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday.** > > … > > In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options. > **[Astonished Belgium vow to ‘defend football’ after Fifa’s shock Balogun reversal](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/05/belgium-rudi-garcia-world-cup-usmnt-folarin-balogun)** > > Belgium coach Rudi Garcia likened Fifa’s decision to an April Fools’ Day joke as the national federation said it would ‘investigate all potential options’ ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2991 "2026-07-05T22:44:26Z")
At this point, I almost thing Balogun should refuse to play in order to bring honor back to the proceedings and to throw it back in Trump’s stupid face. Seriously, I’d be fine with that. ---
**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, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2992 "2026-07-05T22:46:25Z")
> [@Laws of the Game](#): > > Allowance is made by the referee in each half for all playing time lost in that half through: > > - substitutions > - assessment and/or removal of injured players > - wasting time > - disciplinary sanctions > - medical stoppages permitted by competition rules e.g. ‘drinks’ breaks (which should not exceed one minute) and ‘cooling’ breaks (ninety seconds to three minutes) > - delays relating to VAR ‘checks’ and ‘reviews’ > - goal celebrations > - any other cause, including any significant delay to a restart (e.g. due to interference by an outside agent) > > The fourth official indicates the minimum additional time decided by the referee at the end of the final minute of each half. The additional time may be increased by the referee but not reduced. The “time wasting” part is what really varies. How much, if any, time gets added on for a goal kick is up to the ref. Probably none unless it’s obvious they’re delaying to run out time. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2993 "2026-07-05T22:48:38Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Sad for Brazil now, they haven’t been on top form for a while now but I expected them to get further. They have the ball handling talent but there was little individual drive to the goal in this game. I was expecting more. It was like the fight went out of them. Norway just needed to get the ball near Haaland at their leisure. I’m surprised the score wasn’t higher. ---
**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, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2994 "2026-07-05T22:50:00Z")
Thanks. So is giving a yellow (or red) card a ‘disciplinary action’? Or calling a foul? ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2995 "2026-07-05T22:54:12Z")
Hey, at least it was not 7-1 at home. They can always tell themselves that. ---
**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, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2996 "2026-07-05T22:54:18Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Which brings up a question: what constitutes ‘stoppage’? The short answer is “whatever the referee deems appropriate.” The longer answer is even fuzzier. Referees are taught to allow for a reasonably short period of time to put a ball back into play at every stoppage, mostly for a ball going out, or a foul and resultant free kick. Goals and restarts following them, and substitutions warrant adding 30-90 seconds each, depending on how long it takes to get back to play, by and large. Added time for injuries vary, of course. The referee is supposed to keep track of all this, with help from the 4th official, if there is one. Time wasting while the ball is in play, such as when the team with the lead takes the ball to the corner and guards it ferociously, does not add time, but other time wasting tactics do, as when the goalkeeper slow-walks the ball back onto the FOP in preparation for a goal 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, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2997 "2026-07-05T22:56:46Z")
Cards probably yes, especially if the ref has to separate teams, calm people down, etc. Regular foul that gets restarted in a normal period of time, probably not. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2998 "2026-07-05T22:56:52Z")
The pity is that Balogun’s red card was arguably indeed draconian and excessive. Overturning his suspension was the right move. But Trump making that phone call threw a turd into the water and makes the optics look awful. ---
**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, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/2999 "2026-07-05T22:57:13Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > So is giving a yellow (or red) card a ‘disciplinary action’? Or calling a foul? Yes, all are disciplinary actions, but WRT to adding time in particular, calling a foul does not generally require adding time unless there is a significant delay to the restart associated with it. The referee does need to add time when booking a player to account for the time it takes to show the card, note the action in his book, and see the player off (if sent off). ---
**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 5, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3000 "2026-07-05T22:58:34Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Hey, at least it was not 7-1 at home. They can always tell themselves that. I’ve watched a lot of sports, but I can’t think of anything that can equal that first half when I was watching it live. Semifinals. In Brazil. I still can’t believe it was real. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=149) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=151)