OFFICIAL 2026 US/Canada/Mexico World Cup Thread

[BlueK]

Watching these games reminds me that a BYU Law classmate may be as responsible as anyone for soccer’s growth in the U.S. Scott LeTellier was a smart but rather uncommitted student. He’d occasionally come to classes dressed in tennis togs, would stretch and do some push-ups while roll was being taken, then head to the courts once the lecture began (he was on the Tennessee tennis team). He was Peter Ueberroth’s top assistant in planning/operating the ’84 Olympics. He was also one of the funniest guys I met in law school.

Read this article from the DesNews a couple of years ago that tells you how Scott brought the World Cup to the U.S. the first time. I remember talking to him in the early 90s about the World Cup and how I thought it’d never catch on here. I was mistaken.

I think the increase in popularly of soccer in the US is 90% a generational thing with huge help from the advances in technology starting in the late 80s that made it easily accessible on TV. But Gen X is the first generation to watch international soccer in any significant numbers. I'm hard pressed to find any baby boomers who ever picked it up or who watch it now, despite it becoming accessible on TV. My dad, an avid college football and basketball fan still couldn't care less about the World Cup. My teenage kids will watch with me. But even before that, soccer began to be popular in the US as a youth rec sport in the 70s, and I think that's why Gen X was the first generation to start to get into it.

The technology piece is the other enormously important factor. Before 1986 there was no broadcaster for the World Cup showing the games in the US. When most people could only get 3-6 channels on their TV there wasn't going to be room for it. In 86 just having graduated from HS I remember going to BYU to watch the games in Spanish since Univision was the only way to get the games. It was pretty cool, I thought, to watch it that way.

Then for the first time in 40 years the US finally had a team qualify for the 1990 WC in Italy and ESPN decided to carry it, which was the first time a US English language broadcaster picked it up. FIFA awarded the 94 tournament to the US and I remember it surprised a lot of boomers at the time what a huge success it was with sold out stadiums and high TV ratings with real Americans buying most of the tickets. The audience being 90% under age 35-40. I think the shock to older generations was that so many younger than them thought it was cool, and a lot of the older guard Sports media was still quite cynical and dismissive.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Watching these games reminds me that a BYU Law classmate may be as responsible as anyone for soccer’s growth in the U.S. Scott LeTellier was a smart but rather uncommitted student. He’d occasionally come to classes dressed in tennis togs, would stretch and do some push-ups while roll was being taken, then head to the courts once the lecture began (he was on the Tennessee tennis team). He was Peter Ueberroth’s top assistant in planning/operating the ’84 Olympics. He was also one of the funniest guys I met in law school.

Read this article from the DesNews a couple of years ago that tells you how Scott brought the World Cup to the U.S. the first time. I remember talking to him in the early 90s about the World Cup and how I thought it’d never catch on here. I was mistaken.

[BlueK]

Fun bunch of games today.

What can be done about the ridiculous flopping epidemic in top-level soccer? I am flabbergasted that they sport's best and most decorated athletes act so cowardly. I understand the reasons behind it, I am not denying the competitive advantage of any of it. I am instead decrying the obvious lack of attention from FIFA to curb this dumb behavior. Of all the hurt ankles and feet out there in the games today, I am certain 80% of them are phantom injuries. Not a new take, I know.

It used to be worse, IMO. But yeah, it's annoying.

[falafel]

Fun bunch of games today.

What can be done about the ridiculous flopping epidemic in top-level soccer? I am flabbergasted that they sport's best and most decorated athletes act so cowardly. I understand the reasons behind it, I am not denying the competitive advantage of any of it. I am instead decrying the obvious lack of attention from FIFA to curb this dumb behavior. Of all the hurt ankles and feet out there in the games today, I am certain 80% of them are phantom injuries. Not a new take, I know.

[Omaha 680]

Yeah, that is AI writing. And not even good AI writing.

I saw a couple quotes on someone's Instagram stories. I am part of the problem.

[BlueK]

I was calling for a red when I saw it. I have to wonder if I had been on the field as the ref if I would have given the red or not. It wasn't DOGSO (Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity) because of the covering defender, so you have to go for violent conduct or serious foul play. Was there excessive force that could have caused serious injury? You could maybe make that case with the contact to the head and neck. Tough call for sure.

Yeah, I get that maybe a strict interpretation of the rule may not mandate an automatic red. But definitely looked pretty dirty. No play on the ball.

[BigPiney]

Wow, Congo DR and Portugal, what a great game. Also I can't stand Portugal. They play like punks. That hasn't changed in years. That clothesline foul at the end deserved a red. Also funny to see Christiano Ronaldo be a non factor in the game.

I was calling for a red when I saw it. I have to wonder if I had been on the field as the ref if I would have given the red or not. It wasn't DOGSO (Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity) because of the covering defender, so you have to go for violent conduct or serious foul play. Was there excessive force that could have caused serious injury? You could maybe make that case with the contact to the head and neck. Tough call for sure.

[BlueK]

Wow, Congo DR and Portugal, what a great game. Also I can't stand Portugal. They play like punks. That hasn't changed in years. That clothesline foul at the end deserved a red. Also funny to see Christiano Ronaldo be a non factor in the game.

[Donuthole]

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Yeah, that is AI writing. And not even good AI writing.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Not sure. I will have to find it again...and recalibrate my AI-detector if it is the one you are referring to.

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[Moliere]

Seeing France and Mbappe come alive in the second half was great. Although Messi getting a hat trick was the highlight of the games yesterday.

[Omaha 680]

Nobunaga?

Pretty sure that is all AI slop.

Not sure. I will have to find it again...and recalibrate my AI-detector if it is the one you are referring to.

[BlueK]

I knew this would.be the case but it's kind of sad to see it play out: with the field increased to 48 and a full 2/3 going through, the group stage has been stripped of almost all its previous drama. The final days of WC group stage play used to be one of the most exciting spectacles in all sports. Unfortunate for fans but money I guess.

Cape Verde vs. Spain was amazing. It was like a 16 going toe to toe with a 1 at the NCAA tournament.

[Jeff Lebowski]

My favorite one so far may be the Japanese guy's treatise on the social significance of bottomless chips and salsa in America.

Nobunaga?

Pretty sure that is all AI slop.

[Omaha 680]

My favorite one so far may be the Japanese guy's treatise on the social significance of bottomless chips and salsa in America.