# 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:** 241
**Author:** ![icon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c6cbf5/32.png) [@icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4801 "2026-07-19T02:13:45Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > “La final del mundo” we say, and as I said in other thread it can be translated as “The World Cup Final” and, with somewhat tortured grammar to “The End of The World”, it’s both. To me the tortured meaning would be to it being about the world cup as I would have said “La final del Mundial” rather than del Mundo, so maybe “La final Mundial” would be what I would use that would cover both. As I am sure you know, El Mundial is one way to colloquially refer to the world cup, and Mundial in it itself is an adjective meaning World encompassing. But enough about grammar, I am not as invested as you are in the outcome, but I will still be rooting for Argentina. `//i\\` ---
**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 19, 2026, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4802 "2026-07-19T02:24:18Z")
Ah but that’s the thing, “La final del mundial” turned somehow, decades ago into “La final del _mundo_” perhaps mixing “Copa del Mundo” with “Campeonato Mundial”. In any case “The end of the world” is properly is “El fin del mundo” or “El final del mundo”, “La” is not the correct article… but it’s close enough… ---
**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 19, 2026, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4803 "2026-07-19T04:35:34Z")
The final score does resemble a tennis score ---
**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 19, 2026, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4804 "2026-07-19T07:27:22Z")
Just watched the France-England highlights. Utterly insane, more like a basketball match. Fairly obvious why, given the total lack of pressure and consequence (Monsieur Mbappe may disagree). But I’m glad the fans, paying those ridiculous prices, had plenty of entertainment. Some may be asking ‘why couldn’t we play like that in the semi?’. Never gonna happen sadly. I’m happy though, my pick for top scorer looks highly likely to win now (famous last words). Just (_‘just’_) need Spain to beat Argentina in the final and should have a decent shot at winning the predictions competition I’ve been in. Only side to let me down have been the highly underwhelming Portugal, whom I actually had to win their group and progress all the way, ultimately to lose to Spain in the final instead of Argentina. Total howler that one. Other than that, got 11/12 group winners and 3/4 semi finalists. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2026, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4805 "2026-07-19T08:11:29Z")
O, @Frodo, the dager is great! Have you seen that Saurump and Gianni _Wormtongue_ Mafiantino are trying to turn the winners of tonight’s event into **[Nazgûls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazg%C3%BBl)**? Look at the **[horror](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/winners-to-receive-historic-first-championship-rings)**! [![](https://digitalhub.fifa.com/transform/548541bd-2fd7-4850-aa04-a342a2fc7a22/150343-182023-0x060a2b340101010201010f12132866a11fe68103371206803afd00224880CBFF?&io=transform:fill,width:768&quality=75) ](https://digitalhub.fifa.com/transform/548541bd-2fd7-4850-aa04-a342a2fc7a22/150343-182023-0x060a2b340101010201010f12132866a11fe68103371206803afd00224880CBFF?&io=transform:fill,width:768&quality=75) 30 rings will be made available to the world champions, with a further 1,996 rings going on sale to fans. I wonder how many Saurump will try to brazenly steal in front of the cameras. Are there any numerologists among us? Does the number 1996 have any particular significance among conspirationists, thieves, pedophiles or something? ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4806 "2026-07-19T08:12:32Z")
Nah it’s just 1996 + 30 = 2026. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4807 "2026-07-19T08:27:11Z")
Oh, hell, I fully expect Trump to try and steal the actual World Cup trophy while he’s at it. There’s precedent for it. ---
**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 19, 2026, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4808 "2026-07-19T09:13:10Z")
He’s already got the club version so it wouldn’t surprise me. The captain of the winning team will probably discover this when the outside of the trophy starts peeling off like the foil wrapper on a chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4809 "2026-07-19T09:16:00Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > The final score does resemble a tennis score I was thinking a hockey or baseball score, but tennis works too. I did enjoy today’s bronze medal match. I understand that it was really for the consolation prize, and perhaps more of a “friendly” as was alluded to above, but it was an exciting game to me. Looking forward to Sunday’s championship match! ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4810 "2026-07-19T12:25:57Z")
I’ve probably watched thousands of matches but for pure spectacle England vs France is definitely a top 10 match for pure entertainment and joy of football. Regardless if the 3rd place match has no stakes in it, the match itself I think was super fun because both teams made it clear in their press conferences they didn’t want to play. So probably very little if any tactical work was done and you saw it out on the pitch. All energy was used to attack, no energy in midfield to lower the tempo or from the defenders to get in good shape. It’s not how a serious match should go but this was completely unserious and fun. And Jude Bellingham is eerily close in his dribbling style to Zidane. I never thought a player like that would come again who is a midfield player but has the elegance and control of the ball at pace of a world class winger to not just glide past opponents but to do it on their outside. Dribbling on the outside to get past a player is so good to watch because it’s usually what the defender wants you to do to push you away from goal. Defenders think they have you where they want you to be if you go wide … but like Zidane Bellingham has no problem with it. He’ll still beat you in the 1v1. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4811 "2026-07-19T14:17:15Z")
Exactly. I have a bad feeling that the final will be 1 - 1 at the end of extra time, decided on penalty kicks, with lots and lots of players flopping around in pretend agony. I hope I’m wrong. ---
**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 19, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4812 "2026-07-19T14:30:03Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > Second half, it looked like Dechamps threatened at the half to cut off their nuts if they didn’t go out and play like professionals. I told my wife, it looked like he spent the half time break reading them the comments made about them on Social Media and letting them know how universally hated they will be if they don’t get their head in the game. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4813 "2026-07-19T15:14:19Z")
But Bodega Del fin del Mundo used to make some very good wine, so there is always that to accompany the game if it isn’t Quilmes. ---
**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 19, 2026, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4814 "2026-07-19T15:36:21Z")
I may have to start drinking wine someday, everybody talks marvels about Argentinian wines but I don’t drink… wine (nor blood either!) I don’t like the taste of wine and beer, my alcoholic consumption is in form of liqueurs, gin, things like this: [Amarula - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarula) I suspect I’m mildly allergic to something in wine because there’s a taste I detect that repels me, even the smell in a glass that has not been washed properly stops me from using that glass to drink other things. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4815 "2026-07-19T15:57:54Z")
Ahh well if doesn’t sit well then no point pushing it for the sake of it. Now you mention liqueurs, we have some home made limoncello in the freezer somewhere bought up by my in laws. I should probably go and dig that out for the watch party. Enjoy the game ( as best as is possible) ---
**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 19, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4816 "2026-07-19T17:49:56Z")
Ok about to (try) to eat and then I’ll turn the TV on, family is here. As usual (and by now partly as cabala) if Argentina loses I’ll make one more post congratulating the champions and bow out, if not I’ll become absolutely unbearable. See you all on the other side of The Singularity. ---
**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 19, 2026, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4817 "2026-07-19T17:51:55Z")
At least Post Malone knows how to lip-sync. ---
**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 19, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4818 "2026-07-19T18:52:40Z")
Wishing you all the best, @Frodo ---
**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:** [July 19, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4819 "2026-07-19T18:53:26Z")
What stale hell is this? ---
**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 19, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/4820 "2026-07-19T19:01:36Z")
Totally dig how Argentina’s flag sun reminds me of the _Larks’ Tongues in Aspic_ sun. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=240) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=242)