OFFICIAL 2026 US/Canada/Mexico World Cup Thread

[falafel]

I feel terrible for Senegal. Again they are defeated by a European colonizer. I can only imagine what a game against Belgium and DR Congo would have been like.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Holy cow that was intense!!

[BigPiney]

That ref was terrible. I was ready to call ICE at halftime.

[dabrockster]

IMG_8189.jpeg
Just sayin.. And not a single card was given. And this was much worse and he was chasing the player from behind, while Balogun was side by side jostling for position.

[falafel]

That ref was terrible. I was ready to call ICE at halftime.

I'm interested in your take on that call. I can see a yellow, but it wasn't intentional and, IMO, not so egregious it merited a red.

[BigPiney]

I'm interested in your take on that call. I can see a yellow, but it wasn't intentional and, IMO, not so egregious it merited a red.

I hated the call. In real time he didn't even card it or call a foul, but then to review it in slow motion and they were jostling for position. I liked the no call, but I could see calling a foul. They were shoulder to shoulder. If he had come in from the side and stepped on him like that, then a clear red. The issue is that it got sent to VAR which is to review for possible red. He couldn't give a yellow if he felt that was warranted. It was red or nothing at that point. I wonder if he even watched it in full speed, because I would think he would select no foul if that were the case. I almost think of it like when a DB and WR get their feet tangled and there is no call. Yes the WR is tripped, but that happens when you are running full speed, really close together.

I don't know how you can call that but ignore the pick play in the first half that laid out a player.

Also when the BIH coach wouldn't give them the ball for the throw in and he was on the field. That is as clear a red as there ever was for delaying the restart of play, but the ref let that go.

[Omaha 680]

I agree completely, BP. I cant recall a worse straight red card at a world cup.

And absolutely correct that VAR getting involved was the start and end of the problem. Once those screen jockeys started dissecting it they were going to freeze on what looked like a broken ankle. Once the ref got that view he was never going to go against the implication that VAR was recommending a red. The VAR folks need to have some brains and judgment for the overall context of the step. It wasn't even really a true tackle. If they just thought about it, the ref never gets buzzed and this doesnt spin out of control.

If VAR doesnt initiate a review, zero people would be talking about a missed call that should have been carded. Also being it was a VAR initiated review, there is 0 percent chance that any appeal would be successful. FIFAs position would be VAR already confirmed the decision and there is no potential mistake to appeal.

The whole episode sucks and of course it had to happen to our biggest goal scoring threat during what has the potential to be our best run ever at the WC.

[falafel]

Thanks fellas - that's the context I was looking for, and I agree with you both.

As for VAR, I'm not a huge fan of how they are using it, especially with offside calls. They'll call it if an effing toe is off. It's getting ridiculous with the whole breaking the plane graphic. I hope they make some tweaks to the system.

Also, so annoyed with the hydration breaks. We are back to AYSO crap.

[Omaha 680]

Thanks fellas - that's the context I was looking for, and I agree with you both.

As for VAR, I'm not a huge fan of how they are using it, especially with offside calls. They'll call it if an effing toe is off. It's getting ridiculous with the whole breaking the plane graphic. I hope they make some tweaks to the system.

Also, so annoyed with the hydration breaks. We are back to AYSO crap.

I have mixed feelings about VAR. I think it has been a net positive. The ability to verify penalties alone is worth it. In the pre-VAR era those game altering calls were missed far too often even in the World Cup. It is a double-edged sword for cards. In our first match VAR reviewed an initial card on Tim Ream and reversed it on VAR to give the card to the Paraguayan who dove; that is an incredible use of the technology and should be done far more often. But the debacle last night is the other edge of that sword.

For VAR review of offside, I am sympathetic to those who hate it. I too think it is somewhat nonsensical to call back a goal for a toe offside because the "offside" player in that position has no advantage. However, the reason VAR was brought in was because the offside call itself is so hard to judge. So we bring VAR in and we all agree the line is nothing over, not even a toe. It will disallow goals where there was no advantage gained by the scorer's initial position, but it is an objective line no one can argue with. The minute we try to couple any kind of lenience/judgement with VAR on offside calls, we are right back where we were before VAR with complaints of subjectivity.

[BigPiney]

Look at this video of the "red card".

https://www.reddit.com/r/usmnt/comme..._red_card_for/

makes me even more mad.

[Omaha 680]

Look at this video of the "red card".

https://www.reddit.com/r/usmnt/comme..._red_card_for/

makes me even more mad.

It's insane. This isn't even a yellow.

[Donuthole]

I have mixed feelings about VAR. I think it has been a net positive. The ability to verify penalties alone is worth it. In the pre-VAR era those game altering calls were missed far too often even in the World Cup. It is a double-edged sword for cards. In our first match VAR reviewed an initial card on Tim Ream and reversed it on VAR to give the card to the Paraguayan who dove; that is an incredible use of the technology and should be done far more often. But the debacle last night is the other edge of that sword.

For VAR review of offside, I am sympathetic to those who hate it. I too think it is somewhat nonsensical to call back a goal for a toe offside because the "offside" player in that position has no advantage. However, the reason VAR was brought in was because the offside call itself is so hard to judge. So we bring VAR in and we all agree the line is nothing over, not even a toe. It will disallow goals where there was no advantage gained by the scorer's initial position, but it is an objective line no one can argue with. The minute we try to couple any kind of lenience/judgement with VAR on offside calls, we are right back where we were before VAR with complaints of subjectivity.

I think the rule needs to be changed to be something similar to what the line of scrimmage pass attempt rule is in football, i.e. that if any part of your body is in line with any part of the defender, it is onside. That seems easier to arbitrate than the current rule.

[BigPiney]

I think the rule needs to be changed to be something similar to what the line of scrimmage pass attempt rule is in football, i.e. that if any part of your body is in line with any part of the defender, it is onside. That seems easier to arbitrate than the current rule.

In EPL I guess the line is more of a buffer, like 6 inches wide, so it is not as nitpicky. I would be happy with it being about a 1ft for the automated system.

In term of what you are suggesting I don't think that would be easier. As the AR I am lined up with that 2nd to last defender. If someone were running past and just their foot was trailing in like with the defender it would be ever harder than it is now to call. Now if I see their shoulder or head or torso past the defender I can make that call. It seems like watching for overlap would be harder as I try and keep track of the action.

[Donuthole]

In EPL I guess the line is more of a buffer, like 6 inches wide, so it is not as nitpicky. I would be happy with it being about a 1ft for the automated system.

In term of what you are suggesting I don't think that would be easier. As the AR I am lined up with that 2nd to last defender. If someone were running past and just their foot was trailing in like with the defender it would be ever harder than it is now to call. Now if I see their shoulder or head or torso past the defender I can make that call. It seems like watching for overlap would be harder as I try and keep track of the action.

I'm just thinking more for the VAR reviews it would be easier to tell if someone is offside or not.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Here is the biggest problem with the red card rule: it is absurdly punitive. Send a guy to the bench? Fine. But play down one person the rest of the game.? That is just stupid.