OFFICIAL 2026 US/Canada/Mexico World Cup Thread

[Donuthole]

US playing like absolute dog feces I blame Trump.

[Moliere]

It's what FIFA (and apparently all global football fans) really want. They will never make as much money as they can in the US and the fans will never enjoy themselves as much. But FIFA has to pretend they want it rotated around the world.

But if Canada hosted the WC, instead of making a lot of money, FIFA would be able to sit on the dock of a lake and enjoy the outdoors…

[Moliere]

One thing that is funny to me is how the non-american announcers continue to marvel at our stadiums.

These aren’t even our biggest stadiums…

[Jeff Lebowski]

Correct. But the trump stench will remain. The suspension was just but fifa should have had the balls to come out and do it within 24 hours of the Bosnia game. Now Belgium does have a gripe about their prep being disrupted.

All the above being said, if Belgium had any balls they would state they are annoyed at the timing of the decision but they should have to beat a team full strength to advance deep in the tournament. Whining because a bogus red didnt give you a gift of a depleted opponent is soooo soft. I think the fear of crashing out of yet another world cup without winning more than one knockout game is showing. Are they still calling these old men their golden generation?

I can't believe how much energy they are putting into this. Let's hope this distraction impacts their focus and confidence.

[SteelBlue]

All the above being said, if Belgium had any balls they would state they are annoyed at the timing of the decision but they should have to beat a team full strength to advance deep in the tournament. Whining because a bogus red didnt give you a gift of a depleted opponent is soooo soft. I think the fear of crashing out of yet another world cup without winning more than one knockout game is showing. Are they still calling these old men their golden generation?

This is the biggest evidence that even they know their golden generation is cooked.

[Omaha 680]

Uh, very few have to play the way we had to play. This was not a "common" red. Yes, there have been others like it.

Correct. But the trump stench will remain. The suspension was just but fifa should have had the balls to come out and do it within 24 hours of the Bosnia game. Now Belgium does have a gripe about their prep being disrupted.

All the above being said, if Belgium had any balls they would state they are annoyed at the timing of the decision but they should have to beat a team full strength to advance deep in the tournament. Whining because a bogus red didnt give you a gift of a depleted opponent is soooo soft. I think the fear of crashing out of yet another world cup without winning more than one knockout game is showing. Are they still calling these old men their golden generation?

[SteelBlue]

Uh, very few have to play the way we had to play. This was not a "common" red. Yes, there have been others like it.

Did I use the word common? It’s not some egregiously bad red. He stomped an ankle. I have no idea what the rest of your comment means. Literally every team that gets a red has to defend a man down the rest of the game.

[falafel]

The narcissist has put his stench on the WC. I’ve seen softer red cards than Balogan’s and wasn’t surprised it was given though of course didn’t like it. Still, it was given and I would much rather we played the way everyone else has to and have him miss this game.

Uh, very few have to play the way we had to play. This was not a "common" red. Yes, there have been others like it.

[SteelBlue]

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.

The narcissist has put his stench on the WC. I’ve seen softer red cards than Balogan’s and wasn’t surprised it was given though of course didn’t like it. Still, it was given and I would much rather we played the way everyone else has to and have him miss this game.

Did any of you see Trump’s remarks? “I know a lot about sports, like a lot. And when he got that red card I didn’t really know what that meant…”

[Omaha 680]

We should host every other cycle. Just alternate hemispheres.

It's what FIFA (and apparently all global football fans) really want. They will never make as much money as they can in the US and the fans will never enjoy themselves as much. But FIFA has to pretend they want it rotated around the world.

[falafel]

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

That is nuts. I wonder if they will waive that requirement for CONMEBOL. When was the last time there was a Cup in S.A., besides Brazil in 2014? Argentina in 1976. I guess they don't have the stadiums either, and probably can't build them.

One thing that is funny to me is how the non-american announcers continue to marvel at our stadiums.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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