# 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:** 26
**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:** [June 11, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/501 "2026-06-11T21:25:47Z")
There’s nothing in the law that says if the attacker is closer in distance to the goal it must be a red. > [@LOTG](#): > > The following must be considered: > > - distance between the offence and the goal > - general direction of the play > - likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball > - location and number of defenders and attackers On point 1, it’s definitely close enough to the goal. Point 2, he’s wide and going wider. Point 3, he would have gotten to it, but in a low % shooting position. It’s like a 0.1 xG position. Point 4 had he turned towards goal instead of shooting first time two defenders are recovering. We obviously differ, the soccer people I follow on bluesky all think it’s a clear yellow. Meh. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/502 "2026-06-11T21:32:38Z")
I can tell the World Cup has truly started because we’re arguing DOGSO. Can VAR/offside be far off? I was in physical therapy during the second half, but it sounds like things really unraveled. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/503 "2026-06-11T21:35:54Z")
I will say, if I was VAR I wouldn’t suggest the ref take another look. There are clearly elements of DOGSO. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/504 "2026-06-11T22:59:25Z")
> [@Frosted\_Glass](#): > > water breaks were just invented out of nowhere No those are totally different. Stopping the game for a brief moment when it gets hot, so the players can can grab a drink, is totally different to a scheduled break with a goddamned advert break, at the quarter point of the game whether it’s needed or not. In fact, that water breaks were already a thing, shows how this hydration break BS is nothing to do with keeping players safe and everything to do with gouging a few more advertising dollars for FIFA ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/505 "2026-06-11T23:00:20Z")
That has to be one of a very few world cup games with more red cards than goals. Sounds like a pub quiz question! ---
**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:** [June 11, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/506 "2026-06-11T23:23:01Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > That has to be one of a very few world cup games with more red cards than goals. I’m sure there are a good number of 0-0 games with a red card. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/507 "2026-06-11T23:23:38Z")
I’m also rooting for South Korea, so tonight is pretty important. In fact, that reminds me to go login to Fox One on my other device. I usually run two screens at night during Olympics and World Cup. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/508 "2026-06-11T23:29:23Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > That has to be one of a very few world cup games with more red cards than goals. ChatGPT (I know, I know) just showed me six other matches that meet that criteria. 3 of them had zero goals and 1 red card, as noted by @Babale Portugal/Netherlands in 2006 had 1 goal and 4 red cards. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/509 "2026-06-11T23:45:37Z")
I agree the mandated breaks are bad, but the FIFA rules in previous Cups were ridiculous. In the 2022 World Cup, the referee was to call for two water breaks if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature hit 90F/32C. That’s an insane number, so it’s no wonder there were no breaks during the tournament. If you aren’t familiar with WBGT, it’s basically a measure of how efficiently you can cool your body by sweating. You have to hit around 95F and 80% humidity, or 112F and 40% humidity to get a WBGT of 90F. General WBGT ranges are: - Below 60F / 16C: Safe for normal activity - 60-75F / 16-24C: Moderate to heavy activity is permissible, but regular hydration is required - 75-80F / 24-27C: Strict rest periods and frequent water breaks are necessary - 85F / 29C: Typical upper threshold for heavy outdoor physical labor/exercise - 87-90F / 30-32C: Hazardous zone, upper limit for safe prolonged activity - 95F / 35C: theoretical survivability limit Medical professionals recommended mandatory hydration breaks at more like 75-80F WBGT. They also recommended 2 breaks per half and extending halftimes for an extra 5 minutes when that limit is reached, and halting games entirely when the WBGT gets above 82F. So the new rules could have been worse. But yeah, the breaks should be based on some limit, not across the board. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/510 "2026-06-11T23:47:04Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > 3 of them had zero goals and 1 red card Which is not all that uncommon. Especially if the red comes late in the game. Even 2 red cards with no goal or 1-goal games happen. ETA: I meant for league games, of course. In which there are far many games. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2026, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/511 "2026-06-12T00:32:59Z")
If someone is really really really interested, you can check out all the World Cup red cards issued since it was started in 1930. You can also check to see if the number of red cards in a game exceeded the number of goals in that game. You can, but I won’t. > **[List of FIFA World Cup red cards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_FIFA_World_Cup_red_cards)** > > This is a list of all occasions where a football player was sent off from a FIFA World Cup match due to a foul or misconduct, either as a direct expulsion (red card) or as a second caution (yellow card) within the match. > This list includes all dismissals since the first World Cup in 1930. The use of physical red and yellow cards to respectively indicate dismissals and cautions is a later invention, having been introduced at the 1970 tournament. > Only players are listed, even if they were at the... ---
**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:** [June 12, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/512 "2026-06-12T00:57:55Z")
Did you guys notice that when Sithole fouled that Mexican guy, as they were both falling Sithole took a foot to the _amasende_ (Zulu for “balls”)? That had to have hurt. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/513 "2026-06-12T02:31:04Z")
This is a better match. Two good sides. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2026, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/514 "2026-06-12T03:34:53Z")
1-1 with 15 minutes left. I really hope Korea pulls this off. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2026, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/515 "2026-06-12T03:43:52Z")
Looking good at the moment. They certainly have earned the lead. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2026, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/516 "2026-06-12T10:36:03Z")
Iran’s captain, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, says he and another player were assulted by thugs from a Mexican cartel, but when they heard that they were Iranians they were left off “with minimal consequences”, whatever that means. Apparently Mexican cartels love Iran, or so he claims. > **[Iran World Cup Captain Reveals Details of Mexican Cartel Robbery Incident](https://www.worldtimesdaily.com/news/iran-world-cup-captain-reveals-details-of-mexican-cartel-robbery-incident/)** > > Iran World Cup Captain Shares Incident Involving Mexican Cartel > Alireza Jahanbakhsh, captain of Iran’s national football team, has shared an incident involving a robbery in Mexico during a previous trip to the country. The incident occurred while... ---
**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:** [June 12, 2026, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/517 "2026-06-12T11:10:22Z")
Let it be noted that this was during a past visit to the country, not during the World Cup activities. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/518 "2026-06-12T11:35:41Z")
I saw the graphic where Czechia’s starting lineup averaged four inches taller than South Korea’s and that certainly seemed to be a factor in the first goal when they went right over the top. Two clever and pretty goals from SK, though. All in all, a fun game. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2026, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/519 "2026-06-12T13:29:46Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > I saw the graphic where Czechia’s starting lineup averaged four inches taller than South Korea’s and that certainly seemed to be a factor in the first goal when they went right over the top. Huh. I’m surprised. While I guess I can picture that an average Korean, even South Korean, is shorter than Czech, I wouldn’t have guessed that much a difference in their soccer teams. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/520 "2026-06-12T15:10:17Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > While I guess I can picture that an average Korean, even South Korean, is shorter than Czech, I wouldn’t have guessed that much a difference in their soccer teams. Perhaps it makes for a difference in national styles? If most of your “raw material” is shorter, you might coach and select more for foot-on-ball skills rather than aerial ability, which then becomes rather a self-fulfilling prophecy when making up the national team. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=27)