OFFICIAL 2026 US/Canada/Mexico World Cup Thread

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think that red card was 100x more justified than the Balogun card and I can live with it. What I dont understand is not showing a red to the Mexico keeper and also this latest VAR review that awarded Mexico a penalty.

Refs are losing control

[Jeff Lebowski]

Wow. That game was a blast.

[Omaha 680]

See ya, Mexico! Look on the bright side: you dont even have to fly home!

[Jeff Lebowski]

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[BigPiney]

I think that red card was 100x more justified than the Balogun card and I can live with it. What I dont understand is not showing a red to the Mexico keeper and also this latest VAR review that awarded Mexico a penalty.

That was my first reaction, but thinking about it, the offensive player kicked the ball out of bounds and had no chance of getting to it if he had stayed up. At least that was how I saw it. So it's not a goal scoring opportunity. It is still a foul but I'm ok without the red card.

Is love to see another angle on it like the ref cam to make a better informed decision.

[BigPiney]

Ok, I looked at the laws of the game. No red was the right decision but he should have got a yellow. Here is what it says:

"Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball;"

Because he made an attempt to play the ball, there can be no red if a penalty kick is awarded. a yellow was appropriate.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The Belgians acting so desperate to play us without one of our best players is hilarious. Wankers.

[Omaha 680]

The Belgians acting so desperate to play us without one of our best players is hilarious. Wankers.

Trump's supposed involvement muddies everything as usual. Trump and FIFA are made for each other. Gross.

While the red card was ridiculous on its face and the suspension was the just decision, I hate so much that the world will paint it as the US President bullying FIFA into the decision. I can't decide if I want Balogun to score 5 goals or be a non-factor in a decisive win. Either way the Belgians will claim they were cheated.

[Omaha 680]

Can't wait for the Eur-Asia World Cup of 2030! Games to be held from Portugal to Tokyo.

Bumping this gem from page one of the thread. falafel wasn't that far off with his prediction in 2018.

[falafel]

Bumping this gem from page one of the thread. falafel wasn't that far off with his prediction in 2018.

I thought it would be a different hemispherical divide, but man this looks dumb.

KH-GRAPHIC-2030-WORLD-CUP-HOSTS-V2.jpg

[Omaha 680]

I thought it would be a different hemispherical divide, but man this looks dumb.

KH-GRAPHIC-2030-WORLD-CUP-HOSTS-V2.jpg

The multi-nation hosting is going to be a necessity going forward given the size of the field and FIFA WC stadium capacity requirements (unless you are Qatar or Saudi Arabia and lie about what you will deliver). I don't mind the Portugal/Spain/Morrocco hosting. Adding the three extra matches in South America is stupid.

June in Buenos Aires is mild with average nighttime low temperatures in the mid-40s. However it absolutely can get very cold there occasionally in June. It would be hilarious if the Argentina match was below freezing at kickoff.

[BigPiney]

It is crazy, because it puts south america and africa out of the running to host and almost guarantees that the US will host again in 2038.

if your confederation hosts you ineligible to host for 2 cycles.

• UEFA: Union of European Football Associations (Europe) - 2030
• CONMEBOL: Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (South America) - 2030
• CONCACAF: Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (North & Central America) 2026
• CAF: Confédération Africaine de Football (Africa) - 2030
• AFC: Asian Football Confederation (Asia and Australia) - 2034 - Saudi Arabia are hosts
• OFC: Oceania Football Confederation (New Zealand and Pacific Island nations) - they only have 1 stadium that meets standards

[falafel]

The multi-nation hosting is going to be a necessity going forward given the size of the field and FIFA WC stadium capacity requirements (unless you are Qatar or Saudi Arabia and lie about what you will deliver). I don't mind the Portugal/Spain/Morrocco hosting. Adding the three extra matches in South America is stupid.

I don't mind the main Cup being between those 3 countries. A lot closer than LA to NY, or Toronto to Mexico City. But I don't see any reason for the 3 opening games in S.A. Will all 6 of those teams be granted automatic berths? 4 of the 6 are likely to be there no matter what, but Paraguay's last cup before this year was 2010.

[Omaha 680]

I don't mind the main Cup being between those 3 countries. A lot closer than LA to NY, or Toronto to Mexico City. But I don't see any reason for the 3 opening games in S.A. Will all 6 of those teams be granted automatic berths? 4 of the 6 are likely to be there no matter what, but Paraguay's last cup before this year was 2010.

I haven't read anything for sure, but I can't imagine the three South American countries will be autobids. But maybe they have to be? Could they swap out one of the opening matches for another South American country if Paraguay (or Uruguay) don't qualify? I think switching one match location would be relatively easy with the several months lead time they would have after conclusion of CONMEBOL qualifying. Also with the expanded field, it is really hard to not qualify now. Chile and Italy should be extra embarassed at not being at this year's tournment.

Maybe in the end they will rig the qualifying so a couple of the extra bids that typically are playoffs between federations just go to CONMEBOL.

[Jeff Lebowski]

It is crazy, because it puts south america and africa out of the running to host and almost guarantees that the US will host again in 2038.

We should host every other cycle. Just alternate hemispheres.