# 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:** 152
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3021 "2026-07-06T00:01:01Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > Not by the Laws of the Game, it doesn’t. The question really is whether or not Balogun was reckless in the challenge. You can argue that he wasn’t reckless, which is, IMO, a possible defense. But intent has no sway in the referee’s decision in this case. There has to be intent in order for it to be reckless. There is no indication that occurred. It was 2 people coming together with normal contact. ---
**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 6, 2026, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3022 "2026-07-06T00:03:59Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Multiple red cards have been suspended for this tournament. I had to edit my post for clarify. The red card has not been rescinded. They have simply delayed the one game suspension until a later date. This is literally contrary to the rules of the competition. ---
**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 6, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3023 "2026-07-06T00:09:01Z")
This is all total bullshit. I’m really angry now. @Pardel-Lux was right early in the thread, FIFA and Trump are pushing and manipulating the cup for the USA to win. I hope they get a beating by Belgium, just because. ---
**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 6, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3024 "2026-07-06T00:18:12Z")
Is traditional for fascist dictators. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3025 "2026-07-06T00:18:55Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > There has to be intent in order for it to be reckless. I suppose to the extent that recklessness is intentional, I’ll agree with you. But Balogun did not go into the challenge with the intent to hurt his opponent. I was a referee for about a decade. For part of that time I helped give classes to new referees. I mentored youth referees on the field. I gave clinics to coaches and parents. The notion of intent for SFP is common, but wrong. More often, intent goes to Violent Conduct, which is an even harsher measure. ---
**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 6, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3026 "2026-07-06T00:21:58Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Is traditional for fascist dictators. Has someone said “Mussolini”? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3027 "2026-07-06T00:23:46Z")
Something confuses me. I have heard people say that this kind of reversal is unprecedented, but the commentator on the night said that the US would definitely want to appeal that decision. Is there an appeals process that simply wasn’t followed? Or was the commentator wrong? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3028 "2026-07-06T00:23:59Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I’ve just noticed with horror that the next two games are only shown on [magenta.tv](http://magenta.tv), a pay channel I don’t have, and this will be the first day of the WC without any game for me. Can’t you watch the games at a sports bar or with a friend? I looked up the terms for watching Magenta. It looks like there is a “flex plan” that will let folks watch for 11 euros for one month. I don’t know your financial situation but… jeez, dude… it’s the World Cup. Go without schnitzel for a few days and you’re set. ---
**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 6, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3029 "2026-07-06T00:28:27Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > I have heard people say that this kind of reversal is unprecedented, but the commentator on the night said that the US would definitely want to appeal that decision. Is there an appeals process that simply wasn’t followed? Or was the commentator wrong? You can appeal and if the appeal is successful the red card would be overturned. But the red card was not overturned so either they decided against the appeal or it was refused. The ban being moved back a year has nothing to do with the rules and regulations of this competition, it’s some Infantino bullshit. ---
**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 6, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3030 "2026-07-06T00:30:07Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > I looked up the terms for watching Magenta. It looks like there is a “flex plan” that will let folks watch for 11 euros for one month. I don’t know your financial situation but… jeez, dude… it’s the World Cup. Go without schnitzel for a few days and you’re set. Hey, I’ve been going without Schnitzel for 30 years, that’s how long I have been a vegetarian 😂! Honestly, I live in a small village without sports bar, and the kick off time for the England-Mexico game has been postponed to 3 PM of my time, and anyway I’m long overdue for bed. And no, I didn’t look into short time subscriptions for Magenta, I just wasn’t interested. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3031 "2026-07-06T00:33:19Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > And no, I didn’t look into short time subscriptions for Magenta, I just wasn’t interested. Well, I did look into it and it seems it’s only 11 Euro to watch every game left in the tournament. I know what I would do.\* \*Then again, Germany is eliminated so… ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3032 "2026-07-06T00:35:25Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > How the !#% do you miss a penalty shot. He didn’t miss did he? I thought the kick was saved by the keeper. ---
**Author:** ![by-tor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/by-tor/32/266_2.png) [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3033 "2026-07-06T00:47:05Z")
_“Oh, the Brazilian tears of unfathomable sadness! Mm-yummy! Mm-yummy, you guys!”_ [[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0705958/characters/nm0005295/)] ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3034 "2026-07-06T00:51:18Z")
I was in a Brazilian bar in NYC. It was surreal to see dozens of Brazilians (including my girlfriend at the time) sobbing 30 minutes into a game. And I believe that Brazil hadn’t lost a meaningful game at home in decades before it. ---
**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 6, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3035 "2026-07-06T00:57:25Z")
Right let’s see if this altitude is gonna get to England’s players. To have no time for opponents to acclimatise is something of a weapon for Mexico. At sea level oxygen makes up 20% of the atmosphere. At the Azteca Stadium it’s 15%. This is like playing on PEDs for the Mexican team! ---
**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 6, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3036 "2026-07-06T01:02:14Z")
Yeah, it will be a complicated game for England. Could be a close game. ---
**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 6, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3037 "2026-07-06T01:02:31Z")
Yellow on Rice 1 minute in is bad news. ---
**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 6, 2026, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3038 "2026-07-06T01:04:58Z")
Man, what if they suspended the game due to the puto chant, that’d be wild. ---
**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 6, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3039 "2026-07-06T01:07:05Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > the puto chant Sorry, I don’t speak no Mexican, but is this their usual homophobic chant? 🙄 ---
**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 6, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3040 "2026-07-06T01:10:04Z")
Yeah. It’s not something you’re going to do in the WC, but they FIFA or CONCACAF should start docking them points or forfeiting games on their part. Nothing done do far has changed the fan behavior at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=151) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=153)