# 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:** 159
**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 6, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3161 "2026-07-06T13:59:53Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I imagine this idea would be widely hated by actual soccer fans. I like it 👍 Or just go with a clock that stops for everything, throw ins, goal kicks, corners, free kicks, the lot (a bit like rugby, and presumably (American) football). I believe the average amount of time the ball spends in play is about an hour so half an hour each way would make sense, although setting the time at an hour in total would penalise sides that like to ‘play football’ under the current 90mins plus stoppages systems, as opposed to shithouses who constantly disrupt the game, time waste, play long balls out for throw ins etc currently. ---
**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, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3162 "2026-07-06T14:05:24Z")
I think it’s very likely this is a fake process that and FIFA decided to reject before offering it. ---
**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 6, 2026, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3163 "2026-07-06T14:07:40Z")
Agreed. ---
**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 6, 2026, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3164 "2026-07-06T14:10:17Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > This is all on Trump and Infantino. And if someone could just have shut up and pretended this had happened purely internally to FIFA, many people would have said “eehhh, what do you expect from these crooks, they’re padding their TV money”. But noooooo you NEEDED everyone to know WHO asked for it… ---
**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 6, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3165 "2026-07-06T14:15:12Z")
Yep. Someone needed to let everyone know that he swung his dick around to force a change ---
**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 6, 2026, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3166 "2026-07-06T14:21:52Z")
Fun fact that I just read in _The Athletic:_ Erling Haaland now has seven goals in this World Cup. Before this World Cup, Norway had seven goals in the competition … ever. ---
**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 6, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3167 "2026-07-06T14:24:17Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > This is all on Trump and Infantino. I don’t know. The situation seems to be murkier than that. This reporting (New York Post, but apparently this sports writer is one of the few actual journalists there) indicates USSF was threatening to escalate this situation to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) for an improper implementation of the VAR protocol and having an unfair appeal process to challenge the decision. FIFA and Infantino blinked because USSF and its lawyers presented a compelling case that FIFA would likely lose. Trump’s involvement was ancillary because he just has to insert himself where he’s not needed and take credit for stuff. I’m a little less bothered about this reversal now since I do think it was an unfair decision and should have been changed on appeal, so the USSF flexing its lawyers maybe made FIFA do the right thing, though I’d like to see more reporting about that. > **[Exclusive | How US Soccer got Folarin Balogun’s suspension overturned —...](https://nypost.com/2026/07/05/sports/how-us-soccer-got-folarin-baloguns-suspension-overturned-including-trumps-phone-call/)** > > Folarin Balogun, the dynamic U.S. striker who’s scored a goal in each of the three matches he’s played in this World Cup, will play against Belgium in Monday’s massive Round of 16 showdown. ---
**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 6, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3168 "2026-07-06T14:24:39Z")
Anyway in view of recent game results I guess I’m now sitting with the rowing crew. ‘cause among the survivors, they’re more fun. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3169 "2026-07-06T14:34:32Z")
And none of his goals have be PKs, which is a lot more impressive. > [@JRDelirious](#): > > Anyway in view of recent game results I guess I’m now sitting with the rowing crew. ‘cause among the survivors, they’re more fun. So much this. Haaland is always playing with a smile. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3170 "2026-07-06T14:42:05Z")
Huh. I didn’t know that USSF got the ball rolling (so to speak) on this. The reporting made it look like it was all Trump. Of course, there’s no situation he won’t insert himself into, but from your posts it looks like his involvement was ancillary. Either way, this leaves the USMNT with egg on its face, and now it looks like the whole world is rooting against us vs. Belgium tonight. Which sucks. ---
**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 6, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3171 "2026-07-06T14:45:34Z")
I had no expectation of this, but I now find myself also cheering for Norway to win the whole thing. It would definitely be a different country than the typical and they do seem to be pretty amazing. Still choosing America and England as my preferences, but if neither of those win, I hope Norway does. ---
**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, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3172 "2026-07-06T14:54:08Z")
Other than the US I basically have teams I don’t want to win, top 3 on that list are Portugal, England, and France. Other than that it’s how much residual allegiance I have due to my club (Barca) so Spain or Argentina I’m cool with. Also love Haaland so pro Norway too. ---
**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 6, 2026, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3173 "2026-07-06T15:00:58Z")
norway does have a relaxed, having fun game style. as denmark isn’t in the fight this year… i will ro with norge. ---
**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 6, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3174 "2026-07-06T15:04:29Z")
I hesitate to bring attention to it, but Trumpie is drooling all over his participation in the decision and pontificating about the beautiful game in front of cameras just making everything ten times worse. > ---
**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 6, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3175 "2026-07-06T15:08:55Z")
from the above linked post article. According to VAR guidelines, slow-motion replay should be used only to identify the exact point of contact on a potential foul. But in the Balogun case, officials used it to determine intent and severity, ignoring that Balogun was simply planting his foot awkwardly in mid-stride while focused on the ball. This is the premise of the case U.S. Soccer presented in trying to get the ban overturned. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3176 "2026-07-06T15:09:39Z")
Two thoughts about Fox’s coverage: 1. Why isn’t there a soccer version of Cletus? 2. It’s all the same company and it’s Monday night, so I want to hear the Monday Night Football theme. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3177 "2026-07-06T15:12:46Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Why isn’t there a soccer version of Cletus? I don’t know what you mean by this. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3178 "2026-07-06T15:14:57Z")
Trump: “I understand sports really, really well”. Trump, a minute later; “I didn’t know what a red card was. Then somebody told me it means he has to miss the next game”. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3179 "2026-07-06T15:16:31Z")
Autocorrect got me. Cleatus: [https://youtu.be/ZeTEn9mioRw?si=-AzF4D1i9lfya84h](https://youtu.be/ZeTEn9mioRw?si=-AzF4D1i9lfya84h) ---
**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 6, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/3180 "2026-07-06T15:25:13Z")
Some say he understands sports better than any human who has ever lived. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=158) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=160)