# 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:** 41
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/801 "2026-06-15T12:00:08Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > They have the trauma of trying that against Belgium in 2018. The game was tied 2-2. Japan went all out for the win, and instead Belgium swiftly counterattacked and won 3-2 in the dying seconds. > > So Japan parks the bus now. That’s a totally different situation. The 2018 game was in the knockout rounds. The 2026 WC game was in the group stage that we’re in now. A draw with the Netherlands is a desirable result. ---
**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 15, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/802 "2026-06-15T14:43:52Z")
Well, this didn’t take long. > **[World Cup Chaos: Tunisia brutally fire Sabri Lamouchi after one game](https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/sabri-lamouchi-fired-tunisia-coach-sacked-after-5-1-loss-to-sweden-in-2026-world-cup/)** > > Tunisia has sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi just one game into the 2026 World Cup following a humiliating 5-1 loss to Sweden in Group F. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/803 "2026-06-15T15:11:54Z")
I don’t know if I’d call that “brutal”. I was expecting something more North Korean. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/804 "2026-06-15T15:29:41Z")
Has this ever happened before? A head coach being fired during a WC, especially after the first game? ---
**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:** [June 15, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/805 "2026-06-15T16:01:48Z")
Now let’s see if Spain can score higher than Germany yesterday. ETA: no disrespect to Cape Verde, but the constellation is similar. ETA2: a little side note: it just happened for the first time that VAR corrected a false corner call. And it went smoothly and quickly. ---
**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 15, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/806 "2026-06-15T16:11:03Z")
Without Yamal Spain lack the truly elite goal scoring threat, I’d be surprised if they get close to 7. The midfield should put on a show though; Pedri is a treat. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2026, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/807 "2026-06-15T16:14:41Z")
They have so much quality in the offense that I still think they will win clearly. But so far, Cape Verde are doing a good job and keep Spain away from their goal. ---
**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 15, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/808 "2026-06-15T16:21:59Z")
I mean, Ferran Torres is fine, but he’s no Mbappe or Harry Kane or what have you. I’m sure Spain will bag a couple though. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/809 "2026-06-15T16:36:01Z")
Spain disappoint me so far. No creativity, no ideas. ---
**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 15, 2026, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/810 "2026-06-15T16:42:14Z")
What’d I just say about Torres? Wonder when the wingers will come on if this remains 0-0. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/811 "2026-06-15T17:05:40Z")
I’m going to be a contrarian and say that the expanded field is really growing on me. No harm in letting the minnows have a realistic chance of qualifying and maybe having a moment of glory or two before reality sets in. More games, more fun. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/812 "2026-06-15T17:19:32Z")
I like Spain, but it’s getting harder not to pull for the Verdeans here. It’s like the NCAA tournament, where even if you have, say, Kentucky, in your bracket, you’re still rooting against them when they’re in crunch time against Northern Southwestern Eastern Tech. (realizing that comment is incomprehensible to most of the participants in this thread…) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/813 "2026-06-15T17:25:31Z")
69th ranked Cape Verde pulling off a draw against Spain (which is No. 1 in some rankings) would be huge. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/814 "2026-06-15T17:27:52Z")
Hell, losing by just a goal or two would be huge! ---
**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 15, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/815 "2026-06-15T17:28:12Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I’m going to be a contrarian and say that the expanded field is really growing on me. No harm in letting the minnows have a realistic chance of qualifying and maybe having a moment of glory or two before reality sets in. I keep putting these underdog matches on in the background and then end up turning on the sound and watching more closely. It’s been a lot of fun! ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/816 "2026-06-15T17:34:08Z")
I’ll agree. I’d bet that not a single Curacaoan fan would trade their memory of that score to pull even with mighty Germany for anything in the world. ---
**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 15, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/817 "2026-06-15T17:34:53Z")
Yamal immediately unbalancing the defense. Going to be a long 20 minutes for Cape Verde, but still tied. ---
**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 15, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/818 "2026-06-15T17:53:37Z")
Cape Verde has come darn close to scoring. This place will blow up if CV score and win the game. ---
**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 15, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/819 "2026-06-15T17:54:36Z")
This is incredible. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/820 "2026-06-15T17:56:25Z")
Corner in the last 20 seconds !!! No !! 0-0 Yay !! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=40) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=42)