# 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:** 254
**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 20, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5061 "2026-07-20T02:48:27Z")
Wonder how Erling is getting along with his new friend. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5062 "2026-07-20T03:47:23Z")
Did Trump insert Himself into the trophy ceremony? ---
**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 20, 2026, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5063 "2026-07-20T03:53:28Z")
Yes. Rodri pushed him to the side though and then Infantino had to drag him out of frame of the Spanish group picture, but he was still at the edge. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5064 "2026-07-20T03:55:51Z")
Thank you. It’s so hard to tell what’s true, and what’s satire, nowadays. I did see the winning goal today, even though I had to go to church. Got home in time. 😎 ---
**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 20, 2026, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5065 "2026-07-20T04:05:23Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > and then Infantino had to drag him out of frame of the Spanish group picture, but he was still at the edge. It was more like he waved him off like a three-year-old, having to make the gesture a couple of times. ---
**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 20, 2026, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5066 "2026-07-20T07:01:03Z")
> [@Boycott](#): > > Harry Kane or Mbappe should be the frontrunners for me. Kane won’t win it because it is basically illegal for an English player to win it. At least that’s how it seems. Edit: I think the last Englishman to win it was Michael Owen? And that was when there was still a separate World Player of the Year, when the Ballon d’Or was kind of like the best player in Europe trophy. ---
**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 20, 2026, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5067 "2026-07-20T07:03:33Z")
Anyone know why the Williams goal was ruled out? They said a tread on a foot but that sounds ridiculously picky. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5068 "2026-07-20T07:38:38Z")
It’s a foul. I don’t make the rules. The Argentine display of sour grapes after the contest was really bad. I’m sure it will all be forgotten in four years at the next World Cup. 🤨 ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5069 "2026-07-20T08:13:27Z")
NM ---
**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 20, 2026, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5070 "2026-07-20T10:57:18Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I did see the winning goal today, even though I had to go to church. Dude! Priorities. 😊 > [@smithsb](#): > > It’s a foul. I don’t make the rules. Meh. In years past, that might have been considered technically a foul, but trifling so play on. Modern refereeing has generally moved away from the trifling concept, but I’m still of a mind that not every contact between players, no matter how slight, needs to be a foul. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5071 "2026-07-20T12:19:38Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > Dude! Priorities. 😊 The place was practically empty. (But we were told the earlier service was packed.) ---
**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 20, 2026, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5072 "2026-07-20T13:10:21Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > Kane won’t win it because it is basically illegal for an English player to win it. At least that’s how it seems. Which Englishman should have won it since Owen, Gerrard in 2005? ---
**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 20, 2026, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5073 "2026-07-20T13:12:41Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > In years past, that might have been considered technically a foul, but trifling so play on. I don’t necessarily disagree, but it caused the defender to go down, which left an attacker unmarked, which indirectly led to a goal. There were a lot of pushes in front of the net which resulted in defenders going to the turf, and they resulted in fouls. ---
**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 20, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5074 "2026-07-20T13:27:51Z")
I may have had my tongue in my cheek with that one. I think success on the international stage seems a prerequisite for winning it these days, so that’s English players out straight away. In my own opinion Ashley Cole was the best defender in the world at one stage but a full back is never going to win an award like that. Other outstanding players have been Gerrard (as you mentioned), Scholes, Lampard, and prior to Owen Shearer was arguably the best striker in the world in the early-mid 90s but never really did it for England except at Euro 96. ---
**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 20, 2026, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5075 "2026-07-20T13:46:06Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > but a full back is never going to win an award like that. Cannavaro, 2006! ---
**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 20, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5076 "2026-07-20T14:02:53Z")
Cannavaro was a center back. Similarly VVD when he arguably should have won over Messi in 2019. Looking at the list, it seems Roberto Carlos finished second in 2002. That’s the year of Zidane’s famous Champion’s League winner so Carlos won the WC and UCL that year. Maldini finished 3rd a couple times. ---
**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 20, 2026, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5077 "2026-07-20T14:05:08Z")
Tying to recall any WC finals where the loser behaved as poorly, post-match, as Argentina did yesterday. Not even available for any interviews afterwards, which AIUI is more or less routine, there. ---
**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 20, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5078 "2026-07-20T14:16:40Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Cannavaro was a center back. Gah! (smacks forehead) I knew that. ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5079 "2026-07-20T14:20:00Z")
I want to thank everyone for making this WC more fun and more engaging to watch. As a football fan in America, I often feel like an outcast during the WC and I’m used to sequestering myself for 6 weeks every 4 years. This year was different, and I really enjoyed sharing it with you all. I also learned more about the game than I ever could on my own. ---
**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 20, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/5080 "2026-07-20T14:57:06Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Tying to recall any WC finals where the loser behaved as poorly, post-match, as Argentina did yesterday. Do you mean the fights? I don’t know whether the video is geolocated to be watched in the USA, the article is in Spanish. > **[El mal perder de Argentina: pelea tras la derrota y desplante a España...](https://elpais.com/deportes/mundial-futbol/2026-07-20/el-mal-perder-de-argentina-pelea-tras-la-derrota-y-desplante-a-espana-durante-la-entrega-de-la-copa.html)** > > La permisividad del colegiado ante las reiteradas faltas de la Albiceleste marcó una final que derivó en una trifulca en la que Paredes agarró del cuello a Eric García Among other niceties: > Shortly after the referee blew the final whistle and Spain were crowned world champions in the United States, several Argentine players provoked clashes with the Spanish players who were celebrating their second star on the pitch at MetLife Stadium. Nahuel Molina struck Rodri, Leandro Paredes grabbed Eric García by the neck and, together with Thiago Almada, they knocked Gavi to the ground when he rushed to defend his team-mate, amongst other altercations. However, these were not the only gestures that highlighted the Albiceleste’s poor sportsmanship after the final whistle: the Argentine players turned their backs on the stage where La Roja’s celebrations were taking place and looked towards their own supporters. The Spanish players were not amused, the journalists are screaming murder most foul! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=253) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=255)