# 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:** 251
**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, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5001 "2026-07-19T22:13:00Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > I’m happy that now Trump will have to give the trophy to Spain which has been a thorn on his disgusting orange backside lately. Ha! I had not thought of that. Thanks for pointing it out. I can take consolation that even though Spain wasn’t one of “my” teams, that is where my parents met so, they’re acceptable. `//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, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5002 "2026-07-19T22:13:06Z")
Is Sanchez there? I thought I saw the King. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5003 "2026-07-19T22:13:20Z")
Is Trump supposed to speak? I wanna see 80,000 people boo him, but not if I have to listen to his voice. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5004 "2026-07-19T22:13:49Z")
I believe none of the last four teams had a single penalty shootout in any of their games which may be the first time that has ever happened? ---
**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, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5005 "2026-07-19T22:14:17Z")
I hope he gets royally booed. ---
**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, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5006 "2026-07-19T22:15:16Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > I’m sorry for Messi but the rest of this Argentina side can get fucked. Horrible team, horrible players. Seconded. > [@Frodo](#): > > A more than well deserved win by Spain, I knew they were good, but didn’t really know they where THIS good. Spoken like a gentleman. Sorry for Messi, but Argentina’s first shot on goal was in the 119th minute. The second in the 121st. > [@JoseB](#): > > I would LOVE to be a fly in the wall at the VIP Booth right now with the Orange Thing and Mafiantino on one side and Prime Minister Sánchez on the other representing the winning team 😈 Yes, me too. Hehehe… ---
**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 19, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5007 "2026-07-19T22:15:28Z")
> [@Lantern2](#): > > I believe none of the last four teams had a single penalty shootout in any of their games which may be the first time that has ever happened? Can’t be the first time because the penalty shoot out was only installed in the 70s (I think in 1978 for WCs). ---
**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, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5008 "2026-07-19T22:19:53Z")
Spain hasn’t lost since March of 2024? ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5009 "2026-07-19T22:20:23Z")
How does this Spanish team rank among World Cup winning performances? They have to be among the very best. Conceded only one goal and scored many. Better than the 2010 team which lost an early game and didn’t score that many. In this century perhaps only the Brazil 2002 team compares with Spain 2026. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5010 "2026-07-19T22:21:48Z")
Yeah I meant after the penalty shootout was first started obviously. ---
**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, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5011 "2026-07-19T22:21:59Z")
BTW, and just for the German TV viewers: The interpreters are doing a horrible job. Torres spoke about doing a job for 47 million (that number means the inhabitants of the country: Spain). The German interpreter on TV talked about hard work being proud it was hard bla bla bla. It had nothing to do with what Torres said. Same for the next interview. Such a shame. Just a private peeve. I used to know the bloke who selected the interpreters for TV and UEFA. From me (retired interpreter) to him, if he reads this: fuck you, you fool! ---
**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 19, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5012 "2026-07-19T22:23:25Z")
> [@Lantern2](#): > > How does this Spanish team rank among World Cup winning performances? The only other WC I remember in which the winner was just as dominant and deserved is Germany in Italy 1990. As I mentioned before, both Spain in 2026 and Germany in 1990 never got behind in a game, a feat that only Italy in 1934 and 1982 also pulled off. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5013 "2026-07-19T22:23:49Z")
Based on the first week or so I was convinced France was going to take it, but Spain was clearly the right winner. They need to perhaps sharpen their attack, but the team mechanics were just beautiful to watch. And that defense. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2026, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5014 "2026-07-19T22:26:05Z")
The Argentine goalie played well, but had 400 or so completed passes to Spain’s 800 or so. I saw little wrong with the first Spain goal called back; the second recalled goal was very offside. The Spanish team was quite a bit better. Frodo will be victorious again - but not tonight. As Carlos Gardel said; Beba conmigo y si se empaña De vez en cuando mi voz al cantar No es que la llore porque me engaña Yo sé que un hombre no debe llorar ---
**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, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5015 "2026-07-19T22:26:40Z")
Now we’ll have the sad duty of shooting our team, we don’t want to, but they were appropriately warned. ---
**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, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5016 "2026-07-19T22:27:49Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > I saw little wrong with the first Spain goal called back; Truly? I didn’t see the foul and in fact was a bit relieved that we lost because for the first time it looked to me like robbery in our favor. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5017 "2026-07-19T22:27:53Z")
The 1990 West Germany team was certainly excellent but they did have a penalty shootout against England which IMO knocks a few points compared to a team like Spain which won all their games with actual goals. ---
**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, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5018 "2026-07-19T22:28:52Z")
They are saying Ddddooonnnnnn. ---
**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, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5019 "2026-07-19T22:30:33Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Just saw some very ugly scenes from after the end of the game of one Argentinian player pushing and wrestling a Spanish player to the ground, very aggressively. That’s really uncalled for. And yet not remotely surprising. This Argentina team have taken ‘shithousery’ to all new levels in this world cup. Classless. ---
**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 19, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5020 "2026-07-19T22:32:56Z")
> [@Lantern2](#): > > The 1990 West Germany team was certainly excellent but they did have a penalty shootout against England which IMO knocks a few points compared to a team like Spain which won all their games with actual goals. Ah, you’re right, I forgot that shoot out against England (and I always confuse it with the 1996 Euro shoot out against the same opponent). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=250) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=252)