# 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:** 18
**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:** [May 16, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/341 "2026-05-16T14:52:45Z")
USA here. What are our television options to stream all the games? During the Olympics, I bought Peacock for two months or so. Is there a service I can simply subscribe to for the duration of the event and have all games? I used Tubi 4 years ago. It had a ton and was free. What are Americans’ options this year? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/342 "2026-05-16T16:58:06Z")
I was just planning to watch it all on Peacock in Spanish, since I don’t get FOX Sports. But those are the two main options. (maybe also Youtube TV?) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/343 "2026-05-18T04:16:19Z")
FIFA’s villainy continues to be on the nose, no subtlely whatsoever. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zDiukzvGKsw/hqdefault.jpg "Dallas whale mural painted over for FIFA World Cup artwork, artist threatens legal action") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDiukzvGKsw) ---
**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:** [May 18, 2026, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/344 "2026-05-18T04:24:48Z")
I watched the video and nothing was mentioned about FIFA’s involvement. I get that the timing is suspicious but why would they want a whale mural removed? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/345 "2026-05-18T04:26:48Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I watched the video and nothing was mentioned about FIFA’s involvement. It was literally the first sentence. > **['That's a lie': Artist Wyland says Dallas, FIFA didn't ask before painting...](https://www.fox4news.com/news/wyland-says-dallas-fifa-lied-whaling-wall)** > > As backlash and rumors spread following the loss of conservationist artist Wyland's Whaling Wall mural in Downtown Dallas, the painter is setting the record straight on the matter. But here’s more information. They’re putting up a World Cup mural. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2026, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/346 "2026-05-18T11:15:41Z")
Thanks. I get it now. I obviously missed the mention. The video just shows it being painted over but the salient point is that it’s being replaced with a new FIFA mural. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/347 "2026-05-18T15:27:29Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > FIFA’s villainy continues to be on the nose, no subtlely whatsoever In fairness though this is not new villainy. It’s always been the case that If you host the world cup or Olympics in your city it will impose ridiculous restrictions on public expression in that city. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/348 "2026-05-18T17:07:08Z")
Looks like buying the $20/month Fox Sports Net thing will get me full game access in English. I will probably pay the $40 to see the whole thing. I’m just presuming they will host finished games so I can see them if I can’t catch them live. My teams to cheer for are: - USA - Korea - England Looks like they all made the world cup this year, too. Uh, USA defaulted in by hosting. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/349 "2026-05-21T16:47:03Z")
Chris Richards, the only US CB that is any good, just injured himself ,ugh. Maybe not missing the WC? ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/350 "2026-05-25T14:23:44Z")
The England squad was announced. A few surprises: no place for Foden, Palmer or Maguire and a shock inclusion for striker Ivan Toney who plays in the Saudi Arabian league. Bringing (according to social media wags) valuable experience of playing in half empty stadiums in a brutal autocracy 😆 ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/351 "2026-05-25T15:31:49Z")
De la Fuente has just announced the Spanish squad too: eight Barça players, none from Real Madrid: **Goalkeepers** : Unai Simón, David Raya, Joan Garcia. **Defenders** : Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pau Cubarsí, Americ Laporte, Marc Pubill, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro. **Midfielders** : Pedri, Rodrigo, Fabián, Zubimendi, Gavi, Baena, Mikel Merino. **Forwards** : Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Pino, Borja Iglesias, Lamine Yamal, Ferran, Víctor Muñoz. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/352 "2026-05-25T15:44:04Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Looks like buying the $20/month Fox Sports Net thing will get me full game access in English. > > I will probably pay the $40 to see the whole thing. I’m just presuming they will host finished games so I can see them if I can’t catch them live. > > My teams to cheer for are: > > - USA > - Korea > - England Same (about the buying the Fox Sports Net thing). I do wish they’d just sell the Cup as a one-off package, with an off-the-shelf for a prince of, I dunno, split the difference: $35. Of course I’m rooting for the USA, but beyond that I’m just going to take it game by game. Usually I’ll root for the country I’ve been to if I’ve been to one and not the other. Except France. France can go fuck themselves. Failing that, I’ll root for the underdog and/or the newcomer. For right now though, I’m so excited I’m about to burst. It’s going to be a long three weeks until Kickoff. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/353 "2026-05-25T15:50:17Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > none from Real Madrid: That’s remarkable, almost like Germany nominating no one from Bayern. Is the reason just that there are no obvious nominees at Real anymore, or that there are only so few Spanish players anyway in their squad? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/354 "2026-05-25T15:54:44Z")
Few players, and the one that could have been nominated, Carvajal, is injured. The goalie is no longer Casillas, but a Belgian. And Dean Huijsen, central defender, had a very irregular season, his first in Madrid. He is still very young. Last (and only) time Spain won, in 2010 in South Africa, there were almost no Real players, except for Casillas, of course. And a lot of Barça players. I`m OK with that. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/355 "2026-05-25T15:59:37Z")
I’m ready to bet (figuratively, not really, I know that bets are forbidden here) that there hasn’t been a German squad in big tournaments since 1966 that hadn’t a player from Bayern. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/356 "2026-05-25T16:00:02Z")
Has anyone been watching [these videos where they reveal the squad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-squad-announcement-videos-do-the-usmnt-have-one/1030243), but the video isn’t just reading a list of names? Those are pretty cool. Of the ones I’ve seen, both [Norway](https://youtu.be/k93pZU3gFM8?si=lgK_FFcYrqk6h3lw) and [Spain](https://youtu.be/EBzNCPLJmaw?si=RCYvyeRP2m28vG9G) have brought in their King to help out. King Charles III was nowhere to be seen in the [England](https://youtu.be/bIF-kSOHs78?si=H3BXg3g4wonHx3Zb) announcemnt, and if Trump is in the USA announcement I’m going to puke. Maybe King Charles can throw us a bone? That or have Pope Leo do it, I’m sure he’s a football fan considering all the time he ministered in South America. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/357 "2026-05-25T16:01:10Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > That or have Pope Leo do it, I’m sure he’s a football fan considering all the time he ministered in South America. He’s a tennis player, and many tennis players also like and some are good at football. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/358 "2026-05-25T16:03:56Z")
I looked it up: he supports [AS Roma](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45343126/pope-leo-ditches-roma-ties-welcomes-serie-champions-napoli). Go figure. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/359 "2026-05-25T16:04:57Z")
Bad luck for him that Italy hasn’t qualified, again. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/360 "2026-05-25T16:11:35Z")
It’s hard to justify selling cheap seat tickets for $2000++ unless there is a quality halftime show. Of course, this is only for the final and some things are best justified through greed and corruption. A Toronto sports columnist recently wrote the $82 million Canadian governments are spending on _each_ game being played here ($1.1 billion in total) are the price one must pay to be part of the global community and to get the chance to promote Canada. Such sh\*yte. Canada got lesser games. Governments hid costs and the ridiculous agreements that gave FIFA all the profits and no risk. After the tournament, Canada will be left with a few lukewarm memories but little infrastructure or profit. And the US will take all the limelight. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=19)