PBP: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage PBP Thread

So far only 4 million social media posts showing photos of empty stands taken 20 minutes before kickoff.

 

The prime afternoon weekend network game is Switzerland vs Qatar.

There are too many damn teams in this tournament.

 

Well, of course it did. It was against 2009 Spain who hadn't been beaten in a game since 2006.

 

I personally like it. More representation from outside Europe and South America.

 

There's a non-European Switzerland now?

It is kind of fun that going into today no team from Europe or South America has won a game yet (edit: I forgot Bosnia has a point, so I was wrong when I said no points for either yet). Early days, obviously.

 

That's a problem that can be solved without expanding the finals field.

 

I'm morbidly curious about the attendance number for Qatar-Switzerland. I know both teams' primary kits are similar colors to the seats, but...

 

Don’t watch many Niners home games so seeing the plane shadows every 20 mins is pretty cool.

 

There are empty seats, notably in the most expensive areas but its still pretty full.

Actually the ITV commentator has just said that people are headed to the concourses as it's so damn hot in direct sunlight.

 

Still crazy to me that they built a stadium in the Bay Area with such little shade.

 

It can feel really hot in the sun but the moment you step into the shade it gets chilly. I've been at Oracle Park in a T-shirt and the concessions staff are wearing ski jackets.

 

Brutal game, this one.

 

Switzerland have had 25 shots, 10 on target but needed a penalty.

 

The next game will be better.

Since it can hardly be worse.

 

. . . but I'll take that stunner for the tie at the end. Awesome by Qatar.

 

The design was drawn up for the much cooler Candlestick Point in San Francisco. When they pivoted to Santa Clara, they didn't bother redesigning it to fit the location.

 

Good for Canada too.

 

Qatar goalscorer was a center back pushed up front in the last minutes as they chased the equalizer. This is the first time in quite a while that I've seen a center back in that situation score in the run of play.

 

Just because it's not going to finish this way, current confederation standings:

Concacaf 2-1-0, 7 points, 2.67 ppg
Asia 1-1-0, 4 points , 2.00 ppg
UEFA 0-2-1, 2 points, 0.67 ppg
Oceania 0-0-0, 0 points
Africa 0-0-1, 0 points, 0.00 ppg
Conmebol 0-0-1, 0 points, 0.00 ppg

 

6 v 7 in the FIFA rankings.

 

Shocked to see Morocco so high for a team from the CAF, but they proved their worth in 2022. They're making Brazil look like a U20 team in the first 30 minutes of action.

 

I have managed to miss both of the goals in this game.

Whenever I walk away: goal.

 

This game was expected to be a cracker, and it's lived up to the pre-game billing so far.

 

Hakimi, as great as he is, needs to know when to focus on defense. Vinicus Jr took advantage of his absence.