# 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:** 63
**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 19, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1241 "2026-06-19T19:24:38Z")
1st time in history to have two games straight having own-goals. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1242 "2026-06-19T19:29:43Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > The US team is showing excellent ball control. Agreed, but they’ve also been good at stealing it right back if they lose it for a second. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1243 "2026-06-19T19:34:12Z")
And apparently the U.S. has scored the second-most own-goals of any team in tournament history (after France). Which makes “Own” the U.S.'s top scorer ever - granted, he’s played in every U.S. World Cup appearance… ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1244 "2026-06-19T19:35:26Z")
Australia is going to have to dial it back or they’re going to risk a penalty shot. ---
**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 19, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1245 "2026-06-19T19:46:49Z")
OG and VAR are the leading goal scorers thus far. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1246 "2026-06-19T19:48:53Z")
That goal started as a penalty kick play. ---
**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 19, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1247 "2026-06-19T19:59:09Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Now, numerous Australians on reddit(and other sites) have said they have some pretty scathing anti-Trump chants planned. > > I said I won’t believe it until I hear them watching television. So far, I’ve heard none of them. I don’t think you’ll be able to hear them. I’ve read that audio techs at soccer matches are always ready to muddle the sound if the crowd chants get too … spicy. Which sucks because I’d love to hear what the crowd is actually signing. ---
**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 19, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1248 "2026-06-19T19:59:19Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > penalty kick play Free kick. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1249 "2026-06-19T20:04:12Z")
Yes, sorry. Free kick, from a penalty. They’re suffering from aggressive plays in the scoring zone. They already have 2 yellow cards. They need to dial back the aggressive play and turn it into footwork. It’s not the job of a defensive player to take the ball away when it’s out in the corner. Let the opposing player play with the ball and then block it from crossing into the center or tap it away and go after it. DON’T foul them. ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1250 "2026-06-19T20:10:05Z")
Cam Burgess does like an own goal or two. Deary me! ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1251 "2026-06-19T20:10:18Z")
So the U.S. have been able to turn the corners of the Aussie defense and turn their speed advantage into goals - Balogun on the left side, Dest and McKennie down the right. Australia is set up for dealing with high crosses, but when the U.S. gets to the end line, they can cut back with the ball on the ground rather than in the air, which plays to the U.S. strengths. Will Australia put new wingbacks in to keep the game in front of them? ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1252 "2026-06-19T20:22:01Z")
Stuart Holden is a much better analyst of teams he isn’t invested in. His relentless homerism is tiring. ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1253 "2026-06-19T20:34:27Z")
What, now they’re just calling it a “match break”? They’re not even keeping up the pretense of it being about hydration? ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1254 "2026-06-19T20:39:18Z")
Had anyone else realized that, not counting the 1930 side, the Paraguay match was only the second time the USA had ever won a World Cup match by more than one goal? (The first, of course, was the _dos a cero_ win over Mexico in '02) ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1255 "2026-06-19T20:41:33Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > What, now they’re just calling it a “match break”? They’re not even keeping up the pretense of it being about hydration? I’ve noticed as well. They abandoned hydration break yesterday, I believe. USA is 15+ minutes away from a second win and a berth in the round of 32. I hope they can hold it. ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1256 "2026-06-19T20:42:00Z")
Editorial note: Zwayer is also known for match-fixing in '05. What a redemption story! ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1257 "2026-06-19T20:43:44Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Editorial note: Zwayer is also known for match-fixing in '05. Ask Jude Bellingham about it… ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1258 "2026-06-19T20:45:19Z")
One of your Moenchengladbachers about to enter the match! ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1259 "2026-06-19T20:47:11Z")
Reyna? He didn’t have many opportunities in Gladbach to show his strengths, unfortunately he has been injured most of the time. ETA: ah, I see it’s Scally. Good player. ---
**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 19, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962/1260 "2026-06-19T20:47:35Z")
Joe Scally! Isn’t he yours? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=62) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-2026-discussion-etc/1023962.md?page=64)