FIFA World Cup 2026

[Mousse]

Yes, but it used to be a much smaller group getting to the tournament. Now someone has decided to just bring more countries to the party.

I like it. It's the World Cup, not the G20 World Cup. Granted the richer nations have a decided advantage, still the inclusion of poorer nations gives their citizens something to cheer for. I like the underdog story. When has the 🇯🇲Jamaican🇯🇲 bobsled team ever earn a medal🥇🥈🥉 or make it to the finals?😏 They still compete every four years and have a sizable the following outside of Jamaica.😎
That said, we know the real reason behind the expansion.🤑🤑🤑

 

[timber]

It's worth mentioning that Cabo Verde held Spain with only one foul the entire game.
Spain would win 9 out of 10 games but even if you are one of the best you should never be indulgent and arrogant.
Spain started without Nico Williams, Yamal, Dani Olmo or Merino.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Do you want him to stay now Slot has gone?

No. His wages are too high. At this point we’re paying him based on past performance, which is never good value. He’s been an incredible player but all good things etc etc.

 

[FeliApple]

Cabo Verde just put up a wall and said “Go through it now”.

Spain should’ve scored maybe once, they missed a goal with no GK; Cabo Verde was otherwise impenetrable.

As more of a tennis fan myself, if the quality difference between the two players is large, tennis aggression is typically rewarded, football allows for a far more “on-the-books inferior” team to hold the big 0 even against superior opposition.

Only one foul, and even if Spain missed a chance or two, what Cabo Verde did was amazing.

 

[zkap]

This World Cup has been considerably more entertaining than I expected, and now the real business starts with Argentina and France.

One thing that irritates me to no end are the ad breaks. This is incompatible with football, completely unnecessary and ruins momentum / actually impacts games in an unfair way. Just an awful move in every possible way, but we knew FIFA and the US government would find a way to squeeze even more money out of this competition.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I think everyone is annoyed that hydration breaks are being used as a Trojan horse for introducing ad breaks, which are now here to stay probably. Exploiting a health issue for profit? It’s the FIFA way.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, that I certainly expect! 🤣

Indeed.

To be honest, I really don't care what happens to USMNT in the abstract.

Fair enough.

I'm too annoyed by the bigger picture to get down to just enjoying the tournament. It's lost to me.

Very much likewise.

BUT - there are some decent young men in that squad doing their best and taking advantage of a rare professional opportunity. They didn't create this situation and don't deserve to have that taken away from them, so for their sake I wish USMNT the best.

Fair comment, and I can't - and don't, and won't - disagree with your remarks.

You make a reasonable case.

 

[timber]

I think everyone is annoyed that hydration breaks are being used as a Trojan horse for introducing ad breaks, which are now here to stay probably. Exploiting a health issue for profit? It’s the FIFA way.

And it's worth reminding that several of stadiums are ACed...

 

[Silencio]

Some cracking matches on Monday. Kudos in particular to Cabo Verde and New Zealand for punching well above their weight class.

I was disappointed in the Ecuador match on Sunday night. As usual, they have a hard time putting the ball in the net, and in this match it was easier for them to hit the woodwork instead. Amad Diallo scored the late winner for Cote d'Ivoire, which was very much bittersweet. Truth is, Ecuador hasn't really performed on the big stage since 2006, when they beat Poland and Costa Rica and gave England a very even match in the knockouts.

Maybe Argentina will salvage some pride for CONMEBOL today. France vs Senegal should also be a good one.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well watching in the UK none of the hydration breaks have been an excuse to show adverts.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Apparently depending on results, England could be playing the US on the 4th of July I was told earlier. That will be fun!

 

[boppin]

By the way: Can you watch every football match for free, or do you have to pay for it?

 

[rhett7660]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2066262148825948507

I just watched this and that was freaking awesome! Supposedly Boston is really digging the Scots... lots of parties, lots of bagpipe playing, and lots of parades... AT ALL HOURS lol...

 

[Lioness~]

By the way: Can you watch every football match for free, or do you have to pay for it?

Not every match, but I watch a lot of matches for 'free' - I pay some, on the tax, that's called 'public-service' to that channel, so not entitely free.

Just saw some clips and summaries, of Haaland, Mbappé and Messi, of matches that was on the other (pay-channel) that broadcast World-Cup, too.

Zlatan said (about Haaland): in the channel in US he works for during World Cup.
I might have too move him up on my 'king of the jungle' - list. He's closing up on Zlatan, he did a good performance for 🇳🇴 today.
Thankfull I don't have to listen to Zlatan these days.
🇸🇪 Football will always remember him, but that guy's ego 🤯 we're doing just fine without that.

 

[boppin]

Watching Portugal 🇵🇹 against Congo DR 🇨🇩 right now. ZDF.

ZDF im Livestream | ZDFmediathek

Sehen Sie hier das ZDF im 24-Stunden-Livestream.

www.zdf.de

 

[zephonic]

Happy to see DRC holding the line against Portugal. In the last twenty minutes they looked like the better team, Portugal resorting to their usual underhanded dirty tactics.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just settled down to watch the England game. As I’ve only just finished work I’m quite happy it’s on late.

If we win the UK press will go into overdrive about how we will win the tournament.

If we lose they will be all doom and gloom looking for someone to blame and lynch.

Expecting a 1-1 draw.

 

[boppin]

Happy to see DRC holding the line against Portugal.

The Congolese were definitely the better team. Well, done! 🇨🇩👍

 

[zephonic]

That penalty retake was utter BS.

Does anybody believe they would have called that if the first one had gone in?

(Talking England Croatia here, to be clear)

 

[Corefile]

Mödric's legs have gone so time for him to retire. Chrissie Ronaldo is past his prime too as he is holding Portugal back. Get rid of him and Portugal play better.

 

[it wasnt me]

Livaković amazes me. I still hope that the Three Lions will make the Final this year.

 

[jeremz1ne]

you can watch every match on Peacock for free but its not english, its thru Telemundo

 

[Mousse]

you can watch every match on Peacock for free but its not english, its thru Telemundo

The Spanish commentators are more fun to listen to than the English commentators. I only understand a few words of Spanish--most of them not usable in polite company--but listening to them makes the game more exciting. You can feel ebb and flow of the game without watching the match.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The Spanish commentators are more fun to listen to than the English commentators. I only understand a few words of Spanish--most of them not usable in polite company--but listening to them makes the game more exciting. You can feel ebb and flow of the game without watching the match.

Also, who wants to hear Alexi Lalas running his mouth in the English broadcasts? Dreary. That guy stopped being relevant some time around 1995.

 

[Corefile]

The Spanish commentators are more fun to listen to than the English commentators. I only understand a few words of Spanish--most of them not usable in polite company--but listening to them makes the game more exciting. You can feel ebb and flow of the game without watching the match.

Yes, Telemundo is a godsend so you don't have to listen to clueless English speaking comms. You want to hear the crowd but don't want to listen to some muppet. Telemundo also adheres to the requirement of the commentator screaming GOOOOL for as long as his breath can hold, each time one hits the old onion bag. And AND Telemundo doesn't pull away from the game during the "water hydration" ad break like Fox does.