# 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:** 56
**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:** [June 17, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1101 "2026-06-17T21:51:09Z")
Game over now, surely ---
**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 17, 2026, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1102 "2026-06-17T21:54:19Z")
6 or 7 extra minutes incoming. ---
**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 17, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1103 "2026-06-17T22:00:51Z")
And who cleared Croatia’s best chance in second half close to their own goal? Harry Kane! ---
**Author:** ![SwissMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@SwissMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwissMan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1104 "2026-06-17T22:02:16Z")
If every game went like that, soccer would become the most popular sport in the US overnight. England played well overall; they need to work on their passing in their end of the field and cut down on some sloppy play. But a big test passed. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1105 "2026-06-17T22:36:13Z")
The Croatian keeper was highly impressive. And Kane barely got a second chance on a lacklustre penalty kick. England clearly dominated the second half. Portugal? Not as much. England’s bench is very deep. I do wish they would occasionally pick someone else to do some of the penalty kicks. And go for the long balls much more often with talent like Bellingham; they got into trouble when their defence futzed around in the midfield - Croatia can be dangerous shooting thirty yards out; and made the most of limited opportunities. ---
**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 17, 2026, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1106 "2026-06-17T22:38:21Z")
That’s what I’m thinking too. I don’t think Kane is any better, percentage-wise, at converting PKs than any other England striker. ---
**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 17, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1107 "2026-06-17T22:41:19Z")
His career conversion rate is 92%…compare that with 81% for Messi and 87% for Ronaldo. ---
**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 17, 2026, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1108 "2026-06-17T22:42:12Z")
Ah OK. I guess, though, maybe seeing how the Croatian keeper was able to stop his first PK today, if maybe using him so heavily as the PK shooter makes him too familiar and easy for opposing keepers to study. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1109 "2026-06-17T23:22:01Z")
What are the World Cup conversion rates? ---
**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 17, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1110 "2026-06-17T23:24:46Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > His career conversion rate is 92%…compare that with 81% for Messi and 87% for Ronaldo. Thanks for quoting the statistics. From my gut feeling, I always thought that Lewandowski was the best PK finisher ever, until Kane came to Bayern. ---
**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 17, 2026, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1111 "2026-06-17T23:26:52Z")
79% since 1978. > **[Will the first World Cup penalty be scored? | Gyoztes.com](https://gyoztes.com/spotlight/world-cup-first-penalty-made-or-missed-20260605003504799)** > > Will the first World Cup penalty be scored? Live Yes/No odds: Yes 100.0%, No 0.0%. 2026 FIFA World Cup. To put Harry Kane in perspective, the only penalty he missed in his last 25 tries in the Bundesliga was because an opposing player sneaked up and scuffed the pitch around the PK spot without Bayern noticing it. Which by the way, the Bayern players are supposed to be protecting that. ---
**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 17, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1112 "2026-06-17T23:34:02Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > To put Harry Kane in perspective, the only penalty he missed in his last 25 tries in the Bundesliga was because an opposing player sneaked up and scuffed the pitch around the PK spot without Bayern noticing And everybody following the Bundesliga was shocked to see him miss, but after seeing the opposite player ruining the penalty spot in review, thought “Oh well, that’s why”. ---
**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 17, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1113 "2026-06-17T23:37:47Z")
Cuahtemo Blanco is the best penalty taker I’ve ever seen. When he was on Chicago he’d take a 20 yard run up and roof them. 97% career rate. ---
**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 17, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1114 "2026-06-17T23:45:55Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > 97% career rate. Wow, that’s really impressive! Didn’t have him on my radar. ---
**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 18, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1115 "2026-06-18T00:00:42Z")
He spent his entire career in Mexico with a stint in the US, definitely not a big name unless you’re a Mexican national team fan (or your team played them a lot). ---
**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 18, 2026, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1116 "2026-06-18T00:43:10Z")
Ghana v Panama game must not be too exciting. 0-0 at 80 minutes and not a single post here about it. Anyone watching? ---
**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 18, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1117 "2026-06-18T00:50:18Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Ghana v Panama game must not be too exciting I’ve been watching since halftime. Not the most riveting game I’ve watched this week. ---
**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 18, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1118 "2026-06-18T00:54:29Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Ghana v Panama game must not be too exciting. 0-0 at 80 minutes and not a single post here about it. Anyone watching? Equally competitive. Not a lot of shots on goal. ---
**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 18, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1119 "2026-06-18T00:57:34Z")
And Ghana scores late in stoppage time! A beautiful end-to-end run with a great cross to set up the finish. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1120 "2026-06-18T02:01:31Z")
Neither team is great, and its raining. But the last fifteen minutes were enjoyable! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=55) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=57)