# 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:** 4
**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:** [October 17, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/61 "2025-10-17T01:00:41Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > When FIFA and the IOC meet, they will blast in a giant explosion of corruption and different interests, like when matter and anti-matter meet. I kind of thought they were like two slugs fucking, moving squishily in the same direction. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/62 "2025-10-17T02:40:26Z")
Brilliant! ---
**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:** [October 17, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/63 "2025-10-17T19:38:57Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Good thing you said “as”. Because FIFA will not take second place in corruption to anyone. Some number of years ago I read about a fantastic idea. Take a sporting goods company – Nike, Adidas, whatever – and have them arrange and sponsor a major international tournament. Call it the Nike Worldwide Trophy or whatever. And then hope that teams refuse to play in the FIFA tournament and instead play in the Nike one. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/64 "2025-10-17T19:44:03Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Take a sporting goods company – Nike, Adidas, whatever – and have them arrange and sponsor a major international tournament. You think the big companies like Adidas or Nike are not involved in the tentacles of sports corruption by FIFA, IOC et al? That’s basically impossible, I’d want to know what Adidas pays FIFA every four years for providing the official ball for the tournament, underhandedly of course. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/65 "2025-10-17T19:44:42Z")
Hope in vain, because Fifa can be as corrupt as it likes, but the World Cup is the World Cup, nobody would care for an ersatz World Cup. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/66 "2025-10-23T16:31:39Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Has anything changed since 2018? yes, the number of teams has increased from 32 to 48, meaning the number of qualifying teams from our region (as well as every other region) has increased. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/67 "2025-10-23T16:34:57Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I’d want to know what Adidas pays FIFA every four years for providing the official ball for the tournament, underhandedly of course. I mean, why do you think this is underhanded? Adidas pays (a lot probably) to FIFA to be a World Cup sponsor and supply the official ball. There is nothing illegal or underhanded about that. Every professional sports league has ball manufactures pay to be the official ball of that league (Wilson for the NBA, etc.) ---
**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:** [October 23, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/68 "2025-10-23T16:55:50Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > I mean, why do you think this is underhanded? Because I can’t imagine any business that FIFA does going on without corruption, that’s why. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/69 "2025-10-23T17:14:25Z")
oh, I’m sure the people involved are enriching themselves unjustly, but my point was that the general arrangement of a ball manufacturer paying a sporting authority to be a sponsor and the “official” ball of a competition is completely acceptable, widespread and not really noteworthy. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/70 "2025-11-07T01:54:48Z")
Infantino is such a skilled suck-up it’s not surprising no one else thought of this first. > **[FIFA creates new peace prize to be awarded at World Cup; Trump a favourite to...](https://nationalpost.com/news/world/fifa-peace-prize-donald-trump)** > > The Nobel Committee keeps snubbing the U.S. president but Donald Trump's chances of winning an elusive peace prize have just gotten higher. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2025, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/71 "2025-11-07T06:14:59Z")
Is ANYONE going to believe this isn’t a predetermined, pointless exercise in just giving Donald something shiny? Edit: I suppose it will be fascinating to see (although disgusting) how Infantino will present the trophy whilst being lodged somewhere up Trump’s back passage. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/72 "2025-11-07T14:29:14Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Infantino is such a skilled suck-up it’s not surprising no one else thought of this first As I said they got this. Dealing with a narcissistic corrupt autocrat is a “don’t throw be in the briar patch” situation for FIFA. There is zero chance of them missing out on this pay day. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/73 "2025-11-07T14:39:04Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > Is ANYONE going to believe this isn’t a predetermined, pointless exercise in just giving Donald something shiny? I’ve seen some suggestions that they should give that award to Obama, just to piss off Trump. We all know that they will give a nice shiny object to Trump, though. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/74 "2025-11-18T19:53:26Z")
> [@Stanislaus](#): > > Scotland are, ludicrously, on course to get to the play-offs. I say ludicrously because we have played atrociously in teh last couple of matches, and yet still contrived to come away with 6 points (robbing Greece 3-1, and getting out of Belarus 2-1). We’ve looked inept, lumpen, tactically deprived and individually listless, and still are sitting on 10 points from a possible 12, and looking good for second place. > > On the one hand, if we’re getting these results playing below our potential then finding a higher gear should give us a real shot. On the other, we can’t be lucky forever Despite everything, Scotland are now in a straight shoot out with Denmark for qualification. We win we go through, Denmark need draw or win… And McTominay with an overhead kick in to the bottom corner!!! Ya dancer! > **[Scotland vs Denmark LIVE: UEFA World Cup Qualifiers - watch, listen, team...](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ce8glxdnx9wt?post=asset%3Aac7b6252-5d12-41b5-8288-13500454361b#post)** > > Watch Sportscene, listen to Sportsound and follow live text commentary, score updates and match report from Scotland vs Denmark in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/75 "2025-11-18T21:12:50Z")
Denmark score a penalty, because it turns out sitting on a one nil lead for 87 minutes isnt a viable strategy. But then McGinn performs an effective but cynical dive to foist a secknd yellow on the Danish defender, and tbeure down to ten men. We sub on two strikers… ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/76 "2025-11-18T21:27:45Z")
Lawrence Shankland you golden cave troll of a man! All we have to do is not concede anoth… FFS ---
**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:** [November 18, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/77 "2025-11-18T21:44:34Z")
goddamn this is some finish. ---
**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:** [November 18, 2025, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/78 "2025-11-18T21:49:30Z")
Congrats Scotland, well done! I was surprised to see that they as well as Norway have qualified for the WC the first time since 1998 in France. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/79 "2025-11-18T21:51:26Z")
Wow some of those Scottish goals tonight… ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/80 "2025-11-18T21:53:08Z")
Sven Forkbeard, Harald Bluetooth, Brigitte Nielsen, Mads Mikkelsen, we have beaten them all. Her off of Borgen do you hear me, your boys have taken a hell of a beating! Greatest Scots victory over the Danes since the Battle of Largs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=5)